Dreams of the Ancient Mountain: The Cat's Masquerade | Chapter 4 | Under-the-Table Sparks | Novela.app

Before Muyu could respond, Wen Xiang asked in bewilderment, "A cold? A-Qi, your cultivation base isn't weak; how could you catch a cold?" Muyu answered hesitantly, "I suppose it was the exhaustion of the journey, combined with the winds in the upper air..." "Oh." Wen Xiang gently patted my head. "Dinner is just a family affair. Grandfather has been at the palace since early morning, and my father, Second Uncle, and the aunts have to attend the grand imperial banquet as well. We’ll just be eating with Grandmother; it’s no trouble. Once we’re home, just drink a dose of medicine for the wind-chill, and you’ll be fine." She finished with a mysterious wink. "Qingming will definitely be there, too." I muttered, "It’s precisely because he’s coming that I don’t want to go..." "Don't be afraid!" Wen Xiang said heroically. "You have me! Just be bold!" Her tone reminded me inexplicably of my fifth sister, Zhu Yixin. Sigh, she probably won't be reliable either... The procession had come and gone in less than the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, yet Wen Xiang said they had been waiting there for over an hour. The return journey was even slower. We were only one district away from the Imperial City, and the surrounding area was packed with the families of high-ranking officials. The streets were so congested with carriages and horses that collisions were constant. Wen Xiang yawned and pulled at me. "Don't sit in your carriage. It probably leaks air, otherwise you wouldn't have caught a chill. Come with us and Seventh Sister." Inside the carriage sat Seventh Sister Wen Wan, Eighth Sister Wen Jiang, and Twelfth Sister Wen Gan. With Wen Xiang’s loud voice added to the mix, the carriage was full of "Silk Radical" sisters, their overlapping chatter making my head spin. One moment, Wen Wan was saying, "Tenth Sister, let’s arrange for Eighteenth Sister to stay with you, just like when you were little." The next, Wen Jiang remarked, "A-Qi has grown so beautiful; this primrose yellow really suits you." Then Wen Gan pulled out a few copper coins and said, "Little Eighteen has to discuss marriage prospects now that she's home. Let this 'mountain dweller' cast a divination for her..." The three sisters joined in the teasing. "What’s there to divine? The marriage affinity is already set!" Wen Xiang chimed in eagerly, "Didn't you all see Cousin Qingming's gaze? In that vast sea of people, he only had eyes for our A-Qi!" I realized I couldn't let things continue this way. A sudden idea struck me, and I slapped the table, shouting, "No! Sisters, that person’s character is flawed! You have to support me; you can't take his side!" "What? What?" Wen Xiang asked hurriedly. "What do you mean his character is flawed?" I feigned bashfulness, my face reddening as I said, "It’s just... those bad things men do..." "He’s been away at school these past few years. Before that, we always had an eye on him. He must have picked up bad habits out there," Wen Jiang said, frowning. Wen Wan shook her head. "In that case, we really must have the uncles investigate him thoroughly before saying anything more." Wen Gan jingled her copper coins. "Let’s cast a hex, let’s cast a hex to see the fortune..." The rest of the journey passed in a blur of laughter and divination readings. Wen Xiang and I walked off the carriage arm-in-arm, ready to head inside with high spirits, when I spotted Auntie Shui standing by the gate with a grim expression. The sky had darkened, and Wen Xiang didn't notice her at first, jumping in surprise. "Auntie Shui, you’re so quiet! Who are you waiting for?" "For Miss Qi, naturally." "Oh." Wen Xiang didn't think much of it. "Her? She’s coming to my room. If you have instructions, Auntie Shui, just say them here." "The Madam has ordered that since Miss Qi has come from afar, she might not be comfortable. The Madam wishes to take her to her side to care for her personally." Auntie Shui was the First Madam’s confidante; the "Madam" she referred to was, of course, the First Madam. Wen Xiang’s eyes widened. "My mother! Well, there’s no helping that then..." Wen Wan and the others cast sympathetic glances my way. From Wen Qi’s memories, I knew the First Madam was an extremely strict woman. I could only manage a dry laugh. "Yes, I am grateful for my eldest aunt’s kindness..." Auntie Shui led me into the First Madam’s courtyard, while I looked back longingly at every step. I kept my head down the whole way, having neither the interest nor the courage to look around. When a maid lifted the curtain, Auntie Shui stepped into the First Madam’s bedroom first. Only then did I dare to lift my head slightly to glance at the woman sitting by the table before quickly dropping my gaze again. I performed a proper, disciplined curtsy. "Wen Qi offers her respects to Eldest Aunt." "Mm." The First Madam slowly beckoned me with her hand. "Come, sit." I scurried to the table like a little sparrow. The First Madam tilted my face up, looking me over from left to right, then took my hand and felt it. She said, "Your father’s temperament... he likely doesn't know how to look after a child. It is good that Qi’er has come home." Though the words weren't particularly sweet, by the end, they carried a hint of gentle affection. I gave a demure smile and made small talk. "I remember when I left home at seven, Aunt’s health wasn't very good. Has it improved now?" Only then did a trace of a smile appear on the First Madam’s face, and her tone softened further. "Yes, it’s been nearly ten years. I should thank your father for the prescription he sent." The First Madam asked about Wen Qi and her father’s life over the past few years, and I answered each question. Both of us spoke slowly; in the time it took us to say one sentence, others would have said three. Before we knew it, we had dawdled until dinner time. Only then did the First Madam say, "Go change your clothes and see your grandmother. I won't be eating with you children." With that, she waved her hand, signaling Auntie Shui to take me away. Auntie Shui led me out of the main house and into a side courtyard. She showed me the furnishings and asked if anything was unsatisfactory. How could I dare be unsatisfied? I hurriedly chose a set of clothes, changed, and had Muyu lead me to dinner. Muyu asked considerately, "Is Miss’s wind-chill alright?" I touched my forehead; I hadn't sneezed in a long time. I must have broken out in a cold sweat from seeing the First Madam, and the illness had vanished... The dining hall was packed with brothers and sisters; one table was naturally not enough, so they had split into three. Combined with the personal maids and attendants, the room was incredibly noisy and lively. I navigated through the crowd with difficulty, greeting each brother and sister one by one. The Wen family children reached number eighteen with me, and since the various concubines were still having more, Wen Qi’s information was outdated after being away for so long. It was thanks to Wen Xiang and Muyu that I was introduced to everyone. By the time the round of greetings was finally over, my knees were sore from bowing. I took the tea Muyu handed me and downed it in one gulp. Among them, the most popular was Second Brother, who was about to be married. People in the cultivation world married at various ages, but wealthy families usually had their sons marry a primary wife before thirty. Second Brother Wen Sixian was twenty-nine this year, a year older than my third senior brother, Ren Xuzhou. The Wen family members weren't short, and Wen Sixian was only average among them, but as the eldest grandson, his bearing was elegant. He carried the joy of his upcoming wedding, chatting and laughing with his younger siblings. Then there was Sixth Brother Wen Siming—the one who had stood next to Wen Siyuan on the street. He was the brightest among the younger generation; the Wen family’s political future rested on him. The other boys looked like a troop of little monkeys, huddling together to play and cause trouble. The girls all gathered around Wen Wan; those older than her had already married out. I was on my third cup of tea when a commotion broke out at the front of the hall. The juniors all stood still, greeting Grandmother in unison. The Old Madam Wen had a ruddy complexion and was beaming with joy. Walking beside her was today’s protagonist—Fifth Brother Wen Silie, who respectfully supported her arm. I was happily watching the spectacle when the person I least wanted to see appeared behind Wen Silie. Old Madam Wen took the head seat and pulled Wen Silie down to sit as well. She laughed, "Today is your moment of glory, yet you skip the palace banquet to eat this humble home cooking. Only today are you allowed to sit at this table; your brothers must all defer to you." Wen Silie replied with a smile, "I was anxious to see Grandmother. Those sour old men in the palace are hard to deal with; I was like an arrow longing for its home." The grandmother nodded with satisfaction and arranged the seating. "Qingming, your studies must be exhausting. Stay at our house for a few more days." Wen Silie also called out, "Wei San, where are you running off to? Come here, come here." Wei Qingming performed a graceful salute to the Old Madam. "Wishing Maternal Grandmother great peace." Sixteenth Sister Wen Shu cut in with a laugh, "Grandmother, there’s another honored guest here today. You can't be partial." The Old Madam asked, "Who? Who else has come?" I had no choice but to steel myself and step forward. "Grandmother is well. Wen Qi has returned." The Old Madam’s eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "The fourth son’s daughter? Was it today? Why did no one tell me?" Bailing, the maid beside her, smiled. "Likely because so many people have returned recently, you got the dates mixed up." The Old Madam pulled me into an affectionate embrace, saying happily, "Your father should have come back with you. He insisted on going to the South Sea to find some birthday gift, delaying himself for another ten or fifteen days." Wen Silie also offered warm greetings to his little sister. Only Wei Qingming sat there indifferently, sipping tea with a playful, observant look, as if watching a play. Just as I was preparing to slip away, the Old Madam said, "Weren't you and your Cousin Qingming the best of friends when you were little? You haven't seen each other in so many years; sit together so you can talk." Wen Silie whispered into Grandmother’s ear, "Grandmother is wise! I can see they have a heart-to-heart to catch up on." The Old Madam winked mischievously. The grandmother said the boys were noisy and annoying, so she sent Second Brother away to lead the "little monkeys" at the other two tables. She kept only Sixth Brother and a few other quiet, refined ones, while the girls gathered around her to chat and laugh. Wen Xiang loyally sat beside me and shot Wei Qingming a glare. Wen Wan and the others also frowned as they sized him up. Wei Qingming’s gaze swept across the faces at the table before finally settling on me. With a faint smile, he picked up a small dish of minced fish balls and placed it in front of me. "I remember Cousin loved these as a child. Taste them and see if the flavor is as it was." Several brothers, unaware of the situation, saw him taking the initiative and exchanged glances. Their expressions clearly read, "Wei the Third has finally seen the light," making for a brilliant spectacle. I looked at him with annoyance. According to my memories, Wen Qi didn't eat fish at all... But these were capital-style fish balls! I had never eaten anything so exquisite; they looked fresh and lovely, were filled with savory juice, and were still steaming... As a battle raged in my mind, Wen Xiang huffed and took the dish away, placing a bowl of soup in front of me instead. "Don't eat those! Sea fish turn stinking by the time they’re transported here! Qi-mei, have some soup; it won't make you gain weight." I watched mournfully as Wen Xiang ate the fish balls, then lowered my head to take a large gulp of soup. Wei Qingming chuckled and said in a voice only the two of us could hear, "A cat, indeed." Who are you calling a cat! Infuriated, I cast an illusion on him. Wei Qingming picked up a piece of lingzhi mushroom from his soup bowl, but when he bit down, he caught nothing but air. The mushroom fell back into the soup, splashing him enthusiastically. Fortunately, his reactions were quick; he tilted his head to avoid the worst of it, otherwise it would have been quite a sight. Wen Silie and Wen Xiang led the table in boisterous laughter. The sisters giggled behind their handkerchiefs, and even the most serious one, Wen Siming, pressed a hand to his forehead to stifle a laugh. In the midst of the chaos, I triumphantly made a face at Wei Qingming. Wei Qingming didn't get angry; he used a spell to clean his clothes and continued eating with perfect composure. Then, as I went to pick up some food, my chopsticks suddenly snapped in two... Then, the teacup in Wei Qingming’s hand shattered... The Old Madam laughed so hard she leaned back in her chair. "You two! You star-crossed rascals!" Bailing hurriedly patted her back. "Old Ancestor, please swallow before you laugh! What if you choke!" She then turned to scold Wei Qingming and me. "You two should have a limit to your flirting! Look at what you’ve done to the Old Madam. No more trouble!" The meal was a chaotic mess. I wanted nothing more than to drag Wei Qingming up and give him a beating, but he ignored my several provocative telepathic transmissions. When the meal finally ended and the others had left the courtyard, I lunged forward and grabbed him. "If you’ve got guts, don't run," I whispered. "Let’s have a fight before we talk!" Wei Qingming remained noncommittal. He gently pulled his sleeve from my grip, gave a shallow bow, and walked away. I wanted to rush after him and kick him, but Muyu, her face flushed red, held me back. "Miss, Miss, don't let people see! Quickly, return to the Madam’s quarters..." *** **Glossary** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation --- | --- | --- 文纨 | Wen Wan | Seventh Sister of the Wen family. 文绛 | Wen Jiang | Eighth Sister of the Wen family. 文绀 | Wen Gan | Twelfth Sister of the Wen family. 文思贤 | Wen Sixian | Second Brother, the eldest grandson of the Wen family. 文思明 | Wen Siming | Sixth Brother, noted for his intelligence. 文思礼 | Wen Silie | Fifth Brother, a military officer. 魏青冥 | Wei Qingming | The protagonist's cousin (Wei San), a student at Wujing Sect. 百灵 | Bailing | A maid serving the Old Madam; her name means "Lark." 万福 | Wanfu | A traditional formal curtsy performed by women. 绞丝旁 | Silk Radical | A reference to the "silk" radical (纟) shared by the sisters' names. 冤家 | Yuanjia | Literally "enemies," but often used to describe a bickering couple or star-crossed pair.