Moonlit Reunion

Under the corridor, two men were engaged in idle chatter. One was a middle-aged man in crimson robes, seemingly a Vice Minister from the Ministry of Justice, while the other, dressed in blue, appeared to be a minor official. Their conversation was less of a dialogue and more of the older man badmouthing Mei Zhuyu, with the subordinate chiming in with flattery.

"That Mei Zhuyu is truly cunning, leaving no trace of wrongdoing. Next time, let's see if he can always be this lucky."

"Vice Minister Xu, why trouble yourself so? Even if you can't find fault with Mei Langzhong, you can still make life difficult for him and cause him grief. With your higher rank, making things hard for him would be effortless."

"It's not that simple. Don't be fooled by his upright appearance—he only got his position as Langzhong in the Ministry of Justice through connections with the Imperial Consort. Do you think he's some simple-minded man? Who knows what unsavory things he does in private. Besides, with his background, do you think he could have married Wu Er Niangzi from Duke Yu's household without powerful connections? She's the Empress's own younger sister."

"Speaking of which, I have to admit some grudging admiration for Mei Langzhong. To curry favor with Duke Yu and the Empress, he even dared to hold his nose and marry that Wu Er Niangzi. In that regard, we lesser men can't match his 'broad-mindedness.' Might as well swap his black gauze cap for a green one." The blue-robed official's tone dripped with disdain.

Wu Zhen crouched on a nearby rockery, flicking her tail.

Vice Minister Xu scoffed, stroking the thin mustache beneath his nose. "I'd say they're a perfect match. Our Mei Langzhong never visits pleasure houses or brothels. Tell me, what normal man behaves like that? I suspect he has a penchant for the cut-sleeve. And that Wu Zhen—always dressed in men's clothing, hardly resembling a woman at all. She's constantly entangled with courtesans, often taking them out on excursions. In her younger years, every marriage arrangement fell through. Who's to say she doesn't have sapphic tendencies? Both of them are sick in the head—truly made for each other."

Wu Zhen rested her head on her paws, watching the two men below... particularly their little mustaches. Recently, it had become fashionable among Chang'an's men to grow facial hair. Young and old alike sported nearly identical mustaches, and rumor had it many secretly competed over whose was best. Wu Zhen couldn't fathom what was appealing about those upside-down eyebrow-like tufts—just looking at them made her eyes burn. Thankfully, her young lord hadn't grown one, or she might have been tempted to make him shave it off.

Disdainfully eyeing the two men's scraggly mustaches, Wu Zhen listened calmly as their conversation continued.

"If Vice Minister Xu truly wishes to trouble Mei Langzhong, why not assign him that bottom-of-the-pile case? That would surely torment him to death."

"Hmph, I'd like to, but if I push Mei Langzhong too hard, he might go crying to his Imperial Consort aunt. Then I'd be inviting unnecessary trouble."

"Ah... that's true. Even if he doesn't seek the Consort, he could still turn to Wu Er Niangzi. Given her temperament, if she actually interfered in such matters, it would be even more troublesome than dealing with the Consort... Uh... Vice Minister Xu, do you think Wu Er Niangzi would actually intervene on his behalf?"Vice Minister Xu wore a smug expression of someone who'd seen through the truth. "In my opinion, Wu Er Niang probably won't bother with him. When would she have the spare time? This marriage is ultimately just for appearances. Duke Yu was ashamed that his second daughter remained unmarried, so he found a man he could control to marry her off. As for Doctor Mei, he's spineless and wanted to find a powerful backer—it was a perfect match. Do you really think there's any affection between them? Even after the engagement, Wu Er Niang still frequents pleasure houses. I doubt she's even laid eyes on Doctor Mei."

As the two continued their gossip, Wu Zhen lost interest. The same old remarks repeated endlessly—how dull. Stretching lazily on the rockery, she vaulted over the wall and left the Ministry of Justice compound.

That very afternoon, as officials prepared to leave for the day, they noticed a brightly dressed woman waiting at the ministry gates. Clad in vermilion robes adorned with jeweled necklaces, a golden belt with eight ornaments, cloud-treading boots, and holding an ornate horsewhip inlaid with gold and jade, she leaned idly against a chestnut horse. Occasionally, she glanced up at the ministry's entrance while toying with her whip.

Passing officials couldn't help but steal glances, whispering among themselves.

"Who's that? What woman would wait at the Ministry of Justice gates? Ordinary women don't come here."

"Are you blind? That outrageous outfit—who else but the Wu family's second daughter, Her Majesty the Empress's sister? Who else would dare dress like that?"

"First time I've seen the legendary Wu Er Niang. Much prettier than I imagined."

"Pretty indeed, but could you handle a woman like that?"

"Didn't we hear recently that Doctor Mei from our ministry is to marry her? Maybe she's here for him."

"Must be. Though who knows why she's seeking Doctor Mei. Perhaps she's come to inspect her future husband in person. Let's come back later and see if she's satisfied. If not, we might witness her whipping someone."

Wu Zhen heard every whisper clearly. With a casual sweep of her eyes, she noted the mixed reactions—curiosity, disdain, fear, anticipation—playing across the officials' faces.

Soon, she spotted Vice Minister Xu and the green-robed clerk who'd been gossiping earlier emerging, followed shortly by Mei Zhuyu.

Wu Zhen grinned suddenly and urged her horse forward, accelerating sharply. Minor officials scattered in alarm, while Xu and his companion froze in terror as the horse charged directly at them. Their legs gave way, sending them tumbling backward just as Wu Zhen's mount leaped clean over their heads, landing neatly before Mei Zhuyu.

Mei Zhuyu remained composed, looking up at her with his usual calm expression.

Though he said nothing, Wu Zhen seemed to understand his unspoken question. Smirking, she said, "Galloping before official buildings—ten taels fine, if I recall?" She tossed a heavy brocade pouch into his hands.

Mei Zhuyu: "...No injuries caused. Five taels will suffice."Wu Zhen spoke affectionately from atop her horse, "I'll give you the remaining half. You seem to have lost weight again since I last saw you. Is the Ministry of Justice's lunch that bad? Next time, just go out of the palace to eat."

Mei Zhuyu replied cautiously, "Actually, it's... not too bad."

The two conversed as if no one else was around, their casual familiarity stunning the surrounding colleagues. Most had assumed the pair barely knew each other, but today's interaction suggested they met frequently?

Vice Minister Xu, who had been frightened into falling by Wu Zhen's horse earlier, was helped up by a clerk. Seeing Mei Zhuyu and Wu Zhen chatting, his face alternated between red and white, a truly spectacular sight.

Wu Zhen then cheerfully asked Mei Zhuyu, "Darling, how about joining me for an outing to the Azalea Mountain at the foot of South Mountain on your next day off?"

A glimmer of anticipation appeared in Mei Zhuyu's usually calm eyes as he nodded without hesitation, "Alright, I'll have a day off three days from now."

Wu Zhen hadn't been certain he would agree—not that it mattered either way, as she was merely expressing her intentions. But seeing his apparent happiness inexplicably lifted her spirits too, her smile brightening further. "Great, I'll come find you then."

Mei Zhuyu stared at her radiant smile, momentarily dazed.

The onlookers suddenly felt like intruders in this moment. Some even rubbed their eyes, convinced they were seeing an imposter—this awkward, lovestruck man couldn't possibly be the usually stern and reticent Mei Zhuyu.

This scene at the Ministry of Justice's entrance soon spawned fresh rumors about Mei Zhuyu and Wu Zhen. Vice Minister Xu, humiliated by both the public spectacle and his own undignified fall, spent the entire night fuming. The next day, overhearing colleagues discuss the incident—including his embarrassing stumble—nearly drove him to smash his inkstone.

"Minister Xu, don't upset yourself over such people. Why not visit Pingkang Ward after work? We could find some pleasant company for drinks," suggested a sycophantic clerk.

"Fine. Let's go to Madam Wu's place—our usual spot."

That night at Madam Wu Ye's establishment in Pingkang Ward, Vice Minister Xu and the clerk drank and enjoyed music attended by courtesans. Unbeknownst to them, in the adjacent room, Wu Zhen lounged with crossed legs, humming a tune in perfect contentment while her rowdy entourage played drinking games, wine tokens flying about.

"Zhen-jie, what's our plan here tonight?" Mei Si asked, sidling up to her.

Wu Zhen set down her cup with a smile. "We're going to teach two gossipy old goats a lesson."

By the next day, a new rumor reached Mei Zhuyu during lunch: Vice Minister Xu and his subordinate had been discovered in Pingkang Ward the previous night, disheveled and clinging to each other.

"Who would've guessed Minister Xu swings that way? Truly, appearances can be deceiving," someone remarked."Exactly. I heard they were caught red-handed by a group of young gentlemen. How embarrassing. If those two have a penchant for male companionship, why even visit a brothel? And they specifically requested Lady Wu's company—her services don't come cheap. What a waste of silver."

Among the crowd whispering and giggling, Mei Zhuyu sat alone, eating his meal with quiet focus, as if existing in an entirely different world. Once finished, he rose and walked away through the sea of gossip, utterly indifferent to the irrelevant people and trivial news being discussed. Only one thought occupied his mind now.

In one day's time, he would be going on an excursion to Cuckoo Mountain with Wu Zhen.

Since forests in the mountains often harbored mischievous spirits, he carefully considered whether he should make a trip there tonight to clear the area in advance.