The Divine Doctor and Adorable Consort: The Demonic Emperor is Too Cunning

When Empress Qin saw Gu Jinyi, she also saw Fang Qingyou beside him, and Luo Qianmo beside Fang Qingyou.

At that moment, Empress Qin almost couldn't help but laugh.

God helps her!

Gu Jinyi, who never attends banquets, actually showed up for today's chrysanthemum appreciation banquet.

With such a formidable rival as Gu Jinyi here, does she really think Luo Qianmo won't take the bait?

On the surface, Empress Qin tried her best to suppress her inner joy and did not want anyone to see her thoughts.

After the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Empress Qin were seated, the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet began.

At this point, the royal family members, noblemen, and ladies of high society took their seats.

The chrysanthemum garden, which was originally teeming with people, was soon filled with everyone gathered in the center.

The Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Empress Qin sat on high seats on the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Terrace, followed by the princes, princesses, heirs, county princesses, and the children of ministers.

Fang Qingyou didn't know if Empress Qin did it on purpose, but Gu Jinyi's seat was arranged right opposite her, while Luo Qianmo was sitting diagonally opposite her, and the three of them were arranged to form a right triangle.

And she was in that awkward right-angled position.

In Fang Qingyou's position, besides facing Gu Jinyi and Luo Qianmo, any actions she takes will be clearly seen by the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Empress Qin.

This position is practically the most exposed spot on the court.

To Fang Qingyou's relief, She Yuyan was sitting right next to her, which made her feel a little more at ease.

"Now that the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet has begun, as always, the first event will be a talent show. I wonder which young lady or gentleman would be willing to be the first to showcase their talent for us this time?"

Empress Qin's kind and gentle gaze slowly swept over the crowd below, her expression soft and without any airs of an empress.

The Emperor noticed Gu Jinyi's presence, then glanced at Fang Qingyou opposite him, his thick, dark eyebrows furrowing for a moment.

It wasn't because Gu Jinyi's position was too conspicuous, but because he had such an extraordinary presence that he would definitely be noticed at first glance if he stood out in a crowd.

Those richly dressed princes sitting next to Gu Jinyi would definitely be completely ignored as human background figures.

The Empress Dowager also saw Gu Jinyi and couldn't help but ask, "Is this a child of the Gu family?"

His tone was gentle and friendly, as if he were speaking to his most beloved junior.

Gu Jinyi calmly rose and bowed to the Empress Dowager with a gentle smile: "Your Majesty, I am the eldest son of the Gu family."

Gu Jinyi did not hold any official position in the court and had no rank, but even high-ranking officials dared not underestimate him, let alone compete with him.

Although he referred to himself as "your humble servant" to the Empress Dowager, he did not display the humility of an ordinary minister.

Instead, she stood there with elegance and gentleness, showing respect and deference to the Empress Dowager, without any flattery or pandering, like a pure spirit in a turbid world.

It is free from dirt and filth, and free from dust.

Fang Qingyou stared intently at Gu Jinyi, feeling that he was simply the perfect male god of her dreams.

Seeing Fang Qingyou's expression, She Yuyan secretly worried for Luo Qianmo. It wasn't that she was trying to boost others' morale while diminishing her own, but Fang Qingyou seemed genuinely infatuated with Gu Jinyi. And today's banquet was nominally a chrysanthemum appreciation feast, but in reality, it was a wedding banquet.

Gu Jinyi seems to like Fang Qingyou quite a bit. I wonder if he will ask the Empress Dowager for her hand in marriage?

If he really asked, would the Empress Dowager agree?

She Yuyan looked at Fang Qingyou, then at Gu Jinyi, then at Luo Qianmo, then at the Empress Dowager, then at the Emperor, and then at Empress Qin, and felt a deep headache coming on.

Luo Qianmo also noticed Fang Qingyou's expression. Her expression remained unchanged, still that stunningly beautiful face without a trace of emotion, but her beautiful eyes were filled with icy coldness.

The Emperor noticed the change in Luo Qianmo's expression, and his thick eyebrows furrowed even deeper.

"As expected of Young Master Gu! I have long heard of your vast knowledge. I met you once when you were a child, and now that I see you again, you have grown into a young man." The Empress Dowager's expression was kind, but there was a hint of regret in it, as if she lamented that she had not seen Gu Jinyi enough.

Seeing the Empress Dowager's expression, Empress Qin smiled and said, "Mother, Young Master Gu is the most outstanding young master in the world. Don't laugh at me, but I never expected him to attend this banquet. Since you and Young Master Gu seem to have such a connection, how about I invite him to be the first to showcase his talent?"

As she spoke, Empress Qin turned her gaze to Gu Jinyi, seeking his opinion: "Young Master Gu, what is your opinion?"

The Empress Dowager was very satisfied with Empress Qin's suggestion, and then turned her gaze to Gu Jinyi, waiting for his response.

On the surface, Empress Qin seemed to respect Gu Jinyi's opinion, even changing the word "performance" to "display," but in reality, she was forcing him to agree.

In this situation, if he were to say no, he would appear disloyal and unjust.

Empress Qin did it on purpose. She was afraid that Gu Jinyi would disagree, and she wanted him to stand out, the more prominent the better.

Fang Qingyou disliked Empress Qin's pressure on Gu Jinyi, but she was also quite looking forward to his talent.

The most talented young master in the world, whose fame is known throughout the land, must be someone whose talent would be something to look forward to in this life.

Throughout, Gu Jinyi maintained a gentle smile and bowed to the Empress Dowager and Empress Qin: "I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's concern and Your Majesty's praise. I humbly accept your invitation and will compose a poem. It is but a humble attempt to elicit your own thoughts, and I hope that all of you talented gentlemen and ladies will not find it laughable."

Before Gu Jinyi could finish speaking, Empress Qin smiled and said, "Young Master Gu is too modest."

As he spoke, he hurriedly instructed the eunuch beside him, "Prepare a desk, writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone immediately!"

For a moment, everyone in the room looked on with curiosity and longing.

This wasn't the first time they had met Gu Jinyi, nor was it the first time they had read his poems and essays. However, for many of them, it was the first time they had seen him display his talent in person, rather than in books copied and bound by others.

The tools were quickly prepared. Gu Jinyi declined the service of the eunuchs and maids, and prepared to write poetry by grinding ink and moistening his brush himself.

The process wasn't short, but everyone waited for Gu Jinyi without showing any impatience. This was because every movement he made was gentle, and each action was like a beautiful scroll slowly unfolding, making people reluctant to interrupt or urge him.

When Gu Jinyi finished preparing and began to write, many people were excited.

Because they can't help but wonder, what kind of amazing poem will appear in the world soon?