Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 310 The Master of Blaming Others

"You can refuse directly, it's okay," Mu Yun Chu said gently.

Mu Jinyan looked at Mu Yunchu disapprovingly, but when he was swept by Mu Yunchu's cold gaze, his expression froze, and he quickly pretended to look around.

"Okay, I was just kidding, we'll see," Gu Qingyue said lazily.

"Don't you know how to play the flute?" Gu Yuanen asked.

Upon hearing this, the group looked intently at Gu Qingyue.

Including Mu Yun Chu.

Gu Qingyue felt a chill run down her spine. Could her little skill really be considered a talent?

She cleared her throat. "Can you play the flute?"

“Of course, did you bring your flute?” Gu Yuanming asked.

Gu Qingyue nodded.

Her xiao (vertical bamboo flute) was always kept in the study.

At this moment, Zhang Qingxuan, who had been silent all along, spoke up, "My uncle really likes the sound of whistling, and he occasionally teaches the flute at Linfeng Academy."

"Although he may not be considered a master in the art of playing the xiao (vertical bamboo flute), he is quite accomplished."

Gu Qingyue looked at Zhang Qingxuan. In fact, she had only glanced at him briefly yesterday and hadn't looked closely. But now, Zhang Qingxuan, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, was indeed a handsome and otherworldly young man. No wonder Zhao Lingyun was so crazy about him.

Gu Qingyue immediately smiled, "Who is your uncle?"

“My uncle is one of the judges this time, Master Zhang Xubai,” Zhang Qingxuan said, his voice filled with undisguised pride.

Gu Qingyue realized that it must be the young man who was with Headmaster Lin.

"Thank you for letting me know," Gu Qingyue said with a gentle smile.

Gu Qingyue turned to Gu Yuanming and asked, "So, Third Brother sent me here...?"

"Third Sister Gu?" Zhao Lingyun's voice suddenly rang out from behind.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyue turned around, and sure enough, Zhao Lingyun walked over with two little maids, adorned with jewels and jingling ornaments. Gu Qingyue's lips twitched slightly. So this is how she started calling her Third Sister Gu?

"Miss Zhao," Gu Qingyue raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't expect to find Third Sister Gu here. I've been looking for you for ages," Zhao Lingyun said gently, her gaze naturally falling on Zhang Qingxuan opposite Gu Qingyue. A hint of surprise flashed across her face, which Gu Qingyue noticed.

The next moment, she curtsied gracefully, "Greetings, Seventh Prince, Prince Mu, Prince Zhang, and the two gentlemen."

The group nodded politely, but Zhang Qingxuan's face immediately darkened.

"What brings Miss Zhao to see me?" Gu Qingyue asked with a smile.

Zhao Lingyun strode into the pavilion, only to find that there were no seats left, which made her feel a little embarrassed.

Hearing Gu Qingyue's question, she casually replied, "The Spring Appreciation Banquet is about to begin again, and I would like to invite Third Sister Gu to play the zither together."

"Oh," Gu Qingyue said, raising her glass and taking a sip.

Zhao Lingyun looked over in confusion, "Third Sister Gu is unwilling?"

"No, not at all," Gu Qingyue put down her teacup. "Let's go."

She had already noticed that although Zhao Lingyun was talking to her, her eyes were constantly glancing at Zhang Qingxuan, whose face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

Remembering that he was Zhang Yuying's brother, I decided to do a good deed.

So Gu Qingyue stood up and said, "Let's go together."

Zhao Lingyun was stunned. She hadn't expected Gu Qingyue to leave so suddenly. Shouldn't she have refused her without hesitation?

She had previously sent a maid to follow Gu Qingyue, and when the maid told her that Gu Qingyue had sneaked into the peach garden, she rushed over.

Unexpectedly, she saw Prince Zhang from afar. How could she be willing to leave after only exchanging a few words?

"Okay, okay," she replied, then looked up at Zhang Qingxuan, "Young Master Zhang, what a coincidence."

Seeing Zhang Qingxuan's frosty face and silent expression, Zhao Lingyun could only reluctantly walk out of the pavilion with Gu Qingyue. After walking quite a distance, she turned back for another look.

Gu Qingyue waved to the group from afar, secretly laughing to herself. She just didn't want to do what Zhao Lingyun wanted, so what?

The ensuing spring banquet was indeed even more spectacular.

At the beginning, one of the male guests challenged another man in an archery contest.

On the woman's side, Princess Chaoyue came with great force.

"Gu Qingyue, I've noticed you seem distracted. Has something important happened? Tell us about it, or perhaps you have some complaints about the Spring Festival banquet?"

"You didn't participate in any of the competitions, or do you have some kind of opinion about Headmaster Lin and the Princess?" Princess Chaoyue said slowly and sarcastically.

"How could that be? My daughter is just not good at playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and didn't want to waste everyone's time," Gu Qingyue raised an eyebrow. When it comes to shifting blame, you're really a master!

Princess Chaoyue stopped looking at Gu Qingyue and instead cupped her hands towards the main guests, saying, "Headmaster Lin, Master Zhang, Mother, this is Miss Gu, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's family. I heard from Madam Gu that she has been studying and writing since childhood, and is knowledgeable in literature and reason. I imagine she must be proficient in all the arts, but she is making all sorts of excuses now. Is it because she is not interested in this Spring Festival banquet...?"

Damn it, you dare to complain to my face and then frame me!

Sitting next to Gu Qingyue, Madam Wei clenched her fists in anger. She had indeed said yesterday that Gu Qingyue could read, but she had not said that she was proficient in all the arts, such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. This was simply too much!

Gu Qingyue pressed down on Wei's shoulder, signaling her to calm down.

Meanwhile, Liu Shi picked up a pastry, slowly put it into her mouth, and smiled dignifiedly, looking incredibly elegant and content. Gu Qingyue felt her teeth ache at the sight. What an idiot!

Gu Qingyue glanced at Liu Shi and her two daughters-in-law, thinking to herself, "Do they think they're just laughing at me by staying silent?"

Do you know that it's a real joke that Lady Liu, as the mistress of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, is now acting like this?

However, Gu Qingyue didn't care. Liu Shi was just relying on the fact that her two illegitimate daughters were already married. Gu Qingyue's bad reputation wouldn't affect them at all. It was really laughable.

"Oh, then what does Princess Chaoyue think I should do to satisfy your request?" Gu Qingyue stood up, curtsied to Princess Chaoyue, and smiled innocently.

He emphasized the word "your" with particular emphasis and drew it out.

"Miss Gu!" Although the princess's tone was gentle, a hint of anger was still palpable beneath the calm.

By saying this, Gu Qingyue was implying that her daughter was being unreasonable and that she had failed in her parenting.

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Chaoyue, you must not be rude. Miss Gu is the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and she must be proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She will naturally demonstrate her talents later. You may now step down."

"Yes, Mother," Chaoyue obediently sat down as the princess instructed, her eyes filled with malice as she looked at Gu Qingyue.

Sitting not far away, Zhao Lingyun looked at Gu Qingyue's profile with disdain, eagerly anticipating how she would embarrass herself later. How dare she chat with Prince Zhang at the same table! Vixen!

Headmaster Lin, Princess Pei, and Zhang Xubai exchanged a glance, their expressions complex.

Upstairs, Mu Yun Chu's face was beyond cold. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Princess Chao Yue in the crowd below, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

The other princes and princesses upstairs had varying expressions.

Princess Lianfu, sitting next to Yue Zhiqi, made no attempt to hide her schadenfreude.

At this moment, Gu Qingyue really wanted to molest humanity's most loyal friend. This woman was sick, and her mother was also seriously ill.

Do you think that by elevating yourself to a high position, you will inevitably embarrass yourself?

I, Gu Qingyue, will consider myself defeated if I don't slap you in the face today!

Gu Qingyue smiled and glanced at the Princess, "Your Highness has such discerning eyes! Then I can only make a fool of myself."

After saying that, he looked at Princess Chaoyue and said, "Princess, please give me the question. If I don't know the answer, please forgive me. After all, I don't know how good I am."

'Pfft---', Gu Yuanen spat out his tea in the men's section. How could his little sister be so mischievous and narcissistic?

Gu Qingyue's words were like hot oil being poured into a pot of soup, and the women's section immediately erupted in chaos!

Everyone knows these two started feuding yesterday; this is going to be quite a show.

Gu Qingyue smiled and asked, "Which challenge would Princess Chaoyue like to take on?"

Princess Chaoyue choked; she hadn't said she would take the challenge!

But Gu Qingyue's words made her lose face, so she forced herself to mock, "So that others won't say that I, the princess, am making things difficult for you. You can choose whatever you want to compete in: music, chess, calligraphy, painting, dance, or even archery." After saying that, she glared at her fiercely.

The crowd below the stage, especially the young gentlemen in the men's section, stared wide-eyed, whispering excitedly: "The eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is not only as beautiful as a fairy, but she is also proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? She is a talented woman."

The three Gu brothers exchanged worried glances, sat up straight, and stared at Gu Qingyue's figure with solemn expressions.

"Then let's have a competition!" Gu Qingyue straightened her sleeves and said casually.

"Yue'er!"

"Three sisters!"

Wei and her two half-sisters spoke up in unison, especially Wei, who looked at Gu Qingyue's calm and composed face and was momentarily unsure of what to do.

Princess Chaoyue's arrogant expression froze for a moment, then she raised her head and puffed out her chest, "Fine."

She learned everything from music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since she was a child.

How could I possibly lose to a country bumpkin?!