Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 284 Cui Family Flower Banquet

The next morning, Gu Qingyue got dressed.

She wore a long, moon-white dress embroidered with purple vines and auspicious begonias, her black hair styled into a simple bun adorned with a purple jade hairpin, and matching earrings. The look was simple yet elegant, with a touch of girlish charm, and very appropriate.

Madam Qin praised her daughter repeatedly, unable to get enough of looking at her.

The thought always crossed my mind: I was afraid that my daughter would be targeted by someone with ill intentions.

She wanted to remind Gu Yuanen to follow and protect her daughter, but then she thought that it was her daughter's family gathering and it wouldn't be appropriate for Gu Yuanen to go, so she gave up on the idea.

Before Gu Qingyue left, Qin Shi couldn't help but remind Jiang Wan to keep a close eye on things before she felt a little relieved.

Of course, she didn't know that someone had already set their sights on her daughter.

As soon as Gu Qingyue's carriage came to a stop in front of the Cui residence, Cui Jiaojiao came up to greet her and warmly took her hand.

"Come in quickly, several of my sisters have already arrived. Let me tell you, I guarantee you'll have a lot of fun today." Without further ado, Gu Qingyue was led through the door.

He boarded the sedan chair carried by the tall, strong old woman and didn't get off until he reached the hanging flower gate in the backyard.

Gu Qingyue had always been offered a sedan chair to carry her in the Duke's mansion, but she refused them all.

The Duke's Mansion covers a vast area, and the scenery is unique and picturesque. There's no reason not to take a good stroll around. Why take a sedan chair?

A large group of people following you spoils your enjoyment of the park.

But when you're in someone else's home, you have no choice but to do as the locals do.

Cui Jiaojiao's description was funny, and it really was funny.

In a pavilion not far from the center of the lake, four or five little girls were already playing noisily.

"Come, Miss Gu, let me introduce you."

Cui Jiaojiao took Gu Qingyue's hand and quickly walked onto the lakeside walkway.

"Sister Cui, come quick! Who is this young lady?"

As soon as the two stepped onto the pavilion in the middle of the lake, a girl dressed in a blue floral jacket and a moon-white pleated skirt rushed over.

She wore a rose gold brocade necklace, which was very cute and pretty.

She held Cui Jiaojiao's other hand, clearly indicating a good relationship with Cui Jiaojiao and a lively and outgoing personality.

Gu Qingyue sized up the girl in front of her, while the girl was also sizing up Gu Qingyue.

A moment later, she exclaimed, "Sister Cui, this little girl is so beautiful! She's like a fairy! Whose family is she?"

Other girls also gathered around to praise her. Gu Qingyue's lips twitched. Did they have to be so exaggerated?

Actually, she hasn't fully grown up yet; she's still young. She might be even prettier when she's older, but her face still has a bit of a childish look.

She smiled calmly and nodded to everyone as a greeting.

"This is the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Gu Qingyue. You haven't met her yet, have you? She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen," Cui Jiaojiao said, raising her eyebrows with obvious pride.

Upon hearing this, several girls immediately stepped forward to greet them.

It's not just out of politeness, but because different family backgrounds dictate these rules.

Gu Qingyue nodded slightly and returned the gesture with a proper bow.

His expression was neither humble nor arrogant, nor did he exude an overbearing air of pride.

This comforted the girls who were feeling a bit resentful; at least it wasn't someone who bullied others.

Of course, the little girls mostly looked on with curiosity.

"Alright, everyone, let's get to know each other first. This is Zhang Yuying, the eldest daughter of the Yongen Marquis's main branch."

Cui Jiaojiao pointed to the girl in the blue floral jacket and introduced her to Gu Qingyue.

The Yong'en Marquis's Residence?

Gu Qingyue remembered Rong Qingqing's instructions.

The day after she returned to the capital, she learned that the Yongen Marquis's mansion was right next door to her. But before she could find the time to properly learn about it, she unexpectedly ran into the eldest daughter of the Marquis's mansion. Wasn't this a perfect opportunity?

"This is Lan Hui'er, the eldest daughter of the Imperial Censor; Mei Xiaoyuan, the eldest daughter of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review; Liu Enshan, the eldest daughter of the Minister of Revenue; and Zhao, come here."

Cui Jiaojiao waved to a little girl in a red dress standing on the periphery, "This is Zhao Yunnan, the daughter of General Zhao's family."

After saying that, they all waved to each other, very warmly.

They showed no signs of the awkwardness one might expect from a first meeting, and in the next instant, they all crowded around Gu Qingyue and began to comment on her.

He asked Gu Qingyue what kind of rouge she was using.

One moment they'd ask if the jade hairpin in their hair was a new product from Liufang Pavilion.

There were also people circling around her skirt.

She said she wanted this style next time too; it's simple yet elegant, gentle and graceful, and incredibly beautiful.

Gu Qingyue thought to herself: They say three women make a drama, these girls are worth more than all the male prostitutes in the capital!

Just then, a discordant voice rang out from afar.

Of course, even in a harmonious atmosphere, there will always be a few inappropriate voices that will break in; this is an inevitable part of any banquet.

For example, at that moment, a woman's voice rang out from the lakeside.

Cui Jiaojiao turned around and thought, "Hmph, more uninvited guests!"

Gu Qingyue spotted Zhao Lingyun in the distance at a glance.

After a few days apart, she was dressed in increasingly dazzling gold and silver, looking far more expensive than ever.

Two girls followed behind her: Lin Qinwei, the second daughter of the Minister of Works, and Mu Wanqing, the youngest daughter of the Minister of Rites.

It's true what they say, enemies are destined to meet!

Gu Qingyue recalled their mockery of her after they left that day, and a slight smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.

Once the group entered the pavilion in the middle of the lake, Zhao Lingyun looked around and gave a slight curtsy as a greeting.

Apart from Gu Qingyue and Cui Jiaojiao.

The other girls quickly stepped forward to greet the three of them.

Although they might not get along in private, these daughters of prominent families certainly behaved very appropriately on the surface.

Gu Qingyue sighed inwardly. They were all so shrewd at such a young age. She had a lot to learn from them.

"Greetings, Miss Gu," Zhao Lingyun said to Gu Qingyue with an exaggeratedly big smile.

"It's only been a few days, but Miss Gu has become even more radiant and beautiful, leaving us mere mortals in awe!"

The more exaggerated the laughter, the more hypocritical the words.

Gu Qingyue politely said, "Miss Zhao, you really know how to speak. Looks are something you're born with, it's just a matter of luck, and it's not worth mentioning. Which of the ladies here isn't beautiful? Besides, isn't the most beautiful one right in front of me? Miss Zhao, you shouldn't belittle yourself."

Gu Qingyue's words, neither too harsh nor too gentle, left Zhao Lingyun speechless with anger.

She had intended to use Gu Qingyue's appearance to make everyone fear and hate her, but she ended up being humiliated and unable to say anything.

She knew in her heart, of course, that her appearance was no match for Gu Qingyue's.

That makes them even more hateful, doesn't it?

This country bumpkin!

Thinking of this, his expression became somewhat distorted, and upon closer inspection, there was even a hint of ferocity.

If it weren't for her brother-in-law, the Third Prince, hinting that she should befriend the young lady of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, she wouldn't have come here today.

She clenched her fists, about to speak, when Cui Jiaojiao immediately stepped forward and blocked Gu Qingyue's path.