The four of them arrived at the pavilion, where a stone table and several stone stools stood beneath the moonlight. They seated themselves in order. Gao Manqing lightly clapped her hands, and a maid immediately appeared, bowing respectfully as she asked, "Miss, what are your instructions?"
Gao Manqing replied, "Bring some pastries and chilled drinks."
Before long, two servant girls entered carrying trays in their hands. Walking carefully to the stone table, they respectfully set down several plates of delicate pastries along with bowls of cool refreshments. After arranging everything properly, they bowed once more and quietly withdrew.
Gao Manqing smiled gently and said, "Senior Situ, Brother Jian, Sister Wei, please have some pastries first, then enjoy a bowl of chilled drink to cool yourselves from the summer heat."
During the Tang Dynasty, all kinds of sweets and pastries flourished remarkably. Cakes and confections made from glutinous rice flour, wheat flour, and bean powder were especially refined and diverse.
Situ Kong immediately lifted a bowl and drank deeply. The moment the cool liquid entered his mouth, a refreshing sensation spread through his body. Never before had he tasted water so delicious—cool, smooth, fragrant, and utterly refreshing. He set down the porcelain bowl and exclaimed loudly:
"Excellent! I never imagined that after drinking honey water on Mount Hua all those years ago, I would one day taste something this wonderful again! Young lady, why is this honey water so delightfully cool and refreshing?"
Back then, Situ Kong and Wu Tong had once drunk honey water prepared by a mysterious immortal maiden upon Mount Hua. She had mixed the honey using warm water, and though the drink was neither hot nor cold, neither dry nor harsh, its marvelous flavor remained unforgettable even to this day. That maiden was no ordinary woman, but rather Princess Yuzhen, younger sister of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, known in Daoism by the title "Wushang Zhenren," honored as the "Supreme Mystic Master of the Shangqing Tradition."
Gao Manqing covered her lips with a smile and explained:
"Senior Situ, the honey comes from wild mountain bees. As for the honey water, during winter it is stored deep within the well to chill naturally, and in the blazing heat of summer it is brought out for enjoyment. That is why it tastes especially refreshing."
Among wealthy Tang households, such drinks were often lowered deep into ice wells to cool thoroughly, becoming prized summer delicacies.
People of the Tang Dynasty were especially fond of cherries. One of the most fashionable desserts of the time was fresh cherries covered with milk curd and drizzled with cane syrup, known simply as "curd cherries," a beloved spring and summer treat.
Tan Wei looked at the exquisite desserts before her and eagerly began sampling them. She picked up a cherry coated with creamy curd and placed it delicately into her mouth. Li Jian, meanwhile, chose cherries drizzled with cane syrup. The moment the two tasted them, sweet fragrance lingered upon their lips and teeth, and both praised the flavor endlessly.
Tan Wei laughed happily:
"With such beautiful scenery, gentle evening winds, and these marvelous sweets before us, this truly is a delightful moment."
Gao Manqing smiled sweetly.
"Sister Wei, don't be shy. Eat more."
Her eyes sparkled with warmth as she picked up a translucent pastry with her chopsticks. Inside the crystal-like exterior, the flower-shaped bean paste filling could faintly be seen. This confection was called "Touhua Ci"—"Flower-Shadow Rice Cake."
"Senior Situ, please try a piece of Touhua Ci."
As she spoke, she placed a piece into Situ Kong's bowl.
Touched by her hospitality, Situ Kong chuckled warmly.
"Miss Gao, your hospitality is truly thoughtful. Food and drink both in abundance—this old man is fortunate indeed. Many thanks."
Gao Manqing smiled radiantly.
"It is nothing at all. Had the three heroes not rescued us, my father might have been forced to pay ten thousand taels of silver in ransom."
Then she turned toward Li Jian and Tan Wei.
"Brother Jian, Sister Wei, there are also sugar twists and rice confections on the table. Please help yourselves."
The four of them savored pastries beneath the moonlight while sipping chilled drinks and chatting leisurely together. It was a scene of incomparable comfort and peace.
It was early summer. Cool breezes drifted gently through the night, dispelling all traces of heat. Everyone's spirits were lightened. The moonlight shimmered like flowing silver, and such nights had always inspired the people of the Tang Dynasty to compose poetry beneath the heavens.
Tan Wei mischievously blinked her eyes and laughed.
"Brother Jian, you are well-read in poetry and literature. With such wonderful scenery tonight, why not compose a poem for us?"
Situ Kong bit into a sugar twist, delighting in its crisp sweetness, then took another sip of honey water and nodded enthusiastically.
"Exactly! Such beautiful moments and pleasant moonlight deserve poetry. Otherwise we would truly fail to appreciate Miss Gao's gracious hospitality."
Since ancient times, the moon hanging high above the heavens had inspired countless verses.
Li Jian rose slowly and stepped out from the pavilion. Beneath the moon, he gazed silently upward. Inspiration suddenly stirred within him, and he began to recite:
Beneath the moon beside the garden pavilion,Chilled sweet drinks taste wondrously rare.Sugar twists and fragrant honey water,Refresh the heart with cooling care.
After he finished, everyone applauded warmly.
Gao Manqing praised him:
"Brother Jian's wit is swift indeed. Your poem perfectly suits the occasion. Elegant and flowing—it truly leaves one savoring its meaning."
She then rose gracefully and stepped beneath the moonlight herself. Looking up toward the stars, the night breeze lifted her silken sleeves so that she seemed almost like an immortal maiden beneath the silver glow. Inspired by the scene, she softly chanted:
Cool winds embrace the moon; the summer heat departs,Night fills the garden as shadows cross the trees.What joy to gather beneath the starry heavens,Forgetting worldly cares beneath the moonlit breeze.
The ancient moon hung eternally across the heavens, watching over all living souls through the ages. Beneath its radiant glow, the four companions enjoyed earthly delicacies while exchanging poetry and conversation. The silver moonlight shimmered across the ground like frost; stars glittered above; gentle winds flowed like water; bright eyes reflected the moon itself.
At such a moment, one could only say:
"Since ancient times, what joy in life surpasses this?To steal half a day of peace from the fleeting world."