Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Invitation

On the day of the banquet, Bai Shao excitedly showcased her skill, dressing Mo Nianian with such elegance and beauty that she outshone everyone present.

She styled Mo Nianian’s hair and adorned it with hairpins. “All done, miss. Today you’ll be the most dazzling presence in the crowd!”

Mo Nianian examined her reflection in the mirror, feeling quite satisfied. “Not bad. You’re rewarded.”

Bai Shao beamed with joy. “Thank you for your generosity, miss.”

Jiang Hu watched silently, memorizing Bai Shao’s every movement. He wished he could help his mistress with her hair as well. He wanted to be involved in every aspect of her life. But he was painfully aware that he had no such right.

Lowering his head, Jiang Hu suppressed the wild beast in his heart that threatened to break free.

Bai Shao then helped Mo Nianian into a striking red court dress—so bright and bold that few could pull it off. Yet Mo Nianian wore it effortlessly, elevating the gown and enhancing its splendor twofold. She wasn’t overshadowed in the least; instead, her presence was imposing and radiant, as if she had stepped straight out of a vibrant, lavish painting.

Standing beside Mo Nianian, Bai Shao couldn’t stop praising her, her lips moving non-stop in admiration.

Mo Nianian, delighted, spun before Jiang Hu. “What do you think?”

Jiang Hu paused a moment. “Something’s missing.”

“What is it?”

He fetched Mo Nianian’s thickest ceremonial robe and draped it over her, wrapping her up securely.

Bai Shao nearly cursed aloud. What kind of taste was this? Did he even understand beauty?

She doubted him deeply.

Mo Nianian stared in confusion. “Are you sure this looks good?”

She felt like a red lantern, swaddled tightly without a single gap.

Jiang Hu nodded resolutely. “It’ll be cold tonight. This is perfect for you, mistress.”

“…Fine.”

She’d rather look a little clumsy than catch a chill.

Thus, after much preparation, Mo Nianian and her entourage made a grand entrance at the banquet, arriving just in time for the grand finale.

The moment she appeared, all eyes were drawn to her.

Even as a red lantern, she was the most beautiful one in the hall.

With a proud, aloof stride, she entered, exuding an air of untouchable nobility.

A group of ladies immediately clustered around her, greeting her with flattery. No one dared sit without her permission, a testament to Mo Nianian’s dominance in the capital.

She lifted her chin. “Please, be seated.”

Only then did the noblewomen sit, all grace and elegance, each trying to outshine the other.

Worried Jiang Hu might faint from standing too long, and since there was plenty of space beside her, she patted the seat next to her, signaling for him to sit.

Jiang Hu hesitated; he didn’t want to embarrass Mo Nianian in public. He felt unworthy to sit at her side.

“Sit down. Why are you just standing there?”

At her words, the room instantly fell silent. The noblewomen exchanged covert, frantic glances.

With a helpless sigh and eyes full of tenderness, Jiang Hu relented. “Yes, mistress.”

As soon as he sat, the silence grew even deeper—one could hear a pin drop.

Noblewoman A: See? I told you there was something between them. The whole capital knows by now.

Noblewoman B: Really? Wasn’t he a slave? I heard his status was only recently lifted.

Noblewoman C: You’re behind the times! Rumor has it the princess raised a storm at the Mo estate for his sake. That’s why the family’s businesses were reorganized—because he was hurt.

Noblewoman D: I heard it was actually the princess who overstepped and accidentally injured him?

Noblewoman E: The princess is really that fierce?

Noblewoman F: But look at him—so well built. Even he can’t handle her?

Noblewoman G: No matter how strong, who could withstand several rounds in one night?

The atmosphere was strange. No one spoke a word, but Mo Nianian had the odd feeling they’d just exchanged a mountain of gossip.

She cleared her throat. “Eat, everyone. Just pretend I’m not here.”

The lively chatter and clinking of cups resumed.

The princess was still young, barely eleven or twelve. Usually, she was a bit afraid of Mo Nianian, but today, Mo Nianian seemed less intimidating.

The princess stared at her several times, and seeing she wasn’t scolded, grew bolder. “Cousin, is this the slave you rescued?”

“He has a name, you know.”

The little princess pouted in grievance, then after a few minutes of calm started pestering Mo Nianian with endless questions.

In the past, she wouldn’t have dared, not even with ten times her courage.

But today, though Mo Nianian seemed impatient, she didn’t lash out or reprimand her, which only encouraged the princess to push her luck further.

Mo Nianian had only come for the lively atmosphere, but the little princess chattered incessantly at her side. Because she was cute, Mo Nianian tolerated her.

Next to Jiang Hu sat Lin Fu.

It had been a long time since Lin Fu had seen Jiang Hu. She raised her cup gracefully. “It’s been a while. I heard you were ill. Are you well now?”

Jiang Hu cast a sidelong glance at Mo Nianian, suppressing his irritation and coldness. “I’m well.”

“I’m glad.” Lin Fu looked at him for a few moments, her cheeks tinged with pink, growing more pleased the longer she gazed.

Jiang Hu was exactly her type, and his character suited her tastes even more. She couldn’t help wanting to talk to him.

“Mo Hu, are you free these days? There’s a boating party on South Lake. I’d like to invite you.”

“I’m not free.”

His annoyance grew more obvious; he didn’t understand what his mistress could be talking about with that little girl, nor did he appreciate Lin Fu’s persistence, which grated on him like a cricket’s chirp.

Unwilling to give up, Lin Fu pressed on. “You should join us. I’ll let the princess know.”

Mo Nianian turned around. “Hmm? What’s going on?”

Jiang Hu instantly masked all impatience and irritation, presenting a well-behaved expression.

Lin Fu’s interest in him only deepened. Taming a wild horse was so much more thrilling than handling a docile one. If one day he could be this obedient before her, wouldn’t that be satisfying?

Smiling, Lin Fu said, “Princess, I wanted to invite Mo Hu to join us for a boat trip, but he doesn’t seem interested.”

“Boating on the lake, you say?”

Jiang Hu was always cooped up at home, which wasn’t good for him. Besides, Mo Nianian had always hoped that Jiang Hu and Lin Fu would spark something between them.

She looked at Jiang Hu. “Would you like to go? If you’re free, it might be nice to go out with Miss Lin and enjoy yourself.”

A sharp pain stabbed through Jiang Hu’s heart. He didn’t understand why his mistress kept trying to push him away. All he wanted was to stay by her side.

Fixing his gaze stubbornly on Mo Nianian, he asked, “Is it your wish that I go?”

Mo Nianian, sensing something off in his tone—a lesson she’d learned from experience—knew better than to give a direct answer.

She chose her words carefully. “It’s up to you. Go if you want, don’t if you don’t.”

The pain in Jiang Hu’s heart eased a little. With quiet determination, he replied, “I don’t wish to go.”