Chapter One Hundred Two: Attending a Banquet

Chapter 102: Attending the Banquet

Tangyuan rushed toward Lin Qiuran, hugging her leg. "Mother, these doorways are so interesting—there are so many of them!"

Lin Qiuran smiled. "Take a closer look. Do you notice anything else different?"

Tangyuan had been playing hide-and-seek with Xiao Xun earlier, finding it novel but not paying much attention to the details.

He went back and walked through the doorways twice more, then suddenly his eyes lit up. He ran back to Lin Qiuran and said, "Mother, these doorways look like the moon—like the real moon. From here, the first doorway is like the full moon on the fifteenth day, and the subsequent ones resemble the moon's other phases."

Xiao Xun chuckled nearby, watching as Lin Qiuran gently tapped his nose. "That’s right," she said. "Let’s go, it’s time to head home for lunch."

The chosen date for the move Lin Qiuran had selected was the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, still a few days away. Starting today, they could begin moving things over. There was no rush for what couldn’t be moved right away, as they were still in the capital and could fetch anything they needed later.

When they arrived home, the cook had already prepared the meal, and the maids carried the food boxes to Shou’an Hall.

This had been arranged earlier—the three of them went straight to Shou’an Hall upon returning. It was Lin Qiuran’s first time there.

Shou’an Hall had been arranged according to Sun Shi’s preferences. She was an efficient and tidy person, and the place was well-kept inside and out. The snow outside had been cleared, and the interior was warm and orderly. The decorations Lin Qiuran had sent over were all in place, and the maids dusted them daily.

Inside, there were sewing baskets and unfinished embroidery hoops. Sun Shi usually had little to do, so she spent her time sewing and embroidering—after all, it was better than being idle.

Life had gotten better and better. At first, they had sold food to make a living, then she took care of Tangyuan. Now, with servants to handle everything, she didn’t have to lift a finger.

Sun Shi felt that, although there were professional embroiderers in the residence, making clothes for her grandson was a gesture of her own affection.

The sewing basket was placed on the heated brick bed (kang), where Sun Shi had been sleeping lately because it stayed warm at night when heated. She thought it was quite nice, though unfortunately, such things weren’t available in Yu’an.

When Tangyuan arrived, Sun Shi was overjoyed and offered him pastries she had asked the maids to buy.

The family was no longer short on funds, and Sun Shi was no longer as frugal as she used to be.

Tangyuan broke off a small piece of pastry, ate it, and said, "Grandmother, I’ll have more next time. If I eat too much now, I won’t have room for lunch."

Sun Shi smiled and agreed. "Then we’ll save it for later."

Lunch was simple, with dishes like steamed perch and sweet and sour pork. Lin Qiuran particularly liked the winter melon and pork ball soup. Having just returned from outside, drinking it warmed her up.

As they ate, Lin Qiuran said, "Mother, I’ve written to Father. Once things are settled there, he should be able to come to the capital before the New Year."

The letter had been sent after Xiao Xun returned. Originally, Lin Qiuran planned to wait until after they moved and settled in before sending for Xiao Dashi, but that would have been too rushed.

With the New Year approaching, Sun Shi and Xiao Xun naturally wanted Xiao Dashi to join them for a family reunion. Returning to Yu’an was also an option, but since they had just arrived in the capital and Xiao Xun might have official duties, they decided against it.

In the letter, Lin Qiuran informed Xiao Dashi that Xiao Xun had returned and advised him to hire armed guards for the journey, just as they had done when coming to the capital. She also asked him to bring along the ledgers for the Golden Tripod Restaurant’s recent profits.

This would ensure both safety and peace of mind.

In the letter, Lin Qiuran deliberately warned Xiao Dashi that carrying silver alone was unsafe and that he must hire armed guards to avoid losing more than he gained.

For someone like Xiao Dashi, who liked to save money, this approach was more effective than any amount of persuasion.

Lin Qiuran also included other instructions in the letter, asking Xiao Dashi to visit Lin Village and inquire whether the village head of Xiao Village needed any help, offering some silver if necessary.

Sun Shi nodded. "Good. I told him to come with us earlier, but he refused. Now we have to make arrangements for him to come separately. That old man!"

Lin Qiuran smiled. "Father was just concerned about the fields at home."

Sun Shi said, "The autumn harvest was long over by the time we left. What was there to tend to? Besides, we only had two hundred mu (a Chinese unit of land measurement) of land back home, while here in the capital, we have much more."

Lin Qiuran replied, "Drying and weighing the harvest—it’s all work. Father is used to dealing with crops. If we forced him to come earlier, he’d have been bored. Now, with the fields here, he’ll have something to do."

Sun Shi said, "You’re always thinking of him. Let’s eat, eat. This New Year, we’ll finally have a reunion dinner."

Sun Shi smiled, extremely satisfied with their current life. In the past, the old household had treated them poorly, always favoring the other branches of the family. But now?

She couldn’t bear children, but they had taken in a child. So what if Xiao Xun was taken in? He had been granted a nobility title, Lin Qiuran was filial to them, and they had a grandson. Everything was perfect. If the old household knew, they’d surely regret it.

But it was too late for regrets.

The days passed quickly, and before Lin Qiuran realized it, it was already time to attend the banquet the next day.

She overheard Tangyuan saying to Xiao Xun, "Dad, the chilblains on your hand look better. It used to be swollen, but now it’s gone down!"

Lin Qiuran went over to take a look. "It has improved, but it’s not fully healed yet. You must keep applying the ointment without skipping."

Xiao Xun nodded. "I know, I won’t skip it. By the way, if you don’t feel like going to the banquet tomorrow, you don’t have to. Just make an excuse."

Xiao Xun recalled how Lin Qiuran had stared at the invitation for a long time, not seeming very pleased.

Facing such social events so soon after arriving in the capital wasn’t easy for her.

Skipping one banquet wouldn’t hurt.

Lin Qiuran smiled. "Don’t worry. I’ve been to the Marquis of Anyang's residence before. The dowager there was very kind to me, and Tangyuan even helped the old marquis once."

Lady Qin had always treated her well. Now that Xiao Xun had been granted a nobility title, as long as he and the Marquis of Anyang didn’t become adversaries at court, the relationship between the two families would only grow closer.

She had already prepared her clothes and selected two pieces of imperially bestowed jewelry. Dressing elegantly and appropriately would suffice.

If the invitation had come from another household, Lin Qiuran might have hesitated, but she felt at ease with the Anyang Marquisate. Lady Qin had always been so kind to her, though Lin Qiuran occasionally wondered why.

They weren’t related, and Lady Qin wasn’t lacking in children or grandchildren. Why did she treat Lin Qiuran and Tangyuan with such special regard?

Well, time would tell. The next day, Lin Qiuran took a carriage to the Marquis of Anyang's residence, leaving Tangyuan at home in Xiao Xun’s care.

They were moving the day after tomorrow, so Xiao Xun could take Tangyuan to explore the new house.

Lin Qiuran thought they should buy another carriage. Otherwise, when she went out, the household would be short of transportation. If they bought another, it should be a nice one, like the carriages at the Marquis of Anyang's residence, with their ornate roofs and sides.

In the capital, appearances mattered, and while there might be fewer people who judged others by their clothes or carriages, such people still existed.

When the carriage arrived at the Marquis of Anyang's residence, Lin Qiuran stepped down, with Lin Xia following her. Before she could hand the invitation to the gatekeeper, a serving maid came forward to greet them and led them to the main hall.

The marquisate looked no different from Lin Qiuran’s last visit. In the main hall, the Marchioness of Anyang warmly took Lin Qiuran’s hand to chat, ignoring the other guests. "My mother-in-law will be here shortly. I’ve always thought you had gentle, compassionate features, like Guanyin. Recently, I learned that your husband is the Count of Dingyuan.

He’s young and capable. Since I’m older, you can call me sister from now on. I heard you’ve just arrived in the capital. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, just ask me. Please, don’t be formal with me, sister."

Lin Qiuran couldn’t help but think that Xiao Xun’s success had elevated her status as well. Out in society, she was treated with respect.

She smiled and readily called her "sister," and the Marchioness happily responded.

The Marchioness’s eyes warmed with sincerity. Although a count’s rank was a step below a marquis’s, her husband had inherited his title, while Xiao Xun was in the emperor’s favor, young and with a bright future ahead. If one wanted to build a relationship, it was better to do so before the other person became powerful. Waiting until then would be too late.

After exchanging a few more words, the Marchioness introduced Lin Qiuran to the other guests. Everyone was very polite, and Lin Qiuran made a mental note of their faces and names so she could greet them if they met again.

After some small talk, Lady Qin arrived.

Lady Qin was visibly excited to see Lin Qiuran. She had never imagined that Lin Qiuran’s husband would be the Xiao Xun who had defended the nation and earned military honors in the northwest.

Upon hearing Xiao Xun’s name, Lady Qin lost half a night’s sleep, wondering whether the family had chosen that name in the hope of helping him locate his birth parents after adopting him.

Since Lv Zheng no longer attended court, he had never seen Xiao Xun’s appearance. When Lady Qin asked her son, the Marquis of Anyang, he was unaware of the matter and merely remarked that the young man was impressive and handsome—whether he resembled anyone was hard to say.

Lady Qin suppressed the storm of emotions churning within her and walked toward Lin Qiuran.

As the elder, Lin Qiuran stepped forward to greet Lady Qin, saying, “It has been far too long since we last met. How have you been, Madam?”

Lady Qin replied, “I’ve been well. And you? How is your family and child?”

Lin Qiuran said, “Thank you for your concern. Everyone is doing well.”

A flicker of emotion passed through Lady Qin’s eyes. “That’s good to hear.”

Ignoring the others, she took Lin Qiuran’s hand and sat down beside her. The room was filled with potted flowers, but before she could speak, someone else interjected.

“So the Count of Dingyuan’s wife actually knows Lady Qin! I’d assumed both the Count and his wife were newcomers from out of town—I had no idea there was such a connection,” said the elegant lady, teasingly reproachful. “Madam, why didn’t you introduce us earlier? We could have sat together and chatted to pass the time.”

Another added, “My husband mentioned the Count of Dingyuan is young yet accomplished, so I guessed his wife must be beautiful and intelligent. Seeing you today confirms it—a perfect match made in heaven.”

With a talented young man newly arrived in the capital, many had entertained matchmaking prospects—but now those could be laid to rest. As long as Lin Qiuran maintained her position, no one could interfere in their family affairs.

These women had seen it all and knew precisely how to offer endless praise. Moreover, at a banquet hosted by the Marchioness of Anyang, seeing Lady Qin and Lin Qiuran holding hands and conversing sent a clear message to everyone present.

Even if some privately looked down upon the Xiao family for hailing from a remote area, none would voice such disdain openly. No one would be foolish enough to provoke offense; instead, they heaped lavish compliments upon Lin Qiuran, portraying her as an exceptional find.

Lady Qin also said, “You’re mistaken—I’ve only known this young woman for a month, but we discovered we got along splendidly. Moreover, she has rendered me great assistance, which is why we’ve grown close. When I learned her husband had returned, I was quite surprised. She possesses a steady, composed nature, and as a newcomer to the capital, she’ll need our support in many ways.”

Lin Qiuran inclined her head modestly, gentle and poised. “When I first arrived in the capital, thank you for your care and support.”

She then turned to the lady who had just spoken and said, “You flatter me, Madam Xu. As a newcomer to the capital, I still have much to learn—and I would sincerely appreciate your guidance.”

After Lady Qin’s remarks, the others’ curiosity subsided. Lin Qiuran felt somewhat uneasy—she had incurred yet another debt of gratitude.

The remaining guests enjoyed the flowers and tea. Lady Qin stayed, and Lin Qiuran remained by her side.

Lin Qiuran said to Lady Qin, “If you ever need help in the future, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”

She could not forget her roots simply because she had become an official’s wife.

Lady Qin smiled and waved it off. “Now that better times have come, your husband—”

Lin Qiuran replied, “Everything is fine, thank you for your concern.”

Lady Qin nodded and asked, “Where is your hometown again?”

Lin Qiuran said, “We’re from a small village in Yu’an, Xuzhou.”

Lady Qin pressed further, “And when you came here, what about the elders back home…?”

Lin Qiuran, still patient, interpreted the question as ordinary concern. “My mother-in-law accompanied us this time. My father-in-law remained behind to manage family affairs and will join us later—just in time for the New Year celebrations.”

Lady Qin thought to herself—what a blessing it was to have both parents alive, a capable and virtuous wife, and a kind, lovely child.

She nodded. “That’s good—truly good.”

Lady Qin had considered sending someone to investigate discreetly but feared being discovered and left unable to explain herself.

She asked, “Are there any other siblings in the family?”

Lin Qiuran paused, then shook her head. “I have two brothers on my side. On my husband’s side, he is the only child.”

Lady Qin struggled to contain her excitement. An only son in a rural family was exceedingly rare—especially since families typically bore multiple children. Back when foreign tribes invaded and the court faced troop shortages, it wasn’t uncommon for an only son to enlist.

Yet Lady Qin wondered: Could it be possible they were unable to have children and had adopted one—why else would they name him “Xun” (meaning “to seek”)?

Her throat tightened, and her eyes welled with barely restrained emotion. Noticing Lin Qiuran’s puzzled expression, she quickly regained her composure and said, “Having many brothers means more support—but having just one is fine too.”

Afraid Lin Qiuran might grow suspicious, Lady Qin pleaded fatigue and excused herself, departing first.

Lin Qiuran was indeed puzzled. Though it was natural for an elder like Lady Qin to show concern, probing into family matters still seemed rather forward.

Even after the banquet ended, Lin Qiuran continued pondering it. She sensed Lady Qin cared deeply about the Xiao family, about Tangyuan—the child’s nickname, meaning “dumpling”—and today, especially about Xiao Xun.

Once home, Lin Qiuran told Lin Xia, “A while back, Lady Qin gave me a set of jewelry. Please find it for me.”