Chapter 12: Matchmaking Banquet

Chapter 12: The Matchmaking Feast

All the way home, Liu Yun kept her sleeves clutched tight, stumbling back in a daze.

She didn't head straight to her own courtyard but first went to her parents', where her mother was busy preparing her birthday gathering.

"Oh, Shanshan's back!"

"The desserts are all set—so what goodies did you pick up?"

Zhang Yuhua set down her work, smiling warmly at her daughter.

Liu Yun dismissed the idle servants, leaving only her mother's attendant, Auntie Lutan, then dutifully held out both wrists, revealing the vivid jade bangles.

"Mother, look at this."

Zhang Yuhua glanced down, seeing a pair of emerald-green jade bangles encircling her daughter's fair, snowy wrists, like the blue-green waters of a spring river flowing through them.

Zhang Yuhua didn't immediately recognize them as the exquisite jade bangles she'd seen at Huazhen Tower, and simply marveled, saying to her daughter: "You bought yourself a pair of bangles? Such lovely jade—how much did it cost?"

When her mother didn't recognize them, Liu Yun brought her wrists closer, urging, "Mother, look closer—do you know what these are?"

Buy them? They cost fifty thousand taels—her mother had no idea.

Hearing this, Zhang Yuhua lifted her daughter's delicate hands, her gaze falling on the pair of emerald bangles, her face slowly shifting to disbelief.

"Is—is this that pair of jade bangles from Huazhen Tower?"

Once her mother finally recognized them, Liu Yun quickly nodded: "Yes, exactly—the jade from Huazhen Tower!"

Having suddenly received such a costly gift, Liu Yun couldn't rest easy, so she'd rushed home to let her parents deal with it.

Dappled sunlight fell across the windowsill. Sparrows occasionally perched there, chirping, their round eyes darting about warily—clever and cute.

Back inside, after hearing her daughter's story, Zhang Yuhua sank into thought, still somewhat incredulous.

"Once your father gets home, I'll talk it over with him, then we'll go find out what Huazhen Tower is really up to."

Liu Yun nodded gravely, slipped the bangles off, and pressed them into her mother's hands, saying: "I'll leave it all to you, Mother."

The cool green jade felt heavy in her hands, and Zhang Yuhua couldn't help but admire it, shooting her daughter a mock scolding look: "Careful now—that's fifty thousand taels; if it breaks, what a waste."

Liu Yun gave a sheepish laugh, watching her mother have Lutan bring a sandalwood box, gently placing the jade bangles inside and storing them away with care.

"Honestly, is the owner of Huazhen Tower out of his mind?"

"How can he just hand over something so precious like that?"

"Could he be plotting something shady?"

The more she thought, the more uneasy she grew, her mind racing, wishing her husband would hurry home so they could talk.

As dusk settled, Zhang Yuhua waited for her husband to get off work, and promptly pulled him aside to talk.

Liu Shiwen had heard about Huazhen Tower's prized treasure, and seeing it now, he couldn't help but praise it.

"No wonder this jade is worth fifty thousand taels—look at the quality, the color, the water—truly one in a million!"

"The workmanship is gorgeous too—no wonder all the ladies in Yanjing are crazy for it. Who wouldn't love it?"

Zhang Yuhua shot her husband a look, dampening his enthusiasm: "But with a treasure like this, they insist on giving it to our Shanshan—what do you suppose that means?"

At that, Liu Shiwen's smile faded, and his face grew troubled.

"Ah, could it be that since I've just taken office, they're trying to bribe me into doing something shady?"

"No way, absolutely not!"

Having already made up his mind, Liu Shiwen answered firmly and righteously.

After all, what other reason could Manager Wan have for handing his daughter such a fortune for free?

The couple talked it over and immediately took a carriage to Huazhen Tower, remembering to bring the jade bangles along.

By the hour of xu—around eight in the evening—the last light faded and night fell.

The Liu carriage pulled back up; Liu Shiwen helped his wife down, the sandalwood box still tucked in Zhang Yuhua's sleeve, her face unreadable.

Once inside, Zhang Yuhua handed the box to Lutan and said quietly: "Take this back to the young lady—from now on, it belongs to her."

Lutan said yes and hurried off to Wuchun Courtyard.

She'd been there earlier, watching Manager Wan pour out his thanks to the young lady, going on and on about how filial piety comes first and how such trifles weren't worth mentioning.

It left the mistress speechless.

In the end, it was only after Manager Wan swore he meant no bribery that the mistress was convinced to come home.

When Lutan entered Wuchun Courtyard and presented the box, she saw the young lady's stunned expression, just as expected.

"Did Father and Mother not give it back?"

Liu Yun hesitated to take the jade bangles, her gut telling her something wasn't right.

Lutan gave a quick rundown of what happened at Huazhen Tower, then passed on the mistress's message: "The mistress said from now on, these are yours, miss, to do with as you like."

After Lutan left, Liu Yun opened the box and stared at the emerald bangles, torn between anxiety and delight.

She was a young woman who loved pretty things—how could she not adore something so beautiful and precious?

But she'd long been used to blending into the background among the young ladies of Yanjing.

Plain family, plain looks, plain talents, and her clothes were just as ordinary.

Now that she had a pair of jade bangles even the noble ladies of Yanjing would kill for, Liu Yun couldn't help feeling uneasy.

She felt like she didn't quite deserve them.

It was like the Emperor suddenly handing her all his finest silks.

So far-fetched, so unsettling.

Yet the thing had somehow landed in her hands, and Liu Yun's feelings were a mess.

"It's okay—I'll just wear them in secret at home."

Satisfied with this compromise, Liu Yun beamed and got ready for bed.

After all, tomorrow was her birthday party, and she needed to save her energy for entertaining her friends.

The next day, Liu Yun's birthday banquet went smoothly.

Thirty-seven invitations were sent out, yet forty-six guests arrived, throwing both mother and daughter into a scramble to make extra preparations.

Even Lady Fan, wife of the Censor-in-Chief, came, which surprised and delighted Liu Yun.

Among all the wives of high-ranking officials, Liu Yun liked Fan Jingyan the most.

Born into the prestigious Fan clan, with her father the Censor-in-Chief, she came from an illustrious family, carried herself with grace and dignity, and had a gentle, easygoing nature.

Unlike most noble ladies, who tended to be haughty, every chat with her felt like a breath of fresh air to Liu Yun.

Unfortunately, her health was rather frail—she was sickly most of the time and rarely ventured out.

Liu Yun was thrilled she could make it this time.

Though the Liu family's cook was no famous capital chef, he was clever and came up with lots of novel, interesting dishes. Paired with her mother's homemade fruit wine and an assortment of pastries from Baoyue Zhai, the modest feast delighted everyone, hostess and guests alike.

Before the party broke up, Liu Yun gifted each lady a tube of lip balm she had made herself, each one picked to match the lady's skin tone and personality.

All the ladies thanked her with smiles, except Lady Fan, who was a bit greedy and set her sights on her plush dolls.

"Sister Liu, you're so talented—these plushies are just adorable. Would I be lucky enough to get one?"

Fan Jingyan's eyes lit up as she gazed at the plush dolls scattered on Liu Yun's bed and said.

This was hardly a big deal, for Liu Yun truly had many—what was the big deal in giving one away?

"Sister Fan, you flatter me. They're just little things I made myself. If you don't mind, please pick one you like and take it."

Hearing this, Fan Jingyan beamed at Liu Yun, then hugged a soft yellow duck plushie, looking totally content.

Finally, after saying goodbye to all the ladies, Liu Yun brought out the rabbit and kitten plush dolls she had made earlier for Zhen Zhen to choose from, which made her light up as she teased, "I just saw you give one to Lady Fan and thought you'd stopped caring about me—turns out you were saving new ones for me."

"You're the best!"

With that, Chen Wei happily took the kitten plush doll, her spirits lifted once more.

As the sun set beyond the western hills, the Liu household, having worked hard all day, finally got to rest.

Liu Yun lay on her bed, unwrapping her birthday gifts one by one, unable to keep the smile off her face.

Though these gifts weren't treasures, each one was heartfelt, and Liu Yun felt a warm glow in her chest.

Ah, if only every day could be her birthday.

...

After the Wanshou Pavilion incident blew over, the big event that all the scholars and literati were watching came next.

The palace examination.

It was supposed to start in early April, but because of the Bathing Buddha Festival and the Wanshou Pavilion mess, it was much later this year than usual.

Liu Yun was no scholar who needed to study for examinations, so she hadn't really been paying attention to this palace examination. However, the night before it, her mother dropped some hints.

She not only wanted to find Liu Yun a husband, but she also had her eye on Third Young Master Yang from Uncle Yang's family. If he passed the examination this year, she planned to talk it over with the Yang family—and she came specifically to ask Liu Yun's thoughts.

Liu Yun was stunned for a long moment before asking, turning bright red, "Must I get married?"

Until now, Liu Yun had never given such matters much thought; marriage seemed like something far off.

Now she had to face marriage head-on, and with Third Young Master Yang as a possibility, she felt totally lost.

Thinking of Third Young Master Yang only made her more flustered.

Because their fathers were close, the two families had always enjoyed a good relationship, visiting each other during festivals and holidays. Liu Yun saw him often.

But this year, with all the studying for the spring and palace exams, Liu Yun realized she hadn't seen him in months.

Third Young Master Yang, courtesy name Xiuyuan, was twenty-four, handsome, and had a gentle, refined manner.

To be fair, Brother Yang was a solid young man. He might not stand out among all the geniuses and nobles in the capital, but for the Liu family, he was a great match.

If he could also pass the examination and become a jinshi, he would be an even better husband.

It was only after her mother brought it up that Liu Yun realized her father had always approved of Third Young Master Yang.

Meeting her mother's smiling gaze, Liu Yun replied awkwardly, "Brother Yang is a good man—well-educated and kind."

Liu Yun spoke honestly, but she couldn't quite put into words how she felt about marrying him.

To her, Brother Yang was more like an older brother—warm and considerate, always looking out for her.

"So, do you like him?"

This question made Liu Yun's face turn bright red again. She stammered for a few moments before mumbling, "I don't know."

Fortunately, her mother didn't push it, simply telling her to go think it over carefully.

Liu Yun breathed a sigh of relief, but she felt a heavy weight in her chest.

Ah, if only she could never get married.

...

The palace examination lasted two days before concluding, and as usual, the results would be announced three days later.

Because of her mother's reminder, Liu Yun found herself paying more attention than usual to this palace examination.

She also felt a mix of anxiety and contradiction.

Because she respected Uncle Yang, Liu Yun naturally hoped Brother Yang would pass and become a jinshi.

But on the other hand, if Brother Yang did pass, her parents would come asking for her answer.

She didn't really want to discuss marriage so soon, and deep down, she kind of wanted to avoid it altogether.

This made her have some really bad thoughts.

Namely, if Brother Yang didn't pass, would she be off the hook for discussing marriage?

But she couldn't be so mean; she had to overcome this on her own.

She couldn't stay in the family home forever—she would eventually marry and become a wife, so she might as well try to adapt.

After only half a day of anxiety, an invitation arrived at the house.

Liu Yun assumed it was from another young lady, but when she opened it, the seal of Princess Changyang's residence was right there on it.

Liu Yun suddenly remembered something.

Every spring, when the peonies were in full bloom, Princess Changyang would host a peony banquet.

First, the princess wanted to showcase her garden full of peonies to all of Yanjing.

Second, she had a penchant for playing matchmaker.

Every spring, when the peonies bloomed, she would pair up several couples at the banquet.

Thus, she only sent invitations to young unmarried ladies and gentlemen, using the flower-viewing occasion to let men and women observe one another.

But Princess Changyang also had requirements: ladies had to be at least fifteen, and gentlemen at least sixteen.

Liu Yun should have attended twice, but at fifteen she fell ill and couldn't go.

At sixteen, she accompanied her mother to visit her ailing grandmother, so she missed it again.

So this year was actually her first time attending.

Since she'd never been, everything felt new, and besides, what lady doesn't love flowers and plants, especially peonies, the nation's most beautiful blooms?

The next day, Liu Yun happily dressed herself up, and just as she finished, her mother arrived.

Her mother took her hand and offered a few words of advice.

"It's called a peony banquet, but it's really a matchmaking event. Although your father and I currently favor the Yang boy, if you happen to meet a young man you like at Princess Changyang's estate, feel free to come back and tell us. We'll check him out—if he's decent-looking and of good character, from a respectable, well-to-do family, we'll support your decision."

Liu Yun blushed again at her mother's words and mumbled, "Mother, what are you saying? I'm just going to see the flowers."

She just wanted to push all those messy thoughts out of her mind.

Zhang Yuhua chuckled and said, "Alright, alright, just looking at flowers—then be sure to look carefully and pick a good one."

Teased again, Liu Yun stomped her foot in annoyance and ran off, hitching up her skirt.

Only Zhang Yuhua remained, watching her daughter's slim, graceful figure, she couldn't help but sigh.

"Such a clueless girl..."

...

The Eastern Palace

Early in the morning, Princess Changyang's maid Wei Zi arrived, sent by the princess to invite her younger brother, the Crown Prince, to the peony banquet.

But the Crown Prince wasn't interested and refused as usual.

"Not going. With all those people, isn't that enough for my sister?"

"I'm busy and not in the mood for it."

As he spoke, three arrows shot through the air at once, hitting the bullseye of three targets dead-on, the tips piercing through the centers, making the targets shake for a long time.

Then he picked up three more arrows, ready to shoot.

Wei Zi smiled faintly, as if she'd expected this, but she didn't get discouraged or leave. Instead, she used the lines the princess had given her.

"You might not know this, Your Highness, but the princess said this year's flower banquet will be quite lively—from the lowest to the highest rank, not a single eligible young lady will be missing, unlike previous years."

Wei Zi's soft words hit the bullseye in Xiao Hang's chest like arrows, making him loosen his grip, and all three arrows went off target.

Tossing his rhino-horn longbow casually to the guard beside him, Xiao Hang's expression softened, and he pretended to be casual. "Are you sure not a single one will be absent?"

A hint of laughter sparkled in Wei Zi's eyes as she bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Highness, not a single one will be absent."

Wei Zi watched the Crown Prince, who had been so lazy moments before, turn and head to his bedchamber.

"Go back and give your report."

Hearing that, Wei Zi knew the Crown Prince had agreed.

"The princess is really clever!"

With her mission accomplished, Wei Zi returned happily to Princess Changyang's estate.

Author's note:

New chapter

Next chapter: Thursday