Chapter 32
The evening meal was served in the west receiving hall, where the family gathered around a long rosewood table laden with delicacies.
Her favorite steamed fish was placed in front of her, while the tea-smoked chicken, rich with aromatic spices, was strategically placed just where Yun-jia’s chopsticks could comfortably reach.
There was a big plate of Yun-hai’s beloved tender bamboo shoots with mushrooms right in the center of the table, and everyone had a personal bowl of her elder brother’s favorite fragrant winter-melon soup.
Scattered between these dishes were other delicate dishes in smaller portions, filling the table with quiet abundance.
Lady Shen never made a fuss of it, but she knew exactly what each of her children liked.
The days had grown warmer with summer’s approach, yet the nights remained cool. Yun-si missed her eldest sister. But Yun-yao, still recovering from the twins’ birth, was in her one-month confinement period at the General’s Residence.
Yun-si had strategically positioned herself between Yun-hai and Yun-jia, her chopsticks moving with deliberate precision as she picked at the fried lotus roots, each movement calculated to avoid so much as glancing in Ting-zhi’s direction.
She could feel his presence across the table like a persistent itch she couldn’t scratch.
Ting-zhi was displaying his usual scholarly charm, discussing the merits of a recent poetry collection with Father while maintaining perfect dinner etiquette.
Yet Yun-si noticed the subtle way he favored his left hand and how he carried his chopsticks with just a hint more care than usual.
Could it be...? No, that’s impossible. She promptly squashed the half-formed thought in her mind.
Master Gu, ever the keen observer, remarked approvingly, “Most commendable.” His voice carried the weight of a man who had spent a lifetime studying the nuances of human behavior. “How reassuring to see the younger generation placing such importance on propriety.”
His gaze lingered on Yun-si and Ting-zhi for the briefest of moments, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes before he turned his attention to the drunken chicken at the center of the table.
Lady Shen, seated at the head of the table beside her husband, inclined her head graciously. “As it should be.”
Yun-jia’s sharp eyes darted between Yun-si and Ting-zhi with obvious curiosity, but for once she kept her observations to herself, looking thoughtful behind her rice bowl.
Beside her, Yun-hai was far less restrained, enthusiasm bubbling over as he recounted his latest martial arts lesson to anyone who would listen.
“And then Master Wu said my sword stances have improved!” he declared, grinning as he swung an imaginary sword.
Beneath his chair, his little red fox lay curled up with a lazy air, as if it were listening to the conversation.
At the far end of the table, Yun-shan sat in silence, his usual pristine white robes replaced by a somber black ensemble that seemed to absorb the light around him.
The color was a stark contrast to his usual attire, and more than one pair of eyes flickered toward him in curiosity.
His chopsticks moved with his usual gracefulness of a calligrapher’s brush, but his gaze was distant, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.
“The invitation to Princess Ming-yue’s Dowry Gathering arrived this afternoon,” Lady Shen said, looking at Yun-si. “You are expected to attend, naturally.”
Yun-si’s chopsticks froze halfway to her mouth, a piece of lotus root dangling precariously. “Princess Ming-yue’s... dowry gathering?”
“The arrangements have been finalized.” Chancellor Shen’s voice was carefully neutral, the tone of a man who had spent years navigating the treacherous waters of imperial politics.
“Her Highness is to be married to the new Chieftain of the Northern Tribes as part of the peace pact. A most... strategic alliance.”
The words hit Yun-si like a splash of cold water. Princess Ming-yue—the same princess whose calculating gaze had fixed on Ting-zhi at the Jade Grove Banquet. The same princess whose lady-in-waiting had presented him with that fateful cup of wine.
A marriage alliance. To the North.
Her stomach twisted as more memories of that terrible night surfaced.
“I... of course, Mother.” The words came out smaller than she intended.
Lady Shen’s sharp eyes caught the hesitation immediately. “Is there some difficulty?”
“No difficulty at all.” Yun-si straightened, forcing her voice to steady. “When is the gathering?”
“Seven days hence. It is traditional for maidens of the same age to offer gifts to her dowry.” Lady Shen’s tone suggested this was not entirely voluntary. “You may pick something suitable from the clan’s storehouses.”
Across the table, Ting-zhi had gone very still. His chopsticks rested motionless against his bowl, and when Yun-si risked a glance in his direction, she found his dark eyes fixed on her with unmistakable concern.
For a moment, their gazes locked across the expanse of rosewood and porcelain. In his expression, she saw the same memory reflected back.
She looked away first, her heart hammering against her ribs.
“Seven days,” she repeated, reaching for her tea with hands that trembled slightly. “I shall prepare accordingly.”
The conversation moved on to other matters, but Yun-si barely heard any of it. All she could think about was the impending meeting with the Princess whose scheme she had foiled.