Chapter 1404 - 762: Blessings of a Qiren (Double Length) (Part 2)

She set down the green jade wine jug she had been adjusting and walked over with graceful steps, her voice soft as she said:

"Prince, you've finally come. It took me quite some effort to get everything here properly arranged, and I was just thinking of sending someone to invite you to see if it suits your taste." Her tone was natural, skimming lightly and without a trace over that subtle something between the two of them.

Seeing her like this, Qin Qingluo felt a little more at ease, and followed her words, turning her gaze toward the newly refurbished banquet hall.

Zhu E guided Qin Qingluo along, carefully pointing out each arrangement. "Prince, look at this table covering—it's Su Embroidery newly taken out from the storeroom. The continuous pattern of 'bat' and the character 'longevity' takes the auspicious meaning of 'long blessings and long life.'

The tableware is celadon from Jiangnan, with a fresh, ungreasy hue. Paired with this red table covering it feels festive. Beside every set of bowls and dishes are silver chopsticks and spoons, all already polished bright with fine salt."

They walked to the treasure cabinet in the corner of the hall, where several clean offerings were arranged in staggered display.

"This pot of Narcissus has just been forced to bloom in the warm room; placed in the southeast corner, it answers the omen of 'auspicious qi coming from the east.' Next to it, this red coral bonsai was a tribute from the Dian Nan Tusi a few days ago. Its color is a pure red, and placed on the New Year's banquet table it is most fitting—good fortune right at the forefront."

Finally, she pointed to the palace lanterns hanging in the center of the hall. On the lanterns were painted seasonal flowers and auspicious birds and beasts; candle flames shone through the fine silk, throwing mottled light and shadow onto the floor tiles. "The lanterns were hung up only this morning, and the candles inside are newly poured sheep-fat honey wax—long-burning with little smoke, and the scent is clear and pleasant."

When Zhu E finished her detailed explanation, she turned back to look at Qin Qingluo, her eyes holding a smile.

Qin Qingluo listened quietly. Under this kind of thorough, meticulous domestic chatter, the resentment that had arisen because of that person was little by little soaked and softened.

It was as if she once more saw, many years ago, that Aunt Zhu who had just entered the Prince Mansion, always smiling gently as she took care of everything for her. Those quarrels, fits of jealousy, and that man who had stood between them—all of it, at this moment, had vanished without a trace.

After a long time, Qin Qingluo nodded, her voice low yet clear as she said, "Aunt Zhu's arrangements… have always been excellent."

Words as simple as could be, yet already enough. The smile in Zhu E's eyes deepened a little, and that smile truly settled in her gaze. She gently let out a breath, as if some invisible weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

"As long as the Prince finds it satisfactory." Her tone was warm, and she glanced at the sky outside the door. "The hour is almost here; it's time to give the order to serve the dishes. Over at Chen Yi's side, I've already sent someone to invite him. Yue'er just tired herself out playing, and the wet nurse has taken her to wash up and change; she will be here shortly."

"Mm." Qin Qingluo responded, her gaze sweeping once more over the banquet hall steeped in the atmosphere of the New Year's festival. The fingers hidden in her sleeve moved slightly, brushing against the rolled-up scroll and that piece of candy.

Perhaps because they were near each other, the telepathy was clearer, and Zhu E paused for a moment.

She, too, lightly brushed her sleeve through her clothes, as if gently confirming something.

Inside were three candies.

............

Night had already deepened, yet the banquet hall of the Prince Mansion was ablaze with light, bright as daytime.

On the round table covered with a blazing red Su Embroidery table cloth, all kinds of dishes were being set down one after another—plump, tender steamed perch, seared roasted lamb, glossy braised pig's knuckle, crystal-clear pork elbow in rock sugar syrup, emerald stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a fragrant chicken-and-mushroom soup… all in the flavor of the Southern Border, while also taking into account the New Year's abundance and auspicious meanings. Bowls, dishes, cups, and chopsticks glowed with a gentle luster under the candlelight.

Beside the small side table in the corner of the hall, Qin Yue had already changed into a brand-new little jacket in peach pink. Her hair was tied into two round buns, and she was sitting obediently on her own little chair, accompanied by her wet nurse, looking curiously at those rich dishes on the table that she could not reach, still clutching half a piece of milk cake in her small hand.

Tap tap tap.

The door curtain was lifted, and Chen Yi stepped inside.

The first thing he saw were Qin Qingluo and Zhu E, already seated.

Both women had changed into formal attire. Qin Qingluo wore a dark black regular robe patterned with woven golden dragons. Her ink-dark hair was bound with a golden hairpin and golden crown, immaculate and neat, setting off her face like cold jade and her deep brows and eyes. Her tall figure sat upright at the main seat, carrying a natural, stern dignity that commanded awe without anger. Zhu E, meanwhile, was dressed in crimson red; the dangling ornaments in her hair swayed lightly with the movement of her head, and the candlelight cast a gentle halo over her exquisite profile. The soft, graceful smile between her brows and eyes formed a sharp contrast with Qin Qingluo's cool austerity.

Both women were of peerless beauty.

Chen Yi's gaze lingered on the two of them for a brief moment. His heart surged uncontrollably: one was the Prince of Annan, who held command over the Southern Border and decided matters of life and death; the other was the Princess Annan, delicate and translucent in temperament. The princely couple, two women, sat together at one table, on this New Year's Eve, awaiting his arrival.

He pressed down hard on the corners of his mouth.

"The concubine has arrived." Zhu E spoke first, her voice gentle and soft, breaking the short silence. She looked at Chen Yi with a smile and raised her hand to indicate the vacant seat. "Come, take your seat quickly. Tonight is New Year's Eve; let us, as a family, have a proper reunion meal—year after year reunited, harmonious and beautiful."

Following her words, Chen Yi walked over. The seating arrangement was also quite meaningful, placing him precisely between the two of them.

The blessing of being attended by two beauties, the best of both worlds…

As he sat down, he could feel Qin Qingluo's gaze skim over him, faint and without much warmth, yet no longer bearing that deliberate estrangement of the past few days.

The maidservant stepped forward soundlessly and filled the three cups with clear wine. Zhu E lightly waved her hand, and the maids folded their sleeves in salute, then withdrew without a sound, leaving just the family of four in the hall.

For a moment, only the crackle of burning candle flames and the rising steam of hot dishes remained in the hall.

Qin Qingluo did not look at Chen Yi; she merely curled her knuckles and tapped twice.

Tok, tok.

As if reminding Chen Yi that he had yet to offer a toast.

Chen Yi went along readily, picked up the cup before him, and first turned toward Qin Qingluo. Holding the cup in both hands, he bent slightly at the waist, his expression turning solemn, his voice steady as he said, "Prince, on this joyous Spring Festival, I offer you this cup. May you be healthy in the new year, your martial fortune flourish, the Southern Border stand eternal, and all things go your way."

The blessing words were proper and by the book, yet they were something Chen Yi had pondered over in advance.

Qin Qingluo's gaze flickered slightly as she glanced at him. She also picked up her cup, and without any superfluous words, merely inclined her head a little, clinked cups with him, then drained the wine in one go.

Chen Yi filled his own cup again, this time turning to Zhu E. A hint of mirth glinted in his eyes as he raised his cup and said, "Princess, this cup is for you as well. Thank you for your care these past days and for your… deep affection. May your youthful grace endure, your smile ever flourish, your blessings be long and abundant, and your wishes all come true."

Zhu E's eyes flowed with light; smiling, she raised her cup and gently clinked it against his. "I'll borrow your auspicious words, sir."

She too straightforwardly emptied her cup. As she set it down, her sleeve brushed lightly, and something hard sounded faintly.

"The dishes will get cold—sir, Prince, do start eating. Yue'er, you should eat properly too."

Qin Qingluo also picked up her chopsticks, her gaze falling on the plate of steamed perch. She said lightly, "Year after year, may we have surplus."

Watching the two of them seem to regain their former tacit understanding, the stone that had been hanging in Chen Yi's heart finally dropped halfway.

He answered with a smile and also reached out with his chopsticks.

After that round of wine, a faint New Year's Eve reunion air finally emerged in the hall.

As Chen Yi picked at the fish, he couldn't help thinking: New Year's Eve dinner—between this aunt and nephew, had they finally put down their grudges? If so, then perhaps it was time to…

Renew their former bond, husband and wife both…

The thought had yet to settle when a pair of chopsticks suddenly reached into his bowl; it was Qin Qingluo, who had picked up a piece of braised pork hock for him. She said casually:

"Eat more, little shorty."

Hearing this, Chen Yi blinked. He was, after all, a man of seven feet—not short by any means; it was just that compared to the eight or nine feet of the Prince, he did indeed fall a head short.

"How can you put it that way? Our sir is not small at all." Zhu E chided playfully. "Doesn't the Prince know that best?"

For a moment Qin Qingluo was at a loss for words, a flush of drunken redness on her face under the warm light.

Not long after, she said, "The little one is right here, and you're spouting nonsense."

Perhaps it was the wine, or perhaps something else; the Princess, who was usually so domineering, uncharacteristically had a trace of shyness well up in her. Chen Yi caught it in her eyes, and his heart suddenly understood.

Ever since coming to the Southern Border, though reuniting with Qin Qingluo was his main purpose, Chen Yi had often thought of flying together as they had years ago.

Only, now that his relations with Qin Qingluo had eased, this Princess who had always been so forceful was extremely averse to it—she was even resistant to him continuing his intimacy with Zhu E.

Zhu E, as the Saintess, was naturally willing; the greatest obstacle had always been Qin Qingluo.

Yet Qin Qingluo did not treat him poorly; he could see it in all sorts of little details. If it were in the past, that would have been that—but now, after being softened again and again by the Little Fox, the Young Hero, and their master, Chen Yi found it hard to press her too forcefully.

Tonight Qin Qingluo was particularly happy; it seemed there was a surge of genuine feeling hidden deep within those serpentine pupils.

And besides, he had not been partial to one over the other.

He had no choice but to think it through.

Was this perhaps the only chance in this lifetime?