Everyone in the world knew of Consort Ji, so how could the Li family in the Kingdom of Li have the surname Wang?
On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the streets of Xinan County were bustling and noisy, with people coming and going in an endless stream, carriages never stopping, and many returning home for family reunions. Even the noodle shops were lively.
The batch of snow skin mooncakes previously sold for trial had been well received, especially by the wealthy families with young masters and misses. After tasting these fresh delicacies, they all sent their servants to make reservations. Thus, Yu Jinnian was not only busy cooking for customers but also making mooncakes day and night. He only slept for two hours at night and could barely keep his eyes open in the morning. If it weren’t for Ji Hong helping out in the front, he would have been exhausted.
By the time it was mid-morning, all the street vendors had already opened for business, but Yu Jinnian still hadn’t forgotten that his family also needed to celebrate the festival in the evening. As the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Whenever he had a moment, he would run out to buy some fruits to use for the evening’s moon worship.
There were certain rituals for moon worship. An incense table had to be set up, red candles lit, and offerings of mooncakes, watermelon, grapes, walnuts, and melon seeds placed. The watermelon had to be cut into lotus petal shapes, and the mooncakes had to be divided into equal portions for the whole family. There was also a reunion dinner and moon-worship wine, making it a busy affair.
Ji Hong saw him running in and out like a little mouse, not having a moment’s rest all morning. So, he grabbed the young man who had come out to serve food again by the counter and poured him a cup of warm jujube tea. “There aren’t many customers now. If you’re tired, take a break.”
Yu Jinnian was already thirsty, so he gulped down the tea and wiped his mouth. Smiling, he said, “Not tired. Ji Hong, come to the kitchen, and I’ll give you something delicious!”
The “something delicious” he mentioned was the yam and poria steamed buns he had made during a break in the morning.
Two liang of yam powder and two liang of poria powder were mixed with well water to form a batter, steamed over low heat for one incense stick’s time, then mixed with sugar and oil to create a filling. After cooling, the filling was used to make buns with a leavened dough, which were beneficial for the spleen and stomach.
As soon as Ji Hong followed him into the kitchen, he was handed two warm little buns. They were white, plump, and delicate, soft and fluffy with a bite, lightly sweet without being cloying, paired perfectly with the longan tea brewed by the young man, creating an indescribable delight.
Yu Jinnian wrapped the mooncakes in oil paper one by one, then washed vegetables, cut fruits, and prepared side dishes, occasionally rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand.
“Are your eyes uncomfortable?” Ji Hong asked.
“Yes.” Yu Jinnian closed one eye, trying to ease the discomfort. “It’s nothing, just a bit sore and swollen, probably because I didn’t sleep well last night.”
Ji Hong didn’t respond. He bent down to scoop a basin of hot water, soaked his hands in it, then dried them quickly. He swiftly moved behind Yu Jinnian and covered his eyes with his hands, gently massaging with his palms. “This will make it feel better.”
Yu Jinnian instinctively tried to move but was held down by the man. “Don’t move.”
Maybe it was the firm and commanding tone of these two words that held some power, but after that, he quieted down, standing still and obediently enjoying Ji Hong’s eye massage.
“When I was young, I often saw my second brother do this at home. It’s very effective,” Ji Hong’s voice came from above his head.
Yu Jinnian was a curious person. The Da Xia Dynasty seemed like a vast labyrinth waiting for him to explore, but his curiosity was limited to everyday life and customs. He had no interest in prying into people’s personal affairs. However, Ji Hong was an exception for him, like someone who had fallen from the sky, full of mysteries.
Only a fool would believe the lies Ji Hong told to the Aunt Xu. If he had truly been plundered by bandits and separated from his family, he would have spread the news far and wide to find his relatives, not stayed stubbornly in the noodle shop like a turtle hiding in its shell.
Just like the “second brother” he had only heard of in Ji Hong’s dreams, never mentioned during the day. This was the first time Ji Hong spoke to him about his second brother, and Yu Jinnian couldn’t help but want to join the conversation. “Although I don’t know why you left home… don’t you want to go back and see? Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, you should go home, eat a mooncake, and see your second brother?”
“It doesn’t matter where I eat the mooncakes,” Ji Hong replied. Even if he went back, it would just be to share mooncakes with the servants. Moreover, “Second brother is no longer around.”
Yu Jinnian blurted out, “So you’re going to hide here with me for the rest of your life?”
The boy seemed to open his eyes, his eyelashes fluttering against Ji Hong’s palm like little insects. Ji Hong suddenly felt hesitant and instinctively tightened his grip. Yu Jinnian’s neck wasn’t made of iron, so he had to lean back under Ji Hong’s force, almost leaning against the man. He finally heard him say resentfully, “Isn’t Mr. Ji still ill? Won’t Mr. Yu treat him anymore?”
The man’s grip grew tighter, causing Yu Jinnian’s face to turn red. He thought to himself, is this a switch from gentle persuasion to torture? He hurriedly patted Ji Hong’s arm in a flurry. “I’ll treat you, I’ll treat you forever! My head is about to be broken…”
Only then did Ji Hong relax his grip a little, though his hand still covered the boy’s eyes. His fingertips gently brushed Yu Jinnian’s eyelids, soft and slow.
“Brother Nian?”
A young servant in floral clothes and a round face burst into the kitchen. At a glance, he saw the two of them embracing and turned away with a shiver. “Ah! Sorry, sorry!”
This young servant had also been sold to a brothel. Initially sold to the Flower Garden, his lack of good looks eventually landed him in the Yicui Pavilion. Though he had witnessed many scenes of lovers’ passion, he was still young. Seeing two men being intimate made him blush. The girls at the Yicui Pavilion had a name for the posture they just saw… Oh, sparrow feeding.
It was when the client was behind, and the girl was in front, their small bodies fitting perfectly to kiss the client. They would hold a sip of sweet wine in their mouths, transferring it from mouth to mouth, entwining and lingering.
Yu Jinnian hurriedly pulled Ji Hong’s fingers away and saw the young servant hiding outside the kitchen door. “What do you need me for?”
In the Yicui Pavilion, there were rules: when patrons were enjoying themselves, servants were not allowed to look directly at them. They had to keep their eyes lowered when coming and going. The young servant didn’t dare look back and whispered, “The Yicui Pavilion sent me to ask if Brother Nian has finished the mooncakes ordered by Miss Xue Qiao…”
As soon as Ji Hong released him, Yu Jinnian ran out and packed all the prepared dishes and colorful mooncakes into a food box, handing it to the servant.
The servant stole a glance at Yu Jinnian and, seeing the shadow of a pair of black silk boots in the kitchen, didn’t dare look up. He then said, “I still have to go to the Jiang residence in the east of the city. Could Brother Nian deliver these to the Yicui Pavilion?”
“This…” Seeing the servant’s troubled expression, Yu Jinnian reluctantly agreed, “Alright, I’ll deliver them.”
After the servant left, Ji Hong walked out with a dark expression. “Are you going to the Yicui Pavilion?”
Yu Jinnian replied, “Yes.”
He picked up the food box to leave, but Ji Hong grabbed him. “Let me go instead.”
“With your build, when would you ever make it to the Yicui Pavilion? If you faint halfway, I’ll have to come rescue you.” Yu Jinnian didn’t understand why Ji Hong was making a fuss. Moreover, with Ji Hong’s appearance, he might not even make it to the Yicui Pavilion before being intercepted by the girls from other establishments on Qingliu Street. “I’m quick on my feet, I’ll be back in no time!”
“…Alright, just be careful.” Ji Hong said.
Watching Yu Jinnian disappear into the crowd, Ji Hong couldn’t help but want to follow. The boy was so naive and inexperienced. What if he saw something he shouldn’t at the Yicui Pavilion, or if someone tried to take advantage of him…
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became. But his body was not strong enough for a long journey. Ji Hong tapped on the abacus, occasionally looking up to see if the boy had returned.
On Qingliu Street, the “naive and inexperienced” Yu Jinnian, carrying the food box, swaggered into the Yicui Pavilion, curiously looking around. Which man wouldn’t want to experience the red-light district of the old society?
Inside the Yicui Pavilion, it was already a scene of blossoming flowers, laughter, and merriment. The entrance led to a spacious hall with a stage in the center. Red silk and colorful gauze hung from the high ceiling, creating a cloud-like effect, rendering the scene a riot of colors.
Brothels were different from other businesses. They were quiet during the day, but at night, they came alive with music and dancing, a time for revelry and debauchery. However, this didn’t mean there was no business during the day. For instance, at this moment, two girls were performing a short opera on the stage. One was dressed in glamorous attire, while the other was dressed as a man. The audience consisted of young noblemen sipping fragrant tea and wine, passing the time. They didn’t sleep; they listened to the songs, holding a flower girl, entranced and intoxicated by the performance.
The faint sound of music and the intoxicating fragrance of rouge and perfume made Yu Jinnian feel dizzy. As a few newly awakened courtesans passed by, their sleepy eyes, half-exposed bosoms, and barely concealed thighs caught his eye. However, his thoughts were surprisingly dismissive: “Nothing special, not as attractive as my family’s Mr. Ji! Their legs, not as nice. Their skin, not as fair.”
While he was quietly criticizing, Qing Huan suddenly appeared out of nowhere, grabbing his sleeve with a coquettish smile. “Stunned? Over here!”
Yu Jinnian jumped back. “Sister Qing Huan.”
“Who are you calling sister!” Qing Huan feigned anger. “Call me that again and I’ll throw you out!”
“I was wrong, please forgive me!” Yu Jinnian laughed as he followed her to the second floor. The second floor was even more luxurious, with silks and satins draped over the railings, small bells hanging from them, jingling as people passed by. Qing Huan led him to the end of the corridor and into a room.
“Miss Xue Qiao is inside. Go in!” Qing Huan pushed him in, laughing. “Miss Xue Qiao, this is Brother Nian.”
Yu Jinnian looked up and saw a woman sitting behind a layer of pink gauze, draped in a shawl embroidered with butterflies. It was the courtesan he had seen at Zheng Yaren’s house, Xue Qiao. She greeted him with a bow, and Yu Jinnian quickly put the food box on the table, taking out the mooncakes and small dishes, introducing each one.
Xue Qiao smiled. “I’ve never seen such exquisite mooncakes before.”
Qing Huan tasted one and exclaimed, “So sweet! Sister, you must try one.”
Xue Qiao smiled at her for eating before the guest left and said, “Brother Nian’s creations are naturally sweet.” She then instructed Qing Huan to pour tea for Yu Jinnian.
It seemed she hadn’t forgotten the candied fruit Yu Jinnian had given her that day.
Once Yu Jinnian recognized Xue Qiao as the courtesan who hadn’t been redeemed by Zheng Yaren, he realized today’s visit might involve more than just delivering mooncakes. Knowing he might not return soon, he sat down, ready to hear what Xue Qiao had to say.
Xue Qiao’s room had a great view, with a large carved window beside her. Opening the window allowed her to enjoy the music from the stage below. She listened to a few lines while sipping tea but said nothing.
Feeling the awkwardness, Yu Jinnian broke the silence. “May I ask, Sister Xue Qiao, what song is being sung downstairs?”
Xue Qiao had skin fairer than snow and gentle eyes, but the word “pretty” seemed more fitting for the lively Qing Huan beside her. Qing Huan replied to Yu Jinnian, “The song is called ‘Entwined Branches.’ It’s a new piece. Does Brother Nian enjoy listening to it?”
Yu Jinnian propped his chin with one hand, watching the girls downstairs in their thin dresses, feeling no romantic stirrings, only cold. “What’s the story they’re singing about?”
Qing Huan leaned on the window ledge with him, gazing enviously down. “It’s about a scholar and a maiden, a tale of talented men and beautiful women!” She pouted, looking troubled. “But it’s all fake. How many true mutual loves that last till death exist in this world? Not everyone is as lucky as Master Zi He.”
Yu Jinnian was curious. “Who is Master Zi He?”
Qing Huan was surprised. “You don’t even know Master Zi He? She’s the current noble consort!”
She cupped her cheeks with both hands and started recounting the widely circulated love story of the emperor and his consort.
Once, there was a young lady, lively and talented. One day, she disguised herself as a man and took on a false name to attend a Lantern Festival poetry meeting. There, she met a gentleman dressed in plain clothes, and they started a riddle contest. They found each other to be evenly matched and thoroughly enjoyed the competition. This encounter led to their friendship, and they often met at literary tea parties, bonding over poetry.
Later, by a twist of fate, the lady’s true identity was revealed. The gentleman was surprised and instantly fell for her, and she, too, had long developed feelings for him. Despite their mutual affection, the lady decided to test the gentleman, leaving behind only a short poem and the pseudonym “Master Zi He,” challenging him to guess her true identity.
Yu Jinnian found the lady’s temperament intriguing and couldn’t help but ask, “What happened next?”
Qing Huan giggled. “You’re so silly! After that, the emperor’s marriage decree was sent to the Duke of Li’s mansion! It turned out that the gentleman was the current emperor, and the lady who dared to challenge him is now the favored Noble Consort Ji—Master Zi He. ‘Zi’ and ‘He’ together form the character for ‘Ji’!”
Yu Jinnian was stunned and puzzled. “Wait, the Duke of Li’s family surname is Ji, not Wang?”
Qing Huan laughed, covering her mouth. “Everyone knows Noble Consort Ji, so how could the Duke of Li’s family be named Wang? Brother Nian, you must be a little demon who just crawled out of some mountain cave, not knowing which dynasty we’re in.”
Yu Jinnian: …Ji Hong, you big liar!
Wait, why did he lie to me about the Duke of Li’s family name?
Author’s Note:
–
Our Reporter Qing Amao Follows Yu Jinnian of the Crucian Carp Duo Visiting a Brothel:
Yu Jinnian:
– “Tsk, this girl is wearing so little. Isn’t she cold?”
– “Hmm, this girl’s legs… they’re not as straight and long as my Mr. Ji’s.”
– “Wow, this girl’s face… it’s not as pretty as my Mr. Ji’s.”
– “Tsk tsk, nothing special.”
Qing Amao: = = Why are you even here?? You might as well go home and sleep with your Mr. Ji!
—
Yu Jinnian to Himself After Visiting the Brothel: (Hehehe) “What man wouldn’t want to see the red-light district?”
Mr. Ji: (smiling) “Hmm? I’ll give you three seconds to reorganize your words.”
Yu Jinnian: “No, no way. I would never go to the red-light district in this lifetime… Mmph! Mmph mmph! …Um, let me try that again…”
Qing Amao, who came to order food: “Oh my gosh, sorry to interrupt. Let me just sweep up the orange peels for you guys!”
—
Mr. Ji’s Secret Identity Revelation in Progress…