After leaving the Empress Dowager's palace, Ye Caiping went to the Imperial Garden.
The palace was beautiful enough in the past, but today, on New Year's Eve, it's brightly lit and beautiful everywhere. All the lights have been replaced with glass ones, making it as bright as day and crystal clear.
"It's Lady Ye! Greetings, Lady Ye!" Several officials' wives greeted her with smiles and curtsy.
Ye Caiping responded with a smile.
Calling someone "Shuren" (淑人, meaning virtuous and graceful) sounds a bit strange.
Many women in the capital were of the third rank, but because they were married, they were all collectively referred to as "Madam".
Given her current situation—she was married but divorced and never remarried, and she also holds a rank—she is referred to by her rank.
As for Lin Yaxian, she was a commoner without any official rank, so calling her "Madam" was an honor.
The title of "Madam" was quite general in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Officials, regardless of their rank, were generally addressed as "Madam," while commoners were called "Mrs."
“Ye, Ye family…” a startled voice exclaimed.
Ye Caiping turned around and was surprised to see Li Jiaojiao and the Duchess of Pingguo.
Li Jiaojiao was also dressed up today, and when she saw Ye Caiping, she turned pale with fright.
Ye Caiping smiled and said, "Oh, it's been a long time. I didn't expect Miss Li to still have the nerve to attend the palace banquet."
Li Jiaojiao was both angry and shocked. The Duchess of Pingguo pulled her along and gave Ye Caiping a cold glance: "Let's go!"
Li Jiaojiao quickly followed the Duchess of Pingguo and left.
At this moment, Madam Mei walked over, smiling broadly: "Hello, Lady Ye!"
Ye Caiping felt annoyed and nodded perfunctorily, "Hello, Madam Gu."
Lady Pingguo, who had only taken a few steps, stopped and whispered to Li Jiaojiao, "That... is Gu Han's stepmother, Madam Mei."
Li Jiaojiao was startled and turned around to see Ye Caiping chatting with Madam Mei.
Her face darkened, and she gritted her teeth: "Poisonous women really do share the same grudges; they're all in the same den!"
The Duchess of Pingguo had mixed feelings.
Ye Caiping is someone you can't afford to mess with!
She can't afford to offend the Mei family!
How can I help Jiaojiao and Gu Han?
At that moment, a deep bell rang out.
Shen Zhiyan walked to Ye Caiping's side: "The banquet has started, let's go!"
After saying that, he pulled Ye Caiping away.
When Madam Mei saw that Shen Zhiyan was ignoring her, she was so angry that she trembled.
Let them keep holding on, and see if they can still laugh when Shen Manman is in her hands.
Ye Caiping couldn't help but look back at Madam Mei, but Madam Mei didn't follow.
I feel like Ms. Mei is acting strangely today.
......
The banquet was held in the largest hall in the palace.
Empress Dowager Shen sat on the dragon throne with the young emperor.
Ye Caiping sat with the Shen family.
Everyone greeted the young emperor, and with a eunuch's announcement to begin the banquet, the New Year's Eve feast officially commenced.
As the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, dancers entered, and the entire hall was filled with laughter and joy.
Ye Caiping turned around, smiled, and toasted with Shen Zhiyan.
As the first dance ended, the next performance had not yet begun. Suddenly, Marquis Gu of Ningguo stood up:
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Empress Dowager Shen was feeding the young emperor a pastry when she saw him stand up, and she said:
"Commander Gu, is there something you need? Is it forbidden to perform a dance for the Emperor?"
Everyone present laughed.
Father Gu lowered his head and smiled: "No. Your Majesty has a marriage decree, which was bestowed upon me by the late Emperor. On this auspicious day, I would like to add to the joy by presenting the marriage decree."
"What, a marriage decree?"
Everyone present was stunned. What was all this about?
Empress Dowager Shen frowned: "What, Commander Gu wants to divorce his wife and remarry?"
Those present watched Gu's father with great interest.
Ye Caiping had a bad feeling.
Then, Father Gu took out an imperial edict from his bosom and held it high: "No. This is the imperial edict bestowed upon my son by the late emperor, issued in the thirty-second year of Zhengde."
"Your Majesty, my son has now come of age and is ready to marry. Please have someone read out the imperial decree announcing the marriage between my son, Gu Yang, and Miss Shen Manman, the fourth daughter of the Shen family!"
Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent.
Even the band stopped, and Gu's father in the hall gasped.
Shen Zhiyan and the rest of the Shen family immediately turned pale.
Ye Caiping trembled with anger, staring coldly at Madam Mei sitting opposite her.
Now I finally understand what that strange feeling was all about!
And they're even after Manman! What an enormous appetite!
Whispers filled the air: "The Gu family has a huge appetite!"
"Let's not even talk about the Gu family... I've never even heard of Gu Yang."
Such an unknown person appeared so beautifully and married Miss Shen, whose status and position were almost as noble as a princess.
This is absolutely amazing!
Kneeling in the center of the hall, Gu's father felt immense pressure as he was scrutinized by the surrounding gazes.
Yet they still knelt upright and proper.
Shen Manman slammed her hand on the table in anger: "What marriage decree? I've never heard of it before! And which Gu Yang? Do I even know him?"
Sitting opposite him, Gu Yang's face stiffened slightly, filled with shame and indignation. This little bitch, once she falls into his hands, he'll see how he tortures her!
"Manman." Shen Zhiyan's cold voice rang out.
"father......"
Shen Zhiyan glared at her.
Shen Manman had no choice but to grit her teeth and sit down.
Shen Zhiyan's gaze fell indifferently on Gu's father. The Gu family? What a Gu family! It seems they want to disappear from the capital in the most tragic way!
A flash of anger crossed Empress Dowager Shen's eyes as she sat at the head of the table. She sneered, "A marriage decree? Why did the late emperor bestow a marriage upon Gu Yang? What is Gu Yang's occupation?"
Upon hearing this, Mr. Gu blushed deeply.
The meaning is clear: the Gu family is just a middle-class family in the capital, and they are not even worth their attention.
Gu Yang was also an unknown nobody.
Why did the late emperor bestow a marriage upon such a person?
Father Gu said, "Your Majesty... At that time, I protected the late Emperor during his incognito travels and performed a minor service. The late Emperor then bestowed upon me a marriage decree."
The true story is: the late emperor disguised himself as an ordinary wealthy man and went out to solicit prostitutes, while secretly having several guards protect him.
At that time, Gu's father was just an ordinary guard.
That prostitute was one of the top courtesans; she would never look at an ordinary wealthy man and would reject him in every way.
The late emperor was particularly susceptible to this; the more the courtesan refused, the more he would try to win her over, determined to conquer her with his own charm.
Gu's father saw this as an opportunity and stepped forward to offer a plan.
The late emperor was very pleased to have finally won the title of courtesan. On a whim, he decided to reward Gu's father and also arrange a marriage for him.
The late emperor asked him if there was a girl he liked but could not have, and he granted her marriage.
At that time, Gu's father had just married Mei as his second wife, and he was completely devoted to her, so he had no intention of marrying anyone else.
But a marriage arranged by imperial decree is extremely rare, and if he refuses, he might miss out.
So he told the late emperor that he wanted to think about the future generations, but since his child was only two years old, he hoped to find someone who would suit his taste.
The late emperor was in high spirits and, with a flourish of his pen, sent him this imperial edict, leaving it up to him to fill in the name of the woman.
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