Chapter Eight: A Reunion Dinner (Part One)

It was getting late into the night, when the lamps were being lit.

Yu Li was tidying up in the room when a maid named Hongzhu was sent by Madam Yu to inform her that everything was prepared in her courtyard and to invite the Third Young Master to have a meal together.

Yuli pondered for a moment and asked, "Has father arrived?"

Hongzhu cleverly replied, "Master won't be coming back tonight as he said he has some matters to attend to. However, Madam, Young Master, Second Miss, and Third Miss will all come later. Third Young Master will go with the servants, or should he change and come later?"

Yu Li sneered inwardly, "After eight years, his biological son returns, yet his loving father Yu Zhangqing couldn't even make it in time for dinner. It seems that in Yu Zhangqing's heart, I am nothing more than an insignificant person."

He said, "Thank you, sister Hongzhu. Let me tidy up myself and I'll come over later."

"Ah!" Hongzhu really likes Zhixue. Just now, she greeted him and got to know him at the entrance of the old lady's room. Now that she sees him, she starts talking to him, "The Third Young Master is probably unfamiliar with the way. Zhixue, you must guide him properly. There cannot be any mistakes, do you hear me?"

"Save, save!" Zhi Xue rarely saw such a beautiful girl, so she immediately blushed. After Hong Zhu left, she turned to Yu Li and said, "Yu Li, my master says 'a woman is a tiger'. How come the girl from your family is so good-looking? I don't think she looks anything like a female tiger. In fact, she is even more graceful and beautiful than the women who come to worship at our temple."

Yuli couldn't help but laugh and said, "That's because you have limited knowledge. If you think Hongzhu is beautiful just by looking at her, what would happen if you were to see my sisters? Your eyes would surely pop out, wouldn't they?" He continued, "Hongzhu is the old madam's trusted maidservant and also a family member. Her status is higher than other maidservants. It's not a bad thing for you to interact with her more."

"Okay, I understand." Zhixue nodded, feeling more and more that despite being one year older than Yuli, her knowledge and character were not as good as his. This one year was simply far too immature.

Seeing that the time was almost up, Yuli tidied himself up. Although he was still wearing plain and worn-out clothes, they were clean and neat, and he looked very energetic. This was going to be a tough battle, and he couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

In the evening, the whole family gathered formally for dinner. Therefore, the location was the flower hall. The courtyard to the southwest where Yuli resided was named "Lifeng Courtyard," derived from the phrase, "The edge of a precious sword is sharpened from grinding, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold." Lifeng Courtyard was not far from the flower hall; one only needed to walk through a long corridor and pass through a cascading flower gate.

Zhi Xue walked in front, holding a lantern, while Yu Li walked behind. As they reached a corner, they saw a person coming towards them. He was also accompanied by a servant holding a lantern. He was dressed in a black cloak, looking as if he were wearing a jade-colored brocade robe. The lanterns hanging on both sides of the corridor illuminated his face perfectly, revealing a handsome and confident expression tinged with arrogance.

The covered corridor was not wide, so when the four people met, someone would have to step aside to make way. As Yuli saw the other person's face, he immediately recognized who it was. However, he was not willing to give way, so he kept his eyes forward and went straight past the other person.

Yu Xuan felt as if the other person didn't even bother looking at him. They hurriedly walked by his side, creating a gust of wind that carried a chilling atmosphere. Unable to restrain himself, Yu Xuan turned around and said, "Stop!"

Yuli knew that he was about to provoke him, so he couldn't be bothered to pay attention to him, and he quickened his pace and left.

"Hey!" Yu Xuan shouted in frustration as the other party seemed completely indifferent. The servant beside her urged,

"Master, Madam is waiting. Don't keep Madam waiting anxiously!"

Today, Yuxuan was already feeling upset, and being disregarded like this made him even angrier. He angrily kicked the wall and walked back to his own room without looking back.

Yuli entered the flower hall and saw that Madam Yulao was already seated at the head. Qinshi was sitting on her left, engaged in conversation. There was also a young girl sitting at the lower end with her back facing the door. She appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in a light green silk gown. She had a slender figure. Yuli knew that this was Zhangshi's daughter, the second young lady Yuxi, who was born out of wedlock.

In his previous life, he didn't have much interaction with Yu Qian because she was already sixteen at that time. So, four months after he returned to the Jade Manor, Yu Qian got married. She married the nephew of Hui Fei, becoming the concubine of Chang Long, the grandson of General Hu Ben's Chang Qi Shan. I wonder if Yu Qian's fate will be the same in this life?

However, these are stories for another time. He collected his thoughts and said, "Grandmother, mother! Lier is late!"

Seeing him approach, Madam Yu greeted him and asked him to sit down. He didn't hesitate and sat directly to the right of Madam Yu. He clearly noticed a hint of disgust flash in Madam Qin's eyes, but it quickly transformed into a gentle smile as she spoke to him:

"Lier, this is your second sister, whose maiden name is called Qian'er."

Yu Li quickly stood up and bowed to Yu Qian, saying, "Second Sister."

Yu Qian also stood up and glanced at him briefly. Seeing that he was poorly dressed and aware of his background and experiences, she didn't hold any ill will towards him. Instead, she politely smiled and said, "Third brother."

Second sister is really beautiful! Lier heard others saying that Lier's sisters are all very beautiful, it must be because of Grandma's influence." Yuli said naively, with a joyful twinkle in her big eyes.

Upon hearing these words, Madam Yu's face immediately lit up with a smile. She said, "You little mouth, you know how to flatter your grandmother!"

As the two of them were talking, they suddenly heard a gentle voice calling from outside.

"Grandmother!"

Looking outside, Yuli saw a young girl dressed in a silver-white silk gown, with a crimson-colored waist-length jacket over it. She was also wearing a light blue ruqun embroidered with intertwined lotus flowers. Around her chest hung a golden pendant in the shape of a long life lock. With black hair and fair skin, her eyes sparkled like stars, her eyebrows curved like willow leaves, and her lips were as red as cherries, contrasting against her white teeth. Between her eyebrows, there was a plum blossom-shaped ornament which accentuated her beauty. Bathed in the moonlight outside, she looked incredibly delicate and captivating, resembling a celestial fairy that had descended to the mortal world.

When he saw her, Yu Li recalled everything from their past lives. He felt a surge of blood rushing through his entire body. This Lin'er who had caused his demise, this treacherous woman who had desired his death, he wished he could personally tear her apart!

However, he couldn't show even a hint, and he had to greet with a smile - a gentleman seeks revenge, but it's never too late!

Although he hated Yu Wan with a deep animosity, he still pretended to be nonchalant and looked at her.

I saw Yudan walking gracefully and elegantly, she greeted Li Shi and Qin Shi, then using her always gentle and pleasant voice, she said, "Oh? Could it be the brother who grew up in the Guangming Temple, the one our mother mentioned?"

"This fairy-like sister is Wan'er, right?" Yu Li revealed a smile, but there was no trace of laughter in her black eyes. Instead, they were as chilling as a sharp knife, exuding a coldness tinged with bloodlust.

"Indeed, it's rare to see such a deep connection between the two of you on your first meeting," Lady Yu laughed.

Yuan raised her eyebrows slightly when she met Yuli's gaze, then smiled and said, "How could I not know, Yuer? Usually, when Father is not around, it's Big Brother and I who sit next to Grandmother. But now that Third Brother has arrived, Big Brother and I can only 'make way and step back', which shows how highly Grandmother regards Third Brother."

She spoke with a gentle tone, a smile on her face, but every word in her speech reminded Li Shi that she and Yu Xuan were the true legitimate son and daughter of the Yu Mansion, while Yu Li was just a bastard born from a lowly concubine. Yet, he had taken a seat above them, which was undoubtedly a mockery of the rules and order of the Yu Mansion.

Sure! Here's the translation:

Sure enough, a hint of strangeness flashed in Madam Yu's eyes. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Yu Li get up from his seat and say:

"Younger brother makes a valid point. In terms of seniority, I should let older brother sit first, and in terms of reason, I should give in to younger sister. This seat should not fall to me no matter what. What do you think, mother?" He retorted, but did not ask Madam Yu, instead asking Madam Qin. He knew that Madam Qin liked to boast about her tolerance, virtue, and kindness. At this moment, she would definitely not allow herself to be seen as petty and someone who looked down on illegitimate children. Therefore, as expected, she laughed and said,

"Where, where! Today is Li'er's first day at the Jade Residence. Xuan'er and Wan'er should make room for her. Come, Wan'er, come to Mother's side."

The meaning is that only today is allowed, but not in the future.

"Yes." Yuran smiled and took a seat between Qin Shi and Yuxi.

Since the main mistress, Madam Qin, has agreed, there is nothing that cannot be done. Madam Yu also stepped down from her position and pulled Yu Li to sit down, saying, "Please have a seat quickly and don't get up again. When Xuan'er arrives, ask him to sit by your side."

As soon as the words fell, a voice could be heard saying, "Young Master has arrived--"

Afterward, Yu Xuan swiftly arrived, and he said, "Greetings to Grandmother and Mother. Grandmother, your grandson went to Qingtong Academy with his brother-in-law today, so he came late. Please forgive him, Grandmother."

Qingtong Academy is a famous gathering place for distinguished intellectuals in Kyoto. Many nobles, especially the scions of prestigious families, take pride in being welcomed there. Today, Prince Qing, Yuan Can, accompanied by Yu Xuan, went there with the intention of making a splash. However, unexpectedly, Yu Xuan misspoke and offended an eccentric scholar, causing him to embarrass himself publicly. As a result, Prince Yuan became angry with Yu Xuan.

However, Madame Yu was unaware of the disgrace that Yu Xuan had brought upon himself today. She believed that since he had the opportunity to enter the prestigious Qing Tong Academy, it was a great honor for the Yu Family. Therefore, she was very happy and said, "There is no fault in following the Crown Prince and assisting him. It is an honor for the Yu Family. How could your grandmother blame you? Hurry, take a seat!"

Yuxuan was about to take his seat when he noticed a young man sitting in his usual spot. He recognized him as the person who had ignored him earlier and had a faint idea of who he was. However, pretending not to know, he furrowed his brows and asked, "Who are you? Why are you sitting in my seat?"

The Qin family and Yuduan on the opposite side cleverly kept silent. Therefore, Madam Yu opened her mouth and said, "This is your third younger brother, who just returned from outside."

"No wonder." A sarcastic smile crept onto Yuxuan's lips. "I wondered why we had such an impolite person in our residence. Just now, on the corridor, when he saw me, he didn't show any courtesy, and when I asked him to stop, he completely ignored me. Such a spoiled young master with such a temper."

Upon hearing this, Madam Yu furrowed her brow and asked, "Yuli, what's going on?"

"I apologize, Grandmother." Yuli had long prepared his explanation, so he only pretended to be flustered and stood up, saying, "Earlier, I was afraid of keeping Grandmother and everyone else waiting, so I rushed over. I thought Eldest Brother was already in the flower hall, so I didn't pay attention to the people around me. The weather outside was also dark, so I truly didn't see Eldest Brother and didn't pay him proper respects. I ask for Eldest Brother's forgiveness!"

The meaning behind the words is that Yu Xuan's negligence is due to his respect for Madame Yu. What's wrong with that? On the other hand, Yu Xuan knows he is late and makes the elders wait, yet he still has the mind to care about who is disrespectful to him, who is truly disrespectful and unfilial, which is obvious to everyone.

Qin Shi understood in her heart that Li Shi was worried, so she quickly tried to smooth things over and said, "Ignorance is not a crime. Li Er, there's no need for so much courtesy. Please, get up. It's getting late. Mother, why don't we have a meal?"

Madam Yu didn't have time to think much and was immediately drawn in, saying, "That's right. We've been so absorbed in our conversation that most of you must be hungry by now. Hurry and call the servants to bring up the dishes."