The royal banquet was much like a family feast for ordinary households; the only discernible differences were the finer cuisine and more exquisite porcelain.
Lu Jingan sat at the head of the grand hall, observing the guests as they arrived one by one, a smile gracing his face, a smile that had become more frequent in recent days.
Eunuch Hua, seeing this, joined him in a smile.
Hua Yao, dressed in an apricot-colored gown, followed behind Old General Hua. In the month or so since they last met, her childhood braided hair was gone, replaced by a dignified and elegant cross bun.
But her temperament...
"Li'er, you're here too... I've missed you so much." Before the banquet even commenced, Hua Yao spotted Zhong Li. Disregarding the disapproving glance her father, Old General Hua, cast her for her lack of decorum, she took Zhong Li's hand, pouring out her longing.
Zhong Li looked at the young girl coquettishly acting before her and asked, "If you missed me, why didn't you come to see me?"
"I couldn't come out," she said, glancing at General Hua not far away, her meaning quite evident.
Zhong Li smiled and replied, "It's alright, your father is doing it for your own good."
"Is that so?" Hua Yao raised an eyebrow and said, "Today, Father said he'd bring me to the palace banquet, but... why does it feel like a royal family banquet?"
"What do you mean?" Zhong Li feigned ignorance.
"Look, today's banquet is held in the Qionghua Palace, which is a smaller palace within the inner court. From my past experience, when the Emperor hosts a banquet here, it's usually a family affair. That's the first point."
"And the second?" Zhong Li inquired.
"Secondly, in this vast hall, apart from the royal family, only my father and I are officials. This... something is amiss." Hua Yao said mysteriously.
Zhong Li smiled and countered, "Am I not also an official?"
"You were brought by the Heir Apparent. I was walking behind you two just now, and seeing how engrossed you were in conversation, oblivious to your surroundings, it's clear the Emperor approves of you as a niece-in-law. What am I in comparison?" Hua Yao quipped.
"Don't be cheeky and talk nonsense," Zhong Li playfully flicked Hua Yao's nose and said, "Yao'er."
"Hmm?" Hua Yao responded absently as she looked for a seat.
Zhong Li cautioned her, "Later, no matter what you hear, you must remain calm. Don't act impulsively, understand?"
"What? What is it?" Hua Yao blinked.
Zhong Li remained silent, fixing her gaze upon her.
"Alright, I understand!" Hua Yao waved her hand, her carefree demeanor returning.
Zhong Li sighed and followed Lu Wuxie to their seats, truly unsure of how Hua Yao would react when she heard what was to come.
And the person she had notified beforehand, would they be waiting anxiously outside the palace?
As Zhong Li was lost in thought, a musical piece sounded, signaling the start of the family banquet.
Emperor Jing had two daughters, neither yet of age for marriage. In a rare occasion during this Laba family banquet, they both presented talents they had long prepared.
They say daughters are their fathers' little padded jackets. Zhong Li felt this sentiment remained true even in ancient times.
After the two princesses finished their performances, Emperor Jing's face lit up with joy, his doting gaze evident.
Shen Nong sat beside Lu Jingan, seemingly lost in thought. As the two young princesses returned to their seats hand-in-hand, she appeared somewhat downcast.
Midway through the family banquet, Lu Wuxie stood up. He took Zhong Li's hand and they knelt before Lu Jingan.
Lu Jingan, well aware of his intentions, feigned ignorance and said, "What is the meaning of this, Mo Cang? Are you leading my minister astray?"
His words were met with a burst of laughter from the surrounding guests, the rare familial atmosphere reaching a crescendo.
Lu Yuanfeng, sitting nearby, also watched the kneeling pair with keen interest. He was eager to see how Lu Wuxie intended to present his plea.
"Imperial Uncle!" Lu Wuxie addressed Lu Jingan, his tone far more intimate than his usual address.
Lu Jingan looked at Lu Wuxie, his joy genuine.
"Your nephew and Li'er have known each other for over two years. We have experienced the passing of seasons, the bloom of spring, enjoyed worldly riches, and endured the hardship of imprisonment.
From the very beginning, your nephew has cherished her, and I fear neither time nor arduous journeys will change this. Your nephew has met his destined one in this life and wishes only to hold her hand. Thus, I request Imperial Uncle to grant your nephew and Zhong Li, the Assistant Minister of Dali Temple, the imperial marriage decree."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone except Shen Nong and Lu Yuanhong began to applaud.
Zhong Li lowered her gaze, her bright eyes reflecting her emotions. She felt a surge of gratitude towards Lu Wuxie. He respected her. He had not referred to her as a daughter of the Zhong family or by her surname, but rather by her official title and given name. This was both a declaration that she was worthy of him and that he was willing to marry her, and it showed that he had never treated her as an ordinary woman.
What more could she ask for than to meet a man like Mo Cang?
"Excellent! Granted!" Lu Jingan glanced at Eunuch Hua.
"Brush, ink, paper, inkstone!" Eunuch Hua understood and called out to the attendants.
Lu Jingan, with a flourish of his brush, produced an imperial decree which he handed to Lu Wuxie.
Lu Wuxie, in the center, passed it to Zhong Li and whispered in her ear, "This is our marriage certificate. When I marry you, you can return it to me."
Zhong Li looked at the imperial decree in her hand, recalling how she had once mentioned modern marriage certificates to him. Now, Lu Wuxie's assurance was effectively a marriage certificate.
"Today, I am pleased. Raise your cups!" Lu Jingan looked at Lu Wuxie, his gaze sweeping over the guests as he lifted his wine cup.
The crowd exclaims, "Long live the Emperor," and drained their cups of clear wine.
The clear wine warmed their bodies and invigorated their spirits, instantly lifting everyone's mood.
"Today, it is not only the Prince Xian's residence that has joyous news. I too have some good news to share."
Lu Jingan spoke, his gaze shifting between Lu Yuanfeng and Hua Yao.
Hua Yao was still preoccupied with Zhong Li's affairs and naturally did not notice.
However, Shen Nong's expression grew increasingly displeased.
"Feng'er!" Lu Jingan called out.
Lu Yuanfeng glanced at Nan Gong Xiaodie, and at her signal, he rose and knelt in the hall.
"Hua Yao, the youngest daughter of the Hua family!" Lu Jingan then announced.
Hua Yao, not having registered what was happening, rose only after her father, General Hua, lightly coughed to remind her, pulling up her skirt.
Lu Jingan, seeing her cute and naive demeanor, chuckled and shook his head, gesturing for her to kneel beside Lu Yuanfeng.
"Yes!" Hua Yao quickly complied and moved to the designated spot.
Lu Jingan looked at Eunuch Hua.
Eunuch Hua nodded, took an imperial decree from a nearby tray, opened it, and began to read, "By the Mandate of Heaven, Emperor decrees: Prince Lu Yuanfeng is steady and diligent in court. Hua Yao, the young daughter of the Hua family, is intelligent and wise..."
Hua Yao knelt on the ground, listening to the flattering words spoken by Eunuch Hua.
She didn't know how much she had absorbed, nor whether the imperial decree had finished being read. All she knew was that she had been bestowed a marriage. It was only when Lu Yuanfeng tugged at her sleeve and signaled her that she hastily kowtowed to express her gratitude.
She somewhat dazed, walked back to her seat and drank cup after cup of wine.
Old General Hua, holding the imperial decree, beamed with joy. To marry into the royal family was considered a lifelong honor for one's ancestors.
"Yao'er, it's a good thing you didn't fancy any of the portraits of the young gentlemen I showed you, otherwise, how could such good fortune have fallen upon our Yao'er?" Old General Hua, a man of the martial arts, spoke directly and was indeed a simple, honest man.
Hua Yao turned to Hua Xiong beside her with a blank expression and asked, "Father, you knew about this beforehand, didn't you?"
"Ah!" Old General Hua started, stroked his beard, and said blankly, "Was it that obvious?"
Hua Yao felt as if she had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world and let out a light laugh, "When I left the manor, I asked Father why the Emperor had only invited our family. How did Father reply?"
"Uh..."
"Father said it was a special invitation because our family has been loyal for generations. And now? Are you pushing your own daughter into a fire pit?" Hua Yao accused. Fortunately, her voice was not loud, and with the palace attendants dancing, no one noticed these small details at the feast.
"Yao'er, you can't say it like that. He is the Sixth Prince. If it were before, Father would certainly not agree, as he was considered useless. But now he is different, he..."
"Didn't Father always maintain neutrality? Why is he climbing the dragon's roost now?" Hua Yao questioned again.
Hua Xiong lowered his eyes and remained silent.
"Hmph!" Hua Yao scoffed, "So, Father is also just like that."
With that, Hua Yao stood up, disregarding the other guests at the banquet, and rushed out of the Qionghua Palace.
Shen Nong's lips curved upwards slightly at this sight. She exchanged a glance with Lu Yuanhong beside her.
Lu Yuanhong nodded. Seeing that Lu Jingan's attention was on the dancers, he quietly withdrew.
Zhong Li and Lu Wuxie sat side by side, neither speaking, their gazes moving in synchronized understanding.