In the afternoon, they went to the main residence of the Xiao family for the banquet.

The young generation of the Xiao family had almost all arrived, men and women together, totaling twenty to thirty people, showing how prosperous the Xiao family was in terms of descendants.

The Qianqiu Pavilion was said to be a pavilion, but it actually referred to a courtyard with excellent scenery on the western side of the old residence. It was built in garden style with scenery at every step—clusters of flowers with emerald leaves, painted beams and carved pillars, showing craftsmanship everywhere. The Qianqiu Pavilion itself was a waterside pavilion with three full rooms, with partitions on all four sides. Cool breezes brought refreshment, and one could see the garden scenery and the emerald lake.

Gu Xiaoxiao had already quietly moved away from the Yibo Mingyue Tower to work as a temporary clerk at the River Administration Office. Second Senior Brother had also left. With Dan Shuang and Chi Xue absent, attending the banquet suddenly became just Tie Ci and Feiyu as a pair.

When the two arrived gracefully together, the Xiao family disciples who had been eagerly waiting in the Qianqiu Pavilion all stretched their necks like geese.

The young masters filed out to welcome them, while the young ladies giggled softly behind the green shadows of the window partitions. Everyone’s eyes sparkled with bright light—it was just another wave of beauty shock.

Xiao Jing and Xiao Wenliu acted as hosts, leading the two to tour the garden and introducing each brother and sister one by one. Both Xiao Jing and Xiao Wenliu had their own private thoughts, so they kept the introductions of other Xiao family members very brief. Tie Ci nodded and bowed to each one, while Feiyu held a round fan and smiled gently all the way, pretending to be a refined young lady. Both seemed not to care much, which made Xiao Jing and Xiao Wenliu feel inexplicably at ease.

Finally, Xiao Jing said: “Yesterday afternoon, distinguished guests just arrived. It would be perfect to meet them today…” Before he could finish, suddenly someone came running and hugged Tie Ci’s legs tightly. The refined young lady Feiyu beside them immediately became unrefined—her expression unchanged, she flicked her round fan, about to sweep that uninvited guest a thousand miles away. But then she heard Tie Ci exclaim with joy: “Xing’er!”

Feiyu’s round fan suddenly stopped.

From behind the crowd walked a petite girl with a shocked expression and some hidden unease: “Your High…”

Tie Ci saw Wei Xing and knew her cover was about to be blown. She had already shot a warning glance, and Wei Xing was also clever, immediately understanding that revealing Tie Ci’s identity here would be extremely inappropriate. Her tongue rolled and she said: “…panic what, Xing’er! Slow down! Eighteenth Brother, I didn’t expect to see you here!”

Xiao Wenliu asked in surprise: “You know each other?”

Her voice sounded somewhat displeased, and she instinctively wanted to grab Tie Ci’s arm, but was quickly pulled away by the quick-eyed and fast-handed Xiao Jing.

Tie Ci smiled: “We’re all classmates from Yueli Academy. The academy recently had miasma in the mountains, so we all left the academy. This time we came to Dongming for practical training.”

Xiao Jing said: “With your noble status, brother, why must you undergo such arduous training? Fourth Grandfather said you should stay at Yibo Mingyue Tower, and when the time comes, any government office can write you a training recommendation letter. Rest assured, we’ll definitely give you an excellent evaluation without you having to expend any effort.”

Tie Ci smiled: “I’m grateful for Fourth Master’s kind intentions, but the purpose of practical training is to let us gain something and be tempered through those civil administrative tasks. I absolutely dare not be perfunctory. Otherwise, if I deceive my teachers today, won’t I deceive the court tomorrow? The other day at the embankment, Fourth Master mentioned joining with the River Administration Office to rebuild the dikes. I was just thinking of taking on this assignment.”

Xiao Jing looked at him with respect and immediately agreed, saying he would discuss it with Fourth Grandfather. Over there, Wei Xing had been hugging Tie Ci’s thigh the whole time. Feiyu endured and endured, but finally couldn’t bear it anymore. She picked him up and plopped him down to one side, saying: “Pulling and tugging—what kind of behavior is this!”

Wei Xing glanced at her and was also startled by her radiant appearance. He turned to Tie Ci and smiled: “Who is this to Eighteenth Brother…?”

Feiyu smiled: “His beloved.”

Wei Xing’s smile was sweet: “My apologies, my apologies.”

The group had now settled in the hall. Tie Ci glanced at the seating arrangement and discovered that the “distinguished guests” title for the Wei Xing siblings was absolutely genuine—they were the center of attention, with all the Xiao family’s younger generation fawning over them.

Only Wei Xing’s expression looked somewhat unnatural, occasionally stealing glances at her.

Tie Ci knew Wei Xing well. She had an adaptable, harmonious personality and would never feel uncomfortable just because people were fawning over her. Earlier, when she walked out, her manner had been composed, but after seeing Tie Ci, her expression became somewhat awkward.

Over there, Wei Xing suddenly gave her a meaningful look. Tie Ci understood and after a while got up and walked to the window. Wei Xing also came over. The two leaned against the window, seemingly looking at the scenery and chatting casually. Seeing this, others naturally wouldn’t disturb them.

Only Feiyu, who had been cracking melon seeds, suddenly grabbed a handful of seeds and tucked them into her sleeve pocket, then strolled over leisurely and positioned herself at the neighboring window.

Wei Xing was about to speak when she noticed Feiyu and stopped. Tie Ci smiled: “No problem, she’s one of us.”

Over there, the corners of Feiyu’s lips, which had been cracking melon seeds, slowly curved into a smile.

Wei Xing no longer avoided her presence and didn’t look at Feiyu again. She bent her fingers and tapped on the window frame as a gesture of respect, then whispered: “How do you happen to be here?”

“I came to Dongming for practical training, encountered the Xiao family’s embankment excavation, got involved in some complications, and ultimately became a guest of the Xiao family. What about you? Also here for practical training?”

“Xing’er and I are going back to our hometown,” Wei Xing said. “We’ve stayed away too long, and there are many affairs at home that need to be resolved. We’re passing through the Xiao family’s territory, and because of old connections, we received an invitation. We’ll stay a few days and then leave.”

Tie Ci thought about it but didn’t say anything about meeting again in the future. Given her status, leaving the capital in the future would cause earth-shaking consequences, and it was truly impossible to travel far to the south.

Thinking that she might never see Wei Xing again, a faint sadness welled up in her heart. She said: “I promised you that day to write a training manual for Xing’er, but I still haven’t finished it for you. Tonight when I return, I’ll rush to complete it for you. Today I noticed he’s started ignoring people again—you still need to think it through carefully. Remember, after you return, you can’t stop the training. You must be patient and wait for him to grow up. If you’re busy, you can arrange reliable people to take turns training him, but you yourself can’t completely let go. You must also care for him with meticulous attention…”

She gave detailed instructions, and Wei Xing listened gratefully, nodding frequently. Finally she said: “Your great kindness to Xing’er and me is beyond repayment. In the future…” She paused, then said slowly: “Should you ever have need of us…”

Tie Ci raised her palm, stopping her pledge of loyalty, and said lightly: “Speaking of repayment is too weighty. I only hope you’ll never betray me.”

Wei Xing’s heart trembled, and she looked up at her with somewhat panicked eyes, then her gaze drifted away again. She bit her lip and said softly: “Rest assured… we won’t.”

Tie Ci smiled once: “That’s good.”

Suddenly a head inserted itself between the two of them, and Wei Xing declared loudly: “Whoever betrays you, I’ll kill them.”

Wei Xing was startled and quickly pushed his head away: “Go, go, what are you saying with such a fierce and menacing manner.”

Tie Ci smiled and patted his head, slipping him a piece of candy. Wei Xing looked at her, hesitated for a long time, then said softly: “Eighteenth… Rong Wei, Master Rong, did he really go back to his hometown?”

At the sudden mention of this name, Tie Ci felt inexplicably complex emotions and couldn’t help but turn to look at Feiyu, only to see that Feiyu’s melon seed cracking had also seemed to pause.

Tie Ci immediately felt guilty and forced a smile: “Everyone knows he went back to his hometown, so he should have… returned, right?”

Wei Xing observed her expression: “Then you… didn’t send anyone to pursue him?”

A bitter taste arose in Tie Ci’s mouth: “No… if someone wants to go home, what right do I have to pursue them?”

“Then you… toward him?” Wei Xing’s voice became even softer, like a breath.

Originally, when Tie Ci hadn’t revealed her identity, she had openly pursued Rong Wei, but then Rong Wei suddenly left, and then Tie Ci’s identity was revealed. She realized—the Crown Princess is a woman! Her closeness with Rong Wei… made her start feeling uneasy.

Then she thought again: the Crown Princess had always dressed as a man and associated with men, having very good relationships with Rong Pu, Dan Ye and others. Who could say she definitely had feelings for Rong Wei?

Meeting the Crown Princess by chance today, feeling guilty, she couldn’t help but probe, because only after confirming the Crown Princess’s feelings could she have future possibilities.

Although her own status wasn’t low, the Crown Princess wasn’t the decorative vase of the rumors. Competing with such a Crown Princess for a man—she didn’t want to die.

Tie Ci was silent for a while, feeling she really couldn’t answer this question.

Wei Xing waited a moment and thought she understood. Besides, the Crown Princess herself had a marriage engagement.

She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: “Then I shall…” Her face gradually flushed red as she lowered her head.

Tie Ci remained silent. This young maiden’s shy blush was painful to her eyes.

After a long moment, she changed the topic: “How are Rong Pu, Huyin, and Dan Ye doing now?”

“Rong Pu stayed at Qingyang Mountain and will soon be the superintendent. He’s working with Shen Mi to deal with the academy and surrounding mountains, rivers, and vegetation affected by the Poison Madness, re-repairing the academy buildings destroyed that day, and by the way expanding the academy. Huyin said he wanted to help and stayed behind, wearing an iron mask all day, accompanying Rong Pu as they run up and down the mountains. Dan Ye originally said he was coming for practical training too, but a group of Xirong people found him. It seems something happened within Xirong territory—very urgent. Dan Ye didn’t even wait for Huyin and rushed back with Hai Dongqing.”

This corresponded with Tie Ci’s previous information. It seemed something serious had indeed happened, or Dan Ye wouldn’t have left without even waiting for Huyin.

Dan Ye’s identity was sensitive, and Xirong affairs concerned state politics, so neither of them discussed this issue. Someone came to find Wei Xing for conversation. When Wei Xing was leaving, she said somewhat shyly: “Eighteenth, if you meet Master Rong, please send someone to notify me. My family has a shop on Danfeng Street in Shengdu—the one selling fragrant medicines called Sinan Studio.”

Tie Ci’s mouth turned bitter, but she could only nod. Watching Wei Xing leave satisfied, suddenly her shoulder moved, and a melon seed floated down. She caught it, saw that the seed was already cracked open, so she extracted and ate the kernel.

A claw gently rested on her shoulder as Feiyu whispered behind her: “Who is Rong Wei?”

Tie Ci coughed: “The archery instructor at the academy.”

“Between Rong Wei and me, who is more beautiful?”

Tie Ci nearly choked on the melon seed kernel and said irritably: “He’s a man, you’re a woman—what’s to compare?”

“People can always be compared.” Feiyu’s claw tightened on her shoulder: “Between Rong Wei and me, whom do you like?”

Tie Ci pulled down her demonic claw: “Close friend and beloved—will that work?”

“No.”

“I like both—will that work?”

“No.”

Tie Ci thought mournfully: I’m at my wit’s end too. This life has become impossible to live.

Hoping for embracing both sides, being all-inclusive, having three palaces and six courtyards—no way.

But Feiyu seemed to be in better spirits. She retracted her demonic claw and commanded: “Say that you only like me, no matter what I’m like.”

“Yes, I like you, no matter how you are, whether you’re fierce or kind, beautiful or ugly, hostile or sharing the same hatred.”

Feiyu’s fingers softened, and she silently added in her heart: “Male or female.”

Those softened slender fingers gently brushed Tie Ci’s cheek with a gesture both light and cherishing. Tie Ci turned her head and caught her palm between her own.

The two smiled at each other before the pavilion window and emerald lake. Large lotus leaves held water droplets that rolled like ice crystals, falling into the water and creating happy little bubbles.

But someone came to spoil this beautiful atmosphere. Someone reported that Fourth Master had arrived, and Xiao Wenliu flew over like a butterfly, pulling Tie Ci along: “Come, come, time to take our seats.”

Seeing Feiyu’s suddenly sinister gaze, Tie Ci feared she might chop off Xiao Wenliu’s arm and patted her soothingly.

While thinking to herself that although she often spoke of three palaces and six courtyards, she actually never wanted to linger among flowers in her heart. Setting aside everything else, she couldn’t be like those male emperors, separating emotions from the lower half of the body, passing through a myriad of flowers without a single leaf touching them. She was a woman—sex and emotion were inseparable. She needed true love to be able to open her mouth, and with so many true loves, wouldn’t that be exhausting? Not to mention anything else, just one Feiyu was tormenting enough.

Men and women sat at separate tables with a screen between them. Tie Ci naturally took the male guest seat. Fourth Master personally accompanied them at the main seat. This man’s conduct was obviously very broad-minded—initially letting the younger generation accompany guests was to let them enjoy themselves relaxedly, and personally coming to accompany them when the feast began showed respect. Although it didn’t quite conform to great family rules, he did everything thoroughly inside and out, obviously very good at understanding people’s psychology.

At the banquet, Fourth Master was also witty and eloquent in conversation, always steering the talk toward overseas customs and scenery. Tie Ci understood clearly that he was testing her. She was well-read with extensive knowledge, and with her senior brothers frequently going to sea, she wasn’t unfamiliar with foreign lands and customs. Following Fourth Master’s conversational leads, she spoke fluently: “…There was this foreign young man who fell for a local girl and wrote her love letters, but forgot how to write the character ‘niang’ (mother/lady). Remembering that ‘niang’ and ‘ma’ (mom) meant the same thing, he wrote at the top of his letter: ‘Dear Aunt…'”

The whole room burst into laughter. Fourth Master smiled, and the screen next door shook with movement. Xiao Wenliu’s laughter was especially clear: “Oh my goodness, that’s hilarious! Brother Ye, this story is so amusing—tell another one!”

Tie Ci smiled: “Very well, esteemed Aunt Xiao.”

Everyone roared with laughter in unison. Xiao Wenliu laughed so hard she burst out from behind the screen, wanting to toast Tie Ci: “I can’t accept this honorific for nothing.”

This frightened all the attending nannies, who rushed out to pull her back. Fourth Master looked at Xiao Wenliu whose eyes were sparkling brightly, his brow furrowed, and he said with a sideways smile: “Little Ninth, with your drinking capacity, don’t embarrass yourself. How about letting Sister Wen toast in your place instead.”

Xiao Wen hadn’t even stood up when Feiyu tapped her chopsticks against her bowl. She trembled all over and immediately didn’t dare move.

Feiyu leaned forward with a smile: “Seeing how happily you’re all laughing, let me join in with a joke too. We also often see those high-nosed, blue-eyed foreigners in our area. They envy our Great Qian’s vast territory and abundant resources, so they come to learn our written language to facilitate trade. Someone opened a private school specifically to teach foreigners to speak. One day, the teacher examined the foreign students, having each one recite an idiom describing joyful laughter. Some said ‘hearty laughter,’ ‘charming smile,’ and so on. The teacher then said they must include numbers. An old foreigner with a very good mind immediately responded: ‘Smiling in the nine springs!’ (meaning smiling in death/the grave)”

The laughter stopped abruptly, and everyone looked at each other.

Was this cursing someone or cursing someone?

And “old foreigner”—the only one here who could be called old was Fourth Master alone. Who was she cursing?

Tie Ci smiled gracefully.

In the art of spoiling the mood, if Feiyu claimed second place, no one would dare claim first.

But Fourth Master acted as if he hadn’t understood this face-to-face cursing joke at all. He even raised his hands and clapped a few times—”clap clap clap”—echoing clearly in the silent room. These few claps were like a signal, instantly reminding everyone of their breach of composure. So those younger generation members immediately resumed toasting and conversing, and in an instant the hall recovered its natural atmosphere.

Tie Ci watched and secretly admired. The unity of the Xiao family and Fourth Master Xiao’s control over the Xiao family was evident.

When the wine was flowing freely, Tie Ci pretended to be half-drunk and talked with the people at the table about the customs of her hometown. Though she claimed to be from an ordinary Shengdu family, her conversations mostly involved giant ships, foreign merchants, maritime scenery, and worldly wonders. The Xiao family disciples smiled as they listened, nodding frequently, while their eyes darted about privately with expressions of knowing but not saying.

Tie Ci took the opportunity to observe the interactions between the Xiao family and the Wei Xing siblings. Both sides claimed to be distant relatives, and there were no flaws in their conversations.

Fourth Master Xiao’s attitude became increasingly warm. He readily agreed to Tie Ci’s request to train at the River Administration Office. When the banquet was about to end, he said: “Our garden has emerald water flowing like a ribbon, circling the entire garden and connecting to Mingyue Lake outside. There are fragrant boats in the garden for entertainment. If the guests are interested, you might board a boat for sightseeing. It can also help dissipate the wine’s effects.”

Tie Ci unfolded her folding fan, covering her smiling eyes, and laughed: “I’ve long admired the Xiao family gardens, masterful works. To tour them today—what great fortune!”

Fourth Master Xiao smiled and humbly declined the praise, then had someone help Tie Ci board the boat. The boat was quite large and could carry many people. After Tie Ci and the Wei Xing siblings boarded, Fourth Master Xiao gave a meaningful look, and Xiao Wen lowered her head and got on.

Xiao Wenliu lifted her skirt and bounced after them, but was tripped by her female companions. Feiyu was about to board when suddenly a maid bumped into her, spilling soup all over Feiyu’s dress. The maid immediately kowtowed begging for mercy, and Fourth Master Xiao had already said: “Clumsy fool, get out! Little Ninth, you take Miss Feiyu to the inner room to change clothes.”

On the boat, Tie Ci turned around and met Feiyu’s gaze. In that instant, both understood and found it somewhat amusing.

The common tricks used in the mansion struggles of wealthy families—were they now going to be used on this female demon king?

Author’s Note: The jokes are from the internet, sources cannot be verified.