If Madam Wu, the divorced wife, was the executioner of the father-son relationship between the Wang family, then Commander Mu was their fast-acting heart-saving pill, always rescuing them at the brink of collapse, curing the illness as soon as the medicine arrived.
Seeing Wang Commander's disappointed expression that seemed to say "raising a son is worse than raising a dog," as he lamented how Wang Daxia treated him with less care than he showed the young widow next door.
Commander Mu immediately comforted him, saying, "In Second Young Master's heart, of course his father is more important. He has eaten so many meals at the neighbor's house, so it's only right to repay them with a feast. He must be preparing meticulously, which shows Second Young Master has improved in understanding human relationships. He wouldn't have been so considerate before."
With this explanation, Wang Commander found it quite reasonable and felt somewhat comforted. He sighed, "Although our Wang family isn't some wealthy household with bells and tripods, we've been passed down for a hundred years after all. Our kitchen still has some foundation, and the feasts we prepare are quite praised by others, presentable enough."
"You've been eating at our house all these years, the chef's skills should be passable, right? Why doesn't he like it? He almost goes to the neighbor's house to eat every day after leaving the yamen. Is the neighbor's food really that fragrant? Look at the menu he wants the kitchen to prepare—"
Wang Commander handed the menu to Commander Mu, "Apart from that crispy fried crab dish which has some unique aspects, the rest are very simple home-style dishes. I'm not boasting, but although our family has declined, we usually eat much better than this menu. Why is he so bewitched, thinking others' food is more fragrant?"
Commander Mu wasn't a compass that could round off everything. He advised, "This was all a month ago, Commander, why dig up these old accounts? Besides, it was all cooked by Ding Wu. Now that Ding Wu has disappeared and is being hunted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard for repatriation, he has rarely gone there to eat this month."
After Ding Rukui's seventh seventh-day memorial, the Embroidered Uniform Guard went to the half-renovated pharmacy in Head Lane to "arrest and repatriate," but of course came up empty-handed. Ding Wu had fled, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard was currently hunting for him.
"Even without food, he still frequently visits the neighbor's house, showing it's not just for a meal." Wang Commander asked, "I don't believe those disgraceful rumors flying all over the Northern City. I know the son I raised best - his relationship with Doctor Wei should be innocent. But if he's not after food, and not after beauty, what exactly does he go to the neighbor's house for every day?"
"This..." Commander Mu was also stumped by the question. He equally couldn't understand Wang Daxia's bizarre behavior. Based on his observation and intuition, Wang Daxia was probably still a virgin. He said, "Probably kindred spirits. I'm not related to you, Commander, but haven't I been eating and living in your house for so many years?"
That made sense, but... Wang Commander said, "You and I are both grown men. He and Doctor Wei are after all different genders. How can men and women be kindred spirits?"
Commander Mu advised again, "Commander, don't overthink it. As the saying goes, one cannot be a good father-in-law without being somewhat deaf and foolish. Even if Second Young Master and Doctor Wei aren't purely kindred spirits, would you, Commander, be able to forcibly drag Second Young Master home and forbid him from stepping into the neighbor's house?"
He couldn't. Since Wang Daxia was ten years old, Wang Commander had already been unable to control the unruly child. Besides, Wang Daxia was now a Hundred-Household Commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard - his wings had already hardened. Wang Commander, without position or power, had even less means to control his son.
Wang Commander fell silent. After a while, he asked, "What do you think I should do?"Commander Mu said, "Reading the account book while riding a donkey—we’ll see as we go."
The implication was that since he couldn’t control it, he might as well not bother.
Next door, as she was attending a banquet, Wei Caiwei couldn’t dress too plainly. She changed into a new outfit: an autumn-fragrance-colored robe with wide sleeves and a dark blue satin horse-face skirt. She removed the Mourning Bun wrapped in white silk, styled her hair into a round chignon, and adorned it with a pair of ivory combs. She also wore a pair of jade gourd earrings. This attire was both appropriate for her status as a widow and respectful of etiquette.
For the Mid-Autumn Festival, moon viewing was customary. As a family of nobility with a century-old legacy, the Wang residence naturally had a Moon-Inviting Pavilion in its garden, specifically built for ascending high to admire the moon. The evening banquet was held there.
Since Wei Caiwei was a woman, it was deemed inappropriate for her to share a table with the men. Following ancient customs, each guest was assigned a small individual table, arranged separately on the Moon-Inviting Pavilion, allowing everyone to dine apart.
Attending to Wang Commander, Commander Mu, and Wang Daxia were young male servants, while a maidservant attended to Wei Caiwei, serving dishes and pouring wine by her side.
Wang Commander had also invited musicians to provide entertainment. The musicians paid their respects and presented the music list to Wei Caiwei, allowing the guest to select a piece.
Southern tunes were currently in vogue. Wei Caiwei chose a piece fitting for the occasion: "New Water Melody"—"Last Night, the Small Garden Blossomed with River Plum."
The musicians withdrew, holding sandalwood clappers, while the accompanying stringed instruments and bamboo flutes began to play. Two charming youths, who appeared to be only twelve or thirteen years old, started singing the Southern tune. Their voices were tender like a clear spring flowing over stones, soaring as if riding the wind to the moon in the night sky, and crisp like the cracking of solid ice in an early spring river—utterly serene and cool.
Listening to such exquisite music was like having one’s ears caressed by a lover—supremely soothing. It was surprisingly comparable to the fine music Wei Caiwei had heard in the imperial palace in her previous life. This showed that Wang Commander had invested considerable thought and money into this Mid-Autumn banquet and had not looked down on her because she was a widow.
Wei Caiwei had initially attended the banquet out of regard for Wang Daxia, merely to fulfill social obligations to Wang Commander. However, details like the separate seating and the high caliber of the invited musicians indicated that Wang Commander was quite sincere.
As the song concluded, Wei Caiwei raised her glass and toasted the host, Wang Commander.
This first piece was merely an appetizer, accompanied by mooncakes and snacks. When it was time for the main course, the maidservant cleared the snack plates and brought out the dishes Wang Daxia had instructed the kitchen to prepare one by one.
Seeing familiar dishes like vinegar-fried cabbage, jade melon mixed with Liaodong golden shrimp, and crispy fried crab, Wei Caiwei was momentarily stunned: Why were all of these Ding Wu’s signature dishes?
Wei Caiwei picked out the crispy crabmeat from the shell, dipped it in the seasoning, and found it crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and deliciously savory. The flavor was ninety percent similar to Ding Wu’s culinary skill.
Wei Caiwei praised, "The chef in your residence is truly skilled."
Wang Commander replied, "My son went to the kitchen and worked with the chef to decide on the menu. He tested the taste of this crispy crab three times before finalizing it."
"My son," Wang Daxia, winked at her and smiled, nodding: Surprised or not? Hurry up and praise me!
Wei Caiwei suddenly felt the crispy crab in her mouth lose its flavor: He’s treating my advice like wind past his ears again! With two cuts in his mouth from the blade, I specifically told him not to eat anything too hot, too oily, or stimulating foods like crab, and especially to avoid condiments like soy sauce, vinegar, scallions, ginger, and garlic that irritate the oral mucosa. And he just wouldn’t listen!
He even tested it three times? Does he even care about his mouth anymore!
Wei Caiwei said flatly, "Young Master Wang has put a lot of thought into this."Wang Daxia waited for Wei Caiwei to praise him, but the person sitting diagonally across showed no expected delight. What was wrong? Had the chef messed up? Was the fried crispy crab not tasting like the final test version?
Wang Daxia quickly picked up a piece with his chopsticks, dipped it in the sauce, and took a bite. It was clearly the same flavor—so why wasn’t Wei Caiwei pleased?
Seeing Wang Daxia still recklessly eating, Wei Caiwei felt both concern and anger. Setting aside guest decorum, she asked, "Has Young Master Wang’s injury healed?"
"Ah?" Only then did Wang Daxia realize why Wei Caiwei looked displeased. "It’s... somewhat better."
Knowing him well, Wei Caiwei was certain he was lying.
Disregarding medical advice and lying—her gaze turned colder than moonlight. "It healed in just half a day? Which miracle doctor gave you such effective medicine? Do share; I’d like to pay them a visit."
Wang Daxia stammered, "I... well..."
Before Wang Commander could inquire, Commander Mu, ever worried about the family, urgently asked, "What happened? Where are you injured? Is it serious? Why didn’t you mention it, child?"
Wang Daxia replied, "It’s not serious—just two sores in my mouth, a bit painful."
Lying was second nature to Wang Daxia; his truths amounted to barely a tenth of his falsehoods. He dared not mention his injury came from chewing on a blade, as that would inevitably lead to Wei Caiwei’s unique hidden weapon—the mooncakes she baked—and embarrass her.
After the Embroidered Uniform Guard recently raided two White Lotus Sect hideouts, especially the Red Sleeve Brothel’s midnight explosion, Wang Commander had been anxious about his son’s safety. Relieved to hear it was just mouth sores, he immediately ordered the attendant, "Quickly remove the wine, crab, and all rich dishes. Have the kitchen prepare a cooling century egg congee."
Officer Mu added, "Brew a pot of chrysanthemum tea and chill it in the well water before serving it to the Second Young Master."
Thus, Wang Daxia watched helplessly as all the delicious food was taken away. At the Mid-Autumn moon-viewing feast, while others ate and drank heartily, only a bowl of oil-free congee and a pot of cold chrysanthemum tea sat before him—even a beggar would fare better!
Seeing his son’s discomfiture, Wang Commander’s mood suddenly brightened: Kid, you’ve finally met your match!
Normally, Wang Daxia wouldn’t know the meaning of "restraint"—he’d have thrown a fit and stormed off, not staying to entertain guests. But tonight, he sat as obediently as a boiled crab, motionless despite his frustration—a far cry from his usual domineering, live-crab behavior.
Rarely smiling, Wang Commander requested a southern tune, "Drunken Peace," to enliven the atmosphere.
Commander Mu, observing keenly, made a significant discovery: Doctor Wei could control the unruly Wang Daxia with a single glance. While Wang Commander’s ten thousand words went in one ear and out the other, one sentence from Doctor Wei sufficed.
Commander Mu thought to himself: I’m not sure if they’re merely close friends, but I’m certain they’re a case of "one thing subducing another"—like brine solidifying tofu.
Before Wang Commander, Wang Daxia was an impenetrable iron wall. But before his neighbor, he was soft, malleable tofu, allowing the neighbor to knead him flat or round.Wei Caiwei initially thought it was a "Hongmen Banquet." She had prepared thoroughly, ready to face Wang Commander's probing and "interrogation," even bracing herself for possible scolding.
However, after actually attending the banquet, Wei Caiwei found Wang Commander to be a kind, good-tempered, respectful man with no airs, few words, and easy to get along with.
Wang Commander genuinely treated her as a guest. Though she could sometimes sense his hesitation to speak, he restrained himself throughout, never allowing anyone to feel embarrassed at the banquet.
For Wei Caiwei, who had long endured various rumors and gossip, this was already rare. So, she relaxed, eating and drinking freely, playing drinking games, listening to popular southern tunes, and simply enjoying the moment.
Though not much was said during the Mid-Autumn banquet, both host and guests were thoroughly pleased—except for Wang Daxia, who couldn't eat any meat.
After the banquet, a slightly tipsy Wang Commander said to Commander Mu, "It's been a long time since I've been this happy. Wang Daxia only drank porridge and tea tonight, nothing else. When has he ever been so obedient? It's a miracle how well-behaved he becomes in Doctor Wei's presence."
Wei Caiwei drank fruit syrup, which wasn't intoxicating. Before leaving, she gave Wang Daxia a packet of medicinal pills, instructing him to hold them in his mouth and let them dissolve slowly to treat the wounds inside.
The next day, just as Wei Caiwei finished preparing Li Yiren's health tonic, an envoy from the palace's Directorate of Ceremonial arrived with a yellow register. He announced that the palace was recruiting female physicians for the upcoming Imperial Concubine Selection in autumn, to examine the health of candidates from various regions and check for any hidden ailments.
Wei Caiwei was overjoyed: she would finally get to meet Consort Shangshou, the future favorite of the harem.
Author's Note: After two warm and cozy chapters and a few sweet yet hard mooncakes, we're about to dive into a storm of bloody conflicts, endless drama, palace intrigues, and succession battles. Everyone, please brace yourselves with strong mental fortitude, because the upcoming scandals and gossip of the Jiajing imperial family will constantly push the boundaries of what you thought possible.
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