Observing the ceremony
The branches of the forsythia swayed in the wind, and the vigorous and healthy old lady of the prefect's household stood in front of the central gate to welcome the guests.
Those who came were all prominent women from Weizhou City. After chatting and laughing with the old lady for a few moments, they went into the garden and gathered in small groups to chat.
The garden is lush with new greenery, dotted with flower buds, and filled with the chirping of birds and the soft sounds of laughter.
Mu Qing and Lu Tongxue followed beside the Third Madam, listening to the conversation between the elders, occasionally smiling and responding with a few words.
Lu Tongxue, usually charming and temperamental, now lowered her head slightly, smiled gently, and was as quiet as a lady.
Mu Qing secretly watched her, admiring how well she had put on the act.
When all the female guests arrived, music began, and the ladies and young women of each family entered the hall in turn. An incense table was set up in front of the hall, with gauze curtains draped to the ground on both sides. Behind them came the sound of musicians playing the sheng (a type of reed pipe instrument), creating a solemn yet festive atmosphere.
The old lady of the Liu family stood beside the incense table, while the others stood in rows on both sides below. The third lady was in a position closer to the front, with Mu Qing and Lu Tongxue behind her, watching the ceremony from a nearby distance.
Miss Liu was led in by her female relatives, knelt before the incense table, and listened to the chief guest recite the blessing. Her hair was then styled and adorned with a crown and hairpins by the attendant. She went to the back hall to change her clothes, and then returned to the front hall to listen to the old lady's teachings.
After the ceremony, the others offered their congratulations. Miss Liu Lingchun returned the greetings and then went out with Old Madam Liu, who was waiting outside, to pay respects to their ancestors.
The guests then moved to the banquet table, where they engaged in another round of conversation.
Mu Qing had only been out socializing for a little over a year as the young lady of the Lu family. Fearing exposure and trouble, she not only didn't take the initiative but also avoided people. She didn't have any close friends and only knew a few people. However, because of her status, people always greeted her with smiles and flattered her.
Lu Tongxue stayed by her and the Third Madam's side, and without having to actively seek out people to talk to, other young ladies would come to chat and get to know her.
When the banquet ended, Miss Liu Lingchun reappeared before everyone.
She was born to Prefect Liu's first wife. She lost her mother at a young age and grew up with the old lady. The old lady came from a farming family and was strong and vigorous, like an old tree that had withstood the wind and frost. She, on the other hand, was like a vine clinging to the old tree, somewhat weak and frail.
Perhaps because it was her day, she wore a long-sleeved dress and a magpie-and-plum-flower hairpin. She was less shy and more generous than usual, though she still spoke softly.
"Qingxue, your wedding day is in a few days. I didn't expect you to come to the ceremony."
Mu Qing hadn't expected her to come and greet her, since they hadn't known each other much in the past. She quickly stood up and replied, "It's a once-in-a-lifetime coming-of-age ceremony, so of course I've come to witness it. Seeing you looking radiant makes me so happy for you."
Liu Lingchun covered her face with her handkerchief and smiled. Just as she was about to speak, she saw two more people arrive beside her: Miss Ji the Fifth and Miss Ji the Sixth.
Miss Ji Shucai, the fifth daughter of the Ji family, walked gracefully in front of everyone in a satin dress with moon-shaped patterns. "Lingchun looks beautiful today. I almost didn't recognize you when you came in."
Miss Ji Shuzhen, dressed in a fine brocade robe, followed behind. "Sister Lingchun should dress more flamboyantly like this. She is too plain on ordinary days, which hides her beautiful face."
When Lu Tongxue saw the two of them, she glanced at Mu Qing.
On the day of the temple fair, after the appointment at Yiyeju was canceled, the Ji sisters sent a letter to the Lu family, explaining that they were feeling unwell and asking for their understanding.
Lu Tongxue was surprised. She wasn't feeling well, and her voice wasn't hoarse. The person was right in front of her, yet she ran away without saying a word.
Mu Qing knew that the person who came that day was not the real person, and thought she had been tricked. Although she did not publicize the matter and replied that it was nothing, she lost her goodwill towards Miss Ji and did not want to see the sisters at that time.
After thanking the Ji sisters, Liu Lingchun turned around and saw the Lu sisters about to leave. She quickly called them back and invited them to sit in the garden for a while.
They came specifically to celebrate her coming-of-age ceremony, so it wouldn't be good to spoil her mood. Besides, the Third Madam was going to the backyard to visit the Prefect's wife who was in confinement after childbirth, and the Lu family's carriages wouldn't be leaving for a while. So Mu Qing and Lu Qingxue went to the garden with her.
A cluster of lush green banana trees casts several verdant shadows, swaying gently in the breeze blowing through the latticed window on the wall.
The five sat down at the stone table under the flower window. Liu Lingchun, who was sitting in the middle, sensed the strange atmosphere between the two sisters. After a moment of awkwardness, she ordered someone to prepare tea and snacks.
Unable to contain herself, Ji Shuzhen pursed her lips and asked Mu Qing a question.
"Sister Qingxue, you usually talk to us, but you ignored us today. Are you still angry because we stood you up last time?"
Several times today, this Miss Lu, who always smiles at everyone, clearly saw the sisters but pretended not to see them and brushed past them.
Mu Qing wasn't exactly angry, but she felt that the other party had sent someone to impersonate her, showing no sincerity in making friends, so it was better to keep her distance. She couldn't figure out the reason and was too lazy to think about it, but now that the other party had come to ask her in person, she had to speak frankly.
Why didn't you go to Yiye Residence that day?
Ji Shucai sat upright, maintaining an elegant demeanor. Upon hearing this, she leaned slightly forward, "Why does Qingxue say that?"
Ji Shuzhen's face showed an unnatural expression. "Exactly, how can you say that? That day, we both had stomach aches and suddenly felt unwell, so we had to go back immediately. It was indeed impolite of us, but to say that we didn't go is going too far!"
Seeing the change in their expressions, Lu Tongxue understood perfectly and gave a soft snort.
"I also found your behavior strange that day. If you hadn't gone, it wouldn't have been strange. After all, you were wearing veils, and as long as you didn't speak, who would know who you were?"
Ji Shuzhen pouted, wanting to explain herself, but Ji Shucai pressed her hand down, and she remained silent with a stern face.
Ji Shucai smiled, her smile tinged with apology, "That's right, we didn't go, but there were reasons for it, we had no choice, and we had absolutely no intention of teasing you."
Seeing that her gaze was unwavering, Mu Qing believed her somewhat. "I've also thought about it. If you have something to do, it's okay if you don't come. Just ask someone to let us know. Why bother having someone impersonate you?"
Ji Shucai groaned inwardly. She thought that the young prince would take the Lu sisters to the theater and would definitely break their promise. They thought they could just have someone pretend to go to the teahouse to cover for them. But the play was about loyalty, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness, and it was written for Princess Duanjing. When the Lu sisters went to the teahouse, they bumped into the disguised maids. Unfortunately, the two maids were useless and ran away in a panic.
She had no choice but to clean up the mess, saying, "We had the maids impersonate us for another reason. But we were unable to get to Yiye Residence in time, and since we sisters had made an appointment with you but couldn't keep it, we thought we should book a private room for you. So we sent them to make the trip."
"Who knew they were so reckless, afraid of being seen through, and thought you hadn't noticed, so we just went along with it. Thinking about it now, I really feel ashamed."
Upon hearing "reckless," Mu Qing recalled that this phrase had also been used to describe herself, and immediately forgave it.
"So that's how it is. The other day I saw someone else under the lifted veil, and I wondered why you would send someone to play a trick on me."
The words implied understanding, but they sounded somewhat the opposite. The Ji sisters exchanged a glance, their expressions differing.
Lu Tongxue bit her lip, suppressing a laugh.
Liu Lingchun sat to the side, roughly understood what was going on, and felt rather embarrassed. Fortunately, a servant brought tea and snacks.
"This is Four Seasons Fragrance Five Grain Sweet Milk."
The pale yellow liquid spilled from the pot, filling five celadon cups.
Following the host's lead, the two sisters put aside their differences, each holding a cup, and once again congratulated Liu Lingchun on her coming-of-age ceremony.
After drinking half a cup, Mu Qing noticed that the taste was different from before. "Is this really Four Seasons Fragrance's Five Grains Sweet Milk?"
Liu Lingchun smiled and nodded, "I heard you like to drink this, so I had someone order it this morning. I was worried you might not come, but thankfully you did."
"Today is your coming-of-age ceremony, why bother with me?"
Mu Qing found it strange, as they had only met a few times before at various banquets.
Liu Lingchun's face turned slightly sour. "I've been wanting to thank you for your help with the last pitch-pot game, but I haven't had the chance yet."
When the topic of pitch-pot came up, Mu Qing remembered that it was the time they talked the most.
Some banquets included recreational activities. Lacking both talent and wit, and with Liu Lingchun being shy and easily flustered, the two of them merely went through the motions in various activities.
But Mu Qing had one strength: she could throw the arrows into a pot perfectly every time. Liu Lingchun couldn't do it, so she taught her how to throw the arrows several times.
Mu Qing felt a warmth in her heart at receiving gratitude for her small act of kindness, and thought to herself, "It feels pretty good to be a good person."
The Ji sisters also remembered the game of pitch-pot, but the unpleasantness from their conversation still lingered, and they didn't want to say anything to praise Mu Qing about it.
Ji Shuzhen looked at the cup and said, "The taste of this five-grain sweet syrup is indeed different."
Ji Shucai smiled and replied, "I heard that there is a similar drink in the capital. Someone brought the recipe from the capital to Weizhou. After the owner of Sijixiang learned about it, he made some improvements. I think its flavor is richer now."
Lu Tongxue had always been interested in things from the capital. She savored it carefully, "I've heard that people in the capital love to drink milk. Is there any milk added to this?"
Mu Qing also became curious and finished the remaining half cup. "There shouldn't be any milk in it."
Liu Lingchun took a sip of the liquid in her cup. "It tastes like peanuts have been added."
Upon hearing this, the others all agreed.
Mu Qing felt a tickle in her throat. "It's mixed with peanuts, yet it's still called Five Grains Sweet Soup?"
Seeing her displeased expression, Ji Shuzhen curled her lips and said, "Perhaps she hasn't had time to choose a name yet, so she's using this name instead."
Mu Qing said angrily, "How can there be such a shop that doesn't change its name but adds random ingredients?"
She couldn't eat peanuts; every time she ate them, she would get sick. She remembered the last time she accidentally ate some, which terrified Zhong Linlan... Suddenly, a chill ran through her, and the image of Zhong Linlan's fleeting glance flashed through her mind. He had never given her such a cold look.
Seeing that her expression was off, Liu Lingchun quickly said, "We're just guessing. Maybe the shop didn't add any other ingredients."
Even so, Mu Qing noticed discomfort in her throat and stopped talking. Before long, the conversation between them also stalled. As the gathering was about to end, Mu Qing remembered something and asked Liu Lingchun, "How did you know I like to drink multigrain sweet syrup?"
They weren't familiar with each other, so how could she know her preferences?
Liu Lingchun blushed slightly, "I heard from the Imperial Censor that when you were staying at the Lu residence, you sent someone to buy Five Grains Sweet Milk. I had someone go to Sijixiang to inquire, and that's how I found out..."
Mu Qing didn't listen much, her heart sinking as she felt a sense of unease.
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