Chapter Thirty-Six: The Zhou Family’s Birthday Banquet

“Are you saying you found no trace of demon spores in the registrar’s collection of wine?” Song Mu had just asked Li Mo’er if she was coming along, only to receive this news from her. The previous night, Li Mo’er had gone to the registrar Zhou’s residence and searched the place thoroughly, but ultimately found nothing.

Those wines were completely clean as well.

“Precisely because there’s no problem, we must go take a look,” Li Mo’er said as she rose, her eyes narrowing to slits once more.

“With Registrar Zhou extending such a warm invitation, it would not be wise to refuse,” she added, eyes shifting with a hint of decision. Then she hopped down from the hammock and stood before Song Mu at the desk.

“Not only must you go, but I am coming too.”

“How will you manage that? The invitation was only addressed to me.”

Li Mo’er only smiled, her petite face brimming with confidence. “I have my own ways.”

Song Mu shrugged. Since Li Mo’er was determined to go, he couldn’t very well stop her. Yet the failure to find any demon spores left him more wary than before.

Registrar Zhou might appear harmless, but anyone capable of such underhanded maneuvers was certain to be deeply calculating. What he did in secret was bound to be beyond Song Mu’s imagination.

What’s more, with the provincial exams imminent, nothing could be allowed to go awry.

…

On the seventh of August, Registrar Zhou hosted an extravagant birthday banquet at the Emerald Tower in Shiyang County. The town was awash with crowds; wealthy clans and merchants came to offer their congratulations, the street filled with carriages of distinguished families, and even the county yamen had sent officers to keep order.

It was early evening when Song Mu, just dismissed from the county academy, set out for the event together with Kong Zong.

This time, Registrar Zhou had invited many of the county academy’s scholars and a number of esteemed students. Song Mu, along with Scholar Sun, rode in the Kong family’s carriage toward the Emerald Tower.

“Brother Song, today is Registrar Zhou’s mother’s seventieth birthday,” Kong Zong remarked, his tone as genial as ever, half in jest. “He’ll certainly ask for poems at the banquet. I imagine you’ll have to show off your talent before long.”

Song Mu smiled. “If the registrar thinks me worthy, I’ll compose a verse, of course. But with so many eminent scholars like Senior Sun here today, I doubt it will fall to me.”

Scholar Sun, sitting nearby, smiled as well, but shook his head in gentle disagreement.

“Junior Song, you’re too modest. Everyone’s heard of the remarkable poem you composed. You’ll surely be called upon to enliven the celebration.”

“And besides, on such an occasion, there will be plenty vying for the chance,” he added with a wry shake of his head, evidently well aware of the recent changes in Shiyang County’s political landscape.

With authority shifting, Registrar Zhou had become the county’s de facto power, and it seemed certain that Jin Changwu would soon be replaced, with Zhou likely to assume his post.

After weighing the pros and cons, the town’s elite families had all made their choice. They saw the birthday banquet as an opportunity to draw closer to Registrar Zhou—an opportunity he was only too happy to provide.

By the time Song Mu and his companions arrived at the Emerald Tower, the place was already a riot of voices and color. The three-story building was festooned with lanterns and banners, overflowing with guests.

As Song Mu and the others alighted from their carriage, a servant hurried over to lead them inside. At the entrance, several richly dressed men with beaming faces stood ready to welcome guests; Kong Zong whispered that they were all relatives of Registrar Zhou.

Song Mu and Scholar Sun, along with Kong Zong, were shown to a private room on the second floor. As the son of the prefect, Kong Zong was an honored guest, even more so as the foremost student in the county, and thus the focus of much attention.

Stepping inside, Song Mu was struck by the opulence of the place. The entire three-story tower, with its intricately carved beams and painted rafters, had been rented out by Registrar Zhou. On the first floor, a troupe was performing music and opera, adding to the lively atmosphere.

“Registrar Zhou’s family must be exceedingly wealthy,” someone remarked as they entered, prompting another to explain:

“The registrar hails from a prosperous household. I hear his father died young, leaving the lady of the house to manage everything herself. Not only did she support the registrar’s studies, she’s even founded a private school in Suzhou, rented farmland, and ensures the younger generation receives a proper education.”

“Truly a flourishing family—we can only envy such fortune!”

“Registrar Zhou is indeed a man among men, energetic and capable. Surely he’ll rise even higher in future. We should all offer our congratulations!”

Passing through the second floor, Song Mu overheard several tables of guests chatting animatedly, their words full of admiration. Many he recognized from Kong Mansion not long ago—their manner almost identical to today’s.

It seemed those with status all possessed silver tongues.

Song Mu and Kong Zong took seats in a private room on the second floor, surrounded by other students, while the neighboring rooms—visible through the ornate windows—were filled with academy scholars and tutors.

Pan Wenhao sat at another table, deep in conversation with Qi Dazuo, who looked particularly animated, evidently in agreement with whatever was being said.

Before long, the thunderous sound of firecrackers erupted outside, followed by a servant’s loud announcement:

“Registrar Zhou has arrived!”

At these words, everyone in the private rooms turned to look; the guests downstairs stood up at once. At the entrance, Registrar Zhou, dressed in crimson official robes, entered with calm assurance.

A chorus of greetings rang out; Registrar Zhou returned them all with a broad smile, then made his way upstairs.

Song Mu and his companions rose respectfully as a servant poured tea for each guest. Just then, Song Mu caught sight of a servant whose face seemed oddly familiar amid the bustle.

Their eyes met in passing, and Song Mu suddenly realized: those bright, spirited eyes belonged to none other than Li Mo’er.

Though he hadn’t seen her clearly, nor could he tell what disguise she’d used, Song Mu was certain—it was her.

The impish girl had mentioned wanting to come, but he hadn’t expected her to actually arrive, much less in such a disguise.

Song Mu had no opportunity to slip away; Registrar Zhou was already approaching, with Master Xun leading a group of scholars forward to offer congratulations.

All Song Mu could do was stand respectfully alongside Kong Zong.

Registrar Zhou soon entered their private room, and Kong Zong hurried to bow deeply in greeting. Surrounded by well-wishers, Registrar Zhou looked radiant.

“We thank Registrar Zhou and offer our heartfelt wishes that the noble lady’s years be as enduring as the southern mountains, her fortune as boundless as the Eastern Sea,” Song Mu and the others intoned together.

Registrar Zhou was clearly delighted, stepping forward to raise Kong Zong up and glancing around with a smile, his gaze settling on Song Mu.

“Thank you, gentlemen, for gracing us with your presence. My mother is overjoyed to have so many scholars here to celebrate her birthday.”

Turning to Kong Zong, he continued warmly, “Nephew, I invited everyone today not only to share in our good fortune, but also to celebrate the upcoming provincial exams. Forgive me for imposing.”

“You honor us, sir; I would never decline,” Kong Zong responded graciously.

Registrar Zhou surveyed the group with a smile. “Just now, some of our esteemed scholars proposed composing a couple of poems for my mother. Today, I must be bold and ask: after our meal, would you all compose two verses in her honor? Let us share the joy of words among friends.”

…