Chapter 16: Attending the Banquet

Chapter 16: Attending the Banquet

A polite smile could not conceal the disdain in her eyes.

Xie Zhenchuan enjoyed a few peaceful, undisturbed days at the academy until the fifteenth, when it closed for its ten-day break.

In the Fangze Courtyard, Nan Xuan was setting out breakfast for the young master.

On the table were only a bowl of plain noodles and a side dish. However, the way the broth was simmered and the dish was stir-fried were far from common folk's methods. Even the seemingly ordinary noodles were made by drying and deboning premium pheasant, perch, and red shrimp, then grinding them into an extremely fine powder along with fresh bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms. The dough was then kneaded with a rich broth. As for the noodle soup, it was even more exceptional—a master stock from the imperial kitchens in the capital, kept on a gentle simmer all the way to Yingtian.

The morning mist had yet to dissipate, so Nan Xuan moved the dining setup to the edge of the bamboo grove in the courtyard, where a square bamboo table and four bamboo stools had been arranged for meals.

A small stream trickled gently through the courtyard, recently replanted with *xiùdūn cǎo*. A small bridge arched over the stream, with sparse clusters of green bamboo growing around it. Vast stretches of golden sunlight intertwined with the lush bamboo, resembling a golden inkstone inlaid with cat’s eye gems.

No, not a golden inkstone.

Nan Xuan shook his head, clearing his money-clouded thoughts, and quickly straightened the bowls and chopsticks on the table. Just as he was about to invite the young master to eat, he heard light, brisk footsteps. Turning around, he saw it was Li Ci.

Knowing it was futile to stop her—even the gatekeeper of Fangze Courtyard no longer bothered—she now came and went as she pleased.

Since they were to attend the flower-viewing banquet at *sìshí* (9-11 AM), Li Ci and her two cousins had risen exceptionally early. Dressed in a soft, smoke-gauze gown with tender-goose-yellow lotus patterns, her hair styled in a *chuíguà jì* (hanging bun) and adorned with a white jade hairpin embedded with pearls, she had applied minimal makeup because she disliked wearing powder, and left the house early. The extra time was spent paying visits.

She carried a plain, unvarnished bamboo box in her arms, her face free of makeup except for a golden cicada hairpin, which accentuated her fresh and elegant appearance.

Nan Xuan estimated the size of the box and immediately understood. "Miss Li, are you here to see my young master?"

Li Ci nodded, her nose twitching slightly. She had caught the aroma of food even before entering the courtyard.

"Please wait here a moment," Nan Xuan said with enthusiastic warmth before hurrying inside to fetch the young master.

By the time Xie Zhenchuan arrived in the courtyard, Li Ci had already made herself at home, sitting on one of the bamboo stools. She held the bamboo box with one hand and propped her chin with the other, staring intently at the bowl of plain noodles as if counting the scallions in the broth.

"Ah Ci, what brings you here?" Xie Zhenchuan sat down opposite her, swiftly moving the noodle bowl closer to himself before casually making conversation. "Haven’t eaten breakfast?"

"Just a little," Li Ci replied, releasing the box and using her hand to gesture a small circle. Her voice was soft with hunger. "My waistband is too tight today. Sister Ling said I shouldn’t eat too much."

She wore a bluish-green brocade waistband today, with matching vine patterns embroidered at the cuffs. Her light, flowing sleeves slipped down naturally with her movements, revealing a slender, pale wrist adorned with a pure, lustrous mutton-fat jade bracelet.

The owner of such an exquisite and expensive bracelet also possessed the appetite of a rock squirrel—unable to eat much but always craving food, eager to stash away treats like pine nuts in her tree hollow. Truly... a bit greedy.

Xie Zhenchuan’s thin lips curved slightly as if suppressing some emotion. He instructed Nan Xuan to bring an extra bowl and chopsticks, then scooped a small portion of noodles into it for her.

"The broth is so fragrant," Li Ci sniffed again, pushing her luck. "The scallions look nice—add more scallions."

Xie Zhenchuan’s hand, holding the ladle, paused slightly before complying with the little squirrel-rabbit’s request.

Two bowls of noodles, one large and one small, now sat neatly on the table. The broth was clear yet rich, with golden oil droplets floating atop, complementing the vibrant green scallions. Beside them was a plate of fresh water shield and bamboo shoots, bright in color and aromatic.

Li Ci eagerly picked up a strand of noodles and took a bite. The noodles were perfectly cooked—neither too soft nor too chewy—and the savory broth melded delightfully on her tongue. Her round, bright eyes narrowed contentedly, curving like crescent moons.

The large bowl of noodles was quickly finished between the two. Nan Xuan cleared the table and brought strong tea to cleanse their palates, standing by to await further instructions.

Li Ci spat out the bitter tea with a grimace and finally remembered the bamboo box on the table.

She pushed it toward Xie Zhenchuan. "Brother Xie Zhenchuan, this is for you."

Xie Zhenchuan narrowed his eyes slightly. "What is it this time?"

Li Ci opened the box. "It’s the inksticks from before."

The five-colored inksticks were specially made for painting, vibrant in hue, exquisitely carved, and delicately molded. Even without gold or jade embellishments, they were undoubtedly valuable and beautiful.

Recalling his earlier inexplicable thought, Xie Zhenchuan found himself asking, "Why did you have these inksticks made?"

Li Ci answered innocently, "Because Teacher Cao said inksticks made this way are more expensive than Hui ink and show greater sincerity."

As the saying goes, "sentiment is priceless," but for her, it seemed "the highest bidder wins."

This was the first time Xie Zhenchuan had so clearly understood his own worth—a sincerity worth thirty thousand taels, no small amount.

Feeling mischievous, he teased her, "Have you ever given a more sincere gift?"

"Of course," Li Ci nodded. "For my father and mother’s birthdays, my grandparents’ milestones, my brother’s coming-of-age ceremony, and Sister Ling’s hair-pinning ceremony this year..."

Xie Zhenchuan’s expression cooled instantly. Cutting her off before she could finish listing them, he said, "Never mind. I usually only read and write—I have no use for these. Besides, accepting gifts without merit makes me uneasy."

Li Ci had no choice but to confess, "I returned the previous gifts and exchanged the rest for silver. Only the paper and ink were custom-made, and no one would take them for days. I originally used them for my assignments, but when I handed them in, Teacher Cen said it was a waste and suggested I give them to someone more deserving."

Though he didn’t know why he felt somewhat irritated, as Li Ci’s temporary teacher, Xie Zhenchuan could empathize. He had not seen her latest assignments, but her earlier essay, "On the Benefits of Matrilocal Marriage," offered a glimpse.

He reached out and took the box, glancing at the slightly irregular ultramarine inkstick. He decided to accept it for now and repay the gesture after the current matter was resolved.

With the unused inksticks now gifted, Li Ci noticed the time and stood to take her leave. Having accepted her "payment," Xie Zhenchuan felt obliged to see her off.

The stream murmured softly through the bamboo grove as the two crossed the bridge. Li Ci, curious about the newly grown *xiùdūn cǎo* by the stream, slipped and lost her footing.

Xie Zhenchuan, standing behind her, estimated she would only stagger half a step and did not reach out to steady her.

The stream was shallow, and the bridge had no railings. Instinctively, Li Ci grabbed the nearest thing—Xie Zhenchuan’s sleeve.

For the banquet, he had changed into a lavender, splashed-ink vine-patterned flat-silk round-collar robe, again deliberately aged in style—appropriate without being overly formal, fitting for Xie Zhenchuan’s identity.

With a sharp "rip," the sleeve tore at the splashed-ink vine pattern.

Li Ci, now steady, stared blankly at the fabric in her hands, looking utterly innocent. "Brother Xie Zhenchuan, your sleeve fell off."

As if it had detached on its own.

Xie Zhenchuan’s expression remained impassive. He even began to reflect on whether his adaptability had grown too strong, making such incidents feel routine.

Li Ci guiltily offered the torn lavender flat-silk to him. "How about I ask Xiuchun to mend it for you? Her mother was an embroiderer in the palace—her work is impeccable. No one will notice."

If Xie Zhenchuan had ever doubted Li Ci’s intentions, he now saw the truth: intention mattered little. This girl was simply his natural adversary. Refusing might only lead to further mishaps.

He took a deep breath and returned to his room to change.

What was once ample time had now become rushed due to Li Ci’s mishap. By the time she hurried back with Xiuchun and they boarded the carriage, it was nearly *sìshí*.

-

On the way to the Jingde Marquis’s Residence, Li Ci half-listened as her cousins chatted, gradually understanding the purpose of the flower-viewing banquet.

The Jingde Marquis’s ancestors had distinguished themselves under the previous emperor, earning their title before the capital moved. Their influence ran deep, and the nobility of Yingtian seldom refused their invitations. Though the banquet was customary, it also served as an opportunity to find a match for the Marquis’s granddaughter—also Cousin Chun’s sister-in-law, Mao Ningqin.

None of this concerned Li Ci. Seeing her disinterest, Zhou Ling summarized the key points: smile when others smile, bow when others bow—aim not to stand out, but to avoid mistakes.

Soon, the carriage halted before the imposing gates of the Jingde Marquis’s Residence. The entrance was bustling, with most guests already arrived. As in-laws, the Earl of Guangcheng’s household paid their respects to the elderly matriarch first.

Though grand, the banquet did not warrant the presence of the Earl’s wife. The group was led by the eldest daughter-in-law, Lady Sun, who, eager to see her daughter, said little to the girls and headed straight for the main hall.

When the group arrived at the main hall, it was almost full. In the center sat an elderly lady in a dark purple robe embroidered with bat patterns, who looked even older than Li Ci's grandmother, with a kind and benevolent appearance. As for the other ladies present, Li Ci did not recognize any of them.

Lady Sun immediately spotted her daughter, Zhou Chun. Noticing that she had become slightly thinner since her marriage, but still had a rosy complexion and was adorned with gold and silver, Lady Sun felt somewhat relieved. She then led the three young ladies to greet the elderly lady.

Although this was Li Ci's first time attending such a banquet, she showed no signs of timidity and followed her two elder sisters in paying respects to the elderly lady.

Old Lady Mao noticed Li Ci right away and beckoned her over with a smile.

There were many young ladies at the banquet today, and in terms of attire and appearance, Li Ci was not particularly outstanding. However, as soon as she stood there, she won the favor of the older women with her sweet smile and charming face, even before she said much.

Li Ci approached obediently, allowing the elderly lady to hold her hand affectionately. "What a lovely girl! You must be the daughter of the young lady from our estate, right?"

She was referring to Li Ci's mother, Zhou Chengyun.

Lady Sun nodded and smiled, "The old lady has a remarkable memory. It's been over a decade since A Yun married into Shanxi, and you still remember her."

Old Lady Mao also smiled, "Daughters resemble their mothers. When Chengyun was young, she was one of the most beautiful girls I knew, and I adored her. I never imagined her daughter would turn out even more beautiful, making one feel so delighted just by looking at her."

Sensing the elderly lady's kindness, Li Ci, though silent, smiled obediently, her cheeks blushing like slowly melting sugar roses, her smile as sweet as honey.

Lady Sun hurriedly replied, "The old lady is too kind. It's actually Ningqin who surpasses us all."

As soon as she spoke, the atmosphere became momentarily tense.

It was then that Li Ci noticed a young woman standing behind the elderly lady, about her age. Zhou Ying winked at her discreetly, indicating that this was the legitimate granddaughter of the Jingde Marquisate, Mao Ningqin.

No wonder there was a moment of silence; Mao Ningqin was dressed in a light yellow Tang-style jacket paired with a pomegranate-red skirt, adorned with a complete set of gold and silver hairpins and earrings, which were more striking in color and design than Li Ci's outfit. Yet, for some reason, once people's eyes landed on Li Ci, they couldn't look away.

Beauty, perhaps, is like this: one cannot pinpoint exactly what makes her so appealing, yet every aspect of her seems perfect.

Some quick-witted guests immediately chimed in: "Indeed, Sister Qin’s looks are truly unmatched in Yingtian Prefecture. Not only is she beautiful, but her conduct is also exemplary. Everyone who meets her can’t help but praise her."

The atmosphere quickly turned lively again—some voiced their agreement, while others covered their mouths and giggled.

When it came to appearance, Mao Ningqin certainly ranked among the best, but her conduct was another matter. Had she not been so arrogant in daily life, always looking down on others, matchmakers would have long worn down the threshold of Jingde Marquis Estate. She wouldn’t be stuck in this awkward situation—disdained by prominent families while she herself looked down on those of lower status—to the point of having to be sizing up prospects at a banquet.

Mao Ningqin was also sizing up Li Ci. The girl was just a bit taller than her. Though fair-skinned, she had heard from Zhou Chun that Li Ci was sickly. How dare she wear the same color as me? she thought to herself. Clearly, she has no sense of propriety.

She lifted her chin high, and even the well-mannered smile she wore in front of the guests couldn’t conceal the disdain in her eyes.

"They both look lovely to me," the old lady interjected to ease the tension. "Well, young people should entertain themselves. Let’s not keep them tied down here. Chun’er, take your younger sisters to chat and get to know each other better."

"Yes," Zhou Chun replied gracefully and demurely, then warmly led the four young ladies out.

The midday sun was blazing, but the Jingde Marquis Estate’s garden was shaded by lush trees, with a cool breeze carrying the faint scent of lotus blossoms. The nearly thousand-acre Mirror Lake, located at the heart of the estate, was in full bloom with prized lotus varieties such as Nanzhao Snow Summit, Golden Chamber Embracing Jade, and Layered Feathers Gazing at the Moon. Waterbirds skimmed the surface, creating ripples, while dragonflies occasionally dipped into the water, adding vitality to the scene—truly living up to the reputation of the flower-viewing banquet.

Zhou Chun led the four across the Feihong arched bridge to the Ningxiang Hall. The hall was open on all sides with long, lattice windows offering views of the lake and mountains outside, like an unfolding scroll. On one side, pleasure boats moored by the shore leaned against ancient pines and green bamboo, evoking a rustic charm; on another, the expansive water surface stretched out, with lotus blossoms standing gracefully above the water; yet another side featured two towering rockeries dividing the lake into northern and southern parts, blocking the view; and finally, the winding arched bridge spanned the water, its reflection mingling with the pavilions on the hill, creating a beautifully balanced disorder.

Li Ci didn’t understand the artistry of garden landscaping; she merely wondered if the lotus seeds of Nanzhao Snow Summit would taste particularly fresh and sweet.

As the eldest among the young ladies and related to both families, Zhou Chun naturally took on the role of facilitating conversation.

"This is Sister Ningqin, the only principal granddaughter of our household. She just turned sixteen last month."

"This is Sister Zhou Ying, the principal daughter of my second uncle. She’s a few months younger than you."

"And this is my younger sister by a concubine, Sister Zhou Ling. She’s around your age."

Pretending to have forgotten, she smiled and asked Sister Zhou Ling, "Sister Ling, how old are you now?"

Sister Zhou Ling replied softly, "I believe I’m a month older than Sister Ningqin."

"Look at my memory! Lately, I’ve been learning managing the household accounts from Mother, and there’s been so much to do—I even forgot your birthday," Zhou Chun said, covering her mouth with a laugh. She made as if to take off the bracelet on her wrist but glanced at Li Ci as if suddenly apprehensive, then reluctantly held back and said stiffly, "I’ll make it up to you with a birthday gift later."