Chapter 11: The Show Begins

Perhaps it was the exhaustion from their recent travels.

For the past few days, Fang Yuean had been sleeping exceptionally well.

The day of the family reunion banquet was no exception.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t wake up. She slept so deeply that it was as though she had fainted, oblivious to the outside world. Her head was tilted back, mouth slightly open, a bit of drool glistening at the corner.

It wasn’t until the noise around her grew louder that she lazily cracked open her eyes.

“Sister-in-law is here! Come, have a seat!” she heard Qin Xuan warmly call out.

Soon after, someone sat down beside her.

Fully opening her eyes, Fang Yuean saw Qin Xuan holding the hand of a young woman before her, her gaze filled with admiration and affection.

“It’s been a while, and Wanyin has become even more beautiful.”

Yawning, Fang Yuean lifted her head and saw the young woman give a shy smile.

She was dressed in a creamy white top embroidered with floral patterns and paired with a skirt of silver-gold hues. Her aura was elegant, with a scholarly air, like a blossoming white magnolia.

Xu Wanyin pulled out a small box, opened it, and revealed a pair of gold bracelets engraved with the character for fortune.

“Auntie, these are for An’an. I had them made according to Er’er’s measurements. They should fit her just fine.”

“Now that’s the way to wake me up!”

Fang Yuean wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, sniffed, and flashed a grin, revealing eight pearly white teeth.

“Future sister-in-law understands me best!”

Qin Xuan chuckled. “Wanyin, you’re so thoughtful. I’ll thank you on An’an’s behalf.”

Fang Yuean immediately chirped sweetly, “Thank you, Sister!”

Xu Wanyin put the bracelets on Fang Yuean, played with her for a bit, and then took Er’er from her wet nurse to hold her.

Meanwhile, Madam Xu leaned closer to Qin Xuan, speaking softly. She first inquired tactfully about Fang Zhan, then added, “You and your son have had a tough time. If the Xu family can assist in any way, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Qin Xuan felt a rush of warmth in her heart and held Madam Xu’s hand tightly. “Thank you for your concern, Sister-in-law…”

Just then, a voice came from behind: “Sister Wanyin.”

Qin Xuan turned abruptly to see Xu Wanyin’s delighted expression. “Auntie, Er’er just spoke!”

Since Qin Xuan was holding Fang Yuean, Xu Wanyin quickly carried the child around to show her.

Qin Xuan nearly cried. “She… she recognizes people now!”

“Don’t worry, Mother. Er’er will get better soon. I’ve been careful with the magical elixir, administering it slowly so it’s not too much for her to handle.”

Qin Xuan tightened her arms around Fang Yuean.

Fang Yuean stopped listening to their conversation and looked around. She saw Zhou Huajin surrounded by a crowd, boasting about how filial her eldest son, Fang Xuze, was.

The women flattering Zhou Huajin sang her praises, laughing gleefully like contented ducks.

In Zhou Huajin’s arms, her younger daughter, Fang Qiqi, was dozing off, while her other daughter, Fang Zhenzhen, sat nearby with her chin slightly raised, basking in the envy of her peers.

Fang Yuean narrowed her eyes at Fang Zhenzhen.

After scanning the room, she noticed one woman sitting alone in a plum-red robe, seemingly lost in thought.

“Huai Ze, who’s that woman in the plum-red gown, sitting by herself?”

“She’s a daughter of the Chen family.”

Fang Yuean perked up and slid off Qin Xuan’s lap to the ground, asking Huai Ze:

“Where’s Fang Miaoyi? I remember you mentioned Fang Miaoyi and the Chen family’s son-in-law look alike. I want them to meet.”

“She’s in the Residence making flower wreaths. Your mother let her out today, but it seems she’s sulking and hasn’t spoken to her since she came out.”

Huai Ze, bored, had already wandered around a few times while Fang Yuean slept.

Watching Fang Yuean dart out the door, Qin Xuan glanced toward the Chen woman.

Fang Yuean skipped her way to the Residence.

Huai Ze commented, “Quite the crowd today. Those ladies you just passed? They’re all gossips. With them here, Fang Xuze’s scandal won’t take long to spread.”

Fang Yuean stifled a laugh.

When she reached Fang Miaoyi, the girl was standing by a stone table under a tree, inserting flowers into a ring made of willow branches.

Three or four maids hovered nearby, tending to her.

Fang Yuean ran over. “Miaoyi, what are you doing? Let’s do it together!”

The moment Fang Miaoyi saw her, her hackles raised like a cat ready to fight.

“Go away! I don’t want to play with you!”

“One day, I’ll chase you out of my house!” the girl shrieked venomously before grabbing her wreath and running off.

Fang Yuean followed her, pestering her until Miaoyi had no choice but to flee into the main hall and throw herself into her mother’s arms.

Qin Xuan instinctively embraced her.

Miaoyi looked back at Fang Yuean, her eyes filled with defiance.

Fang Yuean, however, ignored her, munching on dried fruits and candied snacks at the long table.

Miaoyi eventually returned, taking off her silk flower hairpin. “I want to wear the red one. You can have the pink one.”

Fang Yuean glanced at her. “No, thanks.”

“This is my house, and everything here belongs to me!”

The sudden rise in volume drew the attention of many, causing them to look over.

Madam Chen instinctively turned her head to see what was happening.

Ignoring everyone else, Fang Miaoyi placed her silk flower hairpin on the table and reached out to snatch the hairpin from Fang Yuean’s head.

Fang Yuean quickly stepped back to avoid her, leading Miaoyi toward Madam Chen’s direction.

Unable to catch Fang Yuean, Miaoyi grew increasingly furious, bumping into several people along the way. She shoved them aside and continued her chase.

As they neared Madam Chen, Fang Yuean pretended to stumble, slowing down.

Seizing the opportunity, Miaoyi grabbed the hairpin from Yuean’s head, pulling and messing up a few strands of her hair.

In the commotion, Fang Yuean collided with Madam Chen due to Miaoyi’s momentum and burst into tears.

Inside the hall, conversations gradually subsided, except for Zhou Huajin and her entourage, who were still chatting enthusiastically.

Qin Xuan, who had just taken Er’er into her arms, immediately came over, still holding the child. She crouched down and inquired about what had happened.

Madam Chen finally snapped out of her daze and explained the situation to Qin Xuan on behalf of the two children.

Qin Xuan gave Fang Miaoyi a stern look and warned her before asking her nursemaid to take her aside.

Concerned about seeming inhospitable, Qin Xuan stayed near Madam Chen and started a casual conversation.

“You know, our two families are somewhat connected,” Qin Xuan said warmly. “We should visit each other more often in the future.”

At this, Madam Chen seemed to recall something. “My sister-in-law and your mother-in-law are direct aunt and niece, aren’t they?”

Qin Xuan smiled and nodded. “Exactly.”

Madam Chen furrowed her brows slightly, but her expression soon smoothed out. However, her face changed subtly as her gaze shifted back to Fang Miaoyi. She looked at her again and again, remaining silent for a moment.

She patted Er’er’s head as if unintentionally and asked, “This child’s features resemble yours quite a bit. That one who was just taken away—does she favor General Fang?”

Qin Xuan stroked Fang Yuean’s face. “I’m not sure who Miaoyi takes after, but this little one looks more like Er’er’s twin sister.”

It seemed an offhand comment, but it left an impression.

Madam Chen’s gaze alternated between the two children. “It must have been difficult for you back then, Sister Qin, giving birth to two at once.”

Qin Xuan sighed. “You’re right. The labor took a long time, and I even passed out. I knew nothing after that.”

Madam Chen’s hand tightened slightly.

From the side, Huai Ze sighed. “Poor Madam Chen. Her greedy husband married into her family solely for her wealth. To keep her under control, he made sure she couldn’t have children, all while carrying on secretly with Madam Meng. After catching them together, Madam Chen’s father was killed by the pair.

“Now, they’re scheming about how to get rid of her without raising suspicion.”

Fang Yuean listened, her anger simmering.

There was too much injustice in the world, but she couldn’t intervene in all of it. For now, her focus had to remain on her mother.

Qin Xuan was shaken.

Her own experiences of being deceived gave her a newfound sympathy for Madam Chen. Determined, she decided to send Madam Chen another anonymous letter.

Standing up, Qin Xuan said, “The banquet is about to begin, Sister Chen. I’ll take my leave to attend to my duties. Please come by often.”

Madam Chen forced a smile and nodded slightly.

Less than an hour later, most guests had finished their meals and were preparing to leave.

Qin Xuan and Fang Xunli stood by the entrance, bidding everyone farewell.

Zhou Huajin, surrounded by admirers, left the residence in a grand manner, with Fang Xuze following closely behind.

Suddenly, a woman ran up to them, shouting, “Second Young Master! Second Young Master! Do you remember me? I am Hua Niang! I am carrying your child!”