I had truly never seen Wei Qingming in such a rush; she usually seemed unshakeable, no matter the circumstances. Upon entering the room, she swept her gaze around the perimeter. Seeing something—or perhaps the absence of something—she let out a small sigh of relief, followed by a slight furrow of her brows. She whispered a few words to Hong Lu behind her before taking her seat with her usual composure. The others had vacated the spot next to Silver Lamp for her, and she accepted it without protest, sitting down as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Silver Lamp stilled the vibrating strings of her zither, ending the performance. She rose with graceful, swaying steps and returned to the table.
Thinking back, I hadn't seen Wei Qingming for over half a month since we returned to the city after the Qingming Festival. Even after she had secretly resolved that mess for me, she hadn't shown her face to claim any credit or reward. When someone asked where she had been lately, she simply toyed with the wine cup in her hand, offering a few perfunctory remarks with a thin, superficial smile. Silver Lamp filled her cup, and she drained it in one gulp.
Silver Lamp poured another and smiled. "Slow down, Young Master. Your left hand isn't very convenient, is it?" Wei Qingming didn't even look at her, focusing only on her drink. The two of them occasionally exchanged low words. Silver Lamp’s expression was full of lingering tenderness, while Wei Qingming remained distant, offering only the occasional faint smile. Because they were using telepathy, I could only see their heads bowed close together and their lips moving slightly; I had no idea what they were actually saying.
Someone suggested that since everyone was here, they should play a drinking game. Golden Candle tucked her hands onto her hips and called out loudly, "I don't want to hear any more of you soldiers' dirty jokes. If we’re playing a game, let’s do riddles. The person upstream sets the riddle for the person downstream. If they guess it within ten counts, the riddle was too easy and the setter drinks. If they can't guess it within twenty counts, the guesser is too stupid and they drink. Once the guesser finishes, they set the next riddle."
The crowd roared in approval. Wen Sili was the first to stand, wine cup in hand. He leaned in with a lecherous grin and put an arm around Golden Candle. "I'll go first. *Where is the chopping block now? A mountain atop a mountain. When shall the great blade's head return? The broken mirror flies into the sky.* Guess the phrase!"
As soon as Golden Candle heard it, she slapped him. "Filthy!" she snapped. "I'll drink this cup. Sister Bihan, you'd better give him hell later!" Bihan was the one who would set the riddle for Wen Sili once the circle was complete; she nodded knowingly. The crowd jeered, "Miss Golden Candle is unhappy! Wen the Fifth must drink one!" "Make it three!" someone added. Wen Sili wasn't angry at all; he happily downed three cups as if they were sweet nectar.
Next, it was Golden Candle's turn to set a riddle for Xiao Xuelin. She looked at him and smiled, two cute dimples appearing on her sweet, oval face. She recited softly, "The candle flickers but the person is gone; a dull life lacks a kindred soul. Guess a single character."
I hadn't guessed the first one, but this one was far too easy. Golden Candle was likely afraid that the dull-witted Xiao Xuelin wouldn't get it, so she risked having to drink herself just to give him an easy one. Sure enough, after Xiao Xuelin thought for a moment, he answered just as the count reached twelve: "Gate." Neither had to drink.
Xiao Xuelin then set a riddle for the next woman: "A hundred barges race, but the boat sinks itself. Also a single character."
Wen Shu stamped her foot in frustration. "Look at him, so protective of the 'fragile blossom,' terrified she won't be able to guess it!" Indeed, the woman quickly answered: "Can." Since it took less than ten counts, Xiao Xuelin drank a penalty cup.
When it was Wei Qingming's turn, she seemed distracted. She said offhandedly, "It should also be better than a green gauze cage. Guess an ancient name."
Silver Lamp smiled. She clearly understood it instantly, yet she waited until the count passed ten before saying languidly, "Hongfu."
I didn't understand the reference, so I suppressed my rising irritation and waited to see what riddle she would set in return. Silver Lamp looked at Wei Qingming, her smiling face tilted slightly, her voice slow and teasing as she recited: "A single word brought me favor, yet much passion led to parting. I watched my lord return home, leaning against the door alone with streaming tears. Guess an object..."
"What on earth!" My temper flared. I slammed my hand against the thin wooden partition. Ignoring the answer to the riddle, I whipped around to Wen Gan. "Sister Gan, what did Wei Qingming's riddle mean?"
Wen Gan looked incredibly awkward but had no choice but to explain. "The ancient hermit Wei Ye and the Chancellor Kou Zhun were friends in their youth. They once visited a temple together and each wrote a poem on the wall. Years later, when they returned, Kou Zhun's poem had been carefully protected by the monks with a green gauze screen, while Wei Ye's poem was covered in dust and grime. A clever courtesan in their party used her sleeve to wipe away the dirt. Wei Ye then gifted her a poem: 'If I can always have a red sleeve to brush it, it should also be better than a green gauze cage.'"
"Fine!" I was fuming. "A beauty at her side, clever and understanding—a man's life truly is carefree!"
Wen Gan tried to smooth things over. "It's just social play, mere flattery. Because of that story, some people made another riddle: 'Red sleeve brushes the poem.' The answer is the medicinal herb 'Asafoetida'—*A-Wei*. It’s a pun on 'fawning' or 'flattery'..."
I got even angrier. "And it just so happens her surname is Wei! Look at that! Why, I ought to..."
While Wen Gan and Wen Xiang were busy trying to calm me down, a loud *thud* echoed. Wen Shu had pushed over the vase hiding the peephole. The laughter and shouting in the room stopped instantly, replaced by stunned silence. It turned out that while I was busy being angry, the situation in the room had escalated into the crowd egging on Golden Candle and Xiao Xuelin to drink a nuptial cup...
Wen Shu’s eyes were red, filled with anger and grievance. Her body trembled as she asked Wen Gan, "Sister Gan, didn't you say... didn't you say the stars were aligned for good luck?" With that, she covered her face and ran back the way we came, vanishing the moment she exited the secret passage.
Wen Gan muttered, "The coin must have hit the floor wrong, affecting the short-term fortune... but it definitely won't change the final result!" Unfortunately, Wen Shu was already out of earshot.
Wen Xiang took off running, first circling to the main door of the private room. She gripped the doorframe and yelled, "You, surnamed Xiao! Get moving and chase her!" Then she sprinted off to find Wen Shu.
Xiao Xuelin froze. He clumsily set his wine cup on the table, spilling wine all over Golden Candle's skirt. As the beauty cried out in surprise, he vanished in the blink of an eye.
The moment Wen Gan and I stepped out of the secret passage, I saw Wei Qingming standing at the end of the corridor. One hand rested idly on the railing, while the other held her sleeve in front of her. She squinted slightly as she watched us.
My anger flared up again. Wen Gan couldn't even hold me back as I rolled up my sleeves and marched over to throw a punch at her. "You certainly know how to enjoy yourself, Wei! The moment a beauty appears, you show up. Didn't you say you weren't coming?"
Wei Qingming didn't even dodge. She let my fist land right on her chest and said calmly, "I only came because you were here."
"Why, you—"
"Who is 'Hongfu' and who wears 'Green Gauze'? Isn't it obvious?" Wei Qingming said softly.
I blinked, instinctively looking down at my clothes. To match Wen Xiang’s red dress, I had worn a vermilion-colored tunic today. When I changed earlier, I had put on a pine-green vest with a red plum pattern over it, but my two red sleeves were still fully visible. Meanwhile, the elegant Miss Silver Lamp was wearing a sheer outer robe of green gauze.
Wen Gan had likely never seen Wei Qingming speak like this. Her jaw dropped, but she quickly caught it with her hand and said cleverly, "Uh, I’ll go see how Wen Shu is doing!" She prepared to make a quick exit.
"Twelfth Sister." Wei Qingming stopped her, her tone turning cold and warning. "Please return with the two of them once you find them. Do not enter the secret passage on your own."
Wen Gan was reliable when it mattered. She nodded and hurried away. I was still glaring at Wei Qingming, huffing. "You knew we were in the passage? You knew there was a passage here?"
"Of course." Wei Qingming gave a soft laugh. "I also knew you were hiding right behind that room. Do you believe me now?"
I pouted and raised a fist in a silent threat. Wei Qingming stepped forward, resting a hand gently on my shoulder. With a half-smile, she whispered, "What is Miss Su so angry about? I am not like those others..."
I replied with a sharp "Hmph!"
She took the initiative to explain further. "That Miss Silver Lamp... she is from Yingzhao Temple."
"Fine, fine!" I interrupted her. "If there's a next time, I'll..."
I had intended to say "I'll slap you just like Golden Candle did to Wen Sili," but I suddenly trailed off. I... I didn't really have the standing to demand anything of her.
"You'll?"
"I'll stop playing with you!" I said crossly.
Wei Qingming looked down and laughed, then lifted her lashes to stare at me without blinking.
Her gaze made me self-conscious. I turned away to lean on the railing, fanning myself with my hand as I watched the courtesan dancing in her sheer silks below. Wei Qingming also turned, leaning against the railing to enjoy the performance.
After a moment of silence, Wei Qingming said, "I haven't visited the manor to see you lately. I wasn't sure if that case frightened you or Miss Wen Shu."
"I'm fine. Sister Shu is a bit anxious, since it affects her father's career," I said. "And... you don't have to be so formal. I should be the one thanking you for settling that matter in the shadows..."
Wei Qingming smiled and curled her hand into a fist, lightly tapping the spot where I had just punched her. "A unique way to show thanks."
I spat a "Pah!" at her and asked, "What about Prince Xuan? Has he been thrown into the dungeon yet?"
"It's not that simple." Wei Qingming looked caught between a laugh and a sigh. "A matter like this isn't enough to bring down a Prince of the Blood."
I clicked my tongue. "You humans are so corrupt!"
I thought she wouldn't respond to that, but she nodded and sighed. "Indeed. For instance, when humans encounter a beautiful female demon, they always want to capture her to be a slave or a maid..." She lowered her voice intentionally, leaning closer. "Especially fox and cat demons, who are famous for their beauty..."
"Waaah—!" My fur practically stood on end. I started scratching at her wildly. "If you dare catch me, I'll have Master beat you to death!"
Before Wei Qingming could even laugh, I heard the laughter of Wen Xiang and Wen Gan. Wen Xiang was laughing so hard she nearly broke the railing she was slapping, while Wen Gan said between gasps, "I told you we should come back later, what was the rush..."
I felt a pang of lingering fear, wondering how much they had heard. Then I realized: Wei Qingming’s last comment had been made using Illusory Sound, and I had replied the same way. To them, it must have looked like we were just huddled together whispering sweet nothings.
Seeing her cousins arrive, Wei Qingming dropped her playful demeanor and turned serious. "Cousin Shu didn't return with you?"
Wen Xiang laughed and pointed toward the main gates downstairs. "Young Master Xiao caught up to her. The two of them are 'reasoning' with each other outside right now." Everyone knew that an honest man like Xiao Xuelin, who couldn't squeeze out a word if his life depended on it, would just be standing there listening to Wen Shu's lecture. After a round of laughter, Wen Gan said, "I think Brother Xiao is sincere and reliable. He'll surely see Shu home safely. We needn't worry about the young couple."
Wei Qingming said, "In that case, allow me to escort my two sisters and Qi back to the manor as well."
Wen Xiang replied flippantly, "What? Who said we're going back! Gan says the secret passages in this building have some mysteries to them. Your frantic attempt to cover it up only proves her point!"
Wen Gan offered a faint smile. "Qingming, none of us have had dinner yet. We simply must enjoy the night here."
"Of course. I already booked a private room on the fourth floor," Wei Qingming said. "Once we've eaten, we'll—"
I ran to Wen Xiang’s side and took her arm, sticking my tongue out as I cut Wei Qingming off. "Then we'll go back to exploring the secret passages!"
As Wei Qingming’s face darkened, Wen Gan patted my hand triumphantly. "Qi, we won't say it to her face. Anyway, the Chunan Night Banquet happens every night ending in a nine. If we can't finish exploring today, we'll just come back in a few days..."
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 银灯 | Silver Lamp | Name of a famous courtesan. |
| 金烛 | Golden Candle | Name of a famous courtesan. |
| 英招寺 | Yingzhao Temple | A specific sect or faction. |
| 阿魏 | A-Wei / Asafoetida | A medicinal herb; used as a pun on Wei Qingming's name. |
| 红拂 | Hongfu | "Red Brush/Sleeve," referring to a legendary heroine. |
| 碧纱笼 | Green Gauze Cage | A protective silk screen for art/poetry. |
| 幻音 | Illusory Sound | A technique for private communication (telepathy). |
| 朱草色 | Vermilion / Cinnabar | A bright red color. |
| 松花底 | Pine-flower base | A yellowish-green color. |
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Dreams of the Ancient Mountain: The Cat's Masquerade | Chapter 25 | Red Sleeves and Green Gauze | Novela.app | Novela.app
