Chapter 002: Drowning

In the eleventh year of Deshan, in the spring of the second month in the capital city, everything was still frozen, but the Prime Minister's mansion was full of life and vibrant. The flowers and trees in the greenhouse were all displayed for the birthday celebration of the old lady of the Prime Minister's mansion. Only a high-ranking official like Prime Minister Yang, who was highly regarded by the emperor, could afford such extravagance.

The Prime Minister's mansion was grand, and guests came one after another, almost blocking half of the street. Those with lower status could only leave their gifts at the gate and have a drink of water, while only those with sufficient status were fortunate enough to enter the backyard of the Prime Minister's mansion to enjoy the flowers and conversation.

Dressed in luxurious attire and exuding fragrance, the noblewomen had their own circles, while the young ladies had their own handkerchief exchanges, gathering in small groups.

Suddenly, a young lady said, "Look, it's Gu Mingxuan."

Upon hearing her words, everyone turned their eyes in the direction of her finger and then laughed, "Today she's wearing a rose-red jacket and a dark yellow skirt, which is slightly better than the red and green combination last time."

"One, two, three, four, five... This time she has one less gold hairpin than last time, but it's much larger. Oh, it's blinding my eyes," someone continued.

"Her face scar is so ugly, yet she dares to show herself in public."

The surrounding young ladies all covered their mouths and laughed softly, and even the maidservants serving them also laughed, their eyes all focused on Gu Mingxuan, full of curiosity, waiting to see the joke.

"What do you think she will give Young Master Yang as a gift this time?"

Young Master Yang Xulan, the eldest son of Prime Minister Yang, was exceptionally talented and handsome, often compared to the legendary figures Pan An and Song Yu. Not only that, Yang Xulan was also widely known for his competence and was recently appointed as the top scholar by the emperor. It was said that he was originally meant to be the top scorer in the imperial examination, but because Yang Xulan was much more handsome than the original second place, the emperor jokingly said, "With such looks, who else is worthy of being the top scholar?"

Therefore, Yang Xulan became the top scholar, and compared to the top scorer, he was highly regarded by everyone. Families with daughters in the capital all harbored hopes of becoming Yang Xulan's mother-in-law, and almost all the young ladies in the capital, who were eligible to marry, aspired to be his wife.

This included Gu Mingxuan, the young lady of the Marquis of Shunan's mansion.

However, while other young ladies expressed their willingness more subtly, Gu Mingxuan, who had been found only last winter after being lost in the countryside for over ten years, was aggressive in pursuing Yang Xulan every day, causing him great annoyance. Her pursuit of Yang Xulan had become a topic of conversation for the people of the capital.

Similarly, Zhao Zongyuan, the eldest son of the Marquis of Changxin, who was originally engaged to Gu Mingxuan, had also become the subject of ridicule in the capital.

Today was the old lady of the Yang family's birthday, and as her grandson, Yang Xulan was bound to appear, so many people were waiting to see the joke.

While they were laughing, Yang Xulan appeared.

Gu Mingxuan, who had been the subject of their ridicule, immediately went up to him and coquettishly called out, "Brother Yang." A look of disgust appeared on Yang Xulan's face, but since it was his grandmother's birthday, and he had been taught to be courteous since childhood, he could not bring himself to be rude. He could only maintain a solemn expression while facing the incessantly smiling and chattering Gu Mingxuan.

"Brother Yang, I made these shoes for you. Do you like them?"

"Brother Yang, do you think they look good?"

"Brother Yang, do you like them?"

"Why aren't you saying anything, Brother Yang?"

"Brother Yang, why don't you try them on?"

Finally, when Gu Mingxuan squatted down to help him take off his shoes, Yang Xulan fled, and the surrounding young ladies couldn't help but laugh softly. They had never seen such a foolish person. Indeed, a country bumpkin raised in the countryside, even when dressed in fine silk and satin, did not resemble a young lady of noble birth, and had brought shame to the Marquis of Shunan's mansion.

As they laughed, Gu Mingxuan chased after Yang Xulan, and the young ladies watching the scene from afar felt somewhat disappointed. Oh, the show was over.

However, not long after, a commotion was heard in the distance, causing the young ladies and noblewomen playing in the garden to look up in surprise and then exchange glances. They then heard someone saying, "It's unbelievable. Miss Gu pushed Young Master Yang Xuzhe into the water, and she fell in too."

Miss Gu? Gu Mingxuan?