The auspicious day for recording her name into the clan genealogy finally arrived.
On this day, the Ancestral Hall of the Commandery Duke’s Manor was decorated with lanterns and streamers both inside and out. Uncles, aunts, and cousins from the second and third branches all came to attend the ceremony, gathering to witness the moment Lin Chunian was entered into the genealogy and established as a legitimate daughter. The Xiao family was already prosperous in numbers. The eldest branch, Xiao Zhenyuan, had one son and two daughters, while the second and third branches both had sons. Gathered together on this day, the hall was filled with the clear, resonant voices of men in blue robes, which only made the two young ladies of the manor stand out even more.
Lin Chunian entered the hall with Lady Liu and Xiao Wanning, dressed in a crimson chest-high ruqun with red silk trim and vermillion ribbons tied at the waist. The soft, warm red perfectly matched the celebratory atmosphere of the genealogy entry. In her hair, she wore a simple silver tassel hairpin, a newly made style that accentuated her delicate, stunning features and graceful figure. Upon seeing her for the first time, the members of the second and third branches were all taken aback. Second Uncle Xiao Zhen’an was the first to clap his hands and laugh, saying, “Eldest Brother, this must be our niece Wanyan, right? She was just an eight-year-old girl when she left the manor. Who would have thought she’d grow up to be so beautiful? A girl truly changes eighteen times as she grows up—it’s absolutely true!”
Third Uncle Xiao Zhenping also nodded in agreement, his eyes filled with admiration. “Indeed, look at her appearance—she’s truly a stunning young lady. It’s a shame this child had to recuperate outside for all these years.” The group of cousins also turned to look, their gazes carrying a hint of youthful shyness and appreciation.
Second Aunt Wang Shi, who was straightforward by nature and had long been at odds with Lady Liu in her heart despite maintaining surface harmony, quickly stepped forward upon seeing this. She warmly took Lin Chunian’s hand and, with a smile, slipped a heavy gold-inlaid jade peace bangle onto her wrist. “Good child, it’s wonderful that you’re back. This is your aunt’s gift to you. Wear it for peace and safety.” Not wanting to be outdone, Third Aunt Li Shi also presented a gold kingfisher-feather shake-hairpin, saying gently, “Look at her features—this hairpin suits her perfectly. Take it quickly.”
Lin Chunian promptly curtsied in thanks, her voice sweet and soft. “Thank you, Second Aunt. Thank you, Third Aunt. You both are too kind to me.” She then greeted each uncle in turn, addressing them as “Second Uncle” and “Third Uncle,” making everyone beam with delight.
Thanks to Dongling’s reliability in describing the elders’ appearances in advance, she was able to accurately identify each uncle and aunt without a single mistake! Lin Chunian was overjoyed in her heart, secretly glancing at the gold bangle on her wrist and the hairpin in her hand, feeling that she had struck it rich, gaining so many wonderful things!
Xiao Jueyan stood to the side, his gaze fixed on Lin Chunian the entire time. Watching her navigate among the uncles and aunts with ease, her eyes curved into smiles as she laughed continuously. He had previously worried that, having returned from the countryside, she might not understand the rules of the capital’s manor and would struggle to handle these relatives. He never expected her to manage so effortlessly.
Lady Liu, seeing Wang Shi and Li Shi being so warm and attentive to Lin Chunian—clearly to provoke her—had a face as dark as the bottom of a pot. However, with everyone present, she could only suppress her anger. Xiao Wanning was even more consumed by jealousy. With everyone gathered around Lin Chunian, no one paid any attention to her.
Inside the Ancestral Hall, the incense altar was arranged, and the clan genealogy was spread out. The elder in charge of writing dipped his brush in cinnabar. Xiao Zhenyuan, dressed in his official court dress, stood before the incense altar and announced in a deep, resonant voice, “The auspicious hour has arrived. Open the ancestral hall. Today, we record Xiao Wanyan under Lady Liu’s name, establishing her as the legitimate daughter of the Commandery Duke’s Manor, entering her into the Xiao clan genealogy, listed after the legitimate eldest daughter, Wanning.”
The elder put brush to paper, imprinting the cinnabar onto the clan genealogy. Following the ritual official’s guidance, Lin Chunian knelt and bowed, performing three kowtows. When she rose, she had become the rightful and legitimate second young lady of the Commandery Duke’s Manor.
“Congratulations, eldest brother, on the joyous return of your legitimate daughter!” Second Uncle Xiao Zhen’an was the first to cup his hands in congratulations, followed closely by Third Uncle Xiao Zhenping: “From now on, niece Wanyan will be a proper legitimate young lady—truly a cause for celebration.” Xiao Juexuan and several other cousins also offered their congratulations, gathering around Lin Chunian with smiles: “Cousin Wanyan, if anyone dares to bully you in the future, your cousins will stand up for you.”
Xiao Zhenyuan looked at Lin Chunian, his expression growing more serious: “Wanyan, now that you have entered the clan genealogy and become a legitimate daughter, you must abide by the Xiao family’s rules. Be cautious in your words and actions, and do not bring shame upon the Commandery Duke’s Manor.”
“I will remember Father’s words,” Lin Chunian replied, bowing her head with a gentle and obedient demeanor.
Lady Liu, standing nearby, spoke coldly: “Since you have become a legitimate daughter of the Xiao family, you must follow the clan rules and obey your parents. The rules of this manor allow no defiance whatsoever. Your marriage and conduct will be decided entirely by your parents, and you may not voice any dissent.” With that, she turned her face away, showing none of the warmth expected of a legitimate mother.
Once everyone was seated according to seniority, Xiao Wanning sat opposite Lin Chunian. Seeing her favored by Second Aunt and Third Aunt and noticing the gold bracelet on her wrist, Xiao Wanning grew increasingly resentful. She turned to Xiao Jueyan beside her and said in a soft, coquettish voice, “Brother, I want to eat shrimp, but the shells are too hard for me to peel.”
Xiao Jueyan did not respond, but he still picked up the serving chopsticks, carefully peeled the shrimp, and placed them in her bowl. Xiao Wanning glanced triumphantly at Lin Chunian before pushing further: “Brother, I also want crab, but I can’t peel that either.” Xiao Jueyan continued to indulge her, picking out the crabmeat, removing the bones, and placing it in her bowl.
Seeing her son dote on her daughter, Lady Liu’s expression softened slightly, though she could not resist shooting a sharp glance at Lin Chunian—a look that clearly said, “See, you have no brother to dote on you.”
At first, Lin Chunian pretended not to notice, focusing on her meal. But Xiao Wanning grew increasingly excessive, now asking for tea, now for dishes to be passed, each time deliberately looking at Lin Chunian with an unmistakable air of superiority.
Hmph, so what if she has a brother? Who cares!
Lin Chunian pursed her lips and glanced around at her cousins beside her: Xiao Juexuan and Xiao Jue’ang from the second branch, and Xiao Jueheng and Xiao Jueyu from the third branch—all gentle and amiable young men in their teens or twenties.
Holding her bowl, she moved closer to her second cousin, Xiao Juexuan, who was nearest, and said in a soft voice, “Second Cousin, I also want to eat shrimp, but I’m clumsy and can’t peel them well. Could you peel a few for me?”
Xiao Juexuan already found this cousin pleasing to the eye and sweet-tongued, so he readily agreed with a smile: “What’s so difficult about that? Cousin Wanyan, I’ll peel as many as you want.” With that, he picked up the serving chopsticks and peeled a full bowl of shrimp for her.
Lin Chunian’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled sweetly: “Second Cousin, you’re so kind! Third Cousin, that crabmeat looks delicious. I’d like some too—could you pick some out for me?”
Third Cousin Xiao Jueheng also nodded with a smile and immediately began picking out crabmeat for her bowl. Seeing this, Xiao Jue’ang and Xiao Jueyu nearby also started serving her dishes, passing her pastries, picking out the tenderest fish, and ladling sweet soup for her, filling Lin Chunian’s bowl to the brim. The young men gathered around her, speaking gently, their eyes filled with affection, finding this cousin charming, sweet-tongued, and utterly endearing.
Xiao Wanning watched this scene, her face instantly paling with anger. She had merely asked her own brother to peel some shrimp and crab, yet Lin Chunian had managed to win over all her cousins! She glared fiercely at Lin Chunian, the delicacies in her mouth losing all flavor. Yet she couldn’t make a scene and could only stew in her fury.
Xiao Jueyan sat nearby, twirling a wine cup in his hand. His gaze swept over the cousins gathered around Lin Chunian before finally settling on her smiling, crescent-shaped eyes—she certainly knew how to find company, so impatient to be alone.
Lady Liu, seeing her daughter overshadowed and the second and third branches of the family favoring Lin Chunian, felt a tightness in her chest from anger. Yet, in front of her uncles, she dared not make a scene.
Only Xiao Zhenyuan watched the minor squabbles between the two girls with a faint smile. His second uncle, Xiao Zhen’an, teased, “It’s good for the children to fuss a bit—it livens things up. Niece Wanyan is delightful, and the children naturally enjoy being close to her. It’s fate.” Third Uncle Xiao Zhenping chimed in, “Exactly. Our Xiao Manor has only these two girls. They ought to cherish each other and keep things lively.”
After three rounds of wine, Xiao Zhenyuan set down his cup and cleared his throat. The noisy main hall instantly fell silent. He looked at Lady Liu and said gravely, “Tomorrow evening, Prince Jing’s Manor is hosting an Elegant Gathering Banquet. An invitation has been sent, inviting our entire family to attend.”
Lady Liu was taken aback but quickly responded, “Yes, Master.”
Xiao Zhenyuan then turned to Xiao Wanning. “You will stay in the manor and need not attend.”
A flicker of secret delight flashed in Xiao Wanning’s eyes as she hurriedly nodded. “I understand, Father.” She knew full well that this so-called Elegant Gathering Banquet was actually a matchmaking banquet set up by Prince Jing for his son, Zhao Jin. Prince Jing had earlier sent someone to propose marriage to a daughter of the Commandery Duke’s Manor. Now, with her father having Lin Chunian, the newly established legitimate daughter, take her place, it was clear he intended for Lin Chunian to shield her from this marriage. Thinking of this, the corners of her lips curled slightly in quiet satisfaction.
Lin Chunian sat nearby, confused by the conversation but obediently refraining from asking questions. She merely took a small sip from her wine cup, secretly rejoicing over having become the Xiao family’s legitimate daughter.
Xiao Jueyan observed all of this, his fingertips tracing the rim of his wine cup, his mind clear. Bringing Lin Chunian back had always been intended to shield Xiao Wanning from the marriage proposal from Prince Jing’s Manor. Prince Jing’s son, Zhao Jin, was notoriously lustful. With Lin Chunian’s beauty, Zhao Jin was certain to take a liking to her at tomorrow’s banquet—this was the predetermined outcome. Yet, watching her earlier in the Ancestral Hall, kneeling in bright red robes and smiling with crescent-shaped eyes before her cousins, he felt an inexplicable irritation stir within him.
After the banquet ended, Lin Chunian returned to her courtyard. Dongling was busy storing the congratulatory gifts she had received, smiling as she worked. “Miss, this is truly wonderful. Now that you’re a proper legitimate young lady, no one will dare look down on you again!”
Lin Chunian sat on the soft couch, playing with the gold kingfisher-feather shake-hairpin Li Shi had gifted her, her eyes curved in a smile. “Indeed, this was worth it.”
Little did she know that tomorrow evening’s Elegant Gathering Banquet at Prince Jing’s Manor was already a trap laid out for her, waiting only for her to step into it.