Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 39: The Arrival of Marquis Xuanwu

Yun Chu personally led the Yun family members in to offer birthday congratulations.

Three people had come from the Yun family: Madam Lin Shi, the eldest daughter-in-law Liu Qianqian, and the second young lady Yun Ran.

"May the birthday star shine as brightly as the sun and moon, never growing old with the passing years," Lin Shi said, instructing her servants to present the gift. "This humble gift is but a small token of our esteem."

The birthday gift was a large-bellied vase as tall as a person, adorned with elegant peonies and inlaid with gold thread. It was exceptionally valuable, worth at least five hundred taels of silver.

Yun Chu felt some heartache over this expenditure, but there were many things she couldn't explicitly explain to her mother. Saying too much would only make her mother anxious and worried about her circumstances.

The surrounding ladies could tell from this birthday gift that the marital alliance between the Yun and Xie families would continue.

With the Yun family as backing, the ladies' attitude toward Xie Laotaitai became somewhat more attentive.

The female relatives accompanied the Old Madam in conversation in the flower hall, while the men were entertained by Xie Jingyu, with Xie Zhongcheng and Xie Shi'an accompanying them.

Before long, the birthday banquet hour arrived, and everyone took their seats according to their status and official rank.

Just then, the guard at the entrance suddenly announced loudly: "Marquis Xuanwu has arrived!"

A look of astonishment appeared on Xie Laotaitai's face.

Marquis Xuanwu was a noble their Xie family simply couldn't reach. She hadn't sent an invitation to the Marquis Xuanwu residence, so why would the young marquis come?

Xie Jingyu's expression suddenly changed, turning somewhat unpleasant as he looked up at the person entering.

Marquis Xuanwu had inherited the family title just three years ago and was only in his early twenties this year. Dressed in silver robes and holding a paper fan, he appeared elegant and refined.

"This junior has come to offer birthday congratulations to the Old Madam," Qin Mingheng entered, closing his paper fan and presenting his gift. "This is snow skin cream, something only available in the palace. When applied by young women, it makes their skin snow-white; when used by elderly women, it removes wrinkles. This junior wishes the Old Madam great fortune on her birthday and to grow younger with each passing year."

Hearing that it was something from the palace, the Old Madam's eyes shone. She quickly stood up and said, "For Marquis Xuanwu to specially come and offer congratulations truly overwhelms this old woman."

"What are you saying, Old Madam? Minister Xie and I are close friends. It's only proper for me to come and offer congratulations." Qin Mingheng looked at Xie Jingyu. "Minister Xie, you don't seem very welcoming of my visit?"

Xie Jingyu clenched his fists tightly and said, "The arrival of Marquis Xuanwu brings great honor to our Xie family. Please take the seat of honor."

The marquis title ranked above all officials, so Qin Mingheng's seat was placed above the Yun family's, adjacent to the host Xie residence.

Between Yun Chu and the young marquis, there was only Xie Jingyu and a passageway separating them.

Whether she was overthinking it or not, she felt that since the young marquis entered, his gaze seemed to occasionally fall on her.

But when she looked over, the young marquis would be talking with others, making it seem like she was indeed overthinking.

Just when she thought she was imagining things, Qin Mingheng suddenly looked at her: "I've heard that Madam Xie is critically ill. I wonder if she has improved?"

Every guest attending the banquet would ask something similar, so Yun Chu didn't find it inappropriate and was about to respond.

But Xie Jingyu spoke first: "Thank you for your concern, Marquis. My humble wife merely caught a slight cold; it's not as serious as the rumors suggest. She's much better now."As the head of the household, Xie Zhongcheng stood up and declared, "Thank you all, esteemed officials, ladies, young ladies, and gentlemen, for taking time from your busy schedules to attend my mother's birthday banquet. Today, we have prepared modest wine and dishes as a token of our respect. If there is any inadequacy in our hospitality, we beg your indulgence. Now, let us raise our glasses in celebration!"

The guests all raised their glasses simultaneously.

However, as the wine touched their lips, their expressions shifted subtly. A birthday banquet was a grand occasion, and they wondered why the Xie family had chosen such ordinary wine.

But as guests, they followed the host's arrangements, drinking whatever was provided without raising any specific objections.

Only Qin Mingheng spoke up: "Tsk, this is the first time I've tasted such bland wine. Minister Xie, your family's wine is just like you—too mild."

Xie Jingyu pressed his lips together tightly.

It was clear that Qin Mingheng was here to pick a fight, but given their respective statuses, Xie Jingyu had no way to expel him.

Yun Chu also sensed that Marquis Xuanwu seemed to have some issue with Xie Jingyu. Yet Xie Jingyu was merely a minor fifth-rank official with no dealings with noble families—how could he have offended the Marquis?

But this was not within her concern. Sitting in her seat, she maintained a faint smile and engaged in casual conversation with the ladies beside her.

Just then, maidservants began serving the banquet dishes.

Each table received the same spread: four main courses, four hot dishes, four cold dishes, and four platters of fruits and pastries. It appeared reasonably abundant.

But Yun Chu noticed that each dish was only half-filled, clearly indicating that the staff had cut corners.

The men might overlook such details, but the noblewomen present, all experienced household managers, could not miss the trick. They exchanged glances, utterly perplexed.

The Xie family, after all, held a fifth-rank position. Though of humble origins, they had served as officials for years and should have accumulated some wealth—how could they fail to host a proper birthday banquet?

Xie Laotaitai was beginning to regret her decision.

She should never have entrusted such an important event as the birthday banquet to Xie Ping, an unmarried young girl.

The disdain and contempt in the ladies' eyes were palpable, as if the Xie family were utterly beneath notice.

Xie Ping dared not even look at the Old Madam, keeping her head bowed low as she inwardly cursed He Xu once more.

"Perhaps you are unaware," Yun Chu interjected, "but the lack of spring rain in the south may lead to a complete crop failure this autumn, inevitably causing many refugees. The Xie family dared not indulge in extravagance for this banquet because hosting a lavish event would only earn us some face, whereas using these funds for disaster relief could save dozens of lives. Which is more important—face or human lives? I believe each of you has your own measure."

"Excellent!" Qin Mingheng was the first to applaud and cheer. "Madam Xie, your concern for the nation and its people puts the rest of us to shame!"

The Old Madam was truly impressed by her granddaughter-in-law. Just as the banquet was about to become a subject of ridicule, these words transformed the Xie family's inadequacy into a virtuous deed.

Even Marquis Xuanwu had voiced his approval—who would dare criticize the Xie family's banquet now?

Sure enough, the disdain in the guests' eyes faded considerably. They smiled and praised the Xie family for their great merit, wishing the Old Madam longevity and blessings.

The Old Madam picked up her chopsticks. "We've been chatting for so long; everyone must be hungry. Let us begin the meal."

She took a bite of the crispy fish and couldn't help but marvel inwardly: truly worthy of the Yun family's private recipes—even stale fish could be made so delicious.As she was sighing with emotion, discordant voices rose from below.

Qin Mingheng took a bite of a meatball and immediately spat it out, exclaiming loudly, "I only knew Lord Xie served as a Director in the Ministry of Revenue, but I never knew the Xie residence also dealt in salt."

The guests began murmuring among themselves.

"This dish is far too salty—it's inedible."

"How could it be this salty? I've drunk two cups of tea and still can't wash it down. It's practically trying to kill us with salt."

"For the Xie residence's chef to make such a grave mistake clearly indicates mismanagement in the household. The lady of the house is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yun family—how could she not know how to manage a household?"

"It's because Lady Xie has been ill recently. Look at her complexion—she probably hasn't fully recovered. How could she have the energy to oversee household affairs? When it comes down to it, it's the eldest daughter of the Xie family who lacks the talent for managing a household and has ruined this birthday banquet."

"I heard she's the daughter of a concubine, merely holding the title of legitimate eldest daughter. What would she know about managing a household?"

"Earlier, Lady Xie tried to smooth things over. I wonder what excuse she'll come up with to explain this overly salty dish."

"..."