Chapter 1323: Chapter 1159: Birthday

"This is our Second Master!" The two stewards bowed to Yao Qingcheng, who had come out to greet them, and then stepped aside.

Gu Chengyu went through this person’s identity in his mind. This person currently serves as Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, only holding a fifth-rank official position. However, he is the elder of his fiancée, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for the other party to bow to him.

"This humble official, Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Yao Qingcheng, pays respects to Mr. Gu!" Yao Qingcheng bowed to Gu Chengyu, who promptly stepped forward to help him up.

"Today, I come as a junior to pay my respects. You, Second Master Yao, are an elder, how could I let you bow?" Gu Chengyu said with a smile after helping him up.

"Ah~ this etiquette can’t be neglected!" Yao Qingcheng smiled widely, feeling quite satisfied with Gu Chengyu’s acumen. Regardless of how high his official position might be, he remains a junior in front of him.

"Please, come in quickly, my father has been waiting for a long time!"

With that, the two didn’t indulge in further formalities. Yao Qingcheng led him into the small flower hall.

Upon entering the flower hall, Gu Chengyu was surprised to find quite a number of people inside. With a quick glance, he noticed there were both elders and many juniors present.

He hesitated for a moment, wondering why it felt like a family banquet. This made him somewhat awkward. Being an outsider among a family gathering might not be very appropriate, after all.

Gu Chengyu’s presence caused everyone in the hall to look towards him. The younger ones whispered amongst themselves, scrutinizing him.

Duke Zhen Yao Chu stroked his goatee, sizing up the refined and distinguished young man before him. His discerning eyes couldn’t find anything insincere to say.

No wonder there’s a widespread rumor in the Capital that Gu Jinyu is a handsome man. Seeing him again, he couldn’t help but be captivated by the young man’s striking elegance.

Previously, due to the marriage arrangement, Gu Chengyu had visited the mansion, and Yao Chu naturally had seen him once. Seeing him again, he couldn’t help but praise him silently.

Gu Chengyu looked at Yao Chu sitting at the head of the hall and promptly stepped forward to bow, "Junior Gu Chengyu pays respects to Duke Zhen and the esteemed uncles!"

"Good, good! Please, take a seat!" Duke Zhen said with a smiling face, his gaze towards Gu Chengyu filled with affection.

"You’ve just returned from the border, so you must be tired from the journey. Initially, I wanted to invite you to the mansion another day for a talk. However, today is my second son’s birthday, and although we didn’t plan a grand celebration, we invited some close friends for a gathering. It’s quite sudden and inconvenient for you."

Gu Chengyu showed a look of surprise, "It turns out today is Second Master Yao’s birthday. I wasn’t aware and didn’t prepare any substantial gift. Truly, that’s a breach of etiquette!"

"Ah~ no need, no need! Your presence is the greatest gift. We are all family, so there’s no need to worry about these things!" Yao Qinglan chimed in at this moment. He was Gu Chengyu’s prospective father-in-law and naturally stepped in to smooth things over.

Gu Chengyu smiled gently, feeling that today was truly chaotic and full of unexpected events. Were they family now? Perhaps it was too soon.

At this moment, a gentle laughter came from behind the screen on the right, its clarity prominent in the suddenly quiet flower hall.

Gu Chengyu raised his eyebrows subtly, realizing that the area behind the large screen was where the womenfolk were gathered. Indeed, Second Master’s birthday naturally brought everyone in the mansion together. It was truly a family banquet.

Yao Mengxian frowned slightly and glanced at Yao Mengdie sitting beside her. At this moment, Yao Mengdie appeared somewhat embarrassed, quickly covering her mouth with a handkerchief while a blush rose on her face.

The rules for aristocratic young ladies were extremely strict, and Yao Mengdie’s act was indeed a breach of etiquette. After all, Gu Chengyu was still an outsider, and there were many sisters here. Even though Gu Chengyu was already engaged to someone from Duke Zhen’s Mansion, such indecorum was uncalled for.

Yao Chu noticed that Gu Chengyu remained oblivious, not even glancing towards the screen, which made him even more satisfied.

Despite his humble origins, his manners were commendable. Indeed, Old Man Liang was such a rigid character that the disciple he taught also learned proper etiquette well.

"Why don’t you all pay respects to Mr. Gu?" Duke Zhen indicated the juniors at two tables, speaking softly.

"Greetings, Mr. Gu!" The juniors exchanged glances, all teenagers, not expecting this person to hold a higher official position than even their fathers.

"No need for formalities!" Gu Chengyu smiled, not stopping them. Being seniors themselves, he naturally deserved their respect.

"Please, take a seat!" Duke Zhen pointed to the seat beside him, indicating for Gu Chengyu to sit on his left.

Gu Chengyu didn’t stand on ceremony either. There was only one empty seat here, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to squeeze in with the juniors.

"Now that everyone is here, instruct the kitchen to serve the food!" Duke Zhen commanded the servants standing nearby.

In truth, Gu Chengyu felt somewhat uncomfortable sitting here, an outsider amidst this large family, not well acquainted with anyone, which felt awkward no matter how he thought about it.

"Fourth cousin, is that really third cousin’s fiancé, Mr. Gu?" As the outside began the exchange of cups, the young girl in a vermilion red jacket sitting next to Yao Mengdie couldn’t help but ask.

She tugged at Yao Mengdie’s sleeve, her small oval face full of curiosity.

"Of course! Didn’t you see third sister’s shy face? Even her plum wine is gone, and she’s still drinking!" Yao Mengdie covered her mouth with a handkerchief, teasingly pointing at Yao Mengxian.

Yao Mengxian only then realized, glancing at her empty wine cup, which prompted her to blush furiously.

"Oh dear! What is third sister thinking? How does she not even realize her cup is empty?" quipped another young girl dressed in a goose yellow jacket, her heart-shaped face full of impish charm.

The two girls were nieces from the second wife’s family, accompanying their elders to the birthday celebration. There were a total of three sisters, and the girl in a scallion green upright-collar jacket was relatively quiet, but with her ears perked up, her attentive demeanor betrayed her.

"Oh dear! Let’s not tease third sister!" Yao Mengdie laughed playfully, her words meant to placate but her eyes were icy.

Third sister truly was fortunate! Who would have thought that Mr. Gu would rise to prominence after the engagement, becoming a standard third-rank official, even though the elder brother was only a standard third-rank himself.

Third sister just had a good maternal grandfather! Had it not been for her grandfather arranging the marriage, Mr. Gu might not have even considered third sister!

Currently, in Duke Zhen’s Mansion, only they were yet unmarried, and third sister was already betrothed. She was the only one left without a settled marriage.

Her mother insisted that even if they couldn’t find someone as outstanding as Gu Chengyu, they shouldn’t have too much of a disparity. After all, her elder sister was promised to Prince Jing as a concubine, so they couldn’t lose face.

No matter how unfair or envious she felt inside, Yao Mengdie managed to keep smiling outwardly.

The ladies at the other tables also smiled at Yao Mengxian, whispering among themselves, obviously discussing something.

Yao Mengxian pretended to be calm, taking a deep breath. Her fiancé was seated just outside the screen, so close she couldn’t help feeling a bit unsettled.

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