The next day.
At dawn, the vast Huang Manor came alive with bustle. Lanterns and decorations went up, the vermilion gates swung wide, and servants carrying fruit and fine wine hurried through the corridors and courtyards.
Huang Xunjiu sat in the main hall, dressed in a deep-purple brocade robe with a white jade belt. His face glowed as he spoke with relatives and friends who had come to offer congratulations.
Huang Qian sat to his left, smiling and occasionally joining the conversation, perfectly at ease.
Outside the main hall, carriages crowded the vermilion gates, nearly blocking the way for passersby. Men and women in fine clothes stepped down with smiles on their faces and were led into Huang Manor by gatekeepers and servants.
The place rang with voices and brimmed with cheer.
But as time passed and the sun climbed higher, the smile on Huang Xunjiu's face grew less natural, less sincere.
He took his eldest son, Huang Qian, into a side room and sighed softly. "The banquet begins at noon, but none of the honored guests we invited have come. They haven't even sent a respectable gift. They can't be bothered to make a show of it.
"Only a few powerful families that used to be close to our Huang Family sent gifts, but they didn't come in person.
"As for the rest, they're relatives by marriage and old acquaintances who can't cut ties with us, or people hoping to curry favor."
Huang Qian did not seem particularly discouraged. "Didn't we expect this? The powerful families and high officials of the commandery city are bound to favor Huang Tian. Unless he loses his talent overnight or gets killed, they won't want anything to do with us."
"I expected it, but seeing it for myself still chills my heart. Our