Amidst their chats and laughter, Mu Wan and Zhu Nanxi’s carriage slowly approached Rongxing Street where Qingfeng Pavilion was located. The entire street was packed with carriages, causing a traffic jam that significantly slowed their progress. Zhu Nanxi peeked through the curtain and exclaimed, “Huh, why is Wu Zhixuan queuing at the east gate? I thought she’d be waiting at the west gate to block you.”
Mu Wan had become the center of attention lately. Even those without hostility were curious about this merchant’s daughter, who had suddenly risen to become the future Marchioness of Zhenbei. When news spread that Mu Wan would visit the Qingfeng Pavilion for the Qixi Festival, many people wanted to catch a glimpse of her.
Of course, everyone assumed that Xie Heng wouldn’t accompany her. According to Qingfeng Pavilion’s rules, this meant Mu Wan would have to enter through the west gate.
“Looks like Third Miss Wu doesn’t want to lose face.”
In truth, Qingfeng Pavilion didn’t strictly separate married and unmarried women, but the east side featured couple-themed competitions. In this era, even with the Empress Dowager’s leniency toward women, interactions with men who were not family members were only permissible with one’s fiancé. If a single woman accidentally entered and participated in a competition with a man, even though they remained in public and without any intimacy, her reputation could be ruined, possibly for life.
To prevent such mishaps, Qingfeng Pavilion specifically set up the east gate for couples’ entrance. Engaged or married couples could purchase a pair of silk flowers, wearing them in prominent places to show that they were a couple. This not only prevented unintentional mingling but also ensured no mistakes during the competitions.
Over time, couples who participated in Qingfeng Pavilion’s couple activities often found their relationships strengthened, intentionally or unintentionally sprinkling PDA in the process. A trend was thus created. Eventually, the silk flowers became a symbol of marital love, with a superstition emerging that Qingfeng Pavilion’s Qixi silk flowers were blessed by the God of Marriage, guaranteeing a lifetime of happiness together. Conversely, attending without the silk flowers was considered a sign of neglect by one’s husband or fiancé—a public embarrassment.
Zhu Nanxi was engaged as well, but after spending so much time with Mu Wan, she had long since ceased to care about such conventions. “This works out perfectly. Without her around, her little entourage won’t pose any threat, and we can enjoy ourselves without having to stay on guard.”
“Wait.” She gave Mu Wan a once-over. “With the way you look right now, even if you stood right in front of them, they wouldn’t recognize you.” Thinking about this, Zhu Nanxi felt a tinge of regret. “If Wu Zhixuan had really gone to the west gate, it would’ve been so much fun.”
Mu Wan replied calmly, “Who said I’m going through the west gate?”
Zhu Nanxi froze. “If not the west gate, are you going to the east gate?”
Mu Wan’s eyes curved into a smile. “Didn’t I mention it? Today, I’m here to make friends with Third Miss Wu. Moreover, why should we be the ones on guard against her? Can’t it be the other way around?”
Zhu Nanxi: “…”
‘Well, this is indeed classic Mu Wan!’
“Wait a second,” she finally caught on. “Isn’t the important question how you’re planning to enter the east gate? Is the Marquis coming?” That would indeed make Wu Zhixuan powerless.
Mu Wan shook her head. “Why would I need the Marquis for something this trivial?”
“Then how are you going to—” Finally catching on, Zhu Nanxi stared at her best friend in shock. “Are you going to find another man?” She pretended to stand up. “Sorry, I just remembered something urgent. Let’s pretend we didn’t meet today.”
Mu Wan reached out to grab Zhu Nanxi, but she swiftly dodged. “I can’t get involved in this. Even if Xie Heng doesn’t necessarily remember that today is Girls’ Day, have you forgotten what his job is? He controls the Mingjing Bureau—they can uncover anything. If he finds out I helped you cuckold him, I’d be executed along with my nine familial relations!”
Mu Wan was amused, “That’s a bit exaggerated, don’t you think?”
As the two were bickering, their carriage suddenly came to an abrupt stop. Zhu Nanxi, caught off guard, almost fell but was steadied by Mu Wan. Outside, the Zhu family’s coachman called out, “Who’s there?”
A gentle voice belonging to a young man replied, “Excuse me, I’m here to see Miss Mu.” Shortly after, the curtain was lifted, and a refined, elegant gentleman bent down and stepped into the carriage.
Zhu Nanxi froze. “Who are you? What is your business with Miss Mu?” Then she noticed the way he was gazing at Mu Wan with deep affection and was instantly shocked. “Wait—you’re serious about this?!” Her expression immediately wavered between moral outrage and friendship loyalty.
Mu Wan decided to end the teasing. “Mushuang, greet Zhu Xiangjun.”
The ‘gentleman’ smiled at Zhu Nanxi and cupped ‘his’ hands politely. “Greetings to Lady Xiangjun.”
Zhu Nanxi blinked in astonishment. “She’s Mushuang?! The servant girl you’ve talked about so much?”
Mushuang cupped her hands again, smiling. “Greetings to Lady Xiangjun.”
Her voice and posture showed hints of femininity, making it clear she was indeed a woman disguised as a man.
Zhu Nanxi was still reeling from her shock, while Mu Wan couldn’t hide her delight at seeing Mushuang again. If Yunling was her personal assistant, then Mushuang was her executive assistant, managing various business affairs on her behalf. Often away on business trips, Mushuang had just returned from inspecting the shops in the north. Her frequent travels had made her so skilled at cross-dressing that it was nearly impossible for anyone to recognize her as a woman while in disguise.
Zhu Nanxi scrutinized the ‘man’ in front of her, then suddenly grinned. “Now that we’re all here, shall we depart?”
Mu Wan gave her a side glance. “Don’t you have something urgent to do?”
Zhu Nanxi replied with utmost seriousness, “What could be more important than accompanying my best friend?”
Mu Wan couldn’t help but laugh. “You can enter through the west gate. We’ll meet at Mianfeng Tower later.”
Zhu Nanxi immediately refused, insisting she couldn’t bear to part from Mu Wan even for a moment.
Yunling pointed out, “But the east gate requires two people to enter. Our Miss has Mushuang. What about you, Xiangjun? Your fiancé isn’t even in the capital.”
Zhu Nanxi gave Yunling a meaningful smile, “Your Miss’ fiancé is in the capital, and she’s still able to get in. My fiancé isn’t in the capital—why shouldn’t I be able to enter?”
Yunling suddenly had a bad premonition.
…
Half an hour later, the four entered from the east gate. Mu Wan and Mushuang picked a pair of peony silk flowers and pinned them on their waists, while Zhu Nanxi and Yunling picked a pair of plum blossoms and wore them on their arms.
From the moment they stepped in, the group attracted numerous curious gazes. Mu Wan had anticipated this and, having grown accustomed to such attention in her previous life, remained calm and composed. Zhu Nanxi, as the capital’s famous dandy, was equally unfazed. However, Yunling looked like she was on the verge of breaking down.
“…Isn’t that Nanxi Xiangjun? And next to her… is that the Southwest Lu family’s heir, Lu Shinan? If there’s an opportunity, we should greet him.”
“That’s Lu Shizi1? I heard he is an elegant and refined gentleman, as charming as the moon. But why does he look a bit short? And rather shy, too.”
Yunling: “…”
Mu Wan glanced back at Yunling, who was dressed in a pale blue man robe, and struggled to suppress her laughter. Yunling was shorter than Zhu Nanxi to begin with, so her attempt at cross-dressing did make her seem a bit diminutive.
Initially, Mu Wan had assumed Zhu Nanxi would dress as a man herself. Given her bold and straightforward personality and her family’s military background, such a disguise seemed more fitting. However, it turned out Yunling was the one wearing men’s attire.
Yunling looked ready to crack under the pressure. “Xiangjun, this servant really can’t do this.”
But unfortunately for her, Zhu Nanxi was thoroughly amused by the murmurs around them. “Don’t worry. Whoever approaches us, I’ll make sure they don’t bother you.”
Mu Wan shook her head with a sigh. “Poor Lu Shizi. His reputation is taking the hit.”
Zhu Nanxi grinned. “What else could I do? I’m so well-known in the capital that too many people recognize me, so we only have Yunling to play the role of my fiancé.” She reassured Yunling, “Besides, Lu Shinan hasn’t been to the capital in years. Nobody knows what he looks like.”
Seeing Yunling still looked conflicted, Zhu Nanxi pulled out her trump card. “The situation’s already like this. You wouldn’t want to hold your Miss back now, would you?”
Taking a deep breath, Yunling summoned a lifetime’s worth of acting skills and mimicked Mushuang’s calm and composed demeanor.
Mu Wan smiled. “Alright, let’s go find Third Miss Wu.”
Zhu Nanxi grinned in response. “Today is definitely going to be interesting.”
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