My senior brother’s words struck my heart like a cataclysmic landslide. I sat there in a daze for a long while, unsure of how to react. Lu Kaifeng sighed and patted my head. "Think on it yourself. Our time in the capital is temporary; in the end, we are but folk of the wild mountains."
The birthday celebrations for the Wen family matriarch began with great fanfare. The manor was festooned with vibrant lanterns, and laughter echoed through every corner. On the eve of the main event, the female relatives didn't sleep at all. They gathered in the back kitchens to hand-make various pastries for the guests and for almsgiving—a gesture of filial piety to pray for the Old Ancestress’s blessings. We younger girls weren't expected to do much; we were there mostly for show, spending most of our time playing with the ingredients and teasing one another. The ones truly focused on the task were the elder sisters, Wen Wan and Wen Jiang. Unlike Wen Xiang, Wen Gan, and me, Wen Shuo also joined the ranks of the future diligent housewives. With her sleeves rolled up, she looked quite ready to showcase her skills.
Wen Xiang nudged me and whispered in my ear, "My mother somehow found out about her and Brother Xiao. She’s already asked Grandpa and Grandma for their opinion. I reckon once Second Brother’s wedding is over, their good news won't be far behind... Look how serious she is; she definitely wants to feed these to her fiancé tomorrow!"
I made a face at her. "Won't yours be settled first?"
To my surprise, Wen Xiang proved herself a true heroine. She arched an eyebrow and said triumphantly, "The sooner I become her sister-in-law, the sooner I can annoy that 'Jasmine Flower' to death!" I doubled over laughing, only to be caught off guard when Wen Gan pelted us with two lumps of bean flour, turning us both into speckled cats.
"Old Gan, don't you run!" Wen Xiang scooped up a glob of glutinous rice cake. I shrieked as well, digging out a piece of mung bean cake and making a move to throw it.
Unluckily, we had drifted into Wen Shuo’s territory. She glared at us and roared, "Whoever wastes it, eats it all!"
The three of us instantly behaved. We shared a look and obediently stuffed the snacks in our hands into our mouths. Wen Wan and Wen Jiang, the two refined ladies who had been suffering from our ruckus, immediately gave Wen Shuo two flour-covered thumbs up.
As I laughed, I looked up at the nearly full moon in the sky, and a sudden pang of melancholy rose in my heart. The birthdays of the wealthy were certainly well-timed; even the moon seemed exceptionally round. What would I look like when the time came to leave them? My senior brother’s words echoed in my mind. Indeed, they were daughters of a noble house—innocent, romantic, and free from the worries of livelihood. I was merely a lowly country demon, forced to act subservient for a few spirit stones. Why did I view this place as my home? Why did the thought of leaving pierce my heart like ten thousand thorns?
After the third watch, the First Madam and several aunts came to inspect the progress. The Second Madam said with a smile, "Alright, girls, go to sleep. You need your rest to look beautiful tomorrow; don't disappoint your sweethearts! Leave the rest to us old crones!" The girls chirped their flatteries to their mothers before finally dispersing. I lay in bed, trying to figure out how I should face Wei Qingming tomorrow, but nothing felt right. I eventually fell asleep amidst a belly full of worries.
Just like the day of the ancestral rites, Muyu and the others woke me just after the fifth watch, methodically washing and dressing me. Today, I wore an eight-paneled silk skirt of madder-red with circular floral patterns, cinched at the waist with a turquoise ribbon and draped with a light yellow silk stole. It was magnificent and solemn, nearly ceremonial. Because I had specifically requested to wear certain pieces of jewelry gifted by Wei Qingming, Muyu and the others had already prepared a matching set of head ornaments and happily dressed me up. Once my makeup was done, I stared at the woman in the mirror. It was a face I had grown familiar with over the past few months, yet for some reason, it felt like a stranger's.
I shook my head and tried to stand, but the weight of the formal attire caught me off guard, and I nearly stumbled. Muyu and the others were both amused and concerned. "Miss has been home for two months, yet she’s still as lively as ever."
I forced a smile and tried my best to walk with dignity out of the room.
The front hall was the social arena for the gentlemen, while the elder titled ladies gathered in the middle hall. We youngsters kowtowed to the Old Ancestress there before being allowed to play in the garden with our peers. I knelt before Old Madam Wen, lifting my skirt, and sincerely wished her a long and healthy life. The Old Madam was so delighted she couldn't close her mouth; the wrinkles on her face overflowed with happiness as she pulled me into her arms. "A-Qi... A-Qi has grown so much. Stay at home from now on, don't leave..." she murmured, repeating the same affectionate sentiments over and over.
I lacked the strength of character to hold back my tears. The old lady laughed. "Oh, silly child, why are you crying? These old bones of mine can still chew and laugh; I’ve got hundreds of years left in me!"
I wiped my tears and carefully pulled a palm-sized gift box from my bodice. I opened it for her to see. "This is carved from the tooth of a five-thousand-year-old Kun-fish from the North Sea. I hope it can protect you for me, Grandma, forever and ever..."
The Old Madam was overjoyed. She put on her glasses to examine the Guanyin carving from every angle. She had her maid, Bailing, tie it around her neck immediately, tucking it close to her heart beneath the many layers of her ceremonial collar. I truly couldn't hold it in any longer; I couldn't keep weeping in front of the birthday girl, so I hurriedly excused myself and ran toward the back garden, crying all the way.
As fate would have it, I ran right into what I feared most. I didn't know when Wei Qingming had arrived, but she had clearly already paid her respects and given her gifts, for she was waiting for me on that very path. She saw me clearly as I was haphazardly wiping away tears. She quickly stepped forward, supporting my shoulders. "What is it? Missing your master again?"
I was actually amused by her. I let out a couple of laughs, then pouted. Rolling my eyes, I whispered, "I... I missed you, alright!"
Wei Qingming cleared her throat and smiled. "Mhm. I'm here."
I looked up, taking her in from head to toe, gripped by a panic that every glance might be one of my last. Today, she wore a jade crown with red ribbons and a deep blue robe with dark wave patterns. Occasionally, the pale red lining of her sleeves would peek through. Among the crowd of young lords who looked like gaudy red and purple roosters, she appeared exceptionally solemn and steady. Seeing me staring blankly, she lightly tapped the tip of my nose. "Come, let's find a quiet place."
We wove through the noisy crowd of young men and women. Wei Qingming was in a good mood today, nodding with a smile to everyone she met, which caused many an innocent girl’s heart to flutter and their fans to wave frantically in bashfulness.
I didn't know how she managed to navigate the turns, but she actually found a secluded spot hidden behind a trellis of wisteria. The buds were heavy, just on the verge of blooming. Behind the trellis stood a large evergreen oak, a few small jade stools, and lush green grass. It was neither too sunny nor too shaded, and a gentle breeze could drift through. It was truly comfortable.
We sat in this corner far from the clamor. The sounds of revelry felt distant and sparse, making this spot feel even more serene.
Wei Qingming said, "Close your eyes." I obeyed. She took my hand and placed a small handful of something like beans in my palm. Suddenly, the sharp beak of a small bird pecked at my palm, eating the food bit by bit. I opened my eyes in surprise to see a small purple bird. It looked like a tit but wasn't; its body and tail feathers were slightly longer.
"Is there a nest here?" I looked around. "But there's only this one?"
Wei Qingming laughed. "Did you forget? When I first asked for Miss Su’s help, I promised to bring you a Silver-throated Tit from the North. Unfortunately, the season was wrong, so I could only catch this Purple Thrush. It traveled with the birthday gifts I arranged, so it only arrived recently."
I held the bird happily, not knowing what to say. Once the bird finished the food, Wei Qingming brought out a cage. I carefully placed it inside. Wei Qingming patiently taught me how to lock the cage and how to provide food and water before setting it aside.
I also had something for her. As I was about to take it out, I felt quite shy. Fidgeting, I said, "You... close your eyes too."
Wei Qingming smiled and obliged me by closing her eyes. I gently placed the object in her palm. She asked, "Can I look now?"
I gave a soft "Mhm." She opened her eyes and looked at the object in her palm, which resembled both a flower and a bell. She smiled. "Forgive my lack of insight..."
"This... you know my natal treasure, the Huanzhen Flower, right?" I scratched my head sheepishly, almost feeling the urge to take the gift back. "It is nourished by my flesh and blood; it's actually a flower demon much more powerful than I am. This is the very first flower the Huanzhen produced. By human standards, I was probably twelve or thirteen then. Although the flower is small, it's... quite useful for breaking illusions. Master refined it into a spiritual tool for me, saying it would be useful until the late stages of the Canxia Realm..."
My voice grew smaller and smaller as I spoke, fearing she would disdain it. But Wei Qingming held the flower with great care and whispered, "Miss Su’s gift is truly precious. Thank you."
I watched her expression closely. Once I was certain there wasn't a hint of dislike, I breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed my eyes. "Your work outside is dangerous, and I can't help you with anything. This thing is quite effective; if someone approaches with ill intent or if there's a conspiracy ahead, it should give a warning..."
She held my hand, looked into my eyes, and said once more, "Thank you. I like it very much."
I leaned into her arms, quietly wiping my tears dry. I asked, "When I'm gone, you'll still think of me, right?"
"Of course."
"You won't confuse my appearance with Wen Qi's?"
She gave a soft huff but still said gently, "I won't."
"You have to sleep well. You can't always be working cases and cultivating so recklessly. That day... that day you were so tired you fell asleep on your horse. Did you even know?"
Wei Qingming pulled me back from her embrace and cupped my face, looking puzzled. "Is Miss Su planning to end her mission early?"
I flushed red and cried out, "I'm just worrying about you! Am I usually that fierce? Is there a need to be so surprised?"
Wei Qingming smiled, then shook her head and said seriously, "A-Zhi is always wonderful."
Only then was I satisfied, giving her a triumphant glare. But then Wei Qingming added, "There is no need for parting words. Friends meet when they wish to meet. Though the sky is vast and the road is long, if I miss you, I will surely find you."
My mind was in a chaotic whirl, and for a moment, I was lost for words and could not respond.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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赤缇 | Chiti / Madder-red | A traditional Chinese reddish-orange color.
缃黄 | Xianghuang / Light yellow | A traditional Chinese pale yellow color.
鲲鱼 | Kun-fish | A legendary giant fish from Chinese mythology (Zhuangzi).
浣真花 | Huanzhen Flower | Literally "Washing Truth Flower"; the protagonist's natal treasure.
紫鸫 | Purple Thrush | A type of bird gifted to the protagonist.
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Dreams of the Ancient Mountain: The Cat's Masquerade | Chapter 46 | A Heartfelt Gift | Novela.app | Novela.app
