The empire of Han had been influential among its neighbors since the beginning of Long Dynasty.

This autumn, the congregation of nations would occur in the imperial palace of Han. This gathering happened once every four years and was traditionally done ever since the Han Empire was established.

It was the time when all wars would cease for a few months and different rulers of independent and vassal states alike would gather to discuss the possibilities of stopping wars and forming ties. Trading routes, trade goods, territorial borders, and other governmental issues would also be part of the discussion.

This would be a closed-door meeting and security was at its finest during these times.

Some of the biggest nations though would only send representatives and not their Emperors or Kings.

Hong Chun learned that the congregation would occur two months from now so delegates had started pouring in Hanjing over the past few days.

"Father, does that mean you'll be busier more than ever?" Hong Chun's younger brother, Hong Ting asked.

He was two years younger than his sister but in this house, he was still called Xiao1.

"Actually..." Father Hong looked at Mother Hong.

Hong Shu Cao had skin the color of wheat as he came from a family of farmers and his countenance could be said to be handsome especially during his younger years.

Back then, his family sold everything they could just for young Father Hong to attend a good academy and pass the civil service exams.

Mother Hong had been his secret lover even when he was still a student.

Yi Bing came from a family of common scholars. They had a fair amount of wealth so they wouldn't look at the young student surnamed Hong unless he passed the civil service with high marks.

And so he did and their marriage was arranged. His score wasn't the highest but his hard work was respected by the Yi family.

From a peasant farmer, Father Hong was now a fifth-ranked official in the Department of Rites.

That was an achievement only those who really worked to the bones could achieve.

Twenty years of their marriage and there were still no concubines or secondary wives inside the Hong villa.

This was proof that not every man in this kind of period couldn't stay monogamous. Hong Chun knew that Hong Shu Cao was an exceptional and kind man.

"Actually what?" Hong Chun went ahead and asked.

It was Mother Hong who answered. "Your father is assigned to go to Mei Le province and oversee the construction of a temple there."

"Construction? But Father's from the Ministry of Rites." Hong Chun was confused.

The ministry was in charge of the state ceremonies, how come he would be sent to a faraway place to supervise the construction of some temple?

"A'Chun, this... The head minister is now looking for officials to be promoted. And this just might be his way of testing candidates. Also, I'll be there to be the person in charge of opening the temple to the public so it's not really the construction I'll look after. There's an official from the Public Works to do that."

Upon hearing this, Hong Ting asked, "Oh, I see! We're finally going on a vacation?"

The husband and wife looked at each other again before Mother Hong sighed.

Shaking her head, her next words would disappoint the young man.

"Xiao Ting needs to focus on studying. Or else you'll lose the opportunity to enter the preliminary exams this spring. As for A'Chun, your father and I talked about it. There will be marriage discussions soon so you have to stay. As for me... I'll also have to stay with both of you."

Hong Chun could see that Mother Hong had a hard time saying her last sentence.

"But Mother, Mei Le province is your hometown. For how many years have you not visited our Uncles and Aunts there?"

This question was on point as Mother Hong gave a small sad smile.

"Don't worry about that. Your father and I can't just leave you two here in the capital-"

"Aiya, don't you trust us? Xiao Ting practically lives in his academy. Me, I can stay in Mao Zhen's house all day. What's there to worry about?"

Hong Ting had a disappointed look and was about to complain but Hong Chun kicked his knee under the table. This effectively shut him up.

Hong Chun knew just how much their parents missed their hometown but they couldn't go there because of their duties here in the capital.

Now that there was an opportunity, it would be a shame to let go of this.

"How about your marriage talks?" Mother Hong raised an eyebrow at her.

Hong Chun scratched her chin. She also wanted to postpone this matter and she was seen through.

"I'm sure the person in your mind won't disappear so you can arrange it after this trip. I swear I won't make any fuss by then! I just need time to prepare myself."

Mother Hong seemed satisfied with this mature answer. "Aiya, you two have grown up so fast."

"You should leave the duty of managing the house to A'Chun, dear. It'll be her practice so we won't be picked on by our in-laws." Father Hong suggested.

"Ah, yes. Let's do that." And they proceeded to plan for their trip.

Hong Ting kept grumbling on the side so Hong Chun had to appease him.

"I'll cook sweet and sour pork for you tomorrow." She whispered to him.

The young man lifted his head and raised three fingers. "Cook for me three days in a row!"

Hong Chun flicked his forehead. "Tsk! Alright!"

After a while, Mother Hong couldn't help but ask. "A'Chun, we brought up the topic of marriage. Aren't you the least bit nervous or curious?"

She really found her daughter odd sometimes. She always went with the flow and showed no signs of the rebellious nature young people tend to have.

Hong Chun shook her head. "Whoever it is, I trust Father and Mother's judgment. I'm confident you won't give your only daughter to an old man!"

Hong Ting snorted at this statement and the table was filled with laughter.

Although she was a person incapable of deep feelings, Hong Chun had come to like this simple family.

As for marriage, she already prepared herself a long time ago. Knowing the culture of this world, she would never dream to choose how she lived.

She could joke about it because the reality was there was no escaping it...

Dinner ended and they went back to their own courtyards.

Hong Chun was reading a book when she heard the door creaked open.

"Mother?" Sometimes, the word still felt alien on her lips.

But she had to adapt.

Yi Bing looked at her daughter. To her, she was the most beautiful girl even if some people would always try to compare Hong Chun to ladies of other official families.

The whispers failed to escape her ears.

Young Lady Hong is too stiff. She lacked the grace, the ability to make connections. She has no magnanimous bearing. Why does she look so clueless every time? Is she really educated? But we heard Yi-shi was a bright young woman back then! Look at her not married at her age, she'll probably just be an old hag. What good family will pick her?

"Mother is just checking on you."

Hong Chun chuckled. "What's there to check?"

"Well... you never really show what you feel. So I'm thinking maybe you can tell mother when we're alone."

She seemed to be extra careful like coaxing a wounded animal to come to her.

Putting her book down, Hong Chun was uncomfortable with this topic. It was confirmed how great she underestimated the power of maternal instincts.

"Do you trust Mother's judgment?"

It seemed she was asking about the impending doom, err... marriage.

She'd like to answer no. Because when it came to deciding for herself, she didn't want to rely on anyone but herself.

However, refusing this woman outright would be disadvantageous on her part so she played a quiet role.

Yi Bing only saw her daughter's reticent behavior which increased the guilt in her heart.

She thought A'Chun blamed her for refusing to marry her off these past few years. And now that she was twenty, they were only discussing it.

Did she really think it was too late?

She caught her child's hand and lightly squeezed it. "Mother has wronged our A'Chun. But you must know that we only decided to push the wedding now because we want to make sure you'll be married off to a good man."

Hong Chun scanned the older woman's face.

A bit of a smile adorned her lips.

"I have no complaints. I thank both of you for raising me so well. Rest assured, I will follow your decisions. It's the least I can do to show my gratitude."

Mother Hong's eyes went wide at those meaningful words. Covering her mouth, she didn't want to let go of the bubbling sobs.

Even if Hong Chun didn't tell her directly, she understood that her daughter knew she wasn't hers.

With tears, she was also laughing at the same time.

Whoever said my daughter's dumb?!

She never knew just how wrong people could be.