Chapter 7
This time, the grand spring banquet was organized by Hui Heming with the intention of finding a match for Yun Yue.
However, Yun Yue’s heart isn’t in it anymore.
Since last autumn, the Eldest Princess has held banquets more than once, and each time Yun Yue was the guest of honor, always by her side.
When it comes to Yun Yue’s marriage, the Eldest Princess is even more concerned than her own mother.
Initially, Yun Yue was full of anticipation, but after her brother climbed into her bed, she gave up on the path of marriage.
She wants to live with her head held high; she doesn’t want to marry and then be criticized by her husband’s family or be despised by her husband for losing her chastity.
There might be men who wouldn’t care, but can she meet one? Yun Yue isn’t willing to take that gamble.
“Yue’er isn’t interested, it’s fine if these young talents don’t catch your eye, I’ll find better ones for you next time,” the Eldest Princess teased, her fingers, painted with red lacquer, pinching Yun Yue’s face gently once more.
The young skin was like silk, so delightful that she couldn’t help but pinch a few more times.
The skin was so tender, like soft tofu, that it left red marks instantly.
“Foster mother…” Yun Yue responded with a playful pout, her fair face blushing a rosy red, making her look even more beautiful.
“Liulang is here, Yue’er, won’t you go over?” Hui Heming’s slender finger pointed behind Yun Yue.
Following the direction she indicated, Yun Yue turned her head. Not far away, a young man with red lips and white teeth was standing awkwardly, taking small steps.
When Yun Yue saw him, a hint of moisture flashed in her eyes, but she quickly averted her gaze, not allowing anyone to see the reluctance and conflict in her eyes.
At that moment, another imposing figure flashed through her mind, and she could even hear his voice echoing in her ears.
“Manman is not allowed to look at other young men…”
Just last night, when their entanglement reached its climax, that mature and steady man acted like a child, throwing a tantrum, coaxing her into repeatedly promising.
She had promised him not to be close to other young men, but she hadn’t forgotten her plans for today. She must leave this garden, leave the capital, and leave the one who once protected her.
She had to break her promise. Not only that, she would also have to let down the Eldest Princess’s expectations.
She hoped that after she left, those who genuinely cared for her wouldn’t be too heartbroken.
“Yue’er begs to leave.” Yun Yue stood up and bowed gracefully to the Eldest Princess.
This deep bow was filled with her deepest gratitude towards Hui Heming.
“Silly child, why perform such a grand gesture? Go on! Go on!” Hui Heming hadn’t noticed anything unusual yet, and with a wave of her hand, she urged Yun Yue to pursue her own romantic destiny.
Then, accompanied by her maid, she slowly approached the young man under the locust tree.
“Miss Yun San,” the young man greeted with a clear, gentle voice, his eyes full of tenderness, revealing his feelings for Yun Yue without difficulty.
His youthful affection was completely undisguised, passionate like the most brilliant fireworks.
“Consort Gu Liu,” Yun Yue returned the greeting with grace.
The young man waiting for Yun Yue under the tree was Gu Cheng, the sixth son of the Minister of Justice, a direct descendant, and the grandson of the Earl of Cheng’an. Although he couldn’t inherit the title, he was still from a noble lineage.
Gu Cheng was only seventeen, a student at the Imperial Academy, with excellent grades, very much like his father, and in the next imperial examination, he was expected to achieve the highest honors.
He was handsome and erudite, quite popular among young ladies, and with Yun Yue, they could be described as a perfect match. However, Mrs. Gu, coming from a scholarly family well-versed in the Four Books for Women, placed great importance on a woman’s virtue. She was reluctant to consent because she looked down upon Yun Yue’s mother’s background as the daughter of a convicted official.
Even though Yun Yue’s maternal family had been cleared of charges, it couldn’t erase the fact that her mother had once been consigned to the official brothel as a courtesan.
Because many noblewomen in the capital, and even some high-ranking officials, viewed Yun Yue and her mother with prejudice, despite Yun Yue’s status as a rural noblewoman and a legitimate daughter of a princely house, her path to marriage was fraught with difficulties. According to the Duke of Yun, it wouldn’t matter if she married into a lower or common family, but the Eldest Princess didn’t see it that way.
In her heart, Yun Yue was a top-tier young lady, worthy of marrying into a duke’s or marquis’s family.
However, such noble houses were too bound by tradition; she preferred to find a family with a clean background from the gentry, someone with a calm and steady character for Yun Yue to live a good life with.
The Eldest Princess thought this Consort Gu Liu was quite suitable; she had high hopes for him, so she deliberately sent an invitation to the Gu family, making it hard for Mrs. Gu to refuse.
If Yun Yue liked him, with her acting as the matchmaker, wouldn’t it be a done deal?