My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 12 Part 2

The eldest uncle hadn’t met Huo Shu before, but the man’s imposing stature and aura had caught his eye earlier.  

Standing out among the villagers, Huo Shu was hard to miss.  

Assuming he was a friend of You Lingxiao’s from the city, the eldest uncle had planned to greet him properly after dealing with Yuan Huiru. To his surprise, Huo Shu silently followed her inside.  

Suddenly, he recalled the recent adoption ceremony in the village, for which the You family’s elders had been invited as witnesses.  

Preoccupied with banquet preparations, he hadn’t inquired further. Now, everything clicked.  

Noticing Huo Shu’s extraordinary presence, despite his cold demeanor, the eldest uncle felt no displeasure. Instead, he grew more enthusiastic.  

"You must be Yuan niangzi’s foster son! Truly as impressive as they say. Our humble home offers modest hospitality, please make yourself at home."  

The eldest uncle smiled. "Escort Yuan niangzi and her foster son to the courtyard seats. Serve them tea and fruits."  

The phrase "courtyard seats" carried subtle implications. Seating in the courtyard was divided into three tiers:  

1. Central tables (highest status, closest to the hosts)  

2. Secondary tables (middling status)  

3. Outer tables (lowest status, farthest from the hosts)  

While the food and drink were identical at all tables, placement reflected social standing and familiarity.  

Villagers like Yuan Huiru would typically be relegated to the outer tables. However, upon seeing Huo Shu, the eldest uncle upgraded them to the secondary tier.  

Such arrangements were tacitly understood. Yuan Huiru, delighted by the preferential treatment, beamed brighter.  

Huo Shu, too, sensed the underlying dynamics.  

The northern frontier had similar customs, though less elaborate than Tongzhou’s. There, only the most distinguished or intimate guests sat at the main table, while the rest found their own spots.  

Glancing around the You family, he mused: Such a small pond, yet so many ripples. 

"Village Head, you’ve finally arrived!"  

As a Master Beverage attendant brought drinks, Huo Shu raised a cup of tea to his lips—only to pause at the familiar voice from the entrance.  

Lowering the cup, he spotted the newcomer standing between Ji Yangzong and Huang Manjing. His brow twitched.  

Ji Taoyu wore a plain white robe with a duck-egg-blue cloak, understated yet strikingly eye-catching.  

His natural beauty required little embellishment, and the rare choice of white fabric in the countryside ensured all eyes would be drawn to him.  

Attending a banquet at his future husband’s home, he’s certainly dressed to impress. 

Huo Shu set the teacup down.  

Wearing white on a muddy, rainy day—bold choice

Just then, his peripheral vision caught Ji Taoyu adjusting his hairpin after greeting the You elders.  

Following the movement, Huo Shu recognized the ornament.  

His eyebrows lifted slightly, and his gaze softened. He picked up the discarded teacup again.  

The Ji family lingered at the entrance for some time before entering the courtyard and taking their seats at the main table.  

Shortly after, the guest of honor - You Lingxiao finally appeared in splendid attire, personally serving tea to Ji Taoyu’s parents and presenting him with pastries. The villagers murmured praises of You Lingxiao’s humility and envied Ji Yangzong’s foresight in securing such a match.  

Apart from Ji Yangzong’s immediate family, the rest of the Ji clan were seated at secondary tables, mingling with other guests. The men shared Huo Shu’s table, where they exchanged greetings with him. Yuan Huiru sat at the adjacent table for women and gers, relieved to see Huo Shu engaging in conversation despite his usual reticence.  

The You family welcomed many guests, not just villagers but also city visitors bearing lavish gifts, much to the villagers’ awe.  

After some idle chatter, the banquet officially commenced around noon.  

From his seat facing the main table, Huo Shu’s gaze drifted to Ji Taoyu’s table.  

Though men and women/gers were seated separately, Ji Taoyu’s placement spoke volumes - flanked by You's mother on his left and his own mother on his right, with You's mother frequently serving him dishes.  

Midway through the feast, the You family’s eldest uncle and You Lingxiao delivered speeches.  

"Today, kin, friends, and neighbors gather under one roof. Thanks to your support, I stand here today. I raise this cup in deepest gratitude."  

The crowd set down their chopsticks and applauded.  

Next, the eldest uncle spoke: "My nephew has studied diligently since childhood. Heaven rewards the worthy, his efforts have borne fruit at last."  

"Lingxiao, ambitious as ever, refuses to rest on his laurels. He will continue his studies for the imperial examinations, striving to bring honor to our Mingxun Village and secure a future we can all rely on!"  

"After this banquet, he must devote himself entirely to his studies. Any oversights in hospitality are unintentional, we beg your understanding. A toast to you all!"  

The speech was artfully crafted: You Lingxiao’s scholarly dedication took precedence, implying guests should refrain from imposing during his exam preparations. Once he achieved greater success, he wouldn’t forget their kindness.  

The villagers, of course, responded with approval and delight.  

Yet Ji Yangzong detected something amiss. Though the entire village had witnessed his stern rebuke of the You family, he remained silent, waiting to gauge their next move.  

To his disappointment, the You family made no further concessions. Instead, they invited him to speak.  

As village head, it was fitting for Ji Yangzong to offer congratulations on the village’s rising talent. He delivered a polished speech, concluding with a pointed look at You Lingxiao:  

"You Erlang, don't disappoint everyone’s expectations."  

You Lingxiao caught the subtext. Frowning, he glanced at his mother, who shot him a warning look. Inhaling deeply, he forced a smile and clasped his hands.  

"I, Lingxiao, shall remain steadfast in my studies, striving to repay the trust of my fellow villagers."  

Yet his words failed to satisfy Ji Yangzong, who enunciated slowly:  

"That would be for the best."  

Having tangled with the You family for years, Ji Yangzong could smell gunpowder in the slightest breeze. The tension between the two families became palpable, even to Huo Shu at his table.  

His eyebrow arched as he observed Ji Taoyu across the way: So, this ‘Brother Lingxiao’ seems to be having second thoughts.