Chapter 232 – Family Banquet

The reception hall in the Wu Ying Duke Manor was splendidly decorated, featuring soft exotic woolen carpets, a set of Huanghuali furniture, and a seven-foot coral display. The most eye-catching feature was a pair of floor-standing jade vases as tall as half a person beside the red coral tree. Their deep green bodies were delicately translucent, filled with pink lotus flowers and green lotus leaves. A giant green glass lamp hung from the hall.

A large enamel-inlaid glass screen separated the outer and inner banquet halls, and it depicted banana leaves fluttering in the wind, revealing clusters of bananas. Xu Chun knew that this was a pun on the phrase “big family business” from the Yue region. As he followed Fang Zixing into the flower hall, Nong Siji was there, playing with two young children using a pale yellow Buddha’s hand fruit.

The two children were as lovely as porcelain dolls, their faces as tender as glutinous rice balls. One looked about two or three years old, presumably Fang Zijing’s eldest son, Chengxun. The slightly younger child, who was learning to walk, was Xie Fei’s son, Xie Qian, whom Xu Chun had met before.

At the head of the outer flower hall sat Fang Zijing and Princess Heshun. Below them, another female guest stood gracefully upon his arrival. Though she wore her hair in a bun, her face seemed youthful, her eyes were clear like water, and she appeared to be no older than twenty. Xu Chun guessed she was Lady Guo, Fang Zixing’s wife, and greeted her with a smile, “Greetings, Princess, greetings, Sister-in-law Guo.”

Lady Guo blushed slightly and returned the courtesy, “Greetings, Lord Linhai.”

Princess Heshun laughed, “Lord Linhai, it’s been only a few months since we last met, how have you become even more handsome and refined after returning to the capital?”

She glanced at Fang Zijing and continued, “No wonder Zijing has grown to look down on ordinary people in recent years, working alongside distinguished figures like Lord Linhai and General Nong.”

Xu Chun felt a slight flush and bowed, “Your Highness flatters me. I apologize for being too busy with trivial matters to visit often after returning to the capital. I am ashamed.”

Nong Siji, not good with words, merely chuckled.

Fang Zijing suddenly laughed, “My wife praised Xu Chun’s appearance, yet I recalled that old man Li Meiyai today, evaluating the looks of young ministers. He said Fan Muchun and Zhuang Zhizhan far surpassed Xu Chun in appearance.”

Xu Chun felt a heat rising to his face as Nong Siji commented, “Are they civil officials? I saw Zhuang Zhuangyuan during the polo match; indeed, his appearance was remarkably beautiful. Yuanlin went through military campaigns, enduring hardships daily; how can one compare appearances with civil officials? Naturally, it’s about comparing spirit and character.”

Princess Heshun smiled, “Beauty lies within, not on the surface. Brother Xu’s eyes shine brilliantly, his spirit handsome and clear, naturally elegant. Zhuang Zhuangyuan and Minister Fan have ambitions in the imperial court; while beautiful, they lack depth, being shallow people. From our perspective as women, figures like Lord Linhai are far more interesting.”

Fang Zijing looked at Princess Heshun, “Does the princess imply that I, having entered the imperial court, am too focused on personal gain and thus uninteresting?”

Princess Heshun laughed, “With so many younger brothers around, my lord should act more like an elder brother. At your age, why do you need to compete with the youth for interest?”

Fang Zijing’s gaze flickered as he looked at the princess without speaking. Princess Heshun ignored him, smiling as she ordered the wet nurses and maids to take the children away. She then instructed the servants to serve the dishes, inviting everyone to take their seats and start the feast. Afraid of making Fang Zijing feel awkward, Xu Chun quickly mediated, “Duke Wu Ying is wise and knowledgeable, intelligent to the point of appearing cunning, affectionate yet seemingly detached. He and the princess are truly a perfect match.”

Princess Heshun was unexpectedly taken aback by this evaluation. She turned to look at Xu Chun, repeating, “How intriguing, ‘affectionate yet seemingly detached.'” She appraised Xu Chun, as if seeing him anew, sighing with a smile, “I never expected Lord Linhai to be Duke’s true confidant.”

Fang Zijing glanced at him, “You seem quick-witted. Now, tell us what you think of Zixing.”

Xu Chun felt a bit uneasy, but with everyone’s eager gazes on him, including Fang Zixing and Lady Guo, he had no choice but to muster up his courage, “Brother Zixing is a master of simplicity, returning to the essence.”

Princess Heshun clapped her hands in delight, “I must regard Lord Xu with new eyes, for he is clearly perceptive.”

Nong Siji became excited, “What about me? What about me?”

Xu Chun broke out in a sweat, struggling to say, “Brother Nong is loyal, humble, and straightforward in his actions, receiving much assistance due to his virtue.”

Nong Siji, hearing only praise, was satisfied, “Brother Xian truly excels in discerning people.”

Fang Zijing chuckled, ordering everyone to pour wine. He then coolly remarked, “He said Zixing is tongue-tied and you’re stubbornly upright. Didn’t you notice?”

Xu Chun coughed awkwardly, looking at Fang Zijing pleadingly.

Nong Siji chuckled, “I know Xu Chun thinks I’m too rule-bound and filially naive, but it’s nothing. If I had ill intentions, Duke Wu Ying wouldn’t have helped me back in the South Seas, nor would I have experienced such good fortune today.”

Princess Heshun interjected, “As Zhuangzi’s ‘Knowing the Northward Journey’ says: ‘Without thought or worry, one begins to know the Dao. Without a place or attire, one begins to abide by the Dao. Without a guide or the Dao, one begins to attain the Dao.’ Isn’t General Nong achieving the Dao in a different way? Indeed, those who follow the Dao receive much assistance. Now, taking a different path, blessings truly gather. I believe Lord Xu’s assessment is accurate. To say, Lord Xu also possesses remarkable fortune.”

Xu Chun could only smile, not daring to get involved in the couple’s verbal sparring. It was evident that Duke Wu Ying and the princess had a deep bond, uninhibited in their words and actions, and were quite relaxed in front of others. Fang Zijing rubbed his nose, not pressing Xu Chun further, and personally poured him some wine, “This is cherry wine, so you won’t get drunk and face scolding from your elders when you return home.”

Xu Chun explained, “My father is under punishment at home; he doesn’t care about me now. My mother has gone to Jiangnan for procurement, and there are no elders managing me at home.”

Fang Zijing let out a brief laugh, ignoring him, and poured a cup of wine for Nong Siji as well.

Soon, the table was fully set, and the wine glasses were filled. As the host, Fang Zijing raised his glass first, “Today is a family banquet. Little Nong and Little Xu, I treat you both like sons, as close as family. Since we are all close friends, feel free to enjoy yourselves without any reservations.”

Glasses clinked as the banquet began. The dishes were exquisite, with both land and sea ingredients, all delicious. Nong Siji started by recounting the amusing incidents he encountered with Fang Zijing and Xu Chun in the South Seas. Princess Heshun and Lady Guo heard these stories for the first time and were very interested, asking questions frequently.

Though Fang Zixing was usually quiet, he unusually asked several questions about the auction house. Xu Chun also shared stories about his travels and the establishment of the machinery factory in Jinhaiwei over the years, along with some amusing anecdotes involving foreigners. The atmosphere at the banquet was incredibly harmonious.