Volume 1 Chapter 8: The Birthday Banquet

Fu Chun’er sat in the carriage arranged by the Fu household, reading the Book of Rhymes the entire way.

The coachman noticed that she had kept the book in her hands from the moment she boarded, setting her apart from the other young lady of the house. She was quiet, dressed simply, and applied herself diligently to her studies. Though she possessed a beauty that could topple cities, she remained indifferent to it; even when dark spots later appeared on her face, she merely covered them with a piece of silk and continued her arduous reading. She was nothing like Miss Lian, who would not step out of the house without spending an hour applying powders and pigments.

The coachman, who grew fond of this studious girl, drove with extra care to ensure she could read in peace.

Upon returning home, Fu Chun’er saw that the entire estate had been refreshed, with lavish banquets prepared. She then recalled that it was a holiday from the Imperial Academy, coinciding with her younger brother’s birthday.

In her past life, after returning to the Fu family, she had always believed her brother only cared for Fu Xiaolian. Yet, when the Fu family was sentenced to exile, her father and Lady Lin had personally tricked her into going to Yin Lingxiao’s residence to appease him. While Fu Xiaolian was busy flirting with noble sons to maintain her life of luxury, only her brother, Fu Heng, had shown concern for her while she was imprisoned by Yin Lingxiao.

Fu Heng had exhausted all his secret funds and pulled every possible string to save her. But by then, Yin Lingxiao had already become a treacherous minister controlling the capital; he had even surrounded the imperial palace with troops, and the young emperor’s death had been shrouded in suspicious circumstances. No one in the court dared to cross him. Before her death in that past life, Shangguan Hao had tried to help Fu Heng arrange a secret meeting, but unfortunately, Fu Chun’er never made it.

Remembering the final scene of her past life, a monstrous hatred flashed in Fu Chun’er’s eyes.

Even though the system claimed she had died of illness and no one was to blame, the mere thought that she had spent her final moments on Yin Lingxiao’s bed, tortured by him for so long, made her wish to see him torn to pieces.

Though she longed to see her brother, she had no intention of attending the birthday banquet. She had been forced to accompany Yin Lingxiao to too many such events in her previous life, including the grandest ones in the palace. She found the rigid, tedious etiquette of the noble families exhausting, and even though she had mastered the art of navigating them, she had no desire to play along with those people again.

At such a time, her father and Lady Lin would not care if she were present, so Fu Chun’er went straight to her room to continue her studies.

Carriages lined up one after another at the Fu residence gate. High-ranking officials arrived with gifts, and her father and Lady Lin were busy hosting, having no time to spare for anything else. Fu Xiaolian, dressed in her finest, laughed amidst a circle of young ladies who surrounded her like stars around the moon.

"Xiaolian, what about that eldest sister of yours who just returned from the countryside?" a noble girl asked with a malicious smile.

Fu Xiaolian’s eyes darkened. She covered her lips and said gently, "My sister is a bit self-conscious; she doesn't dare to attend such occasions."

"I thought as much. She doesn't seem like the type to grace a refined gathering."

"Exactly. If she came, wouldn't she just lower our status?"

"It’s a good thing you are so kind, Xiaolian, having a brother who is both close to you and of such noble character, and being able to associate with Young Master Shangguan."

Fu Xiaolian beamed with joy, laughing proudly, "When my brother and Brother Shangguan arrive, I will introduce you to them."

"Really? Xiaolian, you are so good to us." "Xiaolian is truly beautiful and kind-hearted!"

By the hour of the Rooster, Fu Heng and Shangguan Hao finally appeared. The guests offered endless congratulations and praise. With music playing, wine flowing, and tables laden with delicacies, the entire Fu residence was exceptionally lively.

***

After the exhausting social obligations, Fu Heng finally found a moment to retreat to the inner hall and catch his breath.

His father looked at him with satisfaction and pride. "Heng’er, you performed very well today. People from Magistrate Zhang’s residence will be arriving shortly; come with me to exchange a few words with them."

"Yes, Father," Fu Heng replied. Looking at the bustling crowd, he suddenly asked, "Mother, has my eldest sister returned?"

Lady Lin was instructing servants to bring sobering tea. Hearing this, she smiled gently, "She has. Chun’er has a withdrawn nature and doesn't like to be close to us; as soon as she returned, she hid herself in her room..."

Fu Heng interrupted, "My birthday is being celebrated with a grand banquet, but my eldest sister has suffered outside for many years. Why was there no welcome banquet held for her return?"

Lady Lin froze, and the look of dissatisfaction on his father’s face flickered with a hint of embarrassment.

Fu Heng said nothing more and stood up, walking toward the pavilion outside the corridor.

There was already someone in the pavilion.

That person sat on a stone stool by the round table, one hand resting on the surface, fingers tapping unconsciously as he gazed at the lotus flowers in the pond.

Tea had been brewed on the stone table, the steam swirling up with the fragrance of tea.

Outside the pavilion, the noise of the crowd was deafening, yet this corner seemed cut off from the mortal world, peaceful and pure.

Fu Heng walked up. "Brother Shangguan, you have waited a long time."

Hearing his voice, Shangguan Hao smiled familiarly. "Have you seen the eldest sister you’ve been pining for?"

"...Not yet. I am suffering from the nervousness of being near home."

Yesterday, Fu Heng had a dream, and the scenes were still vivid in his mind: The Fu family falsely accused of corruption and sentenced to exile; Fu Xiaolian marrying into a prestigious family and severing ties with them; his eldest sister, Fu Chun’er, imprisoned and tormented by that devil Yin Lingxiao, yet still trying to clear his name...

He hadn't been able to see his sister one last time in the dream, and after waking up in agony, he had rushed home, desperate to see her.

Fu Heng took a deep breath. "I am going to find her now."

As he turned to leave, he looked at Shangguan Hao. "Come with me."

Shangguan Hao was slightly surprised, then smiled. "As an outsider, I fear it would be improper to intrude upon your sister."

Fu Heng offered no explanation, simply dragging him along. "If we don't see her today, I fear you will regret it for the rest of your life."

In his dream, this close friend of his had secretly harbored feelings for his sister without realizing it, only attempting to propose after many years, thus missing his chance. If the dream were true, he must act as a matchmaker now. The Shangguan family was the only force that could later resist Yin Lingxiao’s faction; if he could facilitate a union early on, his sister would not fall into the tiger’s den.

Fu Heng looked back at Shangguan Hao.

Shangguan Hao was brilliant, from an extraordinary family, and the most celebrated young man in the capital. He possessed a face so handsome it could rival even that wretch Yin Lingxiao—truly peerless. Since his sister had accepted his proposal in his past life, she must have harbored some affection for him.

At that moment, a burst of feminine laughter came from not far ahead.

Shangguan Hao paused, refusing to move despite Fu Heng’s tugging. "It is improper to look. I should return to the front hall."

Fu Heng glared at him in frustration. Shangguan Hao was far too rigid; that was exactly why he had missed his chance with his sister in the past. Besides, it was broad daylight, and with him present, how could it be considered improper?

Fu Xiaolian and her friends noticed them and hurried over with delight. Fu Xiaolian approached them affectionately. "Third Brother, you and Young Master Shangguan are here! My friends have long admired you both and would like to invite you for tea."

The noble girls nearby lowered their heads, shy and coy, stealing glances at the two men.

Remembering how Fu Xiaolian had acted with such ingratitude in his dream, Fu Heng replied calmly, "No need. Brother Shangguan and I have business. We are just going to pay our respects to my eldest sister before leaving."

Fu Xiaolian was stunned.

The noble girls were also stunned, exchanging confused looks.

Hadn't Fu Xiaolian said she was the most important person to her brother? Why would Master Fu want to see that country bumpkin the moment he returned? And why was he speaking of her with such respect?

Fu Xiaolian’s expression soured, but she forced a polite smile. "Is that so? Well, that's fine. Elder sister is in her room; go ahead."

Fu Heng gave a cold, indifferent nod. Recalling how this group loved to spread rumors in his dream, he turned back to instruct Shangguan Hao, "Wait for me in the front hall. Don't leave."

Since he couldn't bring him to see his sister, he would simply invite his sister out to see him.