Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 331 Conferring a Kingship and Selecting a Consort?

Upon hearing this, the Fifth Prince asked, "Poisonous lotus? What's that?"

"Your Highness has misunderstood, we were just joking, hehe," Cui Jiaojiao said quickly, tugging at Gu Qingyue's sleeve and waving her hand nervously when she saw that the Fifth Prince wanted to stay and chat.

The Fifth Prince saw that the two were unwilling to talk, so he let it go.

He gave Gu Qingyue another deep look, his eyes tender, and led the group toward the path beside them.

Gu Qingyue couldn't help but shiver!

What do you mean?

"Miss Gu, would you two like to take a stroll in the Hundred Flowers Garden ahead?" Princess Lianfu's voice suddenly rang out as the group passed by.

Upon hearing this, Yue Zhiqi also turned his head and looked over, his gaze towards Gu Qingyue deep and scrutinizing.

In his eyes, Gu Qingyue was nothing more than a beautiful young lady from a wealthy family, a mere decorative vase.

At first, he was determined to get his hands on her in order to strike at the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion and the court of Da Chu. After all, what man wouldn't be tempted by such beauty?

But what he saw that night served as a wake-up call.

Standing on the street surrounded by assassins, the woman didn't even flinch.

He watched almost as so many assassins died tragically before his eyes without changing his expression!

He felt that this woman was not only extraordinary, but also very dangerous!

He wasn't afraid of being plotted against, but his years of life in the palace and on the battlefield had taught him that he had to stay away from anything uncontrollable and unknowable, unless he was absolutely certain that he wouldn't be targeted.

From this perspective, if Gu Qingyue knew his thoughts, she might praise him, saying that he truly deserves to be called a veteran of the battlefield, possessing an almost wolf-like intuition.

"Thank you for your kindness, Princess Lienfeld. We just need to change our clothes. Please excuse us."

Gu Qingyue looked at Princess Lianfu's gentle and harmless face at this moment, and spoke calmly.

Princess Lianfu was not angry upon hearing this. Instead, she nodded and left.

Looking at that slender figure, Gu Qingyue recalled how she and Princess Chaoyue had plotted against her at the Spring Appreciation Banquet. She sneered and then took Cui Jiaojiao's hand and walked down another path.

Fifteen minutes later, they encountered Zhao Yunnan, Zhang Yuying, and Mei Xiaoyuan.

"Do you know what today's palace banquet is for?" As soon as they met, the gossipy Mei Xiaoyuan asked mysteriously.

The group exchanged glances, and Zhao Yunnan said, "Didn't they say that the negotiations with Nanzhao were nearing their end and that we were going to formally receive the Nanzhao delegation? Oh right, I heard from Father that they were also going to reward the meritorious officials who fought in the war against Nanzhao."

"Everyone knows this, can you guess what else?" Mei Xiaoyuan lowered her voice.

"Tell us quickly, don't keep us in suspense!" Zhang Yuying reached out and scratched Mei Xiaoyuan's arm, making a gesture as if she would be tickled if she didn't tell her soon.

"Hehe, I heard that this time they're going to bestow titles upon all the princes. Several princes who have reached adulthood haven't been granted titles yet. I heard that this time they might grant titles to the princes who have reached adulthood!"

Mei Xiaoyuan finally revealed the biggest piece of gossip she had ever heard.

It is an honor for them to witness such a grand event.

According to the custom of the Great Chu royal family, all princes are granted the title of king after they come of age. Those with outstanding achievements may be granted fiefdoms, but it is not mandatory for the kings to take up their fiefdoms unless the emperor issues a decree in person.

It seems that the Third Prince, Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince, and Sixth Prince are among those to be enfeoffed at this banquet!

Mu Yun Chu is still a few months away from his coming-of-age ceremony. I wonder if he will be able to make it in time.

Gu Qingyue began to mutter to herself.

Of course, according to the rules of the Great Chu, not everyone who reaches adulthood will necessarily be made a king.

It's not surprising that the Third Prince, who is already twenty-five years old, has not yet been granted the title of king. It depends on his opportunities, achievements, and the emperor's mood.

Gu Qingyue was quite curious about this emperor who was obsessed with seeking immortality.

I don't know what kind of emperor he was, but it's quite remarkable that he was able to govern a powerful country that had been established for nearly three hundred years into the current state of turmoil, widespread suffering, and the rise of treacherous officials.

"What does that have to do with us?"

Cui Jiaojiao disagreed, noting that currently only the eldest and second princes in the court had received the title of prince.

Of course, the eldest prince had become the crown prince two years ago and spent most of his time assisting the emperor in managing state affairs.

The reason was that the emperor needed to meditate, cultivate the way to longevity, and refine longevity elixirs with the Grand Preceptor, so he didn't have much time to attend to state affairs.

Gu Qingyue strongly suspects that he appointed the eldest prince as crown prince two years ago so that someone could help him oversee the country, while he himself could refine elixirs to seek immortality.

It is said that the second prince was granted the title of Prince Kang because he was injured and unable to walk properly, and the emperor granted him the title of Prince Kang in order to appease him.

"Are you stupid? The title of prince has nothing to do with us, but I heard that the fourth, fifth, and sixth princes will be choosing their consorts after they are granted the title of prince. Does that have anything to do with you?" Mei Xiaoyuan raised an eyebrow.

Choosing a concubine?

Gu Qingyue had a bad feeling.

“I’ve also heard about the selection of imperial concubines,” Zhang Yuying whispered. “My aunt also told my mother about this. She said that the emperor had mentioned in the palace that he intended to select concubines for the princes who are now of age, and many families are making arrangements.”

Zhang Yuying's aunt was Consort Xian, one of the four imperial concubines in the palace, and she was Zhang Yuying's mother's sister.

Although Consort Xian had no children, she was always highly regarded by the Emperor, so it's safe to assume that she was absolutely certain that she had received this news.

Gu Qingyue looked up and saw that several girls had worries on their brows, and it seemed that they did not want to have anything to do with the royal family.

Presumably, those families who are unwilling to associate with the royal family will soon be looking for husbands for their daughters, and the matchmakers will probably be running themselves ragged.

Back at the banquet, Gu Qingyue was still thinking about this matter.

If the emperor could consult the woman's family beforehand, there might still be a chance to resolve the situation. However, if the marriage was directly bestowed by imperial decree, it would be difficult to openly defy the imperial order, which would cause serious trouble.

It wasn't that Gu Qingyue thought it was definitely related to her, but given her identity, the chances were very high!

We must eliminate all possibilities, especially avoiding any connection with those four princes.

"Yue'er, what's wrong?" Qin Shi asked curiously, looking at her daughter who had been sitting beside her absent-mindedly since they had just returned.

Gu Qingyue thought for a moment, then whispered what had just happened in Qin Shi's ear, and Qin Shi's brows furrowed.

She anxiously took Gu Qingyue's hand, "Then Yue'er-------?"

"It's alright, Mother, we'll talk about it when we get back," Gu Qingyue comforted her.

She wondered if she should tell Madam Qin and the old Duke her thoughts as soon as possible, otherwise it would be troublesome if they were in a hurry to arrange blind dates for her everywhere.

"Moon, what are you whispering to your mother?"

Gu Qingyue looked up and saw that all the men from the Duke's mansion had entered the main hall. The once spacious entrance to the main hall immediately became crowded with people.

It seems that everyone who went to see the emperor has returned, and the banquet will begin soon.