Yao
and the others arrived just barely in time for the start.
The other families were already seated, and the seats for the Ma clan were filled too.
(Even though she said she'd keep it to the bare minimum.)
Yao was quite elaborately dressed. Of course,
Yanyan
was the one handling it, so it wasn't gaudy over-ornamentation—rather, for anyone with a discerning eye, her outfit, hairstyle, and accessories all conveyed a refined sense of attention to detail.
Maomao had also had her outfit prepared according to Yanyan's judgment, and it was very elegant. If Yanyan weren't Yao's exclusive maid, she would be a sought-after first-rate lady's maid.
(On the other hand, that makes the bride all the more desirable.)
A bride's
sense
of taste connects to her husband's sense of style. In good families, no one wants to take a bride who dresses with poor taste.
"Maomao, dear, you look adorable! But your hairstyle is a bit plain—how about trying one of my hairpins?"
The eccentric strategist offered the hairpin in a sweet, coaxing voice.
"Wha—..."
Rahan's
older brother blurted out, and Rahan averted his eyes. The hairpin was made of silver, fashioned in the shape of a sword with a dragon coiled around it. To make matters worse, a purple crystal skull dangled from a chain, clinking with every movement.
"Wouldn't having a dragon and a skull together be irreverent?"
Yao offered her opinion with a perfectly straight face. Maomao and the others shook their heads in tiny, rapid motions while wearing expressions that said "Well, there are other things we'd like to say too," but they refrained from commenting.
They would pretend not to have heard Rahan's older brother mutter, "I used to like it back in the day, though."
"It would be irreverent, so I'm declining."
"Is that so?"
The eccentric strategist made a crestfallen face, but when she saw Maomao accept it after all, her expression instantly brightened.
(I'll crush it down and sell it for scrap metal.)
"Maomao, what kind of hairpin would you like this time?"
"Pure gold. No alloys mixed in."
"I see, pure gold then."
"Sister, don't say things that'll increase our family's debt."
Rahan wore a desperate expression. Just how much debt did the family have these days?
When it came time for the proceedings to begin, the Ox clan's cheerful elder appeared at the center of the arranged round tables.
"Everyone, thank you all for gathering here."
The elder smiled warmly as he made his rounds, circling the room. It might have looked restless, but since no seats of honor or lesser seats had been designated, he couldn't simply face one direction to greet everyone—this was the consideration behind his approach.
"As this is our first gathering in five years, there are a few differences from the last meeting."
*(The Rat clan is gone, and the Jade clan has grown, I suppose.)*
At the Jade clan's seats,
Gyokuyou,
the Empress, and
Gyokuen
were not present. In their place sat men and women who appeared to be in their thirties.
Maomao guessed they must be Gyokuen's children. She looked around to see how the other seats were arranged.
"Maomao, it's unsightly to keep looking around like that."
Yao's cheeks were flushed—perhaps from a touch of nervousness.
However, the Ox elder's speech was long. If he was going to be considerate of his guests, she wished he'd also consider the length of his remarks.
The eccentric strategist had already helped herself to the snacks Rahan had arranged in advance.
The speech still wasn't over, but dishes kept being brought out in rapid succession, which was a blessing. At the center of the round tables was roasted duck. There was jellyfish salad and
century eggs,
cold noodles, and other dishes fitting for a summer menu.
*(Duck...)*
She glanced over at the Horse clan's table and saw complex expressions on their faces
Maosen.
He was there. She was sure he must be thinking about those pet ducks.
"Kind of sad, but I guess there's nothing to be done about it."
Brother Rahan seemed to have made his peace with that, happily eating the duck meat that the servants had carved up.
Maomao reached for the bottle of yellow wine on the table.
"No, you don't."
Rahan snatched the wine bottle away.
"Why not?"
Maomao narrowed her eyes in displeasure.
"Maomao has work to do, so keep the drinking in moderation."
"..."
Rahan ordered the servants to collect all the alcohol.
Maomao decided to eat in silence.
The elders' stories went on and on. After old man Ushi, some retired patriarch from another clan started going on about
lychee—
the history of it, to be precise.
Everything finally wrapped up about half an hour later, and Maomao's stomach was already full from all the food.
"Everyone else, please feel free to enjoy yourselves."
How long had they been waiting to hear those words? Maomao didn't particularly mind and kept eating, but the earnest young people, not wanting to be rude to their elders, had to sit through lengthy speeches while their feast grew cold before them. Most of it was about Maosen.
When the retired patriarchs descended from the circular stage at the center, dancers in splendid costumes appeared.
The silk scarves
were handled with such finesse as the dancers twirled that it was quite a spectacle. The gathering was rather casual, and the music was bright and lively, aimed at the younger crowd, adding a festive touch to the conversations.
The young people rose from their seats and began greeting those around them.
The elder chaperones watched with warm, amused smiles from their seats, though some, apparently having taken a fancy to someone, went out to make introductions themselves.
As for Maomao's table—
"Nobody's coming, huh."
Rohan's older brother said, sipping his soup.
"If you're tired of waiting, feel free to mingle, brother."
Rohan showed no sign of standing up, apparently still wanting to savor his meal.
"No, it's not that..."
Rohan's brother was a man of ordinary sensibilities, so he was probably uneasy about being the only one excluded from this round table.
"En'en, this food is delicious, isn't it?"
"Yes, my lady. I'll recreate it next time."
As for Yao and En'en, they had anticipated this, so they were perfectly composed.
Maomao enjoyed the food as well, but couldn't afford to forget the real topic.
"So, has anyone who sprinkled powder on Lady Yao shown up?"
"No, but their family is participating."
"Which clan is it?"
"The Dragon clan."
(You've got to be kidding me.)
Maomao glanced at Rohan.
Behind his glasses, Rohan's narrow eyes had sharpened with an exasperated look.
"I'd like to head there now."
Yao moved to stand up from her seat.
Rohan, Maomao, and then Rohan's brother all panicked instinctively.
Yao and En'en didn't know about the earlier conversation regarding the Rabbit and Dragon clans. And though he had no involvement, Rohan's brother was picking up on the mood and getting flustered too. What a good guy.
"Please wait a moment."
Maomao exchanged a glance with Rohan.
(Should I explain things to Yao?)
No, she decided it was better not to let her get involved, and let out a heavy breath.
«Do you have any connections to the Dragon clan?»
"...No, I don't."
"Right. I didn't think so. That's why I believe it would be discourteous for Miss Yao to suddenly approach an elder of the clan and make her case uninvited."
"I know that."
Yao pouted slightly.
(She'd matured a little in the year they hadn't seen each other, hadn't she?)
Maomao glanced at Rahans. He had probably already assessed Yao's situation.
"I'm going to broach a business proposal with the Dragon clan starting now. First, we'd like to go ahead and smooth things over. I understand you want your own problems resolved quickly, Miss Yao, but you're outsiders, fundamentally. If you show your faces in some odd way and end up bringing losses to my household, I'll have to ask you to leave immediately."
Rahans' words were sharp, but entirely reasonable. Yao was biting her lip, and En'en looked ready to tear someone apart.
(If anything, it was En'en who hadn't changed at all.)
Maomao worried that unless someone reined in En'en, Yao would never be able to grow.
"So, we're going to go talk to the Dragon clan now. I'd like you to stay here during that time. Of course, once our discussion is finished, we'll introduce you."
"One question — if we're left here by ourselves, won't things get troublesome?"
En'en said to Rahans, eyes still narrowed.
"It'll be fine. My brother will be here in our place."
"Huh?!"
Rahans' brother, as if hearing this for the first time, shot to his feet.
"I-I never heard anything about that!"
Rahans patted his brother's shoulder.
"Brother. It would be unchivalrous to leave two beautiful women behind. I'm sorry to impose, but could you watch over them here?"
Rahans' brother looked at Yao and En'en.
Rahans leaned in and whispered to his brother.
"Father is indispensable to the negotiations. It would be a problem if all the men disappeared at once. I'm counting on you — this is something only I can ask of you."
Despite the whispered delivery, every word was clearly audible.
"Ugh... fine."
Rahan's brother gave in.
"Thank you, brother."
Watching from the side, Maomao realized this was probably how he'd been dragged along to the Western Capital as well. He was far too good-natured.