After about four large cups, Wen Xiang began asking me a series of rambling questions—my family lineage, how I met Wei Qingming, and so on. I suppressed my laughter and gave her a string of nonsense answers. By the time the fifth cup was nearly drained, I estimated that Wen Xiang, given her usual tolerance, was on the verge of drunkenness. Sure enough, her eyes grew hazy, yet she still tried to lift her cup, slurring, "Sister Su, we met by chance... this is our first meeting. I don't actually... hold any prejudice against you. You... you suit my temperament. I can't help but... like you. I was just feeling stifled for a moment, finding it hard to accept that you and Qingming... are together..."
Seeing this, Wen Gan quickly stood up and took the wine cup from her hand, comforting her, "Xiang, why bring up the past? Qingming knows what she is doing. Now that she has such a 'flower who understands speech' to accompany her, we as sisters should be happy for her." Having said that, she looked up at me with a friendly smile and an apologetic tone. "Drunkards are all like this. Please be patient with her, Sister Zhenzhen."
"It is no trouble at all," I said with a beaming smile. "Sister Xiang is straightforward and sincere; I like her very much as well." Wen Gan had said not to mention the past, yet I couldn't help but recall our time in the capital. Back then, because I had scratched Wei Qingming's face and then smoothed the wound away, Wen Gan had also used the allusion of the "flower who understands speech" in contrast to "fragrant jade hands." A wave of tender nostalgia washed over me, and I couldn't resist sharing a cup with her as well.
Wen Xiang reached out to snatch the cup back, swaying and rocking with a boisterous laugh. "Haha! Don't mention it, don't mention it anymore..."
But I felt a mischievous urge to provoke her. Feigning a hint of jealousy, I pouted slightly and said, "What 'past' is so unbearable to mention? We should be honest with one another, lest there be awkwardness when we meet in the future." I glanced at Vice Minister Hua, who was watching his wife with constant concern, and leaned into Wen Xiang's ear to whisper teasingly, "Could it be that Sister Xiang once harbored feelings for Qingming? I wouldn't be angry; with her character, it is only natural to like her..."
In truth, such a question was quite offensive to a married woman, but I knew Wen Xiang was broad-minded and wouldn't take offense. She was simply grieving for Wen Qi and needed an outlet for her pent-up emotions. Now that I had provided the opening, she took the bait. "It wasn't me, it was our Eighteenth Sister... back then, oh, back then... sigh!" As she spoke, she actually shed a couple of "heroic" tears, clearly missing Wen Qi dearly as she began to murmur her name.
I was deeply moved, my heart feeling warm yet heavy with the guilt of being right in front of her without being able to reveal my identity. The "Sister Qi" she missed wasn't the Wen Qi she hadn't seen since childhood, but... the me who had fought alongside her against the First Madam in the capital, the me who had recklessly crashed the Chunan Night Banquet with her, the me who would come galloping at a single call to cause trouble by her side.
Wei Qingming, naturally sensitive to my mood, reached out and draped an arm around my shoulder. Though she was explaining to Wen Xiang, she looked at me with a faint, tender smile. "I have only her in my heart."
The affection and tenderness in her eyes were clear for everyone at the table to see. The men began to cheer and jeer, insisting that Wei Qingming and I share a toast. Wei Qingming then picked up the small cup I had originally been using, poured some wine, and gently handed it to me.
Under the glow of the lanterns, her eyes were bright and burning, as radiant as the sun and moon. She said with a smile, "A heart of Zhenzhen, never to deceive."
Such a soft, lingering, and sincere tone nearly brought me to tears. After loving her for so many years, I still frequently felt the same rush of emotion as I did in the beginning. With just one look at her, a thousand waves of tenderness would surge in my heart. It was as if every glance was our first meeting, every glance made me fall in love with her anew with fresh wonder, and every glance made me feel she had become even more beautiful and enchanting. The long years of loving her were composed of nothing but constant longing when apart and a racing heart every time we met, strung together into countless moments.
I smiled through my tears, clinked my cup against hers, and replied while gazing at her, "The intent of Qingqing, never to leave."
The crowd erupted in rowdy cheers. Wen Gan simply smiled and clapped softly, while Wen Xiang shouted her approval, "Good! Excellent! From now on, Zhenzhen is... is my friend!" Wen Gan nodded in agreement. Given their status as daughters of a high-ranking noble house, they couldn't decide on my official acceptance into the family, but by befriending me in their own names, they had shown a sincerity as pure as gold.
Just then, Wen Shu and Xiao Xuelin finally arrived. Tiny droplets of melted snow still clung to Wen Shu's clothes. She lifted her skirt and walked in with a smile, and one could tell at a glance that she was no longer the water-soft, delicate, "willow-in-the-wind" beauty of a minor branch. In recent years, Xiao Xuelin had been stationed at the border of Chongzhou in the southeast, investigating smuggling from the Kingdom of Leitian and wiping out sea pirates. Madam Xiao had frequently spent time in the military camps, making decisive judgments in times of crisis, which had tempered her into a resilient and courageous woman. I couldn't help but think back to when Xiang, Shu, and I had dreamed of the vast, exciting world outside. Ironically, the most boisterous one, Wen Xiang, had stayed in the capital her whole life, while the soft and gentle Wen Shu had realized her long-held wish, no longer confined within the four walls of a great manor.
A maid from Panlou wiped the melted snow from her cloak and gently took it from her. General Xiao brushed a few stray flakes from her hair and habitually checked to see if her hands were cold—a subconscious gesture of long-standing care. Seeing such devotion, I beamed with joy. Wen Shu gave me a slightly surprised look, clearly realizing who I was, and without any hesitation, she returned a gracious smile.
The meeting of martial spirits was exceptionally lively. Wen Sili and his old friend Xiao exchanged jests and sat down for a long talk, beckoning Wei Qingming to join them. Wei Qingming glanced at me; I gave her a smile of "permission," and she rose to join them. Wen Shu gracefully smoothed her skirt and took the seat Wei Qingming had vacated. As the maid set out fresh dishes and cups, she was the first to pour a cup of wine, smiling as she gestured for us to drink together.
Madam Xiao asked a few calm questions about my situation, with Wen Xiang and Wen Gan chiming in occasionally. Seeing that her two elder sisters had already accepted me, she didn't say much more, simply stating, "A hero's origin matters not. As long as you and Qingming are well, we sisters are happy and at peace. If you need anything in the capital, just speak to us. If you don't mind, come visit my home when you have time so we sisters can chat." It might be difficult for me to enter the Wen or Hua manors, but she had authority over her own home and thoughtfully opened her doors to me.
With that matter settled, I asked about her experiences in the south. Wen Xiang and Wen Gan also clamored for her to tell some thrilling tales. Wen Shu smiled gently and recounted a few interesting stories, her narrative full of suspense. I rested my chin on my hand, listening with a smile, while Wen Xiang and Wen Gan were utterly enthralled. Even the other sisters and wives leaned in, listening with bated breath.
He Rao, the wife of the Hanlin Compiler and second-place scholar of the thirteenth year of Yuanhui, touched her own sleeve in surprise and said tremulously, "So you're saying the colorful Chongzhou Cloud Satin we often wear is actually smuggled in from the south?"
Before Wen Shu could speak, I smiled and said, "The double-sided brocade you are wearing, Sister, with its lush green hue and faint tea fragrance, is top-quality Tea Hill Mulberry Silk tribute satin from Chongzhou. The goods smuggled from the Kingdom of Leitian use a single-sided weaving method; the colors are vivid and dazzling, like a dream of clouds and mist, but the production cost isn't high. It's worn by common women for festivals and rarely finds its way into the high-end silk shops you frequent. Instead, shops often use the foreign name just to inflate the price."
As I spoke, I winked and pointed at Jin Zhu, who was sitting on Wen Sili's lap. I laughed and continued, "As for truly expensive smuggled textiles, it would be the Lei Satin that Sister Jin Zhu is wearing. The raised pile process is very costly. Usually, we only use it as a border for winter robes; if her entire outfit is made of genuine Lei Satin, it would be extraordinary. Unfortunately, Zhang City in Chongzhou has long been producing imitations. What she is wearing is actually Zhang Satin."
He Rao had a sudden realization. She clapped her hands and sat up straight in excitement, then forced herself to whisper with a snicker, "I thought so! I always felt the texture was a bit odd, different from the Lei Satin velvet my younger sister loves to wear."
Jin Zhu's presence was already a stretch, relying solely on the favor of the guest of honor, the bachelor Fifth Brother Wen. The noble ladies didn't like her to begin with, and my shift in topic sent everyone into fits of laughter. I looked back at Wen Shu and continued, "I heard that three months ago, Frankish merchants arriving via Leitian had a violent fallout with Jing Country pirates over the division of loot. It was you and your husband who led the troops to quell the chaos. Why don't you tell us about that, Sister?"
The sisters were energized, shouting for Madam Xiao not to be modest and to stop holding back the "real" stories. Wen Shu, who usually maintained the composed air of a general's wife, was worn down by their persistence. She gave me a graceful, half-reproachful, half-amused look and had just begun her story when the door opened and Wen Jiang arrived.
Wen Jiang was a prominent figure in the capital's social circles. She appeared now in a radiant display of beauty, her face glowing like a spring breeze. Her beautiful eyes held a hint of a haughty squint, yet she carried a lingering smile. She allowed the maids to take her five-colored peacock-gold feather-yarn cloak, acting as if she had rushed in from outside like a queen descending upon her domain. However, while the auspicious snow was falling outside, her outer garment was perfectly dry. Duan Qimo, however, did not receive the same treatment as I did and was naturally not qualified to accompany her.
I sipped my wine, smiling as I watched the women who knew her swarm around her with playful banter. Her gaze swept across the room and landed directly on me. With graceful, lotus-like steps, she walked straight toward me.
Seeing this, Wen Xiang hurriedly gave up her seat, inviting her to sit with a grin.
I remained composed, slowly rising with my cup in hand.
I had expected Wen Jiang to retaliate for my earlier verbal jab, but to my surprise, she gave a relaxed smile, as lovely as peach and plum blossoms in spring. She said softly, "You have done me a great favor, Sister. From now on, you are a friend of Wen Jiang."
With that, she lowered her head slightly, extended a hand as fair and delicate as a scallion root, poured herself a cup, and drank it slowly.
The women chatted and laughed, their faces flushed with wine. My tongue had become quite slick with honeyed words, coaxing the noble ladies to let down their guard. When they laughed heartily, they would grab my hand or nudge my shoulder, becoming quite intimate. Lord Wei, however, walked back slowly from the men's side. She watched me for a moment, then reached out to touch my warm cheek, saying calmly, "You are drunk. Let's go home."
I was indeed feeling the effects of the alcohol and was having a grand time. Hearing this, I simply glared at her in dissatisfaction. She gave a faint smile. "Shall I carry you?"
Even through my drunken haze, I could feel her gentle yet irresistible charisma. The noble ladies loved this side of her, covering their mouths as they giggled and cheered. Wen Xiang and Wen Gan led the way in pounding the table and shouting their approval. Wen Jiang laughed and wrapped her arms around my waist, tickling me for a while. This method was very effective; I couldn't take it anymore and had to get up and hide in Wei Qingming's arms, which saved me from actually being picked up and carried away by Lord Wei.
Wei Qingming took the opportunity to steady me. She gave a polite nod of farewell to the sisters, received a charming, knowing smile from Wen Jiang, and then half-carried, half-supported me out the door.
The walk downstairs felt like treading on clouds; I relied entirely on Wei Qingming for support. By the time we reached the carriage at the tower entrance, heavy snow was falling. The "jade flowers" drifted through the midnight air like clumps of cotton filling the sky. She carefully covered my head and face with my hood and a kerchief to block the snow before lifting me into the carriage.
Inside, the faint scent of her favorite incense still lingered. No lamps were lit, leaving the interior dim. As soon as we were alone, I giggled and climbed onto Wei Qingming's shoulder, trying to kiss her face haphazardly. She used her hands to block me, allowing me at most to kiss the back of her hand, while she coaxed and scolded me in a soft, gentle voice, "Be good, little cat. We'll be home soon... don't be reckless. The carriage is bumpy; be careful not to hit your head."
I became relentless, kneeling on her lap to straighten up. My knees must have been digging painfully into her, but I was oblivious, ready to scold her in my dissatisfaction. Before I could speak, my head went *thump* against the carriage wall. Fortunately, her reflexes were quick, and she cushioned the blow with her palm. Despite that, the pain brought tears to my eyes.
Seeing me in pain, whimpering as I recoiled, Wei Qingming seemed so distressed that a spark of anger flared within her. She gripped my chin and said in a low voice, "It was my oversight to let you drink so much." She rubbed the spot where I had bumped my head for a moment, enduring her feelings until she could no longer hold back, and then she kissed my lips fiercely.
She rarely got angry. On the few occasions she was truly frustrated, she would restrain herself from touching me, fearing she might lose her sense of proportion. This time, having been apart for so long, she truly couldn't endure it anymore, and her kiss was almost savage. My lips and my heart swelled in unison, craving only more. I choked out, "I missed you so much..."
"I missed you too, I missed you too..." She released my lips and rested her head in the crook of my neck to catch her breath, gently patting my back as if to comfort me—and perhaps to comfort herself.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 解语花 | Flower who understands speech | An allusion to a companion who is both beautiful and deeply intuitive/understanding. |
| 真真心，无相欺 | A heart of Zhenzhen, never to deceive | A romantic vow playing on the MC's name, Su Zhenzhen. |
| 卿卿意，永不弃 | The intent of Qingqing, never to leave | A romantic vow playing on Wei Qingming's name (using 'Qing' as an intimate address). |
| 充州云缎 | Chongzhou Cloud Satin | A type of high-quality silk fabric. |
| 茶山桑蚕贡缎 | Tea Hill Mulberry Tribute Satin | A specific high-grade silk from Chongzhou. |
| 雷缎 | Lei Satin | A textile smuggled from the Kingdom of Leitian, known for its raised pile/velvet texture. |
| 樟缎 | Zhang Satin | An imitation of Lei Satin produced in Zhang City. |
| 弗兰哥 | Frankish / Franco | Likely a transliteration referring to Western/European merchants. |
| 雀金呢羽纱 | Peacock-gold feather-yarn | A luxurious, shimmering fabric made with peacock feathers and fine wool/silk. |
