Chapter 407 - 312: Birthday Celebration
"Wishing the Old Madam longevity and prosperity."
Xie Yun said with a smile. He wasn’t wearing his usual white robe but a smoke-colored long gown with a light purple cloak draped over it. His black hair was crowned with a purple headpiece, and a jade belt was fastened at his waist, giving him a graceful appearance that was more alluringly noble than usual.
This was the first time, in Gu Lan’s memory, that Xie Yun wore light purple clothing. Gu Lan couldn’t help but glance at him a few more times and nodded, saying, "Thank you... why are you dressed so vibrantly today?"
It was the first time she saw Xie Yun in this manner, exuding an indescribable elegance.
If Xie Yun were likened to a plant, he was usually like an orchid in a secluded valley or a flawless jade bamboo. Today, he resembled a resplendent and magnificent daffodil.
Xie Yun squinted his eyes with a smile, "Isn’t this a joyous occasion? So I thought I’d dress more festively. Aren’t you dressed like a groom yourself?"
Behind him were the two young ladies Wei Lan and Geng Tao. Wei Lan saw Gu Lan and blinked excitedly:
"Brother Lan, you look even more handsome after not seeing you for a few days. When Nannan grows up, she definitely wants to marry you. Will you marry Nannan?"
In the air, Wei Chengyuan let out a faint sigh of disdain towards his sister.
Gu Lan replied gently, "Next time, for sure."
"I also wish the Old Madam longevity like pine trees and the granting of abundant blessings from heaven," Miaoyan earnestly said to Gu Lan.
Today, she was dressed in a long skirt with light golden dangling jade tassels, adorned with invaluable pearls and jade fragments. Her crow-black hair was crowned with a golden phoenix hairpin, which only a Commandery Princess or Princess could wear. Her lips were naturally red, and the tear mole beneath her eye made her appear even more dazzling and beautiful.
This outstanding appearance overshadowed all the noblewomen present in the capital and made some of the officials whisper among themselves.
"I heard that the Princess likes Young Master Gu. Look at how good their relationship is."
"Yes, the Princess usually wears official robes and seems emotionless. When has she ever dressed so splendidly?"
"These two were classmates in the past... a perfect match of beauty and talent."
Gu Lan gazed at the golden hairpin in Miaoyan’s hair and couldn’t help but think that girls’ clothes are beautiful too, although that’s mainly because Miaoyan herself is beautiful.
"What is it, Young Master? Are you captivated?" Xie Yun teased.
Gu Lan snapped back to reality, reluctantly looking at Miaoyan, and candidly nodded, "Who doesn’t like to look at beauties!"
Rong Miaoyan blushed, her eyes flickered for a moment, then landed on Shiqi, who was busy behind Gu Lan, and she said seriously:
"Gu Lan, that must be Zhou Mianmian, the granddaughter of the Zhou family. I’ve heard that the Zhou family intends to marry her to you."
Shiqi, who already had keen hearing and knew martial arts, was startled by Miaoyan’s words and coughed clumsily with a blush that turned her face as red as a tomato, "I... I am..."
In her panic, she even blurted out that she was a subordinate.
Gu Lan, unfazed, pacified Shiqi with a glance before calmly answering, "You know, I like men, and I only see Mianmian as my sister."
Xie Yun: That sure sounds like a scoundrel statement.
Rong Miaoyan watched the exchange of glances between this pair of cousins and couldn’t help but speak sourly, "So, how many more sisters do you have..."
While cousins by blood are bound by ethical norms, cousins through marriage are permissible... just like if the Empress’ mother belonged to the Su Family, she would be the Emperor’s cousin.
Thinking of this, Miaoyan wished she could also become one of Gu Lan’s sisters.
Alas, she once offered her heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon loved men and regarded her as a niece.
Gu Lan changed the subject: "Since you two are here, sit at the two tables inside. Lu Rufeng is seated at one table, and Fan Hongyan at the other, both slightly ill. Help me keep them calm."
Xie Yun sighed softly, walked into the Marquis Mansion, "Alright, I really owe you."
Although the Lu Family is not on good terms with the Gu Family, it was the Old Madam’s birthday after all. Even though Lu Bingxin did not attend, he sent his son Lu Rufeng to offer congratulations. As for Fan Hongyan, the Minister of War, he always looked down on Gu Lan and Marquis Gu, yet he often got rebutted by them.
Back then, Lu Rufeng was almost appointed Prince Consort by the Empress Dowager’s decree.
However, Miaoyan became an official and escaped the Empress Dowager’s decree.
Since she became an official, Lu Rufeng’s nightmare began.
She decisively used her private authority, first making Lu Rufeng train non-stop during the day and work overtime at night, then accused him of various mistakes, complained to his father, Lu Bingxin, and later, she was attacked while walking at night. She even made his past fondness for brothels public knowledge, earning him the worst reputation in the capital.
Rong Miaoyan initially attacked covertly, later relying on her status as a princess to brazenly declare to Lu Rufeng that everything was her doing, daring him to retaliate, reminiscent of a female version of Young Master Gu!
Retaliation was impossible. Everyone knew Princess Ning An was the emperor’s and empress’ precious gem. He dared only to slack off during overtime as a form of protest...
Throughout Dayan, Lu Rufeng feared and least wanted to encounter Rong Miaoyan.
And that antiquated Minister of War Fan Hongyan, who mocked everyone, prided himself on being a loyal advisor and occasionally even rebuked Gu Lan. Surprisingly, he greatly admired Xie Yun, regarding him as a naturally talented and bright pillar of Dayan...
Letting Xie Yun and Rong Miaoyan each handle one was just right.
Miaoyan’s gaze swept across the courtyard, which was already packed from the front hall to the main courtyard of the Marquis Mansion.
However, despite the multitude of well-wishers, under Gu Lan’s arrangement, everyone was well organized upon entering, maintaining perfect order.
She looked toward the front, at the brilliantly radiant youth, more serious than ever today, and found herself lost in thought.
The youth, dressed in flamboyant red, had his dark hair tied with a red ribbon, his eyes clear and sharp. A breeze in the autumn swept past, lifting the hair at her temple, accentuating her picturesque brows, red lips, and pearly teeth. Her features seemed painted with the richest reds and cinnabar, impossible to look away from.
Rong Miaoyan, for the hundredth time, questioned life.
Oh, so frustrating! If she weren’t an official, she’d emulate that certain princess from the former dynasty and raise a hundred concubines like Young Master Gu...
Quickly, Miaoyan realized she wasn’t alone in such thoughts.
Because beside her, Zijin, and the bustling Wei Lan... many young ladies present gazed at Young Master Gu with entranced admiration.
Boohoo, it’s really not her fault for being fickle!
As she surveyed her surroundings, she also noticed a problem—
The silver-white mask that followed Gu Lan closely a few days ago, never leaving his side... was gone!
As the sun rose higher, calculating the time, the ceremonial voices began to ring out.
"Minister of Revenue, Imperial Family Dean Xie Yun, presents a set of jade phoenix ink and stone and a jade phoenix ink drip, wishing the Old Madam good fortune and health."
"Minister of Justice Zhou Xing, presents a pair of jade Ruyi, wishing the Old Madam longevity and prosperity."
"Princess Ning An of Dayan, Ministry of Personnel Discipline Officer Rong Miaoyan, presents a three-foot Mu Hai amber coral face..."
"Prince Rui Heir Rong Yunhao of Dayan, presents a pair of black lacquered gold-painted gourd bowls, and a set of white jade dining utensils..."