Devil Mask Master

04. The Banquet

Night had fallen, and with it the long-anticipated banquet was about to begin. The vast residence of the Guo Family glowed with warm lamplight, the fragrance of roasted meats and perfumed wine drifting into the courtyard, luring guests toward the grand hall.

One after another, the invited families arrived. Heads of households entered with their wives, sons, and daughters, each dressed in splendid regalia to display the honor of their lineage. The men came in robes of silk, embroidered with dragons and cranes, their posture stiff with pride. The young women, powdered and adorned with jade ornaments, walked gracefully, each hoping to outshine the others in beauty.

The servants of the Guo Family, clad in pale green uniforms, guided the guests into their places. No one was neglected. Every noble guest, whether of high or modest standing, was received with courtesy, their seats arranged with the precision of ritual.

The young masters gathered at their own table, clad in luxurious hanfu of varying colors—red, blue, and black, their sleeves embroidered with the sigils of their clans. They exchanged sly glances, whispering among themselves as they measured each other’s worth. Behind them, at a respectful distance of five cubits, sat the young ladies. Their laughter tinkled like bells, though not all smiles were sincere. Some faces were cool, acknowledging greetings only with a polite nod, their gazes sharp with hidden rivalry.

Suddenly, the clear voice of a herald rang across the hall:

“Master Guo Jin and Madam have entered the banquet!”

The words echoed through the chamber, and all eyes turned. The guests immediately rose, bowing their heads toward the most honored figures of the Guo Family.

Guo Jin, tall and broad-shouldered despite his age, entered with dignified steps. His wife, Madam Huo Rong, followed gracefully by his side. Four maidservants, dressed in pale yellow chiffon hanfu, accompanied them, their heads lowered in perfect discipline.

Though both were in their fifties, Guo Jin and his wife carried themselves with vitality. Their smiles shone as they acknowledged each guest, nodding gently as if to share their joy with everyone present. Tonight, their pride was a beacon brighter than the lanterns themselves.

Behind them walked Huo Rong’s younger brother, Huo Lin, and his wife Shen Ming. Together, they trailed the hosts toward a table reserved at the head of the hall.

Guo Jin stepped forward, raising both arms high. His voice rang with authority, echoing from wall to wall.

“Lords and Ladies! Honored Young Masters and cherished Maidens! I, Guo Jin, on behalf of my household, welcome you all to this humble residence. I thank you for gracing this banquet with your presence!”

His words were met with a resounding chorus. The guests clasped their fists and bowed in unison.

“You are too kind, Master Guo!”

Guo Jin’s broad grin deepened. “Yes, yes, yes.” He chuckled warmly, then lifted a brass goblet shaped like a small bell.

At once, a servant stepped forward, pouring golden rice wine from a pale-blue ceramic flask until the goblet brimmed with fragrant liquid. Guo Jin held the cup in both hands, lifting it high above his head.

“Let us begin this night of joy with a toast together!”

The crowd rose once more. Every guest raised their cup, and together they drank until each vessel was emptied. The hall filled with the sharp scent of wine and the echo of satisfied sighs.

“Come, sit, honored guests! Tonight, let us share food and laughter!” Guo Jin commanded cheerfully.

“Come, come!” several voices echoed, and the crowd returned to their seats, laughter rising anew.

Now Madam Huo Rong stepped forward, her smile as warm as her husband’s. “Please, honored guests, enjoy this simple fare. Forgive us if any dish falls short of your tastes. We have prepared with all our hearts, yet we fear it may not be enough.”

“Nonsense!” said Lady Shi, matron of the Shi Family, shaking her head with a gentle smile. “This is more than we could have hoped for. Everything is splendid.”

The dishes were unveiled, each one carried with reverence by servants: roasted fowl glistening with honey glaze, steaming fish cooked in ginger broth, towers of dumplings stuffed with pork and herbs, trays of glistening fruit, and cakes dusted with powdered sugar. The fragrance alone was enough to make stomachs stir.

But amidst the laughter and feasting, curiosity soon surfaced.

“Excuse me, Brother Guo,” spoke Xiao Jun, the dignified head of the Xiao Family, seated near the young master Yu Shan. “Might I ask what occasion has prompted such a grand and sudden banquet?”

“That’s right,” added Shi Gao, patriarch of the Shi Family and future in-law of Yu Shan. His deep voice carried a note of intrigue. “We, too, were surprised by this generous invitation with such little notice.”

Guo Jin stroked his long beard and chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “Ah, forgive me for the suddenness. Truly, it was not meant to trouble anyone. This banquet is nothing more than an expression of gratitude, an offering of thanks for the grace bestowed upon my family by Heaven itself.”

“A gift from Heaven?” Shi Gao arched a brow. “What gift could warrant such splendor, Brother Guo?”

“Could it be,” Xiao Jun leaned forward, lowering his voice, “that it is as the rumors say? That your son, Han’er, has been promoted by His Majesty? They say he has become a general. Is the news true, Brother Guo?”

For a moment Guo Jin was silent. The hall seemed to hold its breath.

Then, he chuckled again, pride glinting in his eyes. “It seems nothing escapes your notice, Little Brother Xiao. Indeed, the news is true.”

A ripple of surprise and admiration swept across the hall. Murmurs rose as the guests exchanged glances, their earlier suspicions now confirmed.

Guo Jin lifted his cup once more, his smile wider than ever. “Yes, my Han’er has been appointed as a general of the Chu Empire. Though he cannot be here tonight, guarding the southern fortress as commanded by His Majesty, we, his family, must celebrate on his behalf. And so, I thank you all for sharing this joy with us!”

The hall erupted in applause and cheers. Cups were raised, laughter filled the air, and the banquet truly began.

But beyond the walls of the Guo Family’s radiant hall, shadows stirred. Not all who watched the celebration came bearing goodwill. And as the wine flowed and the laughter grew louder, the night outside grew colder, darker, waiting for its moment to strike.