Chapter Fourteen: The Ice Festival

On the day of the Ice Festival, Lu Xuanheng and Lady Zhao led several younger family members out. The matriarch Lu escorted them to the door, reminding them that today’s event was a banquet at the residence of Prince Xian, and they must conduct themselves with utmost caution and propriety.

Lu Xuanheng took the lead, boarding the foremost carriage. Lu Yun Zhu, having been released from her confinement, was eager to join the festivities. She had always been fond of currying favor with Lady Zhao, so she chose to ride in the same carriage with her. Meanwhile, Lu Yun Yao held onto Jiang You’an’s hand as they approached the last carriage.

As Jiang You’an was about to board, Xiu Zhu approached her.

“Cousin, the invitation from Prince Xian’s mansion only requests members of the Lu family. It might be inappropriate for you to attend,” he cautioned.

Jiang You’an was momentarily taken aback. From inside the carriage, Lu Yun Yao remarked, “Sister You’an has always lived with the Lu family and is considered a relative—half of the Lu family, in a way. Why shouldn’t she go?”

Xiu Zhu was also troubled but bound by the eldest son’s orders to prevent Jiang You’an from attending. Swallowing his reluctance, he said firmly, “Since it’s Prince Xian’s mansion, it’s best to be cautious. Cousin, it’s better not to attend recklessly.”

Jiang You’an frowned slightly. She had been looking forward to this for days; could she really not go?

Just as she was distressed, the matriarch at the gate glanced over and smiled. “Bring one more along, then. The prince’s residence isn’t that stingy. You can go, You’an. It’s good for you and Yun Yao to look out for each other.”

The cloud of worry on Jiang You’an’s face vanished instantly. She bowed deeply to the matriarch and expressed her gratitude, then happily climbed into the carriage.

Seeing the matriarch had spoken, Xiu Zhu naturally dared not argue further. He slunk off to report back to Lu Xuanheng’s carriage.

Lu Xuanheng sighed, “Fine, if she wants to go, let her. Sooner or later, she’ll have to accept the engagement with the princess.”

…

The Ice Festival was held in the private gardens behind Prince Xian’s residence. Within the grounds lay a lake, thickly frozen over in winter. Around the lake, pavilions draped with curtains were set up for guests to be seated.

Prince Xian himself was absent today; only the household and the princess attended. When the Lu family arrived, they were seated near the prince’s consort.

The younger generation followed Lady Zhao to pay their respects to the consort, then took their seats one by one. As soon as Jiang You’an sat down, she began scanning the opposite row of curtained pavilions, searching for Su Mingxiu.

After the banquet began, the first event was an ice-skating performance. Dozens of performers wearing ice skates executed acrobatics on the ice, brandishing swords and spears while waving banners, reenacting the legendary scene of Nezha’s tumultuous battle at sea. It was a spectacle full of excitement.

Lu Yun Yao watched with great interest, but Jiang You’an felt no intrigue at all. Her gaze swept across the row of men seated opposite, and finally, among the group, she spotted a slender, refined figure.

It was Su Mingxiu.

He wore a moon-white brocade robe and a simple silver crown. Even sitting quietly, the dignified aura he exuded was captivating.

Jiang You’an stared at him. It seemed he sensed it and looked back.

In that moment of their eyes meeting, Su Mingxiu’s eyes lit with surprise as he gave a slight smile. Jiang You’an nodded in response.

Though outwardly composed, her heart was elated—today had not been a wasted journey.

The skating performance concluded, and the next event was an ice hockey match. Each team had six players wearing ice skates, wielding sticks to strike the puck. The first to score in the opponent’s goal won. It was a best-of-three format, with colored chips awarded each round to the winner.

All guests were invited to participate. As the host, Princess Nanhua took the lead and entered the ice first. Seeing this, Lu Yun Zhu immediately joined the fun by joining the princess’s team.

Lu Yun Yao formed a team with a few others but was one player short. She beckoned Jiang You’an, “Sister You’an, come quickly!”

Jiang You’an was still watching Su Mingxiu and was more concerned about speaking with him than joining the game, so she declined.

Lu Yun Yao pleaded, “Come on, we just need one more.”

Unable to resist her coaxing, Jiang You’an agreed.

The ice hockey rules were informal, focusing on fun rather than strict competition. Being able to skate was enough, which was no challenge for Jiang You’an, who often skated on wild ice before.

In the first round, everyone was still getting used to the ice and hesitant in their movements. The princess scored first, igniting enthusiasm on the ice.

Since it was a competition, nobody wanted to lose. By the second round, everyone was playing seriously.

Lu Yun Zhu trailed behind Li Lianzhu. When Lu Yun Yao skated close, Lu Yun Zhu mischievously extended her stick to trip her. Lu Yun Yao dodged and retaliated by bumping her hard.

While the two Lu sisters tussled, Li Lianzhu seized the puck and smoothly glided toward the opposing goal.

If she scored this goal, Jiang You’an’s team would lose outright. Her competitive spirit flared. Nimbly dodging defenders, she pursued Li Lianzhu at lightning speed.

Su Mingxiu’s gaze followed Jiang You’an. The pale yellow figure deftly evaded obstacles, skating with the grace of a lively bird.

He could not help but stand, watching intently.

Jiang You’an closed in behind Li Lianzhu, deftly hooking the puck away with her stick.

Carrying the puck, she continued skating. Seeing a pursuer approaching, she quickly signaled to Lu Yun Yao, who was better positioned, and passed the puck to her.

Lu Yun Yao understood immediately, aimed at the goal, and struck hard—the puck hit the mark.

Their coordination was flawless. Applauding guests cheered.

Jiang You’an and Lu Yun Yao embraced in celebration when Lu Yun Zhu approached coldly, “No manners at all. Don’t you see whose game this is? How dare you steal the princess’s puck—you’re truly foolish!”

Jiang You’an glanced toward Li Lianzhu, who was smiling cheerfully. The prince’s consort on stage also smiled, but Lady Zhao seated beside her looked displeased.

Jiang You’an retorted, “The princess and the consort are all smiling. The one who can’t accept losing is you.”

Lu Yun Zhu glared fiercely and then returned to Li Lianzhu’s side.

The prince’s consort laughed and suggested, “These girls play quite well. The final round could go either way. Why not add more players? It will be even more exciting.”

As she spoke, her eyes turned toward Lu Xuanheng. He understood her meaning—she was asking him to join the game to support the princess.

Since the banquet was specially arranged by Prince Xian, Lu Xuanheng was not going to sit idly by. He spoke up and joined Li Lianzhu’s team.

Li Lianzhu smiled at him.

Jiang You’an quietly looked away as Lu Xuanheng went to Li Lianzhu’s side.

The princess’s team now had two more men. Jiang You’an’s team also needed two more players.

But everyone realized this round was clearly arranged for Li Lianzhu and Lu Xuanheng and were reluctant to join just for fun.

After searching for some time, one player was still missing. Lu Yun Yao anxiously asked, “What should we do? Who can we find?”

Just then, Jiang You’an spotted Su Mingxiu in the distance. He had removed his heavy cloak and was walking quickly toward her.

The short distance seemed to pass swiftly as Su Mingxiu approached, and Jiang You’an’s heart raced faster.

Finally, he reached her and smiled warmly, “Miss Jiang, how about I play a round with you?”

Jiang You’an stared at him in surprise. “But your health…”

“Skating for a little while won’t hurt. I skated often when I was young.”

A gentle smile spread across Jiang You’an’s lips as she nodded in agreement.

Lu Xuanheng watched all this unfold quietly, his fingers clenched tightly.