There is no good banquet without implied meaning
The vermilion gates of the Lin residence were bustling with activity. Today was Old Madam Lin's sixtieth birthday, and almost all the prominent figures in Qingshui Town were present. Mo Xiaoyu followed behind Xie Yunzhi, watching his upright figure in his blue robe, and suddenly recalled the scene a thousand years ago when she accompanied him to the Jade Pool Immortal Gathering. At that time, she was a black carp in the pool, only able to watch from afar as he chatted and laughed with the immortals.
"Young Master Xie has arrived—" the gatekeeper announced loudly.
Lin Wan'er was dressed in a crimson silk dress today, with a gold and kingfisher feather hairpin adorning her temples, making her exceptionally beautiful. She quickly approached, her gaze lingering on Mo Xiaoyu for a moment before she smiled politely again: "Young Master Xie, you've finally arrived. My father was just asking about you."
Xie Yunzhi nodded slightly: "Miss Lin."
"Who is this...?" Lin Wan'er looked at Mo Xiaoyu with feigned confusion.
"This is Miss Mo." Xie Yunzhi's tone was calm and indifferent.
A hint of displeasure flashed in Lin Wan'er's eyes, but she quickly smiled and said, "Miss Mo has come too, what a rare guest. Cui'er, please take Miss Mo to the side hall for tea."
This was clearly an attempt to separate her from Xie Yunzhi. Mo Xiaoyu was about to speak when Xie Yunzhi said, "No need for that. Just let her come with me."
Lin Wan'er's smile froze for a moment, then quickly returned to normal: "In that case, please follow me."
The banquet was held in the back garden of the Lin mansion, with its artificial hills, flowing water, and winding paths, showcasing the host's wealth and refined taste. Mo Xiaoyu silently followed behind Xie Yunzhi, feeling the scrutinizing gazes directed at her from all directions. Some of those gazes held curiosity, some disdain, and most were filled with a sense of anticipation, eager for a good show.
"Is this the young lady that Young Master Xie took in?"
"She's quite well-born, but unfortunately her origins are unknown..."
"Miss Lin has dressed up so elaborately today; it seems she's determined to win over Young Master Xie..."
Whispers filled the air, but Mo Xiaoyu kept her eyes down, trying to ignore them. Suddenly, she felt an unusually sharp gaze. Looking up, she saw Li Xiuyuan looking at her with a half-smile, toying with the dragon-patterned jade pendant in his hand.
After the banquet began, Xie Yunzhi was seated at the main table next to Lord Lin, while Mo Xiaoyu was seated in a corner. She watched as Lin Wan'er attentively served Xie Yunzhi food and wine, and the two of them sitting side by side appeared to everyone as a perfect couple.
"What does Miss Mo think of this Rouge Goose Breast?" Li Xiuyuan had sat down beside her at some point. "This was specially prepared by a chef that Miss Lin invited from Jiangnan."
"Very good," she replied softly.
Li Xiuyuan chuckled softly, lowering his voice, "Brother Xie, it seems you can't escape this marriage today. Lord Lin has already privately promised that as long as Brother Xie agrees, you will definitely pass next year's provincial examination."
Mo Xiaoyu paused slightly with her chopsticks.
"Speaking of which," Li Xiuyuan leaned closer, "Does Miss Mo know where Brother Xie's family heirloom jade pendant is? I'm willing to offer a thousand pieces of gold to buy it."
She looked up abruptly, meeting Li Xiuyuan's shrewd gaze: "This is Young Master Xie's family matter; this servant knows nothing about it."
"Is that so?" Li Xiuyuan smiled meaningfully. "But I heard that the jade pendant is now in Miss Mo's possession."
These words struck her like a thunderbolt, sending a shiver down her spine. How did he know?
Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out at the main table. It turned out that some guests were urging Xie Yunzhi to compose a poem on the spot to celebrate Madam Lin's birthday.
Unable to refuse, Xie Yunzhi rose and walked to the desk. Just as he picked up his pen, the jade pendant in Mo Xiaoyu's arms suddenly became intensely hot, and a flood of memories rushed back—
At the Jade Pool Immortal Gathering, all the immortals gathered. The Old Man of the Moon smiled and said to Yunxi, "If the Star Lord of Destiny would be willing to compose a poem, I will arrange a good marriage for you."
Yunxi picked up his brush and wrote, the verses flowing from his pen, but his gaze was fixed on the black carp in the pond: "Of the three thousand rivers, I only take a single sip."
Memories brought tears to her eyes. Looking at Xie Yunzhi, who was currently writing on rice paper, she suddenly wondered what kind of poems he would write.
Upon completion of the poem, everyone praised it. Lin Wan'er was especially radiant and personally presented the poem to Old Madam Lin for her review.
"Excellent! What a wonderful 'May spring's warmth forever grace your kind face and grant you longevity'!" Lord Lin clapped his hands and laughed heartily. "Young Master Xie is indeed quick-witted!"
Halfway through the banquet, Lin Wan'er suddenly stood up: "Today is my grandmother's birthday, and I have specially prepared a piece called 'The Crane's Longevity,' which I would like to invite everyone to enjoy."
The zither music was melodious, plaintive and sorrowful. Mo Xiaoyu listened intently, suddenly remembering that this was also Yun Xi's favorite piece. Back then, she would always lie on his lap, listening to him play the zither until she fell into a deep sleep.
As the melody of the zither lingered, she noticed that Xie Yunzhi's expression was somewhat dazed, his gaze unfocused, as if he too had been transported to a distant time and space by the music.
As the music ended, the hall erupted in applause. Lin Wan'er gracefully rose, her gaze fixed intently on Xie Yunzhi: "Young Master Xie, what do you think of Wan'er's musical skills?"
All eyes were on Xie Yunzhi. He was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Miss Lin's musical skills are superb, but..."
"But what?" Lin Wan'er pressed.
"But something's missing from this piece." His brow furrowed slightly, as if trying to recall something. "It's missing... a touch of sincerity."
The room fell silent upon hearing this. Lin Wan'er's face turned deathly pale instantly.
Mo Xiaoyu's heart skipped a beat. He heard it! He heard the deliberate attempt to please in the music, just as he could hear the joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness in every note she played a thousand years ago.
Just then, a maidservant hurried over and whispered a few words in Lin Wan'er's ear. Lin Wan'er's gaze immediately turned to Mo Xiaoyu, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes.
"Young Master Xie," she suddenly raised her voice, "the maid just reported that a gold hairpin has been lost. With so many guests today, to avoid any misunderstanding, how about we have everyone searched?"
These words were clearly directed at Mo Xiaoyu. All eyes turned to her, each carrying a different meaning.
Xie Yunzhi's face darkened: "Miss Lin, what do you mean by this?"
"It's just to prove Miss Mo's innocence," Lin Wan'er smiled gently, but her eyes were cold. "After all, Miss Mo's background is unknown, and if any rumors spread, it won't be good for Young Master Xie's reputation."
Mo Xiaoyu gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms. She looked at Xie Yunzhi, wondering how he would react.
"No need to search." Xie Yunzhi stood up, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Miss Mo is a guest I invited; I trust her."
"Thank you, young master..." Lin Wan'er was about to say something more.
"If the Lin family insists on searching," his voice turned cold, "then I, Xie, will take my leave."
After saying that, he turned to Mo Xiaoyu and said, "Let's go."
Amidst the shocked gazes of the crowd, he led her straight out. As they passed Li Xiuyuan, Mo Xiaoyu saw a glint of triumphant smile flash in his eyes.
On the way back, the two remained silent. It wasn't until they were almost at the Xie residence that Xie Yunzhi suddenly spoke: "I'm sorry you suffered today."
Mo Xiaoyu shook his head, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He had protected her, but was this protection truly out of trust in her, or out of a reluctance to be manipulated by the Lin family?
"That jade pendant..." he suddenly asked, "is it really with you?"
She was stunned and didn't know how to answer.
"Li Xiuyuan has been inquiring about the whereabouts of that jade pendant." His gaze was deep. "If you know anything, you'd better tell me."
In the darkness, his eyes shone brightly, as if they could see right through people's hearts. Mo Xiaoyu opened her mouth, but in the end, she said nothing.
Some truths, once spoken, are more likely to cause harm. Just like a thousand years ago, he knew their fate, yet he never told her.
That night, Mo Xiaoyu was sleepless again. She took out two jade pendants and gazed at them quietly in the moonlight.
The genuine article is warm and inviting, while the counterfeit is cold and indifferent. Just like their relationship, one is filled with passionate memories, while the other is left with only a cold reality.
Li Xiuyuan's obsession with the jade pendant made her vaguely uneasy. What secrets lay hidden behind this seemingly ordinary jade pendant?
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