The story of Gu Jinshu and Yu Wenchao begins after she accompanied Zhu Jiayu to buy jewelry at a gold shop.
After being mocked by Yu Wenchao outside the shop that day, Gu Jinshu returned to her residence. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. After pondering for a long time, she finally decided on how to get revenge.
Although they were still in the period of great mourning, the ladies and young women in Yujing City had only a few pastimes. After a while, they inevitably began to miss the good old days of feasting and revelry. So they would privately make friends with a few friends to enjoy flowers and the moon. Because the scene was not big, they did not disturb others.
Gu Jinshu followed suit, inviting Zhu Jiayu and Song Jiangmei, and also making an appointment with Yu Qinglan.
She already knew that Yu Wenchao and Yu Qinglan were not blood-related siblings. Although Yu Qinglan's family background was considered upper-middle class in Yujing, her branch was only a collateral line of the Yu family. Yu Wenchao, on the other hand, was from the direct line, the eldest son of the Yu family, the most prestigious family in Xijun, and was said to have already been appointed as the young master of the family. His trip to Yujing was partly to escort his cousin to her wedding, and partly because the head of the Yu family had entrusted Yu Qinglan's father to find him a noble lady of suitable age and family background.
So she specifically told Yu Qinglan that if Yu Wenchao was free, she was also allowed to bring her cousin to the banquet. After all, Zhu Jiayu had previously been introduced to many ladies from prominent families by Madam Xiao and Madam Ning, and she might be able to talk about the young ladies of various families quite well.
As for Song Jiangmei, there's no need to say more. She's a clever and shrewd person. After taking over the Nie family, she became on good terms with many of the ladies. If Yu Wenchao has someone he likes, she can help him make some plans.
Fearing that Yu Qinglan might not understand her good intentions, Gu Jinshu specially asked Luo Ying, who was delivering the invitation, to embellish her words and relay them to Yu Qinglan's maid.
"I just don't believe that Yu Qinglan would refuse to bring her cousin to the banquet after I've made myself so clear." Gu Jinshu gritted her teeth.
When Yu Wenchao arrives, she will naturally have a way to play a good trick on him to avenge the grudge from that day.
She was quite confident about the Yu siblings attending the banquet. Of course, this confidence did not come from her intelligence and beauty, but from the fact that she had already investigated the Yu family's affairs.
Madam Yu was a woman of detached nature; she never attended gatherings among ladies or banquets with relatives and friends. She herself had no interest in such mundane matters, so how could she possibly have the mind to concern herself with the affairs of others?
I heard that Yu Qinglan's marriage was arranged by her aunt.
But Yu Qinglan's aunt is not Yu Wenchao's aunt. It's a favor that she helped Yu Qinglan with her marriage, but what does it mean that she planned this for Yu Wenchao?
As for Lord Yu, needless to say, he does have a wide circle of friends, but the problem lies in the fact that his circle of friends is too wide. People from all walks of life, from the most religious sects to the most common professions, can all be guests of honor at his residence as long as their temperament suits his taste.
It's because the head of the Yu family is far away in Xijun, and we don't know his character, that we dared to entrust our son's marriage to him. But now that Yu Wenchao has come to Yujing, he knows the truth. In that case, even if Lord Yu dares to bring his nephew to find a noble lady, the nephew probably won't dare to accept.
The more Gu Jinshu thought about it, the more she felt that her performance was truly unprecedented and unparalleled. Even the most flawless act couldn't compare to her elaborate scheme.
However, Mulan, one of her most loyal maids, was not so optimistic about the matter.
Although her princess had gone to great lengths to set a trap for Young Master Yu, almost digging up his entire family history and relatives, she had a vague feeling that Young Master Yu wouldn't fall for it so easily.
However, an important quality of a loyal head maid is to never dampen the spirits of her master.
So even though she was very worried about this matter, she still flattered her princess with a happy expression: "Your Highness's plan is ingenious, you will definitely be able to invite Young Master Yu to the manor!"
Gu Jinshu nodded, then glanced at her again: "Do you even need to tell me?"
But she waited and waited, but instead of receiving news that Luo Ying had returned with Yu Qinglan as promised, she was greeted first by Yu Wenchao's servant.
The servant, led by Zhui Lu, entered the hall and bowed to the noble princess, saying, "This humble servant greets Your Highness. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Before Gu Jinshu could ask a question, the servant said, "I am here on the orders of the young master to reply to the princess's invitation. The young master said that during the period of mourning, it is not appropriate to drink and make merry or hold a banquet. As a member of the imperial family and a noblewoman, the princess should set an example and must not do such disloyal, unfilial, unkind, or unjust things."
After the servant finished speaking, he bowed again, stepped outside the door, and turned to leave the princess's residence.
Gu Jinshu blinked, turned to the maids and asked, "What did Yu Wenchao say about me?" She repeated the servant's words in disbelief, "Disloyal and unfilial? Unrighteous and unjust?"
"Does Yu Wenchao know who he's talking to?!"
Mulan and Qiuju exchanged a glance and said in unison, "This Young Master Yu has gone too far!"
"Yes, Princess, you must teach him a good lesson!"
Gu Jinshu rubbed her temples: "Do you even need to tell me that?"
But she can't even see Yu Wenchao now, so how can she teach him a lesson?
Zhui Lu brought out four meat dishes and four vegetable dishes, along with four kinds of pastries and soups, from the kitchen, including crystal pork, crystal chicken, spiced pork belly, shredded smoked chicken, almond tofu, kidney bean cake, sweet melon and lotus root, and lotus leaf porridge, to serve Gu Jinshu her meal. However, Gu Jinshu waved her hand and told her to leave.
She couldn't eat.
After learning the reason, Zhui Lu smiled and offered advice to her princess: "If you want to invite Young Master Yu out, there are plenty of ways. Why be so fixated on holding a banquet and sending invitations?"
Gu Jinshu tilted her head: "Then tell me, what other methods are there?"
Zhui Lu stopped talking and only said, "Princess, you have already eaten. I will tell you then."
Having no other choice, Gu Jinshu ate quickly for a while and then begged her to speak.
Zhui Lu then said, “You invited Young Master Yu to the Princess’s residence for a banquet, but he refused to come. Why doesn’t the Princess use someone else’s name? Does he not have any friends in Yujing? Even if he doesn’t, why don’t you fabricate an identity and name, claim that you are in love with him, and invite him to meet at a teahouse? Would he refuse?”
"Of course, to avoid gossip or complications, the letters and items sent must not come from the princess."
Gu Jinshu nodded: "I know what's important. You've explained it so clearly, why don't I just leave it to you?"
Zhui Lu smiled and agreed, and then coaxed her to eat some food.
A few days later, Zhui Lu finished writing the letter and sent it to the Yu residence.
As she had previously stated, the letter first expressed her feelings and then arranged to meet him at Yongcui Tower on Yong'an Street. Although she did not leave her name or background, the affection in it was so deep that not only Yu Wenchao, but even Gu Jinshu, a woman herself, was deeply moved.
She clenched her fist: "I refuse to believe we can't get a date with Yu Wenchao this time!"
——————
Actually, I don't know how long each side story will be, but I can confirm that it won't exceed ten chapters. I can't write that many _(:3」∠)_. The side couples featured in the side stories will also be marked in the chapter titles. You can skip any you don't like~ And all the side stories will be completed before the 20th of next month!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com