The palace banquet is halfway through, so take a break.
Little Zhang came to the three sisters of the Gu family and asked, "What are you three sisters talking about?"
Gu Shan pursed her lips and smiled, "It was just a small talk, sister-in-law, please don't take it too seriously."
Xiao Zhang smiled and said, "If you hadn't said it, I wouldn't have been suspicious at all. But now that you've said it, I'm starting to get suspicious. Come on, tell me what you're talking about, so I can join in the fun."
Everyone looked at Gu Shan.
Gu Shan said calmly, "We just secretly chatted about these ladies. When we were young, we were really far behind them."
"Fourth sister, you are too modest. I know your abilities." Xiao Zhang was the first to marry into the Gu family. She had lived with all the Gu sisters and they knew each other well.
Gu Shan pursed her lips and smiled, "Thank you, sister-in-law. We also need to go say hello to Sister-in-law Pei."
"Let's go together, let's go together."
Everyone found Pei Man and started chatting.
In terms of relationship, Gu Ting is naturally the closest to the Queen.
The relationship between siblings cannot be compared to that of outsiders.
As Gu Ting's wife and Lady Cheng'en, Pei Man was also treated warmly in the circle.
However, lately, this enthusiasm has made her a little tired.
Everyone wanted to ask her about the Queen's feelings, but how could she know?
She couldn't guess what the Queen was thinking.
Yet, everyone, for some reason, was certain that she must know the Empress's intentions. Who was the Empress's favorite?
Pei Man was so forced to close the door and refuse visitors in order to avoid the bombardment of the crowd.
There was a palace banquet today, and she entered the palace on time. She arrived very late, so she was lucky not to be harassed.
She felt relieved when she saw the Gu sisters and Xiao Zhang.
"You came at the right time. Those people won't come over if they see you here."
Little Zhang understood. "It feels like the whole capital has gone crazy over the selection of a wife for the eldest prince. Fortunately, we don't have this worry."
Pei Man looked at the girl from the Gu family and whispered to Xiao Zhang: "Did you bring the girl from the Gu Cheng family with you? Although grandchildren don't have to observe three years of mourning, it's not convenient for them to enter the palace to attend the banquet, as it will easily lead to gossip."
After Xie passed away, Gu Cheng, as a son, had to observe a period of 27 months of mourning.
The same goes for Hu.
Their children, as grandchildren, only need to observe mourning for one year according to etiquette.
However, when the family is in deep mourning, it is always unlucky to go out for social events.
There is a palace banquet today, which is even more unlucky.
Fortunately, the Empress Dowager is the aunt of the Gu family, otherwise she would be in trouble if the palace investigated.
Xiao Zhang also looked embarrassed. "I didn't want to bring the girls into the palace, but Sister Hu came to me begging so much that I had no choice. I had no choice but to bring the girls into the palace, just to broaden their horizons."
Pei Man understood, "The girls' youth has been wasted due to the mourning period at home. I understand Sister Hu's anxiety."
Gu Shan was a little embarrassed. "Sister-in-law, you're really something. The girls of the Gu family don't have any chance. Isn't it better to let the nieces stay at home?"
The sister-in-law she was referring to was naturally Mrs. Hu.
She complained, but she was also a little dissatisfied in her heart.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhang grabbed Gu Shan and said, "Fourth sister, how do you know that the young lady from the Gu family has no chance?"
Gu Shan said, "Needless to say, if the Empress values the girls of the Gu family, she would at least bring them to the palace to stay for a few days before the palace banquet so that she can get to know them better."
Little Zhang smiled, "Fourth sister is indeed insightful, it's a pity that Sister Hu can't see through it."
Pei Man excused Hu, "She is confused because of the situation, so we can't blame her."
Gu Shan muttered, "I've become stupid from observing the mourning period."
Mrs. Hu used to be very smart, but after two years of mourning, she became too eager to do things.
Gu Zhen pulled Gu Shan's sleeve and reminded her not to talk nonsense.
Gu Shan covered her mouth and whispered, "Don't worry, big sister, I won't say anything nonsense."
I wouldn't believe you.
Gu Lin suddenly blurted out, "The girl from the Gu family is quite good, why doesn't the Queen like her?"
Everyone was silent.
Gu Lin was dumbfounded, "Did I say something wrong?"
Gu Shan pulled her away and scolded her, "I told you to stop talking nonsense, why don't you learn your lesson?"
Gu Zhen also left.
Only Xiao Zhang and Pei Man were left.
Little Zhang asked Pei Man, "What do you think about that question just now?"
Pei Man lowered her head and smiled, "The Queen has her own considerations. It's not surprising that she doesn't like the girls from the Gu family."
Little Zhang sighed and said, "The old lady of the neighboring Marquis' Mansion once said that the Queen is playing a big game, and we are all pawns on the chessboard. Perhaps the Gu family is not qualified to occupy the position of the eldest prince's wife."
Pei Man smiled and said, "I don't care about these things. It's not my daughter's turn."
"Sister-in-law is so free and easy!"
…
Until the end of the palace banquet, Gu Jiu did not pay special attention to any of the ladies, and did not even reveal any information.
Everyone was feeling very nervous.
They were not familiar with the Queen, so they had no idea what she was thinking.
Gu Mei replaced Pei Man and became a popular girl.
Everyone tried to get close to her.
If we were to ask who knows the Queen's intentions clearly, it would be Gu Mei.
Gu Mei had anticipated this situation. Before the palace banquet was over, she left the palace early and returned home, closing the door to refuse visitors.
Gu Jiu did ask the eldest prince Liu Yu for his opinion, "Do you like anyone?"
Liu Yu shook his head, "No!"
Gu Jiu was worried, "Is there not even anyone I like?"
"They all look like they were cast from the same mold, so it's hard to judge."
Liu Yu spoke the truth.
The ladies were all dressed up, and although each had her own beauty, their words and actions were all equally dignified and proper, making it difficult to judge their temperament.
It is difficult for Liu Yu to fall in love with someone at first sight among a group of ladies.
The experiences he went through made him shed his youthful impulsiveness early on and hide his emotions.
He will be cautious when he likes something.
It's impossible for him to fall in love with someone easily.
If you like someone, it will start with talent, it will start with conversation, and it will never start with appearance.
Whether it is talent or conversation, it requires communication and understanding.
To say you like someone based on just one appearance is too superficial.
Liu Zhao was dissatisfied with his own son.
He felt sorry for Gu Jiu because he had to worry so much and had become so tired and thin.
My son is indeed a debt collector.
"Don't worry about that brat's marriage. He doesn't like this one and he doesn't like that one. Just let him be a bachelor for the rest of his life."
Gu Jiu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
Liu Yusheng has nothing to live for.
I guess he must have popped out from a crack in the rock, which is why his father despises him so much.
Gu Jiu slapped the back of Liu Zhao's hand and said, "Don't talk nonsense. You clearly care about your child's marriage, so why are you saying such harsh words?"
Liu Zhao stiffened his neck and said, "Don't talk nonsense. I don't care about their marriage. They can't even find a wife. They are far behind me in my time. Get out of here. It's annoying just watching."
Liu Zhaote disliked his own son.
Liu Yu rubbed his nose and thought, if you can't afford to offend me, then just run away.
Without the child around, Liu Zhao felt comfortable all over.
There is no need to maintain the dignity of being a father. Just lie down on the couch casually and don't get too comfortable.
When children are around, you have to maintain your dignity. It's tiring!
Therefore, in Liu Zhao's eyes, children are debt collectors, which prevents him from having a relaxing rest time.
Gu Jiu rolled his eyes at Liu Zhao.
"Look how scared the child is. Is there any father like you?"
"Didn't you see the look in that brat's eyes? He couldn't wait to leave. He was impatient with our interrogation."
“You always have to know what your child likes.”
"He has already said that he has no one he likes, so just choose a marriage for him according to your wishes. I guarantee it will be right." Liu Zhao was used to being a hands-off boss and didn't care much about his son's marriage.
Gu Ji was furious and pinched his waist. "There's no such thing as a father like you. You're too irresponsible."
Liu Zhao said angrily, "It's fine to have taken care of him when he was little, but now that he's grown up, he still wants me to take care of him. I'm afraid I'll be exhausted and unable to do it. Besides, he doesn't like me to take care of him. Every time he comes to Xingqing Palace to pay his respects, he looks like he can't wait to leave."
Gu Jiu laughed angrily and cupped his cheeks, "Stingy!"
"I'm just stingy, so what?"
Liu Zhao sat up in one breath, looking angry like a child.
Gu Jiu laughed heartily. "You're really going backwards as you grow older. If you spoke a little more gently, the children would be happy to talk to you more."
Liu Zhao snorted, sulking for a while, biting Gu Jiu's ear and whispering, "Your son is too opinionated. I can't convince him, and I'm too lazy to talk to him."
Gu Jiu couldn't believe it and found it ridiculous, "So you are afraid of losing to your own son, so you are mean to them. You are really..." So childish and terribly so.
"Shh!"
Liu Zhao said seriously, "I have told you my biggest secret, you can't tell anyone."
Gu Jiu smiled and nodded, "I promise not to tell anyone."
Haha, that’s really funny.
Liu Zhao looked depressed. His son was more eloquent than him and left him speechless. Was this funny?
hehe!
It is clearly a great act of unfilial piety.
Liu Zhao was furious.
Gu Jiu laughed so hard that he was out of breath. Seeing that he was angry, he waved his hands repeatedly, "I, I won't laugh anymore. Haha..."
How could Liu Zhao be so naive?
Liu Zhao lay down on the couch and complained, "You know I'm not good with words, let alone scholarly debate. This brat, relying on his own talent, wants to debate with me on statecraft and embarrass me. I'll beat him to death."
Gu Jiu had just tried to hold back his laughter, but upon hearing that, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"You are still making fun of me. You have no sympathy at all." Liu Zhao accused harshly.
Gu Jiu laughed so hard that he couldn't speak and could only wave his hands repeatedly.
It took her a long time to stop laughing.
He coughed twice and then continued, "You should listen to children's thoughts and understand their thinking. Don't think that children are inferior to us because they are young. Children are very smart and have many good ideas. On some issues, they even consider them more maturely than we do."
Liu Zhao was suspicious. Could his own child be so awesome?
Gu Jiu cupped his cheeks and said, "Don't underestimate children. Their future will be more exciting than ours."
Liu Zhao didn't believe it. "Can he surpass you and me? I'm afraid not."
Gu Jiu laughed. "The universe is vast. Even if we spend our entire lives, we still cannot achieve our goals. The future depends on the children to continue to work hard, discover, and explore. Let the flag of the Great Zhou always be bathed in the sunshine!"
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