The married won from aristocratic families naturally gathered elsewhere, so it’s not surprising that soone like Zhu Pang didn’t receive an invitation.
Zhu Pang found Gu Chengyu particularly annoying tonight, as if he was constantly trying to tease him. It seems he truly got drunk, appearing much more casual than usual.
However, Zhu Pang felt this version of Gu Chengyu to be very amiable, resembling the deanor a young man should have. His previous disposition wasn’t bad, just too composed.
Ahem! In truth, he didn’t want to admit it. Because his mother always praised Gu Chengyu’s calmness and capability in front of him, saying he was favored by the Emperor.
He beca a Sixth Rank at such a young age, so his future was certainly promising. If it weren’t for his lesser background, the matchmakers in the Capital would have long lined up at the Gu Mansion.
A family having such a descendant is like one’s ancestors’ graves emitting green smoke.
His father also couldn’t praise Gu Chengyu enough and said that being friends with Gu Chengyu was a blessing of three lifetis, while disparaging him as worthless.
He felt that his own parents wished Gu Chengyu were their son and harbored disdain for him.
"Of course, I’m going; after all, I received an invitation."
Letting go of his grievances against Gu Chengyu, Zhu Pang began to look forward to the flower-viewing gathering tomorrow.
When Gu Chengyu saw Zhu Pang’s anticipation and the smile on his face, he frowned.
"You’re soon to be married, so you should mind your behavior! Don’t do anything inappropriate."
Zheng Lun imdiately realized Gu Chengyu misunderstood and chuckled.
"You’ve got it wrong; it’s said that Miss Kong will be attending the flower-viewing too, so his interest isn’t just in the flowers."
At the ntion of Miss Kong, Zhu Pang’s face turned even redder.
Zhu Pang muttered, "Am I really that type of person? I just haven’t been to a flower-viewing before and wanted to explore it."
Zhu Pang previously only thought of entertainnt and wasn’t really interested in flower-viewings. This ti he wanted to take the opportunity to see his fiancée.
Hearing this, Gu Chengyu was a bit puzzled. Usually, like Miss Kong, young ladies awaiting marriage spent the three months at ho embroidering their dowries, seldom going out.
However, that’s their business, and he refrained from asking, lest Zhu Pang misinterpret as him thinking Miss Kong was ill-mannered.
"So, you’ve even found out that she’ll be at the flower-viewing tomorrow?" Gu Chengyu teased.
Then, they shifted the topic to discussions about tea taxes and salt permits, and after over half an hour, they left. Gu Chengyu, rubbing his throbbing head, hastily washed up and went to bed.
At the early Si hour the next day, Gu Chengyu took a carriage to the Princess’s Mansion.
The Princess’s Mansion wasn’t far from the Imperial City, and when Gu Chengyu arrived, the entrance was bustling with carriages and horses, creating a lively scene. Their carriage had to queue to enter the mansion.
Gu Chengyu lifted the curtain for a glance, saw the nurous carriages, and dropped the curtain again; finding Zhu Pang and the others would have to wait until inside the mansion.
After about fifteen minutes, Gu Chengyu noticed the carriage was moving.
Gu Chengyu assud they were heading to the outer courtyard since, gender considerations made it impossible to sit face-to-face openly.
"Sir! We’ve arrived!" Ming Mo drove the carriage to the front yard, and the waiting servant took the reins from Ming Mo.
Gu Chengyu got out of the carriage, discovering next to him was a cloistered corridor. The Princess’s Mansion had five courtyards, likely in the second courtyard for entertaining guests.
"Is this Mr. Gu?" At this mont, a man in an indigo round-collared robe, leading a servant, approached, greeted Gu Chengyu, and asked.
Gu Chengyu nodded, "Indeed, it is."
"Mr. Gu! This is my young master, the fourth son!" The accompanying servant explained to Gu Chengyu.
With this explanation, Gu Chengyu understood. This was the Princess’s Mansion, but of course, the Qin Duke had the Duke Mansion.
However, the Eldest Princess didn’t often return to live at the Duke Mansion and usually stayed in the Princess’s Mansion because the elderly madam of the Duke Mansion was still alive.
Originally, as the eldest legitimate son set to inherit the Duke Mansion, the Duke of Qin naturally had high hopes. Yet he married a princess, sothing both the elderly madam and the old Duke of Qin wasn’t pleased with.
The rightful heir should inherit the family business, how could he marry a princess? However, the princess was determined, and the Emperor wouldn’t oppose her wishes; thus, the marriage was decreed.
The old Duke and elderly madam were upset but helpless.
Marrying the princess ant living as an idle nobleman, so after the old Duke passed away, the current Duke of Qin succeeded only to take on a leisurely position.
To have the long-anticipated son beco an idle rich man, how could the elderly madam not be angry? But the daughter-in-law was a princess, so she couldn’t vent on her, only staying sowhat distant.
This was widely known in the Capital, as Gu Chengyu heard from Zhu Pang.
Perhaps the Emperor wanted to compensate the Duke Mansion, the second branch of the Duke Mansion, Qin Zhao, beca Deputy Commander of the Capital Guard Command, a Standard Third Rank with real power.
This fourth son, it’s unclear if he’s from the second or third branch.
"So, it’s Fourth Young Master Qin, I’ve heard so much about you!" Gu Chengyu quickly clasped his hands in greeting.
"Mr. Gu, you flatter , I’ve long admired your talents. Today, Mr. Gu must compose a few pieces for us to enjoy."
"Not at all! My works aren’t refined enough for such esteed attention."
After so courteous exchanges, Fourth Young Master Qin led Gu Chengyu to the Fuyun Pavilion in the second courtyard.
During the walk, Fourth Young Master Qin ntioned that Duke of Qin wasn’t present today, and the male guests were hosted by the Young Master.
Gu Chengyu found this reasonable; given their youth, there was no need for the Duke of Qin to host personally.
Today, Gu Chengyu only brought Ming Mo, as bringing nurous servants to soone’s mansion for a banquet would be inconvenient.
Gu Chengyu and his company passed through the cloistered corridors, reaching Fuyun Pavilion. Gu Chengyu noticed the inner courtyard was only separated by a single door.
The courtyard was large, with a few jujube trees and so ginkgo trees planted. In front, there was even a small lake connected to the inner courtyard, with rockeries throughout. Before he carefully examined the surroundings, laughter was already echoing from a room.
"Mr. Gu! We’ve arrived at Fuyun Pavilion!" Fourth Young Master Qin pointed at Fuyun Pavilion, and Gu Chengyu glanced up at the plaque, reading the three characters of "Fuyun Pavilion".
"Mr. Gu! Let’s head inside!"
Since the Duke of Qin wasn’t in residence, and only female guests at the Eldest Princess’s place, visiting her wasn’t appropriate. The Young Master was of the sa generation, and without any official affairs, there was no need to visit him specifically either.
Gu Chengyu followed Fourth Young Master Qin into the room, astounded by the sheer number of people inside.
Just how many were invited? It seed that all unmarried young n in the Capital were here!
"Gentlen! This is the Imperial Academy Attendant Mr. Gu!" Fourth Young Master Qin introduced to the roomful of young n.
Gu Chengyu scanned the crowd; few seed to hold official posts, though several should be serving as scholars at the Hanlin Academy. Whether they all attended today was unknown.
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