107. A Fair Maiden Beneath the Mid-Autumn Moon

Tonight’s Mid-Autumn banquet at the Shen residence would surely become an enduring legend. The son-in-law of the Shen family shone as brilliantly as the moon, as dazzling as the stars. His poems and paintings would be talked about for days to come, his fame destined to spread throughout the entire capital of Daliang.

Tonight, Shen Yanxi was the greatest victor. Once a figure pitied for being forced into marriage by imperial decree, she had now become the envy of every woman under heaven. Not only was the Shen daughter peerlessly beautiful, but the husband she had found was unparalleled in the world. It seemed that all fortune revolved around her.

When the two of them, both clad in red, stood upon the Orchid Terrace, who would not say they were like celestial beings? Even jealousy felt unworthy, even envy seemed timid.

The Mid-Autumn banquet ended with the legend of the Shen family’s son-in-law, Lu Jin, but the stories that would be told had only just begun.

Shen Yanyun had returned home early. Since her mother had gone to the capital, only she remained with a handful of maids and servants, making the house feel unprecedentedly empty.

After settling her thoughts and dismissing the maids, she finally unfolded the calligraphy and painting that Lu Jin had given her. She felt a mix of anticipation and fear, her heart a turbulent sea of contradictions.

As she revealed the entire scroll, Shen Yanyun was stunned. It was a truly liberating poem—neither containing the fears she dreaded nor the hopes she cherished—but still, tears welled up in her eyes.

“If life deceives you, do not be sad, do not be anxious... Everything is fleeting, everything shall pass, and what has passed will become a tender memory.”

Was this a poem? The words were so straightforward, yet why did each line strike so deeply at her heart?

In her misty eyes, Shen Yanyun seemed to see Lu Jin’s shadow once more...

---

The Tantai siblings sat in their carriage, returning to their separate residence. Tantai Yue was engrossed with the calligraphy and painting, flipping through it repeatedly with delight, while Tantai Ming looked on helplessly.

“Brother, what kind of man do you think Lu Nanqing really is?” Tantai Yue asked without lifting her gaze from the artwork.

This was the question she had asked several times already. No matter how much she spoke, he refused to believe. Wait a moment!

“Yue’er, could it be that you’ve taken a liking to Nanqing?” Tantai Ming suddenly asked, startled.

“You’re overthinking, brother. I’m just pondering how someone as outstanding as Lu Nanqing could have been so unknown until now. It just doesn’t add up!” she replied.

Tantai Ming frowned at his sister’s words. Aside from recent rumors, the poetry, calligraphy, and painting he witnessed today were unmatched in the world. As a noble son of a prominent family, Tantai Ming was certain of this. Yet he had never heard of Nanqing's name or talent before—this truly was odd.

“Could it be that Nanqing was deliberately hiding his brilliance and only now chose to reveal it?” Tantai Ming speculated.

“This life, this night, will not long be good; where will we watch the bright moon next year? Such a beautiful line—simple words yet so profound in meaning. Lu Nanqing is truly no ordinary man,” Tantai Yue sighed.

Tantai Ming: ∑(O_O;) After all my serious thinking, you don’t seem to care at all!

“Brother, what kind of man is Lu Nanqing, really?”

Tantai Ming: (ꐦಠ ಠ)

---

After bidding farewell to Tantai Ming, Lu Jin planned to return home. But after searching, he couldn’t find his wife. Reluctantly, he headed back alone.

Just as he stepped out the door, Caiyun and Zhuiyue were waiting for him.

“I told you both to stay at the Cloud Viewing Platform. Why are you here?” Lu Jin asked.

“The young lady is waiting for you at the Cloud Viewing Pavilion!” Zhuiyue and Caiyun bowed.

Well then, well then—his heart boiled as if water was heating, wishing he could tear through space itself to get there immediately. But that was impossible.

Without another thought, Lu Jin stormed forward, kicking up dust and stones, heading straight for the Cloud Viewing Pavilion in the Creek Garden. Tonight, master, I’m going to break my fast!

---

Seeing the dark Cloud Viewing Pavilion ahead, Lu Jin was dumbfounded. The deeper he went, the stranger it felt—why were there fewer and fewer lights? Where were the lanterns?

The moon was brilliant tonight, and Lu Jin, anxious and hurried, hadn’t noticed until now. What was going on? When did the Shen family become so frugal? Or was this some special custom for the bridal chamber?

Before he could react, a distant, clear pluck of a guqin string echoed from the Cloud Viewing Pavilion, startling him.

Following the music, a lamp lit in a side room on the pavilion’s first floor, its flickering flame dispelling the darkness within. Before Lu Jin could respond, the door slid open, revealing the scene inside.

Beneath a towering red candle, a figure in wide-sleeved robes sat motionless on a cushion before an ancient guqin. It was a woman dressed in men’s clothing.

Lu Jin was utterly baffled—neither advance nor retreat seemed possible.

Another “ding” of the guqin sounded. Lu Jin looked again; the player hadn’t moved. His gaze shifted upward to the second floor, where a woman sat by the window, bathed in candlelight.

Her mournful melody came in fits and starts, ending with a long sigh.

The man’s guqin responded, beginning with deep notes, gradually rising into lively, clear tones—then “dang!” A string snapped, flying loose.

Lu Jin’s eyes widened. Was this a deliberate performance? He had no time to ponder further as the woman’s guqin resumed, low and restrained, like tears and lamentations.

The two guqins alternated, their voices weaving sorrow, fury, calmness, and joy, culminating in a harmonious duet that flowed like colorful clouds under the moonlight.

Lu Jin’s eyes grew moist. This was the story of his and Shen Yanxi’s meeting and love, a beautiful symphony of romance, a true musical masterpiece. Other accompanying instruments played alongside; he couldn’t guess how many.

This ceremony was entirely unexpected. He had come in a fiery rush, eager for intimacy, only to be treated to a concert. Yet he could not help but be moved—true love was about wanting to give one’s best to the other. Lu Jin was so, and Shen Yanxi likewise.

The side room’s light went out, and the door closed. At the same moment, the main guest room’s doors slid aside. Under red curtains, newly lit candles flickered. Shen Yanxi, dressed in red, sat regally in the center before an ancient guqin, beautiful as a dream.

Lu Jin wondered if she was waiting for him when two rows of girls in pink emerged from either side, carrying delicate lanterns. They lined the pathway leading to the Cloud Viewing Pavilion—the path was illuminated!

Gentle guqin music played as the girls softly set down their lanterns and began to dance gracefully and unhurriedly. As the music’s tempo quickened, so too did their movements, wide sleeves fluttering like drifting clouds. Multicolored petals scattered, carpeting the walkway.

Amid Lu Jin’s astonishment, Shen Yanxi rose slowly, yet the music remained clear and melodious. She circled the guqin, stepping lightly toward the door. Her crimson wide-sleeved robe made her look noble and elegant—she was tonight’s queen, a fairy bathed in moonlight.

At the threshold, the girls stepped aside. Shen Yanxi stood at the entrance, Lu Jin on the other side. Just a few dozen meters separated them; crossing this path meant they could finally embrace.

Before Lu Jin could move, more maids appeared from nearby rooms, holding red candles as they and Shen Yanxi approached him slowly. Beneath the moonlight, Shen Yanxi’s beauty was breathtaking.

Lu Jin stepped onto the flower-strewn path, each step steady. Their eyes never left each other. Shen Yanxi smiled gently, tears swirling in her eyes. She and her husband had finally reached this moment—from now on, nothing would separate them, never again.

But when Lu Jin was just a few meters away, Shen Yanxi stopped. Surprised, he glanced down and found a small table had been placed between them.

“Husband, come to me,” Shen Yanxi’s soft voice was like the evening breeze under the moon.

Lu Jin looked up to see her tear-filled gaze and an outstretched hand. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and grasped her hand tightly.

“Husband, I am truly happy. But...” Shen Yanxi’s voice choked.

??? Lu Jin was stunned. Coming from the future, he feared this moment—could it mean they could not consummate their marriage? But that would be no big deal, right? Or was it something else?

“But husband, we have not yet performed the rite of worshiping heaven and earth,” Shen Yanxi said. She meant to smile but tears welled up instead, memories flashing before her eyes—moments of disappointment, but more of joy and gratitude.

Hearing her words, Lu Jin’s heart finally settled. Earlier, countless thoughts had raced through his mind. Seeing his wife’s tearful face, he understood her true feelings—she had kept his words close to her heart.

“Then tonight, let us make up for it, shall we?” Lu Jin smiled through tears.

“Mm...” Shen Yanxi wanted to respond joyfully, yet her voice remained choked.

Amid the gentle music, they knelt and bowed toward the heavens. Whether by divine favor or chance encounter, both were grateful—to the heavens for their union.

They bowed again to the bright moon, taking it as witness, with stars as congratulators, vowing to walk through life together, never to part.

After the two bows, they turned to face each other, their eyes brimming with uncontainable affection.

“Madam, from now on, please guide me through all our days,” Lu Jin lightly flicked his sleeve and bowed deeply in return.

---

“Master, Mistress, please drink the wedding wine. From this day forth, you shall share joys and hardships as one,” Yuan Hui said, stepping in after their bows. From a nearby maid’s tray, she handed each a delicate half-gourd cup.

Their eyes full of tenderness, they each drank half, then exchanged cups, never breaking their gaze, burning with passion.

“Master, Mistress, now perform the hair-tying ceremony. Tying hair signifies becoming husband and wife, loving and trusting each other forever!” Yuan Hui, feeling a bit superfluous, added. Judging by their looks, they scarcely had the mind for the ritual, as they seemed eager to meld into one being.

Carefully, Yuan Hui cut a lock of hair from each and bound them with golden thread into a silk pouch, then handed it to the music master.

“Master, Mistress, the hair-tying ceremony is complete.” Having been widowed for many years, Yuan Hui felt she could no longer endure this heat on an autumn night.

With all the rituals finished, Lu Jin gently pulled Shen Yanxi into his embrace. He had come burning with desire but was now overwhelmed with emotion, extinguished by her thoughtful preparation.

After a tender moment, they embraced and moved inside. The servants gradually dispersed, leaving only the usual maids and a wet nurse.

Inside the main hall, Lu Jin felt his blood ignite—scarlet and passionate. Red drapes and curtains surrounded them, delicate lanterns flickered, and incense wafted softly.

“Master, please bathe!” The music master bowed upon their entrance.

“I await my husband!” Shen Yanxi’s lips parted softly.

Lu Jin followed the music master to a nearby chamber where a large wooden tub was filled with hot water, sprinkled with flower petals.

“I will assist Master with his bath!” the music master said, cheeks flushed.

Lu Jin hesitated. Well, since all was arranged by Shen Yanxi, this must be the life of a noble family. No use being fussy.

Resolute, Lu Jin decided to abandon all restraint—today, he was the master and would do as he pleased.

With the music master's help, Lu Jin finished bathing, cheeks burning red. Despite mental preparation, the experience was still awkward. The music master's face was equally flushed—though dutiful, she was worried for her young lady.

Once ready and back in the hall, Shen Yanxi sat gracefully on the couch, radiant as a blooming flower.

“Husband, come hold my hand and ascend with me,” Shen Yanxi said, extending a jade-like hand. Lu Jin took it and helped her rise.

Together, they walked slowly upstairs, followed closely by four personal maids. Thankfully, Yuan Hui did not follow—if she had, Lu Jin might have lost his mind.

“Congratulations to Master and Mistress on your harmonious union and a lifetime of happiness!” the servants called out loudly.

In Shen Yanxi’s chamber, every detail stirred Lu Jin's adrenaline. He glanced around and nearly burst his nosebleed—the original calligraphy and paintings were gone, replaced by provocative artwork. Though still abstract, it was far more stimulating.

Shen Yanxi led Lu Jin to the bed and placed her hands gently on his face.

“Husband, do you know? I always longed for marriage. I was once disheartened, but in the end, I waited! The husband I waited for is the best man in the world.”

“You didn’t wait for me; you kidnapped me!” Lu Jin said bluntly.

A soft laugh escaped her, full of charm.

“Well then, my kidnapped husband, do you want me?” Shen Yanxi whispered by his ear, each word a seductive breath. Lu Jin felt every vein ignite.

On the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, year twenty-five of Taihe, under the full moon on Mid-Autumn Night, the lovers were united at last.