Chapter 568: Family Banquet, Sisters Reunite

Early April.

Chang'an.

Evening.

The day's heat faded, and a faint orange‑pink glow painted the horizon, coating the vermilion palace walls and green‑tiled eaves on both sides of Zhuque Avenue with a warm sheen.

A gentle evening breeze, scented with the nearby locust trees, lifted a few drifting petals and leisurely swept over the densely packed market houses, finally pausing before a grand mansion.

That was the red‑lacquered gate of the Duke of Wei's Mansion!

Two fine horses pulling an elegantly decorated carriage slowly came to a halt before the State Duke Mansion gate.

A servant gently lifted the carriage curtain, and Lu Huichun was the first to step down.

As soon as he steadied himself, he looked up at the mansion, his gaze sweeping over the red‑lacquered gate that towered over a zhang high.

A gilt plaque hung on the gate, the four bold characters "Duke of Wei's Mansion" shining with vigorous strokes.

Flanking the gate stood a pair of imposing stone lions, their manes curled, eyes blazing with an unassailable authority.

The courtyard walls rose high, their tops covered with glazed tiles.

Lu Huichun couldn't help but think silently, "Is this really the Duke of Wei's Mansion? The reputation is well earned!"

"The red gates are lofty, the aura magnificent—truly a grand spectacle!"

"No wonder the Great Zhou Pillar of State, heavily trusted by the Grand Preceptor and wielding great power, has such a layout—ordinary officials don't even qualify to glance at its shoulders!"

Close behind, Cui Yuanti steadied a servant's hand and stepped down from the carriage.

She wore a lotus‑pink brocade skirt embroidered with delicate entwined lotus vines, her hair styled in a Uighur bun adorned with an emerald jade hairpin; her face was gentle, her brows and eyes showing a hint of urgency and anticipation.

Lu Yingxuan also stepped down, dressed in a royal‑blue Brothel, a small jade pendant hanging at his waist, his posture erect and eyes bright.

Lu Yingxuan looked up at the façade of the Duke of Wei's Mansion, his heart already roiled with tumult.

He had grown up in the Lu family residence of Fanyang, believing his clan already a great northern family with abundant wealth, but upon seeing the grandeur of the Duke of Wei's Mansion, he realized what true aristocracy meant.

He couldn't help but think silently, "Chen Zhuguo's wealth is indeed extraordinary!"

Cui Yuanti's gaze, however, lingered not on the mansion's splendor; she stared at the red‑lacquered gate, her fingertips subtly tightening, murmuring, "Finally, we've arrived at the Duke of Wei's Mansion…"

"Sister, I'm finally going to see you…"

Her voice trembled with a few choking sobs, tears flashing uncontrollably in her eyes.

Having not met for over twenty years, the chance to reunite in Chang'an today filled her with emotions and longing beyond words.

At that moment, Wen Run, who had been waiting at the gate, hurried forward to greet them.

He stepped before the three, bowed slightly, and said politely, "Greetings, Lord Lu! Greetings, Madam Cui! Greetings, Young Master Lu!"

After the salute, he straightened, a perfectly timed smile on his face, pointed toward the interior and said, "The Pillar of State has been waiting inside for a while; please, follow me, all three!"

Lu Huichun clasped his hands in return.

Then, following Wen Run's lead, they entered the State Duke Mansion.

The moment they crossed the threshold, a rich scent of foliage rushed to their noses, starkly different from the market air outside.

Underfoot lay a smooth, even Qingshi slab road, flanked by neatly trimmed flower beds where various precious blossoms vied for attention, many of which Lu Yingxuan had never seen before.

Walking forward along the stone slabs, they passed a finely carved stone arch bridge; beneath it flowed a babbling stream with ornamental koi playing, while drooping willows swayed along the banks.

Pavilions and towers dotted the route in harmonious arrangement, all with carved beams and painted rafters, upturned eaves, roofs clad in glazed tiles that refracted multicolored glints in the sunset's afterglow.

The doors and windows of the towers bore intricate floral carvings—pine and crane motifs for longevity, joyous patterns for happiness—each detail exuding refinement and luxury.

Along the path stood numerous prized trees: ancient pines, upright cypresses, and lush phoenix trees, their green canopy shading the grounds and enhancing the mansion's serene elegance.

Lu Yingxuan walked while curiously surveying his surroundings, eyes full of awe.

He had thought the exterior splendor was the pinnacle, yet the interior scenery proved even more breathtaking.

The materials of those pavilions and towers were meticulously chosen, carvings exquisite; even the stone lanterns and railings along the path displayed extraordinary craftsmanship, far beyond ordinary royal clan mansions.

He couldn't help exhaling a breath of awe, thinking, "The interior of the Duke of Wei's Mansion is true luxury!"

Guiding the three through several courtyards, around a bamboo grove, they finally arrived before a refined elegant pavilion.

The pavilion sat beside a lotus pond, encircled by verdant bamboo; a bamboo curtain hung at its entrance, embroidered with faint orchid‑grass patterns, exuding a touch of elegance.

Its windows were open, revealing flickering candles inside and faint aromas of dishes drifting out.

Wen Run halted, turned to the three, and smiled, "Lord Lu, Madam Cui, Young Master Lu, the Pillar of State and others are waiting inside; please, come in."

Having said so, he stepped forward and gently lifted the bamboo curtain.

When the curtain rose, the interior scene came into view.

Inside, the pavilion was spacious and bright, the floor covered with a thick carpet that muffled footsteps.

At the center stood a massive round table, its surface crafted from premium rosewood, polished to a mirror‑like smoothness.

The table was laden with steaming dishes, a dazzling array whose aromas filled the air.

There were glossy roasted whole lambs, skin crisp, meat tender.

There were steamed sea bass, its flesh white and speckled with scallion‑ginger threads, exuding freshness.

Also present were braised venison, amber‑colored peach kernels, jade‑like vegetarian dishes, and an assortment of delicate pastries and fruit platters.

Each dish was crafted with exquisite care, its luxurious ingredients and superb cooking evident at a glance.

Four people sat around the round table, led by Pei Xun and Cui Yuanrong.

Pei Xun wore a deep‑blue lan shirt.

Cui Yuanrong donned a lake‑blue brocade skirt, a crimson‑gold jeweled hairpin in her hair; her features resembled Cui Yuanti by about seventy percent, though the corners of her eyes bore a few more years, giving her a more dignified grace.

Chen Yan sat at the side, clad in a dark‑red Brothel embroidered with golden‑thread qilin patterns.

Next to him sat Pei Suiwan, wearing a moon‑white brocade skirt whose hem was embroidered with silver‑thread entwined lotus vines.

Her appearance was delicate, temperament gentle, eyes soft, smiling as she gazed toward the doorway.

Cui Yuanrong, upon hearing the commotion outside, instantly rose, her gaze fixed on the doorway, and blurted, "Yuanti!"

"It's Yuan Ti and they've arrived!"

The tone was full of excitement and joy.

As the bamboo curtain was fully drawn back, Cui Yuanti entered, followed by Lu Huichun and Lu Yingxuan.

Cui Yuanrong, seeing this, could no longer restrain the longing in her heart, hurried forward and called urgently, "Yuan Ti!"

"Sister!" Cui Yuanti saw at a glance, and as Cui Yuanrong walked toward her, tears instantly welled up in her eyes.

Immediately, she stepped forward, threw herself into Cui Yuanrong's arms, and held her tightly.

The two sisters embraced and wept, their shoulders trembling slightly.

The longing and worry suppressed for over ten years at this moment turned entirely into flowing tears.

On both extremely similar faces, endless longing and the joy of reunion were written.

Chen Yan, Pei Suiwan, and Pei Xun stood where they were, gentle smiles on their faces, quietly watching the scene without stepping forward to disturb.

The candle flames inside the house flickered, casting the embracing sisters in an especially warm light.

The air was filled with the aroma of dishes and a faint warmth.

After a long while, the sisters gradually ceased their sobbing.

Cui Yuanrong released Cui Yuanti, both hands tightly gripping hers, her gaze carefully examining her face, eyes full of tenderness, she asked hoarsely, "Yuan Ti, have you been well all these years?"

Cui Yuanti nodded repeatedly, wiped the tears from her face, and showed a satisfied smile, "Mm, mm!"

She looked at Cui Yuanrong, eyes full of emotion, "I never imagined that in my lifetime I could still reunite with my sister…"

"All this way, I kept worrying something would happen; now to see you with my own eyes, truly the Buddha's protection!"

Cui Yuanrong looked at her sister's reddened eyes, nodded repeatedly, eyes full of emotion, her voice a little hoarse, "Indeed, it's the Buddha's compassion that lets us sisters meet again!"

"If not for Heaven's favor, it would be hard to have such fate in this life…"

Speaking, she suddenly seemed to recall something, turned and pointed at Pei Xun standing behind her, and said with a smile, "By the way, Yuan Ti, we've been so caught up in catching up that we forgot to introduce you…"

"This is your brother‑in‑law, Pei Xun!"

Pei Xun, hearing this, stepped forward, a gentle smile on his face, and said loudly, "In the future in Chang'an, if you encounter any difficulty or need assistance, feel free to seek the old man and your sister…"

After speaking, he looked toward Lu Huichun, gave a slight nod.

Cui Yuanti hurriedly bowed and thanked, eyes full of gratitude, "Thank you, brother‑in‑law, for your understanding and care!"

"We're family, no need to thank," Cui Yuanrong smiled, waved her hand, then raised her hand to point at Chen Yan and Pei Suiwan beside her, continuing the introduction, "Yuan Ti, look, this is my daughter Suiwan, and her husband, A Yan!"

During these days in Chang'an, Cui Yuanti had long heard of Chen Yan's various deeds.

At this moment, seeing him dressed in a dark red Brothel, tall and steady, standing side by side with Pei Suiwan, a perfect match of talent and beauty, she couldn't help but grab Cui Yuanrong's hand, eyes full of envy, exclaiming, "Suiwan is truly fortunate, marrying a husband who is not just ordinary excellent!"

"Truly enviable to everyone else!"

Cui Yuanrong heard this, a smile blossoming on her face, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes relaxing, her tone full of satisfaction, "This is a destiny ordained by Heaven…"

Cui Yuanti smiled and nodded, then turned to Lu Huichun beside her, tugging his sleeve, "Sister, let me introduce you as well…"

"This is your brother‑in‑law, Lu Huichun!"

Saying that, she also pointed to Lu Yingxuan nearby, eyes full of affection, "This is your nephew, Lu Yingxuan!"

Lu Huichun and Lu Yingxuan, hearing this, promptly clasped their hands in greeting to the crowd, gentle smiles on their faces.

Chen Yan, holding Pei Suiwan's hand, his face perpetually bearing a gentle smile, said, "Let's take our seats first! It's perfect to drink and reminisce!"

"A Yan is absolutely right," Cui Yuanrong quickly agreed.

Chen Yan raised his hand toward the empty seats, making a 'please' gesture, respectfully saying, "Uncle, aunt, father‑in‑law, mother‑in‑law, and Yingxuan, please be seated!"

Everyone responded in turn, taking seats around the round table.

Cui Yuanrong deliberately pulled Cui Yuanti to sit beside her; as soon as they sat down, they began chattering endlessly.

From the amusing stories at home years ago to each other's lives in recent years, their words were filled with unbreakable longing.

Pei Xun, Lu Huichun, and Chen Yan sat on the opposite side, the three discussing everything from the literary style of the northern lands to Chang'an's politics, then to border military affairs…

Pei Suiwan, seated beside Chen Yan, occasionally lifted the wine jug to refill everyone, movements gentle, eyes tender.

The dishes on the table steamed hot, their fragrance overwhelming.

The whole roasted Sheep was crisp outside and tender inside, dipped in a special sauce, bursting with flavor; the steamed sea bass was delicate and melt‑in‑the‑mouth, with a faint ginger‑scallion aroma; the braised deer meat was glossy red, fatty yet not greasy, becoming more fragrant with each chew.

Everyone tasted the delicacies while chatting freely, laughter and merriment continuous, the candlelight wavering, casting each face in extra warmth.

After three rounds of wine and five servings of dishes, Chen Yan set down his cup, a calm smile on his face, his gaze turning to Lu Huichun, he said slowly, "Uncle, on this joyous day of reunion, it should be joy upon joy!"

Lu Huichun, hearing this, felt a stir, set down his cup, curiosity on his face, asked, "Oh? How does A Yan define a joy‑upon‑joy?"

Chen Yan blinked, his tone a little mysterious, "I heard Uncle and Aunt have a daughter named Yu Fu, blessed with flower‑like beauty and gentle temperament…"

Lu Huichun instantly understood, a look of anticipation on his face, he quickly asked, "I wonder which young talent A Yan has chosen for the little girl?"

Everyone at the table, hearing this, also paused their actions, their gazes collectively turning to Chen Yan, eyes full of curiosity.

Chen Yan met the expectant gazes, a slight lift at the corner of his mouth, eyebrows slightly raised, his tone meaningfully deep, "Uncle, what do you think of Great Zhou's war‑hero Prince of Ancheng, a Pillar of the State, Right Marquis Guard Grand General?"