Since the present emperor ascended the throne, the ministers have written to him several times asking him to appoint a new queen, but he always rejected them.
So everyone originally thought that this year's love banquet was cancelled, but unexpectedly, Empress Dowager Yuan suddenly summoned the girls into the palace in the afternoon. Soon after, the emperor also ordered people to go to various mansions to convey the oral order, summoning some young men of marriageable age to the palace to participate in the love banquet.
Gu Yanfei, Wei Jiaoniang, Lu Qin and others chose the seats closest to the musicians. After the musicians finished playing the song "The Phoenix Seeks the Phoenix", the storyteller next to them struck the gavel and began to tell the story with his head shaking.
Gu Yanfei divided his heart into two halves, one half was listening to the book, and the other half was listening to Wei Jiaoniang's words: "This love-making banquet has been held for more than 40 years. It is held every year. I thought this year would be an exception."
"In fact, this love-making banquet was originally held by Emperor Taizu to help princesses find their prince consorts."
"Taizu said that his princess is not afraid of not being able to get married, and will not force a prince consort. Whoever is willing can come. He said this is called a blind date. The man and woman must see each other first before knowing whether the marriage will be successful."
"It is said that Princess Changning thought the love-making banquet was not lively enough, so she invited a group of people of the same age to come together. Taizu also thought it was lively for everyone to have a blind date together, so this custom was preserved year after year."
Lu Qin peeled pine nuts and sighed, "Emperor Taizu always had all kinds of wonderful ideas. He was such a wonderful man!"
The storyteller next to him was telling an anecdote about Taizu.
He spoke eloquently from the childhood of Emperor Taizu, saying that Taizu was very naughty when he was young, and at the age of sixteen he fell down a mountain valley, hitting his head and bleeding. He was in a coma for three days and three nights, but after waking up he came to his senses and became a new man.
It is said that Taizu started out as a small constable. In just three years, he became a squad leader and established some prestige in the town.
It is said that at that time, the whole country was in chaos, and a black dragon appeared above Taizu's residence, which was an auspicious sign of the descent of the world. Taizu then rose up in rebellion...
Originally, these stories were well-known to everyone, but today, many people have more or less heard about the "real dragon phenomenon" that appeared in the capital again. Now, when listening to this anecdote again, some people can't help but reveal meaningful expressions.
There were also those like Lu Qin who had entered the palace early and had never heard of it. When they saw Wei Jiaoniang's winking expression, they moved their little faces closer with great interest and whispered, "What's wrong?"
Wei Jiaoniang put her arm around Lu Qin's shoulders, pulled her closer, and whispered into her ear.
Lu Qin's eyes opened wider and wider, her pupils emitting an unusually bright light, shock and curiosity clearly written on her face.
"Is it really a dragon?" Lu Qin asked in a low voice.
"..." Wei Jiaoniang's eyes twitched, and she was too lazy to answer such a stupid question.
The storyteller next to him was already talking eloquently about the black dragon hovering over Emperor Taizu's head, kowtowing three times in a row, and howling three times before it flew away;
It was said that everyone in the town saw the black dragon appear and knelt down to worship it. It was a spectacular scene. It was also said that Emperor Taizu had great ambitions...
Lu Qin naturally understood Wei Jiaoniang's contempt, but was too lazy to pay attention to her. She ran to chat with other girls she was familiar with and asked them if they had heard that a real dragon had appeared in the capital today.
With her help, soon there was a rustling commotion all around.
This matter is really unbelievable. Some people believe it, some are half-believing and some just look at each other without making any comment.
The pleasure boat gradually became noisy, with more and more discussions, until brisk footsteps were heard outside the boat, accompanied by the sound of silvery bell-like laughter and chatter.
"This year's love-making banquet will be held in this painting boat."
"It's much more fun than in the palace."
"That's right."
A dozen noble ladies from the royal family came slowly, escorting Princess Changqing from Prince Jing's Mansion. Each of them looked very excited and talked and laughed happily.
Some girls came forward to greet Changqing and others, some girls stayed where they were and nodded with a smile, and some were just talking to others, pretending they didn't see anything at all.
Chang Qing glanced around and his eyes fell on Gu Yunmeng who was smiling not far away. He smiled sweetly: "Yunmeng."
Changqing walked over quickly and pulled Gu Yunmeng away from Yu Chaoyun and the others.
"I was just looking for you." Chang Qing took Gu Yunyan's arm affectionately and walked towards the front seat, smiling and whispering in her ear, "Am I going to call you the Imperial Aunt soon?"
Changqing is the legitimate daughter of Prince Jing and has been a frequent visitor to the palace since she was a child, so she is well-informed. As soon as she entered the palace, she heard that the Queen Mother planned to set the wedding date for Prince Kang and Gu Yun'er after this year.
Prince Kang and Prince Jing are of the same generation. When Gu Yunmeng became the Princess of Kang, Changqing became her junior.
When talking about her wedding date with Prince Kang, Gu Yunmeng's lips curled up slightly.
A touch of bright light just happened to fall on her beautiful face, outlining her soft and delicate contours. Bits of golden light shimmered in her pupils, making her look charming and attractive.
Gu Yunyan's expression was somewhat tender and charming, but not shy. She said generously, "Changqing, I am still myself. You can call me the same as before."
Even if she married Prince Kang, she would not blindly depend on him. She was Gu Yunmeng first, and his wife second.
Changqing liked Gu Yunyan's true nature, so he chuckled and whispered in her ear, "I dare not."
"Uncle Kang Wang...I can't afford to offend him."
Everyone can see Prince Kang's feelings for Gu Yun'er.
Gu Yunyan pursed her lips with a smile, the dimples on her lips became deeper, and her smile was sweet and affectionate.
They had just sat down when they heard a eunuch standing guard outside report in a shrill voice:
"The Emperor has arrived!"
"The Queen Mother has arrived!"
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
“…”
The emperor in bright yellow dragon robes walked in side by side with Empress Dowager Yuan, followed by Prince Kang Chu You, the eldest prince Chu Yi, and several other princes and princesses. The team was huge. There was also a little girl about ten years old in pink, who was sitting in a wheelchair and was pushed in by palace servants.
She was wearing a pink flowered jacket and skirt with butterflies on it. She had an oval face, fair skin, a cherry mouth, and cute double buns. She was very thin.
The current emperor has few children, only one son and one daughter. This is the only princess in the palace, named Anle.
Everyone stood up and saluted, and while bowing, they all looked at the eldest prince Chu Yi secretly.
Chu Yi had just returned to the capital a few months ago and rarely went out. At least half of the people present had never seen him before, and there was inevitably curiosity and scrutiny in their eyes.
Some people looked back and forth at the eldest prince and Prince Kang, weighing the pros and cons in their hearts.
Thinking about today's "real dragon phenomenon", this love feast obviously revealed something unusual.
(End of this chapter)
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