The next day when Shen Shaoguang woke up, daylight was already streaming in through the windows. Turning her head slightly, she felt a dull ache at her temples—clear evidence of having drunk too much the night before. Glancing at A Yuan, who was still snoring softly on the bed across the room, Shen quietly got up and went outside to wash up.
As she opened the door to the main hall, she spotted a hot water kettle wrapped in its cozy by the entrance. Had Princess Yu San already risen?
Smiling, Shen carried the hot water inside, mixed it with cold water to wash her face, brushed her teeth, applied facial cream, then proceeded to draw her eyebrows, redden her lips, and stick on a floral sticker. She decided to skip the powder, rouge, and dimples makeup, though.
Makeup in this era was a test of a woman’s imagination, with all sorts of bizarre trends that even Shen, who had witnessed the wild fashions of later generations, often found astonishing.
Take, for instance, the recent trend of connected eyebrows—where the brows were drawn so close they nearly met. Or the weeping eyebrows from a couple of years ago, thin and drooping, making everyone look on the verge of tears—fitting for the period of mourning after the late emperor’s passing. Then there were the playful moth-wing eyebrows and the punk-inspired black lipstick… There was no makeup trend the ladies of this dynasty couldn’t dream up or dare to try.
Back in the palace, Shen had no choice but to follow the trends. When everyone was fashionable, going against the grain was just seeking attention. Hadn’t even Guo Guofuren’s bare-faced look become a topic for poets? Standing out wasn’t acceptable—blending in was the way to go.
Now that she was out of the palace and far from the court’s fashion circles, Shen’s face had returned to the realm of normalcy. This was the first time she had used even half of her full makeup skills again.
Shen examined herself in the mirror. Her eyebrows were naturally well-shaped, needing only a light touch. Her lips were a bit pale, so she emphasized them. There wasn’t time to make a floral sticker, so she used a brush to paint a seasonal plum blossom on her forehead with cinnabar, matching it with her bright red pomegranate skirt. The effect was quite festive—almost bridal…
A single woman stabbing her own heart first thing on New Year’s morning.
Pouting, Shen styled her hair into a double-loop high bun, pinned it with hairpins, and finished her look. Gazing at the hazy beauty in the bronze mirror, she regained some confidence. So what if she was single? Even alone, she’d be the prettiest one.
"Woof—"
Looking up, she saw A Yuan’s sleepy face.
"Come, come, wash up. Let me get you ready."
Hearing that her mistress wanted to do her makeup, A Yuan’s drowsiness vanished. "No need! No need!"
Shen grinned wickedly.
Though A Yuan was strong, she couldn’t outright defy her mistress and was soon seated firmly before the bronze mirror.
"Tilt your head up—close your eyes—pucker your lips—a little more…"
Shen gave A Yuan the full treatment—full makeup and a fresh hairstyle. Surprisingly, it turned out quite lovely. With her round face, plump figure, emerald eyebrows, rosy cheeks, and adorable dimples makeup, she looked just like the souvenir clay doll Shen had once bought at the Shaanxi Provincial Museum—a true daughter of the Tang Dynasty.
Holding up the mirror for A Yuan to see, Shen asked, "Pretty? Pretty?"
A Yuan pursed her lips awkwardly and mumbled, "It is pretty, but how am I supposed to eat later?"
Hahaha… Shen burst into laughter, leaning against A Yuan’s broad shoulders.
A Yuan picked up the mirror, examined herself from side to side, and smiled shyly.
Knock knock knock. Yu San rapped on the door, lifted the curtain, and stepped inside. Taking in the heavily made-up pair, she said expressionlessly, "Breakfast is ready."A Yuan jumped up with a laugh, "Let's go eat!"
Yu San glanced at A Yuan and frowned, "Aren't you afraid of smudging the cakes like that?"
A Yuan: "..."
A Chang came over with bamboo to ask Shen Shaoguang when they would burn firecrackers. Seeing A Yuan stepping out first, he praised, "Beautiful! So beautiful!"
A hint of a smile appeared on A Yuan's face.
"But you might get some on your bowl when eating later..."
Inside the room, Shen Shaoguang nearly laughed herself sick. Was this the legendary case of "birds of a feather flock together"?
Yu San shot Shen Shaoguang a look, like a parent eyeing the bad influence who corrupted their child. If this were a meme, the caption would definitely read: "Don't play with her anymore!"
Unable to bear the young mistress's antics, Yu San lifted the curtain and went out.
Still chuckling, Shen Shaoguang went to the cabinet and took out several pouches containing the silver ingots received from the Lin family the other day, along with a bag of copper coins. She planned to distribute them so everyone could buy little trinkets when they went out later.
Though A Yuan, Yu San and others had their own monthly allowances, Shen Shaoguang, being well-off, let them keep their wages and covered daily expenses herself.
Seeing Shen Shaoguang come out, A Chang lit the fire. Crackle, pop—the bamboo burst with crisp explosions.
Yu San used a pole to hang Shen Shaoguang's roughly stitched banner in the courtyard. The four of them admired the nearly burnt black bamboo and the banner trembling in the cold north wind, then went contentedly to the front shop to eat.
Before the meal, Shen Shaoguang handed out New Year's money, chanting auspicious phrases like "Suppress evil, grow older—auspicious New Year" and "Welcome fortune in spring—everything as you wish."
The custom of giving New Year's money didn't exist yet. A Yuan blinked her made-up eyes and gasped when she saw the small silver ingot—it was so pretty! Like a peony flower.
A Chang echoed, "So pretty."
Yu San glanced at the inch-long silver fish and seemed wistful, as if remembering something.
After yesterday's feast of rich meats and wine, the morning meal was light and simple.
Thick millet porridge, boiled eggs, and small sesame cakes—no bigger than a palm, coiled in layers with sesame paste and spiced salt before being pan-fried until crispy and fragrant, somewhat like old Beijing's spiral pastries. The side dishes were pickled soybean jelly with pork skin and radish pickles drizzled with sesame oil.
On the morning of New Year's Day, eating porridge and pickles, Shen Shaoguang felt deeply content.
Then she thought of Lord Lin, who was so keen on happiness surveys. If he were to ask now, she would sincerely tell him—it's good, really good.
Of course, he wouldn't be conducting happiness surveys today. Right now, he'd be at the grand court assembly, the annual major ordeal where elderly ministers had been known to faint from exhaustion.
Shen Shaoguang, however, had all the leisure in the world. The first day of the year was for family visits—outsiders wouldn't disturb. As for neighbors, she'd wait until the third or fourth day to drop by. The Luminous Nunnery was holding a Dharma assembly today, and Yuanjue would be busy, so she'd visit tomorrow instead.
Thinking of the assembly, Shen Shaoguang considered taking A Yuan and the others to Qinglong Temple for fun. Their New Year's Dharma gathering was bound to be lively—how would it compare to the later-era frenzy of scrambling for the first incense offering?
After offering incense, replacing tributes, and burning paper offerings for her parents and elder brother in this life, Shen Shaoguang took A Yuan and the others out.Chongxian Ward lay to the west, while Qinglong Temple was to the east, but they were on the same level, and the straight-line distance wasn't too far. Walking and sightseeing along the way, they soon arrived.
Qinglong Temple was, after all, a famous large monastery, and it was indeed bustling. However, compared to the massive crowds of later generations, it still fell short. To Shen Shaoguang's delight, even on the first day of the new year, there were vendors selling snacks on the street in front of the temple. This was likely the embryonic form of the temple fairs of later generations.
Shen Shaoguang bought a basket of candied fruits—sugar-preserved plums, dried apricots, honeyed dates, and candied winter melon strips—some sugar-coated, others honeyed, in all sorts of varieties and vibrant colors. Just looking at them made her mouth water—proof that the saying "looking at plums to quench thirst" wasn't entirely made up.
A Yuan hugged the basket of candied fruits, munching as she walked, while Shen Shaoguang occasionally plucked one to pop into her mouth. Yu San didn't partake, and A Chang was too shy to compete with the young ladies for snacks, so he had to endure. Then, a hand appeared in front of him—filled with dried apricots and candied winter melon strips.
A Chang looked up and grinned at Shen Shaoguang.
Yu San shot a glance at these three, who were always eating no matter where they went, and said nothing.
"Young Lady Shen!"
Shen Shaoguang turned to see Pang Erniang's maid, the one who used to look down her nose at everyone.
"My young lady is over there!"
Following her gaze, Shen Shaoguang spotted a young lady wearing a veil, surrounded by maids and servants, standing not far from the temple gate.
Pang Erniang waved at Shen Shaoguang.
Shen Shaoguang led A Yuan and the others over. The two exchanged greetings, and Pang Erniang asked with a smile, "Are you here to draw a fortune slip too?"
Shen Shaoguang raised an eyebrow and teased, "What do you mean by that?"
"Only on New Year's Day does Master Liaochen interpret fortune slips. If you miss it, you'll have to wait until next year."
Shen Shaoguang smiled and asked, "Have you already had your slip interpreted, or are you still waiting?"
"I've already had it done," Pang Erniang replied cheerfully.
"I suppose it was a good one," Shen Shaoguang joked.
Pang Erniang nodded happily. "Mhm."
How lovely... Seeing the young girl's blissful expression, Shen Shaoguang almost felt happy herself.
Pang Erniang couldn't keep quiet for long and leaned closer to Shen Shaoguang, whispering, "Did you hear? Qin Wuniang is engaged."
Shen Shaoguang was surprised—to Lord Lin or someone else? Judging by Pang Erniang's delighted expression, it was likely the latter. That explained why Pang Erniang had come out to draw a fortune slip on New Year's Day. Drawing a good slip and hearing a few auspicious words from the old monk had made the young lady even happier.
Shen Shaoguang's guess was pretty much spot-on.
Before Shen Shaoguang could respond, Pang Erniang added in a hushed tone, "To the eldest grandson of Duke Xinyang, last year's Tanhualang. I heard he's just been appointed to the prestigious position of Editorial Director."
Duke Xinyang was from the Longxi Yang clan, a centuries-old aristocratic family with a noble title. This young man, the eldest grandson of the main line, hadn't relied on hereditary privilege for his official post but had earned it through the imperial examinations. Indeed, a fine match.
Seeing Shen Shaoguang nod, Pang Erniang pursed her lips and smiled. "I'm truly happy for Wuniang."
This little girl's words didn't match her heart... Shen Shaoguang chuckled.
Pang Erniang couldn't linger outside for long. After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Shen Shaoguang and agreeing to meet again in a few days when she visited Luminous Nunnery for a short stay, she boarded her carriage and left.
Having filled her ears with gossip about unrelated people and watched Pang Erniang depart, Shen Shaoguang led A Yuan and the others into the temple. They wandered around, listened to a scripture recitation, admired the pagoda and the Poetry Wall, and, unable to resist the common practice, went to the side hall to draw fortune slips.Drawing the lot was simple, but as Pang Erniang had said, interpreting it was the hard part. Glancing at the long queue for interpretations—comparable to the modern-day Spring Festival travel rush—Shen Shaoguang handed the lot back to the monk.
"Will the benefactor not seek an interpretation?"
"Whether it's fate or not, knowing sooner or later makes little difference," Shen Shaoguang replied with a smile.
The monk in charge of the lots pressed his palms together. "Well said, benefactor. Your words align well with Zen wisdom."
Shen Shaoguang grinned, returning the gesture before leaving with A Yuan and the others.
Outside the temple, they stopped at a stall for some wontons, then wandered around Leyou Plain before heading back in the mid-afternoon. By the time they returned to Chongxian Ward, the evening drum was about to sound.
At the ward gate, a carriage slowed down. Lin Yan lifted the curtain and caught sight of the travel-worn Young Lady Shen and her attendants.
Shen Shaoguang looked up and met Lin Yan's gaze from within the carriage.
One was sore and weary, her makeup slightly faded; the other was exhausted from a long day's work, his face lined with fatigue. Meeting at the ward gate in the twilight, Shen Shaoguang smiled first—perhaps too tired to maintain her usual sharpness—while Lin Yan's eyes crinkled at the corners, his expression warmer than usual.
Author's Note: The depiction of New Year's Day in Tang Dynasty temples is purely fictional.
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