Leaving the city
On the third day of the third lunar month, the Shangsi Festival, people flocked out of the city.
At the South Gate, the flow of carriages and people was congested. The Lu family's carriage traveled for a long time before finally arriving outside the city gate. However, they found that the official road outside the city wall was still crowded with carts and donkey carts, moving slowly. Many passengers got off halfway and walked along the river.
The Shangsi Festival has a custom of purification bathing. There is a Wei River outside the South Gate. The river water is clear and the current is relatively slow. Many people in the city choose to come to the banks of the Wei River.
Last year on the Shangsi Festival, Mu Qing accompanied the Third Madam to the stream outside the West Gate. There were few people there, and he was unaware that the South Gate was so lively. He was filled with regret and had no choice but to put on his veil and get out of the carriage with Lu Tongxue to walk to the upper reaches of the Wei River.
Along the high embankment, there is a willow tree every ten steps. Pedestrians pass under the willow curtain, several steps faster than carriages and horses.
They hadn't walked far with the crowd when the accompanying guards relayed a message that Miss Ji wanted to speak with them in person.
Mu Qing and Lu Tongxue were walking hand in hand when they heard this and turned around to look. Through the gauze curtain, they recognized the maids beside Ji Shucai and Ji Shuzhen.
Ji Shucai, wearing a veiled hat, approached with her younger sister, her voice filled with a smile: "Qingxue, I didn't expect to meet you here. Are you really recovered now that you can go out and play?"
Mu Qing agreed, and then heard Ji Shuzhen say, "I thought it shouldn't be a big deal. It's just that Ling Chun is nervous, worried that you picked up something at her house that day, or ate something you shouldn't have. If you see her again, you'll have to explain to her properly."
After not seeing her for several days, she became even more rude and disrespectful, speaking in a condescending manner.
Mu Qing was somewhat surprised and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Lu Tongxue chimed in, "Lingchun wouldn't make things difficult for my sister Qing. If she were to meet her, she would only be happy."
“That’s true.” Ji Shuzhen said in a drawn-out voice, “Sister Qingxue is going to be a princess, so who wouldn’t fawn over her? Even if she closes her doors to guests every day, the prefect’s daughter still has to be very polite to her.”
"Zhen'er, stop talking nonsense." Ji Shucai scolded, then sighed, "Qingxue, my sister's mischievous nature is beyond saving, please don't mind it."
Upon hearing this, Ji Shuzhen crossed her arms and turned her back, clearly displeased.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Mu Qing frankly said, "I was indeed unable to receive guests a few days ago, and it was by no means an intentional act of putting on airs and refusing goodwill."
With her face damaged and filled with anxiety because of Zhong Linlan, she had no desire to see guests and refused to meet any of the young ladies. If she could keep the young prince out, she wouldn't even want to see him; she just wanted to cover her face and wait until she was fully healed before seeing anyone.
Ji Shucai said gently, "I know you must have had no choice, but now that you're better, you should have a good get-together with us."
Mu Qing looked ahead through the gauze curtain and saw a crowd flowing forward. "I heard there are shallows upstream on the Wei River. When we get there, we can find a place to sit down and talk."
Ji Shucai smiled and said, "There's no need to go upstream on the Wei River. I know a quiet place not far away that's very convenient to get there by boat."
She raised her hand and pointed at Wei Shui.
The Wei River is wide and wide. Looking out, you can see the river flowing and white mist floating. In the middle is an oasis, like a green snail in a white jade soup. Houses are built on the banks, and the shadows of people are faintly visible.
Mu Qing had heard of that place and said, "It seems that Bihuazhou has an owner."
“It’s from the Zhen family,” Lu Tongxue said cheerfully. “I went there last time to celebrate the Zhen family’s birthday. Xiangling’s grandfather was a high-ranking official who bought that land years ago and is now living there in his old age.”
Ji Shucai smiled and sighed, "Tongxue has been in Weizhou for over a month and has become familiar with Xiangling. She is truly likable."
Upon hearing this, Lu Tongxue's mood improved slightly, and she became more polite, "We can only exchange a few words. Aren't your Ji family and the Zhen family still relatives who keep in touch?"
"Yes." Ji Shucai nodded reservedly. "We had already arranged to visit each other's homes before we came out."
Continue walking along the river, and you'll soon reach the embankment and wharf.
Since he was accompanying someone as a guest, Mu Qing only kept Ning Gu and Shi Yu by his side. After dismissing the rest of the servants and guards and waiting for the carriage, he went to rest. Then, he boarded two small boats, drifted across the river, and arrived at Bihua Island.
The Zhen family had already sent people to guard the shore. Upon learning of the arrival of the guests, they smiled and offered to lead the way to Bihua Manor.
Mu Qing thought back to Zhen Xiangling, the young lady of the Zhen family, all the way. After thinking for a long time, he finally managed to recall some impressions from the banquets he had attended. He vaguely remembered that she was a somewhat arrogant woman.
Bihua Island is densely wooded with numerous forks in the road, and the rolling hills obscure the view, making it difficult for people to walk and causing them to wander around in circles.
At the end of the road, nestled in the green forest, stands a tall mansion with blue bricks and black tiles. The gable walls are decorated with upturned magpie tails, and the eaves are carved with ancient beasts in ebony, giving it a grand appearance.
As you walk along, passing through the secluded side courtyards and alleys, you arrive at the central courtyard, where you see a slender woman in green standing under a pavilion entwined with wisteria blossoms.
Hearing footsteps in the courtyard, the woman in green turned around. It was Lingchun from Prefect Liu's household. She was wearing a light green cloud-patterned dress, her hair styled in a lily bun, and she was holding a book. She smiled and said, "You've finally arrived."
Seeing that everyone had taken off their veils, she quickly walked up to Mu Qing and said, "Qingxue, are you all better now?"
The Ji sisters turned their heads to look and saw that Mu Qingyun's skin was flawless, without any trace of a rash, and they were stunned and somewhat disappointed.
Mu Qing smiled and nodded, "Don't be fooled by how it seems now. Before, I was covered in rashes, which was quite frightening, which is why I didn't want to see anyone."
Liu Lingchun smiled, pursing her lips.
Lu Tongxue winked at her and said, "I told you not to worry too much. My sister Qing is a lucky person."
Liu Lingchun gently punched her, showing a hint of intimacy.
Mu Qing was surprised at how familiar the two of them had become when Ji Shuzhen spoke up.
"Lingchun, why are you the only one here? Where is Xiangling?"
Liu Lingchun said softly, "Xiangling was here earlier, but she was summoned by Grand Secretary Zhen to see a guest."
If a woman is sent out to greet a guest, it is likely that the guest is not an ordinary one.
Ji Shucai asked, "Do you know who the guest is?"
Liu Lingchun lowered her eyes and said, "Let's talk about it when Xiangling comes back."
Judging from her appearance, others immediately guessed that she must be a male customer.
Zhen Xiangling was also of marriageable age, but Liu Lingchun kept his head down and refused to say more no matter how much he asked.
After a moment of awkward silence, Ji Shuzhen changed the subject, "Lingchun, what book were you reading just now?"
Liu Lingchun handed over the book he was holding and muttered, "Xiangling showed this to me. The paintings in it show that the artist has exceptional skill."
Upon seeing the blue cover of the book, Mu Qing's eyelids twitched. When Ji Shucai took it and unfolded it, it was indeed the "Collection of Outstanding Talents" that she had seen before from Du Jiniang.
She couldn't help but look up at Lu Tongxue, who glanced at the booklet and bit her lip to suppress a laugh.
"Oh dear, all the pictures and writings here are of men!"
Ji Shucai casually flipped through the pages, intending to sell them, but Ji Shuzhen took them and carefully examined each page, finding it quite fascinating.
"It's really well drawn; the men are much better looking than those in storybook illustrations."
Ji Shucai looked around and saw that the Lu sisters were calmly watching the show, so she quickly advised, "Zhen'er, you can't just watch this casually."
"Why can't we just look around?" came a voice from afar.
As everyone looked toward the moon gate, they saw a figure in light blue enter, graceful and elegant, her flowing cloud-patterned gauze skirt fluttering in the breeze.
Ji Shucai laughed and said, "Xiangling, where did you get this booklet?"
Zhen Xiangling has delicate features, her face is like a light brushstroke, and when she wears makeup, the intensity is just right, and she looks radiant when she smiles.
She slightly raised her chin, glanced at the crowd in the courtyard, and pointed to the "Collection of Outstanding Talents" in Ji Shuzhen's hand, "Isn't this booklet made for people to read? Shucai is only eighteen years old, yet she acts like an old scholar."
Ji Shucai felt embarrassed by what was said, and smoothed her hair. "After all, that booklet is full of men, we..."
"Should we watch this behind closed doors?" Zhen Xiangling smiled. "Don't worry, the people in this courtyard won't spread the word."
Ji Shucai was speechless. Seeing her younger sister still engrossed in reading the booklet, while the Lu sisters seemed indifferent, she couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. After a moment of internal monologue, she vented her anger and smiled gently, "Xiangling is right."
Lu Tongxue stepped forward and said with a smile, "Xiangling, didn't I tell you that this booklet is not to be taken seriously? How come you still got your hands on it and are looking at it?"
Zhen Xiangling said, "After hearing what you said, I lost interest, but since someone brought it over, I might as well take a look."
After hearing Lu Tongxue recount how she borrowed the booklet, she glanced at Mu Qing.
Mu Qing greeted her and looked back at her with curiosity, finding her interesting and wondering why she hadn't noticed her before.
Little did anyone know how many bad things the Ji sisters had said about her, making people unconsciously want to distance themselves from her.
Zhen Xiangling sized her up, exchanged a few polite words, but ultimately showed little interest and quickly turned to Liu Lingchun.
She recently became acquainted with Liu Lingchun, and when they talked about calligraphy and painting, it was as if they had found a kindred spirit. They became very close friends and immediately began to appreciate and comment on the paintings in the "Collection of Outstanding Works".
When Ji Shuzhen heard that most of the people in the paintings did not match the real people, she watched with great interest, as if she were appreciating a painting, and would occasionally compare which man's portrait was more handsome.
Ji Shucai felt quite embarrassed, but there was nothing she could do. Seeing that Mu Qing and Lu Tongxue were also watching intently, she couldn't help but feel contempt. She only regretted that the young prince was not here, so that he could know the shallowness of his future princess.
She flipped through the booklet from beginning to end, enjoying the conversation. Then, as if remembering something important, Zhen Xiangling said, "I almost forgot, today is Spring Bathing Day. I was going to invite you to bathe in the spring water."
At the head of Bihuazhou, there is a spring with clear, cold water that flows like a stream. The Zhen family built a courtyard by the spring and diverted the spring water to build bathhouses, making it an enviable place for leisure.
"Unfortunately, my grandfather has guests and it is inconvenient to use the bathhouse, so I can only take you to the spring to wade in the water."
When Zhen Xiangling said this, everyone else said it was no problem.
Mu Qing didn't care, while Lu Tongxue just wanted to go out and play, no matter how. Liu Lingchun, who was always shy, was worried about the spring bath, but when she heard that it was just to wade in the water, she breathed a sigh of relief. The Ji sisters had other ideas and both said they didn't mind.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
