Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 295 Spring Appreciation Banquet, Also a Blind Date Banquet

The Spring Festival banquet was indeed very grand, but was it really that appealing?

In fact, the annual Spring Festival banquet also has another meaning: it is the highest-level matchmaking banquet in the capital.

Regardless of gender, everyone attending the Spring Appreciation Banquet must dress in their finest attire and stay overnight at the villa for one or two nights.

The young men and women of noble families, especially those of marriageable age who are still unmarried, are the main characters at the Spring Festival banquet.

After a series of talent shows, poetry recitals, and spring outings, people will inevitably take a liking to each other and strike up a conversation.

Or perhaps she is chosen by the other party's mother, and then marriage and matchmaking will naturally follow.

Gu Qingyue recalled what Madam Wei had specifically told her about the Spring Appreciation Banquet, and her interest grew even stronger.

Ultimately, she just enjoys reading gossip and watching handsome men and beautiful women; isn't that her perk as a fan of good looks?

She completely forgot that she herself might also be a benefit to someone else.

An hour later, they finally arrived at the villa on the outskirts of the capital.

Grand gates and spacious courtyards are standard features of royal villas.

Gu Qingyue had already thought of this, but when she actually saw it, she still couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

The four large characters "Spring View Courtyard" are covered in glittering gold powder, so bright they could blind people, but they don't feel out of place or lacking in style.

On the contrary, the elegant and graceful font successfully makes people feel that their souls have been cleansed and sublimated.

Upon entering, the group split into two groups, men and women, and were led by eunuchs to a courtyard specially prepared for the Duke of Zhenguo's residence.

The courtyard for the female guests of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was a spacious two-section residence, with three wing rooms at the front and three wing rooms on each side, for a total of nine rooms, just right for the masters to stay in.

The second courtyard is a small side courtyard with a row of small rooms, suitable for servants, guards, maids, and old women to live in.

Male guests were arranged to stay in a separate garden, which was quite far away, reflecting the culture of men and women not sitting together.

Gu Qingyue threw the book in her hand onto the bed and collapsed.

The bed was soft; she rolled around a bit to test it out, and it was pretty good.

She lived in the second room on the left wing, and Wei lived next to her.

The three people in the main house each lived in their own main room.

The third branch of the family lived in three side rooms opposite Gu Qingyue and the others. The two concubine's daughters shared a room, which was just right.

Gu Qingyue took a stroll around the room and courtyard, and it truly lived up to the extravagance of a royal villa.

Indeed, every stitch, every table and chair, every flower and every blade of grass is exquisitely crafted.

After resting for a while and having lunch, the real event was in the afternoon.

Once all the women had finished getting ready, they led their maids and servants towards the Spring Appreciation Garden in the middle of the villa.

As far as Gu Qingyue could see, all she saw were men and women dressed in their finest attire.

The men wore wide robes and long sleeves, and were handsome and dignified.

The women, dressed in brocade spring gowns, smiled charmingly.

The vibrant spring scenery, as if spring itself were leaping off the page, invigorated Gu Qingyue, making her steps lighter.

Hu Shi, who was walking beside Gu Qingyue, glanced behind her. Her two concubine daughters immediately followed Gu Qingyue with great awareness. Gu Qingyue naturally noticed this, but remained calm.

It must be said here that the strict distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children in ancient times is beyond the imagination of modern people.

Although she returned later, the two concubine daughters of the third wife were always extremely respectful and apprehensive when they first met her.

In fact, they were only a few months younger than Gu Qingyue, but Gu Qingyue always felt that they had been pushed to a very uncomfortable height.

In her mind, they are all human, so how different can they be?

But the reality is that his two half-sisters don't dare to talk to him at all.

Even on the day of the family reunion banquet, they stood at a distance with the concubines from the third branch of the family, only bowed and greeted them before leaving.

Looking back now, Gu Qingyue can only sigh, why do men take concubines?

Children born to aunts face exclusion and discrimination from childhood to adulthood. How can they be psychologically healthy?

Of course, Gu Qingyue's anxiety was somewhat unfounded.

Because in the minds of illegitimate children, they believe that this is how it should be.

That's just how the social environment and prevailing attitudes are; even if they figure it out, they can't change anything.

At most, they would simply avoid becoming concubines themselves like the concubines, and avoid having illegitimate children.

Gu Qingyue felt somewhat worried when she thought about the fact that men in ancient times could have three wives and four concubines.

Will Mu Yun Chu take a concubine in the future?

He is a legitimate prince with a noble status. What if he has such thoughts?

Snap out of it!

Gu Qingyue was suddenly shocked. Had she already thought about marrying Mu Yunchu?

The character "八" (eight) isn't even half a stroke yet!

Gu Qingyue hesitated, slowed her pace, bit her lip, and wondered if she should marry him herself in the future.

In her heart, she had never realized before that Mu Yun Chu was any different from her other boyfriends, but now she could start to think about it.

Ultimately, one must adapt to local customs; one cannot fight against the old customs of the world alone. Therefore, Gu Qingyue could only restrain herself.

It was 15 minutes later when I entered the Spring Appreciation Garden.

Firstly, the park is too big, and secondly, there are too many people, so you can't walk fast.

The Duke of Zhenguo's family holds a hereditary first-class title, which is equivalent to a Duke of the highest rank, indicating a high social standing.

Therefore, the residence they lived in was the closest to Shangchun Garden, except for the residences of the princesses and princes.

It took more than 45 minutes to walk there; those from lower social classes lived even further away.

Gu Qingyue entered Shangchun Garden and consciously followed Wei Shi's side.

Behind her followed closely were her two half-sisters, one in a red dress named Gu Feiwen, and the other in a pale yellow dress named Gu Feiyan.

Gu Qingyue walked slowly, stopping occasionally, towards the seats for the women.

She couldn't help but turn back and smile at the two little girls, gesturing for them to follow.

The two girls looked at each other, flattered and grateful, though Gu Qingyue didn't see it.

I heard from my sister-in-law, Wei, that the two illegitimate daughters of the eldest son's family have already married into families of fourth-rank officials in the capital.

One was the second son of the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and the other was the youngest son of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. Both were his principal wives, which was quite good.

Now, all that's left in the household are Gu Qingyue and her two half-sisters from the third branch of the family, who are also of engagement age.

This is the perfect time to come and enjoy the spring banquet.

Gu Qingyue recalled the look on Wei Shi's face when she said "good time," and it made her want to dig a hole and run away. It was too blatant, wasn't it?

It's as if she herself is a noble lady waiting to be married, sitting high on the throne, immediately selecting a husband, her eyes wide open, her mind narrow, being as strict as possible. Sigh, she's really worrying herself sick.

I wonder what Wei would think if she knew that she already had someone she loved?

Thinking of this, Gu Qingyue suddenly wondered how Mu Yun Chu would appear today. Would they pretend not to know each other or be as warm and friendly as friends?

Mu Yun Chu's good looks are only for her to see. If others see her and drool over her, should she go and fight them or gouge out their eyes?

It has to be said that Gu Qingyue's imagination is unmatched; even the wildest ideas can't keep up with her speed.

When Wei waved her hand in front of her eyes, Gu Qingyue realized that she had already entered the women's area.