Noticing Mudan’s cheerful and expectant expression, Lady Bai couldn’t help but ask, “You’re enjoying this banquet?”

Mudan quickly composed herself and explained, “I’ve been sickly since childhood, often bedridden, and missed out on many beautiful things. Last autumn, I nearly died from a severe illness. After that, I had an epiphany: we should enjoy life’s pleasures while we can. Since we must live anyway, why spend our days frowning? It’s not only unpleasant for others to see but also for ourselves when we look in the mirror.”

Lady Bai nodded, “Indeed, we should seize joy when we can. I underestimated you earlier.”

Mudan laughed heartily and turned her gaze towards the head of the banquet.

Pan Rong and Jiang Changyang stood side by side. Pan Rong allowed a maid to tie an elegant silk apron around him, while Jiang merely rolled up his sleeves.

At the sound of Liu Chang tapping his chopsticks against his wine cup, the two men began their performance. They worked with precision, removing skin and bones, and then slicing the fish. Their movements were clean and efficient, creating a rhythmic display that was more akin to an elaborate knife performance than mere fish preparation. Soon, mounds of thinly sliced fish filled their plates.

Maids constantly divided the sliced fish between small porcelain plates lined with fresh perilla leaves. They added a small dish of “ba he ji” sauce made from eight ingredients: garlic, ginger, tangerine, white plum, cooked chestnut, rice, salt, and soy sauce. Accompanied by a cup of roasted brown rice green tea, these dishes were served to the guests in succession.

Lady Bai quietly explained to Mudan, “Each person has a set number of fish on their cutting board. They’re competing to see who can slice faster and thinner.” She used her chopsticks to show Mudan the difference in thickness, which became apparent when lifted.

Jiang Changyang’s slices were so thin and delicate that they floated when Lady Bai gently blew on them. Pan Rong’s slices, in contrast, were noticeably thicker—about twice as thick as Jiang’s.

Lady Bai pushed Pan Rong’s slices aside disdainfully. “His skill is barely better than our household cook’s. I can’t believe he dares to show off like this.” She dipped a piece in the sauce and placed it on Mudan’s plate, adding, “This dish is quite cooling. With your weak constitution, you should eat sparingly.”

As if to prove Lady Bai’s point, Jiang Changyang finished slicing his last fish with a flourish. He set down his knife, bowed slightly to the audience, and then turned to wash his hands with ginger soup provided by a maid before returning to his seat. Meanwhile, Pan Rong still had two or three fish left on his board.

Liu Chang laughed loudly, “Arong, you’ve lost! Will you keep cutting?”

Feeling defeated, Pan Rong set down his knife with a clatter. He allowed the maids to wash and dry his hands and arrange his robe. Languidly, he said, “Chengfeng, even after two years of practice, I’m still no match for you. Well, I’ll keep my word.”

Liu Chang smiled, “Of course, you can’t compare to his years of knife-wielding. You should gracefully accept defeat.”

Princess Qinghua asked with a grin, “What was your bet?”

Pan Rong smiled mischievously, “It’s a secret.” He glanced at Mudan, and when she looked his way, he winked at Lady Bai instead.

Lady Bai ignored him and asked Mudan, “Have you seen today’s featured flower? What do you think? I’ve been observing it for a while but can’t determine its variety.”

Mudan smiled, “This flower shares your surname, Lady Bai. It’s quite elegant, comparable to my peonies in its way.”

The “Yu Ban Bai” (Jade Plate White) peony was known for its white, jade-like petals, firm texture, and occasional petaloid stamens. It had an upright, lotus-like form and was prized for its abundant, early blooms. Liu Chang’s specimen was special because it bloomed later and had more petaloid stamens than usual. It was also a variety Mudan didn’t have in her dowry collection, which was why he treated it as a rarity to show off.

In reality, Mudan privately thought that given the current aesthetic preferences, people would likely find the tower-like “Yu Lou Dian Cui” or the pompom-shaped “Yao Tai Yu Lu” white peonies more beautiful and precious than the “Yu Ban Bai”. However, given her delicate relationship with Liu Chang and Lady Bai’s presence, she refrained from voicing this opinion.

Lady Bai smiled and pointed discreetly at Pan Rong, who was now chatting animatedly with Jiang Changyang. She whispered, “Someone is plotting to get your flowers. Be careful.”

Mudan was taken aback. So Pan Rong’s earlier help was for this purpose? Was he also worried about Princess Qinghua taking the “Wei Zi” peony? She looked earnestly at Lady Bai and said softly, “Whether you’re warning me out of sympathy or for some other reason, I’m very grateful. Those peonies—I won’t give them away or sell them, no matter what.”

Those flowers were her future livelihood. She wouldn’t abandon them unless necessary.

“In that case, I’ll do my best to dissuade him,” Lady Bai said, giving Mudan a meaningful look. She waved her embroidered orchid fan and sighed almost inaudibly.

Mudan’s good mood suddenly vanished. She uncomfortably adjusted her legs, which had grown numb from sitting on the ground, and looked down at the exquisite tableware and delicacies before her. She thought to herself that when the time came, her life might not be as luxurious as it was now, but at least she wouldn’t have to live in constant fear and anxiety.

Soon, as the guests finished their meal, the flower-viewing session began. Liu Chang announced with a smile, “As you all know, our humble home has cultivated a few peonies that have fortunately met with approval. Each year, from late spring to early summer, they provide a bit of pleasure during your leisure time. This year is special, however. I’ve recently acquired a ‘Yu Ban Bai’ peony that’s quite unusual. Not only does it bloom much later than ordinary ‘Yu Ban Bai’, but it also produces two different flower forms on the same plant.”

After speaking, he didn’t immediately unveil the flower. Instead, he smiled at the guests, listening to their congratulatory remarks before rising to remove the green gauze cover himself. However, just as he stood up, Princess Qinghua blocked him with her fan, giggling, “Zishu, why don’t you let me have the first look?”

This was her way of asking to unveil the flower herself. Mudan thought it was similar to modern ribbon-cutting ceremonies where leaders or celebrities were invited to do the honors. Given Princess Qinghua’s domineering nature, this request wasn’t surprising. Since the Liu family was trying to curry favor with her, they should acquiesce.

Unexpectedly, Liu Chang laughed and pushed past her. “All our guests are equal. If I let the Princess have the first look, wouldn’t that be disrespecting the others? No one would come to play next time.” He went straight to remove the green gauze himself.

Princess Qinghua giggled, “You’re so arrogant, always thinking you’re above everyone else.” She turned and glared fiercely at Mudan, leaving her bewildered. Mudan dismissed it as the princess’s irrational behavior.

The guests rose to admire the “Yu Ban Bai” peony and then moved to view the peonies brought out from Mudan’s courtyard. Mudan followed Lady Bai to appreciate the flowers, taking the opportunity to signal Yuhe, who understood and left quietly.

As the guests began critiquing the flowers and composing poems, Mudan, unable and unwilling to plagiarize others’ verses to build a reputation as a talented lady, noticed Li Xing had already left the banquet area alone. Taking advantage of everyone’s deep concentration, she slipped away with Mama Lin and Yuhe.

Princess Qinghua, who had been keeping a close eye on Mudan, noticed her departure. She discreetly raised her chin at one of her maids, who nodded and silently withdrew.

Meanwhile, Pan Rong tugged at Jiang Changyang, indicating for him to follow. Jiang Changyang cast a bland glance at the pondering crowd before turning to follow Pan Rong out of the banquet area.