It's not yet the height of summer, and the lotus flowers in the garden pond are just beginning to bloom, swaying and peering out from the water.
The garden is usually very well maintained, and walking along the flower paths, you can see all kinds of flowers blooming in competition.
Fruits and melons were already laid out at the table, which was neatly arranged along the water's edge. A bamboo trellis stood by the stream, its winding branches covered with wisteria blossoms, creating a purple canopy.
A gentle breeze carried a delicate fragrance, adding to the tranquility and comfort of the gathering.
Princess Ruining, as the hostess of the banquet, naturally went to the pavilion at the head of the table. Knowing that Yaoniang was attending such a banquet for the first time and was not familiar with the people at the table, she instructed Wang Zhilan and Xie Danqiu to take care of Yaoniang.
Xie Danqiu was warm and generous, while Wang Zhilan was dignified and proper. They were close friends with Princess Ruining and their personalities were compatible.
The two women already had a good impression of Gu Yaoniang, and now that Princess Ruining clearly valued Yaoniang highly, they readily agreed and sat down next to each other at the table with Yaoniang in their arms.
The tableware in the princess's residence was exquisite.
The tall, white-glazed, open-mouthed plate is decorated with ruyi patterns and holds seasonal fruits such as loquat, hibiscus, peaches, and cherries.
The fruit had been washed beforehand, and was probably taken out after being soaked in an ice basin. A thin layer of frost covered the surface of the fruit. Even before tasting it, one could already feel its coolness.
A flower banquet is incomplete without flowers. The flowers in the garden are very well grown, and for the convenience of viewing, Princess Ruining also ordered people to place many potted peonies and peonies on the table.
There were also several pots of gardenias at the table.
Most common gardenias are single-petaled, fragrant but small in size. The gardenias displayed at the Princess's residence today are rare double-petaled varieties.
The flowers are pure white like jade, and their fragrance is delicate and subtle, penetrating far and wide. Throughout the gathering, one could always smell that elegant aroma everywhere.
Gu Yaoniang always felt somewhat awkward in front of Xie Danqiu, but she was careful not to let anyone notice.
Xie Danqiu didn't have such delicate thoughts; she just didn't want Yaoniang to always call her Xie Niangzi, finding it too formal, and asked Yaoniang to call her Aqiu.
"I was born in the first year of the Zhenlong era. When were you born?"
“I was also born in the first year of Zhenlong!” Gu Yaoniang didn’t expect that Xie Danqiu and she were destined to be born in the same year and had the same fiancé.
Xie Danqiu was also surprised to hear this and quickly asked, "What month were you born in? I was born in June."
My birthday is May 20th.
"Then there aren't many days left?" Xie Danqiu moved closer to Yao Niang, affectionately taking her arm, and said:
"I never expected you to be a few days older than me. I'm actually calling you 'little sister' today!"
She spoke while laughing heartily.
"You must invite me to your birthday celebration!"
Xie Danqiu was unaware of his past relationship with Yao Niang. Seeing that Yao Niang seemed a little stiff, he assumed that she was just shy and uncomfortable with such closeness on their first meeting.
But that's just her nature; the more shy Yao Niang seemed, the more interesting she found it.
Wang Zhilan tugged at Xie Danqiu's sleeve, signaling her not to frighten Yaoniang.
“Sister Yaoniang, I’m two years younger than you. You can call me by my nickname, Ahan.”
Gu Yaoniang nodded quickly. She really didn't know how to face the warm and cheerful Xie Danqiu.
Even though Xie Danqiu knew that Qin Yuxiu's actions were unrelated to her and that she was completely unaware of them, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.
The guests took their seats one by one. Wang Zhilan sat next to Gu Yaoniang and quietly introduced the people who had come today to her.
Today's guests are all from the younger generation, and I recognize a few of them.
Today, the eldest prince Zhao Yang wore a moon-white brocade robe with gold thread trim, and the dragon-patterned jade pendant that Yao Niang had seen before was still hanging at his waist.
Lu Zhao'an remained taciturn, but Lu Jing'an, standing beside him, glared fiercely at Gu Yaoniang, as if he wanted to provoke her.
Yao Niang quickly turned her head away.
But then he saw a refined young man standing to the side, his folding fan still in his hand, and a beauty mark at the corner of his eye that was very noticeable in the sunlight.
Gu Yaoniang's heart trembled violently!
It was Qin Yuxiu!
After arriving in Shuojing, Yaoniang was busy every day for the past month. Gu Xingzhi sent two invitations to Qin Yuxiu, but received no reply. He was so busy that he forgot about it.
I never expected to see him at Princess Ruining's residence today!
Qin Yuxiu had clearly seen her too. He hadn't expected her to be here. His eyes held a complex mix of emotions: secret joy, anxiety, and fear.
Neither Qin Yuxiu nor Gu Yaoniang expected that their first meeting after their marriage fell apart would be at a banquet at the princess's residence.
Compared to Yao Niang, who was only somewhat taken aback, Qin Yuxiu was more bewildered.
Why did Gu Yaoniang appear at the banquet at the princess's residence? Why was she sitting with Xie Danqiu? What was she planning to do?
Was she resentful that she had betrayed her after gaining power, and that she came to Shuojing with hatred to ruin her marriage?
No way! The marriage is a small matter, but if my deception of the Emperor is exposed, then I'm finished!
She had simply found a better husband and paid back all the money she owed her family. What more did she want? What did she want to say to Xie Danqiu?
I still felt guilty and sorry for her. We grew up together, so we weren't completely without affection for each other.
While studying in Qingyun County, I did sincerely hope for a warm and respectful marriage.
Originally, I thought that Gu Yaoniang was quite pretty, and if she was obedient, I could bring her into the mansion as a concubine.
However, the Xie family would never allow him to have a concubine he grew up with. This matter could only be dealt with gradually and couldn't be rushed. Now that he was severing ties with her, it was for her own good!
Is she really that impatient?
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