178鹣鲽（二更）

There is no queen in the current dynasty. The biological mother of Prince Chu Yi was the original crown princess, who passed away ten years ago. Since then, the current emperor has not remarried, leaving the position of queen vacant.
Since ascending to the throne, the court officials have repeatedly petitioned the current emperor to select a new queen, but all of their requests have been rejected.
Therefore, everyone originally thought that this year's Splendid Feast would be cancelled, but unexpectedly, Empress Yuan suddenly summoned the ladies into the palace in the afternoon. Shortly after, the emperor also ordered people to spread the news to various mansions, summoning some eligible young men to participate in the Splendid Feast.
Gu Yanfei, Wei Jiaoniang, and Lu Qin sat in the closest seats to the geisha. After the geisha finished playing the song "Feng Qiu Huang," the storyteller next to them knocked on the stage board and began swaying and recounting the story.
Gu Yanfei split his heart in half, one half listening to the audiobook, and the other half listening to Wei Jaoniang speak: "This Jianyu Feast has been going on for more than forty years. It is held every year. I thought this year would be an exception."
"In fact, this Jianze banquet was originally held by Emperor Taizu to introduce potential husbands to his princesses."
"Emperor Taizu said that his princesses were not afraid of not being married off, and he would not force anyone to become a husband. Whoever is willing to come can come, he called this matchmaking. Both men and women need to see each other first to know if this marriage is feasible."
"It is said that Princess Grand Changning invited a group of peers to join her because she felt that the banquet of butterfish was not lively enough. Emperor Taizu also found it enjoyable to have everyone getting to know each other in this way, so this tradition has been preserved year after year."
Lu Qin peeling pine nuts, sighed: "Emperor Taizu has always had various ingenious ideas, he is really an extraordinary person!"
The storyteller nearby is currently narrating a story about Emperor Taizu.
He talked about the Emperor Taizu from a young age, saying that he was mischievous when he was young. At the age of sixteen, he fell down a hill and hit his head, causing it to bleed profusely. He remained unconscious for three days and three nights before awakening with a newfound enlightenment and starting anew.
Speaking of Taizu, he started as a small constable and in just three years, he became the head of the class, establishing some prestige in the town.
Speaking of the great chaos in the world at that time, a good sign of a black dragon descending appeared above Taizu's residence, and Taizu subsequently rose up in rebellion...
Originally, these stories are well-known, but today, many people have heard more or less about the "true dragon anomaly" appearing in the capital. Now, when listening to this historical anecdote again, some people inevitably show meaningful expressions.
There are also people like Lu Qin, who entered the palace early and have never heard of them before. When she saw Wei Jiaoniang's teasing and winking appearance, she eagerly leaned her little face over and whispered to them, "What's going on?"
Jiaoniang Wei held onto Luqin's shoulders and pulled her closer, whispering into her ear.
Luqin's eyes widened, and her pupils burst into an unusually bright light, clearly displaying shock and curiosity on her face.
"Is it really a dragon?" Lu Qin asked in a lowered voice.
"..." Wei Jiaoniang's eye twitched, feeling too lazy to answer such a foolish question.
The storyteller next to them continued to speak fluently, describing how the black dragon hovered above Emperor Taizu's head, bowing three times and then letting out three long roars before finally drifting away;
Speaking of that day, everyone in the whole town witnessed the appearance of the Black Dragon and knelt down before it, creating a magnificent scene;
Talking about Emperor Taizu's heroic ambition…
Lu Qin naturally understood Wei Jiaoniang's contempt and didn't bother with her. He excitedly went to find other familiar girls to chat with, asking if they had heard about the real dragon appearing in the capital today.
With her help, it didn't take long for the surroundings to stir up with whispers.
This whole thing is truly baffling, with some believing it, some half-believing, and others remaining noncommittal as they exchange perplexed glances.
The painting boat gradually became noisy, with more and more discussions, until a brisk footsteps came from outside the painting boat, accompanied by the tinkling laughter.
"This year's Flounder Feast is held on this painting boat,"
"It's much more interesting than being in the palace."
"That's right."
About ten princesses from the royal family followed Princess Changqing of the Jingwang Mansion, walking gracefully. They displayed joyful expressions, and their laughter filled the air.
A girl came forward to greet Changqing and the others with a bow, while another girl sitting in her original spot smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. There were also those who were too engrossed in chatting with others, completely ignoring their presence.
With the arrival of these noble ladies, the scene became more lively, and one could see young boys and girls on both floors.
Chang Qing swept her gaze around and it landed on Gu Yunyan, who was not far away, with a smile on her face. She smiled and said, "Yunyan."
Changqing quickly approached and pulled Gu Yunjian away from Yu Zhaoyun and the others.
"I was just looking for you." Changqing affectionately took Gu Yunjian's arm and walked towards the seating area ahead, smiling and whispering in her ear, "Am I about to call you Aunt Royal?"
Chang Qing is the legitimate daughter of Prince Jing and has been a frequent guest in the palace since she was young. Therefore, she is well-informed, and as soon as she entered the palace, she heard that the Empress Dowager planned to set a wedding date for the Prince Kang and Gu Yun Jian after the New Year.
The Duke of Kang and the Duke of Jing are of the same generation, waiting for Gu Yunjian to become the Wife of the Duke of Kang, which makes Changqing her junior.
When asked about her wedding date with the Duke of Kang, Gu Yunjian's lips curled up slightly.
A shimmering light falls perfectly on her beautiful face, outlining her soft and delicate features. Golden rays dance in her pupils, adding to her charm.
Guyunhan's expression is somewhat affectionate and enchanting, but there is no shyness. She says gracefully, "Changqing, I am still me. Call me whatever you used to call me."
Even if she marries the King Kang, she will not blindly depend on him. She is first and foremost Gu Yunxian, and then his wife.
Changqing likes Gu Yunxian's straightforward and genuine nature, chuckled, leaning close to her ear and said, "I dare not."
"Uncle Kang Wang...I can't afford to provoke him."
"Everyone can see Kang Wang's feelings for Gu Yunhuan."
"Gu Yunhuan smiled and pursed her lips, her dimples deepening, and her smile was sweet and enchanting."
They had just sat down when they heard a eunuch standing outside sing in a sharp voice:
"The Emperor has arrived!"
"The Empress Dowager has arrived!"
"The Crown Prince has arrived!"
“……”
The Emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, walked in alongside Empress Dowager Yuan. Behind them followed Prince Kang You, Crown Prince Chu Yi, and several other princes and princesses. The procession was grand, and there was also a young girl, about ten years old, wearing a pink dress and sitting in a wheelchair, being pushed in by palace servants.
She is wearing a pink butterfly-flower jacket dress, with an oval face, fair skin, a cherry mouth, and cute double buns, and her whole person is slim and small.
There are only one son and one daughter in the current imperial family, and this is the only princess in the palace, named Anle.
Everyone stood up and bowed, at the same time, they all secretly glanced at the Crown Prince Chuyi.
Chuyi had just returned to the capital a few months ago and had been living a reclusive life. At least half of the people present had never seen him before, so their gazes were inevitably filled with curiosity and scrutiny.
Someone looked back and forth at the Crown Prince and the Prince of Kang, assessing them in their hearts.
And then thinking about today's "true dragon phenomenon," this extravagant banquet obviously revealed some hints of being out of the ordinary.
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