The voice sounded somewhat familiar to Gu Yanshu, as if he had heard it somewhere before, yet it carried an even stronger sense of unfamiliarity.
Almost instinctively, he turned toward the source and saw a man standing nearby, bowing slightly in his direction.
From the official's robes, it was clear that he held a fourth-rank civil position within the court.
Fourth rank—it didn't sound particularly high, especially in the capital, where first- and second-rank officials were commonplace.
Even tonight's palace banquet set the minimum attendance threshold at the fifth rank.
Yet upon closer observation, it was evident that this fourth-rank official was quite young, likely no older than thirty.
For most, reaching this age might mean only just passing the imperial examinations and beginning an official career.
But the man before them had already risen to the fourth rank—a clear testament to both his scholarly excellence and exceptional capability.
While Gu Yanshu was studying him, Qin Lu slightly raised his hand and said, "You may rise, Minister Wen."
Wen?
Hearing the surname, Gu Yanshu was immediately reminded of Wen Qingxiao.
It was then that he finally got a clear look at the man's face—handsome, graceful, and dignified.
Most notably, his features shared a three-to-four-part resemblance with Wen Qingxiao, and the aura around him faintly echoed the otherworldly refinement that Wen Qingxiao carried.
It was then that Gu Yanshu realized why the voice had seemed familiar.
Wen Qingxiao's voice, too, was ethereal and carried a similarly cool, distant tone.
With this guess in mind, Gu Yanshu decided to speak openly:
"May I ask how Minister Wen is related to the Sixth Young Master Wen…?"
"Minister Wen is the eldest brother of Wen Qingxiao. His name is Wen Qingshu, and he currently serves in the Hanlin Academy."
Given Gu Yanshu's close friendship with Wen Qingxiao and his trust in overseeing the newspaper agency's operations, Qin Lu had naturally conducted a thorough investigation into the Wen family.
As Qin Lu answered, Wen Qingshu bowed respectfully toward Gu Yanshu:
"This humble official, Wen Qingshu, pays his respects to Your Highness, the Prince Consort of Li."
Seeing Wen Qingshu's gesture, Gu Yanshu understood—this visit was likely intended for him.
"There's no need for such courtesy, Minister Wen. Was there something you wished to discuss?"
Wen Qingshu offered a light smile and came straight to the point:
"I came specifically to thank Your Highness on behalf of my younger brother, Qingxiao. It would have been proper to call upon you at your residence, but my father and Qingxiao mentioned that you are often occupied with pressing matters. They felt an unannounced visit might only cause disturbance.
Now that I have the chance to see you here today, I hope you will forgive the impropriety of raising this matter in such a setting."
The only connection Gu Yanshu had with the Wen family was through Wen Qingxiao.
As soon as he learned that Wen Qingshu was Qingxiao's elder brother, he had already guessed the purpose of this approach.
Still, hearing it directly from Wen Qingshu took him somewhat by surprise.
After all, regarding Wen Qingxiao's matter, the senior Minister Wen had already thanked him in person—even going so far as to offer a deep, formal bow.
That Wen Qingshu now felt the need to express gratitude so formally suggested that Wen Qingxiao was deeply cherished within the Wen family.
Then, Wen Qingshu spoke again:
"My other brothers also wish to express their thanks to you in person, but they are concerned about imposing. Would Your Highness be willing to grant them an audience?"
As he spoke, Wen Qingshu glanced toward the figures behind him.
Following his gaze, Gu Yanshu noticed four men not far away, each with a similar elegance yet distinct in presence, looking eagerly in his direction.
Judging by their somewhat familiar facial features, Gu Yanshu didn't need to ponder long to understand their identities—they were undoubtedly the other young masters of the Wen family, Wen Qingxiao's elder brothers.
From the official robes they wore, it was clear that each of the Wen brothers was accomplished in his own right.
Even the youngest among them was dressed in attire that indicated status far beyond that of an ordinary, rankless noble.
Although Gu Yanshu was socially adept and flawless in handling interpersonal matters, in truth, he wasn't particularly fond of socializing.
Under normal circumstances, he would have declined such an invitation without a second thought.
But when he met the eyes of the Wen brothers, he was reminded of his own elder brother from the Gu family.
After a brief moment of hesitation, he nodded slightly and agreed to Wen Qingshu's request.
The moment Gu Yanshu nodded, visible joy spread across the faces of the Wen brothers.
Without even needing Wen Qingshu's signal, they stepped forward together and expressed their gratitude to Gu Yanshu.
Gu Yanshu personally felt that what he had done didn't warrant such profound thanks from the Wen family.
But he soon understood the depth of their emotion through their words.
Wen Qingxiao was the child of Minister Wen's later years. Accordingly, the age gap between him and his five elder brothers was wider than usual among siblings.
Even the Fifth Young Master of the Wen family, who was the closest in age to Qingxiao, was nearly six years older.
By the time Qingxiao was born, all the other younger generation members of the Wen family were already at an age of understanding and enlightenment.
It could be said that Qingxiao was raised under the watchful eyes of everyone in the Wen family.
From a young age, Qingxiao was exceptionally bright—not only speaking and walking earlier than most children but also learning things much faster.
He grew up remarkably sensible and mature for his age.
After all, who wouldn't adore a clever, well-behaved, and adorable young child?
The Wen brothers were certainly no exception.
In fact, when Qingxiao was very young, the five brothers once argued intensely over whose room he would sleep in at night.
It wasn't until the elders intervened and decided that Qingxiao would take turns sleeping in each of his brothers' rooms that the near-ridiculous squabble—which could have become a subject of gossip—was finally settled.
This single incident was enough to show how deeply the Wen brothers cherished their youngest sibling.
When the accident happened to Qingxiao, his brothers were equally devastated—some even more heartbroken than Qingxiao himself.
It was only upon Qingxiao's own persuasion that they gradually came to terms with it.
At the time of Qingxiao's broken engagement, had it not been for the presence of mind shown by some in the Wen household who restrained them, it was uncertain whether Qingxiao's former fiancée would have left the Wen residence unharmed.
Later, seeing Qingxiao sink into despair, his brothers were anxious yet helpless.
They tried countless methods to ease his sorrow, but none succeeded.
When Qingxiao decided to move out of the Wen family residence, his brothers were reluctant, but seeing his state at the time, they had no choice but to comply.
Although everyone in the Wen family firmly believed that Qingxiao's resilience would eventually see him through this hardship, as years passed with no sign of him emerging from seclusion, they couldn't help but feel increasingly worried and fearful.
One can only imagine the overwhelming joy the Wen brothers felt when, some days ago, they saw their younger brother return home with their father.
Upon learning that Gu Yanshu played a crucial role in this, they immediately held him in high regard.
And when they discovered that not only had Gu Yanshu helped Qingxiao leave his isolation but had also entrusted him with responsibilities at the newspaper office, their admiration grew even stronger.
Although the Wen brothers did not hold high-ranking positions, they were aware of important matters through their father.
They knew, for instance, that the Emperor attached great significance to this newspaper venture—even if they didn't fully understand what it entailed.
But even if the Emperor hadn't valued it, the mere sight of Qingxiao speaking confidently and enthusiastically about the newspaper would have moved his brothers deeply.
It was the first time in two years, since the broken engagement, that they had seen their younger brother's eyes shine with light and purpose again.
Now, overseeing the newspaper, Qingxiao seemed to have regained his former confidence and vitality.
Seeing him resemble his pre-accident self from three years ago, Wen Qingshu and his brothers already regarded Gu Yanshu as their benefactor.
Understanding the profound bond among the Wen brothers, Gu Yanshu could better grasp their current sentiments.
However, despite this understanding, he felt it necessary to clarify a few things.
For instance, when he first met Wen Qingxiao, Qingxiao had already overcome the shadows on his own and was in a very healthy mental state—Gu Yanshu hadn't done much in that regard.
As for the newspaper, their relationship was more one of mutual benefit.
If he had helped Qingxiao, Qingxiao had in turn provided him with substantial assistance.
Little did Gu Yanshu know that his honest and humble words, in the eyes of the Wen brothers, came across as modesty and a refusal to claim credit or seek reward.
This further elevated their admiration for him.
The fact that the Wen family could nurture someone of Wen Qingxiao's caliber spoke volumes about their intellectual heritage.
During their conversation, Gu Yanshu noticed that although the other Wen brothers were not as renowned as Qingxiao, their knowledge and talent were in no way inferior.
While they didn't share the almost telepathic understanding he had with Qingxiao, the exchange was still pleasant and engaging.
Gu Yanshu found himself gradually relaxing in the company of Wen Qingshu and his brothers.
However, the sight of Gu Yanshu conversing warmly with the Wen brothers was interpreted quite differently by others in the hall:
Everyone knew that the family of Hanlin Academician Wen was known for its strict discipline and that each of his sons was exceptional in his own right.
Although the Wen brothers didn't yet hold prominent positions, it was worth noting that the eldest was only around thirty.
To achieve the fourth rank at such a young age—given a few more years, the Wen family might well occupy a significant share of influence in the Tianqi court.
Moreover, the close rapport between the Wen brothers and the Prince Consort of Li raised questions:
Was Minister Wen himself behind this gesture?
In just a short while, although everyone in the hall maintained an appearance of cheerful conversation, their thoughts had already taken countless twists and turns.
The interaction between Gu Yanshu and the Wen family did not escape the notice of the First Prince, who was also present.
Hearing the faint murmurs around him and feeling the occasional probing glances from others, the First Prince's expression grew darker and darker.
His gaze toward Gu Yanshu, who was chatting happily with the Wen family, became increasingly阴沉:
The potential of the Wen family was obvious to anyone with eyes.
Before this, the First Prince had tried repeatedly to win them over—each attempt ending in failure.
He had originally comforted himself with the thought that even if the Wen family did not support him, at least they were not aligned with Prince Li either.
But now, in what seemed like no time at all, the Wen family had quietly become connected with the Prince Li's household?
Just then, a announcement came from outside the hall:
"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived! Her Majesty the Imperial Noble Consort and Her Majesty the Consort have arrived—"
It must be said that the Emperor's timing was impeccable.
Many in the hall secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, it had been clear to everyone that the First Prince was on the verge of an outburst.
As the saying goes, "When gods fight, mere mortals suffer."
If a conflict had indeed broken out between the First Prince and Prince Li, everyone else in the hall would likely have faced collateral consequences.
Soon, everyone pushed these chaotic thoughts aside and bowed to the newly arrived Emperor and imperial consorts.
The court officials were all experts at maintaining surface harmony, so when the Emperor entered, he noticed nothing unusual.
"Rise, esteemed ministers. Today is a festive occasion—there is no need for restraint. Consider me absent," the Emperor said, a clear smile in his voice, indicating his excellent mood.
Naturally, no one would actually treat the Emperor as absent, but his words did help lighten the atmosphere.
Before long, everyone had taken their seats.
As was customary, the host of the banquet—the Emperor—began with a formal address from his seat.
The literary, classical language filled with "zhi hu zhe ye" was not something Gu Yanshu was entirely accustomed to, but he grasped the general meaning.
It was mostly standard ceremonial remarks: everyone should relax and enjoy the New Year celebration; over the past year, Tianqi had experienced no major crises, and any minor disturbances had been resolved through everyone's joint efforts; the ministers had worked hard this year, and after tonight's banquet, the annual New Year break would begin—they could finally rest well; when the new year arrived, everyone would continue serving Tianqi with dedication, and so on.
The ministers, of course, promptly responded with equally formal assurances—that it was their duty, and they would naturally spare no effort in assisting the Emperor in the coming year.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea spent on such pleasantries, the banquet officially began.
Banquets in ancient times typically featured singing and dancing as entertainment.
As the Emperor declared the start of the feast, musicians and dancers from the imperial music bureau gracefully entered.
Although Gu Yanshu had attended many banquets in his previous life, and the Gu family had also hosted numerous events, a palace banquet was a first for him.
The performers trained by the palace were also something he had never seen before.
This being his first time experiencing such a spectacle, he couldn't help but be curious.
After watching for a while, he had to admit that these musicians and dancers lived up to their imperial training.
Not only were they all exceptionally attractive, but even to Gu Yanshu's untrained eyes, their musical and dance skills were remarkable.
The dancers currently performing in the hall were especially slender and graceful, with waist so tiny they seemed barely a handful.
As they moved, their flowing sleeves lifted lightly, giving an almost ethereal elegance.
When the lead dancer executed a high-difficulty move, followed by a pose that struck Gu Yanshu as incredibly flexible, he couldn't help but marvel at the softness and strength of her waist.
He even mused to himself:
Sometimes, certain things… really can't be blamed on King Zhou of Shang!
Gu Yanshu considered himself completely attracted to men, but even he couldn't help but appreciate this dance.
However, as he was engrossed in watching the performance, he failed to notice the increasingly dark expression on the face of the person beside him.
Just as Gu Yanshu's eyes seemed almost glued to the dancers, Qin Lu finally couldn't take it anymore and spoke in a low tone:
"My Consort, are the dancers pleasing to the eye?"
"Quite pleasing," Gu Yanshu replied without thinking.
From his perspective, the dancers' movements were truly exquisite.
In his previous life, they could have rivaled renowned professional dancers.
In fact, he felt they were in no way inferior to the world's top performers.
But the moment the words left his mouth, Gu Yanshu realized something was wrong.
He turned to see Qin Lu's stormy expression.
Seeing that Gu Yanshu had finally looked away, and recalling the answer he had just received, Qin Lu laughed in anger:
"Quite pleasing?"
Qin Lu hadn't forgotten Gu Yanshu's reaction during their first meeting.
Later, Gu Yanshu had even admitted that the reason he insisted on making their marriage real was that he had been captivated by Qin Lu's appearance.
At first, Qin Lu hadn't thought much of it.
In fact, he felt relieved that he possessed something Gu Yanshu valued.
But today, seeing Gu Yanshu's reaction, he suddenly realized something was amiss:
If Gu Yanshu had been drawn to him because of his looks, would he one day be attracted to someone else with even better looks?
This thought made Qin Lu' already unpleasant expression turn even darker.
How could Gu Yanshu not see that Qin Lu was upset?
He quickly reached out to soothe his dear stag:
"They are not half as pleasing as you, Your Highness."
But this time, the usual trick didn't work. The stag pawed the ground and glanced at him sideways:
"Is that so?"
Those two simple words were dripping with sarcasm and jealousy—so much so that Gu Yanshu could have sensed it from miles away, let alone sitting right beside him.
Who was Gu Yanshu?
If he hadn't been capable, how could he have stood out among the talented members of the Gu family and taken control? How could he have fought his way through a apocalyptic world full of predators and carved out a place for himself?
After a moment's reflection and careful observation of Qin Lu's expression and question, he quickly pinpointed the issue.
He smiled slightly, leaned closer to Qin Lu, and whispered:
"Of course. Your Highness is the most beautiful in my eyes. Didn't you already know that from our first meeting?"
The stag, who had been bristling like a giant furball, seemed somewhat comforted and shrank back into a smaller furball:
"But you were watching so intently just now. You liked it, didn't you?"
Gu Yanshu knew this matter wouldn't be dropped without a proper explanation and hurriedly clarified:
"That was mere appreciation—just as you might see a fine glass vessel and find it beautiful, wanting to admire it. It doesn't mean I like it in that way. If it displeases you, I won't look again."
It had to be said that Gu Yanshu's analogy was quite effective.
At the very least, Qin Lu understood the sentiment behind Gu Yanshu's gaze.
But even if he hadn't, seeing the usually composed Gu Yanshu flustered because of his words was enough to show how much his Consort cared.
Prince Li was a magnanimous man. Since his Consort had acknowledged his mistake and made a promise, he saw no need to press further:
"Very well. This Prince understands."
Gu Yanshu had been prepared for a long explanation, but he hadn't expected this usually proud stag to be so easily appeased—it had only taken a moment to smooth his fur.
Looking at this stag, fierce to others but only knowing how to act spoiled and show his belly to him, Gu Yanshu felt a sudden impulse and couldn't help but say:
"Your Highness, there's something I've never told you, isn't there?"
His tone was exceptionally gentle. Qin Lu's ears twitched slightly, and he couldn't resist asking:
"What is it?"
"Your Highness is the most beautiful person I have ever seen in this world. No one else, no matter how exceptional, can compare to you in the slightest."
Gu Yanshu leaned close to Qin Lu's ear and answered softly.
Even Qin Lu hadn't expected Gu Yanshu to be so bold—to say such flirtatious words in public.
Just as he was about to scold him, he heard Gu Yanshu continue:
"And also… in Yanshu's heart, between the moon's glow and the snow's purity, Your Highness is the third kind of peerless beauty."
"Buzz—"
As soon as these words were spoken, Qin Lu felt a ringing in his ears, as if everything around him had faded away.
All that remained in his mind was Gu Yanshu's sentence:
"Between the moon's glow and the snow's purity, Your Highness is the third kind of peerless beauty."
He knew he should be angry.
The term "peerless beauty" lacked masculine vigor and shouldn't be used to describe an eight-foot-tall man like himself.
But instead of anger, Qin Lu found himself trembling so much he could barely hold his wine cup.
Finally, relying on years of muscle memory, he managed to set the cup down on the table without spilling on his robes at the very start of the banquet.
Once he had somewhat regained his composure, he couldn't help but低声 scold:
"Nonsense! What… what are you talking about?"
But his lack of conviction, the slight pause, and his slightly reddened ears made it clear that his words didn't match his true feelings.
Gu Yanshu, who had just spoken such charming words, acted as if he noticed nothing:
"Your Highness knows I never speak nonsense to you."
It was true—Gu Yanshu had deceived many people.
Even his own elder brother, Gu Yanli, had often been tricked by him.
But with Qin Lu, Gu Yanshu had always spoken from the heart, without any exaggeration or concealment.
As Gu Yanshu had once said, the most important thing between a couple was honesty.
He didn't want them to ever grow distant because of hidden truths.
Qin Lu clearly remembered those words. The redness that had just begun to fade from his ears returned.
He picked up his wine cup and drained it in one go, finally calming down a little.
When he turned and saw the slight smile in Gu Yanshu's eyes, he realized he had been teased on purpose.
Gritting his teeth, he lowered his voice:
"My Consort, take advantage of this banquet to be as bold as you wish. Just wait until we return to the palace…"
He didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was obvious.
Now it was Gu Yanshu's turn to be embarrassed. He quickly begged for mercy:
"Your Highness, I was wrong. I won't dare again."
But was this effective?
Qin Lu's current expression told Gu Yanshu:
Absolutely not.
Immediately, Gu Yanshu began to scheme:
Maybe he should get the stag a little drunk tonight and turn him into a tipsy deer?
The New Year's audience the next day wasn't like the day after the wedding—if he couldn't get up tomorrow, who knew what people would say!
As Gu Yanshu and Qin Lu whispered intimately, they didn't realize that their affectionate interaction had been noticed by many at the banquet.
The thoughts that had just been suppressed by the formalities of the palace banquet began to resurface.
Some even glanced toward the Emperor's seat, curious about his reaction to the scene.
But the Emperor's gaze remained fixed on the dancers in the hall, his expression unchanged, as if he hadn't noticed the small exchange between Prince Li and his Consort at all.