Chapter 30: A Little Scare Keeps One Healthy

Xu Chengyue followed Zheng Sanniang to their family's curtained pavilion. Although the place seemed far away, there was actually a small path behind it that provided a direct, very short route. It was just that the path was somewhat secluded and difficult to find for those unfamiliar with the area.

Zheng Sanniang excitedly lifted the curtain of the pavilion and said happily, "Mother, look who I have brought!"

Those seated inside turned their heads in unison at the sound of her voice. Following behind Zheng Sanniang were two young ladies; one was the second daughter of the Liu family, and the other was somewhat unfamiliar.

Recognizing people was an essential skill for the children of noble families. It would be quite embarrassing if one were to encounter someone at a social gathering and not know how to address them. Fortunately, the Duchess came to the rescue, asking Zheng Sanniang, "And who is this young lady?"

"Mother, she is the Miss Xu I told you about!"

Following her introduction, Xu Chengyue performed a bow and said, "Greetings, Duchess Zheng."

"You are too courteous, child," the Duchess replied, warmly inviting her to sit.

The Duchess naturally knew of Xu Chengyue. Ever since the incident involving Zheng Sanniang, she had heard the girl’s name countless times. Zheng Sanniang had been singing her praises incessantly, as if she were a treasure found nowhere else on earth. Having heard so many compliments, the Duchess was quite curious and took the opportunity to observe her quietly.

Xu Chengyue’s attire was plain, perhaps even simple, quite different from the flashy, vibrant styles currently favored by young ladies. What was rare, however, was her demeanor; she showed no signs of unease upon arriving, appearing composed and generous. The Duchess looked at her with appreciation.

Liu Erniang, who was acquainted with everyone present, went through the motions of greeting them. She had assumed they would also know Xu Chengyue, so she was a bit surprised by the situation. It seemed that apart from Zheng Sanniang, no one in the Zheng family recognized this Miss Xu. This made it even harder to gauge her background. Zheng Sanniang had always been unruly; could she have met this person in some remote backwater?

Xu Chengyue exchanged greetings with several other young women who appeared to be Zheng Sanniang’s cousins and sisters-in-law, then sat beside Zheng Sanniang at her urging. She observed them secretly; some of their attire she had seen in illustrations from future generations, while other elements were entirely new to her.

Zheng Sanniang favored bright colors, wearing a green upper garment paired with a red pomegranate skirt, her hair adorned with silk flowers, velvet flowers, white jade hairpins, and gemstone pins. The ensemble was intricate yet not cluttered, swaying with every step she took—full of life and the most charming among the ladies present.

The Duchess was dressed more sedately in a dark purple gown with a treasure-flower pattern, looking quite dignified and elegant. Most others were dressed in vibrant reds and greens, clearly reflecting the fashion trends of the Tang Dynasty. The furnishings inside the tent were also quite refined, with carved rosewood tables and couches arranged in a circle, topped with fruit plates and refreshments. Maidservants stood to the side to serve.

Xu Chengyue mentally noted down everything, useful or not, and did not miss a word of their conversation. *Excellent,* she thought, *more material for my writing.*

Although Xu Chengyue was not good at socializing, she could feign it if necessary. However, she did not want to exhaust herself and preferred to act according to her own inclinations, so she spoke as little as possible, merely watching the others frolic. In the eyes of others, this was interpreted as self-restraint and dignity, causing them to hold her in higher regard.

The noblewomen were adept at social nuances; while they were curious about her background, they did not press for details, and even while chatting animatedly, they remembered to include her. The topics were nothing more than rouge, powder, and jewelry. But even that grew tiresome after a while.

Suddenly, someone suggested, "Why don't we play a game of 'Drum-Passing Flower'? The loser must either drink a cup of wine, sing, dance, recite a poem, or perform some other forfeit."

Immediately, others echoed, "Yes, yes, let’s do that!"

Everyone agreed to the proposal. Xu Chengyue didn't want to play because she had no such talents to display, but everyone seemed so happy that she didn't want to be a spoilsport.

They were well-prepared; after an order was given, several servants brought in a drum. The Duchess, casting aside formality, played along with them. Everyone waited seriously, and the game began.

A maidservant beat the drum with her back to the group, and the rhythm of the drumbeats echoed. Xu Chengyue looked up in surprise; she hadn't expected the maidservants of the Zheng Duke's household to be so talented, as the beats were rhythmic and melodic.

The item being passed was a red silk peony flower, which looked quite realistic. It started with the Duchess and was passed quickly from person to person, everyone fearing that the drum would stop while it was in their hands.

Xu Chengyue received the flower from the person before her and then passed it to Zheng Sanniang. Just at that moment, the drum stopped.

Zheng Sanniang was not shy and smiled generously, "Then I shall perform a dance for everyone."

This wasn't just a dry dance, either; there were maidservants and musicians nearby playing accompaniment! *A noble family's outing really is quite grand,* Xu Chengyue thought. *To bring so many people—the scale is truly impressive.*

The young, radiant girl danced gracefully in the center of the room, her skirt blooming like a flower. When the dance ended, the spectators applauded and cheered.

In the next few rounds, Xu Chengyue was lucky enough not to be chosen. The ladies who performed were all talented in singing, dancing, and poetry. The beautiful dancing, the pleasant singing, and the bold, romantic poetry were an absolute feast for the senses. Xu Chengyue was also infected by the lively atmosphere, watching with great interest, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

She joined the others in cheering, throwing the fresh flowers that the maids had brought to her onto the girl in the center. Petals scattered, some landing on the lady's dress and hair, others drifting to the floor, covering it in a carpet of flowers. It was truly spectacular!

Xu Chengyue once again received the peony silk flower. With a naive expression, she prepared to pass it to Zheng Sanniang when the drum stopped unexpectedly. Her hand froze in mid-air.

She looked around blankly, and seeing everyone staring at her, she realized it wasn't a hallucination. Zheng Sanniang was particularly excited, asking expectantly, "What will Miss Xu perform?"

Xu Chengyue was stunned. She didn't have any talent worth showing off. *Maybe I'll just drink the wine,* she thought. *Ancient wine isn't very strong anyway; I won't get drunk.*

"I am not as talented as you ladies, so I shall just drink a cup of wine as a forfeit," Xu Chengyue said, reaching for the wine cup on the table.

"Miss Xu, don't! Drinking is so boring. You can perform anything," Zheng Sanniang said, slightly disappointed, urging her on.

"Anything?" Xu Chengyue frowned in thought. In a flash of inspiration, she remembered her specialty: storytelling.

Zheng Sanniang nodded firmly.

"Then I shall tell everyone a story. Please forgive my lack of skill," Xu Chengyue said.

Miss Liu curled her lip upon hearing this. She couldn't even manage a poem or a dance; it seemed she wasn't from a noble background after all. It seemed she had thought too much of her before. Zheng Sanniang was truly indiscriminate—she would take a liking to anyone.

Hearing this, Zheng Sanniang moved her couch closer. She loved listening to stories, and she was sure the one Miss Xu told would be even more exciting.