The celebration was located at a villa connected to the Golden Dragon Bank premises. As the embodiment of wealth and fortune in the Xia Kingdom, Yu Hongxi was definitely pulling out all the stops for her beloved daughter’s birthday. It was going to be a real blast.
Grand carriages trimmed and gilded with precious metals slowly trundled up the driveway, sending off their finely bedecked passengers.
Much of the upper class of the Xia Kingdom was gathered here. The great houses and families all had dealings with the Golden Dragon Bank, which was famed for their neutral position on any affair. No one had more friends than they did.
Perhaps the Astral Sage College could compete in power and status, but the school never made friends or alliances. Education remained an aloof pursuit where money changed hands with smiles.
Of course, there was also the Xia royal court, the traditional seat of power that would always command respect.
Li Luo and Jiang Qing’e attracted many looks from the moment they alighted, most of them directed at the significantly more famous Jiang Qing’e.
Still, many well-dressed girls eyed Li Luo with a gleam of interest. He had inherited his parents’ devastatingly good looks, even though this version still looked a little raw. What he lacked in maturity he made up for with the glowing vitality only youth could grant.
His head of silver hair marked him, a pale moon that enchanted many a lass.
Neither of them paid much attention to the gazes. Instead, they looked to the main entrance, where two people were welcoming the guests.
Lu Qing’er and Yu Hongxi.
Today, Lu Qing’er was dressed in a flattering, pastel dress that gave her figure every last emphasis it could want for. From beneath, her legs peeked out, clad in her signature, white-lace socks.
Green silk fell modestly around her waist, fluttering shyly with the wind.
Her winsome face was lit up with a constant smile as she greeted her guests and blushed appropriately at the praise they slipped her in their congratulations.
Beside her was Yu Hongxi, clad in her usual red. Her mature beauty was a clear contrast to her daughter’s, but her status was naturally intimidating.
Side by side, the two looked more like a pair of sisters than mother and daughter.
Lu Qing’er smile was cordial enough, until she spotted Li Luo.
And then her smile was syrup-sweet.
Li Luo and Jiang Qing’e moved forward and handed their invitations to the waiting ushers, then they bowed slightly to Yu Hongxi. “Li Luo and Jiang Qing’e of House Luolan offer our congratulations.”
Yu Hongxi’s smile never wavered as she flashed it on the pair, although her calculating eyes did linger on Li Luo for a brief moment more.
He was very much like Li Taixuan.
And also like Tan Tailan.
Thinking of the two brought complex feelings to the fore. She laughed lightly. “We are graced by your presence. Please, head on inside.”
Her attitude was neither too warm nor cold.
“I’ll show you in,” Lu Qing’er said happily.
Yu Hongxi immediately turned her sharp disapproval on her daughter. “You are the main host tonight. There are still guests to be seen. You intend to leave and ignore them? Churlish.”
“I’m not even doing anything here.” Lu Qing’er protested irritably.
Li Luo cut in with a smile. “Hey, see to your guests. We’ll catch up later inside.”
He turned and ascended the stairs with Jiang Qing’e.
Lu Qing’er tore her eyes away wistfully, only to find her mother’s fixed on her. “More guests, Mother,” she said emotionlessly.
In a flash, Yu Hongxi’s smile was back in place, greeting her guests as she put her daughter’s troubles aside for the moment.
Inside, Li Luo and Jiang Qing’e had walked into the villa, which was lit with a tasteful arrangement of lamps and chandeliers. They blended into the cosy chatter of the lively crowd.
“Well? What do you think of Yu Hongxi?” Jiang Qing’e asked.
“Somehow, I have a bad feeling. I feel the pressure from her,” Li Luo admitted. Yu Hongxi might have a flawless smile, but Li Luo was, nevertheless, uneasy.
“Well, she’s a Duke after all. One of the stronger ones here in the Xia Kingdom. Not to mention her control of the Golden Dragon Bank. Wealth itself is power. Even the First Princess has to show her respect—don’t be fooled by her beauty,” Jiang Qing’e pointed out.
“Still, she feels a little… cold, to me. Or rather, disinclined?” Li Luo mused.
The corner of her mouth twitched. “It’s your fault for looking like your parents. If there’s someone who could break Yu Hongxi’s heart, it would be those two.”
Of course, she had sensed another reason, which she wasn’t about to mention to Li Luo.
He felt like wringing his hands helplessly. Putting the last generation’s troubles on the next? Yu Hongxi might be a real female empowerment role model, but she still had some pettiness in her…
…is what he would only say in his mind, but never out loud.
“Lu Qing’er’s changed a little as well,” Jiang Qing’e said, changing the subject. “Her frost aura is much purer than before. If I’m not wrong, her resonance has risen to an eighth-grade now.”
Li Luo halted mid-step. “Eighth-grade ice resonance?”
It was his first time hearing of someone close to him raising their resonance from the seventh to the eighth-grade. It was a huge gap to close.
Those without his talents could only consume a limited amount of spirit liquids and purifying lights. If Lu Qing’er had reached the eighth-grade, that meant that she must have consumed seventh-grade spirit liquids and purifying lights from the moment her resonant palace opened.
“Well, it’s no surprise. Seventh-grade spirit liquids and purifying lights are expensive, but probably not to the president of the Golden Dragon Bank.
“If she wills it, Lu Qing’er could have a waterfall of seventh-grade spirit liquid if she so wishes.”
Li Luo sighed. There was no other way to describe Yu Hongxi but “filthy rich.”
If only he could command the Golden Dragon Bank. His dual resonances would probably already be at the seventh-grade.
As they talked, their feet had carried them to one of the most brightly lit pavilions, where a familiar figure stepped out.
“I saw you two earlier already. What are you talking about?” a pleasant voice asked.
Li Luo looked up to see a willowy figure with a royal bearing. Who else but the First Princess?