Banquet table

  Next thing was that Princess Pinghu led the three of them into the warm pavilion. As princes, they couldn't enter without an elder's accompaniment, as it was full of female attendants inside, which would be presumptuous.

  After the host and guest had exchanged pleasantries, Princess Pinghu was eager to know which one was Gu Yuqie. However, in front of so many noblewomen and ladies, she couldn't show too much concern for Gu Yuqie, so she could only announce the start of the banquet. Secretly, however, she instructed a palace maid following her to discreetly point out Gu Yuqie and her mother to her.

  Gu Yuqiu ate very little, not to maintain the image of a noble lady, but because the people around her made her feel eerie and uncomfortable, like sitting on pins and needles, where was the appetite?

  Zhang Wan-yi had already sat down in the front with her mother, and she naturally wanted to occupy a good position, so that she could be closer to her good cousins. Gu Yu-gui and Liang Shi made their first appearance, sitting in the corner, but they didn't feel that the Hou Mansion was looking down on them... In fact, it was indeed looking down on them. The servants in the Gong Mansion had never seen Liang Shi and Gu Yu-gui before, and they thought they were from Jiangnan, although they were from the Hou Mansion, but this Hou Mansion was just a nouveau riche after all, and couldn't compare to those deeply rooted aristocratic families. The eyes of these servants were also very discerning, and they would rather offend the nouveau riche than offend the aristocratic families.

  Moreover, the Liang family and Gu Yuqiu were attending this kind of gathering for the first time, and they didn't know that there were still some rules to follow in the seating arrangement. If it were other thoughtful noblewomen, they would have made arrangements beforehand to make sure their own position was as close to the front as possible. As a result, Liang, who held the title of First Rank Imperial Consort, ended up being seated behind some Second and Third Rank imperial consorts.

  In the previous life, Liang's family was still ill and would not have had the opportunity to bring Gu Yuqie out to attend such gatherings. Gu Yuqie's stunning debut in the capital was all her own successful planning.

  Now Gu Yuqie knew that their seats were arranged too far back, but she thought it was okay. The Liang family had just arrived and wouldn't care about such things, so the mother and daughter were clearly being neglected by the people of the Princess's residence.

  Zhang Wanxi understood in her heart, but when she saw Gu Yuqie and her mother's ignorant and unaware appearance, she felt even more contemptuous and disdainful. People from the countryside are just that - people from the countryside, being treated lightly like this without even realizing it. It wasn't just Zhang Wanxi who thought this way; other respectable madams also couldn't help but look down on Liang Shi and Gu Yuqie. As for Gu Yuqie's previous reputation in the capital as a talented woman, it was nothing more than that. What use is talent if you can't manage a household? She would soon fade out of the nobility's sight.

  Yun Ke sat beside Yun Yi, and also stole a glance at Gu Yu Qiu. She was arranged too far back, couldn't see clearly, he didn't dare to look closely either, but somehow felt that in this life, Gu Yu Qiu seemed to have changed a bit.

  He met her for the first time in the last life at Huguo Temple. At that time, she should be slightly older than now, and her gaze towards him was stunning and fiery, not as shy and evasive as it is now. What's wrong? Yun Ke's mind floated with an idea again, could it be that she really came with memories of the previous life just like herself?

  This idea shocked him at first, but the more he thought about it, the more possible it seemed.

  He didn't have an empress in his previous life. Before he passed away, he secretly had Gu Yuqie's ashes buried beneath his coffin.

  As for why he did this, he couldn't explain it clearly either. He just felt that this woman was too enchanting and had pestered him relentlessly when she was alive. Even after her death, she still made him remember her for decades, saying something about never seeing each other again in this life or the next. But he insisted on suppressing her. After all, he was the emperor, the master of the world. Whether to see someone or not was his call, not Gu Yuqiu's!

  Why was he entangled by her for half his life, she said come and go, said let go and let go, a fire burned herself, but left him to bear decades of thoughts.

  Luckily, Gu Yuqie didn't know about this either, otherwise she would probably vomit blood.

  Princess Pinghu glanced at the mother and daughter under the silent indication of the palace maids, her gaze sharp. At a glance, she knew that someone in her own household had taken bribes. She had always prided herself on being impartial, but didn't expect such things to happen under her own nose, where a first-rank noble title was placed behind a second-rank one, which was simply an insult to her face. However, since it was during the banquet, in order to maintain the reputation of the princess's household, she couldn't make a scene and could only wait until everyone dispersed before pulling out those slaves who had taken bribes and giving them a good scolding. As for those noblewomen and ladies who had sneaked into the empty seats, they would be classified as people with whom she would no longer associate in the future.

  The princess was worried that the Liang mother and daughter would hold a grudge against her due to the seating arrangement, but seeing them sitting peacefully in the corner without any discontent or resentment in their eyes, she couldn't help but feel more affection towards Liang and Gu Yuqiu. After all, this was her banquet, and the servants had made such a big mistake; if someone else were to make an issue of it, it would be the princess's mansion that would lose face.

  Li didn't expect that there would be so many twists and turns, nor did she know that her unintentional actions had already won the princess's favor. She was like Gu Yuqiu, not feeling very comfortable with this meal, always feeling that many eyes were focused on her and Gu Yuqiu, making her feel a bit uneasy, and she didn't know what she had done wrong.

  The mother and daughter both had their own concerns, neither of whom let go of eating, they were all just a taste. Their behavior fell into the princess's eyes, adding points not less.

  It wasn't until after lunch that the cold wind also became mild under the warm winter sun.

  Princess Pinghu led a group of princes, noblewomen and ladies in a grand procession out of the warm pavilion, strolling back and forth along the small path between the plum trees.

  Every year, the scenery in this plum forest is the same, but everyone still enthusiastically supported Princess Pinghu's show.

  Everyone is a seasoned old fox, naturally understanding what Princess Pinghu is thinking in her heart. As people get older, they love excitement and matchmaking... Those three imperial sons, as elegant as jade trees, are accompanying them on the side, including one who is the current crown prince. Who wouldn't have some small thoughts? Just looking at their own daughter being favored by those few imperial sons, in the future, she'll soar to great heights, marrying into the royal family, that would truly be a life of boundless wealth and glory.

  The noblewomen had this idea, and the noble girls were no exception. They just couldn't show off because of their status and upbringing, but those little eyes still occasionally drifted towards the three handsome princes, and they couldn't help but make some comparisons in their hearts.

  The Crown Prince is dignified and elegant, with bright eyes and clear eyebrows. He's undoubtedly the first choice, even if he already has a crown princess, it would be great to be his concubine, who knows, maybe one day she'll become an imperial consort or noble lady. The remaining five princes have always been known for their good temper, always smiling with open eyes and brows, looking like a refined gentleman. The seventh prince is the most handsome among the three, but he has an aura of intimidation that makes people not dare to approach him, making him difficult to get along with. However, his icy gaze is as captivating as ice sculpture, although it's chilling, it's fatally attractive.

  Gu Yuqiu followed closely behind her mother, using her mother's body to shield herself.

  Even though she was a distance away from Yun Kui, she could still feel the chill emanating from him, which was even colder than the winter in the capital.

  Zhang Wan-yi walked ahead, dignified and elegant. Among the many noble ladies, her appearance was not the most striking, but her movements were impeccable. Gu Yu-qiu gazed at her slender back from afar, silently sighing.

  Princess Pinghu led everyone in a circle and then invited the noblewomen to play flower cards in the warm pavilion, her intention was very clear, letting these younger generations relax. This is the princess's private residence, no outsiders will come in, so the noblewomen are also happy to be idle, following Princess Pinghu to the warm pavilion, before leaving they couldn't help but give their own daughters some advice and reminders.