Chapter 55: Qixi Festival (Double Seventh Festival)
It was July, the scorching heat of summer, yet the Duke's mansion was filled with a lively atmosphere unlike any other, due to the approaching Qixi Festival. According to tradition, wealthy and powerful families often had the matriarch host a "Qiqiao Banquet," inviting close female relatives to celebrate the festival together. This was not only a fitting occasion but also a good opportunity to strengthen relationships, showcase the matriarch's talents, and demonstrate the mansion's wealth and status. This was another important family banquet hosted by Su Wanrou since marrying into the Duke's mansion, following the Dragon Boat Festival banquet and the Peony Festival.
Having learned from her previous two experiences, Su Wanrou was now adept at preparing for the banquet this time. She had discussed and finalized the guest list, menu, decorations, and festive items such as traditional pastries and lanterns with her steward, Gu Zhong, well in advance. The guest list included not only several noblewomen who were on good terms with the household, but also the Lady of Yongchang Marquis and the Lady of the Minister of Personnel, who already held Su Wanrou in high regard. Even Princess Anhua, who was favored by the Emperor, had accepted an invitation to attend due to her past relationship with the Dowager Lady. This guest list was both befitting of the Duke's mansion and showcased Su Wanrou's increasingly sophisticated social skills.
Two days before Qixi Festival, the entire household was bustling with activity. Maids and servants swept the pavilions and corridors where guests were to be entertained until they were spotless, and hung up all sorts of exquisite lanterns and ribbons. The small kitchen was filled with fragrant aromas as the cooks used all their skills to make platters adorned with fruits carved into exotic flowers and birds, various pastries symbolizing "exquisite craftsmanship," and "Qiaoguo," an essential dish for Qixi Festival.
Su Wanrou personally oversaw everything, inspecting the banquet arrangements, tasting the dishes and snacks, and even personally selecting the seasonal flowers displayed in the waterside pavilion, striving for perfection. When Gu Yan returned home from court, he often saw her leading her maids between the storeroom and the banquet hall, her nose glistening with fine beads of sweat, yet her eyes were bright and full of energy.
After dinner that evening, Gu Yangui saw her checking the list again and said, "No need to go to so much trouble, a regular family dinner will do." Although he knew this was her duty as the mistress of the house, he couldn't help but speak up when he saw that her chin had become a little thinner.
Su Wanrou raised her eyes, her gaze shining: "Husband, don't worry, I'm not tired. This is my first time celebrating Qixi Festival in the manor, and also my first time hosting a Qiqiao banquet. I want to make it as proper as possible, so as not to lose face for the Duke's manor, and also not to let the ladies and young ladies who come find it boring." She paused, her voice becoming lighter, "Besides, Xuan'er is also looking forward to it. He said he wants to worship the Weaver Girl with his friends."
Looking at the joy and anticipation in her eyes that belonged to someone her age, Gu Yangui swallowed back the words he had originally intended to use to persuade her to rest, and simply nodded: "If there are any difficulties, let Gu Zhong handle them." His gaze fell on her slender fingers, and he thought of the ring she wore every day, which was made of a similar material to his purse. His tone softened, "Take care of yourself too, don't overwork yourself."
This brief expression of concern warmed Su Wanrou's heart, and her smile grew even brighter: "Yes, I understand, thank you, my husband."
two
On the day of Qixi Festival, the weather was perfect; as night fell, the Milky Way gradually appeared. Carriages and horses streamed in and out of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and the invited ladies, dressed in their finest attire, entered the mansion with smiles and laughter.
Colorful lanterns had already been lit around the waterside pavilion, their glow reflecting off the starry sky. A long table was set up under the eaves, laden with a dazzling array of cleverly crafted pastries, fresh fruits, and fragrant tea. In the open space in the center of the pavilion, an altar was set up, offerings of cleverly crafted pastries made of flour and molasses, such as "smiling faces" and "fruit-shaped treats," as well as seasonal fruits, for use in worshipping the Weaver Girl.
As the mistress of the house, Su Wanrou wore a dark-colored floral silk dress, with only a red-gold and kingfisher feather hairpin in her hair. She maintained the dignity of a duchess while also possessing the gentle charm of the Qixi Festival for young ladies. She stood at the entrance of the waterside pavilion to greet the guests, her demeanor proper and her speech gentle. She exchanged greetings and pleasantries with the ladies and young misses with ease.
"Madam Gu's attire today is truly elegant and refined, perfectly complementing the Qixi Festival night scene." Lady Yongchang held Su Wanrou's hand, praising her with a smile, her eyes full of goodwill.
"Madam Hou, you flatter me. Please come inside." Su Wanrou said with a smile, leading the way.
The Minister of Personnel's wife, Madam Li, also arrived. Looking at the exquisitely decorated waterside pavilion, she whispered to Princess Anhua beside her, "Your Highness, you see, although Madam Gu is young, she manages the banquet with perfect order and discipline. It's truly remarkable."
Princess Anhua, around forty years old, possessed an elegant demeanor. Upon hearing this, she nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the orderly servants and the perfectly arranged furnishings, and said calmly, "Yan Gui has good taste." Though these words were spoken lightly, they were already a very high compliment.
Soon, all the guests arrived. Besides several high-ranking noblewomen, there were also several young ladies from official families of similar age to Su Wanrou, all legitimate daughters of their respective households, and the atmosphere quickly became lively. The younger generation, such as Mingxuan, played with several other little guests, accompanied by their wet nurses and maids, in a pavilion a little further away, their clear laughter echoing through the air.
The ceremony to worship the Weaver Girl was solemn yet full of charm. Led by Su Wanrou, the women took turns burning incense and praying before the altar, silently expressing their wishes. Most prayed for dexterity, while others prayed for happy marriages and peace at home. The candlelight illuminated their devout or shy faces, and under the starry sky, the atmosphere was tranquil and beautiful.
After the worship ceremony, the highlight of the Qiqiao Banquet begins—threading needles to pray for skill. Maids bring out seven-holed needles and colorful silk threads, placing an embroidery tray under the moonlight. The rule is that the person who can thread all seven needles the fastest under the moonlight or lamplight is considered to have "gained skill," meaning they will become increasingly dexterous in the future.
The young ladies were the most enthusiastic, rolling up their sleeves and stepping forward, holding their breath and concentrating intently as they deftly manipulated needles and thread, creating an atmosphere that was both tense and lively. The older ladies watched from the sidelines with smiles, occasionally offering guidance or making a few jokes.
As the hostess, Su Wanrou was only smiling and making arrangements on the sidelines, but she was pulled over by the young ladies. "Madam Gu, come quickly, we all want to see your skills!" Unable to refuse, Su Wanrou had no choice but to pick up the needle and thread as well. Although she was not a professional embroiderer, she was calm and meticulous, and her movements were unhurried, so she dressed smoothly.
In the end, the second young lady of the Yongchang Marquis's mansion won first place, her cheeks flushed with joy. Su Wanrou smiled and rewarded her with an exquisite gold ingot that she had prepared in advance as a prize, and also gave all the participating young ladies delicate sachets as encouragement, making everyone happy.
Then came the enjoyment of Qiaoguo (a type of pastry), lantern viewing, and leisurely conversation. Laughter filled the waterside pavilion, accompanied by the gentle sounds of string and wind instruments, echoing the bustling Qixi Festival celebrations in the streets outside the mansion, creating a unique and refined atmosphere characteristic of wealthy families.
three
Midway through the banquet, Princess Anhua departed to attend to the Empress Dowager in the palace. Su Wanrou personally escorted her to the second gate with impeccable manners. Before getting into her sedan chair, the princess turned back to look at Su Wanrou and said in a gentle tone, "Yan Gui has a cold temperament and many affairs in the household. You are young and can handle them well, which is excellent. If you have free time in the future, you are welcome to visit my residence often."
These words clearly expressed goodwill and approval. Su Wanrou was grateful and quickly curtsied, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Princess. Wanrou will remember it."
After seeing off the Princess, Su Wanrou returned to the waterside pavilion, where the atmosphere became more relaxed. Several ladies gathered together for a chat, and the conversation inevitably turned to their children. Lady Yongchang Marquis smiled and said to Su Wanrou, "Speaking of which, Lady Gu and our girl seem to get along quite well. We should visit each other more often in the future."
Another lady chimed in, "Indeed, Madam Gu is kind and gentle; no wonder the Duke dotes on her." As she spoke, her gaze seemed to casually sweep over the obviously valuable kingfisher feather hairpin in Su Wanrou's hair, and the ring on her finger made of the same material as Gu Yangui's purse, her smile deepening.
These ladies were all shrewd and intelligent. The fact that Gu Yangui wore a purse embroidered by one of his ladies was already a well-known story in the capital. Mentioning it now was naturally a good-natured joke and compliment.
Su Wanrou's cheeks flushed slightly, but her heart was filled with sweetness. She responded gracefully, "Ladies, you flatter me. It is my husband's thoughtfulness and the help of everyone in the household." She skillfully steered the conversation away from the topic, talking about the stories and anecdotes of Qixi Festival, and then invited everyone to taste the newly served chilled fruits. Her words and actions were appropriate, neither taking credit nor being overly humble, making everyone feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.
Watching her move freely and cheerfully among the older, higher-ranking ladies, without showing any stage fright, the ladies who had initially been hesitant because of her young age completely abandoned their last trace of disdain and truly placed her on an equal footing.
Four
The women inside the waterside pavilion were enjoying themselves, but in the study not far away, the scene was quite different.
Gu Yangui returned to the manor early today, though it was inconvenient for him to attend the women's banquet, he still stayed at home. After handling several official matters in his study, he became somewhat restless. The faint sounds of laughter and music coming from outside the window reminded him of the grand banquet taking place in the manor, and also made him involuntarily think of the young woman in the center of the banquet.
He put down his pen, strolled out of the study, and stood with his hands behind his back on the veranda. From this angle, he could just see the hazy lights of the waterside pavilion and the shadowy figures. The night breeze carried a faint fragrance and crisp laughter, and he seemed to be able to discern her soft and gentle voice among them.
The attendant, Gu Qing, approached silently and reported in a low voice to Princess Anhua on her praise of the lady, as well as the smooth progress of the banquet and the pleasant experience of both host and guests.
Gu Yangui listened quietly, his face expressionless, only humming in response. However, when Gu Qing mentioned that the lady had handled the situation well and that all the ladies had praised her, his fingers, which were behind his back, twitched almost imperceptibly, as if he were feeling for non-existent threads.
"Young Master is having a great time too. He's worshipping the Weaver Girl star with the young master of the Yongchang Marquis's family. He looks very serious," Gu Qing added with a smile.
Thinking of Mingxuan earnestly worshipping the stars like the girls, Gu Yangui's lips finally curved into a barely perceptible smile. This home, because of her arrival, had indeed gained much more vitality and warmth than ever before.
He didn't return to his study. Instead, he stood on the veranda, gazing in the direction of the waterside pavilion, listening to the wind and faint laughter for a long time. As the moonlight deepened and he guessed that the banquet was nearing its end, he turned and went inside, instructing, "Prepare some light late-night snacks and send them to the main room."
five
At the beginning of Hai hour (9-11 PM), the Qixi Festival banquet came to a successful conclusion. Su Wanrou personally escorted all the ladies and young misses to the second gate. Watching the carriages depart one after another, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although she felt tired, her mood was more relaxed and joyful than ever before.
Back at Qiwu Courtyard, she bathed and changed, washing away her fatigue. Yunbin wrung out her hair while excitedly recounting the interesting events of the day's banquet, praising how well the lady behaved and how many ladies complimented her.
Su Wanrou listened with a smile, her heart filled with a sense of accomplishment. This was not only a success for the banquet, but also a symbol of the widespread recognition of her status as the mistress of the Duke's mansion.
At this moment, Yuebai came in carrying a food box and said with a smile, "Madam, the Duke has instructed the kitchen to send over a late-night snack, which includes your favorite rock sugar bird's nest and a few light snacks."
Su Wanrou felt a warmth in her heart upon hearing this. Although he hadn't shown himself, he had been keeping an eye on things, even considering that she might not be able to enjoy her meal properly at the banquet.
She was about to have a late-night snack when she saw Gu Yangui walk in from outside. He had changed into his nightgown, his dark hair was slightly damp, as if he had just taken a bath, and his body carried a refreshing moisture.
"Husband." Su Wanrou stood up to greet him.
"Please sit down and eat." Gu Yangui walked over and sat down beside her, his gaze lingering for a moment on her slightly tired but radiant face. "Was the banquet successful?"
"Yes, it went very smoothly." Su Wanrou scooped up a spoonful of bird's nest, the sweetness spreading from the tip of her tongue to her heart. "Princess Anhua also invited me to visit her residence sometime in the future."
"The Princess is a proud and aloof person. It's your skill to have won her favor," Gu Yangui said calmly, but his tone contained a hint of almost imperceptible praise.
Su Wanrou looked up at him. In the candlelight, his cold, hard features appeared much softer. She suddenly remembered something, put down the white porcelain spoon, took a small brocade box from the display case beside her, and handed it to him, her eyes filled with a hint of playfulness and expectation: "Husband, this is for you."
Gu Yangui raised an eyebrow, took the item, and opened it. Inside was nothing valuable, but a love knot woven with colorful silk threads, adorned with a small gold bell. The craftsmanship wasn't top-notch, but it was full of ingenuity and emitted a faint fragrance.
“This is…” he looked at her.
"Today is the Qixi Festival, and I secretly made one too." Su Wanrou's cheeks flushed slightly, her voice soft. "It symbolizes peace, good fortune, and a harmonious and happy relationship. If my husband doesn't mind, you can hang it in the tent or wear it with you..."
Before she could finish speaking, Gu Yangui had already picked up the love knot, his fingertips caressing the delicate silk thread. Then, to Su Wanrou's astonishment, he tied it directly to the crimson belt of the sapphire blue purse at his waist.
The colorful love knot paired with the royal blue purse seemed slightly out of place, yet strangely harmonious. He looked down at it, then looked up at her, his eyes deep: "Very good."
There were no extra words, just those two words and that gesture, which filled Su Wanrou's heart with immense happiness. She watched him solemnly place this Qixi Festival gift, symbolizing "unity," alongside her previous token of affection, and felt as if all the starlight of the night had fallen into her eyes.
Outside the window, the Milky Way shines brightly, and magpies meet on the bridge of love. Inside, candlelight flickers, warm and tender. On this night of praying for skillful hands, what is prayed for is not only the skillful hands of daughters, but also the most precious thing in the world: a devoted partner to stay together forever.
End of Chapter 55
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