Chapter 375: You are a true gentleman

Gu Xixi instinctively raised her hand, wanting to touch her own face.

Zi Yan hurried to stop her, saying, "Not allowed!"

If you mess up the makeup you just applied, you'll have to wash your face and do it again.

Gu Xixi dared not move.

The woman in the mirror wore her hair in a fallen horse bun, her black hair like clouds, loosely twisted, adding a touch of brightness to her originally clear and lovely features.

The blue-green lotus-patterned chest-high ruqun matched her hair bun, accentuating the slenderness of her neck.

Her face was powdered, skin moist and white, cheeks tinged with pink, lips like dabbed vermilion, eyebrows like distant mountains.

On her brow rested a deep red, gilt-inlaid peony flower hairpin.

She looked like an ancient beauty who had just stepped out of a painting of court ladies.

At this moment, He Jinglan, Lu La, and Lian Xing also gathered around, looking at Gu Xixi in the mirror and smiling.

Gu Xixi felt somewhat uneasy seeing herself so unfamiliar for the first time.

She didn't know what to say for a moment.

So, looking at the hairpin on her head, she found a topic: "This hairpin's craftsmanship is intricate."

The dangling glass beads are especially rare.

It's probably enough to buy two shopfronts in Dongshi, right?

On her hair bun was a single flat-square pin woven from gold filigree.

Tiny white crystal beads were threaded through the gold filigree, flashing points of light with her movements, giving it both the splendor of gold ornaments and exquisite craftsmanship without being cliché.

A string of Western Region fantasy-colored glass bead tassels hung from the top of the pin.

These glass beads themselves were clear and colorless like white crystal, yet they would reflect shifting iridescent light with changes in lighting.

Besides this, there were no other ornaments.

He Jinglan supported Gu Xixi's shoulder from behind and smiled, saying, "You have good eyes; this really is worth two fine shopfronts."

So just one of them is enough.

Zi Yan said softly, "It's just right that Miss Xixi doesn't like elaborate attire."

This hairpin actually suits the young lady's temperament best; paired with her clothing, it seems tailor-made.

Guang Zhu nodded and smiled, saying, "Miss Xixi, you've dressed up seriously today and look truly beautiful!"

Although you usually look beautiful, at this moment there is indeed something different.

He Jinglan and Gu Xixi finished their makeup at the same time, both now ready.

They only needed to rest a moment.

The maids withdrew first, leaving only Gu Xixi and He Jinglan in the inner chamber.

He Jinglan gazed at Gu Xixi with eyes full of smiles, as if she could never see enough.

With this look, when you go out later and see An Qinghe, won't he be stunned?

Gu Xixi imagined that and couldn't help laughing.

He Jinglan then turned serious and said, "The top scholar should be coming over today,"

Have you thought over the past two days how to respond to his apricot blossom?

Gu Xixi nodded and hummed in acknowledgment.

He Jinglan asked no further.

Gu Xixi had always known what she wanted, and He Jinglan believed she could handle it herself.

In any case, no matter how Gu Xixi chooses, He Jinglan will support her.

After a brief rest, He Jinglan was about to go to the front courtyard to greet guests.

Gu Xixi was not going with He Jinglan.

Because receiving guests is the host's responsibility.

If Gu Xixi went, it would be improper and instead make her easy to be looked down upon.

As for Gu Xixi's status at the Little He Manor, she was both a close friend like a sister to He Jinglan and the most honored guest of the Little He Manor.

He Jinglan arranged for the most steady Zi Yan to stay here and accompany Gu Xixi.

They planned to let Gu Xixi make her formal debut before the banquet began, then introduce her to all the guests.

Before leaving, He Jinglan looked back at Gu Xixi and sighed regretfully.

It's still missing a person; it's truly a pity that he can't see it.

Gu Xixi's heart jumped.

She naturally knew whom He Jinglan was referring to.

I heard that Mu Nan Zhao never attends any kind of banquet.

Perhaps because he is so strong, he fundamentally needs no networking to achieve certain goals.

Moreover, he dislikes bustle and is too lazy to pretend cordiality with others.

Therefore, aside from unavoidable court banquets, his figure cannot be found at any other big or small drinking party.

Gu Xixi looked toward the bronze mirror again.

This is probably the first time she has felt a faint sense of loss because Mu Nan Zhao is absent.

Outside the Little He Manor, carriages and horses flowed like water.

Guests holding invitations entered one after another.

The front courtyard was crowded; the manor's maids and errand boys came and went, guiding the guests.

An Qinghe stood under the eaves, gazing out, one to watch the liveliness, two to wait for someone.

Finally spotting a familiar person, he immediately broke into a smile, but did not rush over to greet them right away.

Jiang Mingyuan, newly crowned Top Scholar, inevitably draws everyone's attention.

He first exchanged greetings with the host, the He siblings.

Besides, many people were waiting to chat and make connections with him.

Jiang Mingyuan responded politely to each, neither humble nor arrogant, making people feel like a spring breeze.

Finally, when his side cleared, a few more people walked toward him.

Jiang Mingyuan, however, smiled and said he had seen his close friend and needed to go say hello first.

An Qinghe saw Jiang Mingyuan approach, suddenly feeling a bit ill at ease, "You came, and quite early."

Jiang Mingyuan smiled, "Since I was invited to the banquet, I can't be late."

The two made eye contact, inexplicably feeling tense.

Still Jiang Mingyuan spoke first, "Miss He said the peonies are blooming just right now; before the banquet, you may freely stroll in the garden. Elder Brother An, would you like to accompany me?"

An Qinghe nodded in agreement.

Walking on, they soon found themselves alone.

An Qinghe said, "When did you start having these feelings?"

Although a bit late, he still eventually learned that Gu Xixi had received the Top Scholar's hairpin flower.

These two, together with Gu Xixi, went to the capital; both are men and also clever.

Earlier, Jiang Mingyuan had already noticed An Qinghe's feelings.

Recently, An Qinghe also fully confirmed Jiang Mingyuan's thoughts.

The two laid their cards openly, so there was nothing to beat around the bush.

Jiang Mingyuan lowered his gaze to the pebble path, "When we first met, I already admired her."

"I have never admired a woman like this; her words and deeds are completely in tune with me."

"So I can't help but keep paying attention to her."

"Actually, I can't say exactly when it started."

"Just suddenly realized, I frequently think of her each day; just thinking of meeting her soon makes my chest burn."

"Seeing you constantly following her in and out, I would speculate how far you and she have progressed."

Jiang Mingyuan smiled openly at An Qinghe, "You wouldn't have guessed, I'm also such a petty person."

An Qinghe spoke solemnly, "No, liking someone naturally brings gains and losses."

"You can be open and honest with me, showing you are a true gentleman."

He paused, "However, I'm different from you; for Xixi I can forego being a gentleman."

Jiang Mingyuan stared blankly for a moment, then understood and smiled, "Elder Brother An, do you want to compete with me?"

An Qinghe raised his head proudly, eyes firm, "Open and fair, each relying on their own ability!"

Jiang Mingyuan collected his smile, also became serious, "Good, it's settled."

The flower-viewing banquet's proceedings are long, starting after mid-morning.

Male and female guests sit separately, with a screen in between.

This arrangement conforms to etiquette; later, when drinking and composing poetry, both sides still have a chance to interact.

All guests seated, He Jinglan as host, announced the start of the flower-viewing banquet.

He Jinghui, on the male guests' side, just raised his wine cup.

Then they heard the estate's head steward personally shout outside: "The Regent Prince has arrived!"

Including the host, everyone present was startled.

Haven't heard that the Regent Prince would personally come?