"However, young colonel, since you’re from the Xue Family yourself, and Noble Consort Xue is greatly favored by His Majesty, plus the fact that, a few days ago, you faced Yuwen Lie without a trace of cowardice and upheld the prestige of our Great Chen, His Majesty was pleased and therefore specially decreed that a family banquet be held in the palace."
"Still, even with such special grace, one cannot wander about recklessly."
"Within the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Guard and imperial guards are stationed everywhere, and if anyone acting suspiciously is found, they can be executed on the spot without needing to inform His Majesty. Colonel, do not wander off; just follow me."
Li Guanyi nodded; the Ritual Eunuch chatted with Li Guan about some of the scenery and rules within the palace.
On the surface, Li Guan responded appropriately, while inwardly he was silently calculating the Four Symbols Sealing Spirit Formation,
trying to sense the direction where the Qilin was.
The Imperial Palace truly occupied no small area.
Following the road, starting from a side gate, it took nearly half an hour to reach Noble Consort Xue’s palace.
Li Guan silently memorized this road, then compared it with the Qilin Formation Diagram in his mind to try to figure out which part of the diagram he was currently in and clarify his position so he could confirm where exactly the Qilin was.
Old Master Xue Daoyong had already hurried in to see his daughter, and Xue Changqing, along with other direct descendants of the Xue Family, also went in. Li Guan saw a beautiful woman, who, although several months pregnant, showed no sign of her condition affecting her looks. Seeing Li Guan, her smile was warm:
"Is this the young hero who wrote that poem for me?"
"Come, let auntie have a look at you."
Her smile was teasing as she beckoned to Li Guan.
Yet her demeanor was dignified and elegant, betraying nothing of the reckless abandon she must have shown in her youth when riding wildly through the streets, driving her father almost to death with frustration.
Li Guan knew his current identity.
He grinned and, behaving himself, stepped forward to pay his respects, calling her "auntie."
"Truly well-mannered. Look at Changqing; he never comes to call me that on his own initiative."
Noble Consort Xue seemed quite pleased with him, and after exchanging pleasantries for a moment, the family banquet began. There were not many participants: besides Li Guan, Xue Changqing, and Xue Daoyong, there were only two women of the direct lineage, who appeared rather restrained, while Li Guan and Xue Changqing were much more at ease.
Xue Changqing looked around curiously and murmured, "Strange, why hasn’t the tigress come?"
Li Guan was also curious as he didn’t see the eldest lady, but when he swept his gaze around, he noticed some dancers, one of whom was dressed in red with a covered face, holding a red fan, and especially stood out. Since this was the Imperial Palace, Li Guan minded his manners and did not stare, simply withdrawing his gaze.
As the family banquet commenced, suddenly someone played the zither. The zither’s sound was pure and transcending. Xue Changqing realized, then said in a moment of enlightenment:
"The tigress... no, I mean."
"Sister is playing the zither."
It was indeed a feast of the royal household; not only were the dishes exquisite, but there was also the accompaniment of song and dance.
And yet, as a family banquet, Xue Shuangtao, such a prominent lady, also performed zither music,
which would be impossible in normal times.
Li Guan picked at his dish, his mind largely immersed in the Qilin Formation Diagram, a rare opportunity he could not miss. As the elegant zither music played, women dressed in palace attire began to dance to it, their movements graceful and generous. Suddenly, the music shifted,
and the dancing women dispersed, their sleeves billowing like colorful clouds.
The girl previously dressed in red with her face hidden stepped out to the limpid beats of the drum,
highlighting her beauty all the more.
Her dance steps were light and noble, flowing and natural; as petals fell around her, Li Guan held his goblet and witnessed this scene, his mind briefly captivated by the sight. The zither music reached its climax; the girl in red turned around, her ribbons and sleeves swirling like flowing clouds.
The beauty of that instant surpassed ordinary looks,
leaving the surrounding women momentarily mesmerized.
Then she moved lightly, as if carried by her rapid turns, and after a few steps, her skirt flaring slightly, she stood before Li Guan.
Zither music, falling petals, flickering candles, and fluttering red sleeves surrounded her,
as if all the wonders of the world ushered her to this place, flooding into Li Guan’s sight, the young man transfixed.
The candlelight shimmered, the red sleeves fluttered down, and then the girl in red rose,
and as she got up, she lifted her palm, removing the light veil covering her face.
Beautiful features, and a pair of apricot eyes, lively and sparkling, she mischievously gazed at him.
It was the eldest lady.
She stood there prettily, her smile tinged with triumph, looking at the slightly stunned young man in front of her, her demeanor full of youthful pride and playfulness: