Chapter Seventy-Five: The Master-Acceptance Banquet

The old madam soon sent word to have the kitchen prepare several banquet tables, setting them right in the martial arts courtyard. Since the weather was hot, dining outside was actually cooler. Through these actions, the old madam expressed her heartfelt congratulations on Jiang Li’s formal apprenticeship, making the feast especially lavish. There were four tables in all, and for a time, people came and went from the training ground—moving tables and chairs, fetching utensils, delivering dishes. Even the usually quiet pear grove path bustled with lively activity.

Changsheng and the other young servants hurried to help, and Liu Qin sent Chang’an to invite Teacher Zhou as well. By dusk, all was arranged.

Just as everyone was about to invite Master Mu and Teacher Zhou to take their seats, unexpectedly, Master Liu returned from the yamen, bringing along the eldest son, Liu Cheng, followed by his attendant carrying a wine jar—the very one Liu Qin had gifted her father.

Everyone rose to greet Master Liu with respectful bows. After exchanging pleasantries with Master Mu and Teacher Zhou, Master Liu modestly took his seat. At everyone’s insistence, Master Liu sat at the place of honor, with Master Mu and Teacher Zhou to either side, and Liu Cheng at the same table. Liu Qin naturally sat with Jiang Li and the others at another table. The remaining servants, including Changxing and Lei Hu, split between the last two tables, Lei Hu pulling the attendant who came with Master Liu over to join them.

Master Liu poured the filial wine his daughter had prepared for both Master Mu and Teacher Zhou, filling cups for himself and Liu Cheng as well. Raising his cup, he expressed his gratitude, both personally and on behalf of the Liu household, for Master Mu accepting Jiang Li as a disciple. The four of them toasted together, and only then did the rest of the guests begin to enjoy the meal.

The old madam had sent wine for the occasion, so Changxing, Lei Hu, and the others all poured themselves a drink. Only Liu Qin’s table, being younger, was not served alcohol.

Everyone first toasted the two teachers, then Master Liu and his son, and finally raised their cups to each other, taking delight in food and conversation.

Master Liu stroked his short beard, smiling as he observed the cheerful scene. In these half-grown youths, he seemed to glimpse his own passionate, adventurous self of years past, with the same dreams of roaming the world. Though his youth had faded and his dreams dispersed, the traces remained, surfacing from time to time and filling him with nostalgia.

He hadn’t interacted much with Master Mu, but instinctively sensed that the man’s background was far from ordinary. Even when Head Escort Long introduced him, his words were vague but full of respect. Head Escort Long was a notable figure in Wucheng, his forebear once hailed as the foremost man in Jiangnan—a testament to deep roots. Anyone who could command such respect from him was certainly no commoner.

Yet why would someone like that come to the Liu household as a mere martial instructor? Master Liu had once wondered, but never ordered anyone to investigate. His trust in Head Escort Long, built over years of friendship and mutual understanding, was deep enough that he didn’t question further.

That evening’s banquet ended with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves. Master Mu and Teacher Zhou, though one was hearty and the other refined, both carried an open and genuine spirit. They got along splendidly with Master Liu and Liu Cheng, passing cups around until the wine jar was emptied and their enthusiasm satisfied.

As the wine took gentle hold, Teacher Zhou, in high spirits, composed a poem. Rising, he recited toward the crescent moon on the horizon:

"Beneath the vast sky, willows in the fading sun,
Pure moonlight shines upon the channel run.
Though fallen from grace, my homeland’s sound unchanged,
Frost-white brows, yet loyalty and courage remain."

"Wonderful! What a line—‘Frost-white brows, yet loyalty and courage remain,’" praised Master Liu, echoed by the approving crowd.

Though Liu Qin had never been a diligent student, she could still appreciate the poem’s meaning, having absorbed years of classical education. She was moved by her teacher’s undiminished passion despite his thwarted ambitions, and clapped her small hands without realizing it.

Teacher Zhou stumbled a little, then smiled wryly, "Thank you for your praise, Master Liu. I have read for twenty years, with fervor to serve my country, yet failed repeatedly in the examinations. I am ashamed, truly ashamed."

Master Liu spoke sincerely, "A talent of Runan is like a pearl buried in dust; one day, you will shine brilliantly."

Liu Qin waved her little fist beside them, calling out, "Teacher, I support you!"

Teacher Zhou laughed, clasped his fists to Master Liu, and said, "Thank you, sir, and thanks to all present. To drink and talk with you this evening is indeed one of life’s pleasures. Though I, unworthy as I am, dare not compare myself to a pearl, even the faint glow of a firefly dares contend with the sun and moon—why not aspire to greatness?"

"Ha! Well said. Come, let us toast the bright moon together and drain this cup!"

That night, Teacher Zhou naturally ended up drunk and was helped back to his quarters by Chang’an. Master Liu, though only slightly tipsy, was in high spirits, chatting and laughing with Liu Qin all the way back to the inner residence. Liu Cheng and Master Mu had drunk their share, but being seasoned, were none the worse for wear. As for the young ones, with Master Liu present, they dared not overindulge; they drank happily yet in moderation. Thus, the banquet began and ended in good cheer—a truly satisfying evening.

The next morning, knowing the teacher had drunk too much, Liu Qin had Cui Liu carefully prepare some plain porridge and side dishes to send to his room. To create more opportunities for Cui Liu and Lei Hu to interact, she sent a portion to Lei Hu as well. She and Cui Yu divided the rest of the errands: Cui Yu brought a serving to Master Mu, while Liu Qin herself delivered one to her father.

Seeing the thoughtful meal his daughter had brought, Master Liu’s heart was warmed. Though the table was already set with the old madam’s light fare, he set it aside, choosing instead his daughter’s offering, and finished a large bowl of porridge with relish. He wiped his mouth, patted Liu Qin’s head, and then strode off to the yamen.

That evening, when he returned, Liu Qin faced a barrage of complaints and protests from her elder brother—she had lovingly prepared porridge for their father, the teacher, and the martial instructor, but had forgotten her big brother entirely. What did that mean? Did he hold no place in her heart?

Liu Cheng was quite disgruntled, and that night, as he held Cai Xinlan close, he whispered in her ear, "Lan, let’s have a daughter of our own."

He couldn’t help feeling vexed, especially since Liu Qin had replied so righteously, "But big brother, you have a wife now!"

It was indeed better to have a daughter; you couldn’t rely on little sisters for such things.

Unconsciously, more days slipped by. After some time observing the interactions between Cui Liu and Lei Hu, Liu Qin had Cui Yu keep an eye on her maid’s behavior. Thus, she frequently heard reports like, "Sister often sits alone, secretly smiling," "Sister embroidered a sachet," or "Sister made a pair of shoes."

This was clearly the rhythm of young love. Liu Qin herself watched closely and saw that Cui Liu’s mood had improved considerably; her smile had returned, her cheeks were rosy, her spirits high, and she seemed renewed both inside and out.

One evening, Cui Yu came with a secretive report: "Miss, sister went out carrying the shoes. I think she’s going to give them to Brother Lei."

Ah, things were moving quickly—giving shoes already! In Han culture, gifting shoes, like giving underwear, carried romantic implications, as both were intimate items. For a woman to present such a personal gift to a man meant their relationship was special; the next step would be marriage talks.

The next day, Liu Qin encountered Lei Hu in the Xuanlu corridor and couldn’t help glancing at his feet. Sure enough, he was wearing a new pair of shoes. She chuckled, and Lei Hu, puzzled by her laughter, was even more confused when Liu Qin remarked, "Brother Lei, those new shoes look great—such fine workmanship! Really nice. You must treasure them."