Chapter 31: The Qixi Festival (3)

All afternoon, Tang Yuexi felt awkward and out of place. She knew no one here and could only trail behind Sun Ruyi like a shadow.

Circling among the daughters of noble families, watching Sun Ruyi charm and flatter with endless smiles, Tang Yuexi forced herself to smile along. Her feet ached, her waist was sore, and her face felt stiff from smiling so much.

Finally, when it was time to offer the moon-shaped pastries, she was met with disdain.

As the youngest daughter of the Tang family, spoiled by her parents and siblings-in-law, Tang Yuexi could no longer endure it. She abandoned her food box and pulled Sun Ruyi forward to confide her grievances. “Sister Sun, they won’t let me offer the pastries!”

Sun Ruyi, engrossed in conversation with the young ladies of the Guang’an Earl’s residence, was interrupted and immediately felt a surge of irritation.

However, as Tang Yushu’s fiancée and the apparent future sister-in-law of this girl, she could not reprimand her harshly. Instead, she softened her tone. “If they don’t let you offer, then don’t. When we perform the moon worship later, you must stand at the back and avoid causing trouble.”

Tang Yuexi pouted in resentment. “I have to stand at the back? Why? Sister Sun, you’re the cousin of Consort Li!”

Hearing Tang Yuexi shout loudly and drag in Consort Li from the palace, Sun Ruyi glared fiercely. “Look at who those ladies are. They’re all from the generals’ or dukes’ households—families of imperial relatives and high ministers. They rely on their family status to be arrogant and unreasonable.

If you anger them, a few insults are the least of your worries. If they beat you and throw you out, not even I can save you!”

Tang Yuexi shivered at her words and instantly regretted coming to Yue Lake. But thinking of the boasting she’d have to endure at home among her lady friends, she held back.

After Tang Yuexi slunk away, the young ladies chatting with Sun Ruyi covered their mouths and giggled. “Ruyi, now that you no longer serve in front of the matriarch, you’ve gained the airs of a lady. When you become the wife of an official, don’t forget the old bonds of this household.”

Sun Ruyi lowered her eyes modestly. “Seventh Lady jokes. Ruyi was raised by the matriarch and blessed with this marriage. How could I forget the favors of the household?”

The lead young lady flicked her embroidered handkerchief coldly, frost seeming to coat her lovely face. “So you’re a relative of the Tang family by marriage? Don’t bring such unsightly things here to spoil the view. You knew I wore purple today, yet you still dared to wear purple too. Are you deliberately provoking me?”

Sun Ruyi blushed deeply, forced a smile, and apologized. “Fifth Lady, your servant did not know Lady Tang wore purple and offended you unintentionally!”

A nearby maid scoffed. “Hmph, the daughter of a sixth-rank official, she’s not fit to come to Yue Lake. It’s only because Sister Ruyi was annoyed by the Tang family ladies that she agreed. The Tang madam doesn’t know her place but insists on bringing her out to broaden her horizons. She even hopes Sister Ruyi will help find a good match next time.”

Laughter erupted among the ladies, their eyes filled with disdain and hostility.

Good husbands from noble families are not easy to find. In the vast capital, there are only a handful of men with real standing among the princes and dukes.

With so many rivals and so little to go around, which lady wouldn’t keep a close watch? They would never tolerate a lowly woman sneaking into their noble circles to covet their place.

Tang Yuexi’s face had turned a deep purplish red. Standing nearby, she heard the young ladies from the Guang’an Earl’s residence speak loudly on purpose, every word sinking into her ears.

Feeling wronged by the cold treatment here, and recalling her mother’s earnest advice to mingle more with noble ladies, Tang Yuexi turned and ran out toward the waterside pavilion.

Outside the pavilion, Yuanyang, unaware of the situation, hurried after her. “Miss Yue, the moon worship ceremony is about to begin. Why are you running off?”

Although holding back tears, Tang Yuexi’s face was already streaked with them. Hearing mention of the ceremony only fueled her anger. She raised her hand and slapped Yuanyang. “It’s because you lowly maid encouraged my mother to bring me here to worship the moon, so those wretched women could mock me…”

They had not yet left Yue Lake, and servants and maids accompanying the noble ladies were everywhere. Yuanyang, feeling the sting of the blow on her face, quickly covered Tang Yuexi’s mouth to stop her from speaking recklessly. “Miss Yue, you can’t say that!”

If any of the noble ladies heard and made a scene, their humble household wouldn’t be spared.

“I don’t care. I’m going home! I’ll tell Mother that the noble ladies here bullied me!” Tang Yuexi shoved Yuanyang aside.

Yuanyang wanted to stop her, but how could she restrain a stubborn child? The two struggled and finally left the waterside pavilion.

At this point, the moon worship ceremony was only halfway through. Each family’s carriages were parked elsewhere, coming to pick up their ladies only after the ceremony ended.

Tang Yuexi had come in Sun Ruyi’s carriage, so naturally, none was available now.

Yuanyang tried to persuade her to return, but Tang Yuexi refused.

Her hairpin and rings were already disheveled, her makeup smudged. If she went back now, the noble ladies would surely laugh her to death.

“I know the way back. Even if I have to walk, I’m not going back to the pavilion! I warn you, don’t try to drag me along,” Tang Yuexi pouted and threw a tantrum.

The Liu family came from merchants running an inn outside the city, so they did not follow the strict etiquette of noble ladies who never left their estates. Tang Yuexi was quite familiar with the Shunan district.

Yue Lake was not far from Shunan. Walking slowly, it would take less than half an hour.

Yuanyang was both angry and annoyed at being slapped, but Tang Yuexi was the precious darling of Madam Liu. She had to swallow her resentment and think of it later.

Seeing the streets brightly lit and bustling with pedestrians, the festival curfew late, Yuanyang figured it was safe and began leading the way toward Shunan district.

Leaving the stifling Yue Lake behind, the colorful lanterns lit the streets warmly, and Tang Yuexi’s mood lifted.

Pointing at the lanterns hanging along the street, she even asked Yuanyang to pick some.

Yuanyang’s cheek still burned from the slap, but seeing Tang Yuexi in good spirits, she complied. The two left the main street for smaller alleys, walking farther and farther away…

Laughter and joy filled the streets and alleys. In Pear Blossom Lane, An Chunfeng lounged lazily beneath the corridor, holding a small wine flask and savoring its aroma.

In her past life, frequenting nightclubs, though she didn’t drink excessively, she was always surrounded by the smell of alcohol, clutching red or white wine whenever she couldn’t sleep.

In this life, however, An Chunfeng abstained entirely.

The day she brought home wine, she took only one sip and became dizzy, sinking into a nightmare.

Wine can dispel sorrow, especially when alone, it becomes a treasure.

The Da Liang dynasty’s wine was a low-proof yellow wine. An Chunfeng resolved to often smell and taste it, letting her body grow accustomed.

With wine at her lips, the night breeze cool, bamboo leaves rustling softly, the moonlight shimmering like water, the distant sounds of flute and zither floated in from beyond the courtyard walls, intertwining and drifting away.

In both past and present lives, such romantic and gentle festivals had nothing to do with her, yet that didn’t stop An Chunfeng from enjoying herself.

After only one sip, she already felt a slight warmth.

At that moment, the courtyard gate suddenly banged loudly, accompanied by a rough male voice shouting, “Open the door! Open the door! Open the door!”