Finest Servant

Chapter 188 A Betrothal for the Talented Lady?

Luo Ning helped the elderly lady sit down on the large chair at the front of the hall. The old woman smiled and nodded to the crowd, saying, "Thank you all for coming. Please, take a seat."

Before anyone could reply, a servant rushed in, flustered. "My lord, the Emperor has sent a birthday couplet—"

Before he could finish, a shrill, thin voice rang out from the entrance: "Celebrating Lady Luo's great longevity, the Emperor sends his congratulations, bestowing ten eastern pearls, a hundred taels of gold, and a thousand bolts of brocade."

A small eunuch in a yellow robe, holding the imperial edict, strode through the hall. The Luo family members quickly knelt and thanked in unison, "We thank His Majesty for his grace."

The eunuch stood in front of the hall and announced loudly, "The Emperor has decreed that in respect to the celebrant's advanced years, no kneeling is required. Lady Luo is celebrating her seventieth spring. This is a blessing from the heavens, protecting our great nation. The Emperor has personally written a birthday couplet as a gift."

The Emperor's personal couplet was an immense honor. Everyone in the hall was filled with envy. Luo Min, holding the couplet high above his head, knelt to receive it. He unfolded it in front of everyone to reveal the imperial handwriting gleaming with gold: "Cranes signify a thousand years of longevity, pines symbolize eternal spring."

Luo Min quickly ordered it to be framed and hung up, then thanked the eunuch. Only then did the crowd dare to sit down. With the Emperor's gifts and the couplet, the old lady's face was flushed with joy and good fortune.

Luo Min knelt at the old lady's feet, respectfully saying, "Your son wishes you health and longevity, prosperity for a long life."

Luo Ning and Luo Yuan, brother and sister, knelt behind their father, chorusing, "Your grandchildren wish our respected grandmother eternal youth, and a longevity as long as a crane's." The old lady laughed heartily, nodded, and said, "Children, please rise."

In ancient times, birthday blessings were taken very seriously. After the filial son and virtuous grandchildren had paid their respects, it was the guests' turn. There were so many flatterers for Luo Min's mother's seventieth birthday, it was impossible to count them. The guests paid their respects according to rank. Cheng De, with a dark face, was first in line, and he stood up to say a few words of praise. This made Lin Wanrong, who was watching, secretly amused. Everyone in the hall paid their respects one after another. Only the Prefect of Jinling, Marquis Hou, remained unmoved, sitting steadily with a smile on his face, his thoughts unknown.

Among the crowd, the Xiao family, who held no official posts, naturally had Xiao Yuruo demurely placed last in line. It wasn't until the Eldest Miss had paid her respects and there was no one else in the hall that Hou Yuebai rose to his feet. He approached the old lady and respectfully kowtowed, "Yuebai and his father wish the long-lived one blessings of longevity and peace, to flow forever." While others had simply bowed in place, this young man went up to kowtow. It was clear he wanted to please Luo Ning.

The old lady laughed, "Young master and his father are too polite. Min, help Young Master Hou up." Luo Min, on behalf of his mother, helped Hou Yuebai up and said, "Nephew, please rise."

Hou Yuebai stood and said, "I learned that the birthday lady likes couplets. Today, being her auspicious birthday, I dare to present a personally written birthday couplet to express my admiration."

Suddenly, there was a loud applause in the hall, and everyone understood Hou Yuebai's intention. The reason why the Hou family was the last to pay their respects was to use this couplet as a grand finale. Most of the guests were officials who loved couplets and poetry, so this was considered very appropriate.

The elder lady of the Luo family seemed interested, "In that case, young master, please write quickly so this old woman can admire it." From the way the old lady spoke, it seemed she too was from a distinguished family. No wonder she was able to raise such talented children and grandchildren as Luo Min and Luo Ning.

A servant had already laid out paper and ink. Hou Yuebai bowed to the old lady and glanced at Luo Ning before he picked up the brush. After a moment's thought, he wrote, "The rarest of ages is respected, from now on we enjoy the remaining years."

The couplet subtly reflected the old woman's rare age, and was extremely appropriate. The old lady nodded and said, "Young master indeed has a good talent. This old woman is very grateful."

Luo Ning whispered something in the old lady's ear. The old lady laughed until she couldn't close her mouth, saying, "Young master, though this old woman is a mere woman, she is also a lover of couplets. Today, since the young master has this interest, this old woman will present an upper couplet for all the poetry friends in the hall to enjoy."

The birthday lady presenting a couplet was both flattering and pleasing. The crowd in the hall was filled with regret, wondering why they didn't have the thoughtfulness of young Master Hou to inquire about the old birthday lady's preferences.

The old lady thought for a moment and laughed, "Today, as you all celebrate this old woman's birthday, I will present a topic of crane longevity for the upper couplet— 'Crane's age adds, decade opens clear and robust.'"

The birthday lady had offered the upper couplet, and it was a happy one at that. Most of the people in the hall were literati. Couplets and poetry were their strengths, and they immediately began to think hard. Hou Yuebai had started this couplet round to grab this opportunity. He smirked at Lin Wanrong and also began to ponder.

Lin Wanrong watched with amusement and leaned over to Guo Wuchang, whispering, "Young Master, can you match this couplet?"

The young master shook his head, "I haven't practiced this before, I can't think of it right now."

Lin Wanrong chuckled and whispered a few words in Guo Wuchang's ear. The young master's face lit up and he immediately stood up and said, "Old birthday lady, I have a matching couplet."

Hou Yuebai was startled, but when he saw that it was not Lin Wanrong who matched it, he relaxed. He knew Guo Wuchang's reputation, typically a good-for-nothing who ate well but didn't work, and doubted that he could come up with a good couplet.

Seeing everyone's attention on her cousin, the Eldest Miss was surprised and whispered, "Lin San, what did you teach my cousin?"

Lin Wanrong innocently said, "I didn't teach him anything. It's the young master's overflowing talent, he came up with it on his own."

The Eldest Miss glared at him, worried, but then heard Guo Wuchang recite, "Crane's age adds, decade opens clear and robust, deer carriage jointly pulls a hundred years of longevity."

Brilliant! Everyone in the hall sighed. Hou Yuebai did not expect Guo Wuchang to be so quick-witted. Now the spotlight was stolen by him, making him deeply regretful.

The Eldest Miss knew her cousin's weight very well. Seeing Lin Wanrong standing there with a smug smile, she knew it was his idea. She couldn't help but glare at him, but her face was full of smiles.

Luo Ning was also puzzled. When she saw Lin Wanrong, she smiled and spoke to her grandmother. The old lady glanced at the people from the Xiao family and laughed, "This young master has matched the couplet very appropriately. I feel delighted. Since today is for birthday celebration, this old woman will simply offer another couplet. Please, young master, try to match it."

Having come into the spotlight, Guo Wuchang was overjoyed and couldn't care less. He hastily nodded, "Please present the topic, old birthday lady."

Both Lin Wanrong and the Eldest Miss were surprised. They thought this kid, with his little wit, should have been content with the success he had. How could he wish for more?

The old lady slowly recited, "Sun and moon shine together, only the benevolent have longevity."

Guo Wuchang anxiously looked at Lin San for help. Lin Wanrong thought to himself, ‘You deserved it for showing off. With so many people watching, how could I guide you?’

Seeing Guo Wuchang's pale face, Hou Yuebai was secretly pleased. After a brief thought, just as he was about to speak, he heard Lin San call out, "Our young master has the matching line—"

All eyes fell on Guo Wuchang again. Lin Wanrong walked over to him and laughed, "Sun and moon shine together, only the benevolent have longevity. Our young master's matching line is— Yin and Yang combined, such virtue is rare since ancient times."

Guo Wuchang silently wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and nodded, "Exactly, exactly. Sun and moon shine together, only the benevolent have longevity. Yin and Yang combined, such virtue is rare since ancient times."

Luo Ning glanced at Lin Wanrong, covering her mouth to smile, obviously seeing through the trick. Hou Yuebai grew increasingly annoyed. Being outshone by Guo Wuchang twice was extremely frustrating.

The old lady nodded and laughed, "Indeed, it's very neat. Young master, your talent is admirable. This old woman thanks you for these two fine couplets." She glanced at Luo Ning next to her and suddenly laughed, "My little granddaughter Ning, has been outstanding in poetry since she was a child and has high standards. Today, as this old woman celebrates her birthday, let Ning present a few topics for all the young gentlemen present to discuss. What does everyone think?"

While the old lady's words were implicit, Lin Wanrong was shocked, ‘Oh, this seems like a poetry competition for a marriage proposal. Crude, unbearably crude.’

Everyone in the hall seemed to perceive the underlying meaning, causing a commotion. Especially the young masters, if they could win the favor of both the old lady and Miss Luo by taking this opportunity, it would naturally be much easier to accomplish something good.

Luo Ning didn't expect her grandmother to suddenly propose this idea. She blushed deeply and couldn't help but coquettishly say, "Grandma—"

The old lady laughed and patted her hand, "Ning, just come up with the topics. Grandma will decide everything for you." These words set the hall bustling even more. Although the old lady didn't disclose anything, her words sparked endless speculations. Luo Ning hadn't considered the issue of choosing a husband yet, and she felt both shy and anxious, but she couldn't help but glance at Lin Wanrong.

Luo Yuan knew his sister's thoughts and quietly slipped to Lin Wanrong, grabbing his arm, "Big brother, I beg you—"

Lin Wanrong was surprised, "Little Luo, what's the matter?"

Luo Yuan anxiously said, "Later when my sister presents her couplet or poem, you must be the one to respond. You absolutely cannot let anyone else take the opportunity."

Lin Wanrong was taken aback. Regardless of whether he could respond appropriately, he couldn't even if he could. He wore a distressed expression and said, "Little Luo, you know I'm not interested in your sister."

With an awkward expression, Luo Yuan replied, "I know, big brother. Rest assured, my sister is also only slightly interested in you. It's unlikely the two of you will end up together. But you must help with this. You know as well as I do, none of the scholars in Jinling appeal to my sister. I'm afraid if our grandmother is in high spirits today, in a fit of joy she might—"

Lin Wanrong suddenly understood. Today, the old birthday woman was celebrating her big day and had been granted an imperial favor. She was in high spirits and also loved presenting these tricky couplets. If she got overly excited and betrothed Luo Ning, this joyous feast would probably turn into a funeral.

After Luo Yuan left, Lin Wanrong remained hesitant about whether or not he should help. The Eldest Miss at his side had heard their conversation and glared at him, "Lin San, you're not allowed to speak later!"

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