The Shulong Mansion was rarely quiet, but today it buzzed like a beehive preparing for a feast. Servants hurried in and out, balancing trays of crystal glasses, arms filled with lilies wrapped in paper, ladders clattering against marble floors as chandeliers were polished until they shone.
At the heart of the whirlwind stood the lady of the house and the mother of the house- Mrs. Lihua Shulong
Her silk gown was a pale sky blue, her dark hair swept up in a loose knot. Her eyes curved into warm crescents whenever she smiled, and her voice carried the softness of velvet, even as she fretted over every little detail.
"Careful with that vase, Xiao Fen, don't chip the porcelain! Yes, yes, the lilies go by the piano—not too crowded, leave them space to breathe. And—ah, no, the ivory runners don't match, bring the gold ones. We're not hosting royalty, we're welcoming family."
Her tone was so gentle, even when instructing, that the maids scurried faster with fond smiles. Everyone adored Mrs. Shulong.
She clapped her hands together, stepping back to take in the hall. Rows of lilies now lined the staircase and clustered near the grand dining table. White petals curled delicately, their fragrance filling the air.
"Perfect," Mrs. Lihua Shulong whispered to herself. "Lily will feel welcome. She must feel welcome."
Her heart squeezed tight at the thought of the girl—the Liang daughter, suddenly plucked from her world and thrust into theirs. What her husband had decided was final, yes. But Lihua would not allow the girl to feel like a transaction. Not if she could help it.
---
"Lihua, you're overdoing it."
The teasing voice came from the doorway. Min Shulong, her brother-in-law, entered with his wife Chen Shulong at his side. Min Shulong was tall, with streaks of gray in his hair and a perpetual twinkle in his eye, while Chen wore her elegance like armor, her fan snapping open as she surveyed the scene.
"It's a family dinner, not a wedding banquet," Chen added, though her lips curved. "But you do have an eye for beauty, Sister-in-law. These lilies are exquisite."
Lihua only laughed, a melodic sound. "A girl named Lily deserves lilies at her first dinner here. Don't you think so, Brother Min?"
Min Shulong chuckled, adjusting his sleeves. "If my wife were named Peach, I would have planted an orchard for her. So yes, I think it's fitting."
"Ha!" Chen nudged him with her fan. "And yet I see no peach orchard outside my window."
The servants chuckled under their breath at the couple's banter as they continued their work.
---
Soon, more voices joined the mix. The head of the Shulong house Grandpa Shulong Ren, entered the hall with his cane, his wife Grandma Suirin Shulong steadying his arm.
"Too many flowers," Grandpa Ren grumbled, squinting at the arrangements. "Smells like a funeral."
"Oh hush," Grandma Suirin scolded, swatting his arm lightly. "It smells like life, you old goat. Let Lihua make the place lovely. The poor girl must be frightened out of her wits, marrying into our storm of a family."
Grandpa Ren harrumphed but did not argue, and the old couple settled onto the lounge chairs, watching the younger ones bustle around.
---
Then came the cousins. Shulong Minghao, Weimin's eldest son, strode in, all broad shoulders and easy confidence. He tossed his jacket on the armrest and plopped into a chair.
"Mother, do we really need all this fuss? She's just one girl."
His younger sister, Shulong Lifen swatted the back of his head as she passed, her long braid swinging. "She's your future sister-in-law, idiot. Show some respect."
Minghao yelped, glaring at her, but before he could retort, a voice chimed down the stairs.
---
"Respect is good, but music is better!"
All heads turned as Meilin, Jinhai's youngest sister bounded down the grand staircase, her pink ribbon bouncing in her hair. Just turned eighteen, one year younger than Jinhai, she carried with her the youthful energy of spring, always giggling, always dreaming.
She landed with a flourish, arms spread wide. "I have an idea! Hire a pianist for tonight!"
"A pianist?" Lihua tilted her head, curious.
"Yes!" Meilin's eyes sparkled. "Don't you know? Lily's going viral right now. She sang at the gala the other night—half the internet is reposting her video. Her voice—it's like magic! Everyone's talking about her!"
The hall stirred with interest.
"Really?" Lifen leaned in, eyes wide. "I didn't know she could sing."
"She's stunning," Meilin went on, pulling out her phone to show the video. "If she hears music tonight, she'll feel at ease. She'll feel like she belongs."
The cousins crowded around her phone, gasping at the video of Lily's performance.
Minghao whistled low. "Well, I'll be damned. Our new sister-in-law's a star."
"Language," Mrs. Chen Shulong their mother scolded, though her own eyes gleamed with pride as if Lily were already theirs.
Mrs. Lihua Shulong pressed a hand to her chest, her smile trembling. So talented… and yet forced into this marriage like a pawn. The thought made her ache. Perhaps her daughter Meilin was right. Perhaps music and lilies would soften the blow.
She clasped her hands together. "A pianist it is, then. Thank you, Meilin. You've reminded me what this night should be about—not just formality, but warmth."
Meilin beamed, practically bouncing on her toes. "Of course, Mom! Leave it to me—I'll pick the pianist myself!"
---
The mansion hummed with life. Cousins bickered good-naturedly, aunts gossiped about the Liang family's impending arrival, grandparents chuckled at the chaos.
It was a picture of happiness, of unity.
And yet, in the quiet corners of her heart, Mrs. Lihua the groom's mother still grieved.
Her eldest son, Lihyun, had locked himself in his room for days now. She could still see his face when her husband announced the engagement—the way his jaw had set, his eyes dark with a grief too heavy for a boy his age. And though her youngest, Jinhai, tried desperately to fill the halls with light, even his laughter could not fully drown the sorrow pressing in.
So tonight had to be perfect. If Lily was to walk into this storm, Lihua wanted her to at least feel the warmth of family—something to hold onto amidst the whirlwind.
She glanced at the lilies one last time, her eyes misting.
"For you, child," she whispered under her breath. "For you, we will give utmost love."