Chapter 485: Blessed by the Heavenly Immortal Lady【Bowing in thanks

The Qixi Festival was approaching,

because they had to build the Qiqiao towers,

the work of all the craftsmen in Bianjing suddenly became busy,

and the horse-drawn carriages and ox-carts hauling colorful tower parts on the streets grew more numerous as well.

Near the end of the mao hour (just past seven in the morning),

the weather was still fairly cool,

in the southwest of the inner city,

near Qi Yiqiu Gate,

the flow of people entering and leaving the inner city was extremely dense.

There were Imperial Guard officers of the city garrison leading men to maintain order.

At this moment,

"Make way! Stand aside!"

there were Imperial Guard cavalry riding up, waving their hands and shouting,

seeing this scene,

the city garrison soldiers helped shout to clear the road,

the cart drivers on the street hurriedly led their oxen and horses pulling the carts, and together with the passersby, stepped aside to one side of the street.

Very quickly, a narrow passage was cleared on the busy street.

After a little while,

there were finely dressed cavalrymen on spirited horses, lined up in two rows, riding fine steeds at an easy gallop through the street and into the gate tunnel, greatly drawing the eyes of the common folk and wealthy households making way on both sides.

"Hoo! When did such a lavish band of cavalry come to the capital?"

inside a carriage by the road, a well-dressed wealthy household pulled open the carriage curtain and asked the city garrison soldier beside him in puzzlement.

The garrison soldier's gaze followed the fine horses with polo mallets strapped to their saddles as they rode off, and said: "These are from the Northern Liao envoy group that arrived in Bianjing a few days ago! See, isn't the Northern Liao post house right over there!"

As the garrison soldier spoke, he pointed toward the northeast of Qi Yiqiu Gate.

"Then what are they leaving the city for at this hour?"

"Didn't you see the polo mallets by the saddles? What else could they be doing — going to play ball at the polo ground opened by Wu Da Da Niangzi."

Hearing these words, the Bianjing wealthy household sighed: "Isn't that a match between our Great Zhou and the Northern Liao? Worth watching! Too bad us common folk can't get into that polo ground!"

The garrison soldier laughed and said: "You can go into Wu Lou next to the polo ground! From Wu Lou you can look down over the whole polo ground!"

"Right!"

The wealthy household slapped his thigh, then ordered his driver to turn the carriage around and head out of the city.

From Qi Yiqiu Gate, going straight west along the street would take one out of the city and directly to the polo ground.

Very soon,

this wealthy household's carriage arrived outside Wu Lou.

Seeing that there weren't many carriages parked in front of Wu Lou, the Bianjing wealthy household's face showed a pleased look,

then the wealthy household got down from the carriage and entered the building,

seeing the Wu Lou tea-and-wine server coming up to greet him, the wealthy household said with a smile: "Reserve a private room on the second floor."

"Honored guest, my apologies! Starting today, the private rooms on Wu Lou's second floor cannot be reserved — you can only pay and go up."

"What?"

"The owner just sent someone to deliver the order."

"How much silver?"

"Ten guan per person! The room includes tea and dried fruit!"

The wealthy household was stunned: "Ten guan? Ten guan and I could spend a night with the top courtesan! Really!"

Just as he finished speaking, he saw a silvery-white object fly into the tea-and-wine server's arms.

Someone behind him said in a clear voice: "Reserve for two."

"Oh! Please, upstairs."

The tea-and-wine server said attentively, ushering them in.

The two who had paid walked toward the upper floor, saying: "I've seen plenty of Bianjing polo, I don't know how these Northern Liao nobles actually play!"

Hearing the conversation, the wealthy household deliberated for a moment, then hesitantly and somewhat painfully pulled silver coins out from his sleeve.

Following the ushering tea-and-wine server up to the second floor,

at a glance he saw that the doors of the private rooms facing the polo ground were wide open, long benches were set by the windows, and tables holding tea and dried fruit were placed at the inner end of the benches.

He could faintly hear the hoofbeats and the hubbub from the polo ground not far away.

On the staircase connecting Wu Lou's second and third floors,

Liang Han and Qiao Jiu Lang and a group of good buddies were walking down the stairs,

arriving at the second floor,

seeing the private rooms growing more crowded with spectators,

Qiao Jiu Lang admiringly raised his thumb: "Liu Lang, I have to say your brain really works well."

Liang Han waved his hand: "Go on, get lost!"

"Sixth Young Master!"

The Wu Lou manager stood to one side of the staircase and cupped his hands in a bow.

Liang Han nodded: "The third floor can be opened now, priced at fifty guan; the first floor pays and gets a flower card, and goes up with the flower card!"

"First give five flower cards to the few brothers behind me."

"Yes! Young Master Liang Liu Lang."

The steward bowed deeply and said.

After Liang Han made a sound of acknowledgment, he nodded to a wealthy landlord who was bowing and clasping his hands in greeting from a private room nearby, then led his people down.

Arriving outside the Wu Tower,

Liang Han clasped his hands behind his back and said with even more pride: "Let's go see how good the Northern Barbarians' and Qiang Rong's polo skills are!"

"Hmm?"

Liang Han, who had already taken a step, turned back to look at Qiao Jiu Lang, who was pulling on his clothes behind him.

"Jiu Lang, what's wrong?"

Qiao Jiu Lang pointed to the trees surrounding the Wu Tower and circling the polo field, and said: "Young Master Liang Liu Lang, if the matter of the Northern Barbarians playing against us becomes a sensation, do you think people will stand on these trees to watch the match?"

"Hiss!"

Liang Han's eyes lit up as he looked at the ring of trees; he turned and walked back toward the tower, shouting as he went: "Someone! Someone!"

End of You Hour

(7:00 PM)

Xu Xu Zaijing and Brother Qingyun rode their horses, with the Xu family carriage following behind them, heading toward Qu Yuan Street.

People on the roadside frequently clasped their hands in greeting,

and Xu Xu Zaijing and Brother Qingyun mostly nodded in return.

Just then, another middle-aged man, accompanied by several others, clasped his hands in a bow toward Xu Xu Zaijing: "Greetings, Young Master Han Han Wulang!"

This time, Xu Xu Zaijing gently pulled the reins, stopped his horse, and looked at the middle-aged man by the roadside, saying: "Steward Jiang, what is this?"

"Replying to Young Master Han Han Wulang, the Liang family needs several nimble-handed men who understand arithmetic; Nanny Chang sent someone to order us to go help."

Xu Xu Zaijing asked in confusion: "What is the Liang family doing? Why would they be short of hands?"

"This, this humble one does not know."

Xu Xu Zaijing clasped his hands and said: "Then Steward Jiang, please get back to your business."

"May Young Master Han Han Wulang walk slowly."

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded, lightly tapped his horse's flank, and rode forward to leave.

This Steward Jiang, Jiang Shangfeng, was no other than the husband of Minglan, the cousin of Wei Wei Yuyi; he currently serves as a steward at the Bai family's salt estate, though not at the same salt estate as Wei Wei Yuyi.

Hou Fu of Marquis Marquis Yongyi,

Xu Xu Zaijing passed through the moon gate and entered the courtyard,

and smiled as he looked at the newly built, red-and-garlanded, tall Qiqiao Tower in the courtyard, which was enshrining Kui Xing.

"Young Master Han Han Wulang has returned."

Following the female attendant's announcement,

Xu Xu Zaijing stepped into the room; before taking his seat, he washed his face and hands while sharing his observations from the road with Sun Shi and the two sisters-in-law.

Hearing Xu Xu Zaijing's words, Sun Shi laughed and said: "They've come to borrow people from our family too; the boy Chu Zhan at the main gate and several other old acquaintances' boys have all gone."

Xu Xu Zaijing handed the towel he had used to wipe his face to Hua Xiang, nodded while sitting in the chair, and then picked up a sweet melon to take a bite.

"They said they want them to keep watch on the trees around the polo field that people can climb."

"Mother, what is there to watch about the trees around the polo field? Are they afraid people will use arrows to shoot the Northern Liao envoys?"

Sun Shi laughed and shook her head: "Nanny Jin, who heard it, said it wasn't for that; it seems it's to collect ticket money for watching the polo."

"Ah? So they charge money even for people climbing trees to watch the match?"

Seeing Xu Xu Zaijing's surprised expression, all three of Sun Shi's group nodded with smiles.

Xu Xu Zaijing raised an eyebrow: "Young Master Liang Liu Lang is truly..."

After having a meal in Sun Shi's courtyard,

Xu Xu Zaijing walked toward his own courtyard,

and just as he entered the gate,

he saw three lanterns lit under the grape trellis in the courtyard.

"What is this?"

Hearing Xu Xu Zaijing's voice,

Seeing Qingcao, who was holding a lantern, straightened up, performed a bow, and said with a smile: "Young Master, we are catching spiders."

"Oh? Putting them back in boxes to pray for skills again?"

Xu Xu Zaijing asked with a smile.

"Yes!"

Seeing Qingcao and Yun Xiang nodded with smiles, and Xia Mama, who was following the two, also said yes.

"Light more mosquito-repelling incense."

Saying this, Xu Xu Zaijing walked toward the main room.

Just before entering the door,

Xu Xu Zaijing stopped, took the book box from Yun Xiang's hands, signaled for Yun Xiang to go catch spiders as well, and said: "If you really can't catch any, go find Uncle Deng; he has plenty of spiders there."

"Yes, Young Master!"

At night,

on the roof,

the lying-down cat let out a yawn,

moved its tail,

and placed its fluffy head on its front paws,

Gazing at the courtyard beneath the eaves,

(Described at N-times speed after processing,)

within the courtyard,

bright yellow points of light from lanterns darted back and forth with great speed,

occasionally accompanied by the laughter and chatter of girls drifting over,

after a while, all the points of light retreated into the rooms,

the courtyard grew dark,

nameless insects chirped rapidly every now and then within the yard, making the courtyard seem even more quiet.

High in the sky, the moon was bright and the stars sparse,

the stars shifted positions with dizzying speed,

the civet cat on the roof tiles had vanished without a trace,

and a faint fish-belly white appeared on the horizon.

Figures carrying lanterns appeared in the courtyard once again,

namely Xu Xu Zaijing, who had gone to exercise, and Yun Xiang, yawning widely.

(Switching to normal speed,)

The master and servant passed through the grape trellis,

and just as they exited the courtyard,

"Meow~"

Having spotted something unknown, the civet cat let out a startled shriek before darting past the courtyard gate like lightning in a panic.

On the seventh day of the seventh month,

on the night of Qixi,

at the Rong residence,

upon the offering table before the exquisite Skill-Begging Tower stood an incense burner, along with offerings of Mohele figurines, melons and fruits, roasted meat, and writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones,

beside the offerings lay a folded embroidered silk handkerchief, which appeared to depict peony flowers,

and next to the handkerchief were several small wooden boxes sealed with paper,

as the night breeze swept by,

the red ember on the incense stick glowed brighter,

wisps of blue smoke curled upward,

making the scent of incense in the courtyard even stronger.

Hou Fu Chang and Lady Fu Lady Fu Changhou of the Rong family were offering prayers,

while Rong Rong Xian stood awkwardly not far from the offering table; glancing at Rong Rong Feiyan beside him, he whispered, "I say, Sister, your brother isn't taking the imperial examinations, so why are you offering to Kuixing and presenting writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones?"

Rong Rong Feiyan looked at the Skill-Begging Tower and replied softly, "Other families all make offerings this way!"

Rong Rong Xian raised an eyebrow at the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, glanced at Rong Rong Feiyan, who had grown considerably taller, and said nothing more.

"Rong Xian'er, Yan'er, come here!"

Lady Fu Lady Fu Changhou, rising from the kneeling cushion before the offering table, beckoned with her hand.

Rong Rong Xian walked to the kneeling cushion and asked, "Mother, should I recite a poem?"

Lady Fu Lady Fu Changhou looked at Rong Rong Xian in puzzlement: "My child, you can't recognize two basketfuls of characters! Recite a poem? Are you teasing your old mother?"

Hou Fu Chang frowned at Lady Fu Lady Fu Changhou and said, "Why speak of Rong Xian'er this way? The characters he knows number far more than two basketfuls!"

Rong Rong Xian: "I—"

Lady Fu Lady Fu Changhou waved her hand and said, "I only hope you marry a skillful Da Da Niangzi!"

Resigned, Rong Rong Xian knelt on the cushion and began praying in a low voice.

Standing close to her brother, Rong Rong Feiyan vaguely heard Rong Rong Xian pray: "I beg the Celestial Immortal Lady to bless us with several good-looking female servants as part of the Dou family's dowry, to ensure our parents enjoy good health, and that my sister's embroidery skills improve even further."

His voice rose considerably on those last two sentences.

Hearing this,

Hou Fu Chang and his wife wore expressions of deep gratification,

while the fist inside Rong Rong Feiyan's sleeve tightened.

Seeing Rong Rong Xian kowtow, Rong Rong Feiyan hurriedly stepped forward to help him up.

In the seventh month, the weather was hot, and clothing was naturally thin.

Feeling his sister's fingers twisting and pinching his arm, Rong Rong Xian struggled hard to control his expression.

Shortly after,

Rong Rong Feiyan released Rong Rong Xian and knelt upon the cushion,

pressing her palms together before closing her eyes to pray with sincere devotion.

Rong Rong Xian made a funny face as he leaned closer to Rong Rong Feiyan, hoping to hear what his sister was praying for, but unfortunately heard nothing.

After a while,

"Miss."

Seeing Xi Bu approached, carrying needle and thread.

Opening her eyes, Rong Rong Feiyan took the needle and thread, moistened the thread against her lips, and threaded it through the eye of the needle.

At the Chai residence,

in the Autumn Sound Courtyard,

the yard was filled with lanterns,

A vividly carved Kui Star stood within the tall and exquisite Qiqiao Tower.

The offering table before the tower was quite wide.

Needless to say, there were many tributes such as Mohele.

What differed from other families was that,

on the Chai family's offering table rested a jade plate, upon which lay several scrolls of documents carefully tied with golden threads.

Through the documents, the red seals on the reverse side were somewhat blurred, making it impossible to distinguish whose they were.

Amidst the faint sound of conversation,

a group carrying lanterns walked over from the entrance of Moon Gate in Autumn Sound Courtyard.

The female servants and nannies were left at the entrance,

while the Chai family master and Chai Jin and Chai Bo stood behind.

Lady Chai and Chai Chai Zhengzheng arrived before the Qiqiao Tower.

Lady Chai gently patted her daughter's hand, pointed at the scrolls on the offering table, and said, "Chai Zhengzheng, didn't you ask me what I went to the Qi family for earlier? It was for these."

Hearing Lady Chai's words, Chai Chai Zhengzheng looked at the offering table in confusion.

"Mother, what are these?"

Lady Chai smiled and said, "Earlier, you went with Princess Princess Pingning and the two Marchionesses to offer the first incense at Shenbao Temple. Princess Princess Pingning felt one should not accept favors for nothing, so she invited newly appointed Hanlin academicians, as well as those connected to the Qi family, to write these scrolls."

"Although your two brothers do not need to take the imperial examinations, I still requested a copy for them."

"All the families received the same; they were all written by the academicians themselves."

Those newly entered into the Hanlin Academy were this year's top-ranking Five Jinshi; just like items used by Gu Gu Tingyu, in the eyes of the main ladies, these possessed an added touch of "literary qi."

Placed before the offering table, they might perhaps be sensed by the gods in heaven, allowing them to hear the prayers of devout men and women.

"Go ahead."

Lady Chai released her daughter's hand and said.

Chai Chai Zhengzheng looked at her own mother somewhat embarrassed; just as she was about to step forward, Lady Chai said, "Chai Zhengzheng!"

Chai Chai Zhengzheng stopped and turned back: "Mother?"

"You must also mention your cousin Qi Heng; you cannot focus only on him alone."

"Puchi~"

Chai Jin behind them could not help but let out a laugh.

Chai Chai Zhengzheng's face visibly turned red, but listening to her mother's words, she still gently nodded.

In Xingguo Ward,

at the Duke of Qi's Fu,

there was hardly anyone left before the Qiqiao Tower;

only the stick incense in the censer on the offering table had burned more than halfway.

There were not many other items on the offering table,

except for an abundance of writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

Beside the documents tied with golden threads, just like those in the Chai family, lay an inkstone of unique shape; it was precisely the one sent by the Chai family, an inkstone for 'Kui Star Pointing to the Dipper' with naturally distributed stone eyes, polished to perfection.

Looking at it, the Kui Star inside the Qiqiao Tower had been crafted according to the image on this inkstone.

At Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu,

Gu Gu Tingye and his father Gu Yan stood to the side,

watching his mother Bai Shi, along with his sister-in-law and sister, praying devoutly before the Qiqiao Tower.

What slightly differed from the documents of the Qi and Chai families on the offering table was that,

among them was one scroll written mixed with blood from Bai Shi's fingertips.

Bai Shi only wished that her sincerity would be known to the gods, so they would bless Gu Gu Tingye to pass the provincial examination.

This matter was quietly told to Gu Gu Tingye by Nanny Chang,

even though Bai Shi had forbidden Nanny Chang from telling him.

At Marquis Marquis Yongyi Fu,

Xu Xu Zaijing and Xu Zaizhang knelt together on the prayer cushions before the Qiqiao Tower.

Thinking of the hard work and effort of these past days,

he silently recited in his heart, 'May the gods protect us.'

A night breeze blew past;

the red ember of the stick incense in the censer on the offering table brightened, and the curling green smoke vanished into the night.

At the Sheng family,

Sheng Changbai and the others had already finished;

Wei Wei Shuyi led Minglan to kneel on the prayer cushion.

After the prayer ended,

Wei Wei Shuyi took the needle and thread presented by Seeing Seeing Qiujiang,

moistened the thread corner with her lips, and directly threaded it through the needle's eye.

Subsequently,

Minglan watched her mother hold both ends of the silk thread, with the needle dangling and swaying in the middle of the thread, and said with eyes full of surprise, "Mother! You have gained the skill!"

Standing beside the Old Lady, Sheng Changzhen smiled, blinked, and exchanged a glance with the Old Lady.

Wang Wang Ruofu nearby said to Nanny Liu beside her, "How is she so skilled at this?"

"Presumably, Wei Xiaoniang is so accustomed to doing embroidery that practice has made her perfect."

Sheng Hong glanced at Lin Lin Qinshuang's pitiful expression, waved his hand, and said, "Enough, everyone return to your rooms! I'll inspect your spider boxes tomorrow morning!"

The next day,

Early in the morning,

Sheng Changbai and Xu Xu Zaijing, chatting as they walked, arrived at the entrance of the schoolhouse,

Seeing Gu Gu Tingye inside the schoolhouse removing his cloak, the three men looked at each other in silence.

(End of Chapter)