Chapter 121

Lu Huai came to Fusheng Banzhan and asked Nianxi to teach him how to make a simple drink.

“My grandmother’s birthday is coming up. Usually, everything I eat and drink is provided by my elders, and those external gifts can’t fully show my filial piety.”

Nianxi glanced at him with a smile and asked, “Are you being sincere this time or not?”

Lu Huai’s young face turned slightly red. Previously, with his suspicious mind, he had guarded against Nianxi and his father, deliberately making some snide remarks, only to be scolded thoroughly by Wang Muyi, leaving him utterly embarrassed. “This time, I’m being genuine.”

Considering that Lu Huai was too young, Nianxi decided to teach him the simplest drink.

The shop already had dried perilla leaves, cardamom, cloves, and other spices. He only needed to place them in boiling water, seal it for a while, and let it steep to produce a flavorful brew.

“Perilla water promotes digestion and relieves stomach discomfort, making it particularly suitable for someone of Old Madam’s age. I’ll package the dried spices for you, and you can follow my instructions when you return.”

Her voice was gentle and unhurried, her gaze clear and soft, bringing an infinite sense of peace and comfort.

Lu Huai suddenly began to understand why so many people liked her. It wasn’t just because of her looks. Even though he was young, he had seen his fair share of stunning beauties, but Nianxi felt entirely different from them. She never accommodated or pandered to him. Often, Lu Xiaoqi had to follow Nianxi’s wishes, yet he did so willingly. It seemed making her happy was more important than anything else. Being with her was simply comfortable and easy.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Nianxi noticed Lu Huai spacing out and waved her hand lightly in front of his eyes, laughing softly, “Snap out of it~”

“You’re too young to handle complex drinks, so it’s better to make this herbal tea. I’ve included my exclusive recipe for you.” She assumed Lu Huai’s pride made him dismiss simple brewed water.

Little did she know that Lu Xiaoqi’s thoughts had already wandered far away.

“My grandmother’s birthday is the day after tomorrow. You will be coming, right?”

Nianxi nodded. “I’ve already received the invitation and will attend with my mother.”

“My father’s coughing illness has mostly recovered. I told you before—he’s in great health.”

Lu Huai blurted out a random statement, leaving Nianxi unsure what he wanted to say. She was busy with something else at the moment and responded with a casual “hmm” as acknowledgment.

Lu Huai, noticing that she didn’t show the slightest interest in his father, felt slightly displeased.

Children always have a competitive streak. He couldn’t see how his father was any lesser than those surnamed Pei or Gu. So, he persisted and asked, “Nianxi, do you play the guqin?”

“…Passably,” she replied.

“My father plays exceptionally well. Renowned scholars of the era have praised his guqin playing, saying its melody lingers in the rafters for three days, the resonance unending~”

Ancient literary exaggerations often went overboard, and Nianxi didn’t believe there could be such magical celestial music that echoed in the beams of a house for three days and nights without pause.

Still, to protect the fragile ego of the young gentleman, she nodded and cooperatively responded: “Really? That’s amazing!”

Lu Huai, however, detected her perfunctory tone. He puffed up his cheeks, feeling a little annoyed. “There are countless women who admire my father. Just the other day, Miss Jia from the palace banquet met him only once, and she cried and begged to marry him, willing to even become a concubine.”

This finally piqued Nianxi’s curiosity a bit. “And what happened? Did she get her wish?”

“Of course not!” Lu Huai straightened his back proudly and declared, “There are too many women infatuated with my father! If it were that easy to enter my family, the Duke’s household would be overflowing with people.”

Nianxi glanced at him and didn’t say a word.

Lu Huai was full of determination but had nowhere to direct it. He didn’t even know why he felt the need to prove himself. However, Nianxi’s indifferent attitude toward his father left Lu Huai feeling unsettled.

Lu Huai had also witnessed Nianxi and Zhou Yanli together on one occasion. Zhou Yanli was the nephew of the second aunt, technically making him a cousin. Although he was young, this cousin’s intentions were crystal clear to Lu Huai!

“So… my father is so good, and so many people like him. Don’t you have anything to say about that?”

Nianxi couldn’t figure out what was going on with Lu Huai today. But looking at Lu Xiaoqi’s expectant gaze, she thought seriously for a moment before concluding: “So… I should stay away from your father, the heartthrob, to avoid heartbreak?”

Lu Huai: …

The fish cry and the water knows. But if I cry, who will know?

He went silent.

*

When Old Madam Kang celebrated her birthday, gifts from the Emperor and Empress flowed like a stream several days in advance.

On the day itself, the entrance to the Lu residence was crowded with splendid carriages and horses coming and going. Since all the visitors were distinguished guests, mostly women, the Lu family was concerned about any disruptions and had the entire street cordoned off early in the morning.

The carriages and sedans for the birthday celebration lined up one after another, filling the entire street. From afar, one could see only luxurious, opulent scenes that were indescribable.

Compared to the former grandeur of Consort Shu’s mother’s birthday celebration, this was an entirely different majestic spectacle. In her past life, the Wen family had no ties with Duke Fu, and Nianxi had never attended Old Madam Kang’s birthday banquet.

This year, perhaps due to Lu Huai, the Lu family had sent an invitation early to the Wen household, inviting the women of the family as guests.

Upon arrival, Madam Li and Nianxi were warmly welcomed at the entrance by the daughters-in-law. At the second gate, the wife of the second branch, Madam Zhou, personally came out with servants to greet them.

In the main hall, the grand matriarch was dressed in a brand-new deep red brocade robe adorned with birthday patterns, complemented by a forehead ornament intricately embroidered with gold threads and inlaid with various gemstones—a look of noble magnificence and kindly demeanor.

After Madam Li and her daughter gave their birthday wishes, the Old Madam spoke a few words with a smile, then turned her gaze to Nianxi. She examined her briefly and said with a smile, “So, this is the Nianxi sister that Xiaoqi keeps mentioning every day. Truly as lovely as a jade beauty—my heart fills with joy at first sight.”

“You taught Xiaoqi to make perilla-infused water, and I enjoyed it very much,” said Old Madam Kang, gently taking Nianxi’s hand and praising Madam Li warmly, “You’ve raised a wonderful daughter.”

The birthday hall was lavishly adorned, teeming with noblewomen and young ladies dressed to impress. Their luxurious outfits sparkled with jewels, yet none garnered such praise from the Old Madam. As a result, countless eyes turned toward Nianxi.

Madam Li humbly responded with modesty.

As they were speaking, a eunuch from the palace suddenly rushed in to announce that King Jing had arrived. Everyone in the birthday hall immediately paused what they were doing and prepared to follow the grand matriarch to greet him.

The eunuch quickly added, “His Highness says he is here only to offer birthday congratulations and dares not trouble the Old Madam to greet him personally.”

Duke Fu’s family was of high standing, and Old Madam Kang held an esteemed position as the birth mother of the Empress. Whether to welcome the king or not was entirely within the bounds of etiquette.

Soon, a young man in a purple-golden dragon-patterned embroidered robe strode in. He bowed deeply toward the grand seat and said, “Wishing the Old Madam longevity and everlasting vitality!”

The Old Madam smiled and helped him up.

The people in the hall all paid their respects to him one by one.

Xiao Xun smiled warmly as he scanned the crowd. His gaze inevitably landed on Nianxi, who was seated near the grand matriarch. He paused slightly and then said, “No need for formalities. I am here solely to celebrate my grandmother’s birthday; there is no need to stand on ceremony.”

Since Nianxi had just been conversing with the Old Madam, she was standing closest to the main seat. Feeling the attention on her, she lowered her head and stood quietly to the side. Soon, the gaze moved away.

While everyone else was busy chatting, Nianxi quietly took a few steps back to a less noticeable spot.

Lu Wensheng accompanied Xiao Xun in paying their respects. All of Nianxi’s subtle movements did not escape his attention. A faint smile gradually appeared in his usually calm and expressionless eyes.

Trailing two steps behind, Lu Huai had also made his way to his grandmother’s side. After saying a few playful and auspicious words, the men prepared to head to the front hall.

Being small in stature, Lu Huai struggled to spot Nianxi amidst the opulently dressed ladies adorned with jewels in the birthday hall. Eventually, he spotted her near a door pillar and, overjoyed, loudly called out: “Nianxi, Nianxi!”

Nianxi was quietly chatting with Cao Xitang, unaware of her surroundings. It wasn’t until Miss Gu, standing nearby, pointed it out that she realized someone was calling her.

“Miss Wen,” Miss Gu turned toward Nianxi and said, “Miss Wen, someone is calling you…”

Nianxi looked up and immediately locked eyes with Xiao Xun, who was walking out.

“Miss Wen?” Something seemed to cross Xiao Xun’s mind, and he suddenly smiled teasingly.