Who would put a green hat on themselves? - Chapter 7

This time, the grand spring banquet was held with the intention of finding a match for Yun Yue. However, Yun Yue’s heart was not in it.

Since last autumn, the Grand Princess had hosted multiple banquets, with Yun Yue always present, sitting beside her. The Grand Princess was more concerned about Yun Yue’s marriage than her own mother.

Initially, Yun Yue was full of anticipation. But after her older brother climbed into her bed, she gave up on the idea of marrying someone else.

She still wanted to live with dignity, to hold her head high. She didn’t want to marry and then be scorned by her husband’s family or despised by her husband for losing her purity.

Perhaps there were men who wouldn’t mind, but could she really meet one? Yun Yue didn’t want to take that gamble.

“Yue’er isn’t interested? If none of these young men catch your eye, that’s fine. Next time, your godmother will find someone better for you,” the Grand Princess teased, her fingers, painted with crimson nail polish, lightly pinching Yun Yue’s face.

The young girl’s skin was as smooth as silk, irresistibly soft, so much so that the Grand Princess couldn’t help but pinch her a few more times.

Her skin was so tender, like tofu, that it instantly left red marks.

“Godmother…” Yun Yue playfully scolded, her fair cheeks flushing with a rosy hue, making her look even more beautiful.

“Liu Lang is here. You’re really not going over?” Hui Heming pointed a slender finger behind Yun Yue.

Following her direction, Yun Yue turned her head. Not far away, a young man with rosy lips and white teeth was nervously shifting his feet.

Yun Yue’s eyes glistened for a moment when she saw the young man, but she quickly averted her gaze, hiding the trace of reluctance and conflict in her eyes from everyone.

At that moment, another figure, tall and imposing, flashed in her mind, and she could almost hear his voice in her ears.

“Manman, you’re not allowed to look at other men…”

Just last night, after their entanglement, that usually mature and steady man had thrown a childish tantrum, pestering her until she promised multiple times.

She had agreed not to approach other men, but she hadn’t forgotten her plan for today. She needed to leave this garden, leave the capital, and leave the man who had once protected her.

She had to break her promise and disappoint the Grand Princess as well.

She only hoped that after she was gone, those who had truly cared for her wouldn’t be too heartbroken.

“Yue’er takes her leave,” Yun Yue said as she rose and bowed deeply to the Grand Princess.

This deep bow carried with it her deepest gratitude towards Hui Heming.

“Silly child, why such a big bow? Go on! Go on!” Hui Heming hadn’t noticed anything unusual, and she gestured for Yun Yue to hurry and pursue her happiness.

Yun Yue then walked gracefully towards the young man under the locust tree, accompanied by a maidservant.

“Greetings, Third Miss Yun,” the young man said with a clear and gentle voice, his eyes filled with tenderness that clearly revealed his feelings for Yun Yue.

His first awakening of love was impossible to hide, burning as brightly as the most dazzling fireworks.

“Greetings, Sixth Young Master Gu,” Yun Yue responded with a courteous bow.

The young man waiting under the tree was Gu Cheng, the sixth son of the Minister of Justice, born to the legitimate wife and a grandson of the Marquess of Cheng’an. Although he couldn’t inherit the title, he was still a descendant of a noble family.

Gu Cheng, at the age of seventeen, was a student at the Imperial Academy, excelling in his studies and much like his father. He was expected to perform exceptionally well in the upcoming imperial examinations.

He was handsome and full of talent, making him very popular among young ladies. He and Yun Yue were well-matched in both looks and status, but unfortunately, Lady Gu, who came from a family of great scholars and had been well-versed in the Four Books for Women since childhood, placed great importance on a woman’s virtue. Because of Yun Yue’s mother’s background as the daughter of a criminal, Lady Gu had yet to give her approval.

Even though Yun Yue’s maternal family had been cleared of all charges, it couldn’t erase the fact that her mother had once been conscripted into a brothel as a government courtesan.

Because many noblewomen in the capital held such views, and even some high-ranking officials looked at Yun Yue and her mother with disdain, Yun Yue, despite her title as a county lady and being the legitimate daughter of a prince’s household, faced difficulties in finding a suitable match. As far as Prince Yun was concerned, it wouldn’t matter if the match was with someone of lower status or an illegitimate son, but the Grand Princess didn’t share this view.

In her heart, Yun Yue was a first-rate young lady, worthy of marrying into the most prestigious families, even those of marquesses.

However, the strict rules of such families made it better to find a well-established noble family with a clean background and a steady temperament for a peaceful life.

The Grand Princess thought Gu Cheng was quite suitable, so she deliberately sent an invitation to the Gu family, leaving Lady Gu with little room to refuse.

If Yun Yue liked him, the Grand Princess would act as matchmaker, and everything would fall into place.