Chapter 14: Soft as Jade, Gentle as Blossoms

Tong Youyu had taken a carriage home early with Shen Yumu, completely unaware that she had narrowly escaped a crisis.

On the carriage, Shen Lianyin had just learned that they were going to learn the guqin.

“Third sister hasn’t even mastered the basics yet; how long can she really keep it up?” she asked.

“I will definitely try my best. Second sister, don’t be so quick to underestimate me,” Shen Yumu replied with firm resolve.

“Who’s underestimating you? Just don’t come to me to complain later,” Shen Lianyin warned.

“I don’t care; I want to be happy first,” Shen Yumu insisted.

Back at home, when Peng Shi heard the news, she was overjoyed.

With Wenren Ze’s reputation in the capital, having his guidance was truly a rare opportunity and would be greatly beneficial.

However, Peng Shi knew Shen Yumu’s capabilities well and feared she might not keep up, so she called Tong Youyu over to help her get familiar with the basics.

In the Fenghe Garden, Jin Kui earnestly wanted to persuade her otherwise, saying, “Second Miss is doing all right, but Third Miss has such a temper, it’s just plain suffering for Miss to go over there.”

“It’s fine; she only speaks harshly but won’t truly harm me,” Tong Youyu thought as she went to Shen Yumu’s courtyard, only to find the situation more difficult than expected—

Shen Yumu had learned the guqin in her youth but never mastered it thoroughly, and after neglecting it for so long, she had forgotten everything.

With her condition, it wasn’t just about getting Wenren Ze’s guidance; even Tong Youyu teaching her the basics would be quite a challenge.

There was no shortcut to this matter—only hard practice. But as soon as Tong Youyu said a few more words, Shen Yumu reacted sullenly and sarcastically.

“With Third Cousin like this, I have no choice. Might as well cancel Wenren Gongzi’s visits and tell him not to come,” Tong Youyu didn’t mind; fewer practice sessions meant more time for homework.

“No, I won’t give up,” Shen Yumu insisted, biting her teeth to continue practicing, for this was her one advantage over Lu Runing.

“...Please, Cousin, keep trying,” Tong Youyu sighed softly.

There was always someone better, and with their aunt constantly comparing her to Miss Lu, her cousin saw her as a rival.

Learning from the excellent was important, but shouldn’t one’s own passion be the most crucial?

For several days, the Shen household was truly immersed in the “unrelenting melodies,” and the old Madam Shen, who had just recovered, couldn’t help but come out to manage the younger generation.

“If others play, you play too—just play no matter what? Why weren’t you doing this earlier?”

As a child, she refused to learn; now she was cramming at the last minute.

Shen Yumu was quite distressed and clung to the old lady, “Grandmother, please help me...”

The old madam pushed her away with disdain, “Send someone to deliver mooncakes to Wenren Gongzi to celebrate the festival and ask him to come after Mid-Autumn. In the meantime, you must close your door and practice.”

“But I have an appointment with Miss Wang on Mid-Autumn—”

“You’re not allowed to go anywhere!”

Shen Yumu was tearful but helpless, reaping what she had sown.

*******

On Mid-Autumn Day, Lin Jin Zhu came by during the day to give Tong Youyu a rabbit hairpin, which was the latest fashion in the capital.

Though made of inferior jade, the little rabbit was exquisitely crafted and delicate, with two milky white rabbit ears that were utterly charming.

Because it was affordable, it was widely popular; nearly every young lady wore one.

Tong Youyu also wore the rabbit hairpin, dressed in a Lan Yan misty water dress, with a thin cloak over it—fresh and adorable.

She usually wore no makeup, her skin already like jade, lips red and teeth white, but today she and Lin Jin Zhu both used the same rouge.

A bright red dot on her lips, cheeks flushed with fragrance, exquisitely charming.

“Miss, this rouge suits you perfectly,” Jin Kui smiled, “I’m sure Miss Lin would like it too.”

This was Tong Youyu’s return gift to Lin Jin Zhu—one box each. They planned to have reunion dinners with their families in the evening, then meet at the bridge at the sixth quarter of the hour to enjoy the lanterns together.

Young ladies all loved to be beautiful; Tong Youyu smiled sweetly at the mirror, then helped Jin Kui apply rouge as well—they all wanted to look their best for the festival.

The Shen family had booked an elegant room at the Star-Picking Pavilion early. Before dusk, the family prepared and took their carriage, stuck in traffic all the way to Yongle Square.

Madam Shen, bedridden for many days, hadn’t been out to soak in the lively atmosphere for a long time. She didn’t mind the slow pace of the carriage; in fact, she was quite happy.

“The war in Dayong has ended, the people are peaceful, and everyone is out celebrating.”

On such a day, the restaurants and taverns were bustling, and even the street-side snacks had endless customers.

When night fell and the lanterns lit up, the scene was even more breathtaking.

Upon arriving at the Star-Picking Pavilion, Tong Youyu helped Madam Shen upstairs. They hadn’t booked the sixth or seventh floor but rather a refined room with a window on the fifth floor.

Before entering, they found maids and footmen waiting outside—their guests had arrived first.

Madam Shen smiled and greeted them; they exchanged introductions in proper order.

These were families Peng Shi had chosen for matchmaking. They were surnamed Mao, here for their youngest son, Mao Yanchi.

The Mao family was of the fourth rank, Right Vice Minister, and knew the Shen family had two daughters, but they had set their sights on Tong Youyu.

Though Tong Youyu’s father was only fifth rank as a prefect, he held real power as the head of the prefecture and had served for many years. A transfer back to the capital would likely mean rapid promotion.

Upon meeting, Madam Mao instantly smiled upon seeing Tong Youyu and slipped a small gold bracelet to her, holding her hand tightly: “Such a good girl.”

Tong Youyu waved her hand, unwilling to accept it, but Madam Mao quickly explained: “This is a gift from elders to the young, nothing more. The two Shen sisters will also receive theirs.”

The lady nearby promptly presented two pairs of gold earrings.

“This is...” Peng Shi smiled, “Madam Mao is far too generous.”

“Who in the capital doesn’t know the Shen family is excellent at educating their daughters? They all have scholarly accomplishments and attend the academy,” Madam Mao said with a smile. “Just making a good connection.”

Hearing this, Peng Shi no longer refused and replied, “Since it is a gift from the elders, we shall thank Madam Mao properly.”

With permission granted, the three sisters expressed their thanks and took their seats.

Mao Yanchi was also a scholar, slender and refined, currently studying at the Imperial Academy.

This pleased the old madam and Peng Shi most of all—the family background was good, and the young man was ambitious.

Even if the youngest son would not inherit the family business, if one had talent, one would not rely on ancestral wealth, burdening wife and children.

“The Imperial Academy is quite impressive...” Shen Yumu whispered sourly to Shen Lianyin, “That madam is generous, just meeting us and already giving gold.”

Shen Lianyin nudged her with her elbow, “Don’t act like you’ve never seen the world. Don’t get jealous just because you see gold; or you’ll get scolded.”

“Hmph...”

The Shen family were minor officials. Though their residence was spacious and their life comfortable, they could not compare to the wealth and grandeur of noble households, much less royal families who could afford to dress their young in gold and silver.

They did have some gold jewelry, gifts for birthdays and festivals, but mostly wore silver or crystal ornaments.

This was thanks to the old master’s business acumen, who had saved the family fortune; otherwise, such pay could not afford gold and silver.

Shen Shuzhang’s expression remained grim throughout, quietly saying, “So what if he’s at the Imperial Academy? Is he worthy of our cousin?”

Shen Lianyin was startled. “Brother, what nonsense are you talking about?”

Shen Shuzhang fell silent. Tonight, their cousin looked so beautiful but was here to meet other men.

Upon hearing this from their mother, it felt as if the sky was collapsing; he wanted desperately to kneel and beg for her happiness regardless...

Shen Lianyin watched him carefully, suspicion slowly dawning on her.

*******

The banquets at the Star-Picking Pavilion were all reserved in advance and served during the adults’ greetings.

The elegant room was spacious and had separate tables; the youngsters sat comfortably at a lower table.

Mao Yanchi sat opposite Tong Youyu, raising his hand to pour tea, “Miss Tong, please enjoy.”

“Thank you,” Tong Youyu replied, slightly avoiding his direct gaze.

Their seats weren’t close; Madam Shen and Peng Shi observed Mao Gongzi’s manners and speech closely.

When the meal was nearly finished, they told the youngsters to go see the lanterns.

“We adults talking has been keeping them restrained.”

Shen Yumu had long wanted to go out and immediately pulled Shen Lianyin to stand.

Tong Youyu and Mao Yanchi also rose, but Shen Shuzhang was stopped by Peng Shi, who said, “Your father cannot drink, but today you are specially allowed to have some wine to toast for him.”

“Mother...” Shen Shuzhang watched his cousin leave, then sat back down dejectedly, “Alright.”

Peng Shi patted his hand approvingly, “Behave well.”

The four of them went out to play. Since Mao Yanchi was the only man, more care was needed.

Fortunately, each had their own maids and footmen watching closely to prevent being separated in the crowd.

Tong Youyu followed her two cousins and gradually flowed with the crowd to the lantern tower.

It was a tall stage hung with all kinds of colorful lanterns, called the Lantern Tower—tall, transparent, and bright.

Tonight, the northwest wind blew, making the lanterns sway beautifully.

Some simply admired it; others clasped their hands in prayer, earnestly making wishes.

“Miss Tong, would you like to make a wish?” Mao Yanchi asked with a smile.

Tong Youyu shook her head; she had no wishes, just came to enjoy the spectacle.

Yet the lively scene was not so pleasant—turning her head, she unexpectedly encountered the Yin family twins.

Yin Zijian’s tall stature stood out sharply in the crowd, like a crane among chickens.

His dark handsome features made him seem unapproachable, and passersby naturally gave way.

Yin Mingyan also spotted Tong Youyu and muttered, “Fate brings enemies together,” then turned her head to find her brother staring directly at someone.

A delicate young lady, with soft skin and lightly rouged cheeks, charming without knowing it.

“Who is that?” Yin Zijian asked.

Yin Mingyan noticed a strange-looking young man nearby and replied indifferently, “Who cares?”

Probably some unknown relative of the Shen family.

She had no intention of greeting them, but her brother took a step forward.

The two Shen sisters, wanting to make acquaintances, immediately approached to greet.

Yin Zijian quickly learned this was Mao Yanchi and raised an eyebrow coldly, “So you are Mao Gongzi.”

Mao Yanchi was pleased and bowed, “I have long admired the young general’s reputation.”

Yin Mingyan raised her fan to cover her face and whispered, “Brother, do you know him?”

Yin Zijian’s expression darkened, “No, I don’t.”

“Brother?” Yin Mingyan sensed a slight oddness in his mood but couldn’t quite place it.