The people from both Zhao Huanzhao and Zhao Huanyang courtyards did not move to the Zhilan Garden (for summer). Shenxiu Courtyard is much closer to Lingde Hall than from Yifang Garden.

Xu Nian’an, calm and composed, bowed again to Lao Taitai and said, “Zumu, allow me to report. It’s all because of Sanlang. He insists on me sending him out every day before he agrees to go to the Imperial Academy to study. So, it delayed me for a while. Zumu is kind and understanding, One believes Zumu will understand.”

Zhao Shuxian really hates Xu Nian’an’s way of speaking. Every time, she first puts a tall paper hat on someone, making it difficult for them to say anything to her face.

“Being filial is the top virtue. Even if Tang Xiong insists on being escorted by Tang Sao every day before going to school, Tang Sao should not neglect to pay respects to Zumu. First come to pay respects to Zumu, and then Tang Sao can go back to escort Tang Xiong. This is the right way,” Zhao Shuxian interjected.

Xu Nian’an’s eyes swept over Zhao Shuxian, who was leaning next to Lao Taitai, and she smiled before speaking, “What Tang Mei said is true. Nian’an has accepted the teaching. One heard that Lu Family’s Lao Taitai’s health is not too good. This filial heart of Tang Mei—rising early and retiring late without begrudging the toil—I will certainly convey it on your behalf, so that she may also be happy.”

Zhao Shuxian’s expression changed.

Lao Taitai, who had been lowering her eyelids and fingering Buddhist beads, looked up at her. Her eyes were cold and clear, but hiding a sharpness.

Xu Nian’an looked at her gently and obediently.

Lao Taitai looked away and said, “Have a seat.”

“Thank you, Zumu,” Xu Nian’an replied, sitting down beside her.

“Do your family and the Lu family often interact?” Lao Taitai asked.

“Not often, but One’s younger brother and Lu Gongzi are good friends who talk about everything. They are also studying together at the Canglan Academy, so they have a lot to talk about.”

Zhao Shuxian, feeling indignant, clenched her handkerchief. Why does it have to be her younger brother? If only my Er Ge could be close to Lu Gongzi and be classmates, how wonderful would that be!

“In five days, it will be Huanxu’s nineteenth birthday. He doesn’t want a grand celebration, just a poetry gathering with some friends. Your mother-in-law is busy, Wu Shenshen is unwell, Huanxu’s wife has to take care of the children, and Shuxian is busy embroidering her dowry. So, I’m entrusting this matter to you. After all, your mother-in-law manages the household affairs, so it’s more convenient for you to arrange things compared to others,” Lao Taitai said to Xu Nian’an.

Xu Nian’an bowed and said, “Zumu, it’s not that Sun Xi is lazy and unwilling. It’s just that it’s not appropriate for Tang Xiong’s poetry gathering to be entrusted to Sun Xi to handle.”

Si Taitai couldn’t wait to interject, “If you don’t want to, then just say you don’t want to. Always so many excuses! Even dare to contradict Lao Taitai’s decision. I see you really have no regard for authority!”

Lao Taitai also looked displeased and asked, “Why is it inappropriate?”

“Because of Si Shenshen,” Xu Nian’an looked at Si Taitai and continued, “Zumu, you see, Si Shenshen is in good health and is very warm-hearted. She has always been on good terms with Wu Shenshen. Now that Wu Shenshen is unwell and cannot manage the birthday banquet for Huanxu Tang Xiong, whether based on seniority or friendship, it should be Si Shenshen’s turn to help Wu Shenshen. How could it fall to me, a Sunxi who has only recently entered the household?”

“You… I…” Si Taitai didn’t expect the focus to suddenly shift to herself, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words.

Lao Taitai frowned slightly.

“Si Shenshen, last time when the servant from our courtyard accidentally entered the Lǜyun Pavilion, you braved the scorching sun to personally stand up for Huanxu Tang Xiong. This time, with such a big event as Huanxu Tang Xiong’s birthday, you surely wouldn’t find an excuse to not help Wu Shenshen, right? Moreover, as the daughter-in-law of the First Branch, this would be my first time to be in charge of an event in the Guogong Residence since I got married, and it would be to organize Huanxu Tang Xiong’s birthday banquet. If it turns out well, it’s fine, but if it goes wrong, those who know will say I’m incompetent and not fit for important tasks. One afraid that those who don’t know will say that Zumu is intentionally making things difficult for me for the Fifth Branch. Si Shenshen is so filial, she must be unwilling to put Zumu in such a dilemma, right?”

Si Taitai and Zhao Shuxian both wished they could tear Xu Nian’an’s mouth apart.

Lao Taitai’s expression turned somber as she said, “Lao Si’s wife.”

Si Taitai turned back in panic.

“I’ll leave this matter for you to handle.”

Si Taitai: “……” Organizing a birthday banquet was not a difficult task, but she had to ask Da Taitai for people and items, which meant she had to endure her weird and sarcastic remarks, which was really annoying!

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but glare at Xu Nian’an.

Xu Nian’an smiled warmly at her.

Half an hour later, in the left wing room of Jiaxiang House.

Xu Nian’an held a plate of sugar-steamed cheese and summed up, “…… What does it have to do with me if Huanxu Tang Xiong is celebrating his birthday ? I won’t join in the fun.”

Yin Furen listened to her recounting the incident, covering her mouth with a handkerchief, laughing heartily, and pointing at her, “You rascal!”

Xu Nian’an smiled, squinting her eyes, and lowered her head to eat the sugar-steamed cheese.

After Yin Furen finished laughing, she sighed and said, “To push this matter onto you, they must have had ill intentions. If Lao Taitai can’t act openly because of Guogong Yé’s protection, she might resort to more covert means. You’ll have to be even more cautious and careful in the future.”

Xu Nian’an put down the bowl of cheese, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and said, “Erxi will be careful.”

Yin Furen ordered Qianhe to bring a brocade box and asked Mingli, who was accompanying Xu Nian’an, to pass it to her, saying, “This is a jade pillow for Huanxi. Take it back and replace his old one.”

Xu Nian’an acknowledged, and as Yin Furen was busy with other matters, she took her leave and returned to Yifang Garden.

When she arrived at Yifang Garden, she carried the brocade box back to the bedroom. Upon opening it and inspecting the jade pillow, she found that its surface was covered with engravings of a Fire Avoidance Chart.

避火图 (Bìhuǒtú): Literally "Fire-Avoidance Pictures." This is a traditional Chinese euphemism for erotic illustrations. Historically, it was a folk belief that placing erotic images in a room or engraving them on objects would ward off fire spirits (who were said to be shy and would turn away). In reality, these were often given to young brides or couples as a discreet form of sex education before the consummation of a marriage.

She sighed softly. What was meant to happen would eventually happen.

✦

In the evening, after school at the Imperial Academy, the students streamed out of the gate in groups.

“Qian Xiong, Huo Xiong, do you guys know where we can find some good food?” Zhao Huanxi asked his companions as they walked.

Qian Ming joked, putting his arm around Zhao Huanxi’s shoulder, “Are you going to bring some for your wife again? Trying to show affection again?”

“That’s right, you’re clearly just teasing me unmarried man,” Huo Qingzhe added.

“You, quit it. Even though you’re not married, if you want to bring something (to home), don’t you have a bunch of people in your house waiting for you to bring them?” He Lun interjected.

Ge Jingxuan just smiled without saying a word.

Zhao Huanxi’s cheeks flushed. He said, “I want to eat it myself, not just for her.”

“Alright, no need to explain. In this big capital city, it’s not hard to find good food. I’ll take you there…”

“Wuhui!”

Qian Ming hadn’t finished speaking when he heard a woman’s voice calling out his name.

He turned his head in the direction of the sound and saw a beautifully dressed woman getting down from a carriage. He widened his eyes in surprise and exclaimed, “Biao Yi, why are you here?”

Qingxiang Junzhu only looked at Zhao Huanxi standing beside Qian Ming.

Today, he was dressed in a blue silk robe embroidered with silver entwined plum blossoms, wearing a jade crown. Compared to the purple robe from that day, he appeared even more noble and elegant.

His gaze fell on her face. His eyes were as clean and pure as a child’s.

Qingxiang Junzhu’s heart pounded, and the admiring glances from the other scholars around her gave her a little more confidence.

She walked up to Qian Ming and said, “I was out for a stroll from the residence, and the carriage broke down nearby. I remembered you were studying at the Imperial Academy, so I came over. Who are these…” She looked boldly at Zhao Huanxi beside him. Up close, his features were almost flawless, so delicate that it made one feel ashamed of their own imperfections.

Qian Ming introduced them one by one, “These are all my friends. This is Zhao Huanxi, the eldest legitimate grandson of Jing Guogong. Huo Qingzhe, the heir of Count Cheng’an. He Lun, the legitimate son of Marquis Changxing. Ge Jingxuan, the son of Ge Daren, the Left Vice Censor of the Censorate. And this is my Biao Yi, Qingxiang Junzhu of Prince Su Residence.”

After exchanging greetings, Qian Ming said to Qingxiang Junzhu, “Biao Yi, how about I find a carriage to take you back to the residence?”

Qingxiang Junzhu asked him, “Aren’t you going back?”

Qian Ming replied, “We are planning to stroll around a bit.”

“Why not take me with you? Since I arrived in the capital, I haven’t had a chance to explore properly,” Qingxiang Junzhu said. “Who among you came by carriage? Give me a ride.”

Everyone looked at Zhao Huanxi. Among them, he was the only one who had come and gone by carriage.

Qingxiang Junzhu, suppressing her excitement, said to Zhao Huanxi, “Then One has to trouble Zhao Gongzi.”

“Not at all,” Zhao Huanxi said to Qian Ming, “I’ll ride your horse, and you and Junzhu can take my carriage.”

Qingxiang Junzhu: “…….”

Qian Ming said, “It can only be this way.”

He helped Qingxiang Junzhu onto the carriage. As soon as he settled in, Qingxiang Junzhu gave him a glare.

Qian Ming: “?” not wanting to argue with this Biao Yi who was younger than him, leaned out of the window to talk to He Lun, Zhao Huanxi, and the others.

As they arrived at Longjin Bridge, ahead was the famous Zajue Street, lined with crowded stalls. The street was bustling with pedestrians, making it difficult for carriages and horses to pass, so they had to get down and walk.

After Qingxiang Junzhu got off the carriage, she saw Zhao Huanxi and Ge Jingxuan walking ahead, so she hurried to catch up with them, accompanied by her maid, Suwei.

Huo Qingzhe, He Lun, and Qian Ming followed behind. Huo Qingzhe rubbed his chin and said to Qian Ming, “Why do I feel like your Biao Yi’s intentions are not just about sightseeing?”

Qian Ming frowned and said, “There wasn’t much interaction between me and her to begin with. I only know that she is the daughter of my Jiu Gong who was born in his later years, spoiled and accustomed to getting her way.”

“It looks like she’s smitten with Huanxi’s appearance. You should remind her when we get back that Huanxi is already married,” He Lun said.

“I understand,” Qian Ming replied.

Zhao Huanxi and Ge Jingxuan each bought a portion of hemp tofu when they heard a woman’s voice nearby saying, “Junzhu, there’s a stall over there selling goldencup plum blossoms.”

They turned to see Qingxiang Junzhu walking just behind and to the left of them.

Seeing him turn back, Qingxiang Junzhu also looked up at him, her gaze shy and affectionate.

“Are goldencup blossoms delicious?” Zhao Huanxi suddenly asked.

Qingxiang Junzhu hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a smile, “Yes, they are.”

Zhao Huanxi walked up to the stall selling goldencup plum blossoms, and the vendor said, “Would Gongzi like a portion of goldencup plum blossoms? This is the last one.”

Zhao Huanxi nodded and said, “Please wrap it up for me.”

Qingxiang Junzhu stood aside, using her folding fan to cover half of her face as she watched him.

After completing the transaction, Zhao Huanxi asked Qingxiang Junzhu, “What else do you like to eat?”

Qingxiang Junzhu was surprised and pleased. She hadn’t expected Zhao Huanxi to be interested in her so quickly.

She blushed and looked ahead, saying, “Plum ginger and sugar lychee are also good.”

Zhao Huanxi bought a portion of each, tying the plum ginger and sugar lychee together separately from the goldencup plum blossoms he had bought earlier. The other snacks they bought were tied together with the hemp tofu.

After everyone had made their purchases, Zhao Huanxi placed the two portions of snacks on the carriage. He then rode Qian Ming’s horse and led the carriage to the Marquis Yong’an’s Residence.

When they arrived at the gate of the Marquis Yong’an’s Residence, Qian Ming went to talk to Zhao Huanxi, while Suwei helped Qingxiang Junzhu out of the carriage.

When Zhao Huanxi turned around and saw Suwei carrying the goldencup plum blossoms, plum ginger, and sugar lychee he had bought, he hurried over and asked, “What are you doing with the snacks I bought?”

Both Suwei and Qingxiang Junzhu were puzzled by his question.

Suwei said, “Isn’t this… bought for our Junzhu?”

Zhao Huanxi stepped forward, took the snacks from her hand, and handed them to Zhiyi beside him, saying, “Of course not, these are bought for my wife.”

Suwei was stunned. “If you bought them for your wife, why did you ask our Junzhu what she likes to eat?”

“I thought you women’s tastes would be similar, just asking for reference. Besides, you didn’t say you wanted any. If not, I can buy a few more as a gesture of respect to the elders..”

Qingxiang Junzhu’s face flushed red. “Who’s your elder?”

Confused and innocent, Zhao Huanxi said, “Aren’t you Qian Xiong’s Biao Yi? Since I’m friends with Qian Xiong, you’re naturally my elder.”

Qian Ming held his forehead in embarrassment.

Qingxiang Junzhu stomped her foot in anger, turned around, lifted her skirt and walk away.

⟡ Aewoo’s Ramble ⟡

The phrase 'Societal Death' in the snippet is 社死 (Shèsǐ): Short for 社会性死亡 (shèhuìxìng sǐwáng), literally "social death." It is a modern Chinese slang term used to describe a moment of extreme, irredeemable embarrassment where one feels they can no longer face society.