A large celebration in honor of General Jing Yuan's birthday was arranged by the rest of the officials within the court. As the General's personal liaison at the party, it was your job to make sure that everything ran smoothly.

"Mingye, did you make sure that all the decorations were in the fifth shade of red from the third row in the swatch book? That is the General's complimentary color." You strictly interrogated, inspecting the decorations individually, with a terrifying precision. Scoffing at the disappointing quality of the scarlet silkworm cloth, as it was embroidered with the wrong shade of gold. You threw the embroidered cloth on the ground and instructed a lower official to haul it off. 

"Of course, Court officer Y/N. As per your request, the 1000-year peach blossom wine and entrées from 'Heavenly cooks' restaurant have been delivered promptly." Mingye bowed as he answered your stringent line of questioning. 

Your no-nonsense attitude had been brought about by a recent poor review of your last banquet, held in the name of the divination commission's Fu Xuan. She had only given you a 9 out of 10 for the lack of proper ambiance and feng shui from the door to the dining table. 

Her exact feedback that night was, "Lackluster, I divine that all the leaves upon a wilting branch will produce the same rotted fruit. Your performance will be forever noted by the divination commission." your eyes began to twitch at the mere mention of Fu Xuan's existence. 

Determined to show Fu Xuan the error in her divination you vowed to make this banquet the best the Luofu had ever seen. With less than an hour until the celebration was scheduled to begin, you checked in with the performers. Inside the room was a crew of beautiful women, all dressed in ethereal white, flowing garments, luxurious hair pins, and golden sky woven instruments. 

"Alright everyone, make sure to give it your all." The troupe leader invigorated the performers, as they laughed and sang in preparation. Seeing your frame in the doorway with dull slicked back hair and a stoic expression, the troupe leader made a small jest towards your appearance, which got the entire band of performers to chide you with snarky laughs. 

These girls were eloquent enough to hide their smiles behind beautiful translucent cloths, you admitted that even to you, it was as if these women were descendants of The Beauty themself. Any being would be foolish to ignore such alluring charm.

You didn't care, ignoring them and walking away. All they had to do was put on a good show for all the guests, it mattered not if they respected you, for their performance was more a reflection of them than you. 

Turning back from the doorframe you neglected to watch where you were headed as you slammed into a soft wall, knocking you back slightly. Looking up for a moment you were greeted by the close proximity of the General's golden eyes and pearly skin. He had leaned in close to you, not unnoticed by Yanqing, or the troupe leader Bai Qing. 

"General, it is not proper to sneak up behind someone." You scold him, but he only laughs. 

"Indeed, it is my fault, Y/N." With a close-eyed smile, his calm demeanor was cut by a stern glare from none other than his right-hand Yanqing. Yanqing noted the lack of formalities that the General used. 

"General, you should not apologize to Y/N, it is against the court's etiquette." Yanqing added crossing his arms over his chest, puffing it out in front of you to garner a reaction. 

"Play nice, Yanqing. For you know that you are also in violation of such etiquette for not having bowed in their presence. Y/N's status is that of a minister's descendant, and court official." Jing Yuan added, continuing his lecture, he began about Yanqing's impulsiveness and how his impatience and strong headedness often will get him to trouble. 

Though the young boy was already getting into a debate with the liaison. 

You weren't about to take such disrespect from a child who looked no older than a middle schooler. "Yanqing. I'm afraid your patrol duty will interfere with the banquet; it is a pity you will miss it." You gave him a false smile. 

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, master Y/N. The General insisted I attend and leave my post during the celebration." he mocked, giving you a half-assed bow, smirking as he got under your skin. Yanqing was a cousin of yours, one who was always in competition with you for your grandparent's attention. Though your rivalry was fiery, the two of you still managed to maintain a descent friendship throughout it all. 

"Wonderful." You dropped your smile, not bothering to hide your irritation, though you digressed, returning to your professional, and respectful, attitude. You instructed Yanqing of his position within the banquet's roster, as he would be seated on the right-hand side of the General.

With a small brush-off, he thanked you. "You're doing well, I suppose, keep it up." He muttered, before returning to the General's side. His indifferent compliment gave you a smug feeling, knowing that you were possibly winning over the impulsive successor to the General's position. 

---x---

The beginning of the banquet was accompanied by the dulcet tune of the ten flower ring harps and the 500 stringed zither. Their melodies were said to have made immortals cry and relinquish their immortality to hear them again. 

For women with such scornful hearts, you applauded their heavenly music for its ability to swoon the entire banquet hall in a serene ambiance. Even the noble Fu Xuan herself seemed to be at peace, despite the hectic work that never truly eluded her. 

As the performers swarmed into the hall, floating down from lotus pedestals above the large circle amidst the banquet tables the court cheered.

"Nice work with the performers Y/N." Jing Yuan complimented, keeping his focus on you, despite the beautiful women rearing for his attention. 

You noticed the focus he placed on you, he barely took his gaze off you. Only looking away in favor of grabbing a sip of the peach blossom wine, which he seemed pleased with. 

"The 1000-year peach blossom wine, from your first year as a soldier in the cloud knights. I asked Mingye to fetch it from the storage racks in the barracks." You noted, smiling at your efforts.

"You remembered." The general smiled, unlike his close-eyed, playful grins, there was a content written in his soft gaze. He longingly twirled the jug of wine in his hands and began to reminisce fondly. 

"Of course." You whispered, to no one but yourself, turning away quickly. As your face began to heat up, you noticed how unusually hot it was in the banquet hall. 

Perhaps Jing Yuan felt the same way, you turned to him, and noticed how you were too lost in thought to sense that he had asked something of you. Holding out his hand for something, you sufficed to offer him your hand. 

After placing your hand in his he looked to you with surprise, you regretted it soon after, blushing furiously, and attempting to drag your hand away. The General, now seemingly intoxicated, brought your hand down to his level, forcing you to kneel beside him as he held onto you.

Sweating an ungodly amount of perspiration your eyes twitched in confusion as the General continued acting oddly. He continually stared at you throughout the dance and continued to grasp your sweaty palm in his hand. Occasionally switching grasps so he could continue drinking more wine.

Though it embarrassed you, you were remiss to say that it bothered you. His attention made you swoon, it made your heart flutter. 

 "I think you've had quite enough, General." Yanqing reprimanded, moving the wine away from the General and towards himself. Cringing at you and the affectionate General, who despite his efforts was being completely obvious. 

The performers were less than pleased to lose the attention of the most prominent figure among the Luofu, to none other than a simple Liaison, it was an insult. The lead troupe member, Bai Qing gracefully leaped towards the General's table, using a translucent cloth to sway the General's gaze in her direction. 

Taking the wine, she poured more into the General's cup, blowing on the wine as if it were hot, despite its frigid temperature. This irritated you enough to snatch the cup from her grasp and cool it off yourself, though the power of your ice prowess left the cup completely frozen, you gently slammed it back onto the table. Quietly throwing the jug of wine behind the general's neatly organized desk. 

Turning back to the performer with a bitterly forced smile, your lips twitched, and the bridge of your nose scrunched up. Jing Yuan noticed and laughed at your gestures, finding them oddly cute.

 Bai Qing got the message and bowed before exiting the Hall with her troupe, they all returned to their room within the court. Though, occasionally coming out to play beautiful musical pieces and entertain some of the officials. 

Though Bai Qing was not done, beginning an unwarranted dance, as if to challenge you. The music picked up in pace, and she became more and more outwardly flirtatious in order to attract the general's attention, and since you'd pried your hand away from the general's he was giving it to her. Somehow you felt an envy gathering in your chest. 

Jing Yuan rested his arm upon his leg, letting it hang off his knee as he leaned back on his other hand enjoying the music. His focus now centered on Bai Qing's impromptu figure, elegantly prancing around the hall. 

You stood up, and felt the music guide you in towards the center of the room, raising your arms in competition with the professional dancer. You noted that you must've looked quite silly, but to your surprise Jing Yuan and Yanqing began to cheer for you, clapping and encouraging you to continue. With a hardy laugh you continued, no longer in competition with Bai Qing, but for yourself. 

Suddenly the rest of the officials were laughing about the competition between the two of you or were too drunk to notice. The night was late, and you noticed how even Bai Qing seemed to be having a fun time dancing against you. 

"A worm likes to dance in a garden of roses. This battle was fun, but you've lost." Bai Qing concludes as she bows to the court before taking her leave. 

The music, however, does not stop, as TingYun continues a beautiful harmony. The court enjoying the final performance that was about to begin. You turned to the visage of the General, adjourned in his white uniform -only without the armor- approaching you swiftly. He takes your hand and places the back of your hands together, starting a duet.

The General, although skilled, knew nothing of the art of dance, and thus began with the most eloquent sparring move he could come up with. His support made you laugh, as you began to dance gracefully, with him using the more fluid and liquid motions of his martial arts forms to compliment you. As he displayed a strength and poise you always envisioned of him, he smiled, but only while staring at you. 

As the night concluded this time once and for all, Jing Yuan held your hands in his, the two of you still before the other members of the court. Dismissing all etiquette, he closes his eyes and kisses you, holding the back of your neck gently but firmly to hold you there with him, pressed against his body.

 "General!" Yanqing screeches in protest.

Slightly biting his bottom lip as he begrudgingly removes his lips from your soft touch, he leans on you, passing out.

Completely wasted, the General is escorted through the brisk autumnal night to his quarters. Once the two of you were out of sight of the other officials he returns to his normal composed demeanor. 

"I can't believe you did that! Before all the officials- You were profoundly drunk. Jing Yuan!" You berated him, as he smiled throughout your rant, you calmed down enough to stare at his bemused expression and sighed in defeat. 

"It was presumptuous; however, I was not drunk. It takes quite a bit to make me tipsy." he chuckles, tucking a small strand of your hair behind your ear. Running his hand down your face, his hand lingers around your cheek. The General's touch was gentle, so soft, as if he were afraid to hurt you. 

"I am tempted to do it again." He admits. "Though, it is late." You gulp in slight disappointment, but you nod and bow before the General.

"I take my leave, Jing Yuan." You smile.  

---X---

Though you have left, the night for the General was not over, as he summons Yanqing to his side. "Fire that performer, I am not an endorser of those who disrespect Y/N. Scare her if you must, but just make sure she does not make the same mistake again." Jing Yuan orders with a cold hostility that resonates in his eyes, glowing menacingly. 

"Yes, General." Yanqing swiftly leaves to berate and frighten the disrespectful girl. 

The general smiles, reminiscing your touch, and eagerly anticipating the next banquet. 

---X--

A/N: Wah! All the Chinese wuxia dramas I've been binging have finally rubbed off on me. There is no such flustering as that of a stoic general's teasing. Till the End of the Moon, I blame you for my sleepless nights! Darn you Tantai Jin!!

Thank you all for reading, and GL to all the Jing Yuan wanters to become Jing Yuan havers with patch update!!