Chapter Thirty-Three: New Year's Celebration (Part Two)

"Oh, which family is the match with?" Among the four sons of the Fifth House, the second and fourth were born to Lady Zhang. Of them, Lady Zhang favored the fourth most, and had spent over two years meticulously searching for a suitable bride for him. Now, hearing that he was finally about to be betrothed, the matriarch grew curious.

"It's the second daughter of the Fang family," Lady Zhang replied, brimming with delight and entirely unconcerned by the matriarch's darkening expression. "She's seventeen this year, said to be not only beautiful but also gentle in character. You can't imagine how pleased my fourth son is—he's been grinning from ear to ear ever since the engagement was settled. Even my husband is overjoyed. The Fang family is a noble clan, serving both the Empress and the Third Prince in the capital. Surely our son-in-law's future will be bright. With our families joined, my husband's career advancement will be assured by the Fang family's support, and we needn't trouble the eldest brother anymore."

"That sounds wonderful. In that case, sister-in-law, let me congratulate you in advance," replied the matriarch coolly, feigning fatigue as she half-closed her eyes, unwilling to continue the conversation.

Lady Zhang pursed her lips privately, but seeing the matriarch's demeanor, she felt a surge of joy. Gao, who always prided herself on her noble lineage and her status as the eldest sister-in-law, never regarded Zhang with any respect. Now, with this alliance with the Fang family, when the Third Prince ascends the throne and the Fangs rise to power, let’s see how they fare.

A chill settled over Listening Wave Pavilion, while in the outer study, Master Liu's expression was equally grim. He regarded his cousin, whom he had always treated as a brother, with a complicated feeling he could not name. He knew that while his fifth brother rarely showed it, he harbored many grievances against him. These years, his brother had been lost in pleasure, his skills had not improved, but his hunger for fame and fortune had grown keener, not to mention the influence of his wife. The distance between them widened, while his brother drew closer to the Fang family.

Master Liu's fifth brother had always blamed him, the head of the household, for not doing enough for his own siblings. After so many years, he was still a minor official, never considering that he wouldn’t even hold that post if not for Master Liu’s support. In their youth, he was the least promising among them, relying on Master Liu's help to make a living.

Despite his disappointment, Master Liu did not forget his responsibility as the elder brother and advised, "Qingye, perhaps you should reconsider your fourth son's marriage. It's a matter of lifelong importance. Remember when you—"

"Oh, brother, let’s not dredge up the past. What's wrong with this match? The Fang family’s willingness to accept our fourth son is a blessing. Besides, I've already sent word to Jincheng, and our elders have agreed. The birth charts have been exchanged, so there's no need for you to worry. I'm simply informing you."

Master Liu fell silent. Liu Cheng, still young and hot-blooded, could not contain his anger. "Fifth uncle, that's not how things are. Everyone in the Liu family knows the Fangs are our rivals. Not to mention grandfather, but when my father first established himself in Wucheng, the Fangs interfered, causing endless trouble behind the scenes. Just recently, they publicly impeached my father at court. Have you forgotten all this?"

Fifth Master Liu waved it off. "Nephew, it’s not as serious as you say. The Fangs merely disagree with your father’s policies; it’s not a mortal feud. Why make things so tense and damage relations? That Magistrate Fang is a high-ranking official, and if your father hadn't excluded him, he wouldn't have submitted that report. Besides, the Fangs are influential in the capital, and though our Liu family is a prominent southern clan, there’s no need to antagonize them."

Liu Cheng was furious at his uncle's distorted reasoning and was about to argue further when Master Liu interrupted him with a wave. "Enough, don’t say more." He turned to his fifth brother. "Qingye, since you’ve decided, I won’t oppose you. But let me make one thing clear: the Liu family's main branch and the Fang family are irreconcilable. Don’t forget how my father died—though the Fang family didn’t directly cause it, they bear responsibility. They have committed many cruel acts as well. If you seek your own prosperous future, I won't stop you. Just don’t regret it later."

His words were firm and final. Fifth Master Liu, though resentful, dared not contest further under his elder brother’s authority.

That year’s New Year’s Eve banquet took place amid this rift between the two branches, casting a subtle tension over the festivities. Fortunately, there were many children, whose unruly laughter kept the atmosphere from becoming too cold.

Though men and women sat at separate tables, they shared the same hall, divided only by a screen. Halfway through the banquet, Liu Qin grew bored by the subdued mood. She was no longer a child in spirit and could sense the discord between the families. Asking her mother for permission to watch the servants set off firecrackers outside, the matriarch herself, eager to escape, readily agreed and let her go.

Liu Qin left the hall and instructed Changxing to fetch Jiang Li, Haige, and Chaoge, while Changsheng and Cuiyu brought the fireworks to the open space before the hall. The group was busy when Jiang Li appeared, followed by a long train of others, including the children from the Fifth House.

It was Jiang Li's first time seeing Liu Qin dressed as a girl. She wore red, the peach-blossom brocade jacket embroidered with large peonies, each petal intricately stitched, appearing in full bloom beneath the lantern light. A white fur collar framed her round, jade-like face, making her skin seem even fairer and her large eyes brighter. She wore a crimson pleated skirt adorned with scattered flowers, her hair styled in twin buns, each wrapped with pearl ornaments. She looked like a little goddess stepped out of a New Year painting, so adorable one might wish to hide her away from the world.

Jiang Li stared at Liu Qin, unable to look away, but he was not the only one whose gaze lingered. Just after Liu Qin flashed him a wide smile, she puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, for she noticed with sharp eyes that her cousin Liu Mei, standing behind, was watching Jiang Li as well, her face flushed in shy admiration.

This greatly displeased Liu Qin. Ever since she decided to groom Jiang Li into her ideal future husband, she considered him her own. Now someone dared try to compete for him? Not a chance. If she was provoked, family ties would mean nothing—she would make Liu Mei regret ever trying.

Jiang Li walked over to Liu Qin, flicking her puffed cheek with his finger and laughing, "Sister, why are you unhappy? Who upset you?"

Of course Liu Qin would not reveal her true thoughts, nor mention Liu Mei. She simply giggled, grabbed his hand, and said coyly, "It's you, Brother Li! You took so long to come out, and didn't play with me."

Jiang Li laughed, brushing her little face. By then, Changsheng had already lit several fireworks, and the open space bloomed with dazzling lights, like trees bursting into flowers. The children clapped and cheered.

Only Liu Mei, hiding at the back, bit her lip as her expression grew darker, retreating into the shadows where the fireworks could not reach. She watched the tall and short figures standing hand in hand, heads close together, whispering secrets. They looked so intimate, so dazzling...