Chapter 671: Chapter 507 Cousin Ji
Yao Mengdie usually has no interest in writing poetry, so she hasnât spent much effort on it.
At this moment, she deeply regrets it and feels she missed an opportunity.
Gu Chengyu heard that the women were expected to write poetry and became impatient. When would they finally set the banquet?
"Jinyu! This is your painting; itâs a pity to let others inscribe poems on it," Lu Chen said, opening the folding fan in his hand with a movement that was rather self-assured.
Gu Chengyu smiled, "How can this be a pity? As long as the poem suits the painting, it doesnât matter who writes it."
In fact, Zhu Pang was also thinking the same thing. This is to be presented to the Empress, so why give this opportunity away to others?
"I think you might as well write a poem yourself! Why let others take the credit? Those womenâs poems may not even match your painting!"
Zhu Pang said in a lowered voice.
Gu Chengyuâs poetic talent is always praised, and whenever he writes a poem, it spreads and is admired by many.
If the poem does not match well, wouldnât it ruin the painting?
The Eldest Princess pondered for a moment. To avoid her daughter raising any opinions later and revealing any intentions, it was better that she suggested it herself.
Just then, Qin Min returned from the outer courtyard to his seat. The Eldest Princess glanced at her eldest son and said, "Why not let these gentlemen each write a poem and see whose poem best fits the paintingâs theme?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the young ladies were all very disappointed.
If thatâs the case, they wouldnât need to act unnecessarily. Gu Chengyu is someone even Mr. Dong Yuan praises, so how could they have a chance to write poetry?
If Gu Chengyu also wrote a poem, they would truly make a fool of themselves.
The girls who were grabbing pen and ink to start writing stopped, losing confidence in their own poetry.
However, the male guests were quite enthusiastic, especially Min Feng.
Everyone knows this painting will be sent to the Empress, and naturally, they want to pour their heart and soul into writing a masterpiece.
Min Feng cautiously glanced at Gu Chengyu, seeing him indifferent, finally relieved.
No matter why Gu Chengyu didnât want to write poetry today, itâs an opportunity for them. Perhaps heâs tired of it, or maybe heâs out of inspiration?
Min Feng maliciously speculated in his heart but still curled his lip.
Qin Min saw Gu Chengyu didnât intend to write poetry and didnât insist.
Zhu Pang also knew he couldnât persuade Gu Chengyu today, so he propped his forehead with his hand, lost in thought.
He came today, but unfortunately didnât see his fiancĂ©e, which is truly regrettable!
He reluctantly glanced at the muslin curtain, uncertain which one inside was his fiancée.
Zhu Pangâs eyesight wasnât as good as Gu Chengyuâs and he was further away, so naturally, he couldnât see the womenâs appearances clearly.
Gu Chengyu saw everyone was deep in thought and felt somewhat bored.
So, he stood up, planning to go to the lavatory to stretch his legs.
The scenery of the Princessâs Mansion was quite nice when he came in earlier, and he wanted to appreciate it.
Of course, he wouldnât wander around, just admire on the way to the lavatory.
"Jinyu! Where are you going?" Zhu Pang quickly asked as he saw Gu Chengyu standing up.
This is the Princessâs Mansion; one cannot wander around.
If he accidentally bumped into the women, even with a dozen mouths, he couldnât explain it.
Gu Chengyu gave a reassuring look, "Going to the lavatory, do you want to come?"
Having gulped down so much tea, he indeed felt his stomach swelling.
Upon hearing he was going to the lavatory, Zhu Pang finally relaxed but didnât want to go at the moment, so he shook his head.
Gu Chengyu stopped a servant, "Could you please take me to the lavatory?"
The Princessâs Mansion had resting places for guest-servants and maids; Gu Chengyu didnât have Ming Mo serve him and sent him off to rest.
There were servants and maids here anyway, so Ming Moâs presence was unnecessary.
The servant quickly nodded and bowed, "Mr. Gu, please follow me."
Ji Mingxuan had also called a servant, following in the direction of Gu Chengyu had gone.
Kong Shuhuan was already engaged and naturally didnât want to compete for such an opportunity.
Moreover, she was not skilled in poetry, so she wanted to leave this place to enjoy the flowers.
"Cousin! I want to go to the lavatory."
Kong Shuhuan frowned but, in someone elseâs mansion, couldnât show her displeasure.
She nodded, planning to personally take her there to prevent any mishaps that might arise.
Cousin Ji, whose family name is Ji, is the niece-granddaughter of Old Madam Kong from her maternal family.
Old Madam Kongâs maternal family once flourished but has fallen now.
Cousin Ji has reached the age of marriage and wants to ask Old Madam Kong to help find a good match.
So she came all the way from Hejian Prefecture to the Capital, seeking refuge at the Kong Mansion.
The Ji Mansion is slightly better than an ordinary household; Mr. Ji failed multiple attempts at examinations, not even attaining the title of Scholar, wasting quite a bit of the family fortune.
Mr. Ji seeing his daughter is pretty, wanted her to marry into a wealthy merchant or minor official if they were in Hejian Prefecture.
Thus, he sent his daughter to the Capital, hoping she could marry well and help the family.
Miss Jiâs formal name is Ji Yuying, and sheâs fourteen years old this year.
But Ji Yuying, since arriving in the capital, hasnât been behaving, often trying to flirt with the masters of Kong Mansion, which is why Kong Shuhuan doesnât like Ji Yuying.
Old Madam Kong insisted Kong Shuhuan bring her cousin to the flower viewing banquet held at the Princess Mansion today.
Claiming that letting the aristocratic wives see her might result in a good marriage proposal.
Kong Shuhuan was speechless towards her grandmother, naturally refused, but in the end felt it was too complicated.
She dared not let Ji Yuying out of her sight; the mere thought of attending a flower banquet as an engaged woman made her skin crawl.
Itâs one thing to come, but she obeyed her grandmotherâs insistence to bring her cousin along.
The invitation didnât mention her cousinâs name, she felt todayâs face was thoroughly lost.
"Iâll take you, donât run off. This is the Princessâs Mansion, losing ourselves would cause a lot of trouble."
Ji Yuying quickly agreed verbally, but her restless eyes showed she wasnât obedient.
She grew up quite well off, but after arriving in the capital and witnessing the riches of Kong Mansion, her ambitions grew.
She compared Kong Mansion to the Princessâs Mansion and found it lacking immensely.
Her objective today was to see if there was an opportunity amongst the many noble gentlemen; if there was a chance...
"Mother, my cousin and I are going to the lavatory." Before leaving, Kong Shuhuan informed her mother Tang Family; her careful thoughts were evident.
If they stayed away too long, her mother would naturally send someone to look for them.
Tang Family understood her daughterâs intention, simultaneously worried about her daughter with the trouble-making Ji Yuying.
She took it to heart, planning to send a maid to check on them after a while.