105. Lighting a Lamp Under the Moon to Send My Longing

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At the Shen Residence, in the Harmony Garden.

Shen Yanxi clutched the scroll of "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix" tightly, unwilling to part with it even to hand it over to Shuqing, who followed behind her.

Lu Jin greeted the people in the pavilion one by one, accompanied by Shen Yanxi and her sister, as well as his own sister. He made sure to explain and apologize to those who had just recited with him. Lu Jin was polite yet composed, causing those who had harbored resentment or intended to humiliate him to feel utterly ashamed.

Even for the few stubborn ones, one must consider whether they have the ability—lifting a pen to create magnificent prose, turning the tables effortlessly and playing others at will. Miss Shen, the second young lady, was wholly focused on him. How could anyone still attempt to humiliate him? They would only bring disgrace upon themselves!

It was already the hour of Xu Zheng (early evening), and the elders of the Shen family had arrived at the venue. The Orchid Terrace was fully occupied. Naturally, Lu Jin could no longer linger there and led the sisters toward the terrace.

“Nanqing always surprises me. My sister is completely captivated by you,” Shen Yanyun remarked admiringly.

A trace of sadness and disappointment flickered across Shen Yanyun’s brows. It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for reunion under the full moon, yet here she was witnessing this scene again. It wasn’t that she begrudged her sister’s happiness, but she couldn’t help but reflect on her own feelings. Though both were daughters of the Shen family, their fates were entirely different.

“I’m more than willing to be captivated by my husband. We’ll never part for a thousand years! Does big sister envy me?” Shen Yanxi, in private, was quite uninhibited, especially now, deeply in love with her husband, showing no restraint even before her own sister.

“Alright, alright, I envy you to death. Nanqing shouldn’t spoil you so much,” Shen Yanyun said irritably.

“Then how about I lend my husband to you?” Shen Yanxi said with a smile, causing Lu Caiwei beside them to widen her eyes in astonishment.

Lu Jin, who was about to choose his words for a reply to Shen Yanyun, nearly stumbled into the water. Were the two sisters really so uninhibited in their private conversations?

“Hmph! If you lend him to me, I won’t give him back,” Shen Yanyun shot back without yielding.

“That’s impossible. I’ll lend him for just one day. If it’s too long, my husband will miss me,” Shen Yanxi said.

Lu Jin wished he could shut Shen Yanxi’s mouth. What was she saying? She was a lady of a noble family!

“With me here, why would he miss you?” Shen Yanyun said.

“Oh, my two ancestors, can you please show me some respect?” Lu Jin said helplessly.

The two sisters burst into laughter again.

Lu Jin realized that these two had no taboos whatsoever. This was completely unlike the refined noble ladies he had imagined.

In public, the sisters were cultured and well-mannered, knowing how to conduct themselves with propriety, able to discuss both state affairs and elegant amusement. They were dignified and courteous outside, capable housekeepers within, and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—none lacking. Who would have thought their private conversations were so bold?

Still, Lu Jin was pleased—not because he would lend out his sister-in-law, but because his wife’s multifaceted personality and interest made life more interesting.

Since the hour was near, the guests had returned to their seats, leaving the plank walkway relatively empty, allowing the sisters to chat so freely. Those watching from a distance were amazed to see the pair laughing so heartily; it was a rare sight.

“How do you think of this robe, husband?” Shen Yanxi asked as they walked, eyeing the clothes Lu Jin wore.

“I like it very much. Thank you for your effort, my dear,” Lu Jin replied. Shen Yanxi had insisted he wear this garment since the afternoon, and now he understood her intention. Among the mostly plain clothes, the couple stood out clearly, perfectly matched.

“Master-in-law, this robe was made by the young lady herself. She wouldn’t let us touch it,” Shuqing, the maid following behind, said.

“Mind your own business!” Shen Yanxi scolded, blushing. Shuqing smiled and bowed her head. The young lady’s intentions should be known to the master-in-law.

Lu Jin was touched; he hadn’t expected Shen Yanxi to make it herself. After all, there were many in the Shen family who could have done it.

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The group soon arrived at the Orchid Terrace, where the matriarch was already seated, accompanied by Wu You. Earlier that afternoon, Wu You had been called away by the matriarch, and Shen Yanxi had needed to prepare herself, so Lu Jin had come alone to the Harmony Garden.

“Grandmother!” they greeted as they approached.

“Well, well. My grandson-in-law and Xi’er are well-matched, harmonious as a couple. Grandmother is very pleased. Xi’er, is that the ‘Phoenix Seeking Phoenix’ your husband just made?” the matriarch asked kindly.

“Yes, grandmother,” Shen Yanxi said, handing the scroll to her.

“Hmm, grandmother will take a good look at my grandson-in-law’s masterpiece. You all go greet the other elders of the Shen family first,” the matriarch said.

After greeting the familiar direct line of the Shen family, Shen Yanxi took Lu Jin to meet the elders of other branches. There were so many people that Lu Jin couldn’t remember most of them, feeling somewhat dizzy.

After finishing the greetings, the two returned to the main table. The people seated here were all from the main branch of the Shen family, with the father- and mother-in-law naturally at the center. They grew increasingly satisfied with their son-in-law. Although he had arrived late, Shen Yanyun had already recounted the afternoon’s events to everyone.

Unexpectedly, a potentially perilous situation had been resolved effortlessly by this son-in-law, becoming a celebrated story. Had the scheming boys succeeded, the Shen elders would have found it difficult to intervene. A noble family valued its reputation above all; if the elders had stepped in, it would have been a disadvantage.

“My grandson-in-law’s ‘Phoenix Seeking Phoenix’ will one day be famed throughout Daliang, and my Xi’er will share in that glory,” the matriarch smiled.

“Grandmother, Xi’er is already renowned in Daliang; she doesn’t need to bask in my glory. Rather, I should be the one basking in hers. Now everyone knows that my wife is Shen Yanxi,” Lu Jin replied.

“Ha ha, that’s true. But the most important thing is that you yourself shine. Talent and wisdom make a perfect match, and a story worth telling. Our Xi’er is truly blessed,” the matriarch said, glancing inadvertently at Shen Yanyun beside Shen Yanxi. She sighed inwardly, thinking of how the marriage she once favored had turned out so differently, pitying the child.

“Grandmother is right. Meeting my husband, I am deeply grateful. I must thank grandmother for indulging Xi’er’s stubbornness back then,” Shen Yanxi said. Without grandmother’s consent, even if she had brought Lu Jin back by force, they wouldn’t have married. Though her husband rarely mentioned it, without that experience, she wouldn’t have met him. Shen Yanxi was genuinely thankful to grandmother.

“Xi’er recognized a good man; grandmother merely helped fulfill their union.”

As their chat continued, the hour of Xu Zheng arrived.

“Head of the family, the time has come!” the steward announced.

“All right, let us begin the Moon Worship!” Shen Hao rose and walked out, followed by the others.

At the center of the Orchid Terrace, the tribute table was set with the Moon Deity’s tablet and various offerings. Red candles burned brightly. The bright moon hung high, perfect timing for the ritual. The matriarch, supported by Wu You and Shen Yanxi, took her place in front of the table.

At the steward’s call, all guests in the Harmony Garden rose and turned toward the moon, preparing for the ceremony.

“Kneel!” the steward commanded. Shen Hao sprinkled osmanthus wine into the air, and everyone knelt.

“Bow!” came the next call. Eyes closed in prayer, everyone bowed their heads.

“Bow again!”

...

After three bows, the Moon Worship ended. The guests rose, and the garden gradually filled with lively chatter. In the pavilion facing the Orchid Terrace, musicians began to play various instruments, their gentle melodies drifting far and wide.

Shen Yanxi grabbed Lu Jin’s hand and started running outside. Lu Jin was stunned. Where were they going?

A few steps later, Shen Yanxi led him to the water’s edge, where many people had already gathered. She quickly took several small lanterns from Shuqing behind her.

“The lantern lighting is about to begin,” she said.

“Lantern lighting!” The steward’s voice echoed from above. Looking at the exquisite lantern in his hand, Lu Jin finally understood.

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“We each light a lantern and place them close together, just like my husband and me. Let them carry away all our worries and sorrows, and bring us good fortune…” Shen Yanxi knelt by the water, excited.

“...” Lu Jin didn’t want to dampen her spirit. It wasn’t impossible, just highly unlikely, unless you glued them together.

“May I ask, Miss Shen, what worries and sorrows do you have? Perhaps I can help you dispel them,” he teased.

“Pfft! I have no worries, only wish to be with my husband for all eternity!” Shen Yanxi laughed, truly having nothing to fret about, only hoping for continued good fortune.

They each lit a lantern and carefully placed them together on the water. Watching the two lanterns drift away with the ripples, even Lu Jin silently prayed they wouldn’t separate.

Each flicker of the lanterns tugged at Shen Yanxi’s heart. She held her delicate hands tightly to her chest, eyes never leaving the lanterns.

Surprisingly, whether by chance or fate’s favor, the two lanterns never parted but merged into the sea of lights. Shen Yanxi was as happy as a child.

Each tiny boat floating on the water carried everyone’s hopes for life.

Shen Yanyun stood at the water’s edge, holding her lit lantern, but her heart felt empty. What should she pray for? As a Shen daughter, she lacked nothing materially, but her love life was scarred and broken. There seemed to be nothing left to wish for.

“Sis!”

Shen Yanyun turned to see Lu Jin standing beside her, somewhat puzzled. Didn’t this brother-in-law’s heart belong entirely to her sister?

“I saw you standing here alone and came over to check on you,” Lu Jin said. He knew the situation of his elder sister-in-law but, as a brother-in-law, could not offer direct comfort, nor could he pretend to be unaware. This was a good opportunity to look in on her.

“Seems I have nothing left to pray for,” Shen Yanyun said sadly.

“Sister, you shouldn’t think that way. Believe that one day, in a season with beautiful scenery, someone will come to your side and understand all your goodness,” Lu Jin said awkwardly, unsure if his words would comfort her.

Shen Yanyun turned to see Lu Jin’s gentle gaze, while her sister approached, her face radiant with joy.

Will there be someone? Shen Yanyun didn’t know, but watching the distant lantern boats, a faint longing stirred in her heart.

After the lantern lighting, the steward stood on the platform and delivered a warm speech, thanking the people of Jiangzhou for their support of the Shen family. As usual, anyone who submitted good writing would receive a reward. The Mid-Autumn banquet then reached its climax: moon viewing.

Moon viewing was a free-form event, where guests could mingle, perform, compose poetry, or simply enjoy the feast.

Lu Jin and Shen Yanxi returned to their table, tasting mooncakes and savoring osmanthus wine. The family chatted casually under the bright moon.

Listening to the joyful laughter filling the garden and looking at the person beside him, Lu Jin felt an unprecedented contentment in Daliang.

The clear moonlight dispels the mist, its bright hue fills the sky.

May the cup of reunion be raised, year after year, beneath the Moon Palace.