In the blink of an eye, it was An Ning's birthday. In ancient times, it was a big event for a girl to come of age, so generally wealthy families would hold a grand coming-of-age ceremony for their daughters. Even ordinary people would put a hairpin on their daughters on the day of their coming-of-age ceremony to indicate that their daughters had become adults and could get married.
An Dashan and Gao had already notified their relatives and friends to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for An Ning. On this day, An Ning's grandmother's family and An Dashan's uncle and aunt all came. Even the villagers with whom An Dashan had a good relationship were invited.
Because it was in the countryside, the coming-of-age ceremony was not so formal. An Ning changed into a new set of clothes, and her grandmother Wang personally combed her hair and inserted the hairpin given by Gu Qingxuan into her hair. A simple coming-of-age ceremony was completed.
After the coming-of-age ceremony was completed, relatives and friends all sent their blessings. After An Ning thanked them one by one, An Dashan notified everyone to start the banquet.
The An family's banquets were always rich, with all kinds of chicken, duck, fish and meat on the table, and both the host and the guests enjoyed the banquet.
After the coming-of-age ceremony comes the Little New Year. Once the Little New Year begins, the family starts to get busy. This year, with the help of apricot blossoms, An Ning feels a lot more relaxed.
Moreover, Xinghua can also make some fried food that An Ning can't make, which surprises An Ning very much. Gao Shi just sits back and waits for the ready-made food.
An Ning gave the workshop a holiday starting from the New Year. The servants didn't expect to have a holiday and were very happy. They thanked An Ning profusely.
Gu Qingxuan also returned to the capital before the New Year's Eve. He went back to the Duke of Ying's Mansion in the capital, washed up, changed his clothes, and then went into the palace to report to the emperor.
The emperor looked at Gu Qingxuan, who looked increasingly haggard due to the haste of the journey, and asked, "Did you have a smooth journey?"
Gu Qingxuan nodded and said, "It's going well. Under the rule of the emperor, the Dayong Dynasty is becoming more and more prosperous, and there are fewer robbers on the road."
This flattery was just right, and the emperor was so pleased that he smiled and said, "Is the little girl from the An family really so good? You can't forget her so much that you even went to Beichuan County before returning to the capital."
When Gu Qingxuan heard the emperor mention An Ning, his expression softened and he said, "Princess Yongjia is doing well."
The emperor looked at Gu Qingxuan, smiled, and said, "Ever since your father knew you were getting married, he was so happy that he stopped traveling and came back to the mansion early to prepare for your wedding. He also asked me for a lot of good things. You really don't take your reputation seriously the older you get."
Gu Qingxuan smiled. His father and the emperor grew up together, so there was no need to explain their relationship.
The emperor and Gu Qingxuan chatted for a few more words and then started talking about business. After they finished talking about business, the emperor let Gu Qingxuan leave.
When Gu Qingxuan came out of the imperial study, he was taken to the East Palace by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince had already prepared a banquet. The two drank and talked about the past. When An Ning was mentioned, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince praised her highly. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said, "Princess Yongjia is a rare good girl. She is not only smart, but also very brave."
Gu Qingxuan looked at the prince in surprise. This man was not one to praise others easily. He did not expect that An Ning would be so highly regarded by him. He asked, "Is the prince familiar with Princess Yongjia?"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince smiled and said, "Of course I am familiar with him. The father and daughter of Lord Rongchang and Princess Yongjia saved my life. If it weren't for them, I don't know if I would be able to sit here and drink with you."
Gu Qingxuan became even more curious and said, "Oh, is there such a thing? Tell me quickly."
The Crown Prince told the whole story from beginning to end. After listening, Gu Qingxuan smiled and said, "I didn't expect Princess Yongjia to have such skills."
The prince nodded in agreement and said, "You have found a treasure. Although Princess Yongjia does not have a family background, I will never forget her contributions to the Yong Dynasty."
The two of them clinked glasses and drank for a while before Gu Qingxuan got up and went home.
When he got home, Gu Qingxuan's father, the old marquis, was sitting in the main hall of the main courtyard waiting for Gu Qingxuan.
Gu Qingxuan bowed to the old marquis and said, "Father, why haven't you gone to rest yet?"
The old marquis looked at Gu Qingxuan and said, "I waited for you here on purpose. Did the emperor make things difficult for you?"
Gu Qingxuan shook his head and said, "The emperor was very happy to see me and did not embarrass me. Why did father ask this question?"
The old marquis sighed and said, "The news of your request for an imperial decree to grant marriage spread out, and the third princess was very angry. She ran to the imperial study and cried to the emperor, but she was scolded by the emperor and punished to go back and reflect on her mistakes."
Gu Qingxuan frowned. The third princess was about the same age as him and he often went in and out of the palace when he was a child, so she always followed him around. However, he always treated her as a younger sister and had no romantic feelings between them. He didn't expect that the third princess actually had feelings for him.
Gu Qingxuan said, "The emperor didn't mention this matter. I think he doesn't want the third princess to have anything to do with me."
The third princess and the second prince are sisters from the same mother. The emperor has his own considerations. He does not want to have any relationship between Gu Qingxuan and the second prince, so it is absolutely impossible for him to marry the third princess.
The old marquis nodded and said, "I know what the emperor means, but because of this incident, we may have made enemies with the Second Prince's lineage, so you have to be more careful in the future."
Gu Qingxuan nodded. As the prince's companion, he and the prince had been in the same boat for a long time. The third princess was determined to marry him, and there must have been some connivance from others.
The father and son talked for a while and then went back to rest.
Gu Qingxuan tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep for a while. Unable to sleep, he got up and walked to the window, pushed it open, looked at the full moon in the sky, and couldn't help wondering what An Ning was doing at this moment. Maybe this is the feeling of missing someone!
At this time, An Ning was also lying on the bed, and she couldn't help but think of Gu Qingxuan. In her past and present lives, this was An Ning's first time falling in love, so naturally she was a little obsessed.
An Ning couldn't sleep, so she went back to work in the space. Now the space has been developed by An Ning, and more than 300 acres of land are planted with various crops. An Ning planted two acres of land, and then she felt a little tired. She left the space, lay on the bed, and fell asleep in a daze.
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