The Innocent Heart - Chapter 77

An imperial banquet—complete with fine wine, delicacies, and exquisite music and dance—was a grand affair for the adults. For Guan Yueyao, however, who was born unable to sit still, and Huo Qubing, who detested such social occasions, it was a different story. To the casual observer, the guests were all drinking and making merry, but beneath the veneer of smiles and pleasantries, no one truly knew what schemes others were harboring.

Having eaten their fill, the two quickly lost all interest in the performances.

“Qubing, think of an excuse. Let’s go out and get some air,” Guan Yueyao whispered, nudging Huo Qubing’s arm from behind the table.

“The banquet has only just begun. Bear with it for a bit. Once everyone is full and starts drinking in earnest, it will be easier to slip away,” Huo Qubing leaned in, whispering back into her ear.

This was far from Huo Qubing’s first time attending such a function; he was well-versed in the procedures and etiquette. Moreover, while he found it tedious, having Guan Yueyao by his side made the time far more bearable. To pass the time, he began to quietly explain the lineages of the various guests and their relationships with the Wei family.

He did this to ensure this “silly boy” wouldn’t remain in the dark, lest she one day be blindsided by someone with a grudge against the Wei family and suffer for it. Guan Yueyao, however, did not perceive his protective intent. Instead, she listened with great relish, treating it all like juicy high-society gossip.

“Qubing, you’re amazing! You know so much!” Guan Yueyao nodded in genuine admiration. Qubing really is a true noble scion to know all this gossip!

Unaware of her true thoughts, Huo Qubing took her praise as a sign that she was taking his warnings to heart. He felt a surge of pride, and the smile on his face deepened.

While the two were chatting animatedly, Gongsun Jingsheng was not having such good luck. Children of that age could rarely sit still, yet he had been placed right next to his father, who was currently deep in conversation with Wei Qing. No one was paying him any attention, and no one had time to deal with him.

He looked left and right, seeing his cousin Huo Qubing whispering to his friend with an expression of great excitement. Gongsun Jingsheng’s mood soured further. In the past, when His Majesty invited us to sit together, I never saw him look so high-spirited.

“Hmph!” He let out a cold snort and turned to summon a waiting maid. “I need to excuse myself.”

The maid bowed and led him out of the Great Hall.

Huo Qubing was in the middle of describing the situation within the household of General Li Guang when he suddenly stopped mid-sentence, frowning toward the palace entrance.

“Qubing, why did you stop? Keep going!” Guan Yueyao urged, her curiosity fully piqued.

Huo Qubing lowered his voice, sounding worried. “Cousin Jingsheng went out alone. I’m a bit worried he might cause trouble.”

“Huh? He’s a big guy; why do you have to worry about him causing trouble?” Guan Yueyao mimicked his low voice and asked back.

Huo Qubing shot her a glare. “What’s so strange about that? You’re also a ‘big guy,’ yet I still have to worry every day about whether you’re going to be reckless and cause trouble.”

“Nonsense! When have I ever caused trouble!” Guan Yueyao retorted loudly, eager to defend her reputation.

In her haste, she forgot to control her volume. For a moment, the adults at the banquet—from Liu Che to the invited officials—all turned to look at her.

Realizing her slip, Guan Yueyao’s face turned bright red. She looked helplessly at Huo Qubing, only to see him grinning at her with a look of pure schadenfreude. It was as if he were saying: See? And you said you don’t cause trouble.

Exasperated, she turned to Wei Qing for help. Wei Qing reacted quickly, scolding her: “Yueyao, do not be impudent!”

He sounded like a parent reprimanding a junior of the clan. He then stood and offered an apology toward the Emperor.

“Hahaha, it is no matter. In a setting like this, it is only natural for youths to find things dull.”

Liu Che was in an excellent mood today and was quite fond of both Huo Qubing and Guan Yueyao. In his eyes, this breach of etiquette was merely the lively energy of youth—harmless and charming.

“Enough, enough. I shall not constrain you further. If you wish to go outside for some air, then go.” His tone was exceptionally indulgent.

The officials present were all shrewd; they immediately gauged the Emperor’s favorable attitude toward the Wei family from these few words. Their interactions with Wei Qing and Gongsun He became even more enthusiastic.

Huo Qubing and Guan Yueyao couldn’t care less about any of that. Since the Emperor had given the word, there was no better time to bolt. Led by Wang He personally, they left the hall to enjoy their freedom.

“Young Masters, please stay within this vicinity. Not far away is where Lady Wei (Zifu) is hosting the female guests. It would be improper to disturb them,” Wang He reminded them with a smile before turning to head back to Liu Che’s side.

“Thank you for the reminder, Great Eunuch. Rest assured, I understand,” Huo Qubing nodded in thanks. “A-Yao and I will just catch the breeze in this pavilion before heading back in.”

Wang He smiled at Huo Qubing. He felt at ease with the boy’s character; though he had become a bit more spirited lately under Guan Yueyao’s influence, he was still far more mature and steady than others his age. Without further delay, the eunuch returned to the hall.

“Phew! Finally out!”

While Huo Qubing was staring at Wang He’s retreating back, lost in thought, Guan Yueyao could no longer restrain herself. She abandoned the pavilion and began rolling a snowball in the open clearing nearby.

By her nature, a snowball fight would be much more fun. But even someone as impulsive as she knew that the Imperial Palace was no place for a snowball fight. She still regretted the fight that had been cut short a few days ago, so she settled for rolling snowballs on the ground.

“Qubing, what are you just sitting there for? Come help me build a snowman! Or else I’m going to build a ‘Huo Qubing’!” She called out to her friend, but he remained in the pavilion with a deep frown, showing no interest in playing.

Did something happen? Guan Yueyao abandoned her “work” and ran back into the pavilion.

“Qubing, what’s wrong?” Emotions between close friends are often contagious. She had quickly sensed that something was off.

“Cousin Jingsheng has been out for a while now. This path is the only way back to the Great Hall, yet we haven’t seen him pass by,” Huo Qubing noted.

“Eh, maybe he’s just out catching some air like us?” Guan Yueyao didn’t think much of it.

But Huo Qubing did. He knew his cousin’s temperament well and recalled Wang He’s warning about the noblewomen gathered in the nearby side hall. A sense of foreboding rose in his heart, though he hoped he was just overthinking and that, as A-Yao suggested, Gongsun Jingsheng was simply out for a walk.

Ultimately, Huo Qubing was half-dragged from the pavilion by Guan Yueyao. But with his mind elsewhere, he couldn’t enjoy the play. He listlessly helped her steady a massive, round snowball while keeping a sharp eye on their surroundings.

As fate would have it, what one fears most often comes to pass. Before long, a young woman’s startled cry rang out from nearby.

“You scoundrel!”

Huo Qubing cursed under his breath. Without a word to Guan Yueyao, he raced toward the sound.

“Hey! Qubing, where are you going?!” The cry had been loud enough for both to hear clearly. Guan Yueyao hesitated for a second before abandoning her half-finished snowball and following him. After all, you can roll snowballs all winter, but a good bit of drama only happens once.

When Guan Yueyao arrived, Huo Qubing was standing with his cousin, Gongsun Jingsheng. Qubing’s expression was incredibly grim. In front of them stood two or three young women of similar age.

“Cousin Jingsheng, you had better return to the banquet immediately. If your father cannot find you, he will be anxious,” Huo Qubing said coldly, his tone blunt and harsh. “Lady Han, since it was my cousin who offended you, I will certainly inform my uncle and ensure you receive an explanation.”

Guan Yueyao tilted her head, watching Huo Qubing. It was the first time she had heard him speak to someone in such a manner. He possessed a natural, imposing authority that brooked no argument.

She then looked at Gongsun Jingsheng. Sure enough, the boy flinched. Though his face was flushed with embarrassment, he didn’t dare talk back.

As for the “Lady Han” Huo Qubing mentioned, she still looked displeased, but she merely shot Gongsun Jingsheng a nasty look and turned her head away.

Fortunately, no matter what version of Huo Qubing she saw, Guan Yueyao wasn’t afraid.

“Forget it. I won’t pursue it this time. Gongsun Jingsheng, this isn’t your back garden—you can’t just wander wherever you please!” The young lady didn’t seem to want to waste more words. She glared at the three of them and turned to leave.

“Cousin, return to the hall,” Huo Qubing reminded him, casting another cold glance at the sheepish Gongsun Jingsheng.

“What about you and Guan Yueyao? Aren’t you coming back?!” Seeing that they didn’t seem to be moving, Gongsun Jingsheng asked indignantly.

“A-Yao and I were granted permission by His Majesty to get some air.” The implication was clear: they hadn’t snuck out like he had.

Suddenly, hearing this, the young Lady Han who was about to leave stopped in her tracks and spun around.

“You are Guan Yueyao?!” She glared aggressively at Guan Yueyao. Although she was half a head shorter, her aura was every bit as fierce.

Guan Yueyao was stunned. How did this young lady she had never met know her name? And why did she seem to harbor such deep resentment?

The young lady’s next sentence provided the answer.

“Are you the one who told His Majesty to send me to the Xiongnu for a political marriage?!”