Chapter 715: The Feast
Chapter 715: The Feast
While Mo Hua secretly observed Shangguan Ce, the latter didn't spare him even a glance.
This was the Gu family banquet, with numerous descendants and a fair number of children in attendance.
Shangguan Ce, given his high position and influence, naturally wouldn't concern himself with every individual present.
He was engaged in a quiet conversation with the master of the Gu family, Gu Shouyan, by his side.
Gu Shouyan, the master of the Gu family, appeared elderly, with thick eyebrows and sharp eyes, exuding a resolute and stubborn aura.
He had once served as the chief magistrate of the Qianxue State Boundary Court, wielding significant power and holding immense authority.
Shangguan Ce and Gu Shouyan, the two family masters, wore solemn expressions as they spoke, their conversation unheard by Mo Hua due to the use of soundproofing measures.
Not only was the high platform they occupied shielded by soundproofing arrays, but the entire banquet area was also enveloped in at least third-grade soundproofing formations.
These formations created a distinct separation between the Gu family's direct descendants, elders, and esteemed guests, and the rest of the clan members gathered outside.
Mo Hua couldn't hear the commotion from outside, and those outside were equally unable to eavesdrop on the conversations of the elders.
It was a gathering that promoted unity within the clan while maintaining a respectful distance.
Mo Hua surveyed the other attendees and noticed, in addition to the Gu family cultivators, quite a few unfamiliar faces.
These cultivators carried themselves with arrogance, having clearly grown up privileged, and their cultivation levels were also impressive.
They were likely the esteemed guests of the Gu family, and most of them were probably elders from the Shangguan family.
Their seating arrangement followed a strict order based on their status and cultivation level.
Mo Hua scanned the seating hierarchy from top to bottom, a frown creasing his brows.
The larger and more influential the family, the more intricate the etiquette. What seemed like an ordinary family banquet had a complex seating arrangement, and any misstep could be disastrous.
In the absence of the clan's ancestors, the highest positions naturally belonged to the two family masters.
Below them were the powerful and influential elders.
Next came the core direct descendants, or the candidates for the next family master.
The rest of the seating arrangement was determined by factors such as bloodline, identity, and cultivation level, with considerations also given to the relationships between the guests.
Efforts were made to seat those with amicable relationships together, ensuring a pleasant gathering for both hosts and guests.
Those with enmity were seated apart to avoid any potential conflicts.
Mo Hua spotted Shangguan Yi seated upstream, close to the family master's position. His status as a direct descendant of the Shangguan family and a candidate for the next family master secured him this prestigious seat.
On the Gu family's side, Gu Hong, the elder who often offered Mo Hua snacks, was also seated among the honored guests.
As a core elder with high status, extensive experience, and formidable cultivation, she deserved her place in the upper seats.
Mo Hua's eyes shifted downward, and he spotted Gu Changhuai seated in the middle-upper section.
Despite being a direct descendant, Gu Changhuai's orphan status and lack of support within the clan had impacted his position. His exceptional talent was offset by his reclusive personality, resulting in a moderately high seat.
However, this was still considered a respectable position.
There were many who fared worse than him.
Like Mo Hua himself.
Mo Hua glanced down, finding his own seat in the middle-lower section.
This was to be expected.
After all, he was an outsider who had tagged along for the feast.
Being a solitary cultivator with no connections, influence, or impressive spiritual roots, and absolutely no relation to the Gu family, he was fortunate to have secured a seat at the banquet. It would be ungrateful to be picky about his placement.
But...
Mo Hua turned his head slightly, glancing at Yu'er and Wan'er by his side, a slight furrow forming on his brow.
His presence at the banquet was due in part to his decent relationship with the Gu family, but mostly because of his connection to Wan'er and Yu'er.
Yet, at such a grand family gathering, why were Wan'er and Yu'er seated only in the middle-lower section? This seemed amiss.
Wan'er was a direct descendant of the Wenren family and Shangguan Yi's legally wedded wife.
As for Yu'er, he was the sole direct descendant of the Shangguan family's main branch.
Their low seating arrangement at this banquet was peculiar, to say the least...
Mo Hua turned his head again, observing Yu'er's innocent excitement as he eagerly awaited the feast, oblivious to the intricacies of the seating arrangements within the aristocratic family.
Wan'er, on the other hand, likely understood the implications, but her entire focus was on her son, ensuring his safety and happiness. The complexities of the clan's hierarchy didn't seem to concern her.
Mo Hua furrowed his brows in thought, his spiritual sense stirring as he detected several gazes directed at him.
"Someone's watching me?"
Mo Hua discreetly looked around and realized that the gazes weren't aimed at him but at Wan'er and Yu'er by his side.
One of those gazes belonged to Shangguan Yi.
Despite being seated among the honored guests, Shangguan Yi appeared somewhat distracted, his eyes frequently drifting downward to where his beloved wife and son were seated. His gaze held a mix of longing and melancholy.
It was rather pitiful to see such emotions on a grown man's face...
Mo Hua shook his head.
The next gaze he noticed belonged to Gu Changhuai.
His eyes, when looking at Wan'er and Yu'er, reflected concern.
Of course, he had also noticed Mo Hua seated next to Yu'er.
Mo Hua winked at him.
Gu Changhuai twisted his lips and let out a soft huff before turning away and taking a sip from his cup.
These two gazes were friendly and well-intentioned.
However, the remaining gazes originated from the group of elders from the Shangguan family.
Though not exactly malicious, their gazes were devoid of warmth, cold and indifferent, filled with scrutiny and criticism, accompanied by hushed whispers.
Mo Hua heaved a soft sigh.
There was no such thing as a pleasant feast among the aristocratic clans.
Their constant scheming and maneuvering were truly exhausting.
From feathered fowl and spiritual beasts to immortal fruits and fine cuisine.
There were fish and shrimp, pork and flood dragons, chickens and geese, and phoenix-tailed birds.
The aroma and flavors were mouthwatering, causing one's saliva to drip.
Although the Gu family was not a fifth-grade family, they were still a prominent and influential clan. Their year-end banquet, while not overly extravagant, was definitely abundant.
Especially for Mo Hua, who had come from a solitary cultivation background.
The world may be vast, but nothing is more important than a good meal.
Since he was attending the banquet, he might as well enjoy the free food.
The children of aristocratic clans valued etiquette, engaging in conversation and exchanging superficial pleasantries.
Mo Hua and Yu'er, on the other hand, were single-minded in their hearty feast.
But as he ate, Mo Hua suddenly sensed another pair of eyes on him.
They were critical and filled with displeasure.
Mo Hua looked up and spotted a female elder in the upper seats, dressed in green with heavy makeup, glaring at Wan'er with ill intent. He wondered what schemes were brewing in her mind.
Mo Hua continued gnawing on his chicken leg, quietly keeping an eye on her.
The banquet continued, with delicious dishes and flowing drinks, creating an outwardly harmonious atmosphere. However, there was an underlying sense of detachment.
Finally, after an unknown amount of time, as Mo Hua was sipping his fruit wine, he felt a wave of disgust approaching, and then he heard the female elder ask the person next to her, "I heard that Miss Wenren from the Wenren family is also at the Gu family's banquet. Forgive my poor eyesight, but I can't seem to tell who she is."
Her voice was controlled to perfection.
Not too loud, as that would be rude, but not too soft either, ensuring everyone could hear her.
Moreover, it was clear that she already knew the answer to her question.
Wenren Wan'er put down Yu'er and gracefully stood up, offering a respectful greeting to the female elder.
The green-clad female elder feigned surprise and did not stand up. She merely pretended to be curious and replied, "I am from a prominent clan in Qianzhou, the Shen family, and I recently married into the Shangguan family. I've only heard about you, Miss Wan, but we've never met. My curiosity got the better of me, so I asked. Please don't take offense."
Wenren Wan'er nodded slightly.
The female elder then toned down her smile and put on an air of superiority. "According to our generations, I should be your aunt."
Wenren Wan'er was already displeased, but she managed to restrain herself and replied respectfully, "Aunt."
"Mhm." The female elder acknowledged with a smile and then sighed. "Don't blame your aunt. You're rarely home, and it's difficult for me to even catch a glimpse of you. It's natural for us to become estranged."
"But speaking of which..." The female elder glanced at Wenren Wan'er indifferently and continued, "Since Yi'er is the next family master, you, as the family master's wife, should be at his side. What's the meaning of staying here at the Gu family all the time? Could it be that... you don't regard the Shangguan family highly?"
Wenren Wan'er's face paled slightly.
The atmosphere in the hall turned cold.
Just as Wenren Wan'er was about to say something, Shangguan Yi stood up and spoke in a gentle voice, "Wan'er stayed at the Gu family to take care of Yu'er."
"Yu'er has always had a weak body, so he was sent to the Tai Xu Sect at a young age to strengthen his body and cultivate his foundation."
"A mother's heart is connected to her child, and Wan'er worried about Yu'er's diligence in his cultivation, so she stayed here to take care of him and supervise his progress."
"Moreover, there are many cultivation industries of the Shangguan, Gu, and Wenren families near the Qian Xue State boundary. These industries are also managed by Wan'er..."
Seeing the deep affection between the couple, the female elder from the Shen family sneered inwardly and scrutinized Wenren Wan'er. With ill-intent, she smiled and said, "With your graceful demeanor and both beauty and wisdom, it's no wonder Yi'er is so devoted to you, speaking up for you and always yielding to your wishes. It's truly enviable."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone present changed.
This was a veiled accusation, implying that Shangguan Yi, as the young master of the Shangguan family, was infatuated and blinded by his wife, unable to make important decisions independently.
Shangguan Yi's face twitched slightly.
Some people also secretly glanced at the family master, Shangguan Ce, to gauge his reaction.
After all, Shangguan Yi was Shangguan Ce's only son.
However, Shangguan Ce remained calm and indifferent, as if he didn't care that his son was being criticized.
Gu Changhuai frowned. Seeing Wenren Wan'er standing alone and enduring the Shangguan family's criticism, he immediately wanted to stand up for her.
But in an instant, a sharp gaze fell upon him.
It was Gu Shouyan, the master of the Gu family.
Gu Changhuai's expression turned stubborn, and he hesitated several times, but in the end, he couldn't go against the family master and had to reluctantly sit back down.
Gu Changhuai knew that even if he stood up, it wouldn't help the situation and might only make things worse.
On the other hand, Shangguan Yi, though he appeared calm, felt his heart sink.
He also realized that the more he defended Wan'er and Yu'er, the more criticism they might face.
It would only make him seem indecisive and overly sentimental.
While he didn't mind being seen as sentimental, he couldn't bear to involve his wife and son.
The female elder from the Shen family saw this and smirked, her gaze shifting to Yu'er. She shook her head and said, "Children of aristocratic clans should learn manners from the age of three. Their behavior, whether sitting or standing, walking or resting, eating or drinking, should all be conducted with propriety and not exceed the boundaries."
"How can there be a child like this, so cheerful and unrestrained in front of his elders, walking clumsily without any manners, and only caring about eating and drinking at a family banquet..."
The female elder sighed regretfully, "It's a shame that such a good child has been taught badly."
Criticized in front of everyone, Yu'er became flustered and hid behind his mother.
This female elder from the Shen family was a senior, and her ambiguous words were ostensibly meant to teach and guide.
As a junior, it would be wise for her to endure and tolerate.
However, if she couldn't hold back and dared to retort, the consequences would undoubtedly be more severe. Not only would she gain a reputation for "disrespecting her elders," but Yu'er would also suffer, being labeled as "ill-mannered."
After all, she was Yu'er's mother, and she had raised him.
Wenren Wan'er's eyes reddened, and her hands clenched tightly until they turned white.
Mo Hua was seething with anger, and as he was about to say something, he noticed the female elder looking smug and satisfied. Somehow, her gaze had shifted towards him.
"And who might this young master be from?" she asked, her tone dripping with disdain.
Mo Hua was taken aback.
Before he could answer, the female elder scoffed and continued, "With such inferior spiritual roots, I'd wager he's not from a prominent family. Just some random wild brat, I suppose."
She turned her gaze back to Wenren Wan'er and sighed dramatically. "This is where you went wrong. Cultivators on the path of immortality value their companions. The character for 'companion' in the phrase 'Precepts, Wealth, Companions, and Land' refers to fellow cultivators who share the same aspirations and goals."
"The offspring of prestigious families are carefully vetted from a young age when it comes to choosing companions."
"Those of humble origins, low status, insignificant bloodlines, and inferior spiritual roots are not worth associating with and certainly don't deserve a place at our table."
"Moreover, this child's eating manners are even cruder and more disrespectful than Yu'er's. How dare you bring such a boorish child to our esteemed gathering? Do you not fear that he might corrupt our noble lineage?"
Although Yu'er didn't fully understand what was being said, he could sense that his dear Mo Hua was being maligned, and his little face turned pale with anger.
Wenren Wan'er could no longer hold back her anger.
She could tolerate insults directed at herself, but not at Mo Hua.
Yu'er had been kidnapped, and it was Mo Hua who rescued him. Yu'er had been plagued by nightmares, and it was Mo Hua who soothed and comforted him.
Wenren Wan'er's eyes turned icy as she opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, she felt Mo Hua tugging at her sleeve.
Puzzled, she looked down and saw Mo Hua taking a sip of fruit wine, moistening his throat, and then wiping his mouth. Slowly, he stood up.
Wenren Wan'er had no idea what Mo Hua was planning.
With an innocent expression, Mo Hua quietly pointed at the female elder and whispered to Wenren Wan'er, "Aunt Wan, who is that scary-looking old lady...?"
He deliberately lowered his voice, but without using spiritual sense to conceal his words, everyone present, with their exceptional cultivation, could hear him clearly.
A scary-looking old lady...
The atmosphere in the room became tense as everyone's expressions turned peculiar.
The female elder was stunned for a moment, and then her eyes widened in anger.
In her over two hundred years of life, she had always been flattered and praised for her "ravishing beauty" and "timeless grace." She prided herself on her appearance, believing that no one could rival her beauty.
Yet, this little brat! He had the audacity to call her an "old lady"!
She pointed at Mo Hua, her voice sharp and angry, "Who are you calling a scary-looking old lady?!"
Her question was clearly rhetorical.
Mo Hua seemed startled by his own boldness and meekly replied, "Aunt Wan calls you 'Aunt,' so if you're not an old lady, what are you?"
The female elder's eyes blazed with fury.
Wenren Wan'er felt a mix of satisfaction and embarrassment. "She may be my aunt, but she's only about a hundred years older than me. It's a bit much to call her an old lady..."
Mo Hua mumbled, "How was I supposed to know? She's caked her face with so much makeup, it's like a thick wall. How could I possibly tell...?"
The female elder nearly ground her teeth to dust.
Mo Hua continued, addressing Wenren Wan'er, "If not an old lady, then should I call her... Old Auntie?"
Finally, someone at the table couldn't hold back their laughter.
Soon, others joined in, and the room filled with suppressed giggles.
Enraged by the laughter, the female elder from the Shen family, who had married into the Shangguan family, lost all restraint. She slammed her palm on the table, shattering the dishes and sending food and drinks spilling onto the floor.
Mo Hua shook his head in disapproval. "This Old Auntie sure likes to throw tantrums and make a mess. How impolite."
"In everything we do, from walking to sitting, eating to sleeping, we must observe proper etiquette."
"Aren't we supposed to learn these manners from the age of three? How is it that someone who's lived for over two hundred years still hasn't mastered them?"
Mo Hua muttered under his breath, "You can't teach others when you haven't even mastered it yourself..."
The female elder's face, caked with white powder, turned as dark as the bottom of a pot, her features contorting with rage.
After a long while, she managed to suppress her anger and gritted out through clenched teeth, "Disrespectful brat! The Gu family really is... They let any brat sit at their table... Who are your parents? What is your background?"
"If you don't reveal your identity, neither the Shangguan family nor the Shen family will let you off the hook!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room turned somber, and everyone frowned.
Regardless of her background, being from the prestigious Shen family and now a part of the Shangguan family as an elder, her behavior was appalling. Her narrow-mindedness and lack of grace were unacceptable, especially as she was targeting a child and making threats in public.
The guests turned their attention to Mo Hua, their expressions filled with concern.
Several elders from the Gu family who knew Mo Hua tried to smooth things over.
"He's just a child, and children speak without thinking. No need to take it to heart..."
Gu Hong, the elder who often offered Mo Hua snacks, also chimed in, "With the year-end approaching, it's best not to get too worked up. After all, this is a family gathering, meant to be joyful. I'll have a talk with the child later..."
However, the female elder from the Shen family refused to let it go. With a cold smile, she asked, "Is this brat not from your Gu family?"
In this situation, they naturally couldn't lie.
The female elder coldly demanded, "In that case, why is this little brat participating in your Gu family's banquet and daring to speak rudely to me? Gu family, you'd better give me an explanation!"
This statement was particularly unpleasant to hear.
The Gu family elders all wore displeased expressions.
Previously, they had tried to persuade him for the sake of the Shen and Shangguan families.
It was better to avoid trouble than to seek it out.
But this level of disrespect and arrogance was akin to not giving the Gu family any face.
While the Gu family may not be as influential as the Shen family, they were not just any small clan, and they wouldn't be pushed around so easily.
As the atmosphere became tense, Mo Hua finally took out a wooden box and slowly placed it on the table. With a crisp sound, he said, "I'm here to deliver a gift!"
The female elder glanced downward and saw that Mo Hua's wooden box contained only a simple and ordinary piece of calligraphy, unframed and without any aura of luxury. She scoffed, "How pathetic. To bring such a shabby piece of calligraphy as a gift, aren't you embarrassed...?"
An elderly Shangguan elder beside her suddenly changed his expression and immediately rebuked her, "Shut up!"
On the high platform, Shangguan Ce and Gu Shouyan also slowly stood up.
The female elder was bewildered, unsure of what was happening.
One of the Shangguan elders, his eyebrows furrowed, glanced at the calligraphy and his eyes gradually widened in disbelief. He then looked at Mo Hua, and his tone became involuntarily respectful, "Young brother, this calligraphy is from..."
"It's from Elder Xun, who asked me to deliver it," Mo Hua replied.
Elder Xun? Everyone exchanged puzzled glances.
Several elders with long tenures whispered, "Elder Xun of the Tai Xu Sect."
"This calligraphy is... Elder Xun's handwriting."
Upon hearing this, everyone inhaled sharply, their eyes filled with disbelief as they looked at Mo Hua.
Elder Xun of the Tai Xu Sect had sent this young cultivator to deliver a gift?
What merits and abilities did this young cultivator possess to be able to deliver a gift on behalf of Elder Xun?
What was his relationship with Elder Xun?
The cultivators present were shocked to their cores.
Wenren Wan'er, who was beside Mo Hua, was also taken aback.
She had been worried that he would be bullied in the sect, but now it seemed that even Elder Xun was backing this child...
Gu Changhuai was even more dazed.
He knew that Mo Hua had a good standing in the Tai Xu Sect, but he never expected it to be this good.
That Elder Xun, who had taught Mo Hua formations, turned out to be the revered Elder Xun of the Tai Xu Sect...
The atmosphere froze, and the room fell silent.
Just then, Shangguan Ce and Gu Shouyan's figures flashed, and they appeared beside Mo Hua, looking at the calligraphy in the box:
"Deep Fortune."
The two men were astonished, their minds in turmoil.
"Deep Fortune?"
"Why did Elder Xun of the Tai Xu Sect write these four words, and what is the deeper meaning behind them?"
The two men were deep in thought, but their faces remained calm and serene, not revealing their inner turmoil, nor did they ask further questions.
Gu Shouyan bowed towards the calligraphy and said solemnly, "Thank you, Elder, for the gift."
Then he looked at Mo Hua, and his stern face softened slightly as he smiled, "Keep it safe, little one. Eat more to nourish your body."
Mo Hua was slightly taken aback, and then his eyes shone with a smile as he politely said, "Thank you, Family Master!"
After that, Shangguan Ce and Gu Shouyan didn't say anything more.
The banquet continued as usual.
However, when the next course was served, Gu Shouyan instructed someone, "Add a seat at the top."
Everyone had strange expressions on their faces, but they also felt that it was reasonable.
So, a seat was added among the top seats.
This was a show of respect for Elder Xun.
However, since it wasn't Elder Xun himself who had come, the seat wasn't placed at the very top.
Thus, this seat was just below the two family masters but above the other top seats, considered an "upper-top seat."
Gu Shouyan said, "Little brother, please."
Mo Hua's eyes lit up, and he tugged at Wenren Wan'er's sleeve, "Aunt Wan."
Wenren Wan'er was taken aback and then stood up awkwardly.
Mo Hua also pulled little Yu'er's hand, and the three of them proudly walked to the high platform and sat at the "upper-top seat."
Upper-top seat.
This was Elder Xun's honor.
Mo Hua knew that he was borrowing Elder Xun's prestige.
However, since Elder Xun had sent him this calligraphy, the old man probably knew what he was doing, so Mo Hua didn't hold back.
The food at the upper-top seat was even better than the food below.
And now, no one dared to stop him, so Mo Hua ate however he wanted.
With Mo Hua's "indulgence," little Yu'er, who had been fearful, gradually regained his spirit, and his timid expression faded. He boldly joined Mo Hua in the feast.
Wenren Wan'er looked at the two children with a mix of relief and gratitude.
As for the arrogant green-clad female elder, her seat was now below Mo Hua.
She could only watch helplessly as Mo Hua sat above her, eating and drinking without a care in the world, her body trembling with anger, her face twisting, and the makeup on her face cracking and falling...
(End of Chapter)
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