章 28: The Xuan Family

The Wang household, undoubtedly the most prominent and influential family in all of Yilin town, was brimming with special guests. Nestled within the pristine streets of the Hua district, their mansion stood as evidence of their wealth and status.

Yet, for Wang Yuze, the retired official from the bustling capital, this evening was nothing short of a torment he wished to escape. He sat at the far end of an expansive and ornately carved dining table commissioned from Beiyi at a high cost.

Wang Yuze found himself unable to divert his gaze from the honored guests who had taken residence in his family's luxurious residence. Regret gnawed at his soul, consuming him like a relentless fire.

It wasn't just a passing stab of regret; it was a deep grievance for the choices he'd made and the life he'd built over the past few decades.

In the flickering candlelight, as the awkward silence lingered, Wang Yuze couldn't help but meditate over the decades he'd lived in Jinghua, the capital.

He regretted the alliances he'd forged, the favors he'd traded, and the compromises he'd made during his long and difficult career as a government official. Every connection, once a stepping stone to success, now felt like chains binding him to a life he wished he could undo.

Even the hope of a peaceful retirement, with its promise of returning to his hometown of Yilin, had lost its shine. The tranquility of the town, once a source of comfort, had become a cage.

As he sat there, among the finest China and the most esteemed company, Wang Yuze yearned for simplicity not this hostile environment.

He was dying to get rid of his status and responsibilities, or at least disappear from Yilin for the next few days. But tonight, he remained caged. Caged to his post as host of the respected Xuan family from Jinghua.

In the unsettling silence, sitting at the other side of the table, in the seat of honor was the former head of the Xuan family, Xuan Muyang. While he stepped down from the role of family head officially, everyone knew the old monster, Xuan Muyang, was still the real backbone of the Xuan family.

Also seated at the table, were Old Lady Xuan, the current head of the Xuan family and the only son of the old monster, Xuan Muchen, and his official wife Lady Xuan. And of course, the reason for the Xuan family's trip to Yilin, the Xuan who would be getting married the next day, Xuan Yang, was also present.

On top of these great Buddhas of the Xuan family were several servants of the Xuan family. This was a family affair with a hidden backstory. Even with the only official young master born to the official wife getting married the next day, no guests outside the family were invited.

Only the direct family, not even the concubines of old Xuan or Xuan Muchen were invited. And the atmosphere was bad. But no one knew if it was because of the wedding, or for some other reason.

The only non-Xuan family in attendance at this silent dinner was old lady Wang, Wang Yuze's beloved wife. Even the practiced and manicured socialite who mingled freely in Jinghua felt stifled in this atmosphere.

The dinner seemed to go on forever, with no end in sight.

After nearly an hour of silence, Wang Yuze gathered his courage to make conversation with his guests for the next few nights. He had agreed to house them in his home for a few days, and he would do his best to be a gracious host.

"Old Xuan, you must be proud marrying your first grandson off."

…

The silence seemed more hostile for a moment. Old Lady Wang thought she might suffocate in the thick air.

Finally, Xuan Muyang answered with an unchanged face.

"At the very least, the bloodline will be stronger."

With those cryptic words, the room again dove into a deep silence, and Wang Yuze, his wife, and their servants collectively began to sweat under the pressure. What kind of dark atmosphere was this?

The atmosphere was becoming unbearable.

Even if the young master of the Xuan family was a disgrace and hadn't achieved so many literary and scholarly accomplishments at a young age, he could still marry well. He could choose among the daughters of great families not only in Jinghua but also in any province in all of Donghua.

No one was forcing their Xuan Yang to marry early to someone with only good "bloodline." Wang Yuze and his wife didn't understand why the Xuan family were moving forward with a marriage they weren't satisfied with.

There was no need.

While the host of the dinner and his people regretted their lives and ability to speak, the star of the whole play was deep in thought.

Xuan Yang was no stranger to this unbearable atmosphere. He was raised in it. The silence was one he knew all too well. The only person he had to pull him out of the darkness as a child was Xuan Jian, who stood behind him with the other servants.

At first, Jian was his best friend who was always there, no matter how dark life seemed. He always encouraged Xuan Yang when he wanted to give up on his studies. Eventually, he even became the deepest love in Xuan Yang's heart.

Somehow, despite all the odds against them, they managed to find out about each other's feelings and realize they were mutual. What happy news, right?

Yet here Xuan Yang was, sitting with his estranged family of stone people, mentally preparing himself to marry a ger he barely knew. Marry a strange ger who was bold and didn't hide his attraction for Xuan Jian, his partner.

All of this was going to happen with his partner standing behind him making preparations alongside him.

That same partner would even prepare the stallion he would ride to meet his new bride before they worshiped the ancestors.

Xuan Yang wrinkled his brows, there was nothing to be done.