Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 308 A Battle for One Woman

Princess Lianfu couldn't help but step forward and grab her hand again, her heart seething with resentment, but she still had to put on a charming smile.

"Miss Gu, are you really unwilling to stay? The spring scenery is much more beautiful here, and besides..." she said, giggling as she glanced at the men, "Isn't it more interesting here?"

The Fifth Prince actually invited this vixen to sit at his place?

How dare he? How could he do this?

No one can take the man she's set her sights on!

During this marriage alliance, she fell in love with the Fifth Prince at first sight. He was gentle and refined, handsome and extraordinary, and had an elegant demeanor. Only such a man was worthy of being her man!

But when she arrived today, she heard from Young Master Liu that the Fifth Prince had already taken a fancy to this vixen, and that she had deliberately called her up to see her make a fool of herself!

Didn't they say he grew up in the countryside?

How could a woman be so quick-witted!

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyue wanted to roll her eyes. Funny my ass!

Isn't it just that they want to see the princes flirt with her? And maybe embarrass her? Do they think she's some kind of monkey show?

"Third brother, fifth brother, please sit down, you're blocking the light," Mu Yun Chu's leisurely voice came at this moment, lazy and indifferent with a hint of mockery.

The Third Prince and the Fifth Prince were taken aback when they heard this. They were on the terrace, so what kind of light were they blocking?

However, seeing that the sixth, seventh, and ninth princes, as well as the third prince of Nanzhao, were all watching them, it would be inappropriate to stop Gu Qingyue any longer, so they nodded and sat down.

"The location of the Duke of Zhenguo's residence is below. Since this place is interesting, Princess, please enjoy it. I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

She watched as Jiang Wan gently placed a pill into Princess Lianfu's cup and smiled faintly.

She then bowed to the princes and said, "Please forgive me, I must take my leave."

As she turned around, she met Mu Yun Chu's gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, but she subtly looked away and gracefully led Jiang Wan and Zhu Qing downstairs.

Mu Yun Chu's eyes flickered slightly; he had an urge to get up and leave with Gu Qing Yue.

But considering all those eyes watching Gu Qingyue and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, he couldn't let her become the target of everyone's criticism and bring her danger.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief, suppressing the restless urge within him, and made no move.

The other princes wanted to laugh at Gu Qingyue's maid's actions, but they managed to hold it in.

They didn't expect Gu Qingyue to actually put a hangover pill in Princess Lianfu's cup, haha! What an interesting woman.

At this moment, Princess Lianfu looked at Gu Qingyue's back, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes. What an ungrateful wretch!

But as soon as she turned her head and met the Fifth Prince's gaze, she immediately put on a wronged and hurt expression, looking delicate and pitiful.

The inexplicable Fifth Prince: ......

As soon as Gu Qingyue's figure disappeared at the top of the stairs, the youngest Ninth Prince couldn't sit still.

He nudged Mu Yun Chu's shoulder: "Sixth brother, seventh brother, is this really the young lady from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"

A look of confusion flashed in the boy's eyes.

"Wasn't it said that she was raised in the countryside since childhood, illiterate, and uncouth? How could she have such stunning beauty? And her demeanor doesn't seem like that of someone raised in the countryside!"

The Ninth Prince has just turned fifteen this year, the age when he is just beginning to experience romantic feelings.

However, because her mother came from a humble background and held a low rank, she had no ambition to compete for the throne.

Therefore, his relationship with the other princes was neither good nor bad, and he spoke much more casually.

Mu Yun Chu lowered her eyes, swirled the teacup in her hand, her expression indifferent, and remained silent.

The Sixth Prince showed a hint of interest. "She is indeed stunningly beautiful; she could easily be considered the most beautiful woman in the capital, but..."

He looked at the Fifth Prince meaningfully and said, "Not everyone can handle such a beauty."

"Oh, so Sixth Brother means you're interested?" The Third Prince's eyes flashed with a deep meaning as he teased.

"I wouldn't dare say that, but seeing the most beautiful woman in the capital today has made this trip worthwhile," the Sixth Prince said, leaning against the railing and looking at Gu Qingyue, who had already walked away, with a distant gaze.

"Why?" the Third Prince continued, "Miss Gu is probably not engaged yet, and Sixth Brother is also unmarried. They are a perfect match, so it's not a bad idea."

As he spoke, he glanced at Mu Yunjing. Don't think he didn't know that these two were distant in public, but they were very close in private. If they could compete for the same woman, it would probably be quite a sight!

"Third brother is right. A beautiful lady is sought after by a gentleman. Sixth brother, why don't you go and try to find Father?" The fifth prince finally spoke, with a faint smile.

Sitting next to the Ninth Prince, Mu Yun Chu finally put down her cup and said calmly, "Brothers, be careful with your words. The eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is not someone to be teased."

Upon hearing this, the Third Prince smiled and said, "I almost forgot. I heard that Miss Gu and General Gu recognized each other in Lizhou City. I suppose Seventh Brother has known Miss Gu for a long time. Being close to the water tower makes it easier to get the moon. Why don't you give it a try, Seventh Brother?"

Mu Yun Chu looked at the Third Prince with a mocking expression, "Third Brother, could you say these words in front of Old Duke Gu and Father?"

For a moment, the Third Prince Mu Yunchun's face contorted. Had he gone mad?

Go before the Emperor to ask the seventh prince to marry the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's family? Are you courting death?

Everyone now knows that countless powerful figures in the capital are secretly vying to take sides, hoping to gain the merit of supporting the new emperor.

Even those who haven't taken sides yet will at least have some vague attitudes or clues to follow.

But the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was different. He had hinted to the Crown Prince, and I heard that the Fifth Prince had also tried to win him over, but he remained unmoved.

Although the Gu family has now handed over the Tiger Tally of the Gu Family Army, sometimes mobilizing troops is not only possible with the Tiger Tally. For founding nobles like the Duke of Zhenguo, their prestige in the army is far greater than that of a mere Tiger Tally.

But what's most hateful now is that the old Duke Gu has always maintained a neutral stance, and is cunning and treacherous, making it impossible for anyone to find any fault with him.

This Miss Gu is actually a very good starting point...

As he thought of something, the smile on the Third Prince's face became increasingly distorted.

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

No one noticed that Yue Zhiqi's gaze had been following Gu Qingyue's pale blue figure the entire time.

As he watched her sit down in front of the Gu brothers, chatting and laughing with a radiant smile, his eyes grew even more profound.

Finally, the spring appreciation banquet officially began.

"Ladies and gentlemen..." The eldest princess stood up, looked around, and began her opening remarks before the spring banquet.

Gu Qingyue sat in her seat, with her two half-sisters sitting next to her. All three of them had their heads down and were lost in their own thoughts, completely unaware of what was being said on stage.

Even Princess Chaoyue, who was sitting not far away, didn't notice the sharp look in her eyes.

"Moon?" Madam Wei turned around and called softly.

Gu Qingyue finally raised her head, "Sister-in-law?"

Wei quietly slipped a note into Gu Qingyue's hand and then turned away.

Gu Qingyue was puzzled. She unfolded the note, looked at it, lowered her eyes, and something flashed in her eyes before she quickly returned to normal.