By the hour of You.
Yun Xiangye carried Xiao Nuonuo out the door. Just as she reached the entrance, she overheard the laughter and chatter of the maidservants Zhuyi and others in the courtyard.
Lanyi said, “Who would have thought the consort’s appearance would be so utterly ordinary? In Chang’an City, where beauties are as plentiful as clouds, her looks can barely be considered average.”
“What kind of a consort is Yun? Back when our heir married Yun, it was only for a marriage for good luck. With Yun’s status, how could she ever be worthy of being the heir’s consort?”
“Now that the heir has returned to Chang’an, will he divorce Yun?”
“Isn’t it obvious? The heir will definitely divorce Yun. Chancellor Lin’s daughter grew up with the heir, and at nineteen, she still hasn’t been betrothed. Isn’t she waiting for our heir? She’s the one who truly matches his status.”
“I actually think the young lady from the Wei family, the heir’s cousin, is a better match for him. Miss Wei is of noble birth and is the niece of the current empress. She hasn’t been betrothed all these years and has been staying in our mansion to care for the old madam. Isn’t she waiting for our heir too?”
“If Yun looked like a celestial beauty, it might be one thing, but with looks that barely qualify as pretty… Hah, if she attended banquets at other households as the heir’s consort, wouldn’t she be laughed at?”
“The heir will surely divorce her, demote her to a concubine, and marry a noblewoman instead.”
Listening to the maidservants’ words outside, Yun Xiangye clenched her fists tightly.
What a Gu Yan. So, in Chang’an, he had already attracted two noblewomen.
Run’er said, “Those insolent servants are truly going too far, Miss. You should go and complain to the young master…”
“Complain? I’m afraid Gu Yan himself thinks the same way.”
To this day, Gu Yan had only just revealed his identity to her. He hadn’t even bothered to prepare her in advance, which only showed how little he cared about her.
And these were Gu Yan’s personal maidservants.
Run’er whispered, “But I don’t think the young master would necessarily want to demote you to a concubine. If he really intended to, he wouldn’t have brought you back to Chang’an or allowed you to attend the family banquet…”
Yun Xiangye took a deep breath. Gu Yan might not be thinking of demoting her to a concubine, but he was still utterly inconsiderate.
Yun Xiangye glanced at Xiao Nuonuo beside her and finally swallowed her anger. She pushed open the door, took Xiao Nuonuo’s hand, and went to the front courtyard to find Gu Yan.
As soon as Yun Xiangye entered the front courtyard, she saw several tall, noble-born young men speaking with Gu Yan.
When they noticed Yun Xiangye approaching, the young men all turned to look at her, their gazes openly appraising her appearance and attire.
Gu Yan walked over to Yun Xiangye and whispered to her, “The one in purple is His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Yun Xiangye looked at the man in purple. He stood tall and straight, with exceptionally handsome features. Unsure of how to properly greet him, she simply knelt and said, “Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
“There’s no need for such formalities, sister-in-law,” said Crown Prince Zhao Cheng.
Gu Yan helped Yun Xiangye up and introduced her, “This is Wei Qian, heir of the Wei family; Zhao Rui, Prince of Xiang Commandery; and this is Xie Shian. They are all my cousins.”
Faced with these outstanding young men before her, Yun Xiangye could only nod to each of them in turn as a greeting.
At this moment, she no longer cared whether her etiquette was proper or not. After all, any embarrassment would reflect poorly on Gu Yan as well.
Gu Yan picked up Xiao Nuonuo beside him. “Nuonuo, call them Uncle.”
Little Nuonuo obediently called out, “Uncle.”
Xie Shian chuckled lightly and pinched the chubby cheek of little Nuonuo. “So well-behaved. This is a longevity lock from your uncle.”
Xie Shian took out a small golden lock and put it on little Nuonuo.
Yun Xiangye quickly said to Nuonuo, “Hurry and thank Uncle.”
Little Nuonuo said somewhat shyly, “Thank you.”
Crown Prince Zhao Cheng took off a jade pendant from his waist. “Uncle didn’t prepare a gift specifically for you. This jade pendant is for you to play with.”
Little Nuonuo glanced at Yun Xiangye, and only after Yun Xiangye nodded did she dare to accept the jade pendant.
Gu Yan smiled lightly at Yun Xiangye and said, “It’s already the hour of you. Let’s go to Jiangyue Pavilion for dinner.”
Yun Xiangye took her daughter back from Gu Yan’s arms and followed closely behind Gu Yan and the others. She noticed that the distinguished young men ahead were discussing court affairs and political matters.
Yun Xiangye didn’t understand and had no desire to understand.
The sky gradually darkened, but lanterns hung along the path from Qingfeng Garden to Jiangyue Pavilion, making it quite bright.
Upon arriving at Jiangyue Pavilion, it was even more brilliantly lit, and the room was already filled with people.
Unlike the strictly regulated banquets Yun Xiangye had imagined for noble households, the banquet at the princess’s residence was exceptionally lively.
“Yan’er, it’s been a long time.”
Yun Xiangye heard a man at the head of the table speak.
Gu Yan cupped his hands and bowed, saying, “Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress.”
Upon hearing this, Yun Xiangye quickly knelt down with Gu Yan. “Greetings to Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress.”
The Empress smiled gently and said, “Rise quickly. You must be Xiangye, right?”
Yun Xiangye hadn’t expected to see the Emperor and Empress on her very first day in Chang’an. The Emperor exuded an imposing aura of the ruler of the world without showing anger, while the Empress was extremely gentle. Yun Xiangye tried her best not to feel afraid.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I am Xiangye.”
The Empress said softly with a light smile, “Young ladies from Jiangnan are truly delicate and lovely.”
Yun Xiangye lowered her head and said, “Your Majesty flatters me.”
Gu Yan took Yun Xiangye’s hand and led her aside to introduce her to the relatives present. “This is my youngest uncle and aunt.”
Yun Xiangye followed Gu Yan to a couple. The aunt’s appearance was exceptionally beautiful, showing that everyone in Gu Yan’s family was remarkably good-looking.
“Uncle, Aunt.”
Gu Yan’s aunt chuckled lightly and took out a brocade box, handing it to Yun Xiangye. “It’s my first time meeting you. This is a meeting gift for little Nuonuo. I hope you won’t find it unworthy.”
Yun Xiangye said, “Thank you, Aunt.”
Gu Yan led Yun Xiangye to another couple. “Aunt, Uncle.”
Yun Xiangye looked up at the couple before her and said softly, “Aunt, Uncle.”
Gu Yan’s aunt smiled gently and said, “So well-behaved. I’ve also prepared a meeting gift for you and Nuonuo.”
A maid behind Gu Yan’s aunt stepped forward and presented a brocade box.
Yun Xiangye hurriedly expressed her thanks.
Yun Xiangye followed Gu Yan to meet many more relatives and only then realized how numerous Gu Yan’s family connections were. After greeting them one by one, she finally sat down with Gu Yan to dine.
Yun Xiangye carefully observed the dining etiquette of others and only then imitated Gu Yan’s manner of eating. The princess’s residence had many rules.
Gu Yan occasionally fed little Nuonuo beside him. Little Nuonuo had just learned to use chopsticks on her own and made a mess while eating, still needing to be fed.
As the banquet progressed, Yun Xiangye found herself focusing solely on feeding little Nuonuo. She had little interest in eating the lavish spread of dishes on the table.
After all, the room was filled with the most esteemed figures of the flourishing Great Sheng Dynasty. Until now, she could hardly believe she had the privilege of dining alongside His Majesty.
The banquet lasted for nearly two hours before concluding.
After the banquet ended, Yun Xiangye did not wait for Gu Yan, who was still conversing with the Crown Prince and others. Instead, she took her daughter and returned to Qingfeng Garden. Having seen the Emperor’s face for the first time, she needed some time to collect herself.
Yun Xiangye’s only impression of the imperial family came from her cousin, who had been selected twelve years ago to serve as a palace maid in her maternal uncle’s household. By now, her cousin would be around twenty-five, nearing the age when she could leave the palace.
When Yun Xiangye came to Chang’an this time, she had wondered if there might be a way to spend some silver to contact her cousin—to let her know that the family was waiting for her to leave the palace at twenty-five and reunite with them.
Who would have thought that before she could even consider spending money to inquire about her cousin’s whereabouts, she had already met the Emperor himself?
Back in Qingfeng Garden, Yun Xiangye returned to her room. The long journey had left her weary, and the nightmare she had this morning had left her in a cold sweat. She should have bathed and freshened up, but today, Yun Xiangye lacked the energy for it. Although the room was warmed by a charcoal fire, it was still winter.
Lying on the bed, she sang a lullaby to soothe her daughter to sleep, her thoughts in disarray.
Seeing her little daughter fast asleep, Yun Xiangye was about to drift off when the door was pushed open.
Gu Yan entered and approached Yun Xiangye’s side, saying, “The twelfth month in Chang’an is truly cold.”
As Gu Yan moved to join her on the bed, Yun Xiangye stretched out both hands and pushed him off.
Gu Yan grasped her hands and pulled her into his embrace, asking, “Are you still angry that I kept my identity from you?”
Yun Xiangye replied, “Your maid already told me—you have another residence. Don’t come to my room.”
Gu Yan frowned. “What other residence?”
Yun Xiangye furrowed her brows slightly, lowering her voice to avoid waking her daughter. “Your maid said you won’t be staying with me. After all, you plan to take concubines in the future—surely you wouldn’t bring them to my room for intimacy?”
Her sharp gaze fixed on Gu Yan. “Though I come from humble origins, I will never allow my husband to take concubines. Since you intend to do so, you might as well write a divorce agreement. Tomorrow morning, Nuonuo and I will leave the Princess’s estate.”