The celebration officially began with the arrival of the birthday girl, declared by an orchestra that serenaded her arrival.
Yu Hongxi watched the festivities proceed with an approving eye, then she turned to look at Lu Qing’er. She was currently surrounded by many eligible young men. Zhu Xuan, Ning Zhao, Wang Hejiu—they were all excellent prospects of her age.
“Keke, President Yu, what do you think of my boy?” The house lord of Jiyan, Zhu Qinghuo, walked up to her.
“Zhu Xuan has exceptional potential.” Yu Hongxi smiled.
“Ahh haha! I think he’s a fine match for Qing’er.”
“Let’s not meddle in their affairs,” Yu Hongxi said, shaking her head. “If they are really interested, we can always support them later.”
Zhu Qinghuo gave a nod of understanding. Yu Hongxi’s reply was vague but not a direct refusal. Which meant that if Zhu Xuan was interested in Lu Qing’er, she would not object.
That was enough.
Zhu Qinghuo raised his glass smilingly. The power of gold and status that the Golden Dragon Bank commanded was immense. Closer ties would naturally be welcome for House Jiyan.
Of course, the grand prize would be courting Yu Hongxi herself. A pity that this matron was a deadly and shrewd mind that even he did not dare to cross casually.
She touched her glass to his. “The Golden Dragon Secret Keys being given out this time are also to select some fine youngsters to accompany Qing’er into the Golden Dragon Dao Fields. Going through tough experiences brings youngsters closer together.”
As a House Lord, Zhu Qinghuo naturally understood her meaning. “Yes, indeed! Don’t worry, President Yu. I’ve already told my son to do his best.”
Yu Hongxi smiled and nodded. In truth, she had had the same exact conversation with many other excited parents already.
She had noticed her daughter’s soft spot for Li Luo, which was only getting mushier by the day.
Of course, she was against it. Her own enmity against Li Luo’s parents aside, the simple fact that Li Luo and Jiang Qing’e were already engaged was enough to get a firm no from her.
Whether the engagement was merely in name or otherwise.
However, her parenting wasn’t that unsubtle either. She knew that an ultimatum to stay away from Li Luo would only stoke rebelliousness.
The way she saw it, Lu Qing’er liked Li Luo because there hadn’t been much competition in the Tianshu Province.
Here at Xia City, the heart of the Xia Kingdom, talents teemed like carp in a river.
With some nudging on her part, Lu Qing’er would soon be exposed to many great talents of her age, and her feelings for Li Luo would be diluted accordingly.
Such was her subtlety.
For example, the Golden Dragon Secret Keys…
If young men like Zhu Xuan and Ning Zhao could get the keys and accompany Lu Qing’er, they would definitely become much closer. Who knows? Perhaps Lu Qing’er’s feelings for Li Luo would eventually fade away.
Trouble saved for her, and for Lu Qing’er’s future.
An ideal outcome.
As for Li Luo getting the Golden Dragon Secret Key… The kid was just a first-tier Resonant Master. Whereas Zhu Xuan, Ye Qiuding, Ning Zhao, and many others were already at the third tier.
The kid couldn’t be that strong, could he?
…
“Qing’er, happy birthday.”
Wang Hejiu was all charm and sincerity before her. “I hope we can separate matters of school from outside life.”
She did not like him very much, but Lu Qing’er would not show it here and now. She gave him the minimum effort smile-and-nod and then turned away.
After exchanging some inane pleasantries with Zhu Xuan, Ning Zhao, and the others, her eyes flicked up. “Excuse me, I’ll go greet other guests.”
Zhu Xuan and the others nodded courteously, and she moved with a spring in her step towards Li Luo.
Wang Hejiu watched her go and sighed. “She’s gone to Li Luo again, hasn’t she? They’re very close in school.”
Ning Zhao frowned. “Qing’er and him must be just normal friends. They came from Southwind Academy together. It’s understandable that they’re close.”
Wang Hejiu fanned himself lightly. “Perhaps. But I hear Qing’er sometimes buys Li Luo breakfast in school.”
Ning Zhao was looking less sure now.
“She must be clinging on to familiar things from the Tianshu Province. Once she’s used to life here at Xia City, her thinking will change,” Zhu Xuan said.
“Getting a Golden Dragon Secret Key and accompanying her into the Dao Fields will definitely be an opportunity to help that change along,” he declared confidently.
Ning Zhao eyed Zhu Xuan with new wariness. As Two Star Hall peers, he knew Zhu Xuan’s qualities well. If Zhu Xuan got his chance with Lu Qing’er, his own chances would slip.
“That President Yu. Why would she do this key thing…” he grumbled to himself. His own father was highly placed in the Golden Dragon Bank, just below Yu Hongxi. Like Lu Qing’er, he too had direct access to Golden Dragon Secret Keys whenever he wanted. Without this contest, he would naturally go in with her to train, and perhaps open the door to her heart.
But Yu Hongxi had made it an open competition, and now the solitary oak had many other trees to compete with.
Still, no amount of resentment was going to change Yu Hongxi’s decision. Soldier on.
…
While each was plotting his courtship, Lu Qing’er had reached Li Luo’s side, glass in hand.
“Greetings, Your Highness, Senior Jiang.” Lu Qing’er smiled at the two girls, raising her glass in welcome.
“Junior Qing’er.”
Both turned to the birthday girl with warm smiles.
Li Luo raised his glass as well.
“There are too many guests today. I’m sorry I cannot be a more attentive host,” Lu Qing’er said politely to the two girls. “I also invited Yu Lang, Zhao Kuo, and the others,” she said to Li Luo. “They declined.”
“They would feel a little uncomfortable in such a situation,” Li Luo explained.
These were the aristocrats of the Xia Kingdom, practically nobility. Commoners like Yu Lang and Zhao Kuo would feel like fish out of the water here.
Lu Qing’er inclined her head. “I understand.”
“After the holidays, I’ll get them to celebrate with you again.” Li Luo smiled.
Her eyes lit up briefly, but she hid it quickly. “Let’s talk again then.”
She looked around. “Are you interested in the Golden Dragon Secret Key?”
“Would anyone at the Resonant Master Stage not be?” he answered honestly.
She nodded. She had tried to wheedle one out of her mother, but her mother had flipped it on her by making it a birthday highlight instead.
“Good luck, then,” she managed.
Li Luo nodded lightly.
While they were talking, the First Princess was regarding the calm Jiang Qing’e with some amusement.
This Li Luo was truly a ladies’ man like his father.