Flowing Banquet1
Qu Sheng looked down at Lin Xizhao, whose eyes were now open. Her own pupils slowly darkened from their initial clarity. A moment later, she heard Lin Xizhao’s slightly hoarse voice ask, “Was I just crying?”
“Yes,” Qu Sheng hummed softly. It was Lin Xizhao’s quiet sobs that had woken her.
“I’m sorry, I woke you up again,” Lin Xizhao said gently, composing herself. The scene in her dream of her mother being trampled by horse hooves had been too real; she must have been frightened by it.
Hearing this, Qu Sheng shook her head, loosened her arms from around Lin Xizhao, and picked up the handkerchief placed by the side of the couch-bed, handing it to her.
Lin Xizhao looked at the handkerchief Qu Sheng offered, the corners of her lips curving slightly as she reached out to take it.
Lin Xizhao wiped the sweat from her forehead and the tear tracks from her cheeks. She gazed at Qu Sheng, who was sitting on the side of the couch-bed, watching her with what seemed to be worry, her expression softening considerably.
Perhaps because she had also broken out in a sweat, she felt a bit sticky and wanted to bathe. “I want to go wash up again.”
“Okay,” Qu Sheng replied, immediately moving aside.
Looking at Qu Sheng’s well-behaved appearance, Lin Xizhao couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke her delicate cheek.
“I’ll be back in a little while. If you’re sleepy, just go back to sleep. You don’t have to wait for me,” Lin Xizhao instructed gently.
Only after seeing Qu Sheng nod again did Lin Xizhao get off the couch-bed and order someone to prepare hot water.
After her bath, Lin Xizhao entered the room as quietly as possible. Seeing Qu Sheng seemingly fast asleep on the couch-bed, she couldn’t help but smile. After getting onto the bed, just as Lin Xizhao was about to pull Qu Sheng into her arms, Qu Sheng seemed to unconsciously encircle her in an embrace first.
Enveloped in softness with her head held in Qu Sheng’s embrace, Lin Xizhao looked up at her, let out a soft laugh, and snuggled affectionately in her arms.
Without Qu Sheng’s company, how could she ever endure such long nights?
The Capital City Prefecture Office had only just reopened the case of the Prime Minister’s first wife falling from her horse, and a clue was found within five days.
Rumors had previously circulated among the common folk that someone had seen the ghost of the Prime Minister’s wife, and that person had now been found and was on their way back to the Capital City.
“They’re not going to have this person speak with my aunt’s spirit, are they?” Zhao Jiayu concluded after thinking for a good while, sitting in Lin Xizhao’s boudoir2.
Upon hearing this, both Lin Xizhao and Xiao Bingying glanced at her. Speaking with a spirit was naturally impossible, and even if it were, who would believe it?
“With such a big commotion outside, that’s unlikely. Besides, I’ve never heard of using spirits to solve a case before,” Xiao Bingying mused for a moment before looking at Lin Xizhao and saying, “Could it be that this person saw something?”
Lin Xizhao had the same suspicion in her heart, but back when her mother fell from the horse, the people from the Capital Prefecture Office3 had visited the nearby villages. That incident had occurred right at noon, and no one had been passing by that place.
Although the Capital Prefecture Office was handling the case now, it was the Qu family that was truly in charge. The message from the office only said they had found this person, but not what role they played in the case.
Anyone who wasn’t simple-minded would think along the lines of Xiao Bingying’s words. But Lin Xizhao had a feeling that the Qu family had spread this rumor for another purpose.
“So you’re all here.” Yu-shi4 came in from outside. Seeing the four young ladies sitting together, she stepped aside to let the maidservant behind her enter.
“Auntie Yu.” Lin Xizhao stood up, watching in surprise as Yu-shi’s maidservant came in carrying something.
The others, except for Qu Sheng, also stood up and bowed.
“Oh, don’t mind me, you all keep chatting. I just came to bring some fruit stored in the ice cellar5. It’s so hot in the middle of summer; eating this will help you dispel the summer heat.”
“Thank you, Auntie Yu,” Zhao Jiayu and Xiao Bingying said in unison. They had addressed her this way in the past and continued to do so, following Lin Xizhao’s lead.
It was already past noon, and though it wasn’t dark yet, the summer heat had dissipated quite a bit. This small courtyard wasn’t hot, and Yu-shi rarely came here. Her sudden visit was indeed surprising.
Lin Xizhao watched the maidservant place the fruit on the table. Seeing Qu Sheng reach for a piece, she called out, “Sheng’er, you can’t.” Things from the ice cellar were too cold and shouldn’t be eaten immediately.
Qu Sheng turned to look at Lin Xizhao. When Yu-shi saw Lin Xizhao stop Qu Sheng, she quickly laughed and said, “It’s all from our own estate, what’s there that can’t be eaten?” Yu-shi had clearly misunderstood.
However, even after Yu-shi spoke, Qu Sheng still didn’t move. She knew, of course, that things taken from an ice cellar shouldn’t be eaten right away, but she also knew that Lin Xizhao would stop her.
Seeing that Qu Sheng didn’t move and that the other two were standing silently to the side, Yu-shi deliberately sighed and said, “Xiao Sheng’er is really afraid of you.”
Hearing this, Lin Xizhao explained, “What Auntie Yu brought is naturally the best, but Sheng’er is still young and has a delicate stomach. It’s not good for her to eat too many raw or cold things. I just want to let it sit for a while before she eats.”
Listening to Lin Xizhao’s explanation, Yu-shi seemed to have a moment of realization and nodded. “That’s how it should be.”
The people in the room fell silent for a moment. Then, as if remembering something, Yu-shi said, “Oh my, I almost forgot the important matter. Princess Fucheng6 sent someone over with an invitation card today. She said she’s holding a summer-heat-dispelling Flowing Banquet at her residence and specifically requested that I bring you. Do you think you need to prepare anything?”
“Tomorrow?” It wasn’t that Lin Xizhao had never attended a banquet, but with the investigation into her late mother’s case still ongoing in the capital, it seemed inappropriate for her to attend at this time. Moreover, the banquets of today were very different from the ones she used to attend with her mother.
“Yes, Princess Fucheng personally sent someone to tell me about it yesterday, and the invitation arrived today. It’s said that many young masters from prominent families will be invited.”
“Young masters from prominent families?” Zhao Jiayu was even more surprised than Lin Xizhao.
Who invites young ladies and young masters to the same event?
Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s surprised tone, Yu-shi smiled. “The Capital City holds several banquets like this every year. Haven’t your mothers ever taken you?” She explained that while it was called a banquet, it was actually an opportunity for the unmarried young ladies and gentlemen from prominent and official families in the capital to meet.
It went without saying that one’s family background had to be sufficient; those who didn’t qualify wouldn’t be able to attend.
Yu-shi had no daughters of her own. Before Lady Liang’s death, it would not have been her turn to take Lin Xizhao to palace banquets.
For the past two years, Lin Xizhao had been in mourning for her mother, and since she had not yet reached the age of the hair-pinning ceremony, she rarely went out.
Yu-shi found Zhao Jiayu’s bewildered expression amusing. After a moment, she added, “Oh, look at my memory. Jiayu is the same age as our Xizhao and has also just come of age. After you go home, your esteemed father will probably tell you about it.” The Zhao and Xiao families could also be considered prominent families—prominent military families.
Zhao Jiayu blinked, still a bit confused. Why would young ladies and young masters be mixed together at a banquet?
When Lin Xizhao’s birth mother was alive, she had heard of such things. But at these banquets, the young men and women were not mixed together in the same hall; they were separated. The only ones who could meet were the mothers from both sides. In other words, it was the parents who would inspect the prospective young ladies and gentlemen.
“Auntie Yu, is it possible for me not to go?” Lin Xizhao didn’t want to. Right now, the only thing on her mind was the reinvestigation of her mother’s death; she didn’t want to think about anything else.
“That won’t do. Princess Fucheng specifically asked for you. I’ve already agreed. If you don’t go, how can I explain it?” Yu-shi rejected Lin Xizhao’s attempt and blocked any room for her to maneuver.
A Prime Minister naturally couldn’t compare to a prince. Prince Fucheng7 was the current Emperor’s youngest and most favored brother. Although they did not share the same mother, he had contributed a great deal in helping the Emperor seize the throne back then.
Lin Xizhao pressed her soft lips together and thought for a moment before saying, “Alright, I will go with Auntie Yu tomorrow. However, I have one thing to make clear.”
Hearing Lin Xizhao agree to go, the smile on Yu-shi’s face became obvious. “Go ahead.”
“Until the matter of my mother’s death is thoroughly investigated, I will absolutely not agree to any marriage proposal.”
Yu-shi readily agreed to Lin Xizhao’s condition. Watching Yu-shi leave, Zhao Jiayu rested one hand on her chest and pinched her chin with the other. She had heard that on the day of Lin Xizhao’s coming-of-age ceremony, someone had already wanted to propose marriage, and Yu-shi had wanted Lin Xizhao to choose one of them. She really couldn’t understand why this Yu-shi was so concerned with Lin Xizhao’s marriage. Could it be out of pity?
After Yu-shi left, the group of young friends sat and chatted for a while longer. Seeing that it was getting dark, Zhao Jiayu and Xiao Bingying took their leave.
Zhao Jiayu ate quite a bit of the fruit from the ice cellar, while Qu Sheng, at Lin Xizhao’s insistence, ate only one piece.
Early the next morning, Lin Xizhao first took Qu Sheng back to the Marquis Qu residence. Qu Sheng was still too young to attend such a banquet. Zhao Jiayu and Xiao Bingying would probably be there. In the schoolroom in the back courtyard, there were also her two younger brothers. Although they were very familiar with her, Lin Xizhao didn’t feel at ease leaving Qu Sheng alone in the Prime Minister’s estate.
After dropping Qu Sheng off at the Qu residence, Lin Xizhao returned to her own estate and went with Yu-shi to Prince Fucheng’s residence.
Lin Xizhao had originally worn a plain dress, but Yu-shi was displeased and had someone find a brightly colored outfit for her. The nice-sounding reason was that she couldn’t bring shame to the Prime Minister’s estate. With the Prime Minister’s precious daughter8 being so beautiful, it would not only bring honor to her own face, but to Lin Jianhai’s as well.
Lin Xizhao didn’t want to wear it, but seeing Yu-shi’s insistence, she had no heart to argue with her over such a matter and complied with her wish. Fortunately, the clothes weren’t bright red or purple, so it was acceptable.
Flowing Banquets were indeed held several times a year in the capital. Regardless of whose residence it was, as long as invitations were sent out, anyone with unmarried children who wished to arrange a marriage would bring them to attend.
As the Prime Minister’s daughter of the primary wife, and with looks that stood out in a crowd, Lin Xizhao caught the eye of many noblewomen, all of whom were trying to get close to Yu-shi.
Lin Xizhao sat to the side, eating from the plate that Yu-shi had brought her while chatting with others. Listening to the pleasantries exchanged between the adults, she found that she was eating it without taste9.
“Xizhao.”
Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s voice, Lin Xizhao paused slightly and turned her head.
“Auntie Yu, may I borrow Xizhao for a bit?” Zhao Jiayu had arrived a little late. She had just taken her seat with her mother when she noticed Lin Xizhao looking listless. After informing her mother, she came over.
Hearing this, Yu-shi couldn’t very well refuse her and lose face, especially since they were guests at someone else’s home. She could only smile and say, “Go on.”
Having received permission, Lin Xizhao stood, gave a slight bow, and was pulled away by Zhao Jiayu.
Prince Fucheng’s reception courtyard was very large and shaded by lush greenery, blocking the scorching sun. It was an excellent place to escape the summer heat. Zhao Jiayu pulled Lin Xizhao to a stone bench and sat down, grinning. “How are you going to thank me?” Thank her for pulling her out of that place of fire and water10.
Lin Xizhao’s eyes curved into a smile. “Have you gotten so little from me?” Anything Lin Xizhao had, she would give to Zhao Jiayu if she wanted it.
Zhao Jiayu pouted. “Not as much as Xiao Sheng’er gets. Ai, so many years of being good sisters, only to have Xiao Sheng’er stick a foot in horizontally11, my heart aches!” As she spoke, Zhao Jiayu pretended to beat her chest and stamp her feet12.
Seeing Zhao Jiayu acting crazy again, Lin Xizhao laughed. “You and Sheng’er are different.”
“Of course we’re different. You’re practically half a member of the Qu family now, so of course it’s different.” Zhao Jiayu had a quick tongue and brought up the matter of Lin Xizhao being adopted as a goddaughter by the Qu family. She wasn’t truly jealous, the words just slipped out.
Listening to Zhao Jiayu’s sour words, Lin Xizhao said, “Even if my godfather and godmother hadn’t taken me as their goddaughter, Sheng’er would still be a special existence to me.” Lin Xizhao didn’t hide anything from Zhao Jiayu; she felt a natural sense of dependence on Qu Sheng.
Although she was the one who had always taken care of Qu Sheng in daily life, spiritually, Qu Sheng had become a pillar in her heart within these short two years. She couldn’t quite explain the feeling, only that if she were to leave Qu Sheng, she would feel as if her six spirits have no master13, and her inner world would begin to collapse bit by bit.
Zhao Jiayu didn’t understand this feeling Lin Xizhao described, but she thought it must be like the sisterly affection she had for Xiao Bingying.
The two chatted for a while before Lin Xizhao asked, “Why haven’t I seen Bingying?”
The banquet had been going on for some time now; anyone who received an invitation should have arrived. If Xiao Bingying couldn’t see them, she would definitely come looking.
“Don’t even mention it. You know my aunt. My older sister should have attended a banquet like this last year, but my aunt just wouldn’t take her.” Zhao Jiayu had only learned about these kinds of banquets after returning home and asking her mother.
The matriarch of the Xiao family didn’t want Xiao Bingying to get married. After the ladies of the prominent and noble families sent invitations, she never attended a single one.
Listening to Zhao Jiayu’s indignation, Lin Xizhao lowered her gaze in thought for a moment. Recalling that the reason the Xiao family wouldn’t let Xiao Bingying marry was to use her to ward off disaster for their son, she looked up at Zhao Jiayu and said, “Have you ever thought about walking the opposite path14?”
“What do you mean?” Although Zhao Jiayu had read many books, she only understood the surface meaning. She was fine with wielding a staff, but studying was really not her forte.
Lin Xizhao seemed to have expected Zhao Jiayu’s reaction. She leaned closer and whispered, “Your aunt wants Bingying to ward off disaster for your cousin, right? Did she find some itinerant folk doctor15 to determine that? If we also find one to say that she can’t ward off disaster, do you think your aunt would still stop Bingying from getting married?”
Lin Xizhao herself didn’t want to get married, but she wasn’t sure about Xiao Bingying. She was just offering a suggestion; whether they acted on it was up to Zhao Jiayu and Xiao Bingying.
At these words, realization dawned on Zhao Jiayu. She slapped her own head, and when she turned to look at Lin Xizhao, her eyes were shining. “Aiya, you really are my best sister.” With that, she threw her arms around Lin Xizhao, squeezing so tightly that it hurt a little.
After hugging Lin Xizhao, the frustration bottled up in Zhao Jiayu’s heart dissipated. She sat in the courtyard, casually chatting with Lin Xizhao about things between friends.
After a long while, Zhao Jiayu grew tired of sitting. Seeing that there was no one around, she lay down on the long bench, pulling Lin Xizhao over to use as a pillow.
Zhao Jiayu closed her eyes to rest, while Lin Xizhao stared at the ground, lost in thought. No one came from the main hall to urge them back for a long time, and Zhao Jiayu started to feel sleepy.
Just as Zhao Jiayu was drifting off, a small clod of dirt thrown by someone unknown hit her on the head. She shot up to her feet, looking around, but couldn’t tell where it had come from.
“Which blind fool was that? Come out if you have the guts!” Zhao Jiayu scanned her surroundings cautiously. To think there was someone so ill-mannered within a prince’s residence.
Seeing the dirt smudged on Zhao Jiayu’s face where the clod had hit, Lin Xizhao also looked around but couldn’t find the culprit. She took out her handkerchief and offered it to Zhao Jiayu, wanting her to wipe the dirt off her face first.
Zhao Jiayu looked at the handkerchief Lin Xizhao held out. Just as she reached for it, she was hit on the head again. This time, she saw where it came from. Clutching the handkerchief, Zhao Jiayu leaped up and flew towards the courtyard wall, telling Lin Xizhao to wait for her as she left.
Lin Xizhao watched as Zhao Jiayu used a nearby flowering tree as a foothold to leap over the wall, her heart growing tense. Although Zhao Jiayu knew martial arts, this was a prince’s residence, after all. It was their first time here as guests. If something happened…
Worried, Lin Xizhao decided to go to the main hall first to inform Auntie Zhao. But she had just taken a step when she nearly collided with someone.
As Lin Xizhao looked up in a fluster, she first heard a man’s voice.
“My apologies for being so abrupt. Was Miss Xizhao frightened?”
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “You scared my wife, compensate with your head!”
Lin Xizhao: “…”
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