The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 80: Shangsi Festival

Xiangping Prefecture was located in the south, near the Bohai Bay, and thus spring arrived much earlier than in Zhang County. By early March, flowers were already blooming everywhere in the city, and lush green grass stretched as far as the eye could see.

In the residence of the Qiu family, roses, wisteria, and various kinds of roses in the flowerbeds were all in full bloom. Every morning and evening, the air was filled with the rich fragrance of flowers.

There were no roosters crowing in the city, but the night watchmen beat drums. Qiu Huanian faintly heard the fifth-watch drums not long ago, and soon there was movement in the courtyard.

He lazily yawned, lying on the heated brick bed, and asked through the window, “Is Ling Ge’er up?”

Outside, Granny Jin replied, “Young Lord, Ling Ge’er is tidying up. He’s going to check the workshop and the shop. He told you to continue sleeping.”

After being appointed as manager by Qiu Huanian, Meng Yuanling seemed as if he had been injected with energy and spent most of his days outside tending to business.

Qiu Huanian couldn’t hold on, and rubbing his face against the pillow with half-closed eyes, he mumbled, “Tell him to eat well before heading out and to stay safe.”

After giving the instruction, he promptly sank back into a sweet slumber.

When he opened his eyes again, daylight was already bright, and the courtyard was silent.

Qiu Huanian got up, threw on a robe, and stepped outside, where Granny Jin brought him water to wash up.

The morning sunlight was fresh and warm, casting golden glimmers on the dewy flower petals.

“Later, cut a few branches of flowers and place them in a vase. Send them to the study,” he said.

Granny Jin agreed. After Qiu Huanian washed and had a simple breakfast, he rode a carriage to the Zhu Family Bookstore he had visited before.

In the rear courtyard’s Kuzhou Pavilion, Su Xinbai was already waiting for him.

Qiu Huanian ascended to the second floor. Through the open windows, he could see the garden and small lake below. The spring scenery was far more beautiful than in winter, with gentle breezes carrying the scent of flowers, refreshing and delightful.

Today, Qiu Huanian came to submit his manuscript for the mathematics book and review other manuscripts.

The call for manuscripts by Qimin Bookstore had been out for nearly half a month. Encouraged by generous remuneration and the ideal of “serving the needs of all under heaven,” Su Xinbai had already received a batch of manuscripts.

Many of these were not newly written but had been completed earlier and never submitted elsewhere; Qimin Bookstore’s emergence offered them a new chance.

After eliminating those that were merely old wine in new bottles, Su Xinbai preliminarily selected three manuscripts.

Two were travelogues, and one was a business experience guide.

Though their writing styles and content varied greatly, each had its merits.

Su Xinbai had delicate refreshments served: pink peach blossom cakes, snowflake-thin cloud cakes, mung bean cakes with added tangerine peel, and bright green qingtuan rice balls.

Each pastry was exquisitely crafted, arranged on high-foot porcelain plates, looking very tempting.

He invited Qiu Huanian to sit by the window to enjoy the scenery while tasting tea and snacks, leisurely reviewing the manuscripts.

After resolving his emotional entanglements, Su Xinbai had become increasingly adept at enjoying life.

Dian Mo smiled and said these pastries, along with the chef who made them, were all specially sought out by Zhu Jingcheng for Su Xinbai.

Su Xinbai scolded him lightly for speaking too much.

Qiu Huanian scrunched his eyes playfully, and Su Xinbai turned his head away, pretending not to see.

Good food and beautiful scenery could not be wasted. Qiu Huanian treated today as a day of relaxation, flipping through the manuscripts amidst the fragrance of flowers, occasionally discussing with Su Xinbai and jotting down notes on nearby paper.

By noon, Su Xinbai’s attendant had fetched several dishes from an eatery outside.

Four dishes and a soup, including soft-shelled turtle, fresh shrimp, and chicken and pork—all lightly flavored. Since Su Xinbai ate sparingly, there was no fear of waste; the attendants like Dian Mo would later finish the leftovers.

It wasn’t until the sun began to set that Qiu Huanian carefully finished reviewing the three manuscripts.

“Two travelogues: one emphasizes geographical landscapes, the other focuses on local customs and traditions. Both are excellent. Especially the one detailing the geography of the northwest; it’s quite different from Liaozhou, very broadening.”

“As for the business experience manuscript, although it’s innovative, it’s rather rudimentary. The writer seems knowledgeable about business but should supplement it in more detail.”

Su Xinbai nodded, “That was the one I was most unsure about. Since you say so, I’ll send it back for revision.”

“Your mathematics book and the two travelogues—I’ll have someone start drawing illustrations and carving the printing blocks. In a few days, they should be ready for printing.”

Although movable type printing already existed, adding illustrations and achieving refined typesetting still required carving new plates.

After chatting briefly, Su Xinbai and Qiu Huanian talked about the upcoming Shangsi Festival.

“On the third of March, the Shangsi Festival, everyone in Xiangping Prefecture—whether noblewomen or common folk—goes to the Ai River for spring outings and purification rites. Did you receive any invitations?”

“I did. Quite a few, inviting me to join the outings. But since I’m not very familiar with them, I declined.”

Now that Qiu Huanian was a Young Lord, he often received invitations to social gatherings. Sometimes he attended, sometimes he didn’t—depending entirely on his mood.

Su Xinbai nodded, “Xian’er wants to invite Jiujiu and Xinyao to go out and have fun that day.”

“Let them go. With plenty of attendants following, there’s no need to worry.”

Su Xinbai stared at Qiu Huanian for a while.

Qiu Huanian laughed, “Just say it outright. If you just keep staring, how can I guess what you mean?”

In truth, Qiu Huanian had already more or less guessed.

The third of March, Shangsi Festival, was not only a day for praying for blessings, exorcising evil, and purification rites, but could also be considered the ancient equivalent of Valentine’s Day.

Young people who were fond of each other would meet for outings, and married couples would pray for children.

Su Xinbai probably wanted to invite Zhu Jingcheng to go out together but was too shy to ask.

Su Xinbai continued to gaze steadily at Qiu Huanian, lightly biting his lower lip.

Qiu Huanian chuckled and surrendered, “Alright, alright, I understand. I’ll go back and write an invitation, inviting you and your husband on behalf of me and Yunse to go out together for Shangsi Festival. Is that good enough?”

Su Xinbai arrogantly tilted his chin up, finally satisfied.

He instructed the servants to prepare more of the pastries that Qiu Huanian loved, to be sent back with him.

“Is this a bribe?”

A trace of embarrassment flashed across Su Xinbai’s usually cool face.

“This is to shut you up.”

…

In the blink of an eye, it was the third of March. The Shangsi Festival was a major celebration in Yuchao. Qingfeng Academy was closed, and Yun Cheng and Du Yunse had returned home.

Early in the morning, Jiujiu had gone out to play with Zhu Xian and the others. The young couple Yun Cheng had also already picked a place for activities. Chunsheng wanted to play at the countryside estate, and Qiu Huanian instructed Jin San to accompany him carefully.

Everyone at home had their own plans, and Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse also dressed in fresh and light new clothes.

When making clothes, Qiu Huanian liked to choose the same fabric for himself and Du Yunse, tailoring different styles. Walking together, anyone could tell they were wearing matching outfits.

Du Yunse had no objection to this preference and accepted it gladly.

Not to mention just a few garments, even if Qiu Huanian wanted to carve his name onto him, he would not hesitate.

The two wore matching fabric clothes and walked through the bustling streets filled with festive atmosphere, heading toward the Ai River.

For a spring outing, riding in a carriage would have felt less appropriate.

The most important tradition of the Shangsi Festival was the water purification ceremony, where people cleansed themselves by water to drive away illness and misfortune.

Du Fu once wrote, “On the third of March, the weather is fresh; by the waterside in Chang’an, beauties are many.”

Although Xiangping Prefecture was no match for the capital, as a state capital, it was prosperous enough.

The closer they got to the Ai River, the more crowded the streets became. By the time they reached Yuan Zheng Street, it was packed with people, and thin veils fluttered like clouds.

The air was filled with the scent of calamus and orchids. Everywhere among the crowds, noblewomen protected by attendants, veiled by gauze or wearing wide-brimmed hats, could be seen, their silver-bell laughter sparking endless imaginings.

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse held hands to avoid being separated by the crowd.

Yuan Zheng Street was built along the Ai River. Vendors lined both sides of the road, selling Shangsi Festival offerings—incense, colorful eggs, and orchid bundles.

Qiu Huanian picked a stall with relatively fewer people and bought two bundles of freshly tied orchids.

The vendor, seeing Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse openly holding hands and knowing they were certainly a married couple, smiled and promoted his goods.

“Gentlemen, would you also like to buy some painted eggs? These eggs were freshly laid in the past two days, painted with images of the goddess Gaomei. They’ll surely float when placed in water!”

Gaomei was the goddess in charge of fertility. On Shangsi Festival, married people prayed at her temple, painting auspicious designs on boiled eggs. If the eggs floated, it signified success in praying for offspring.

Qiu Huanian’s hand paused slightly.

“Hua Ge’er, let’s go to the river for purification,” Du Yunse called him.

Qiu Huanian hesitated briefly, then bought two colorful eggs with matching patterns.

He pretended to act nonchalantly and smiled at Du Yunse, “Let’s go to the riverside.”

Although they had arranged to meet Zhu Jingcheng and Su Xinbai, they weren’t in a hurry. On such a good festival day, nobody wanted to be a third wheel, nor meet one.

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse walked to the riverbank, descending the opened embankment to the waterside, where many people were already playing.

Some daring young ladies and gentlemen playfully sprinkled water with orchid bundles on handsome young men.

Du Yunse raised his sleeve to block stray water splashes.

Qiu Huanian narrowed his eyes slightly, dipped the orchid in clean river water, and at just the right moment, shook it gently, splashing Du Yunse’s upper body.

There were cheers from the crowd, some even shouting for an encore.

Qiu Huanian bent over, laughing so hard his stomach hurt. Du Yunse, with helplessness flashing in his eyes, shielded Qiu Huanian and found a slightly less crowded spot.

He used his own orchid bundle, dipped a little water, and gently brushed Qiu Huanian’s face, leaving crystal water droplets on the red mole between his brows.

“May all sickness be cleansed away, and no poison touch you.”

Qiu Huanian squinted his eyes, then opened them again, the water droplets sliding down his beautiful face like dewdrops on a budding pear blossom.

There were vendors selling cut peony branches by the riverside. According to Shangsi Festival customs, a man would gift a peony to his beloved if he had feelings for them.

Du Yunse bought a blooming pink-white peony and tucked it behind Qiu Huanian’s ear.

“Like clouds on the robe, beauty reflected in spring’s splendor.”

A line of poetry from a thousand years ago flashed through Du Yunse’s mind, and he captured the breathtaking sight into his heart.

The surrounding noise became annoying. Du Yunse glanced at the many veiled women around and thought Hua Ge’er should wear one too.

But since Hua Ge’er didn’t like it, he let the thought pass.

Qiu Huanian was unaware of Du Yunse’s possessive thoughts. After playing by the water for a while, he grew tired and said to Du Yunse, “Let’s go find Xinbai and them, and then head to Gaomei Temple.”

Following the address on the invitation, they arrived at a teahouse on Yuan Zheng Street, where Zhu Jingcheng had booked a private room at great expense.

But Zhu Jingcheng and Su Xinbai had not yet arrived. Qiu Huanian laughed, “I wonder where they’ve gone off to—hopefully they haven’t completely forgotten about us.”

Du Yunse ordered refreshments. The two of them sat in the private room, enjoying the bustling beauty along the Ai River through the open windows.

After waiting for about half an hour, Su Xinbai and Zhu Jingcheng finally arrived.

They each carried bundles of orchids, their clothes slightly damp, suggesting they had already played by the water.

Su Xinbai carried a pure white peony in his hand and tried to hide it behind his back when he entered.

Qiu Huanian pretended not to notice.

“You’re late! You owe three cups each!”

Su Xinbai looked embarrassed. Zhu Jingcheng spoke up for him, “It’s entirely our fault. Please forgive us. I’ll host dinner tonight as an apology.”

“Of course we won’t blame you,” Qiu Huanian said, slightly emphasizing “you,” causing Su Xinbai to glance up before quickly looking away.

The four sat for a while longer before heading toward the nearby Gaomei Temple built by the river.

Among them, though two couples were present, one had wasted years due to misunderstandings, and the other, because of physical reasons and incomplete rites, had never crossed the marital threshold.

Not one was truly fit to pray for children.

If Gaomei, the goddess, really appeared, she might be rendered speechless.

—Without consummating the marriage, how could blessings be granted? Was divine conception even possible?

Though all four understood this in their hearts, none raised an objection. Each carrying their own hidden thoughts, they walked toward Gaomei Temple, as if it were just a custom that must be fulfilled.

Only the person themselves knows what they are truly thinking.

Qiu Huanian had long noticed that the world he was currently in bore many similarities to the one he used to live in, as if they were parallel universes.

For example, the Goddess of Marriage and Childbirth, Gaomei, existed in the modern world too. But in the modern world, Gaomei was originally portrayed as a goddess representing adult women and later gradually evolved into a male deity, whereas in the Yu Dynasty, Gaomei remained a goddess.

The Gaomei Temple by the Love River was constantly bustling with worshippers, its buildings neatly arranged. On the day of the Shangsi Festival, there were so many visitors that they were beyond counting.

Even the noble and distinguished had to obediently line up.

The four of them queued for a long time before entering the temple and were guided to the main courtyard. There, water from the Love River had been diverted to form a shallow, winding, meandering stream, full of the elegant charm of floating wine cups along the water.

However, on the day of the Shangsi Festival, it was not wine cups that floated on the water, but colorful painted eggs.

To ensure the worshippers did not leave disappointed, several young Taoist acolytes stood by the stream with long-handled nets, making sure that all the eggs floated smoothly to the appropriate persons without sinking or getting stuck.

“Gaomei is compassionate. As long as one has accumulated virtue and sincerely prays for marriage or offspring, she will not let their wishes go unfulfilled.”

Qiu Huanian originally did not believe much in deities, but since he had already experienced something as unbelievable as transmigrating worlds, he could not help but believe, at least partially.

He took out two painted eggs from his sleeve and said to Du Yunse, “Yunse, go wait downstream.”

Among couples who came to the temple to pray for children, it was customary for one person to release the eggs upstream and the other to wait downstream to catch them and share them afterward.

Du Yunse stood still, seeming like he had something to say but hesitated.

Qiu Huanian smiled gently. “We can discuss matters of the body later. On such a good day, let’s make our prayers first.”

“I just think that, living a lifetime in this world, if fate allows it, having a child that shares your and my bloodline would be wonderful.”

“Alright.”

Du Yunse nodded solemnly, lifting his robes as he moved downstream and crouched by the water.

Qiu Huanian walked upstream, took a deep breath, and gently placed the two painted eggs into the water.

Buoyed by the current, the eggs bobbed up and down, sticking close together, and without being blocked by any bends, floated smoothly downstream.

The young Taoist acolytes by the stream sang in unison, “May your marriage be blissful, and noble offspring arrive.”

Du Yunse carefully scooped up the eggs and only then let out a breath of relief. Though he knew better than to blindly trust in deities, at this moment, his heart felt much calmer.

With Gaomei’s blessing for a happy marriage, Hua Ge’er’s health would surely improve more and more.

Qiu Huanian came over to find Du Yunse, and the two, like the other couples seeking children, shared the eggs between them.

Standing a little farther away, Su Xinbai watched the scene at the stream silently. Zhu Jingcheng, too, stayed a few steps behind Su Xinbai without approaching.

Su Xinbai let his arms hang naturally, hiding within his sleeves the peony flower that the young flower-seller had persuaded Zhu Jingcheng to buy.

Seeing Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse’s eggs float safely downstream, Zhu Jingcheng found a topic to break the silence. “We can go congratulate them later.”

Su Xinbai answered with a hum. “Aren’t you going to buy a painted egg?”

“What?” The temple was noisy, and Zhu Jingcheng did not quite catch it.

Su Xinbai lightly raised his beautiful chin. “By the temple gate over there, someone’s selling painted eggs.”

Zhu Jingcheng looked at him—the once commanding heir of the Zhu family in the business world now appeared dazed, as if he still hadn’t understood.

Su Xinbai frowned slightly, took a shallow breath, and threw the peony flower at Zhu Jingcheng, then turned his head away. “Forget it if you don’t want to buy one.”

Zhu Jingcheng hurriedly caught the flower and realized it was the same one he had bought earlier by the river. He had thought Su Xinbai had thrown it away already, but to his surprise, he had kept it.

Suddenly, as if struck by a revelation, Zhu Jingcheng clutched the peony tightly, lifted his long robes, and pushed his way through the crowd towards the temple gate without a second thought.

Su Xinbai watched his departing figure and exhaled, the tips of his ears hidden by his dark hair turning a translucent pink under the sunlight.

…

After Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse finished the entire stream prayer process, they turned back to find their companions but did not see them for the moment.

Qiu Huanian looked around and finally spotted the two by the stream, seemingly about to release their own painted eggs.

Qiu Huanian smiled to himself, thinking that the gift he had prepared for Su Xinbai could be kept ready.

“Let’s not bother with them anymore. Let’s go light incense for Gaomei.”

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse went before the shrine, offered donations, lit incense, and amidst the curling smoke, each made a wish and bowed together.

They did not disturb Su Xinbai and Zhu Jingcheng. Instead, they found the young attendants who had accompanied them and expressed their intention to leave first. The wine banquet that Zhu Jingcheng had promised as an apology for tonight could be postponed for now.

By the time Su Xinbai and Zhu Jingcheng came out, Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse had long disappeared.

Su Xinbai pursed his lips. Zhu Jingcheng looked at him with concern and asked what was wrong.

“…Huanian is going to laugh at me again.”

“We are legitimate husband and husband. So what if he laughs?” Zhu Jingcheng smiled and cautiously asked, “Then, my lord, shall we also head back?”

Su Xinbai gave a slight nod. Zhu Jingcheng quickly ordered a servant to fetch the carriage, and the two returned all the way to the small courtyard in Zhu Mansion. Dinner was served, but both found it tasteless.

Finally, when night fell, Su Xinbai went alone to the inner room to wash, while Shi Juan and others, as usual, prepared the study for Zhu Jingcheng.

“Young Master, the water is ready. It’s just right for you to wash now.”

Su Xinbai’s hand, which was scooping water, paused slightly. Clear water trickled down through his fingers, and the maidservant attending to him watched nervously, unsure whether to offer a towel.

Zhu Jingcheng, glancing sidelong at Su Xinbai behind the gauze curtain, coughed lightly. “No need. All of you may leave.”

No one moved, as if they had not heard clearly.

Su Xinbai took the towel and wiped his slender fingers clean.

“All of you, leave.”

After this command, the servants finally reacted, hurriedly retreating from the room.

Dianmo could no longer hide his smile. As the last one to leave, he carefully closed the door and waved the courtyard servants far away, making sure no one would disturb the masters.

On Shangsi Festival, Gaomei’s blessings were indeed efficacious!

As the door closed, the main room became a completely private space.

The incense burner emitted a warm fragrance, the brocade quilts and bedding were inviting, and the dim candlelight flickered, illuminating the beauty’s face.

Zhu Jingcheng could not restrain himself and approached Su Xinbai. Su Xinbai was nervous but did not avoid him.

“My lord, shall we… rest?”

Su Xinbai’s eyelashes fluttered rapidly, casting distinct shadows under the candlelight. “Wait.”

He turned to the intricately carved sandalwood cabinet, rummaged around, and took out a small, delicate wine flask.

“This is?”

Su Xinbai pressed his lips together, his face cold but his neck flushed red.

He opened his lips lightly, “Wine.”

Zhu Jingcheng already understood what the wine was for.

“Who taught you…?” Zhu Jingcheng chuckled softly. “When did you buy this? There’s no need for it.”

He took the wine flask from Su Xinbai’s hands, and after a moment’s hesitation, Su Xinbai let go.

Zhu Jingcheng glanced at it and sighed with a smile. “It’s fine spring wine, meant to aid the mood and harmless to the body.”

Su Xinbai suddenly looked displeased. “Young Master Zhu seems quite knowledgeable in these matters?”

“Business dealings inevitably bring one into contact with all kinds of people. My family, fearing I’d be led astray, made sure to teach me early. My lord, do not wrong me—I have remained chaste for you until now, without a second thought.”

Su Xinbai was stunned. “When… when did you…?”

“Eight years ago, at the Lantern Festival poetry gathering in the capital, I first saw you.”

Su Xinbai was shocked and still wanted to ask more, but now was clearly not the time. Zhu Jingcheng tilted the wine flask and drank half a mouthful, then, keeping that posture, pulled Su Xinbai into his arms and kissed his lips.

“Mm…”

Su Xinbai helplessly tilted his head back, clutching Zhu Jingcheng’s chest. The sweet wine trickled from the corner of his mouth, soaking into his tightly wrapped robes.

Breathless, the two separated, and Zhu Jingcheng’s gaze was ravenous.

“Xinbai, it was my failure that made you think you needed this wine.” He lifted his barely-standing beloved into his arms and carried him to the bed. “I will show you just how deeply I adore you.”

Dizzy and disoriented, Su Xinbai vaguely heard Zhu Jingcheng’s hoarse murmur by his ear, “…how much I desire you.”

Was the wine really that effective? Su Xinbai thought dizzily as he curled his knees, being pressed under Zhu Jingcheng’s body and forced into submission.

His porcelain-like skin broke out in a fine sheen of sweat, and soft moans escaped from between his lips and teeth. The candlelight cast shifting, ambiguous shadows on the wall.

The lotus canopy was warm, and spring nights were tender.

The night was still very long—long enough for lovers to pour out their hearts in passion.