TRBDM -Chapter 107 The Marquis’ Family Banquet

On the way back to the Marquis’ residence, both of them were a little excited.

After all, it was the first time they had been away from home for so long. Though it was only ten days, it felt like much longer.

As the carriage neared the residence, Xie Yu lifted the curtain and poked his head out.

“Third Brother, I can see Mother.”

Xie Lan quickly leaned out as well.

Sure enough, Wei Zhaorong, Xie Wanrou, and Dou Shuyao were all standing at the gate. Even Xie Chuan, who had been under house arrest, had come.

Because Xie Chuan had behaved well recently and earned some credibility, Mother had allowed him to come out to greet Xie Lan and Xie Yu upon their return.

For Xie Chuan, being able to step outside the Eastern Courtyard was like celebrating the New Year—he was overjoyed.

The carriage stopped at the Marquis’ gate, and the two of them couldn’t wait to jump down.

Standing before Wei Zhaorong, Xie Lan straightened his outer robe and bowed.

“Mother, Fourth Brother and I have returned.”

Wei Zhaorong smiled, looking at her children with affection. She nodded. “You’ve worked hard these past few days. Tonight, we’ll have dinner at the Anhe Courtyard.”

She had already arranged the family banquet in advance; the main kitchen of the Marquis’ residence was busy preparing everything.

“Third Brother, Fourth Brother, you’ve really done well—being able to study at the Imperial Academy is no small feat. You’ve brought honor to the Marquis’ residence.”

Xie Chuan clapped Xie Lan on the shoulder with such force that it left his shoulder tingling.

“Eldest Brother…” Xie Lan subtly moved away. “We merely went to the Imperial Academy to visit and learn. Compared with the academy students, we are far from their level and dare not compare ourselves to them.”

Before Xie Lan’s shoulder had fully moved away, Xie Chuan pulled him close again.

“Third Brother, why be modest? If I had the chance to wander around the Imperial Academy for just a couple of days, I would make Mother host a grand flowing banquet in celebration.”

Speaking, he didn’t forget to put an arm around Xie Yu with his other hand. “And Fourth Brother, come, walk with your Eldest Brother.”

Xie Chuan was tall and broad-shouldered. After days of horseback riding and archery, his chest had become solid and prominent. He pressed the two younger brothers against him, like holding little chicks.

Without waiting for them to respond, he strode forward, dragging them inside.

Xie Lan and Xie Yu’s faces flushed red, their necks strained, yet they didn’t dare interrupt Xie Chuan’s enthusiastic embrace.

It was only later that Dou Shuyao intervened and freed the two of them.

Wei Zhaorong and Xie Wanrou followed behind, and seeing the scene, exchanged glances and laughed together.

“I didn’t expect Xiao Chuan to accept Third and Fourth Brother so quickly.”

By officially recognizing Xie Lan and Xie Yu, adding them to the ancestral hall and family register, Wei Zhaorong had ensured they would share in the Marquis’ estate in the future.

It was understandable if the eldest branch objected—but not only did Xie Chuan not resist, he accepted them warmly.

Wei Zhaorong’s gaze lingered on Dou Shuyao’s back. “Shuyao has taught him well. With her here, I needn’t worry about Chuan making trouble.”

“Mother speaks rightly.”

Xie Lan and Xie Yu did not immediately head to the Anhe Courtyard, but first returned to the Lan Courtyard to settle their things.

Xie Yu held the Qilue book borrowed from the Tenth Prince like it was a treasure—he had to keep it safe. If any servant mishandled or damaged it, and the Tenth Prince found out, he feared for his life.

“Third Brother, where do you think I should hide this book?”

Xie Yu paced the study, searching for a suitable spot.

Seeing how precious the book was to him, Xie Lan casually said, “I’ll keep it for you.”

Xie Yu immediately handed it over. “Hmm, having Third Brother hold it is the best.”

In Xie Yu’s eyes, Third Brother was capable of anything; having him hold the book was far safer than any other place.

They quickly tidied everything and went to the Anhe Courtyard.

Xie Wanrou and Dou Shuyao were directing the servants to arrange the dishes, while Xie Chuan entertained the cats in the courtyard.

Wei Zhaorong sat on the Grand Tutor’s chair, chatting with Nanny Qi.

When Xie Lan entered, he instinctively lightened his steps.

The scene before him was too perfect, as if their intrusion would shatter it, and he hesitated.

“Third Brother, Fourth Brother, you’re here!”

Xie Chuan’s booming voice pulled Xie Lan out of his hesitation.

“Big brother.”

“Big brother.”

“Hmm.” Xie Chuan waved his hand, shooing away the kittens. “Mother, Third Brother and the others have arrived.”

Wei Zhaorong lifted her head. “Then let’s all take our seats.”

Everyone sat down.

Xie Lan looked around but didn’t see Xie Sheng or Shen Zhizhi. He assumed that after the second branch of the family split, they had moved out of the marquis’s residence, so he didn’t ask further.

At this moment, the atmosphere was pleasant—there was no need to mention the party-poopers, like Xie Wanyi.

Wei Zhaorong said, “Today is for everyone’s enjoyment. Normally, we would toast with wine, but Chuan’er has given up drinking, so today we won’t have any.”

Xie Chuan laughed heartily. “No rush. Once my health is fully restored, I’ll drink heartily with my two younger brothers.”

“A little drink for enjoyment is fine, but too much is harmful. Chuan’er, don’t overdrink in the future either.”

Xie Chuan had just gotten energized, but Wei Zhaorong pressed him down.

Now that he was firmly held in check by his mother and Dou Shuyao, how could he dare to say no?

Xie Chuan muttered softly, “I’ll listen to Mother.”

Tonight’s banquet was very sumptuous. Having eaten the past ten days in the dining hall, Xie Lan and Xie Chuan were now ravenous.

At their age, they were at the stage of growing the most.

Eating a lot made them taller without gaining fat.

They still looked slim but were noticeably taller than before.

Xie Wanrou ate little, frequently helping her two younger brothers serve themselves.

As their sister-in-law, Dou Shuyao couldn’t serve her little brothers directly, so she had the maid pour them some lotus root iced water—refreshing and thirst-quenching, balancing out the richness of the dishes.

The rules of the marquis’s household dictated that people spoke little while eating.

So everyone quietly finished their meal.

After dinner, everyone dispersed. Xie Lan stayed behind in Anhe Courtyard; he had something to discuss with Wei Zhaorong.

“Mother, you wrote to me, asking me and Fourth Brother to get close to the Tenth Prince. Why did you do that?”

Wei Zhaorong hadn’t expected Xie Lan to ask this question.

How could she explain? She certainly couldn’t say that she had been reborn and knew the Tenth Prince would be the future emperor.

“What’s the matter? You don’t like the Tenth Prince?” Wei Zhaorong asked in return.

Xie Lan frowned; it wasn’t a matter of liking or disliking.

In terms of talent, he did admire the Tenth Prince.

He was far more capable than the Ninth Prince.

Though the Tenth Prince had a cold demeanor, he had a warm heart. Twice he had helped them out of difficult situations, and Xie Lan owed him gratitude for that.

However, thinking about the Tenth Prince’s behavior toward Fourth Brother, Xie Lan felt uneasy.

“The Tenth Prince is extraordinarily talented, well-read—I admire him for that. But his intentions toward Fourth Brother are improper.”

“Oh?” Wei Zhaorong was surprised. “What happened? Tell me in detail.”

“I always feel that the Tenth Prince’s attention toward Fourth Brother goes beyond normal bounds. Do you know, one day during class break, he was actually drawing a portrait of Fourth Brother!”

Mentioning this made Xie Lan angry.

Though it wasn’t necessarily significant, he just felt uncomfortable.

Wei Zhaorong’s eyes trembled slightly. “Are you sure you saw correctly? Was it really a portrait of Yu’er?”

“Of course I wasn’t mistaken.”

Xie Lan was with Xie Yu day and night; he knew every mole and mark on his face. A mere nose in a drawing was enough for him to recognize him.

Wei Zhaorong narrowed her eyes slightly, a stir in her heart.

It seemed that not only she, but even the Tenth Prince, had grown suspicious of Xie Yu.