A Family Feast and a Sisterly Wager

After three rounds of drinks, the feast officially commenced.

The attendees were all seasoned martial artists, men who had carved their paths through the jianghu, having tasted blood on the edge of a blade. Though they initially attempted to maintain an air of refinement, these pretenses quickly dissolved after a mere two cups of wine.

Soon, cups clinked together, goblets intertwined, and joyous laughter filled the air without end.

The atmosphere grew even more boisterous when someone ascended the stage to loudly proclaim the names and achievements of those who had distinguished themselves in battle. These valiant individuals were invited up one by one, lauded for their bravery, and presented with their well-deserved rewards, stirring widespread admiration and envy among the onlookers.

“The morale is strong,”

Hu Feng observed the fervent atmosphere in the hall, stroking his beard with a satisfied gleam in his eyes.

“This tactic was actually learned from Sister Yuan.”

Qin Wanzhao, seated on Yang Xuan’s other side, let out a soft chuckle. Her gaze swept over Bai Yuan, who was busily picking at her food, before meeting Yang Xuan’s eyes, a playful glint in her own.

Yang Xuan lowered his gaze, remaining silent. Beside him, Hu Feng’s aged face stiffened instantly, the muscles around his wrinkles seeming to twitch.

Yet, Qin Wanzhao appeared oblivious, continuing, “When Sister Yuan first took charge of the Bai family, she established clear rules and rewards. After every victorious battle, during the commendation ceremony, she would publicly announce the merits and distribute rewards according to the regulations. As a result, the soldiers were loyal and spirited.”

“Later, my husband and I reflected upon this, and we were both deeply impressed, deeming it an exceptional strategy. It truly highlights Sister Yuan’s innate talent, to which even your niece cannot compare. Our past animosity was merely a matter of serving different masters.”

“Now, we are all one family, and Tianhe Gate is in need of talent. Uncle Hu, with your magnanimous spirit, you should certainly overlook any past grievances.”

As she finished speaking, her beautiful eyes shone brightly, fixed on Hu Feng.

The elder remained silent at first, but under Qin Wanzhao’s quiet gaze, he soon buckled under the pressure. His expression shifted several times, and he glanced at Bai Yuan, who sat quietly below him. After a long moment, he finally let out a huff. “Only you, Qin girl, possess such a generous spirit.”

His tone had noticeably softened.

Qin Wanzhao merely smiled, saying nothing.

Though their conversation was hushed, who among those present was not keen of ear and sharp of eye?

Bai Yuan naturally heard them.

For a moment, she felt a sense of unreality.

Her original intention in adopting this method was due to her youth when she first assumed leadership of the family, coupled with the constraints imposed by the elders and a lack of available personnel. She had merely emulated certain historical figures, both to win hearts and to identify and promote talent.

She never imagined that Qin Wanzhao would hold it in such high regard, even adopting and developing it, and now using it to speak on her behalf. ‘According to custom, should I not offer a toast to these two in thanks?’ she wondered.

“Sister Qin rarely admits to being inferior to anyone else.”

As she pondered this, a clear, hushed voice suddenly reached her ear. It was Yin Shuang, seated beside her.

The prodigy of the alchemy world was currently winking at her.

“Fourth… er, Sister Shuang.”

Bai Yuan recalled Qin Wanzhao’s earlier words and awkwardly changed her form of address.

Unexpectedly, at this, Yin Shuang’s almond-shaped eyes widened abruptly, her face etched with disbelief.

“You… what did you just call me?”

‘Uh… is there another problem?’

Bai Yuan hesitated, not daring to respond immediately. On the other side, however, the ‘Moon Swordswoman’ Liu Qingyue had already extended a hand to Yin Shuang, saying coolly, “Two Quenching Sword Pills. Don’t you forget it.”

“No, I need to confirm again!”

Yin Shuang, somewhat vexed, turned to face Bai Yuan, her eyes fixed on her. “What did you call me just now?”

“Sister… Sister Shuang?”

Seeing their behavior, Bai Yuan seemed to understand a little, and her voice became much more confident as she repeated the address.

“Eh?”

Yin Shuang responded readily, though her eyes had a somewhat dazed look.

Qin Wanzhao, from the head of the table, naturally heard the commotion. Observing Yin Shuang’s expression, she covered her mouth and chuckled, “Alright, alright, we all heard it this time. Sister Shuang, you can’t go back on those two Quenching Sword Pills.”

“Sister Qin must have helped you cheat!”

Yin Shuang finally snapped back to reality, her pretty face now beaming with delight. “But never mind, never mind. To have Yuan’er call me ‘Sister’ is worth even two more Quenching Sword Pills!”

As she spoke, she pulled out a small porcelain bottle and readily handed it to Liu Qingyue.

The surrounding area erupted in laughter.

“Qingyue, you lost out! Seeing how generous Shuang’er is, you should have extorted a couple more back then.”

“It was too easy for Sister Yuan to call her that. Qingyue should have pressed her for more, several times over.”

“Exactly, Sister Shuang, you finally got to be an older sister! Shouldn’t you give a gift?”

“Who said I wouldn’t? Just for this today, I definitely won’t short Sister Yuan!”

Yin Shuang retorted indignantly, “Tomorrow, if Sister Yuan has time, come to my place. Pick out whatever you like!”

“Ah, how rare! Shuang’er is so generous today—”

The hall once again filled with laughter and teasing.

When the laughter finally subsided, Qin Wanzhao raised her wine cup once more.

“Alright, alright. It’s a rare treat to have Sister Yuan grace us with her presence today, and for our family to finally be gathered together. Come, let’s all drink a toast!”

The several women naturally raised their cups together. Yang Xuan, who had been observing coolly, rubbed his chin and also raised his cup. As for the old man Hu Feng, he sighed, but in the end, he too raised his cup.

Clink!

Seven wine cups met with a soft chime.

With this cup of wine, an invisible barrier seemed to shatter, and the atmosphere in the hall grew visibly more boisterous.

Aside from Liu Qingyue, who, being pregnant, substituted tea for wine and merely participated symbolically, the other women—Qin Wanzhao, Qian Ying, and Yin Shuang—all left Yang Xuan aside and sought out Bai Yuan for a drinking contest.

Perhaps it was because Bai Yuan had caused her to lose a bet, but Yin Shuang was particularly boisterous, drinking cup after cup. By the end, Bai Yuan felt her head spinning.