29
Bai Minmin felt that Ming Tan’s habit of siding with outsiders even before her marriage was simply incurable. As the wedding date drew nearer, Ming Tan’s barely concealed eagerness to wed became increasingly obvious.
Though she maintained a reserved demeanor in public, in private conversations she would often shyly speak of what she would do “after the marriage,” occasionally cupping her face with a sigh and muttering, “How can it still not be the end of the year yet!”
Both Bai Minmin and Zhou Jingwan found it unbearable to watch.
Days passed at their own unhurried pace. The Dragon Boat Festival, which Ming Tan had originally hoped would bring her a meeting with her future husband, had already come and gone amidst lively celebrations; now, suddenly, it was already the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the Qixi Festival.
The Qixi Festival, a day for girls to pray for skillful hands, has always been highly cherished. Year after year, noble families erect colorful pavilions in their own courtyards, allowing their young ladies to display their craftsmanship, burn incense, and offer devout prayers.
Outside, the atmosphere is equally vibrant. As Qixi approaches, the capital city bustles with carriages and horses; shops line the streets, displaying an array of exquisite and ingenious items far more numerous than on ordinary days.
Ming Tan, who had rarely ventured out while preparing for her marriage, also stepped beyond the gates of the Jing’an Marquis’s residence on this very day.
According to the customs of the Great Xian Dynasty, young ladies often exchange small gifts on Qixi. Having spent most of her time idly at home awaiting her wedding, Ming Tan had long ago prepared handmade sachets and embroidered handkerchiefs for Bai Minmin, Zhou Jingwan, Shen Hua, and several other noble ladies of the capital with whom she was on friendly terms.
In truth, Ming Tan had little enthusiasm for needlework; threading needles and guiding thread was not only time-consuming but also strained her eyes. Nevertheless, despite her lack of passion, she had honed her skills in embroidery and sewing to an exemplary level, befitting her status as one of the capital’s most distinguished noble ladies.
The items she crafted were made from fine materials and featured novel embroidery patterns; even if her stitching was not as outstanding as that of some girls highly skilled in the craft, they still felt exquisitely delicate and charming to hold. Moreover, within the sachets, she placed various small trinkets such as tiny jewelry pieces, rouge and powders, and intricately carved wooden figurines.
Bai Minmin received a sachet and an intricately crafted Kongming lock, sent back by Ming Tan’s eldest brother, who is currently serving in Pangshan.
Pangshan is a small town, yet its proximity to key military garrisons makes it a bustling hub for merchants, teeming with novel curiosities. Every so often, her elder brother never forgets to send fine treasures back to the capital.
Zhou Jingwan, in addition to the sachet, also received a small round fan. The fan’s surface was made of fine silk gauze, embroidered with a budding camellia that suited her perfectly. It even featured two lines of her own camellia poetry, stitched in imitation of her handwriting. A hole pierced through the handle held an exquisitely translucent tassel adorned with a jade pendant.
Zhou Jingwan cherished it so dearly that she immediately switched to using the new fan.
This time, Ming Tan had leisurely prepared such a thoughtful gift that Bai Minmin and Zhou Jingwan felt unusually embarrassed; what they had prepared suddenly seemed rather inadequate by comparison.
Bai Minmin fiddled with the Kongming lock in her hands, lost in some idle speculation. Hearing Ming Tan once again muttering about whether her complexion had grown more radiant lately, and wondering if her future husband would approve of her appearance after marriage—
Bai Minmin suddenly set down the Kongming lock, beckoned mysteriously to Ming Tan, and then whispered with barely contained excitement, “Tonight, Bieyu Tower is bustling with activity. Would you like to go see the spectacle?”
At the mention of Bieyu Tower, both Ming Tan and Zhou Jingwan widened their eyes in unison.
Ming Tan: “Have you lost your mind? What on earth are you doing going there?”
Zhou Jingwan also covered her lips with her fan: “You’ve always been so playful, but the festivities at Bieyu Tower are no place for a young lady. Do stop talking about it.”
“A-Tan, I’m only looking out for your own good. My elder brother shares some acquaintance with Shuiying, a celebrated courtesan of Bieyu Tower. Surely you must have heard of Shuiying’s renowned name. Aren’t you simply hoping to win your future husband’s affection? In my opinion, there’s no need to fuss over that pretty little face of yours; if you insist on making efforts, you’d be better off focusing them elsewhere.”
Bieyu Tower stands as the foremost pleasure house in the capital. To achieve such preeminence, the forces behind it must be exceedingly powerful, and it undoubtedly possesses certain unique qualities.
Though it is a pleasure quarter, the ladies of Bieyu Tower are mostly qingguan—courtesans who perform arts but do not sell their bodies. Not only are they all exceptionally beautiful, but they also possess remarkable talent; high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital eagerly court them, and even those unable to become their intimate guests gladly spend fortunes merely for their favor.
Lady Shuiying stands out as the foremost among them.
It is said that Lady Shuiying was originally born into an official family, but after her household was raided and condemned, she was enslaved and thus fell into the world of courtesans. Her beauty is dazzling, her figure graceful, and she excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Most importantly, countless men have fallen beneath her pomegranate skirt.
In truth, those genuinely seeking carnal pleasures would not fixate on Bieyu Tower, for the capital offers no shortage of tender havens—any one of which would suffice. The nobles who visit Bieyu Tower come mostly for the sake of elegance and fashionable allure.
Yet this Lady Shui Ying not only guided celebrated scholars in tasting tea, brewing it, and exchanging poetry, but also stirred such fierce rivalry among the capital’s young noblemen that they nearly came to blows—indeed, lives were almost lost. Given her power to captivate so profoundly, she must surely possess some extraordinary charm.
For a well-bred young lady to visit a pleasure quarter merely for spectacle is truly beyond propriety; if discovered, no amount of explanation could clear her name. Bai Minmin dared propose such a thing only because, on this very day each year, Bieyu Tower grandly closes its doors to guests in observance of the Qixi Festival.
Though no patrons are admitted inside, an auxiliary Qixi Pavilion is erected outdoors where banquets are held. The courtesans within thread needles under the moonlight, watch spiders weave their webs, burn incense, and bow in reverence—transforming the ordinary customs practiced by common women on Qixi into an elegant spectacle for all to behold. Naturally, freshly choreographed songs and dances add to the festivities, with graceful performances beneath the moon, crafted to evoke pure poetic sentiment.
Every seventh night of the seventh lunar month, crowds gather densely outside Bieyu Tower to admire the beauties’ grace, creating a truly magnificent scene. Yet those wishing to observe the ladies’ charms up close must have certain connections to secure a private chamber.
“Tonight, the Bieyu Tower is hosting the Qixi Festival. With so many people going to watch the festivities, what harm is there in us taking a look? We won’t actually enter their pleasure house; we’ll just observe from the nearby Qixi pavilion outside. It’s only natural to wonder what makes that Lady Shuiying so captivating. Besides, we’ll be seated in a private room, hidden behind a screen; no one will discover us,” Bai Minmin asserted confidently.
“Are you suggesting I go learn from that Lady Shuiying how to ensnare my husband?” Ming Tan asked with delayed suspicion.
Bai Minmin: “…”
She had understood a little too directly.
She tactfully remarked, “What I mean is, we could observe what makes her so captivating, and also how she interacts with men.”
This explanation was somewhat more acceptable to Ming Tan.
Young ladies like themselves rarely encountered men outside their family; even when they did, exchanging more than a few words was difficult, let alone developing any rapport. Noble matrons were traditionally taught only how to manage household affairs and earn their husbands’ respect, never how to truly interact with them or cultivate affection.
Hmm… Ming Tan was actually persuaded.
Besides, it’s just about watching the festivities from outside.
Ming Tan was indeed persuaded and felt somewhat tempted, but Zhou Jingwan stubbornly refused to go. Given her frail health, Bai Minmin did not insist on dragging her along for the trouble.
–
On the night of Qixi, the capital city glowed with clusters of brilliant lanterns as crowds surged through the streets. Outside the Bieyu Tower, situated on the northern bank of the Xianjiang River, newly erected pavilions for the Begging for Skills festival displayed an array of exquisite curiosities. The ladies of Bieyu Tower, holding round fans, chatted and laughed gracefully; their flowing movements seemed to stir up waves of fragrant breeze.
Ming Tan and Bai Minmin, wearing veiled hats, discreetly alighted from their sedan chairs at a distance from the crowd, then proceeded directly to the rear of the Qiqiao Tower pavilion, where a young attendant ushered them into an elegant private room.
“Which one is Miss Shuiying?” Ming Tan whispered.
No sooner had she spoken than a graceful beauty, her face partially hidden behind a round fan, ascended the steps with slow, deliberate strides. Each step she took exuded both reserved dignity and captivating charm—a allure that made her stand out distinctly among the other young ladies.
This must surely be the famed Miss Shuiying. Merely through such delicate yet refined demeanor, she was already more than enough to draw attention.
As Shui Ying appeared, many people emerged from behind the screens of the private rooms to greet her warmly. The second cousin from the Bai family, who had brought Bai Minmin and Ming Tan along, was no exception; he eagerly rose to his feet.
The Bai family’s second cousin was indeed well acquainted with Shui Ying, and she, in turn, honored him by listening to his words with a gentle smile.
“…My younger sister and my female cousin have also come specifically today to admire your presence, accompanying me,” the second cousin of the Bai family said with a smile.
Female cousin?
Shui Ying paused slightly.
Those in their profession knew the familial connections of the capital’s high-ranking officials and nobles like the back of their hands. This young master of the Bai family had many relatives; he must have several female cousins. Yet, among those residing in the capital, could there be anyone other than… Shui Ying suddenly smiled.
Her smile made the bright moon of the night seem dim by comparison; her second cousin from the Bai family was momentarily stunned.
Shui Ying spoke softly and slowly, “The young ladies are still innocent at heart, truly lively and spirited.” She added with a faint smile, “In that case, I must offer both young ladies a cup of fruit wine to express my gratitude for your kind regard.”
Bai Minmin and Ming Tan, seated behind a folding screen, were whispering to each other, quietly discussing Shui Ying’s demeanor. Little did they expect that Shui Ying would suddenly have someone bring up a pot of wine and personally walk around the temporary partition to pour drinks for them!
Neither had time to put back on their removed veiled hats; their faces were filled with astonishment as they thought: What exactly did my brother (my second cousin) say to this Lady Shui Ying?
When Shui Ying caught a partial glimpse of Ming Tan’s face, her earlier suspicion about the young lady’s identity was confirmed: since their master had been granted an imperial marriage, it would be unthinkable for those beneath him not to recognize his future mistress. Portraits of the fourth miss of the Ming family had long circulated among them.
Now, seeing her in person, she proved even three parts more beautiful than her portrait.
As for why the brides-to-be came to the pleasure house to watch the spectacle, Shuiying needed no guesswork to know their motives clearly.
The principal wives of noble households all maintained an appearance of dignity and propriety on the surface, yet deep down they understood well that dignity alone was insufficient to win their husbands’ affection. Fearing their daughters might suffer at the hands of concubines after marriage, many families had, over the years, secretly commissioned her to instruct young ladies on matters of intimacy before their wedding.
They simply hadn’t expected that this particular future mistress of the house would be different, coming personally and discreetly to observe firsthand.