Chapter 27 Family Banquet
Inside the hall, glasses clinked and the atmosphere was lively.
Ye Xunyang hadn't seen his aunt for a long time, and since he didn't have to deal with his cousin, he was in a relaxed mood and drank a few more cups than usual. His face flushed, and he became more talkative.
After a few cups of fruit wine, his cousin Liu Wenxuan became bolder, his eyes fixed on a fine mutton-fat jade pendant at Ye Xunyang's waist.
The jade pendant, carved with a Pixiu, was given to Ye Xunyang by his father for his birthday this year. He cherishes it and wears it often.
"Cousin Yang," Liu Wenxuan leaned closer, his voice carrying a youthful sweetness.
"Your jade pendant is so beautiful, so crystal clear. I've never seen such fine jade before."
Ye Xunyang knew what he wanted to do, but just chuckled and didn't reply.
Seeing that Ye Xunyang remained silent, Liu Wenxuan could only tug at Ye Xunyang's sleeve and shake it: "Cousin Yang, you love me the most, how about I play with this jade pendant? I'll trade you my new purple-gold gourd!"
The purple-gold gourd he mentioned was just an ordinary toy, far inferior to the imperial gift of mutton-fat jade.
Ye Xunyang subconsciously pressed down on the jade pendant, saying with difficulty, "Wenxuan, this won't do. It was a gift from my father, and it has a different meaning. I'll find you another nice item another day."
Liu Wenxuan immediately pouted, her face full of displeasure, and her voice rose a little: "Cousin Yang is stingy! He used to be willing to give me all sorts of good things, but now that he's a princess, he looks down on me, his poor relative, doesn't he? It's just a jade pendant, and he's so stingy with it!"
He spoke quite loudly, and the room fell silent for a moment.
Aunt's face changed, and she scolded in a low voice, "Wenxuan! What nonsense are you talking about! Apologize to your cousin right now!"
Ye Xunyang was also a little embarrassed. His cousin was spoiled and had always been like this, but it was really impolite to act like this in front of Lou Jin.
He was about to smooth things over when he felt the air pressure around him suddenly drop a few degrees.
Lou Jin, who had been eating quietly and exchanging a few words occasionally, slowly put down his silver chopsticks.
He didn't look at Liu Wenxuan, but instead turned his gaze calmly to his aunt, with even a very faint smile on his lips, his tone gentle yet unquestionable.
“Madam Liu, your son is still young and speaks without thinking, so I will not hold it against him. However, Xunyang is now the Princess Consort of the Jin Prince’s Mansion, and everything he carries represents the dignity of the mansion.”
"This jade pendant was a gift from my father-in-law, and it holds extraordinary significance. How can I give it away so easily?"
"Furthermore, I believe that a real man should obtain what he likes through his own abilities; asking others for things is not the right way."
"What does Madam Liu think?"
Lou Jin had long held a high position, and even though he was sickly, the unintentional display of authority he exuded was enough to awe people.
His aunt felt a chill run down her spine under his gaze and quickly smiled apologetically, "Your Highness is right, Your Highness is right! It is my fault for failing to raise my son properly, Your Highness has made a fool of yourself."
Having said that, he glared at Liu Wenxuan and said in a low voice, "Shut up! If you keep fooling around, you'll be punished by copying books when we get back!"
Liu Wenxuan was intimidated by his mother and Lou Jin's imposing manner. Although he was unwilling, he dared not make a fuss anymore and could only lower his head and eat his rice.
Ye Xunyang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, gently touched Lou Jin's hand under the table, and gave him a grateful look.
Lou Jin glanced back at him, his gaze deep, his fingertips lightly brushing across the back of Lou Jin's hand.
The minor incident was thus resolved, the banquet continued, and Liu Wenxuan dared not act recklessly.
After the banquet, Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang took their leave and returned to their residences.
Inside the carriage, Ye Xunyang was still somewhat indignant: "My cousin is really spoiled by our aunt; he's becoming more and more outrageous."
Lou Jin closed his eyes to rest, and said indifferently, "An ignorant child, why bother with him? If he bothers you again in the future, just push him to me."
Ye Xunyang felt a warmth in his heart and leaned closer with a smile, saying, "Your Highness is truly remarkable; you subdued him with just one sentence."
Lou Jin opened his eyes and looked at his smiling face so close to his.
"I'm afraid someone instructed him to do this."
"What do you mean?" Ye Xunyang asked, somewhat confused.
"It's just my guess." Lou Jin saw that he didn't quite understand, so he didn't bring it up again.
After all, Ye Xunyang had known his aunt's family for so many years; perhaps he really had the wrong idea.
But then Lou Jin changed the subject, wanting to question him about why he hadn't mentioned his cousin.
"Why didn't you mention your cousin this morning? And she seems quite close to you?"
Ye Xunyang paused for a moment, then suddenly realized: "Oh, you mean Yunxu?"
"I didn't mention it because I thought she wouldn't come. She was sickly when she was little and often lived with us. Usually when my aunt's family came, she was unwell and didn't come along."
"When I saw her this time, she had grown into a beautiful young woman; I almost didn't recognize her."
Lou Jin observed his expression and, seeing nothing amiss, stopped asking questions and closed his eyes again.
The next day, Ye Xunyang told Lou Jin early in the morning that he wanted to go back to the General's Mansion.
Lou Jin was reading a book when he heard this and looked up: "Is there something you haven't finished yesterday?"
He assumed Ye Xunyang was there to deal with the aftermath of yesterday's banquet, or that there was something else going on at his aunt's house.
Ye Xunyang waved his hand: "It's nothing serious. My older brother came back from the military camp in the suburbs today to visit my aunt. I'm going to see him and I'll be back this afternoon."
Lou Jin nodded: "Go, take the guards with you."
"Okay!" Ye Xunyang replied and left in a hurry.
After finishing his official business, Lou Jin took a few walks around the garden and read for a while.
As the sun began to set, he instructed the kitchen to prepare dinner in preparation for Ye Xunyang's return.
However, Ye Xunyang did not return to the mansion until dinner time, and he did not return alone.
Behind him followed a girl in a pale yellow dress, who was none other than his cousin Liu Yunxu, whom he had met yesterday.
The girl lowered her head, her cheeks slightly flushed, and nervously twisted her handkerchief in her hands, looking pitiful.
Wang Quan stepped forward to report, his tone somewhat cautious.
"The Princess Consort has returned, and... she has brought Miss Liu with her. She said that Miss Liu has not seen the Princess Consort for many years and would like to stay at the Prince's residence for a few days."
Lou Jin put down his silver chopsticks, his face calm and expressionless, but his eyes deepened.
He slowly rose and said to Wang Quan, "Please invite the Princess and Miss Liu to the flower hall for tea."
Inside the flower hall, Ye Xunyang was excitedly instructing his maid to arrange accommodations for Liu Yunxu. Seeing that she was somewhat reserved, he comforted her.
"Yunxu, don't be afraid. The Prince's mansion is just like your own home. The Prince is a very kind person. He may seem a bit cold, but he has a very soft heart..."
Before he could finish speaking, Lou Jin was pushed in by a guard in a wheelchair.
Ye Xunyang immediately greeted her with a smile: "Your Highness! Yunxu said she wanted to stay in the capital for a few more days. My aunt and the others have just settled in and are busy, so I brought her to stay at the manor for a few days."
Lou Jin's gaze swept lightly over Liu Yunxu, and the girl hurriedly stood up and bowed, her voice barely audible: "Greetings, Your Highness King Jin."
“Miss Liu, there’s no need for such formalities.” Lou Jin’s voice was unreadable as he looked at Ye Xunyang, his tone calm.
"Your Highness is very kind. However, there are many rules in the Prince's residence, and I'm afraid we might neglect Miss Liu."
Ye Xunyang waved his hand dismissively: "It's alright, it's alright! Yunxu is very well-behaved and won't cause any trouble."
"Right, Yunxu?"
Liu Yunxu nodded quickly.
Lou Jin said no more and signaled to begin the banquet.
The atmosphere at dinner was somewhat awkward.
Ye Xunyang remained oblivious, continuing to chat and laugh, occasionally serving food to Liu Yunxu and introducing the Wangfu chef's signature dishes.
Liu Yunxu kept her head down, eating in small bites, occasionally stealing a glance at Lou Jin before quickly lowering her head again.
Although Lou Jin disliked it, Liu Yunxu stayed at the Prince's Mansion for Ye Xunyang's sake.
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