In the private room of the Drunken Immortal Tower, Mu Qishao and Wei Qingchen whispered and murmured for most of the morning. Guards stood watch at the door, not even allowing the tea-serving waiter inside.
Thankfully, this was a time-honored establishment. The shopkeeper and waiters all knew the rules. Wealthy families always had private matters to discuss, after all.
By the time they finished their discussion, the sun was already high in the sky. Mu Qishao said he had heard the Eight-Treasure Duck here was quite good and suggested they try it together.
Wei Qingchen shook her head like a rattle drum. “I didn’t have time to tell the family when I left. I need to get back early.”
Mu Qishao stared at her, eyes wide with astonishment. “You’re actually henpecked?”
Wei Qingchen looked a bit sheepish. She raised her teacup and took a slow sip. For some reason, a thought crossed her mind, and the corner of her mouth curled into a small smile.
Mu Qishao found it odd. “What are you smiling about?”
Wei Qingchen sighed, patting his shoulder. “You’ll understand once you get a wife.”
Her tone was earnest and mature, like an older brother. Mu Qishao felt utterly scorned. Enraged, he shoved her. “Get out, out, out, out, out!”
Wei Qingchen laughed heartily. She left the room, called for Kang Ze, and the two went downstairs.
Mu Qishao sat alone, having ordered a whole table of dishes. When it came time to pay the bill, he noticed two charges for Eight-Treasure Duck. He normally didn’t care about money, but this was simply too much gouging from the shop.
Then the waiter came back to report: the gentleman who had left earlier had packed an extra signature Eight-Treasure Duck to go, saying he wanted to take it back for his wife to try.
Mu Qishao: ???
He had to leave him with a mouthful of sweet fodder right before he left??? Too sweet to handle!!!
That scoundrel!
The market district was far away, so Wei Qingchen returned a little later than expected. Chu Mingyu saw her push aside the door curtain and enter and immediately said, “You’re finally back! Hurry up and discipline your wife for me!”
“Hm?” Wei Qingchen followed her gaze. Her wife was standing a few steps away, holding a booklet in her hand. It seemed to be… the account books of the Imperial Medicine Hall?
Chu Mingxi swept a glance at her sister and addressed Yining, who was waiting nearby. “Serve the meal.”
Yining walked out, and the maids outside answered in a chorus of agreement.
Wei Qingchen was surprised. “You haven’t eaten yet?”
It was already quite late.
Chu Mingyu deliberately sighed. “Elder Sister said that as long as the Heir Apparent hasn’t returned, the household is not allowed to start dinner.”
Wei Qingchen’s voice was clearly filled with concern. “I’m out handling business without a fixed schedule. If I haven’t come back, you two should just eat first.”
The food was already prepared. Yining led the maids in, and in a moment, the Birchwood Round Table in the Flower Hall was fully set.
“This is the Eight-Treasure Duck from the Drunken Immortal Tower. They say it’s their signature dish. I brought it back for us to try.” Wei Qingchen had already washed her hands. As the few of them sat at the table, she picked up a small slice and placed it in Chu Mingxi’s bowl. At the same time, she said, “If I’m ever late coming back in the future, you eat first. No need to wait.”
Chu Mingxi rarely ate such heavy, oily, and meaty dishes, but she still very considerately ate the slice. Offhandedly, she said, “Don’t listen to Mingyu’s nonsense. It’s just that we had too many snacks this morning and aren’t hungry yet.”
Chu Mingyu had been watching them feed each other bite by bite. At her sister’s words, she immediately retorted, “I ate snacks, but you didn’t! You clearly…”
Chu Mingxi placed a glistening piece of duck meat into her bowl and said coolly, “Can’t even food shut you up?”
“Pfft!” Wei Qingchen’s chopsticks paused at her lips, unable to hold back a laugh.
Chu Mingxi ignored them and also picked up a piece of Eight-Treasure Duck, placing it into Wei Qingchen’s bowl.
Chu Mingyu ground her teeth. “Elder Sister, you’re playing favorites!”
Chu Mingxi looked at her bowl, then at Wei Qingchen’s, and said seriously, “The piece I gave you is clearly bigger.”
This isn’t about the duck meat at all!!
Chu Mingyu: So infuriating!!!
Wei Qingchen was still laughing. She picked up some other dish with her chopsticks and put it into her sister-in-law’s bowl, saying with a hint of playfulness, “I ask the Second Young Miss to do me the honor.”
Only then did Chu Mingyu nod with a straight face. “Alright then!”
The meal passed without further incident.
After the meal, Chu Mingyu returned to her own room. Wei Qingchen and Chu Mingxi stood outside, watching a little maid water the parrot under the eaves.
“Have you finished packing everything?” Wei Qingchen asked.
Chu Mingxi nodded. “There wasn’t much to pack to begin with. This trip was rushed.”
“How did you explain it to Shopkeeper Yu?” Wei Qingchen asked, curious.
“I told him to return to the capital to report on his probity,” Chu Mingxi said casually, as if it were nothing difficult.
“Report on probity? Wouldn’t that scare Shopkeeper Yu to death?” Wei Qingchen was both surprised and amused. Looking back, she nodded in understanding. “No wonder you were looking at the account books.”
Chu Mingxi shot her a sideways glance. “Aren’t I always reviewing the books? The Heir Apparent doesn’t have to manage the household, so you wouldn’t know how expensive firewood and rice are.”
Wei Qingchen listened to her coy tone and watched her glancing eye movements. It inexplicably reminded her of last night’s events. It was the first time she had ever been so close to another person; she’d never imagined someone’s face could be so soft, so fragrant, so… sweet.
Chu Mingxi noticed she wasn’t speaking, yet her gaze was fixed on her own cheek—the very spot Wei Qingchen had kissed the night before.
This person!
Chu Mingxi’s ears flushed red. Biting her lip, she turned to leave. Wei Qingchen reached out and took her hand, not letting her pull away. A smile played on her lips as she walked inside with her.
It was already early summer, and the room was somewhat stuffy. The door to the room was wide open, with only the bead curtain let down.
Wei Qingchen knew she was shy, so once inside the room, she let go of her hand. Picking up Chu Mingxi’s earlier teasing, she replied with a grin, “What does it matter if I don’t know the cost of firewood and rice? I have a wife to support me.”
Heir Apparent, are you proudly freeloading?
Chu Mingxi raised an eyebrow at her sideways glance, but she couldn’t help but laugh.
“Every year or two, the shopkeepers from the Imperial Medicine Hall’s various branches must return to the capital to report on their probity, depending on the distance. If one’s conduct is upright, there’s nothing to fear,” Chu Mingxi explained to her as she sat at the dressing table, pulling out a ruby-and-gold hairpin from her chignon.
This was a sign she intended to take a midday rest. Wei Qingchen stepped forward and gently removed the swaying earrings from her fair earlobes. She was well-practiced at this task now, no longer the clumsy novice from their wedding day.
A waterfall of long hair cascaded down, fine and soft. Wei Qingchen held a strand in her hand. Suddenly, she remembered a line the wedding celebrant had spoken during their marriage ceremony.
“Binding hair as husband and wife, sharing love without suspicion.”
Chu Mingxi toyed with the ends of her hair with her fingers. Looking up, she saw in the mirror that Wei Qingchen was holding a lock of her hair, her expression filled with undisguised joy and affection. Chu Mingxi’s heart softened. She turned to face her, her voice softening as well. “Do you want to rest for a bit?”
Wei Qingchen smiled gently and said, “Okay.”
Chu Mingxi extended her hand, looking at her with a smile.
Wei Qingchen took her hand and stood up. They removed their outer garments together and lay down on the bed.
“Have you arranged everything for this evening?” Chu Mingxi asked calmly. She was actually somewhat worried. After all, Governor Wen was a high-ranking local official who had entrenched himself in Peaceful Ease Prefecture for many years. But she wasn’t used to expressing her concern, so she just asked casually, as if she didn’t care.
Under the thin blanket, Wei Qingchen took her hand. Chu Mingxi stirred uneasily. Wei Qingchen spread her palm open and slowly, little by little, laced her fingers through Chu Mingxi’s, intertwining them tightly.
“Everything’s been arranged. Don’t worry. I’m just going to get him drunk,” she said, her thumb resting on the back of Chu Mingxi’s hand, gently soothing her with small movements. “It’s Liang Yu’s side that’s more concerning. As Zhechong Commandant, he commands troops locally. We have to guard against him. I’ll leave Kang Xun behind to keep an eye on him. Don’t be afraid.”
Chu Mingxi shook her head. “Take both Kang Ze and Kang Xun with you. I’ll have Lei Min watch him.”
Wei Qingchen thought for a moment, then said, “Then I’ll leave the guards behind. I’m only going drinking. If I bring that whole retinue of the Heir’s Guard, it’ll look like a Hongmen Banquet!”
Chu Mingxi thought to herself, What you’re setting up is precisely a Hongmen Banquet. But she knew Wei Qingchen was worried about her, so she pressed her lips into a smile. “As you wish.”
Her voice was cool yet soft, like an iced peach in summer, both sweet and alluring to the ear.
Wei Qingchen closed her eyes and moved closer to her, murmuring softly, “Mingxi.”
“Hm?”
Chu Mingxi answered, but Wei Qingchen didn’t speak further. She just curled the corner of her mouth in a faint smile.
She didn’t wait for an answer either. Wei Qingchen’s breathing, right next to her ear, gradually lengthened. Drowsiness swept over her, and in an instant, she sank deep into dreamland.
The bright summer wind blew through the open hall. Half-asleep, Wei Qingchen followed her old habit from before she was married. She raised her arm and wrapped it around her wife.
It was just as the lanterns were being lit again at dusk. The shops in the market district were closing one by one, but the taverns and tea houses still buzzed with noise and excitement.
Yesterday, when Governor Wen had paid a visit, he had already mentioned he would be hosting a welcome banquet for Heir Wei, which also served as an apology. Today, he had indeed formally sent an invitation. Heir Wei replied that drinks were fine, but they shouldn’t bring too many people, lest His Majesty find out and accuse her of disturbing the peace of the local area.
Wen Minxu naturally agreed. He only brought a Recorder, surnamed Zhang. Although Recorder Zhang managed the prefecture’s documents, he was Wen Minxu’s trusted confidant.
Governor Wen chose the drinking spot himself: a place called Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion. After all, Peaceful Ease Prefecture was his territory, so he felt very much at ease.
When it was nearly time for the banquet to begin, Wei Qingchen arrived with the Kang brothers, Kang Ze and Kang Xun. Before they had even entered, a strong smell of rouge and powder wafted out. The two Kang brothers exchanged a glance, sharing a knowing smirk.
In the private room upstairs, Wen Minxu had already ordered a large table full of dishes. Once Heir Wei was seated, he poured himself three cups of wine and drank them all as a gesture of respect.
Heir Wei said nothing, just turning the teacup in front of her and taking a sip of tea.
Wen Minxu and Recorder Zhang looked at each other in confusion. Recorder Zhang hurriedly poured three more full cups and accompanied Wen Minxu in toasting the Heir. Right at the start, Wen Minxu had downed six cups of wine.
Only then did Wei Qingchen glance at them and say coldly, “Governor Wen, don’t talk about letting bygones be bygones. Your man, Liang Yu, came to my wife’s Imperial Medicine Hall and was ready to arrest people without a word. My wife’s wrist is still bruised. To tell you the truth, I’ve already thrashed Liang Yu twice. Honestly, I just can’t vent my anger. Every time I see him, I want to hit him again.”
“Yes, yes, yes. It’s my failure to govern my subordinates strictly. Liang Yu deserves a beating. He should be beaten!” Seeing her behave just like a pampered young heir, Wen Minxu was actually relieved. He poured himself another full cup and respectfully begged the Heir to be magnanimous.
Recorder Zhang, who had long mingled in officialdom, spouted a torrent of flattering words. The atmosphere gradually lightened. Even the Kang brothers began calling for more wine.
Along with the wine jars came several young women, each carrying a musical instrument. They sat to one side of the private room and began singing.
Governor Wen shot Recorder Zhang a meaningful look. Recorder Zhang understood and laughed heartily. “Why sit so far away? Come here, come here. Come and greet our Young Master Wei.”
Wei Qingchen was just lowering her head to eat a mouthful of food with her chopsticks. At these words, she frowned slightly. But before anyone could notice, she smoothed her expression again.
The girls interspersed themselves around the table with them, their figures and voices equally soft. The wine was ordered even faster.
Wei Qingchen pointed at Governor Wen’s cup, her demeanor utterly carefree. “Fill Governor Wen’s cup up.”
“Madam, Madam!! Trouble!!”
Inside the Governor’s Mansion, the steward and a servant boy came running in together. The Governor’s Wife, Lady Bao, was anxiously leaning on a soft couch, having her maids massage her dizzy head. Hearing the shouting, she hurriedly sat up. “What’s happened? The Master, has the Master returned?”
“No, it’s… this… we don’t even know who these people are.”
Just as she spoke, a unit of men charged straight in. The one leading them was around eighteen or nineteen years old, with sword-like brows, starry eyes, and a heroic, dashing air.
“You… who are you people?” Lady Bao stammered, trembling and shrieking at the same time. “This is the Governor’s Mansion!”
“The Governor’s Mansion?” Mu Qishao nodded, and a smile actually appeared on his face. “Then the Governor’s Mansion is exactly the right place.”
