Turning to Ming Shu again, she said, “A-shu. May I call you that?”
“Of course.”
Gu Yingzhen’s eyes held a hint of a smile. “You, although you’re a cousin of the Yan family, don’t need to be so cautious. I’m not the petty type.”
Ming Shu smiled softly. “Sister Gu is right. It’s just that I’m new here, and I’m used to being careful. I appreciate you comforting me.”
On first meeting, not knowing someone’s temperament, it’s only right to be cautious.
Gu Yingzhen knew this was reasonable and changed the subject, asking, “Has A-shu had her coming-of-age ceremony yet?”
Ming Shu had celebrated her coming-of-age ceremony on the way to Yunjing, for which Tang Li had complained quite a bit.
Yan Wei had learned of Ming Shu’s coming-of-age date from the chief steward and had deliberately not hurried the journey, allowing Ming Shu to do as she wished.
Ming Shu had also received Yan Wei’s coming-of-age gift: a white jade hairpin carved with peonies in openwork.
But after all, it was a major event in a woman’s life, and though it had passed like this, Ming Shu felt a sense of helplessness and disappointment.
“Just passed,” Ming Shu replied softly.
Gu Yingzhen exclaimed, “Ah!” and called for Chu Cui. “Go fetch the white jade bracelet from my red lacquer wooden box.”
“Since I know about your coming-of-age, I should make up for the gift.”
Ming Shu was flustered. “Sister Gu, my ceremony has already passed.”
Gu Yingzhen smiled. “This is a major occasion for us women. Since I know about it, and I’m not lacking a bracelet, A-shu should just accept it.”
Gu Yingzhen had truly taken a liking to Ming Shu at first sight.
Well, beauty always brings extra joy to those who see it, and Gu Yingzhen didn’t hide her feelings.
Chu Cui brought the white jade bracelet, and Gu Yingzhen insisted on putting it on Ming Shu.
The white jade bracelet slipped onto Ming Shu’s slender, soft wrist, accentuating her skin’s jade-like glow.
Gu Yingzhen couldn’t help but stroke it again.
She sighed inwardly, no wonder men love stunning beauties. Even as a woman, she adored someone like this.
A smile spread across Ming Shu’s lips. “Thank you, Sister Gu, for the gift.”
“Has A-shu been betrothed yet?”
Whoever gets her will be lucky, Gu Yingzhen mused.
Ming Shu touched the cool white jade bracelet and shook her head.
“Not yet.”
Gu Yingzhen’s interest was piqued. Better to benefit one’s own family than someone else’s.
Upholding the fine tradition of not letting good things go to outsiders, Gu Yingzhen began listing the suitable, unmarried men of the Gu family.
Ming Shu lowered her eyes gently.
After running through all the eligible men of the Gu family, Gu Yingzhen came back to herself and noticed Ming Shu’s clear, bright eyes.
She sighed. “But looking at them, I feel they don’t match your exceptional beauty.”
Ming Shu blinked. “The young men of the Gu family are truly outstanding.”
Gu Yingzhen reached out and pinched Ming Shu’s cheek. “In five days, Princess Yiyue is hosting a banquet. I’ll have her send you an invitation. It’ll be a good chance to make an appearance before the ladies and young misses of Yunjing. How does that sound?”
“Thank you, Sister Gu. Will this cause any trouble for you?” If it would, she wouldn’t go.
Gu Yingzhen’s smile grew more sincere. “No. Yiyue and I are on good terms. It’s just bringing one more person. She likes things lively anyway.”
“Oh, and I’ll introduce you to a young lady then. She’s beautiful and quite proud, but when she sees you, she’ll likely be very pleased.”
Ming Shu didn’t know who Gu Yingzhen was referring to, but she assumed it must be someone very close to her.
Having been out for so long, Gu Yingzhen figured it was time to head back.
“Perhaps it’s time for lunch, A-shu, let’s go over.”
The Gu residence’s midday meal was understated and restrained, much like Ming Shu’s first impression of Lord Gu.
Unassuming and unpretentious, making it difficult to guess his true thoughts.
After lunch, Yan Wei said he had urgent matters to attend to back at his residence, and Ming Shu naturally accompanied him.
After bidding farewell to the Gu family, the two departed.
On the way back, Yan Wei got off the carriage midway, instructing the coachman to take good care of Ming Shu and see her safely home.
Only then did Ming Shu’s sense of unease fade away.
It wasn’t that she feared Yan Wei, but rather she felt inexplicably intimidated by him—a presence honed on the battlefield.
Uncertain of Yan Wei’s whereabouts, Ming Shu dared not ask, focusing only on her own affairs.
The next day, the steward delivered an invitation from Princess Yiyue.
Tang Li traced the gilded characters on the invitation and sighed, “Invitations in the capital are so extravagant. Even the eldest daughter of the Linghe Prefecture’s magistrate only mixes a bit of gold powder into the ink, and that’s already considered generous.”
Yuan Rong rested her chin on her hand. “That’s nothing. I’ve heard that in the past, the princes were the truly generous ones. They used Xuecheng paper, which is worth a fortune and hard to come by, and Huizhou ink, both of the finest quality.”
Far more valuable than gold powder.
Not only was Tang Li left speechless, but such things were entirely beyond her experience.
Ming Shu removed the white jade bracelet Gu Yingzhen had given her and carefully placed it in a wooden box.
Upon returning, Yan Wei learned from the steward that Ming Shu had received an invitation from Princess Yiyue and naturally guessed it was related to the Gu family.
“Send word to Jinlan Courtyard. Tell her to go ahead and attend. If anyone causes trouble, there’s no need to hold back.”
Hearing this, Ming Shu felt an inexplicable sense of gratitude. If she had an elder brother, he would likely have done the same.
“I understand. Thank you, Lord Duan, for making the trip.”
Tang Li promptly handed over a pouch containing a few pieces of loose silver.
Duan Cang refused to accept it. “Just call me Duan Cang, Miss. As for the silver… please don’t put me in a difficult position.”
“Then I’ll treat you to tea next time.”
Duan Cang smiled and took his leave.
Tang Li happily retrieved the pouch.
The young lady’s silver was earned by her own efforts, so it was best to save as much as possible.
Ming Shu didn’t care much about money. She had plenty of silver on hand now, though she couldn’t use it freely.
Gu Yingzhen also sent over a guest list for the banquet along with some basic introductions.
Over the next few days, Ming Shu familiarized herself with everyone on the list.
Five days later.
Ming Shu dressed modestly yet elegantly. The jade-colored silk dress accentuated her ethereal charm.
Every time Gu Yingzhen saw her, she couldn’t help but marvel at Ming Shu’s beauty.
Soon after, Ming Shu was ushered into the Gu family’s carriage.
Princess Yiyue’s banquet was held at the Princess Mansion. Princess Anding was the current emperor’s younger sister, and Princess Yiyue was her beloved youngest daughter.
The Princess Mansion was grand and imposing, with a majestic vermilion gate flanked by two imposing stone lions. The residence was adorned with intricate carvings and resplendent decorations.
Anyone could see at a glance that Princess Anding enjoyed the emperor’s deep favor.
This was Ming Shu’s first time attending such an important occasion, so she tread carefully, staying close behind Gu Yingzhen.
Perhaps sensing Ming Shu’s nervousness, Gu Yingzhen teased, “A-shu, hold your head high. You represent the General’s Manor.”
“Sister Gu, don’t tease me. In front of the princess, what does a general matter?”
That wasn’t quite the way to put it. Several of the emperor’s daughters had been married off to border regions, showing no particular favoritism.
What does being a princess matter? In the eyes of the emperor, she is merely a means to win over frontier generals.
It is only because Yiyue was born to Princess Anding that she was not sent away by the emperor.
In the royal family, princesses hold little importance.