Chapter 28: A Birthday on the Shangsi Festival

It was the third day of the third lunar month, and more than twenty days had passed since the Xue and Jiang families departed from Jiangning for the capital.

That afternoon, the large vessels of the Jiang and Xue families docked at a water post station within the territory of Zhili Province.

Jiang Nian suddenly boarded the Xue family’s vessel and requested to see Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai, which left both women feeling suspicious and uneasy. This was because, ever since the day Jiang Nian had coerced Aunt Xue into signing the agreement to offer her daughter as a concubine, he had not set foot on their ship for nearly ten days.

"Why has he suddenly come aboard today? What business could he possibly have with us? Surely he isn't coming to press the matter of the concubinage again, now that we are nearing the capital..."

Both Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai were filled with doubt and a sense of trepidation. In the ten days that had passed, Aunt Xue’s regret over the concubine agreement had only deepened.

Guided by Xue Pan, Jiang Nian entered a spacious cabin to meet them. Although the mother and daughter were tense, they feigned composure. After Jiang Nian sat down, the maid Ying'er poured him a cup of tea. He accepted it but made no move to drink, instead gazing silently at the two women. After Baochai exchanged a brief glance with him, she lowered her head in embarrassment, avoiding his sharp gaze.

Aunt Xue could not help but speak first: "It is only afternoon, and there are still two hours until dusk. If you, Master Jiang, intended to rest at the post station, you could have gone to the station ahead. Why have you stopped here?"

Jiang Nian replied, "Because today is the third day of the third lunar month."

Aunt Xue, Baochai, and Xue Pan were all stunned. What kind of answer was that? What did the date have to do with her question? Seeing that Jiang Nian stopped after saying only that, continuing to stare at Baochai, Aunt Xue coughed softly and asked, "Is there something special about today?"

A faint smile appeared on Jiang Nian’s face. "Today is my birthday."

The three Xues were taken aback. Aunt Xue thought to herself, *This overbearing young man’s birthday is the third of the third month? No wonder he has attached himself to our Xue family like a ghost!*

The third day of the third lunar month was the birthday of Jiang Nian’s current self, though it was not his birthday in his previous life. In this era, being born on this day carried both favorable and unfavorable connotations.

The favorable view held that it was the birthday of the Yellow Emperor, suggesting those born then shared a special destiny with him and were thus blessed. It was also considered the birthday of the Queen Mother of the West, implying an affinity with the immortals, and Taoists would burn incense on this day to seek blessings. Furthermore, it was the ancient Shangsi Festival.

The unfavorable view, which had gained traction after the Song Dynasty, held that the Shangsi Festival had declined and evolved into a "Ghost Festival" in some regions. Some believed it was inauspicious to be born on this day, and parents would often adjust their child’s recorded birthday by a day to avoid the association.

Aunt Xue leaned toward the negative view, feeling that Jiang Nian was clinging to her family and her precious daughter like a spirit. In truth, she knew of the auspicious interpretations, but her deep dissatisfaction with him led her to favor the sinister one.

Jiang Nian, however, had his own unique interpretation. He felt that since he had taken over the body of the original owner, his arrival in this world was much like a ghost’s haunting. Moreover, if this was the Yellow Emperor’s birthday, did it not suggest that he, too, might one day ascend to the throne?

Aunt Xue and Baochai remained silent, offering no well-wishes. Though Xue Pan also felt a sense of resentment toward Jiang Nian, he spoke up: "So it is your birthday, Master Jiang! Congratulations, congratulations. I shall certainly send a gift."

Jiang Nian replied, "There is no need for gifts. I intend to find a fine restaurant at this station and host a banquet to celebrate. I would like to invite Aunt Xue, Miss Xue, and Brother Xue to join me. I wonder if you would be willing?"

As it was his first birthday since crossing over, he wished to mark the occasion.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Xue replied without hesitation: "How could we possibly go? My daughter and I are women, and it is not proper for us to go ashore. Since leaving Jiangning, we have stayed on the boat and avoided the inns. As for Pan'er, you know that since the encounter with the river bandits, we have only four men left on board. We must remain on the ship for security."

Jiang Nian nodded; this was exactly what he had expected.

In truth, he had come to the ship specifically to announce his birthday to Xue Baochai. In his heart, he already considered her his woman. He wanted her to know the date and perhaps keep it in mind—and maybe even send him a gift. This would make his first birthday in this new life all the more meaningful.

At this moment, Xue Baochai spoke. She glanced at Xue Pan, then turned to her mother: "Mother, it is indeed inappropriate for us to attend. However, Brother could go. He can represent our family to offer congratulations, which would also help him grow closer to Master Jiang. With Brother gone, we still have three men left to guard the ship. A banquet will not take much time, and Brother can return shortly after."

Aunt Xue pondered for a moment and grasped the deeper meaning in Baochai’s words. She turned to Xue Pan: "Pan'er, you shall go and celebrate with Master Jiang on our behalf. Do not forget to bring a gift."

Xue Pan nodded happily. He truly wanted to befriend Jiang Nian and was feeling stifled on the boat, looking forward to the meal at the restaurant. After presenting a gift, he followed Jiang Nian away.

Inside the cabin, Aunt Xue asked, "Bao'er, did you suggest your brother go so he could draw closer to Jiang Nian, hoping it might make it easier to revoke the concubine agreement once we reach the capital?"

Xue Baochai nodded gently.

Aunt Xue asked again, "Do you think I should send a gift as well?"

Baochai paused. "It would be better if you did, Mother. Nothing extravagant—a set of clothes and a pair of socks and shoes will suffice."

Aunt Xue, though reluctant, agreed.

Xue Baochai lowered her head, lost in thought. *Should I send a gift as well?* she wondered. She wanted to, yet she felt she should not. After all, her mother was determined to rescind the agreement upon reaching the capital. If she sent a gift now, wouldn't it only deepen the impression she left on him and make him cling to her all the more?