No one in the family was pressuring Chih Huai, and he himself wasn’t in a hurry either. Thus, the love-indifferent Chih Huai, who only wanted to work and earn adorable little money, became a workaholic wholly devoted to his career.
One day, Chih Huai received an invitation to an upcoming spring banquet arranged by the Duchess of the State Duke’s residence. It was ostensibly a flower-viewing event but, in reality, a matchmaking gathering for young, eligible men and women.
The legitimate second daughter of the State Duke and Duchess was now sixteen or seventeen—the right age to seek a match. However, if only their legitimate second daughter were the sole female attendee while so many eligible young men were invited, it wouldn’t reflect well on their reputation. Hence, this flower-viewing banquet was organized to include numerous young men and women of similar age.
Aside from their famously virtuous, refined, and accomplished legitimate second daughter, the State Duke’s residence also had two similarly aged illegitimate daughters, who essentially served as the green leaves to accentuate the red flower.
As someone of comparable age—without so much as a wife, concubine, or even a bed-warmer—Chih Huai naturally found himself among the invitees. Even though the Chih family was merely a merchant household, they were quite popular and held no lowly status.
Though Chih Huai had little interest in such banquets—preferring to earn more “adorable little money” over matchmaking—life inevitably came with unavoidable social obligations. While the Chih family was purely engaged in commerce, some invitations were simply too impolite to decline.
With a melancholic sigh, Chih Huai tidied up and prepared to attend the event, intending to merely fill a seat with his invitation in hand.
**Chih Huai:** *Matchmaking has nothing to do with me. What’s the point of romance? Might as well keep working.*
Unaware that he was about to eat his words, Chih Huai set off on what he deemed a boring, pointless, time-wasting journey to the flower-viewing banquet.
Upon arriving at the State Duke’s residence and being ushered in, Chih Huai exchanged pleasantries with those around him before grabbing some pastries and retreating to a secluded corner, planning to remain a quiet background presence until the event concluded.
*Hmm, speaking of which, the pastries served at the State Duke’s banquet were actually from the Chih family’s bakery. No wonder they tasted so good.*
Chih Huai’s status was somewhat peculiar. As the current head of the Chih family, he technically ranked alongside other family patriarchs. Yet, in terms of age, he belonged to the same tier as young masters who hadn’t yet succeeded to their family’s leadership. This awkward positioning made even greeting him feel uncomfortable for the other guests.
*What can you do? Though peers in age, they’ve already split into two distinct classes. Such is life. Who made Chih Huai rise to power so early? Unlike other family heads who clung to authority, the Chih family had always been more relaxed about such matters.*
Well-versed in handling such situations, Chih Huai exchanged a few words with the elders present for appearances, chatted briefly with his peers, and then slipped away to a quiet spot.
For one, he genuinely had no interest in the matchmaking aspect. For another, this spared the young masters—some even older than him—the awkwardness of having to bow or show deference. *Keep things pleasant for everyone, right?*
Ironically, this approach earned him considerable goodwill. After all, these young masters from prominent families had their pride. Though outwardly polite, none truly relished bowing to a peer who outranked them. The current arrangement suited everyone just fine.
In another corner, a beautiful yet frail-looking woman—dressed elegantly in understated attire, taller than most men but appearing somewhat sickly—watched the scene and chuckled behind her sleeve. *”As expected of the man who expanded the Chih family’s influence. Truly extraordinary.”*
*Seemingly just a simple gesture to win goodwill, but in the future, these connections will prove invaluable. Isn’t this precisely what business thrives on?*
Her gaze shifted elsewhere, and in an unobserved moment, a flicker of disdain crossed her lovely eyes as she sipped her tea. *”If the intel is correct… today, the State Duke’s residence will stage quite the spectacle. How… thrilling.”* Her voice, though melodious, lacked the gentle refinement her appearance suggested.
Suddenly sensing an intense gaze, she turned and locked eyes with Chih Huai, whose sparkling expression resembled a kitten spotting a fluffy ball. Amused, she set down her teacup and offered him a radiant, graceful smile. Predictably, the young man’s cheeks instantly flushed pink, stirring an itch in her heart.
To avoid any unseemly public behavior, she “shyly” averted her gaze, painfully resisting the urge to keep staring at Chih Huai.
**The Woman:** *Ah! My heart aches!*
Meanwhile, Chih Huai—previously snacking and idly observing—was struck by the sight of a lily-like woman sipping tea with serene elegance. Amidst the vibrant blooms, her presence was a refreshing breeze that instantly rippled the calm waters of his heart.
**Chih Huai** (the staunch non-romantic, work-over-love advocate, now flag-crashing, self-contradicting, *”This tastes amazing!”* mess): *This feeling! Is this love? Is this what they call a heartbeat?!*
Flustered and inexperienced, Chih Huai fidgeted, torn between approaching his newfound crush to ask her name and propose marriage, yet mysteriously rooted to the spot. The shrewd, decisive young fox was reduced to a lovestruck boy, utterly clueless in the face of his beloved.
As he remained paralyzed by indecision, the tranquil banquet suddenly erupted into commotion.
Not one for crowds, Chih Huai only looked over when his crush did—and felt a pang of irrational jealousy. There, amidst the glamorously dressed attendees, stood a plain, delicate girl resembling a small white flower.
Had he not already been smitten, Chih Huai might have found her mildly appealing. But compared to his moonlike, effortlessly captivating crush, this merely pretty girl with none of her poise seemed utterly lackluster.
*”Having seen the ocean, other waters pale; having known Mount Wu, no clouds compare.”* In that moment, Chih Huai grasped the sentiment.
As the banquet’s peace shattered, his beloved’s faint frown stirred his irritation.
**Chih Huai:** *Aaaah! Who ruined her tranquility?!*
Unbeknownst to him, beneath her frail, refined exterior, his crush was inwardly cheering: *Finally! The show begins! Don’t disappoint me now!*
Drawing nearer, Chih Huai gradually pieced together the unfolding drama. The plain-looking girl—Qiu Liuyue—was an illegitimate daughter of the State Duke, serving as a foil to his legitimate second daughter, Qiu Muxue. The conflict had erupted over a maid who had fallen into the pond.
Though spring had arrived, the water remained icy. Qiu Muxue had promptly ordered servants to rescue the girl—had she been a regular maid, it might’ve ended there. But this was Qiu Muxue’s personal maid, allegedly pushed by Qiu Liuyue.
Reportedly, Qiu Muxue, deeming her half-sisters’ attire too shabby for the Duke’s prestige, had sent maids to deliver jewelry to each. The drowning maid had been en route to Qiu Liuyue.
While one delivery succeeded, the other ended in the pond.
The ever-gentle, kind, and virtuous Qiu Muxue rushed over upon hearing the commotion. Finding the maid already submerged, she tearfully threw herself at her mother: *”Mother, this is all my fault! I was too careless, too negligent! How could this happen? It’s all my—”*
The Duchess patted her daughter’s head. *”Now, now, Xue’er. You meant well. No one blames you. Besides…”* Her gaze turned icy toward Qiu Liuyue. *”Whether this was an accident… or deliberate, remains to be seen.”*
Catching the implication, Qiu Liuyue clenched her fists, meeting the Duchess and Qiu Muxue’s venomous stares.
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