Chereads / DANCE OF THE RED PEACOCK / Chapter 3 - Clan Birthday Banquet

Chapter 3 - Clan Birthday Banquet

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Celebration day.

The vibrant Jie Tai Valley.

White and gold ornaments with the symbol of the Jie family, wave lightly at the highest pole of each building at Jie Mansion.

The Magnificent white crane symbols fill the hall and surroundings. The tall banners flutter steadily showing the power that has endured for hundreds of years, swayed by the wind standing tall with the blue sky.

The JieTai Valley or the Jie extended family was the ruler of Jiang Hu who was undoubtedly his big name. Several generations earlier helped build the country to make the Tang era become the ruler of this prosperous country. It is no secret that some of the previous families could have become rulers if the Jie Valley had not chosen to retreat and return to Jiang Hu, the world they knew. Rather than being palace officials.

The family's wealth comes from several large businesses such as expeditions and several large lodging houses scattered throughout the country. Well-known Jie family, every time their pennants pass wherever they went there was always praise for how much the respectable family is known to be so generous and help everyone who needs it, even from the smallest rank workers in the clan.

The clan birthdays were not open to the public. Unfortunately, only certain circles were invited, including the entourage of court officials, princes, and princesses. State guests from neighboring countries and the rulers of Jiang Hu. With Jie's family reputation, who won't come after being invited?

Fei Er's room at the Deer bungalow.

Fei Er was standing in front of his bed, finished wearing his dominant white outfit with gold and dark blue listed flagship.

His long black hair down below his waist was decorated with a blue ribbon with a sprinkling of luxurious gold dust. The great clothes were chosen specifically by the Princess to dress the Young Master of the great nation. The bluish metallic silk fit down to cover the young master's long legs, with his pretty shoes which also come from the finest material in the whole country.

He's ready to become a young master that day, just like the years before, and today it's going to be a very tiring day.

The last time he and his cousin, the Crown Prince even had to fall into the pool because they were drunk, it was really bad. He was a little relieved because it said the Crown Prince might not attend the banquet this time.

San Tu approached with Fei Er's sword.

"Is Young Master ready? Wow, you look stunning. This time Madam will be overwhelmed by the in-law proposals, as used to be"

Fei Er just continued tidying up his clothes.

"It's a clan celebration. She still has time to think about her daughter-in-law, Mother is really something. Oh yeah, have you seen Hong Er yet?"

San Tu scratched his head.

"Young Master, you just pretended to not know this. During a celebration like this Little Young Master Hong Er has been the busiest since earliest morning."

Fei Er moved to the door. The tall and handsome young man had an incomparable appearance, shining so bright like the sun, so perfect.

"This mother is really, and I just didn't understand why is Father not doing anything about this. Hong Er is a big boy, if mother keeps doing this people will find it strange right?"

San Tu just followed his young master out of Deer bungalow. The bungalow lies right next to Hong Er's, which definitely is not in his place now.

"Let's go!" exclaimed FeiEr.

San Tu nodded.

"Yes, Young Master!"

* - * - * - * -

Guests arrive.

State officials in their formal clothes, to neighboring country guests. Bai He and his aide, Lu Wang stood up to greet them with smiling faces.

"Welcome to Jie Valley. It's an honor for the very busy officials who still take the time to come, please come in."

The clan birthday event is not only filled with banquets and dances but there are also martial arts and unique weapon shows. Unique and rare items auctions to exchange opinions for knowledge. The events will continue until the sun sets. Jie Mansion provides very comfortable rooms for some guests who want to stay overnight there.

Tang Yuan entered the hall, palace officials still stood up and greeted her as she passed,

"Greetings, Your Majesty"

Tang Yuan waved her handkerchief with a big smile. She looked very beautiful with a wide white dress and a red list covered with gold simmer. A gold ribbon that tied the bottom with a jade hairpin given by her father. Of course, there was also a gift from her beloved husband. She looks very radiant.

Behind her was Er Niang, her maid. Er Niang is a woman in her fifties who has followed the princess since she was young. Now at her old age, she pointed as the butler of the Jie valley. She directed the beautiful girls who were standing in a line carrying trays of food behind her. Soon the huge hall was filled with young and beautiful girls in red and gold dresses.

Fei Er who already standing in front of the door among the few other guests turned his head around. He was looking for someone who must be among the girls.

Fei Er frowned, he found Hong Er. It was not difficult to find him. That young man was however the tallest 'girl' among the others, of course also because of his red beautiful curly hair which flew quite far even though he stood among the girls.

Hong Er looks so beautiful, his eyes are drawn with red and gold mascara. His lips are wet nude red, and his long curly hair is down to the back of his slender waist. If Fei Er didn't know him so well, he would have mistaken him for another girl.

Fei Er waved his hand asking the boy to come closer, but Hong Er shook his head, he looked so busy at the time.

"Err that kid" Fei Er grumbled.

Hong Er stopped in front of a young man who hadn't stopped looking at him since earlier.

He is Kai Le, who is none other than the young prince of the land of Hua. A very handsome face, sweet smile, and pretty gold-plated shiny clothes are the characteristics of Hua, which is famous for its main income, gold.

His dark brown, long curly hair is tied high with a small gold crown, the symbol of Hua. He kept looking at Hong Er until his hand missed the cup that Hong Er offered and it accidentally fell. The water dripped down his clothes, Kai Le stood up quickly.

"Oh, pardon me, Your Majesty, forgive my negligence." Hong Er lowered his body to clean the water that had now soaked Kai Le's clothes. 

The young prince waved his hand, he smiled and knew that he had been negligent earlier.

"It's no big deal, this is my fault. It's just a little wet"

"Hong Er!" Exclaimed FeiEr.

Hong Er who was still busy cleaning Kai Le's clothes turned his head because Fei Er called him so loudly. That makes all eyes turn at him.

Fei's face held anger as if he could explode if Hong Er didn't approach him immediately.

"Ouch, this Brother"

Hong Er asked another girl to help clean Kai Le's clothes. He couldn't ignore Fei Er any longer, his older brother was too emotional, and he could make scenes there. He ran as fast as he could to Fei.

"Brother, don't you see I'm working now?"

Fei Er had twitched Hong Er's ear anxiously.

"Aww" Hong moaned.

"Hong Er, you are esteemed Young Master, why do you act like a maid? Mother is going too far, let's go change your clothes"

Fei Er took HongEr's hand.

"No, brother I can't do that, mother has prepared this for a long time, please be patient it's just for a while," said Hong pulling his hand off from Fei.

While Kai Le sat back in his place. He raised his for the young maid who was cleaning his clothes to stop.

The young Prince didn't stop looking at Hong Er and Fei Er from where they were. He didn't know what they were talking about but it looked like the fierce-looking young man forced the young girl with disrespect, he thought as he shook his head. He intended to approach and intervene until two main hosts stopped in front of him.

"Your Majesty Prince Kai, it is truly an honor for the prince to be able to visit this year," said Bai Hu greeting his young guests, accompanied by Tang Yuan who welcomed the guests personally one by one.

Kai Le stood up and returned the respect.

"Please pardon me. We failed to accept your invitation a couple of times. So many things have happened in the palace before so I can't go anywhere. But this year I'm so lucky could finally come and visit Jie's beautiful residence."

Kai Le visited with his bodyguard, Tao who stood not far beside him. Although talking with the person in front of him, occasionally, Kai Le still had time to glance at Fei Er and Hong Er who were still busy arguing.

Tang Yuan realized where the Young Prince's eyes were looking, she immediately turned his attention.

"Oh yeah, please enjoy the appetizer, Your Majesty. You will like it, all of this food is specially prepared by selected chefs from the Palace. Even the Emperor likes their cooking, please enjoy it. Uh, if you'll excuse me for a second"

Tang Yuan asked for a leave. She must approach Fei and Hong who were still busy arguing and caught people's attention, even this young prince.

Bai Hu smiles widely at the young prince.

"We have prepared a room for Your Majesty and others in the Condor Pavilion, hopefully, is not too narrow for you," 

Kai Le shook his head.

"Oh no-no, it's certainly not. We will enjoy everything that senior Jie and Her Highness the Princess prepared for us, what an extraordinary honor"

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