Pei Fei and Lin Yan hailed from the same hometown, possessed similar family backgrounds—both bore prestigious surnames but had fallen from former glory. The critical difference lay in degree: the Lin family had collapsed entirely, while Pei Fei's branch merely represented a withered twig on the great Pei family tree.
They had studied together in Hedong, joined the same literary society, and submitted examination papers side by side. Puzhou Prefect Cui Xun, observing that both young men showed exceptional promise and refinement, had dubbed them "paired jade"—a compliment of the highest order.
However, their official careers had diverged dramatically. Pei Fei first observed the mandatory mourning period for his grandfather, then for his father, losing several precious years. He finally passed the Ministry of Rites examination but became stuck at the Ministry of Personnel evaluation, unable to receive an appointment for three frustrating years. This past spring, he'd finally passed the institutional examination and received a ninth-rank Proofreader position. By then, Lin Yan had already donned the crimson robe signifying his rank as Assistant Magistrate of the capital.
Comparing oneself to others truly could prove fatal, just as comparing goods inevitably led to discarding them! Fortunately, Pei Fei possessed a genuinely easygoing temperament—otherwise, he couldn't have maintained such an amicable friendship with his old companion despite the disparity in their fortunes.
As Lin Yan's old friend and junior in rank, Pei Fei joined him in accompanying Madam Jiang for the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations.
Though Madam Jiang's memory had grown unreliable with age, she remembered Pei Fei clearly, addressing him as "Twelfth Young Master" alongside Lin Yan's "Eldest Young Master," treating them with the easy affection reserved for true brothers.
The makeshift "family" enjoyed moon viewing and wine in the back garden's elevated pavilion.
Madam Jiang ate a piece of date-paste snow-skin mooncake slowly, savoring each bite. "The texture reminds me of those Qixi flower cakes from several weeks ago..."
Lin Yan smiled—his grandmother's memory could prove remarkably sharp when it chose to be.
The Old Madam favored soft, sweet things, and being thoroughly satisfied with the date filling, she urged both young men, "Twelfth, Eldest, you should sample some as well."
Pei Fei smiled and selected a baked mooncake, preparing to break it when he noticed the elegant characters inscribed on top: "A branch from Guilin, a piece of jade from Kunshan."
The reverse side read: "A bright future ahead, let's share a toast."
Plucking osmanthus from the moon palace—this was truly an auspicious metaphor for examination success. The osmanthus tree reference felt particularly appropriate for Mid-Autumn celebrations.
Lin Yan also selected a piece, glanced at the inscription, and froze momentarily before casually breaking it open and taking a bite.
Curious about the other inscriptions, Pei Fei reached for another mooncake. The front declared "The moon shines brightest in one's hometown," while the back stated "Let's drink to distant family and friends."
My, this concept was genuinely clever.
The serving maid pouring wine smiled knowingly. "These pastries are called 'Moon Fortune Cakes,' similar to temple fortune sticks, created purely for entertainment during festive gatherings."
"Whose playful idea was this?" Pei Fei inquired with evident amusement.
"That—this servant doesn't know, only that they were purchased from an establishment outside," the maid replied with an apologetic smile.
Having drawn what he deemed a "fortunate blessing," Pei Fei couldn't suppress his pleased mood and asked Lin Yan, "An'ran, what did your cake predict?"
Lin Yan responded with studied blandness, "Nothing particularly noteworthy, just some conventional auspicious phrases."
But Pei Fei had already reached across and claimed his half-consumed piece. The front showed only "bright" and "companion" remaining visible, while the reverse displayed "fine lady" and "one cup."
Pei Fei burst into delighted laughter and presented the fragment to Madam Jiang. "Congratulations, Madam! It appears An'ran's matrimonial fortune approaches. We absolutely must follow the cake's sage advice and share a celebratory toast."
Madam Jiang, thoroughly versed in classical poetry, immediately recognized the reference: "The moon rises bright, the beautiful one is my companion." Having heard both the maid's explanation and Pei Fei's interpretation, she deduced the complete reverse inscription must read "shall surely find a fine lady." She laughed with genuine delight, commanding Lin Yan, "We must drink together immediately!"
Pei Fei shot Madam Jiang a conspiratorial look. "An'ran deliberately tried to conceal it just moments ago..."
Madam Jiang assumed an expression of mock severity. "Then you absolutely must drink as penalty."
Though the servants lacked the education to fully appreciate the poetry, they comprehended the conversation's essence and began laughing among themselves.
Lin Yan pressed his lips together firmly, then surrendered to a helpless smile and raised his cup in compliance.
After taking a measured sip of wine, Madam Jiang's curiosity drew her to select a baked mooncake and examine its inscription: "The bright moon rises over the sea, shared at world's end," with the reverse proclaiming "At this fine time and feast, let's raise our cups together."
Madam Jiang smiled with satisfaction. "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! So perfectly suited to tonight's occasion."
Lin Yan and Pei Fei both raised their cups in synchronized tribute to Madam Jiang.
Being advanced in years, and having consumed wine as the hour grew late, Madam Jiang began showing signs of fatigue and announced her intention to retire. She firmly refused to permit the young men to escort her beyond the garden. "You two continue enjoying yourselves—I have A Su and the other servants to attend me."
Lin Yan and Pei Fei accompanied her only as far as the garden gate before returning to the pavilion. Without the Old Madam's restraining presence, Pei Fei relaxed considerably, drawing the plate of fortune cakes closer to examine each inscription methodically. He finally understood why his own fortune had seemed so auspicious—none of the "predictions" carried negative connotations. All spoke of "smooth official advancement," "wealth and tranquility," "great talent and refinement," and similar blessings.
If that were the extent of it, the concept would prove rather tedious. But the baker had injected genuine humor into the enterprise. For instance, one piece bearing the inscription "Raising my cup to invite the moon, with my shadow we make three" carried the reverse message "You're thoroughly drunk, cease drinking immediately." Pei Fei spat out his tea in shocked amusement.
Lin Yan frowned at him disapprovingly while simultaneously fighting back a smile.
Hands trembling with suppressed laughter, Pei Fei thrust the offending mooncake toward him for inspection.
Lin Yan couldn't restrain his own laughter, then pressed his lips together again in mock disapproval—such impudent cheekiness from a young lady!
Completely unaware of being mentally criticized for her irreverent humor, Shen Shaoguang remained occupied with the bustling business of selling mooncakes and pastries.
The ward had hung decorative lanterns for both the Ghost Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, attracting numerous visitors to stroll the illuminated streets. Shen Shaoguang had given A'yuan some copper coins and time off to enjoy the festivities, choosing to mind the shop alone.
Shen's reputation for exceptional pastries had flourished throughout the ward, particularly among children who, while viewing lanterns with their families, would persistently pester their parents to visit her shop.
Even those customers who had previously complained about the mooncakes being excessively expensive were now purchasing a few—it was a festival, after all. While complete boxes remained beyond their means, three or four individual pieces proved affordable.
Shen Shaoguang had worried about surplus inventory—these seasonal items would require heavy discounting after tonight, both because they wouldn't keep fresh and because festival goods lost all value once their occasion passed. Unexpectedly, they sold with remarkable speed, leaving few remaining.
Shen Shaoguang placed several baked mooncakes into a pancake bag and handed it to a young couple. "Here you are, and happy Mid-Autumn." After depositing their copper coins into the money basket and glancing up, she discovered none other than Young Master Liu standing beneath the tree outside her door.
Though Young Master Liu had been visiting frequently for meals recently, he spoke progressively less with each visit. Sometimes he seemed to be surreptitiously watching her. When Shen Shaoguang would look directly at him, he'd turn away hastily. Other times he appeared on the verge of speaking but ultimately remained silent.
Shen Shaoguang wanted desperately to joke as she might have in her previous life: "Hey, brother! Are you secretly harboring romantic feelings for me?" But mindful of this era's strict social customs, she didn't dare demonstrate such forward behavior.
Seeing him once again, standing so silently beneath the tree like an element of scenic composition, Shen Shaoguang felt somewhat helpless but could only offer him a gentle smile.
While Shen Shaoguang perceived him as decorative scenery, Liu Feng regarded Shen Shaoguang as a living painting.
Framed by the bamboo lattice window, illuminated by soft lantern light, the graceful beauty with luminous eyes and captivating smile—surely even the legendary moon goddess couldn't surpass such an enchanting vision?
Next
.jpeg)
Comments
Post a Comment