Chapter 64: Rejection

On the sixth day of September, General Xiao’s 64th birthday arrived as scheduled.

The Xiao family, with its four father-and-son officials, held an esteemed status. General Xiao himself was the teacher of the heir to the princely estate.

Even though the Xiao family had a youngest son who was akin to an unemployed drifter, it was undeniable that the family carried immense prestige. Mentioning “the fourth son of the Xiao family” in the capital would evoke a level of recognition no less than the other members.

Friends, acquaintances, colleagues, and relatives arrived in succession. Before long, the Xiao residence was packed to the brim with a lively, bustling crowd.

The arrival of Prince Jing along with a group of royal relatives brought the banquet to a new peak. Many well-informed officials attended under the guise of celebrating General Xiao’s birthday but secretly aimed to network with influential figures. Even if they couldn’t form connections, at least making themselves known would suffice. A chance to get close to the royal relatives was an added bonus.

Since the Ninth Prince rarely left the palace, by the time he and his entourage arrived, the ceremonial rituals had already concluded. Xiao Yao and Xiao Yuan, the two sisters of the Xiao family, had already retreated to the rear garden to accompany their young noble guests.

Mu Fengwu, who had been eager to witness the simultaneous appearance of the twin siblings, sighed regretfully, “What a pity, we’re late.” He lamented over his lack of fate with that robust, glaring little girl.

Xiao Jingkang brought the men of the Xiao family to pay their respects to Prince Jing and his party. Those who had been learning martial arts under General Xiao for over three years finally had the chance to meet all six of his grandsons for the first time. There was the humble Xiao Lang, the handsome Xiao Yi, the poised Xiao Yang, and the lively Xiao Rui. As for Xiao Jun and Xiao Qi, Mu Fengwu greeted them like long-lost kin with a big hug each.

“Senior Brother has missed you! Why haven’t you come to practice martial arts?” Mu Fengwu, who had coined this term of address from who-knows-where, didn’t care about its appropriateness as long as it sounded pleasant.

Xiao Jun refused to answer, while Xiao Qi simply laughed awkwardly.

“Mu Gongzi, you flatter them. The children are still immature. If they’ve done anything inappropriate, I ask for your understanding,” Xiao Jingkang said politely to Mu Fengwu.

“Lord Xiao, there’s no need to be so formal. It’s only natural for children who see each other often to chat and play together.” Prince Jing, envious of the Xiao family’s thriving lineage, held a good impression of the children. However, his son showed no interest in forming connections, which Prince Jing found somewhat regrettable.

Xiao Jingkang led Prince Jing and his group to seats in the front row of the banquet, accompanied by General Xiao and the ministers Tong and Li (the latter being the father of Li Jiaoying, who had recently been promoted to minister).

Prince Jing left the Ninth Prince behind and sent his son and Mu Fengwu to another table. Xiao Jingkang was reluctant to let Prince Jing’s heir and the grandson of the Duke’s household swap places. Both parties insisted, but it was General Xiao who broke the stalemate: “Let the heir and Mu Gongzi choose their own seats.”

Yun Yichen didn’t mind where he sat. He attended the banquet partly due to Prince Jing’s command and partly out of gratitude for General Xiao’s guidance. The past animosity and misunderstandings were things of the past, he thought. He only hoped that the old general would not hold a grudge against him for his youthful recklessness.

Of course, these thoughts remained hidden; he would never voice them, nor let anyone know. To everyone else, the dynamic remained the same: Prince Jing’s heir and General Xiao still appeared at odds, challenging and opposing each other as before.

“Lord Xiao, there’s no need to accommodate us. The heir and I will sit with our senior and junior martial brothers,” said Yun Yichen. How he wished the younger sister could join them, satisfying his growing curiosity. Perhaps a serendipitous stroll to the rear garden? On second thought, causing a commotion at the old general’s birthday banquet was inappropriate. There would be other opportunities, and they would meet eventually.

“Little sister, don’t keep your senior brother waiting too long!”

Meanwhile, Xiao Yao remained oblivious to someone’s thoughts about her. She was busy attending to her cousin, Li Xueyan, who was poised to become her future sister-in-law. Maintaining a good relationship was a must. Xiao Yao diligently poured tea, while Xiao Yuan sweetly offered pastries. The sisters saw nothing unusual about this, but Li Xueyan blushed deeply, shyly lowering her head and nervously wringing her handkerchief without uttering a word.

Their eldest brother was gentle enough, but with such a kind and virtuous sister-in-law, their married life would undoubtedly be harmonious. As siblings, they naturally welcomed a sister-in-law like her without question.

Li Jiaoying, concerned about her niece and wary of the two mischievous sisters, decided to check the rear garden. She found her niece, a fourteen-year-old, so embarrassed by two little girls that she wished to hide.

“What are you two doing?” Li Jiaoying asked with a smile tinged with warning. Whoever married into a family with two such playful sisters-in-law would undoubtedly have an eventful life.

“We’re taking care of Cousin!” Xiao Yuan declared confidently.

“But there are so many other young ladies here. As hosts, you can’t only focus on your cousin!”

“Alright, Aunt, we’ll listen to you.” Realizing their duties as hosts, the sisters decided to entertain all the guests warmly.

Holding hands, they weaved through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with each young lady and instructing the servants to serve refreshments.

Satisfied with her nieces’ conduct, Li Jiaoying sat down to reassure her niece. “Xueyan, don’t mind them. These two might be mischievous, but they mean well. You’ll get along wonderfully.”

“Thank you, Aunt. The two sisters are lovely,” Li Xueyan quickly replied, fearing any misunderstanding.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yuan whispered to Xiao Yao, “Sister, have you noticed? These ladies don’t want to stand near you. I bet they’re jealous!”

Xiao Yao didn’t care. Were they interacting with her as a person or just her appearance?

Among the guests, Tong Guanghui’s daughter Tong Yueying observed the situation, feeling conflicted.

Before long, a stir arose in the crowd: the Ninth Prince and Prince Jing’s heir had arrived, sending waves of excitement through the young ladies. Speculations about Xiao Yao’s potential royal marriage were whispered.

If only they knew Xiao Yao’s family had never entertained such thoughts.