The Marquis of Pingning was hosting the male guests in the front courtyard.
To celebrate the reunion with his daughter, the Marquis had gone to great lengths. Although not many guests were invited to witness the ceremony, a feast was laid out at the entrance. The banquet was divided into two parts: forty tables for ordinary citizens and another ten tables designated for the beggars of the capital.
After all, even commoners would not be willing to dine with beggars at the same table.
This arrangement was quite considerate of the people. After today, not only the upper class but also ordinary people would know that the Marquis of Pingning's mansion had found their lost eldest daughter, and that person was Lu Nianfu.
Gu Yanchen was quite pleased with this.
Currently, the imperial court was troubled by the Wokou pirates in Jiangnan, and all officials were treading carefully. The Marquis of Pingning dared to host such a grand banquet at this time, which showed how much he valued this daughter. That was enough.
Seeing his son-in-law suddenly appear, the Marquis of Pingning cursed inwardly but had to put on a pleased expression: "Didn't my worthy son-in-law get summoned by His Majesty today? How do you have time to come over?"
"The matter was resolved, so I hurried over. I hope my father-in-law will not mind my tardiness."
"Not at all, it's good that you could come."
The sound of scriptures continued without end, but the rhythm of the wooden fish being struck was not as gentle as usual.
Qiangwei, however, rushed into the Buddhist hall excitedly: "Madam, please don't worry, Master-in-law has arrived. He even held the eldest young lady's hand and walked around in front of everyone, showing their affection."
"Really? Then why didn't he come earlier?"
"I heard he was summoned by His Majesty."
The wife of the Marquis of Pingning breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."
She was so afraid that Gu Yanchen would divorce her daughter. If that happened, her reunited daughter would have nowhere else to go but back to the mansion, and the Marquis of Pingning's mansion was not a place she could easily enter.
Having lost Zeng Weiyang, she was already tormented by her conscience. If she couldn't save her daughter, what was the meaning of her life?
The Marquis of Pingning's mansion announced that they would hold a three-day open banquet, but Lu Nianfu had no intention of staying for three days. After dinner and seeing off the guests, she returned to the Guangling Marquis's mansion with Gu Yanchen.
As soon as they entered, the young servant at the gate said, "Eldest Young Master, Master is looking for you."
"That's good, I was looking for him too." Gu Yanchen rolled up his sleeves, looking not like he was going to see his father, but like he was going to fight.
Lu Nianfu pulled him: "What are you doing? You look like you're going to demand an explanation."
"It's nothing, just going to chat with father. You go back to your room first. You've been busy all day, take a hot bath to relax." He then gave Qingya a look and pushed her towards Shang Lan Courtyard.
Lu Nianfu was dragged away by Qingya and couldn't break free. She could only instruct: "Talk nicely, don't argue with father."
Gu Yanchen said, "Don't worry, how could I anger the old man?"
Speaking of which, his father usually didn't meddle in affairs but was always kind. With his second and third brothers preparing for the imperial examinations, it would be most suitable to seek his help for an official position even if they passed. Although he might not interfere, there was no need for the two elders to lose face at this time.
It was merely a visit to show face, but the fact that no one from the mansion appeared could easily lead to gossip.
So, he couldn't understand it at all. His mother, it was understandable, her temper often made her act recklessly, but it was something about his father that didn't sit right with him.
In the small reception hall, Gu Rong had already drunk three cups of tea but still hadn't figured out how to speak to his son. The Emperor was really giving him a difficult task. What's more, he had to rush the completion of such a difficult assignment.
But what could he do? That person was the Emperor. If he didn't obey the imperial decree, what if he was beheaded for defying the order?
So, as soon as Gu Yanchen entered, he saw his father's troubled expression.
The question he was about to ask changed its tune. Although his tone was still sharp, it at least lacked the intention of demanding an explanation: "Father, what do you want me for?"
"Yanchen, you're here. Come, come, sit with your father and have some tea."
"It's late at night, let's skip the tea. Just tell me if there's anything."
"It's just, what do you think about marrying a noble lady from a prestigious family?"
"Are you planning to arrange marriages for our second and third brothers? Didn't Mother say to wait until after their spring examinations?" The powerful families were everywhere. When selecting sons-in-law, the mothers in the capital not only looked at family background but also at the son-in-law's abilities.
Gu Rong followed his lead: "The spring examinations are in March, the results will be out in April, followed by the imperial examination. It's not long until the results are announced, so of course, we need to start looking for suitable partners early."
"Father has great confidence in the two brothers." It was as if he was sure they would pass the examination.
"It's mainly because your mother nags me every day. I'm thinking that a lady from a prominent family would be much more helpful than a common girl, don't you agree?"