Song Yuzhang: Chapter 43 - At the Banquet 01
Chapter 43: At the Banquet 01
“Luoyang's east wind, when will it come? The river waves and willows on the banks all return in spring.” Nie Qingyun swirled her wine glass and said to Song Yekang, “Your Fifth Brother is about to stir the hearts of everyone in the city.”
From afar, Song Yekang looked over. Song Yuzhang was surrounded by a crowd. He wasn’t holding a glass, his hands casually clasped behind his back, and his face was slightly tilted toward the elegant lady speaking to him. His expression was reserved and patient. After the woman finished talking, he gave a brief reply—whatever he said, it made the woman's cheeks instantly flush with pink.
Song Yekang clinked his wine glass against Nie Qingyun’s. “And you?”
“Me?” Nie Qingyun grinned, showing her teeth. “I’ve been smitten out of my senses. I was just thinking of finding an excuse to ditch you.”
Song Yekang laughed too and was about to reply when Nie Qingyun tapped the back of his hand, motioning for him to look toward the southeast corner. She covered her mouth with one hand, laughing quietly. “Look, I bet Bonian is pestering my elder brother to go talk to your Fifth Brother.”
Following her gesture, Song Yekang looked over. Sure enough, Nie Xueping was bending down to listen to Nie Bonian. Around them were people clearly eager to strike up a conversation, but apparently too cautious to approach due to Nie Xueping’s presence.
Song Yekang said, “Bonian seems to really like Yuzhang.”
“Exactly. He’s got a thing for pretty faces. He used to love your third brother the most. But now, he’s totally switched sides. He used to call Third Brother ‘Uncle Song,’ but for your Fifth Brother, he insists on calling him ‘Brother Yuzhang.’ No way he’ll call him uncle.”
Nie Qingyun found it immensely amusing that Xiao Bonian was already “drawn to beauty” at such a young age and laughed with delight.
Song Yekang had spoken casually, but now his thoughts lingered, his gaze drifting between the Nie father and son and Song Yuzhang. He thought, This fifth brother of mine is not only beautiful—maybe he could be useful in other ways too.
“Daddy, let’s go say hi to Brother Yuzhang.” Nie Bonian tugged on Nie Xueping’s hand.
Nie Xueping didn’t budge. “Didn’t you already go up with your aunt to say hi before the banquet started?”
Nie Bonian hadn’t expected his little scheme to be so easily seen through. He lowered his head, then pouted for a moment and looked up again, pointing to the silk scarf on his chest. “Daddy, Brother Yuzhang, and I are wearing the same color scarf today. Did you ask Master Liang to share some fabric with him, too?”
Nie Xueping couldn’t help but glance at the young man surrounded by the crowd.
There were so many people around Song Yuzhang it was hard to see him clearly. Nie Xueping could only catch fleeting glimpses—some dark strands of hair, a patch of pale skin. He looked down and said to Bonian, “It’s just a coincidence.”
“Oh.” Nie Bonian responded, then looked longingly toward the crowd around Song Yuzhang. He was too small to see anything, and though this was a formal occasion where he fancied himself a little gentleman and wouldn’t ask his father to lift him, he still stood on tiptoe in vain.
Song Yuzhang rarely attended such crowded events, especially not ones as high-profile as this. The guests came in wave after wave. He had just dealt with a bureau chief’s wife when a few bashful, unfamiliar faces approached him.
He didn’t speak much—barely at all, really. Mostly because he didn’t want to get thirsty. But that silence only added to his ethereal, aloof beauty, making him seem even more mysterious and enchanting.
Just then, Wan Lan approached with a tray, offering him a drink.
“Fifth Young Master,” Wan Lan said brightly, “This is from the young madam. Once you finish, I’ll pour you another.”
Knowing tonight would be a social battlefield, Song Yuzhang had deliberately avoided holding a drink. But now, since Wan Lan brought it, he had to take it and clink glasses with the person in front of him. Only after taking a sip did he realize it was just plain water. He turned to glance back—Wan Lan was leaning against the wall, grinning cheekily at him.
Realizing this was Meng Sushan’s thoughtful gesture, Song Yuzhang sighed quietly to himself and continued socializing with his glass of water.
At least he didn’t have to worry about a dry throat anymore—though his thoughts now carried more weight.
After politely excusing himself from conversation, Song Yuzhang walked over to the more secluded wall. Wan Lan immediately approached him. “Fifth Young Master, no need to come yourself. I’m watching out for you.”
“Where’s my sister-in-law?” he asked.
“She wasn’t feeling well and went upstairs to rest. Second Young Master Meng came too, he’s with her now,” Wan Lan replied with a soft smile.
Song Yuzhang lowered his gaze, long lashes casting layered shadows under the light, his lips curved in a graceful arc. “Then I won’t disturb them.”
Wan Lan’s smile faltered slightly. “Fifth Young Master, you should go up, even just to do the young madam a small favor.”
Song Yuzhang frowned faintly. It wasn’t that he truly couldn’t bring himself to see Meng Tingjing—he wasn’t some helpless prey. He just didn’t want to. There was no point. They weren’t aligned in thought or purpose. And even though Meng Sushan tried tirelessly to smooth things over between them, there was nothing to smooth over anymore.
While Song Yuzhang hesitated, a clear little voice called out, “Brother Yuzhang!”
Nie Bonian had run over without anyone noticing, his face beaming. “Brother Yuzhang, can you take me to walk around the garden?”
Glancing at Wan Lan with an apologetic smile, Song Yuzhang handed her the glass. “Let me take this young gentleman for a stroll. We’ll talk about the rest later.”
Wan Lan could only nod, her expression flickering, holding back what she really wanted to say.
Taking Nie Bonian’s hand, Song Yuzhang led him out of the banquet hall. Once they were outside, he scooped the child up into his arms. Nie Bonian, used to being held by his father, adapted immediately, sitting properly in his arms now that no one was around.
Seeing how well-behaved he was—and that he’d also unknowingly helped Song Yuzhang out of a tight spot—the young man gave him a gentle smile. “Where do you want to go?”
“I want to play on the swing,” Nie Bonian answered sweetly.
There was a snow-white iron swing in the Song family garden, nestled beneath flower vines. In the summer, the evening breeze carried the scent of blossoms, making it a lovely place to sit.
Song Yuzhang set Nie Bonian on the swing, holding it lazily with one hand as the evening breeze slowly swept away his fatigue.
He hadn’t expected that being a young master could be so exhausting. He lowered his head and chuckled at himself. The self-mockery passed in a blink, and he gave the swing a gentle push.
Nie Bonian held onto the ropes, swinging his legs. “Brother Yuzhang, you sit too! Let’s play together.”
Song Yuzhang laughed, “If I sit too, how will we swing?”
“We can!” Nie Bonian pushed hard with his legs. “I’ve done it with Auntie before!”
Song Yuzhang asked casually, “What about with your dad?”
“Daddy doesn’t play on swings,” Nie Bonian said solemnly.
Song Yuzhang let go of the swing and sat side by side with him. “Why not?”
“He doesn’t like it.”
“What does your dad like, then?”
Nie Bonian thought for a moment and said, “He likes rules.”
“Rules?” Song Yuzhang couldn’t help but chuckle. He draped one arm around Nie Bonian’s small shoulders and, just like Nie Bonian had said, gently pushed the swing with his long legs. “Does your dad like to give you lots of rules?”
Nie Bonian nodded. He pressed his palms together and indicated a thickness of about half a palm. “The rules in our house are this thick.”
“That thick, huh? Have you read them all?”
“My tutor read them to me.”
“And you remembered them?”
“I remember everything.”
“Really?”
“Really. I have a photographic memory.”
“That impressive?”
Nie Bonian looked a little shy but also proud. “Daddy says I’m a genius.”
Upon hearing that, Song Yuzhang nodded in approval. “If that’s true, then you really are a genius.”
“You’re a genius too, right? I heard from my auntie that you studied at Oxford in England.”
Song Yuzhang kept a straight face. “Oxford’s not such a big deal. Nothing that special. Doesn’t really make one a genius.”
Nie Bonian blinked slowly. “Really?”
“Really.”
Nie Bonian thought for a moment, then said, “Then Daddy’s not such a big deal either.”
Song Yuzhang was speechless for a moment and, deciding to go along with the joke, patted Nie Bonian’s neatly parted hair and gave a soft “Mhm.”
The two of them, one big and one small, sat hand in hand on the swing for a while, quietly enjoying the breeze. Then Song Yuzhang asked if he wanted to go back. Nie Bonian thought for a bit and countered, “Brother Yuzhang, do you want to go back?”
“Me?” Song Yuzhang said.
Nie Bonian nodded and motioned with his little hand, “Brother Yuzhang, I’ll tell you another secret.”
Song Yuzhang laughed as he bent down toward him.
“Actually, just now—”
“Xiao Bonian, still clinging to your Brother Yuzhang?”
A bright and cheerful voice rang out behind them—it was Nie Qingyun again.
Nie Bonian, still sitting on the swing, turned his face, slightly flushed. “Auntie, I wasn’t clinging to Brother Yuzhang.”
Song Yuzhang turned too and laughed. “Sister Qingyun, you misunderstood. Bonian was helping me out, actually—otherwise, I’d still be stuck in there, unable to get away.”
Nie Qingyun laughed as she came closer and gave Nie Bonian a playful tweak on the nose. “So our Xiao Bonian did a good deed,” she then said to Song Yuzhang, “These kinds of gatherings really aren’t that fun—too many people. It’s better when it’s just our two families getting together, much more relaxed and cozy.”
Song Yuzhang smiled.
Nie Qingyun said, “I’ll take Bonian back now. He’s been out here too long—if my brother can’t find him later, he’ll start to worry.”
“Daddy won’t worry,” Nie Bonian retorted.
“Oh?” Nie Qingyun raised a brow. “When did Xiao Bonian learn to talk back?”
“I wasn’t talking back.”
Nie Qingyun gave a soft chuckle. “Alright, alright, I get it. Xiao Bonian’s the best. Now come on down and go back with me.”
Nie Bonian let go of Song Yuzhang’s hand and said, “Brother Yuzhang, I’m going back in. If you’re tired, just rest here a bit longer.”
Song Yuzhang watched the aunt and nephew walk back into the glow of the warm lights, thinking that Bonian really lived up to his genius reputation—such a young child, and he could already sense his fatigue.
Song Yuzhang stayed on the swing for a while longer. Suddenly, he sensed someone watching him. Turning around, he spotted a tall figure retreating into the shadow of a flowering tree. The moment he turned, the figure stepped sideways into the light—it was Nie Xueping.
Song Yuzhang wasn’t particularly eager to see Nie Xueping.
Nie Xueping didn’t resemble Nie Yinbing much in either looks or temperament, but his identity alone was enough to make Song Yuzhang remember how close he’d come to death because of Nie Yinbing. It was hard not to be on guard.
But after the pleasant chat with Nie Bonian, some of that resistance had softened. Song Yuzhang stood up and politely greeted him, “Mr. Nie, were you looking for Bonian? Sister Qingyun just took him inside.”
Nie Xueping seemed like someone used to giving orders, but his demeanor was calm and gentle. Standing there, the two of them—a young and older version of refined gentlemen—shared a faint resemblance. He nodded slightly. “Thank you, Mr. Xiao Song.”
Song Yuzhang smiled at the formality. “No need to be so polite—please just call me Yuzhang.”
Nie Xueping nodded.
After this brief and somewhat stiff exchange, silence fell between them again. Song Yuzhang, not interested in forming close ties with the Nie family, had already drafted a polite excuse in his mind and was about to take his leave when Nie Xueping spoke up. “I heard you also graduated from Oxford, Mr. Xiao Song?”
Song Yuzhang immediately grew wary but kept a pleasant expression. “Yes. I heard you did as well, Mr. Nie?”
Nie Xueping gave a quiet “Mm” and asked, “Is Professor Smith still teaching sociology there?”
Song Yuzhang thought to himself, Who knows about any Smith or not-Smith? He laughed and said, “To be honest, I wasn’t a very diligent student. I was there a year—barely even saw the professor, let alone remember his name.”
Nie Xueping chuckled.
When he smiled, there was nothing of Nie Yinbing in him. Nie Yinbing’s smile was always wild and arrogant, as if the world were just a toy for his amusement. But Nie Xueping’s smile was warm and tolerant, like nothing in the world could really upset him.
“You’re still young—no need to rush your studies. Lectures can be dull anyway.”
Song Yuzhang smiled again. “That’s true.”
The night breeze drifted gently by, scattering the faint floral scent in the air. The rustle of soft petals brushing against each other sounded like silk being stroked. The two men stood quietly. Song Yuzhang glanced up just as Nie Xueping did the same—their eyes met for a brief moment before both looked away in surprise.
Nie Xueping averted his gaze, focusing on a quivering rose blossom to the side. “Bonian really likes you. He kept begging me to let him come find you. I didn’t let him, afraid he’d be a bother.”
“Really…” Song Yuzhang replied courteously. “Actually, I’m not busy at all—he’s welcome to come find me anytime.”
“That would be troubling you, Mr. Xiao Song.”
“It’s no trouble.”
After another pause, Song Yuzhang took the initiative. “Mr. Nie, I’ve been out long enough—I should be getting back.”
Nie Xueping stepped aside into the flowers, partially hiding himself and clearing a path on the narrow pebble road. “Please.” Song Yuzhang walked slowly past the swing and joined him, the two of them walking side by side.
He had come out with a child but was returning with a father. As he walked, Song Yuzhang quietly chuckled to himself, thinking, The Nie family really is full of kind and easygoing people. How on earth did they end up with someone like Nie Yinbing? A total firecracker. Strange indeed.
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