Bowl

The servant announcing the gifts did not know whether he had been injected with chicken blood or what.

Not only was his shout deafening, he even dragged out the words and put on airs, afraid people might not know.

The guests in the hall looked at one another, just as bewildered as Chu Qing.

Young Miss Wu, Wu Qianhuan?

Why had she come?

Everyone able to attend this banquet today knew Heavenly Dance City's affairs like the back of their hand.

Who did not know that the Chu Family's Third Young Master had stormed away from home back then because Chu Yunfei had arranged this marriage for him?

Wu Qianhuan had only been ten at the time, yet she had also considered it a humiliation.

She had joined in searching for and hunting down that runaway groom, looking for a full three months without finding even the slightest trace.

In a fit of rage, she had declared those famous words: "The shame of the Chu Clan shall be engraved upon my heart, never to be forgotten for even a moment."

Over the years, whenever anything related to the Chu Family came up, she had almost always kept far away.

Yet she had actually come today?

For a moment, everyone in the hall had different thoughts, and the originally tense atmosphere eased considerably.

Chu Tian smilingly tugged Chu Fan, then turned to see a rather beautiful young woman walking forward with graceful steps, surrounded by a crowd.

She wore an apricot-yellow dress, her figure supple and elegant, standing tall and slender.

Her eyes carried a hint of amusement, without the slightest trace of bitter grievance.

Chu Qing hid to one side and peeked at her, clicking his tongue in admiration.

"A girl changes eighteen times as she grows up. That little brat has blossomed into such a lovely woman."

"I just wonder whether that temper of hers has mellowed out at all?"

Chu Tian led Chu Fan forward, and the two greeted her together.

Chu Fan's lips moved. He wanted to call her his younger sister-in-law, but feared causing trouble.

He could only let out a long sigh...

"Second Brother Chu, it has been many years since we last met, yet you sigh the moment you see me. Why is that?"

Wu Qianhuan looked at him with a smile.

"I... Sigh, my Chu Family has wronged you. But even if I must search to the ends of the earth, I will certainly find my Third... Mmph, mmph, mmph..."

Before he could finish, Chu Tian clamped a hand over his mouth.

Though Chu Fan had been born with immense strength, he unexpectedly could not break free for the moment. Then he heard Chu Tian say with a smile:

"Eldest Young Lady, please do not take his words to heart."

Wu Qianhuan glanced at the two brothers and shook her head.

"Second Brother Chu, on a day like today, do not mention that unlucky person."

"However, unless he is dead, there must eventually be a resolution between him and me."

"I came today for no other reason than to congratulate Second Brother Chu and welcome him home after mastering his arts."

Chu Fan's expression turned complicated upon hearing this. He clasped his fists and thanked her.

Wu Qianhuan then glanced at Tang Xi and said with a smile:

"I heard just now that you wished to exchange pointers in martial arts? Over these years, this little sister has also made some modest progress, if I may say so myself."

"Since the banquet has not yet begun, why not go to the inner courtyard and spar? Young Hall Master Tang, what do you think?"

Now that Wu Qianhuan had spoken, how could Tang Xi refuse?

He immediately said with a smile:

"Since Eldest Young Lady is in such an elegant mood, how could I dare not accompany you?"

"Very well. Shutting oneself away to build a cart is no match for exchanging with others."

Chu Tian looked at Chu Fan and said:

"You will take them to your courtyard for a few rounds. Remember, this is only a friendly spar—stop at the point."

Chu Fan nodded and extended a hand.

"Please."

"Please."

As they spoke, the group headed toward the inner courtyard.

But after taking only two steps, Wu Qianhuan seemed to sense something. She abruptly turned and stared into the crowd.

Chu Fan looked at her in surprise.

"Younger sister-in-law, what is it?"

"...Nothing."

Wu Qianhuan frowned slightly, paying no attention to how Chu Fan had addressed her.

Yet in that instant just now, she had seemed to sense a gaze that felt strangely familiar.

But when she turned back to search, she discovered nothing.

She pondered it for a moment but did not take it to heart, merely assuming that returning to the Chu Family after so many years had stirred up old memories in her mind.

She did not know that after their group departed, Chu Qing, hidden atop the wall, gently wiped the cold sweat from his brow.

"This woman... Is she really that sharp?"

Sneaking another look, he saw that they had truly left, with only Chu Tian remaining to receive guests. Only then did he emerge from behind the wall, intending to find another place to loaf around so he would not run into Chu Tian.

Yet before he could move, his eyes met Chu Tian's.

His heart skipped a beat... But he figured that after seven years, with his face still disguised, no matter how monstrous Chu Tian was, he could not recognize him so easily.

Just like back at that teahouse—if he had not overheard Chu Fan and the others talking, Chu Qing would not have recognized them either.

Though he felt somewhat intimidated, his hands did not slow in the slightest. He immediately bent at the waist in greeting, preparing to go "work."

Unexpectedly, Chu Tian suddenly spoke.

"You, come here."

"..."

Chu Qing's face darkened. Had he truly been recognized?

Should he turn around and run?

But what if Chu Tian had called him over for some reason entirely unrelated to recognizing him? Would running not expose him instead?

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind. Chu Qing sighed inwardly. If he had truly been recognized, then so be it.

His identity as the dignified Third Young Master of the Chu Family was not fake... At worst, it would simply become difficult for him to keep operating in secret.

He immediately took several steps to Chu Tian's side and called softly:

"Eldest Young Master."

Though he suspected he might have been exposed, until the very last moment, it was not time to reveal his identity himself.

Yet after looking at him twice, Chu Tian called over another servant before speaking.

"You two, prepare some tea and pastries and deliver them to Second Young Master's courtyard."

"Then wait there."

Though Chu Qing was unwilling, he could only nod.

"Yes."

He then turned with that servant and hurried toward the kitchen.

Chu Tian swept his gaze across his back, then withdrew it and once again put on a smile to welcome the guests who had just entered.

"On such a joyous day, you must all drink a few extra cups."

Chu Qing went with the servant to the kitchen, fetched a tray, placed tea and pastries upon it, and then headed for Chu Fan's courtyard.

He had not wanted to come, but on second thought, he felt this was even better.

Even if Wu Qianhuan was sharp, what could she sense as long as he did not look at her?

And while waiting for the banquet to begin, what place could be more suitable for hiding than Chu Fan's little courtyard?

Thinking this, he arrived at Chu Fan's courtyard.

The moment he entered, he saw Chu Fan exchanging blows with Tang Xi, while Wu Qianhuan sat on a stone bench to one side, apparently bored.

Another person sat on the stone bench beside her—someone Chu Qing recognized... Chu Fan's Junior Sister Wen.

He had not seen her earlier. So she had been here watching the excitement.

Chu Qing and the servant delivered the refreshments, then stood at the back.

Sure enough, they drew no one's attention.

Once the banquet begins, they definitely will not be able to stay here. Then I can go to the front courtyard with them, even more unnoticed than a ghost.

Just as he was thinking this, an unexpected development arrived.

After Junior Sister Wen turned and looked at him twice, she actually rose to her feet and walked over to his side.

Wu Qianhuan paid no attention to her actions. Her eyes and attention were wholly fixed on Tang Xi and Chu Fan's sparring.

Chu Qing, however, felt something was wrong. Then he felt Junior Sister Wen stuff something into his hand.

He lowered his head to look, and his heart jolted violently.

It was unmistakably a battered, broken... bowl!?