Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 298 The Impatient Eighth Prince

Seeing that everyone present looked up at him, the Eighth Prince smiled awkwardly, "I've already sent someone over, and we'll know the news soon."

Others: How impatient are they?

"Is that Sister Chaoyue?" The Fifth Prince asked suddenly, standing by the window.

Several people peeked out and, sure enough, the women who had just been gathered in a group had dispersed in twos and threes, and three women walked out from inside. The one in the lead was Princess Chaoyue.

"What happened?" the Eighth Prince asked.

The Fifth Prince shook his head and continued to look outside, remaining silent.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded on the stairs.

"Come in," the Eighth Prince said.

A servant-like man lifted the curtain and bowed, saying, "I just received news that there was a minor conflict between the three princesses and the young lady of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion downstairs. The three princesses have already left."

Upon hearing this, Mu Yun Chu raised an eyebrow slightly and sat up straight.

The Eighth Prince frowned and said unhappily, "I asked you to find out what the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion looks like, why are you bringing this up?"

The servant paused, then continued, "The crowd was so dense that it was impossible to get through. The little maid didn't go in, but she caught a glimpse from afar and said that the young lady from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was very beautiful."

The Eighth Prince was overjoyed and gestured for the servant to leave. "What did I tell you? So, I have a chance now, haha."

The Fifth Prince and Mu Yun Chu frowned at the same time, looking at the Eighth Prince with icy eyes.

However, the Eighth Prince was unaware of this and continued to pace back and forth happily.

He wished he could go down right now and bring that girl back to his mansion to enjoy her.

He had never experienced what it was like to have a noble lady writhing and submitting to his pleasure.

The more I think about it, the more my heart aches like it's being scratched by a cat!

So he made an excuse that he had some things to do downstairs and hurriedly went downstairs.

Watching his figure walk downstairs, the Fifth Prince, standing by the window, gripped his folding fan tightly.

He recalled the day he and Young Master Liu met Gu Qingyue at He Tai Feng. The woman was beautiful, with a curvaceous figure and an outstanding temperament.

In addition, her status as the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's family perfectly matched his requirements for a prince's consort.

He had long considered this woman his own, and this old man actually came up with something to ruin things; it's utterly hateful!

Seeing that the Eighth Prince had left, no one took his words to heart.

After all, everyone present knew that the Eighth Prince had once been most fond of Huaiyu, the most beautiful courtesan of Lanxiang Pavilion, and had even sworn that he would marry no one but her.

The next day, it was discovered that he had been favoring a male prostitute at the Nanfeng Pavilion.

That male prostitute was even more beautiful than Huaiyu, no wonder he changed his mind the next day.

Later, he took the male prostitute back to the prince's residence, and within two days, his body was discovered in a mass grave outside the city.

It can be said that these young masters from noble families and princes knew his character perfectly well.

He said he wanted to marry the legitimate daughter of the Duke's family, but the buzz probably won't last more than two days.

Mu Yun Chu gently held the teacup, her eyes sweeping over the table beside her. Zhang Qing Xuan's eyes flickered slightly, and then he stood up.

"I'm going to change my clothes."

After speaking, he cupped his hands to Mu Yun Chu and the Fifth Prince, nodded to the two heirs, and walked outside.

Only after his footsteps disappeared on the stairs did everyone continue to look into the garden.

Gu Qingyue had already seen Cui Jiaojiao and the others enter Shangchun Garden.

She whispered a few words to Madam Wei, then led Jiang Wan and Zhu Qing toward Cui Jiaojiao and the other girls.

"Jiaojiao," Gu Qingyue called out before she even reached her.

The ladies nearby were drawn to Gu Qingyue's voice and also looked at Cui Jiaojiao and her group.

"Madam Cui," Gu Qingyue said as she approached, giving a slight curtsy to the person beside Cui Jiaojiao.

Madam Cui smiled and took Gu Qingyue's hand, "You've become even more beautiful in just a few days. Look at your bearing."

Gu Qingyue smiled, knowing that she had been praised by Madam Cui during her last visit to the Cui family and that it would be the same again today.

Seeing her mother's expression, Cui Jiaojiao winked and made faces at her.

After a long while, seeing that her mother was still holding onto Gu Qingyue, she stepped forward helplessly and said, "Mother, look, the Admiral's wife is here. Go and see her. I have something to say to Qingyue."

Only after all the ladies had left did Cui Jiaojiao finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Her mother truly praised everyone she met, and it was all genuine.

She likes pretty girls.

Two years ago, she praised one of her friends so much that her face almost stiffened from smiling before she let go.

Gu Qingyue patted her shoulder, "It's nothing, Auntie is just being enthusiastic."

I guess she's just like me, enjoying looking at handsome men and beautiful women. She's an ancient person obsessed with good looks, a kindred spirit!

A moment later, Zhang Yuying from the Yongen Marquis's Mansion, who had come with Cui Jiaojiao, Lan Huier from the Imperial Censor's Mansion, Mei Xiaoyuan from the Dali Temple Minister's Mansion, Liu Enshan from the Ministry of Revenue's Mansion, and of course Zhao Yunnan from General Zhao's Mansion, all gathered together; everyone had arrived.

Gu Qingyue stood among a group of girls with great interest, listening intently to their gossip—yes, gossip, not clothes and jewelry.

This made Gu Qingyue even more excited.

Life is more interesting when there's gossip!

"Have you heard? Zhao Lingyun has been grounded by her mother. It's said that she hit one of the young ladies who attended the flower banquet a couple of days ago."

Mei Xiaoyuan is a know-it-all; she's always the first to know any gossip.

I don't know how they found out, but they're very well-informed.

Upon hearing this, the girls couldn't help but look at her. Cui Jiaojiao asked, "Why did you hit someone?"

Mei Xiaoyuan coughed lightly, "I heard it's because that young lady spoke ill of Prince Zhang," she said, looking at Zhang Yuying.

Zhang Yuying looked completely bewildered. "What?"

Liu Enshan chuckled: "You really don't know? I heard that Zhao Lingyun has shown a special affection for your brother on several occasions, and you didn't even know?"

Gu Qingyue's eyes sparkled. Really? Zhao Lingyun and the heir of the Marquis of Yong'en?

Zhang Yuying looked at the girls with a complicated expression, "She actually dared to have designs on my brother? It's truly shameless!"

The little girl couldn't think of anything harsher to say, so she stomped her foot and, after holding it in for a long time, finally uttered this curse.

Cui Jiaojiao stepped forward and patted her: "Don't be angry, anyway, your brother doesn't like her either."

Zhang Qingxuan, the young master, is gentle and handsome, so his standards must be very high. Someone like Zhao Lingyun would definitely not be interested in him!

The girls nodded in agreement. Gu Qingyue didn't know why Prince Zhang would look down on Zhao Lingyun, but that didn't dampen her burning passion for gossip.

"Distinguished guests," an old woman appeared at the arched flower gate behind them as the group whispered.

Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone in the women's quarters to hear.

Gu Qingyue and the others turned to look at the old nanny.

"Princess An has arrived!" Behind the old nanny, a large group of people escorted a graceful noblewoman as she walked over.

Upon hearing this, everyone walked towards the main guest table.

The women's area was cleverly arranged. It was a large lawn with a circular wooden platform in the middle, about half a meter high.

There was a set of steps around the side, and rows of long tables were arranged along the platform, with seats assigned to the guests according to their rank and official position.