Chapter 83: The Banquet (Part One)

Xue Ao saw the smile in her eyes, a genuine joy that radiated from her heart—it was the satisfied, carefree delight of a cat that had just feasted. It made him want nothing more than to pull her into his arms and hold her close, to savor her thoroughly. If not for the presence of others, he would have tackled her to the ground and claimed her right then and there.

Liu Chuyan met his gaze for a moment before realizing that everyone around had fallen silent, all eyes fixed upon the two of them. She immediately lowered her head, embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

Old General Liu let out a hearty laugh but said nothing, only nodding his head repeatedly. Liu Songxian patted Xue Ao’s arm but remained silent. It was Liu Guanju who, grinning mischievously, tugged on Xue Ao’s sleeve and teased, “Brother Ao, are you trying to steal Sister Chuyan from me?”

If not for the elders present, Xue Ao would have given her a stern lesson. Steal Chuyan from her? Chuyan was his to begin with—there was nothing to steal. And this little imp, wasn’t Liu Hanmo enough for her? She dared to covet his beauty as well—she deserved a scolding.

“Guanju, you’d better stay home these days. Don’t let yourself be caught off guard by any villains,” Xue Ao replied, feigning concern as he ruffled her hair. The coral beads she wore were bright and lovely, setting off her complexion beautifully. He made a mental note to find an even finer string for Chuyan.

His response dodged the question entirely, his tone careless, but Liu Guanju’s face fell at once. She snuck a glance at Liu Songxian, who now wore a stern expression, and at Master Li Dushi, whose face was even darker. Even Liu Hanmo had grown serious, his expression stoic like a little old man.

“Chuyan, Guanju hasn’t studied in days,” Liu Songxian said, wrinkling her nose and pulling Chuyan to her side in easy tones. “After dinner, watch over her and make sure she finishes reciting the Analects.”

“What!” Liu Guanju nearly jumped up in shock, her mouth agape. “Mother, the Analects is so thick—how can I finish it all?” Seeing that Liu Songxian was in no mood for negotiation, she clung to Master Li Dushi, pouting. “Father, save me.”

But Li Dushi only chuckled, patting her cheek before prying her hands away. “Guanju, just recite with your sister Chuyan. You’ve already memorized most of it—only seven or eight chapters remain. It won’t take long. If you keep complaining, you’ll have to start all over again.”

At that, Liu Guanju withdrew her hands in silence.

Liu Chuyan had thought Liu Songxian wanted Guanju to recite the entire Analects, but upon hearing only seven or eight chapters were left, she breathed a sigh of relief.

With Liu Hanmo’s predicament settled, Liu Chuyan remained at the General’s Mansion to await her coming-of-age ceremony. She was much safer here than in the Han residence, which eased Xue Ao’s worries. Matters still required his attention at home, and Prince Xin had lingered at the Han estate all afternoon—he wondered how those talks had gone. So, after taking his leave from Old General Liu, he departed with Zhou Fuyun.

Old General Liu agreed and had servants escort the two men out, then ordered preparations for Liu Chuyan’s quarters. He noticed her eyes following Xue Ao’s departing figure with a trace of longing. She mused that, once upon a time, those two could hardly stand each other, yet now they were so taken with one another that propriety was all but forgotten. Youth—what a thing. Still, Xue Ao was a fine young man; if Chuyan could be with him, it would be a good match. The only obstacle was Lady Jin, Xue Ao’s mother, who was not an easy woman. And then there was Jinhuan—should she simply let her be married off as planned?

But with Xue Tan in his current state, and Jinhuan so kind and pure-hearted, she doubted the girl could let go. If she tried to intervene, Jinhuan might not even appreciate it. Best to wait until Xue Tan awoke before worrying further.

The next day, Lady Han received word that the Liu family’s eldest son had been found. She hurried to the General’s Mansion, where she embraced Liu Hanmo and wept, calling him her precious child. She marveled that he had been recovered at last. Alas, he could not be publicly acknowledged just yet and would first become sworn siblings with Liu Chuyan. Still, this arrangement was safer, and with Chuyan living at the mansion, she could look after him closely.

She also considered that Hanmo, as the Liu family’s legitimate eldest son, would need an established household. Returning to Hangzhou was unlikely. Years ago, she had sold off Chuyan’s property, but much of the money remained, saved for just this purpose—it was time to plan for a residence in Jinling for him, though he was still young and there was time.

Thus, Liu Chuyan took up residence in the General’s Mansion, spending her days reading and writing with Guanju, occasionally embroidering or reciting poetry with Lin Jinhuan, and often visiting the study to check on Hanmo’s lessons. In the blink of an eye, the tenth day of the eleventh month arrived.

Because the coming-of-age ceremony and the adoption of sworn siblings would be held together, the General’s Mansion was lavishly decorated. The city’s noblewomen were all invited, filling fifty banquet tables. Most guests attended not for Chuyan’s sake but to forge ties with the General’s household. Some, with eligible sons, came to see whether the young ladies might be suitable matches.

Rumor had it these days that the orphaned Miss Lin was betrothed to the Duke of Xin. No one knew when the engagement had been made—perhaps Lady Xue had fabricated it, but everyone repeated the tale. Furthermore, today was the second son of the Xue family’s birthday, yet the banquet for Lin Jinhuan’s special day had been postponed until tomorrow in her honor—truly, the orphan was held in high regard. Some whispered that the delay was because Xue Ao fancied Liu Chuyan and didn’t want his birthday to overshadow her ceremony, forcing his own celebration to be postponed.

At the banquet, the noble ladies sharing Lady Xue’s table pressed her about the matter. She merely smiled, her expression strained, and let the topic drop. Only Lady Jin, ever tactless, persisted, saying, “Sister-in-law, since Miss Lin is engaged to the Duke of Xin, the marriage should be held soon. Within a hundred days, mourning can be borrowed as an excuse; after that, she’ll have to wait three years.”

Lady Xue replied impatiently, “Mm.” She caught sight of Liu Chuyan and Lin Jinhuan rounding the veranda and approaching, her fists clenching. Was Chuyan truly the Loyal Prince’s daughter? It couldn’t be—she looked exactly like her mother, Cheng Minglan, and bore a resemblance to Liu Muyang. She could not be the Loyal Prince’s child. Years ago, when she’d sent people to find the Loyal Prince’s long-lost daughter, why had they come back with news of Chuyan? That had even drawn the attention of the black-clad assassins pursuing Zisheng. She could not unravel the knot of intrigue. All she knew was that she had nearly killed Liu Chuyan. If Chuyan was truly the Loyal Prince’s daughter, he would not spare her. If not, then what misunderstanding had occurred? The possibilities chilled her to the bone, and thoughts of Li Guangdong’s behavior made her tremble.

Lady Jin, noticing her distraction and fixed gaze on the approaching sisters, smiled, “Sister-in-law, what do you think of Chuyan? My son Ling seems quite taken with her. That boy has always been hard to please, but now he’s found someone he likes, and he’s begged me to wait until she comes of age before proposing…”

“She’s not someone you can reach for,” Lady Xue blurted out, cutting Lady Jin off and stunning those nearby. If not for their heavy powder, her flush would have been visible. Liu Chuyan was only an orphan, merely accepted as the General’s adopted daughter—what talk of being above anyone’s reach? She wasn’t even interested. The other ladies, seeing the tension, quickly tried to smooth things over, sparing the banquet from further embarrassment.

But Lady Xue only had eyes for Liu Chuyan, ignoring all else. With others to placate her, Lady Jin took the opportunity to drop the matter and also turned her gaze to Chuyan. The girl was stunning beyond compare—enviable, indeed. Yet more impressive was her poise, gentle temperament, and dignified grace—a perfect candidate for a daughter-in-law. She would do her best to secure her for Ling, if only to spite Lady Xue.

The day’s ceremony began with the adoption of sworn kin before proceeding to the coming-of-age ritual.

Liu Chuyan and Lin Jinhuan entered together, each bearing gifts for their adoptive parents: a hat for their father, shoes for their mother, and two winter jackets. These had been prepared weeks in advance, with Chuyan’s superior embroidery skills contributing not only to her own but also to Jinhuan’s. Thus, both girls presented identical gifts, their needlework equally exquisite and earning much praise from all.

The return gifts from Liu Songxian and her husband were a longevity lock, a set of silver bowls and chopsticks, and several pieces of jade jewelry. Once the master of ceremonies finished, the two girls formally called their adoptive parents “Mother” and “Father”—the ritual was complete.

Just as guests began to offer congratulations on the new daughters, someone brought out Liu Xiaomao, who knelt before the couple. Some guests, having heard rumors, were struck by the boy’s good looks, nearly on par with Liu Chuyan. Others, less informed, exchanged glances as Master Li Dushi explained with a smile that the boy was of good character and filial, and that the decision to adopt him had been made in haste.

The guests paid little mind, offering their congratulations in turn. Only a few with ties to the Li family looked displeased. Since Li Xiaoren had recently fought with Liu Guanju and their families had little connection to the General’s household, the Li family had not been invited. Those close to the Li family saw Liu Songxian's adoption of Liu Xiaomao as a blatant act of favoritism, an open slight.

The Li family was not particularly well-regarded, but their allies were in the same boat—all under the protection of the Marquis of Enchang and Grand Eunuch. The General’s Mansion showing such disregard was a slight not just to the Li family, but to the entire faction.

Liu Songxian caught sight of those few, a cold smile flickering in her eyes. Just a few curs, daring to show attitude here. Yet she only chuckled to herself, then ordered Liu Chuyan led inside to rest before her coming-of-age rite, while she herself made her way to the Princess Loyal’s table.