Chapter Twenty-Eight: Testing at the Banquet, My Son Betrays Me!

"Father, Mother."

"Uncle, Aunt."

Zhou Xinyi and his wife, Madam Zhou Wang, stepped forward in turn, and everyone greeted them in unison.

"Good, good..." Madam Zhou Wang smiled kindly, nodding again and again.

Zhou Xinyi took his seat first, waiting for Madam Zhou Wang to be seated before he spoke: "Everyone, sit."

The family sat down once more, marking the official beginning of Han Fu's first family feast as a son-in-law in the Zhou household.

The dishes today were plentiful—twelve in total—ranging from rare delicacies to seasonal fresh vegetables.

Roast meat, fish sashimi, steamed duck, pickled vegetables, cabbage soup...

It might not be everything imaginable, but given the current state of society and the lifestyle of the people, the table was dazzling.

Meat dishes dominated, and Han Fu had assumed such abundance would displease the old lady. Yet, seeing Madam Zhou Wang's chopsticks linger over the meat, and her signaling the maid to pour clear wine, he realized he had worried too much.

This woman, graceful and devoted to Buddhism for years, did not adhere strictly to Buddhist dietary rules.

Gathered together, Madam Zhou Wang was filled with joy, her gentle gaze sweeping the room, her smile growing, prompting her to remark, "To dine with the whole family, united and harmonious, is a blessing in this world. Thinking back, it has been more than a month since our last gathering like this."

With a large household and prosperous business, there were many rules.

Zhou Xinyi and his eldest son Zhou Yuanshan both served in the court, often eating at their posts, seldom returning home.

Over time, the habit of dining separately had formed.

Though Madam Zhou Wang practiced Buddhism and cultivated a serene heart, she far preferred seeing her whole family together.

At this moment, moved by the scene, her heart overflowed with emotion.

Zhou Xinyi said nothing, sipping his wine quietly.

Zhou Yuanshan paused, wanting to speak but holding back, and continued picking at his food.

Zhou Yuantu and Baili Mingda, oddly synchronized, sat upright and proper, one hand holding the bowl close to their faces, the other frantically shoveling food.

Zhou Qin kept piling food into Zhou Qing's bowl, smiling sideways: "Mother, half an hour ago Qing'er was clamoring for food—she'll likely eat three bowls today."

Facing the mound of meat and vegetables in her bowl, Zhou Qing was horrified.

Twisting around, she piped up, "Mother, I..."

"If you're hungry, eat quickly, don't talk so much." Zhou Qin stuffed a large mouthful into Zhou Qing’s mouth, filling it to bursting.

At the same time, she subtly blocked Madam Zhou Wang’s line of sight.

Baili Mingsu took the wine pot from the maid, thoughtfully filled Han Fu's cup, and smiled softly: "Husband, please drink."

---

Han Fu was surprised, puzzled.

On their wedding night, Baili Mingsu refused to share a room. Though they’d since chatted easily, they were never this intimate.

Pouring wine for him was overly affectionate.

Han Fu pondered silently, but on the surface he smiled: "Thank you, my lady."

Baili Mingsu smiled back, her eyes bright.

Madam Zhou Wang saw her second son, nephew, and grandson devouring their food, then watched her niece and son-in-law acting affectionately, and felt deeply gratified, the gloom in her brows vanishing.

After drinking the wine poured for him by Baili Mingsu, Han Fu glanced at Madam Zhou Wang, confusion swirling within him.

Why did Baili Mingsu pour his wine? For now, he set the thought aside.

But Madam Zhou Wang’s earlier words seemed to go unanswered.

As the matriarch, to be so ignored—was there more beneath the surface?

Not wanting Madam Zhou Wang to feel awkward, Han Fu smiled: "If Aunt ever feels lonely, my wife and I will join you for lunch."

At that, the family, previously eating with gusto, fell silent, all eyes turning to Han Fu, their gazes strange.

"Husband..." Baili Mingsu whispered, tugging at Han Fu’s sleeve, her eyes signaling him urgently.

Baili Mingda’s hand reached under the table, thumping Han Fu’s thigh heavily.

Zhou Yuanshan’s look was odd, as if bidding farewell to a warrior.

Zhou Yuantu gazed at him with admiration.

Zhou Xinyi glanced at Han Fu and shook his head.

Han Fu’s heart skipped—something was wrong.

This amiable old lady, perhaps, was not to be trifled with, not to be approached?

Recalling the day Madam Zhou Wang summoned him, and the fear Baili Mingda showed at the prospect of accompanying her, Han Fu pieced together a bit, but still didn’t fully understand.

He knew little of the Zhou household.

Han Fu decided to use this lunch to probe a little.

Upon hearing Han Fu’s words, Madam Zhou Wang’s smile deepened, praising him: "Good son-in-law, such thoughtfulness."

Though pleased, she shook her head with feeling and continued: "As the saying goes, harmony in the family brings prosperity, but harmony need not be only surface-deep. If everyone harbors their own thoughts, even eating together daily is but a façade. You and Mingsu are newly married, you ought to be inseparable. Don’t concern yourselves with this old woman. With the company of Buddha’s lamp and scriptures, your harmony brings me contentment."

Han Fu caught, from the corner of his eye, Baili Mingsu relaxing instantly from her earlier tension.

He also noticed the faint regret on Zhou Yuanshan’s face.

---

"Aunt is in her prime, hardly old." Han Fu smiled flatteringly, shamelessly.

For a moment, everyone was stunned, looking at Han Fu as if he were a curiosity.

Did he have no shame? To claim a woman in her forties is ‘in her prime’... Han Fu read the meaning in their eyes.

Zhou Xinyi turned to look at his wife, sinking into contemplation.

"Smooth-tongued," Madam Zhou Wang laughed and scolded, but liked Han Fu all the more.

This nephew-in-law was excellent—talented, and pleasant in speech.

Han Fu shook his head, speaking earnestly: "I merely speak the truth, not flattery. Harmony brings prosperity; Aunt’s words are wise. At first sight, I felt close to Aunt. Surely it is her guidance that makes the Zhou family so united. Earlier, when I asked Yuantu when he’d teach me some skills, he simply said he was busy lately and would show me another time, with no sign of impatience."

"I..." Zhou Yuantu stared at Han Fu in disbelief.

He couldn’t fathom how the conversation had shifted to him, and so abruptly.

Though fond of martial arts, Zhou Yuantu was not foolish; he realized Han Fu had done this deliberately, glaring at him.

"Yuantu, what keeps you busy lately?" Madam Zhou Wang asked lightly.

"Nothing, nothing..." Zhou Yuantu shook his head like a rattle, saying, "Mother, honestly, I have nothing pressing. I told brother-in-law that only to surprise him later this afternoon."

He laughed it off to appease Madam Zhou Wang, then turned to Han Fu, gritting his teeth with a smile: "Brother-in-law, I’ll come for you in half an hour."

Through this test, Han Fu confirmed Madam Zhou Wang’s great authority in the Zhou family, bordering on reverence.

Han Fu nodded with a smile, saying with sudden understanding: "So that’s it. I’ll await you, cousin."

His probing was clear to all, though nothing was said.

Even Madam Zhou Wang understood perfectly.

Yet she didn’t mind, and even found Han Fu’s approach pleasing.

Within the bounds of propriety, a little scheming harmed no one.

Madam Zhou Wang nodded approvingly, then looked at Zhou Qing, doting: "Grandson, you were punished yesterday. Does it still hurt?"

Mentioning the sad event, Zhou Qing’s lips quivered, her voice aggrieved: "It hurts."

"It hurts you, but pains me more..." Madam Zhou Wang shook her head helplessly, asking, "Do you know why you were punished?"

"Because of him." Zhou Qing’s chubby hand pointed at Han Fu, loudly accusing.

Madam Zhou Wang looked at her nephew-in-law, the earlier tenderness gone, and asked: "Who is he?"

Zhou Yuanshan’s expression stiffened, putting down his chopsticks and covering his face with his hand, thinking: "It’s over—my child has doomed me."