On the other side, after bidding farewell to Daoist Jingyun, Shen Yunshu noticed her mother’s furrowed brows.
She wrapped her small arms around her mother and shook them affectionately.
“Don’t worry, Mother! Daoist Jingyun is still very young—he’s not yet thirty, how could he fully grasp the workings of Heaven? There are bound to be things that cannot be calculated. Perhaps, as he said himself, he just hasn’t mastered his craft yet!
And even if he couldn’t divine it, it’s not a bad thing! If my fate is truly different from others, and even the Daoist can’t calculate it, isn’t that just like the stories in novels, with immortal reincarnations descending to the mortal world? Mother, what is there to worry about?”
Shen Yunshu blinked at her mother, a playful smile on her face.
Ji Shuyao could only roll her eyes at her daughter’s cheeky words, half annoyed, half amused.
“Yes, if everything follows one’s own wishes, it isn’t worse than a life of wealth and nobility. How many people in this world truly live according to their heart’s desire? If Daoist Jingyun says Shu’er’s fate is fine, then it must be fine! If it cannot be calculated, then it must be good! Our Shu’er’s life is surely the best!”
The Old Madam pressed her hands together and bowed toward the sky.
She had always believed in gods and Buddhas and trusted Jingyun’s words completely.
The day after returning from Qinghua Temple, Shen Yunshu asked her mother for permission to go out for a little walk.
The customs of the Yang Dynasty were open; once children reached a certain age, parents no longer strictly confined them. There was no strict rule against showing one’s face in public. Only girls betrothed after reaching maturity might wear a veil when going out.
Ji Shuyao looked at the little girl clinging to her arm and gently pinched her small nose.
“Why do you want to go out and play? Didn’t we just return from Qinghua Temple yesterday? Where do you want to go today? Is your little heart already itching for adventure?”
Shen Yunshu touched her pinched nose. “Not at all. In a few days, the palace will hold the Qionghua Banquet. Le’an and I are close, and besides the official gifts from our family, I want to give her something privately. Coincidentally, Peihan from the Wen family invited me today to go to Lanxi Lane. We’ll see if there’s anything else we can pick out.”
Ji Shuyao nodded. “That’s right. Some time ago, we received a decree from the palace. Princess Le’an is about your age. Last year she went to the Fengguo Hall to offer incense and pray. Now it’s time for the banquet. You don’t need to worry about the official gifts; I’ve already prepared them. As for your personal gift to the princess, that’s entirely your own choice.”
In the Yang Dynasty, children over a certain age would be taken by elders to a Daoist temple or Buddhist monastery as a symbolic act of gratitude for safe growth. Families with stronger religious beliefs might also have fortune-telling performed or protective charms made for the child.
Royal children, upon growing safely, would also visit royal temples to offer incense, sometimes staying for a period of time. Later, in early spring or around the autumn equinox, spring or autumn banquets would be held at the Qionghua Terrace in the palace. Children from families of fifth-rank officials or higher would receive invitations.
Royal banquets were essentially notices; refusing without a valid reason was nearly impossible. Only legitimate royal sons and daughters enjoyed banquets inside the palace. Illegitimate children would not have palace staff to assist, nor could they host external guests in the palace.
Low-profile families might rent a boat to tour a lake or hold a small poetry gathering. Higher-profile families could invite noble guests to a more elaborate event.
The Qionghua Banquet involved flower-viewing, drinking, and floating wine cups along water channels. Young nobles would show off their talents. A good performance could attract the attention of the royal family, helping with future careers or marriage prospects.
Shen Yunshu was likely the youngest in this group. Given the prominence of the Shen family, she had no worries about marriage. Ji Shuyao only reminded her to take care when going out and to bring enough guards.
Shen Yunshu listened to her mother’s repeated instructions before finally leaving with Linglong, Linlang, and two bodyguards—fully protected.
A carriage waited at the entrance of Lanxi Lane. When the driver saw the Shen family’s carriage arriving, he spoke briefly inside. The curtain was drawn back, revealing a bright, lively girl—Shen Yunshu’s childhood companion, Wen Peihan, daughter of the Wen Duke.
Peihan, bored while waiting, saw Yunshu arrive. Her eyes lit up with delight as she hurried to get down from the carriage. Her maid, Yangliu, helped lift the curtain with one hand while supporting her arm with the other to prevent her from stumbling.
“Yunshu, you’ve finally come! I’ve been waiting so long!”
Peihan’s face feigned annoyance, though her heart was full of joy.
“Sorry! I went to Qinghua Temple for offerings yesterday. By the time I returned, it was dark, and I forgot to tell Mother that we had arranged to go out together. I only got permission to come this morning. Were you really anxious, Peihan? Shall we go to Boba Zhai for a meal so I can make it up to you?”
Shen Yunshu stepped down from the stool, holding Linlang’s hand. She glanced at the figure in lotus-colored robes approaching, pursed her lips in a smile, and coaxed her.
“Then I’ll be using the Eight-Treasure Sweet Yogurt. Don’t be stingy with it.”
Though Peihan pretended to be angry, her hand reached instinctively toward Shen Yunshu.
Eight-Treasure Sweet Yogurt was Boba Zhai’s specialty. It wasn’t cheap, but for the daughter of the Shen family—a county mistress with two food fiefs granted by the Emperor—it was not a big deal. It was just playful teasing between the girls.
“Alright, alright! Not just Eight-Treasure Sweet Yogurt, but also your favorite Milk Lotus Cake and Crab Roe Pastries. Eat as much as you like—but don’t eat so much that your skirt won’t fit! If that happens, come cry to me later.”
Shen Yunshu linked arms with Wen Peihan as they walked toward Lanxi Lane, teasing her friend about her little embarrassing histories.