Seeing the other party remain silent, he added, “The day after tomorrow, for the Yellow Wine Festival…”
“I’ll go with you.” Pei Lianyi suddenly took over his words.
“Really?” A hint of accomplishment gleamed in someone’s eyes.
“Really.”
“Great! Then it’s settled. Sleep well, Master Pei. I’ll be off now.” Huo Jingzhao waved energetically and dashed out of the bedroom.
Watching him run off like a hot whirlwind, Pei Lianyi’s gaze flowed, his face flushing slightly.
Two days later, Pei Ziying reluctantly saw Huo Jingzhao out of the manor. “It was supposed to be us going to celebrate the festival. How did it become you and Father going?”
Huo Jingzhao got onto the carriage. “Master Pei said it’s to discuss business.”
Pei Ziying pouted in dissatisfaction. “Talking business so early, I don’t want to go now…”
“Master, mind the steps.”
Just as the two were talking, Pei Lianyi emerged from the manor amidst a cluster of attendants.
Today was a festive day, and he was also making an appearance at the Chamber of Commerce. He specially wore an indigo-blue robe embroidered with the Pei family crest.
At the very center of the crest was the Chinese Parasol Tree needed for shipbuilding, elegant and refined, with golden tassels hanging on both sides. Surrounding it were gleaming water patterns.
This whole outfit was ancient, solemn, and even a bit old-fashioned. Yet on his mature, exquisite body, it possessed a unique, vivid beauty and a sense of taboo.
Huo Jingzhao, who was playing with his horsewhip, stopped his movements.
“Father…!” Pei Ziying hurriedly ran up.
Because of the bewitched embrace the previous night, Pei Lianyi felt guilty. He quickly caught his son and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Pei Ziying leaned close to his father’s ear. “Father, you have to keep a close eye on Jingzhao for me. Don’t let him mess around at the banquet.”
Pei Lianyi’s heart trembled. He reflexively looked towards the man playing with the whip.
“With me present, he wouldn’t do such things, nor would he dare.” He touched his son’s small face, his voice carrying pride.
“Alright—” Pei Ziying gave a satisfied, brilliant smile, then turned and said, “Jingzhao, remember to bring crabs back for me!”
“Of course, I’ll remember.”
“Master Pei, it’s time to depart.”
“Fine.”
The carriage slowly moved, soon disappearing from everyone’s sight.
During festival days, even before the hour for the crab feast, Sea View Pavilion was already packed with the city’s various famous merchants.
By the seaside, carrying a faint salty, fishy scent, the lion dance troupes from each family stood in a row, waiting for the signal to begin their performance.
The thoughts of the masters, however, weren’t on the lion dances. They were discussing the winner of the dragon boat race.
“Hey! Did you hear? That Huo kid will be coming today too. They say this kid is honest and soft-hearted. If we say some nice words, for next year’s maritime trade… maybe he’ll give us a green light…”
“Forget it! Wasn’t it agreed that the Leng family would win?! What a waste of that big Ganoderma lucidum I sent to Leng Yuechuan before the new year!” Someone slapped their thigh, full of regret.
“Aiyo… look at you all, so useless!”
Hearing everyone wanting to curry favor with Huo Jingzhao for the maritime pricing power, in the crowd, a fat man with a pencil mustache, holding a pug, curled his lip and mocked, “No matter how awesome that Huo Jingzhao is, he’s just a tiny live-in son-in-law. Since ancient times, live-in sons-in-law don’t even have the right to eat at the table! You all go licking up to him—aren’t you losing face?”
Listening to his words, the status-conscious masters felt he had a point.
The fat man raised his face proudly and added, “In a bit, when he arrives, let’s first give him a show of authority.”
“This…” The bosses were looking at each other when a deep, cold male voice silenced the entire venue.
“Boss Zhao plans to give who a show of authority?”
The magnificent, luxurious carriage stopped before them. They watched as Pei Lianyi stepped down, supporting himself on Huo Jingzhao’s hand, and stood upon the golden-embroidered Fleece Blanket spread out by the Chamber of Commerce.
“Mas… Master Pei…?!” Boss Zhao gasped, stepping back half a pace.
“Why has Lianyi come…?” Shi Chengji, sitting at the top of the tower, closed his fan, his face full of surprise.
Over the past dozen or so years, everyone in the Chamber of Commerce knew that Pei Lianyi detested the Yellow Wine Festival the most. Even hearing about men and women “climbing the lanterns” at Sea View Pavilion at night would make him uncomfortable.
Some speculated that Master Pei was lonely and hard to endure after losing his wife. Seeing other couples in pairs made him unbearably jealous. So no one dared to even mention this festival to him.
And yet today, dressed so formally, he had come with such grandeur!
“Master Pei! Please, take the honored seat! You must try my Zhao family’s early spring, freshly picked Jade Pool Snow!” Boss Zhao, his earlier arrogance completely gone, hastily had his attendant present a cup of tea, smiling obsequiously.
Pei Lianyi was born into the very peak of society. He had seen far too many rare treasures. Truly speaking, half a day’s worth of provisions in his manor was enough for ordinary people to live on for several lifetimes.
Anything that earned his praise, that caught his eye, would be sold out by afternoon if it was available in the morning. Whenever any master acquired some novelty, they couldn’t wait to have him appraise it first. Hence, Boss Zhao eagerly offered his tea.
Everyone around was waiting for his opinion. Pei Lianyi, however, was indifferent. He said, “Jingzhao, come have a taste.”
“Sure!” Huo Jingzhao beside him grinned widely, picked up the teacup, and poured it into his mouth.
“But…!” Boss Zhao was just about to say he was like an ox, wasting a heavenly treasure and unable to appreciate tea, when Huo Jingzhao, gulping loudly, aimed at him and “Pfft!”—spat the tea right onto him.
“Mother of…!”
“You… you brat!” Boss Zhao, his face drenched, shrieked once. Pointing a trembling finger at Huo Jingzhao, he was absolutely furious.
Huo Jingzhao meekly placed the empty teacup back. “Many thanks to Boss Zhao for helping me rinse my mouth.”
“You might not know this, but in the Pei Manor, fine teas like this are used precisely for rinsing the mouth.”
Hearing him praise the fine tea, Boss Zhao, who had been on the verge of exploding, had a delighted look on his face. Wiping the tea water from his face, he said, “Re… really?”
“Wow! Then many thanks to Young Master Huo, and many thanks to Master Pei!”
See? He even has to thank us. Huo Jingzhao wrinkled his nose.
“Haha…” Pei Lianyi was genuinely amused by him. He covered his mouth with his hand and laughed, his brows and eyes twinkling like stars.
Seeing his smile, who could still care about some Jade Pool Snow? Everyone was stunned.
“The fragrance is like orchids, the taste fresh and mellow. To be able to make Master Pei smile… I think this tea should be called Buddha’s Heart Stirred!”
At that moment, Shi Chengji passed through the crowd, waving his folding fan and declaring loudly.
“Buddha’s Heart Stirred? This name is good! Wonderful! Marvelous!” Upon hearing it, the bosses nodded repeatedly, full of unending praise.
Tomorrow, this “Buddha’s Heart Stirred” would surely sell out across the entire Rong Kingdom.
Shi Chengji walked up to Pei Lianyi. “Lianyi, if you wanted to eat crab, why didn’t you just notify me? I could’ve sent some to your manor.”
“…”
Before Pei Lianyi could respond, Huo Jingzhao stepped forward, blocking Shi Chengji’s line of sight. “Master Pei, I’ll go win you some crabs.”
His dark eyes were blazing with fire, as if saying: Don’t you dare accept food from other men.
This domineering attitude was even more overbearing than a male crab!
For the sake of liveliness, every year’s Yellow Wine Festival had a game of “Dancing Lions to Win Crabs.” Whoever danced best would win the most crabs.
“Go on, then.” Watching Huo Jingzhao’s overwhelming competitiveness, Pei Lianyi, blushing, gave his permission.
“Master Pei, wait for me…!” the young man yelled, then bounced lively into the lion dance troupe.
Only then did Pei Lianyi turn to address the crowd. “Everyone, don’t be constrained. I came today merely to bring the Pei Manor’s newcomer out to see the world.”
“Jingzhao is young and spirited. Everyone, please be more tolerant.”
His words were humble, but who among the people present dared to slight him? They all started spouting flattery like, “Your esteemed manor’s future worthy son-in-law has an imposing presence,” and “He’s quite talented.”
Talented? Shi Chengji turned his head to glance at Huo Jingzhao, who was currently rolling around in the lion dance troupe, kicking up yellow dust to choke the others. The corners of his mouth twitched twice.
After a bit of socializing with the crowd, Pei Lianyi chose a spot where he could watch Huo Jingzhao’s lion dance and sat down.
“Lianyi, may I sit here?” Shi Chengji hurriedly squeezed over.
Pei Lianyi waved his hand, indicating agreement.
Shi Chengji was overjoyed. Just as he was about to happily take a seat, a lion head butted him aside.
Shi Chengji let out an “Aiya!” and fell flat on his backside.
Pei Lianyi looked up. It turned out to be Huo Jingzhao, dressed in the lion costume, dancing right up to him.
The man wore a lifelike golden-furred lion head, a red rope knot tied on top. (In lion dancing tradition, wearing a green rope knot signifies a female lion.)
Mm, a very lively male lion, Pei Lianyi mused.
“You brat! Who told you to break away from the formation?!” Shi Chengji, covered in dust, got up, gritting his teeth and pointing at Huo Jingzhao as he hollered.
Amidst the clashing gongs and pounding drums, Huo Jingzhao kept dancing. He even grabbed the dog from Boss Zhao’s arms and danced it right in Shi Chengji’s face.
Under the lion costume, his head popped out one moment, the dog’s head the next. Woof! Woof! Two barks sent Shi Chengji’s folding fan flying as he scrambled backward.
“Don’t! Don’t…! I’m terrified of dogs! Don’t come any closer—!”
After driving the man away, Huo Jingzhao grasped the dog’s paw and waved at Pei Lianyi.
Sensing he was trying to make him laugh, Pei Lianyi smiled again.
Huo Jingzhao’s eyes darkened. He stepped forward, his magnetic voice very serious. “Master Pei, today is our date. You’re not allowed to let unrelated people sit next to you.”
Pei Lianyi elegantly cracked melon seeds. “Who’s on a date with you? I came to discuss business.”
Huo Jingzhao captured his hand, taking away the plump melon seed kernel and rubbing it against his palm. “How big of a deal is it? Discuss it with me too.”
Pei Lianyi’s soul trembled from his touch. He said, “I don’t discuss business with dirty boys.”
As he spoke, he took a hot towel from a servant and wiped Huo Jingzhao’s face. “You’re covered in sweat and dirt.”
Enjoying his service, Huo Jingzhao curved his lips in a faint smile.
The two sat for a while. Then, the Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of the lion dance competition.
“Young Master Huo is first place! Boss Zhao’s little dog is second~”
“Good good good—Excellent!” Boss Zhao stood up and clapped. He never imagined he, too, would benefit from his dog today.
The drums stopped, and silk and bamboo instruments began to play. People carried fresh, plump, lively large crabs into the Kitchen. Frying, steaming, boiling—soon, Sea View Pavilion was filled with a delicious, savory fragrance.
The sumptuous crab feast was served, but Pei Lianyi didn’t move his chopsticks.
At that moment, a conversation from a nearby table drifted over. The man said, “Madam, be careful not to prick your hand. Let me peel it for you.”
“Thank you, Master,” the woman replied.
Huo Jingzhao glanced at Pei Lianyi’s slender fingers.
So he wasn’t eating because he was afraid of pricking his hands?
Delicate.
How could someone so delicate have given birth to Pei Ziying?
Huo Jingzhao chuckled inwardly. He then imitated the man, first washing his hands clean. Then, he pried open the crab shell and carefully picked out the golden crab roe and tender white crab meat.
Holding his breath, he focused intently on shelling the crab, as if it weren’t a crab before him but some rare secret manual he had stumbled upon.
“Master Pei, please eat.” After preparing it, he placed the plate in front of Pei Lianyi.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Pei Lianyi’s face, but he still ate the crab Huo Jingzhao had peeled for him.
After the crab feast ended, on the way back to the manor, Pei Lianyi said he wanted to walk. So Huo Jingzhao gave the carriage to the servants and walked with him along the street.
Twilight descended, the evening clouds fiery red. Yet Pei Lianyi’s face was slightly pale.
