Yingtai in Women's Clothing Ascends the Tower

It has suddenly become the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

The terms "Yuanxi" or "Yuanye" only began to appear after the Sui Dynasty. In the early Tang Dynasty, influenced by Taoism, it came to be called "Shangyuan Festival." The term "Yuanxiao" only appeared occasionally after the late Tang Dynasty, gradually becoming more widespread after the Song Dynasty.

However, the Eastern Jin Dynasty also had corresponding customs on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Some would offer sacrifices at the gate to pray for blessings, others would welcome the Purple Maiden to divine good or bad fortune, and still others would worship the Silkworm Goddess to pray for a bountiful harvest. Some would also hang lanterns, which added to the refined and elegant atmosphere.

The Zhu family was a prominent family in Shangyu County.

The Zhu Family Manor, located outside the county seat, is also a fortified settlement. Although it is much smaller than the Wang Family Manor in Shanyin and the Xie Family Manor in Shining, it still occupies a large area and has its own prosperous atmosphere.

That evening, Zhu Guang, the head of the Zhu family, specially ordered lanterns to be set up in front of the main courtyard, because he knew that his two daughters, Yinghua and Yingtai, both enjoyed watching lanterns.

The lights in the courtyard shone brightly, twinkling like stars, illuminating the entire courtyard.

There was a loquat tree, planted by Zhu Guang himself, with many small gauze lanterns hanging from it, some crimson, some pale yellow, and some light blue, scattered among the branches like stars.

There was another clump of orchids, planted by Mr. Wei himself. The orchid leaves were long and slender, and appeared even more verdant and lustrous when illuminated by the lamplight.

Several gauze lanterns were also hung in the corridor, their surfaces painted with flowers, birds, insects and fish. The candlelight flickered, and the birds and fish in the paintings seemed to be flying and swimming.

Zhu Guang and his wife, along with their two daughters, Yinghua and Yingtai, their son-in-law Xu Zhang, and other family members and servants, were gathered in the front courtyard to enjoy the lanterns.

Zhu Guangnian was nearing forty, had gained some weight, and wore a relaxed smile on his face.

Wei was two years younger than Zhu Guang. She was dignified and wore her hair in a high bun with a hairpin. She stood beside Zhu Guang and occasionally turned her head to speak to her daughter in a low voice.

Zhu Yinghua got married two years ago; her husband, Xu Zhang, is a member of the prominent Xu family in Shangyu.

Zhu Guang sent a letter to the Xu family, inviting his daughter and son-in-law to return home to visit their family on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to watch the lanterns. The Zhu and Xu families had always been on good terms, and since Xu Zhang was not the eldest son, the family's ancestral worship did not need to be presided over by the couple. The parents-in-law agreed.

Zhu Yinghua was dressed in a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a plain white silk shawl draped over her shoulders. Her face was gentle and her features resembled those of Zhu Yingtai, only more delicate.

Tonight, Zhu Yingtai is no longer dressed as a man, but has returned to her female attire.

She wore her hair in a high, fluffy bun, with swaying hairpins that trembled slightly with each step. A gold foil floral adornment graced her forehead, and she wore light makeup. She wore a short, narrow-sleeved blouse with a cross-collar and right-fastening front, paired with a long, flowing skirt in a contrasting color, tightly cinched at the waist—a classic example of the "simple on top, voluminous on the bottom" style. A light gauze shawl fluttered over her shoulders, her skirt swayed slightly, and her jade pendants jingled softly.

When she dressed as a man, she resembled a handsome and wealthy young man.

When she returned to women's clothing, she was not only beautiful, but also had a touch of heroic spirit in her brows and eyes.

Two maids followed behind her, one was Yinxin and the other was Yuxian.

Yin Xin also changed into women's clothing tonight, wearing a blue cloth robe. However, she was rather stout and her skin was somewhat dark. Even in women's clothing, she still looked a bit like a page.

Yu Xian was a personal maid, fair-skinned and pretty, who silently served her. If her clothes were more gorgeous, she would look like a lady from a noble family.

At this moment, Zhu Yingtai was standing under the loquat tree, looking up at the lanterns scattered among the branches, their light reflecting off her face.

As she gazed at the lanterns, she couldn't help but think of Liang Shanbo: "Tonight, as we look up at the sun, the courtyard is ablaze with lights and candles—how lively it is! But Brother Liang is at home in Shanyin; I fear he will not have the chance to enjoy such a magnificent display?"

Thinking of this, she sighed softly, thinking to herself, "If Brother Liang were here tonight, enjoying this view with my family, the lanterns in this courtyard would be even more dazzling!"

……

……

Zhu Yingtai lived in a pavilion in the Zhu family manor, which was called "Loutai".

The building has two stories, with green tiles and flying eaves.

The first floor is a small hall for receiving guests and the maids' quarters.

The second floor houses Zhu Yingtai's boudoir and study. The boudoir is furnished in an elegant style, while the study contains many books.

After Zhu Yingtai finished admiring the lanterns, she returned to the pavilion and climbed the steps to the second floor.

Yu Xian and Yin Xin followed behind, their steps quiet.

Zhu Yingtai stood by the second-floor railing, her hand gently resting on it.

The railings were damp with night dew and felt slightly cool to the touch.

She gazed up at the bright moon in the sky, then at the outlines of the houses in the village, but her mind had already drifted to distant places.

"The emperor's daughter descended to the northern shore, her eyes filled with sorrow."

A gentle autumn breeze blows, and leaves fall from the trees on the rippling waves of Dongting Lake.

I climb the white reeds and gaze afar, longing for our appointed time to meet at dusk.

Why do birds gather among the duckweed? Why are fishing nets placed on the trees?

The Yuan River has its angelica, the Li River its orchids; I think of my lord, but dare not speak.

She unconsciously murmured these lines from "Nine Songs: Lady Xiang".

The Xiang Lord and the Xiang Lady gaze at each other across the Xiang River, longing but unable to meet. The Lady waits for the Lord, but he does not come for a long time. Her heart is filled with sorrow, but she can never express it in her words.

She thought to herself, "The words 'Thinking of Young Master' are lingering in my mind. Now I truly understand that Brother Liang's feelings for me are no longer those of brothers, but... but rather those of a man and a woman. That is why my longing for him has only deepened since we parted. Just now, watching the lanterns in the courtyard, I longed for him to be by my side."

Thinking of this, my cheeks felt a little hot.

She lifted her hand from the railing and pressed it against her cheek.

My hands were slightly cool, but my face was indeed slightly warm.

Just as I was concentrating, I heard the sound of steps being climbed behind me, so I turned around and looked towards the top of the stairs.

Sister Zhu Yinghua slowly ascended the steps, a smile on her face. Upon seeing her, Yu Xian and Yin Xin quickly bowed in greeting.

The sisters stood side by side in front of the railing.

Zhu Yinghua looked up at the bright moon, then at the lanterns, and then turned to look at Zhu Yingtai, saying gently, "Sister, tomorrow you will be preparing to go to Qiantang again. This time, it will be a long time before we meet again."

Zhu Yingtai nodded and said softly, "I will miss my elder sister, and I will also miss my father and mother."

Zhu Yinghua smiled gently, reached out, and adjusted the light gauze shawl that was being lifted by the wind on her shoulders: "Since you are determined to dress as a man and go to school this year, your father, mother, and I will not force you. I have already told you everything that needed to be said."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "This year, you should continue to focus on your studies in Qiantang and not waste this opportunity. There is no need to worry about your family. Although I am married, my husband's family is nearby, and I can visit them often. I will take care of your father and mother."

Upon hearing these words, Zhu Yingtai's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. She lowered her head, tears swirling in her eyes before finally being unable to hold back, sliding down her cheeks.

"Thank you, elder sister." Her voice trembled slightly.

Zhu Yinghua reached out and gently wiped away the tears on her face. Unable to hold back any longer, she earnestly urged her to take care of herself on the journey. Each word was a simple reminder, yet each one came from the depths of her heart.

As Zhu Yingtai listened, her gratitude deepened.

She couldn't help but lean forward and throw herself into her older sister's arms.

Zhu Yinghua was slightly taken aback, then reached out and put one arm around her shoulder and gently stroked her back with the other.

My older sister's embrace was warm, and a faint fragrance wafted from her collar.

Zhu Yingtai buried her face in her elder sister's shoulder and closed her eyes.

She will set off tomorrow, the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.

On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, she will meet with Brother Liang again.