Moonlit Reunion

Actually, they didn't win first place in this dragon boat race, only coming in second. But that was still enough for Mei Si and his team to save face, after all, the first-place team was composed of imperial guards—the emperor's own men. It wouldn't have been right for them to lose to outsiders. Of course, their drumming was the loudest, and coincidentally, the drummer of the winning team was Huang Langjun, who knew Wu Zhen—the very same man who guarded the palace walls.

While Mei Si and his group were chatting, Huang Langjun in black robes came over. Tall and heroic in stature, with his outer garment untied and tied around his waist, he looked particularly masculine. He walked straight up to Wu Zhen and gave her a familiar pat on the shoulder, saying without any reservation, "I thought I'd see you as the drummer this year. Didn't expect you to skip it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Huang Langjun felt a cold gaze—one so familiar and slightly hostile that it sent a chill down his spine. Spotting Mei Zhuyu, who was being pulled aside by Mei Si and the others for conversation, he suddenly recalled what Wu Zhen had told him before. Scratching the back of his head, he let out an awkward chuckle. Pointing at Mei Zhuyu, he said to Wu Zhen, "I really didn’t expect it—Magistrate Mei’s strength is no joke. That drumming nearly deafened me. Truly, you can’t judge a book by its cover."

Though he kept talking, Huang Langjun restrained himself, no longer acting so chummy. Wu Zhen noticed his unease and glanced at Mei Zhuyu, only to see her husband avert his gaze slightly, also looking a bit guilty.

Wu Zhen found it amusing. Huang Langjun’s guilt was understandable, but why was he feeling guilty?

"Congratulations on taking first place. What, here to gloat?" Wu Zhen teased Huang Langjun with a smile.

Huang Langjun waved his hand, flashing a bright grin. "Nah, the guys on my team are curious about Magistrate Mei. They said since he’s so strong, his martial skills must be good too, so they sent me to invite him to our camp sometime for some fun."

Without hesitation, Wu Zhen kicked him lightly. "Get lost! You lot are a bunch of shameless rogues—thick-skinned and ruthless. My husband is a civil official. He’d be at a disadvantage fighting you. If he so much as bruises an arm or leg, I’ll tear your whole camp apart."

Huang Langjun laughed heartily. "Why so protective? It’s just for fun—might not even come to a fight."

Wu Zhen knew this friend too well—he itched for a match whenever he saw a worthy opponent. His promises now were worthless. So she didn’t bother arguing further, shooing him away with a wave. "Go on, no discussion."

Huang Langjun scoffed, still unwilling to give up. Raising his voice, he called to Mei Zhuyu, "Magistrate Mei, drop by our camp sometime! The guys all admire your strength!"

Mei Zhuyu had been eavesdropping on their conversation and had already heard Wu Zhen’s response. Turning his head, he said, "Thank you for the offer, but I won’t be going."

Wu Zhen was worried her gentle husband might be bullied by a bunch of roughnecks, while Mei Zhuyu simply refused because he heard Wu Zhen didn’t want him to. Truthfully, he led a quiet life and preferred not to get involved in such things. Unless Wu Zhen asked, he wouldn’t participate on his own.Young Master Huang left disappointed, having failed to secure a companion, his head hanging low. Wu Zhen tugged at Mei Zhuyu's sleeve, pulling him out of the crowd, and said to the still-excited Mei Si and others, "You all go ahead and have fun. My husband and I will take our leave first."

Mei Si exclaimed, "Ah? Why leave so soon? Where are you going? Why not join us? We’ve always celebrated together in previous years, and now with Elder Cousin here, it’s even livelier!"

No sooner had he spoken than Cui Jiu rapped him on the head, signaling him to shut up, then waved cheerfully and said, "Sister Zhen, you two go ahead. We’ll find our own fun."

Only after Wu Zhen and Mei Zhuyu had gone some distance did Cui Jiu release Mei Si. Seeing his bewildered expression, Cui Jiu explained, "Sister Zhen is newly married. They want to spend time alone together—what are you butting in for?"

Mei Si let out an "Oh," finally understanding. Deflated, he slumped like a punctured balloon. "Even though Sister Zhen is married, she’s still our Sister Zhen. Why can’t we all have fun together?"

Zhao Songyan, wearing a similarly complicated expression, patted his friend’s shoulder. "I know how you feel—it’s like being abandoned. Lately, Sister Zhen has been spending much less time going out with us."

"But look on the bright side," Zhao Songyan suddenly perked up, his eyes sparkling. "Before, Sister Zhen kept us in line, but now her mind is entirely on Elder Brother Mei. She won’t be around to scold us anymore!"

Mei Si froze for a moment, then brightened. "You’re right! We can go try something new now!"

Like a pack of cubs suddenly freed from their alpha’s watch, the boys quickly shook off their melancholy and dashed off, whooping and hollering, ready to indulge in unrestrained fun.

They hadn’t gone far when they encountered their natural enemies—a group of noble young ladies led by Liu Taizhen. Many of these young men might eventually marry ladies from this very group, given the emphasis on social status and matching families. Unfortunately, years of rivalry weren’t so easily resolved.

Following their usual habit, the young men swaggered past provocatively. One of them deliberately snapped off a willow branch and tossed it, hitting a young lady in pink. The girl, quick-tempered, turned and immediately began scolding them upon recognizing the culprits. Ironically, the young man who threw the branch and the pink-clad lady were currently being considered for an arranged marriage by their families—yet they were now quarreling the most fiercely.

Mei Si was usually a key instigator in such situations. Though he was amiable and harmless among Wu Zhen and his close friends, he could be downright haughty and arrogant toward others, his chin practically tilted to the sky. But this time, for some inexplicable reason, he noticed Liu Taizhen—Lady Liu—glancing at him twice.

Lady Liu typically remained aloof during these squabbles, sitting composed and unmoved, not even lifting an eyelid. Yet now, she was staring at him. Stranger still, Mei Si felt an inexplicable fear creeping over him under her gaze—his legs weakened, his heart raced, and his breath shortened. His proudly raised head gradually drooped until it hung low, and he shuffled backward, hiding behind Cui Jiu before he felt slightly safer.

Mei Si: I don’t know why, but I suddenly feel terrified—like I’m drowning. While a group of energetic young men were engaged in a war of words with the young ladies, Wu Zhen and Mei Zhuyu were watching an Acrobatic Show beneath the flower-decked stage.

After the dragon boat race, the liveliness along the Qujiang Pool had only just begun. The crowd flowed like water, gathering continuously at various entertaining spots, such as this stage where two graceful women in long skirts were performing sword dances, their movements elegant and captivating. Opposite this stage, another platform had been set up by a renowned music house from the city, featuring two foreign dancers performing the Whirling Dance. Both stages were surrounded by enthusiastic onlookers, with some standing in the middle, their eyes darting back and forth between the two performances, overwhelmed by the spectacle. The excitement was so intense that the entire path became congested.

After watching for a while, Wu Zhen pulled Mei Zhuyu through the crowd. On the river, a rope as thick as a finger had been stretched from a large tree on the opposite bank to a branch on this side, forming a taut arc. Acrobats holding long poles nimbly walked the rope, performing daring feats of crossing the river on such a slender line. The thrilling spectacle left the spectators on both banks holding their breath, especially when the performers reached the middle, where the rope almost touched the water. A gust of wind would make the rope sway, and the acrobats along with it, creating a heart-stopping moment for the audience.

Nearby, swings had been tied to a large tree, where women were competing to see who could swing the highest. Red silk flowers were tied to the treetop, and the one who could reach the highest and pluck a flower would earn great pride. Only the boldest women dared to participate, while the more timid ones could only watch from below, some even covering their eyes when the swings soared too high.

Wu Zhen, intrigued by the challenge, decided to give it a try. Known for her fearlessness, she quickly outdid the previous record-holder, who had only managed to pluck a flower from the third-highest branch. Wu Zhen swung higher and higher, nearly reaching the treetop, eliciting gasps and screams from the crowd below. Mei Zhuyu watched nervously, his hands instinctively reaching forward, ready to catch her should she fall.

Undeterred by the commotion, Wu Zhen let go with one hand as her swing neared the treetop and effortlessly plucked the highest silk flower amidst even louder cheers. When she dismounted, the surrounding women gazed at her with admiration, their eyes shining with awe. Wu Zhen tied the red silk flower around Mei Zhuyu’s wrist and, laughing heartily, dragged him off to the next attraction.

Along the riverbank, renowned pastry shops had set up stalls, inviting passersby to participate in a rice dumpling wrapping competition. Participants were given materials, and whoever could wrap the most dumplings within a set time would win prizes and take their creations home. Nearby, another competition involved making mugwort cakes, with groups of skilled women rolling up their sleeves to compete while their husbands and children cheered them on with claps and stomps. The scene grew even livelier as the women raced against time to wrap dumplings and shape cakes, while the men below broke into impromptu dances, turning the event into a spirited contest that had the crowd roaring with laughter and applause.The sun was bright, and the atmosphere was lively. Mei Zhuyu usually disliked such noisy environments, but today, he felt something different. Watching Wu Zhen beside him clapping and cheering like everyone else, he unconsciously smiled again.

Suddenly, he thought that such liveliness wasn’t so bad after all.

The two of them strolled around, and Wu Zhen grew hungry. She bought some mugwort cakes and a few different-flavored zongzi from a small roadside stall—all in fresh green hues, appetizing at a glance.

There were also vendors selling fresh fruit and juice by the roadside. Spotting a peddler carrying cherries, plump and glistening, Wu Zhen casually bought some as well.

By the time they returned home after a day out, the cherries were handed over to the kitchen to make cherry curd—pitted cherries drizzled with sweetened cheese sauce, lightly chilled, creating a refreshing, sweet-and-sour treat perfect for beating the summer heat.

On the night of the Dragon Boat Festival, they bathed in orchid-infused water to wash away the sweat of the day, then enjoyed a bowl of this cherry curd. It was truly an unparalleled delight.

Thus, this year’s Dragon Boat Festival passed without regret.

Having lived for twenty-three years, it was only today that Mei Zhuyu realized just how vivid and fascinating the world’s bustling festivals could be.

And all of it—was because of Wu Zhen.