A Year of Bad Luck (Part Four)
It was another imperial banquet celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Right before setting out, Yu Fu was a little disinterested. Thinking about the situation at the border, she wondered how long it would be before they could come back.
Gu Xiang and Gu Yi went to the palace with her. Since Gu HuaiJiang, Gu ShuBai, and the others were not in the capital, Marquis Gu’s Manor’s spot could not remain empty.
Like usual, Gu WenQing remained in his courtyard with a report in his hands. It was a book sent to every family and manor for the Mid-Autumn Festival, “You guys go ahead. I need to keep watch at home. The manor can’t be left without a master.”
On their way to the palace, Yu Fu felt a cold gust of wind enter the carriage and wrapped herself tighter in her cloak.
Yao Lan lowered the curtain in the carriage, “It’s getting colder. In a few more days, the curtains in the carriages will need to be replaced with thicker ones. If young miss is cold, put on your coat!”
“I’m not cold. it isn’t even autumn!”
Yu Fu wore a stubborn expression, looking up at the sky. The large golden moon hung in the sky, slowly rising from behind the clouds.
“Do not miss me, for we both share the same bright moon. I wonder if eldest brother and the others can see the bright moon. Is it also this round?”
After a bit of thought, she smiled and said: “It shouldn’t be. The area around the border region is very open. The moon that eldest brother and the others are seeing is sure to be rounder and brighter than what we can see in the capital.”
“Young miss’ head is filled with nothing but thoughts of the eldest young sir.”
Yao Lan teased her, “But we have been receiving frequent reports from the border. Lord Marquis, the eldest young sir, and the others should be returning quite soon, right? They might be able to return in time to eat osmanthus cakes!”
Osmanthus cakes?
Yu Fu rejoiced at the thought. Just thinking about its soft texture made her salivate.
She tugged on Yao Lan’s arm, “Once the osmanthuses bloom, let’s preserve some for when eldest brother and the others return. That way they can also eat them!”
The carriage suddenly stopped, and Gu Xiang turned his horse around to look inside the carriage, “Little Yu Fu, we’ve arrived.”
The palace gates were directly before them. Reflecting the large golden moon, it was like a magnificent painting from an old scroll.
She stepped out of the carriage and stood in front of the palace gates, as a feeling of alienation suddenly washed over her.
“What’s wrong? Do you miss father and our elder brothers?”
Gu Yi descended from his horse and walked over to her side, letting out a sigh, “I also miss them. In previous years, everyone would gather together to eat mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival. This year, we’re all scattered. Ah-”
He suddenly thought of something, “Why do I feel that this sort of feeling is very familiar? Right, I remember. We didn’t get to celebrate the new year properly this past year. Half of us were in the capital and half of us were in Changzhou. It’s no wonder people say that unlucky things should be avoided during the new year, or the entire year will be filled with bad luck!”
Yu Fu thought about it, “Sixth brother, do you think that eldest brother will be pursued and poisoned like he had been during new years?”
Gu Yi suddenly realized that he had misspoken, smiling cheekily, “He won’t, he won’t! Eldest brother is with the army and is leading his troops. Who could possibly poison him? It was I who was negligent for bringing it up, so don’t worry about it!”
Gu Xiang secretly rolled his eyes at him.
He clearly knew that Yu Fu was worried about Gu ShuBai and the others. Saying that sort of thing would surely just make her even more worried. This twin brother of his really did not even have half of his smarts or insight!
Gu Xiang helplessly shook his head and patted Yu Fu’s shoulder, “Don’t worry. All of the reports that have come back from the border have been filled with good news. Father said that they should quickly be able to return in triumph. We might even receive word of their victory by tomorrow. Don’t worry about it.”
“Un!”
Yu Fu vigorously nodded then smiled radiantly. “Let’s see what sort of beautiful mooncakes we will have tonight. We can try and get a recipe from the imperial kitchen. When head general and the others return, we can have the chefs make some for them!”
“Alright, let’s go!”
The three attended the banquet, while Yin Shuo and Princess DanYang attended the banquet together; however, they did not see Yin JiYao.
Yu Fu thought back to what Yao Yue had told her. Gu HuaiJiang’s side was fully focused on the battle and did not have time to worry about Yin Shuo secretly investigating the cabinet selection process. Yu Fu could only help keep an eye on him for them.
She had been hoping to be able to meet Yin JiYao during today’s banquet to try and gain some information from her, but who knew that she did not come.
“Princess DanYang, Prime Minister Yin.”
Yu Fu did not directly go to her seat, going to see the two first. Outsiders just assumed that she and Princess DanYang shared a sisterly bond and wanted to chat, thus they did not think anything of it.
Yin Shuo, however, was very surprised, “Greetings, Princess ZhenJiang.”
In the garden of DaRui Palace, he had clearly called her Yu Fu, but now he was distant and called her Princess ZhenJiang.
Yu Fu secretly considered his intentions. It was probable that he felt ashamed of not asking Emperor Ning to cancel the wedding, right?
She kindly smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. It was like sending Yin Shuo a message, reminding him of what she had previously said.
Since he did not ask for the wedding to be canceled, he should not approach her ever again. This was the same today, even if she was the one who approached them first.
Yin Shuo lowered his head, and Princess DanYang rolled her eyes at him, thinking to herself that he never even treated her with this much respect, yet he treated Yu Fu, someone who had been haphazardly conferred the title of princess, with such respect.
“Prime minister, there’s no need to be so courteous. Huh…”
Yu Fu pretended to be casual, saying: “Why do I not see young miss Yin? During the spring banquet, young miss Yin’s poem was exceptional. I heard that she and second brother are also friends, so I wanted to chat with her a little. Where has she gone?”
Princess DanYang snorted, “Her forehead…”
“She accidentally bumped her forehead on a door and got hurt. There are no major problems. Originally, she was going to come into the palace, but after getting hurt, she decided to remain in the manor to rest and recover.”
Yin Shuo rushed to provide an explanation without any change in his expression, and Princess DanYang looked at him in confusion.
Yao Yue said that Yin JiYao had been hurt from being pushed by young sir Chen, yet Yin Shuo insisted on pretending that she bumped into a door. Seeing Princess DanYang’s expression, it was clear that she had some insight.
But contrary to Yu Fu’s expectations, she did not expose Yin Shuo’s lie. she just pursed her lips and leaned back in her seat.
A Year of Bad Luck (Part Four)
It was another imperial banquet celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Right before setting out, Yu Fu was a little disinterested. Thinking about the situation at the border, she wondered how long it would be before they could come back.
Gu Xiang and Gu Yi went to the palace with her. Since Gu HuaiJiang, Gu ShuBai, and the others were not in the capital, Marquis Gu’s Manor’s spot could not remain empty.
Like usual, Gu WenQing remained in his courtyard with a report in his hands. It was a book sent to every family and manor for the Mid-Autumn Festival, “You guys go ahead. I need to keep watch at home. The manor can’t be left without a master.”
On their way to the palace, Yu Fu felt a cold gust of wind enter the carriage and wrapped herself tighter in her cloak.
Yao Lan lowered the curtain in the carriage, “It’s getting colder. In a few more days, the curtains in the carriages will need to be replaced with thicker ones. If young miss is cold, put on your coat!”
“I’m not cold. it isn’t even autumn!”
Yu Fu wore a stubborn expression, looking up at the sky. The large golden moon hung in the sky, slowly rising from behind the clouds.
“Do not miss me, for we both share the same bright moon. I wonder if eldest brother and the others can see the bright moon. Is it also this round?”
After a bit of thought, she smiled and said: “It shouldn’t be. The area around the border region is very open. The moon that eldest brother and the others are seeing is sure to be rounder and brighter than what we can see in the capital.”
“Young miss’ head is filled with nothing but thoughts of the eldest young sir.”
Yao Lan teased her, “But we have been receiving frequent reports from the border. Lord Marquis, the eldest young sir, and the others should be returning quite soon, right? They might be able to return in time to eat osmanthus cakes!”
Osmanthus cakes?
Yu Fu rejoiced at the thought. Just thinking about its soft texture made her salivate.
She tugged on Yao Lan’s arm, “Once the osmanthuses bloom, let’s preserve some for when eldest brother and the others return. That way they can also eat them!”
The carriage suddenly stopped, and Gu Xiang turned his horse around to look inside the carriage, “Little Yu Fu, we’ve arrived.”
The palace gates were directly before them. Reflecting the large golden moon, it was like a magnificent painting from an old scroll.
She stepped out of the carriage and stood in front of the palace gates, as a feeling of alienation suddenly washed over her.
“What’s wrong? Do you miss father and our elder brothers?”
Gu Yi descended from his horse and walked over to her side, letting out a sigh, “I also miss them. In previous years, everyone would gather together to eat mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival. This year, we’re all scattered. Ah-”
He suddenly thought of something, “Why do I feel that this sort of feeling is very familiar? Right, I remember. We didn’t get to celebrate the new year properly this past year. Half of us were in the capital and half of us were in Changzhou. It’s no wonder people say that unlucky things should be avoided during the new year, or the entire year will be filled with bad luck!”
Yu Fu thought about it, “Sixth brother, do you think that eldest brother will be pursued and poisoned like he had been during new years?”
Gu Yi suddenly realized that he had misspoken, smiling cheekily, “He won’t, he won’t! Eldest brother is with the army and is leading his troops. Who could possibly poison him? It was I who was negligent for bringing it up, so don’t worry about it!”
Gu Xiang secretly rolled his eyes at him.
He clearly knew that Yu Fu was worried about Gu ShuBai and the others. Saying that sort of thing would surely just make her even more worried. This twin brother of his really did not even have half of his smarts or insight!
Gu Xiang helplessly shook his head and patted Yu Fu’s shoulder, “Don’t worry. All of the reports that have come back from the border have been filled with good news. Father said that they should quickly be able to return in triumph. We might even receive word of their victory by tomorrow. Don’t worry about it.”
“Un!”
Yu Fu vigorously nodded then smiled radiantly. “Let’s see what sort of beautiful mooncakes we will have tonight. We can try and get a recipe from the imperial kitchen. When head general and the others return, we can have the chefs make some for them!”
“Alright, let’s go!”
The three attended the banquet, while Yin Shuo and Princess DanYang attended the banquet together; however, they did not see Yin JiYao.
Yu Fu thought back to what Yao Yue had told her. Gu HuaiJiang’s side was fully focused on the battle and did not have time to worry about Yin Shuo secretly investigating the cabinet selection process. Yu Fu could only help keep an eye on him for them.
She had been hoping to be able to meet Yin JiYao during today’s banquet to try and gain some information from her, but who knew that she did not come.
“Princess DanYang, Prime Minister Yin.”
Yu Fu did not directly go to her seat, going to see the two first. Outsiders just assumed that she and Princess DanYang shared a sisterly bond and wanted to chat, thus they did not think anything of it.
Yin Shuo, however, was very surprised, “Greetings, Princess ZhenJiang.”
In the garden of DaRui Palace, he had clearly called her Yu Fu, but now he was distant and called her Princess ZhenJiang.
Yu Fu secretly considered his intentions. It was probable that he felt ashamed of not asking Emperor Ning to cancel the wedding, right?
She kindly smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. It was like sending Yin Shuo a message, reminding him of what she had previously said.
Since he did not ask for the wedding to be canceled, he should not approach her ever again. This was the same today, even if she was the one who approached them first.
Yin Shuo lowered his head, and Princess DanYang rolled her eyes at him, thinking to herself that he never even treated her with this much respect, yet he treated Yu Fu, someone who had been haphazardly conferred the title of princess, with such respect.
“Prime minister, there’s no need to be so courteous. Huh…”
Yu Fu pretended to be casual, saying: “Why do I not see young miss Yin? During the spring banquet, young miss Yin’s poem was exceptional. I heard that she and second brother are also friends, so I wanted to chat with her a little. Where has she gone?”
Princess DanYang snorted, “Her forehead…”
“She accidentally bumped her forehead on a door and got hurt. There are no major problems. Originally, she was going to come into the palace, but after getting hurt, she decided to remain in the manor to rest and recover.”
Yin Shuo rushed to provide an explanation without any change in his expression, and Princess DanYang looked at him in confusion.
Yao Yue said that Yin JiYao had been hurt from being pushed by young sir Chen, yet Yin Shuo insisted on pretending that she bumped into a door. Seeing Princess DanYang’s expression, it was clear that she had some insight.
But contrary to Yu Fu’s expectations, she did not expose Yin Shuo’s lie. she just pursed her lips and leaned back in her seat.
