Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 395 Is this a gesture of goodwill? A bid to win over? A conspiracy?

Seeing Zhao Lingyun's slightly sullen face, Gu Qingyue raised her eyebrows, pleased.

However, seeing the Duchess of Cambridge's warm smile still surprised her.

"No need for formalities!" Princess Ying warmly took Gu Qingyue's hand and looked her up and down.

Gu Qingyue didn't hesitate and just smiled as she looked at her.

"Indeed, it's even more beautiful up close!" Princess Ying said, nodding to the ladies beside her, then curtsying to Princess Jinglian. After exchanging greetings, she pulled Gu Qingyue to sit down at an empty table nearby.

Princess Jinglian was a rather aloof person. She simply waved to the young people to go and play, and then went back to watching the play.

"I've never had a proper conversation with Miss Gu before, but today is my chance."

Gu Qingyue raised an eyebrow. She really felt that a strange feeling was about to overwhelm her.

Although she has been betrothed to Mu Yun Chu, she is not yet married and is not yet the Princess Consort of Li.

Of course, they weren't sisters-in-law yet, so how could they become so familiar with each other right away?

She and this Princess of England had never spoken before, had they?

She remembered that at the last palace banquet, there were many people, and the King and his entourage were seated diagonally opposite each other at the head of the table. She couldn't even see what the Queen looked like.

She now finds it more comfortable that Zhao Lingyun always acts like she owes him money whenever he sees her!

At least it's real!

"You're too kind, Princess Consort. Please go ahead," Gu Qingyue said with a polite smile, even though she was inwardly complaining. After all, you can't hit someone who's smiling.

Upon hearing this, Princess Ying patted Gu Qingyue's hand again and said with a smile, "I've heard that the Duke's Mansion has prepared fine tea and many unique snacks this time, all from Sister Gu's Wenxianglou. Would Sister Gu be willing to introduce your tea and snacks to us today?"

That's it!

Gu Qingyue was finally no longer confused.

Did the Third Prince, Prince Ying, realize that Zhao Lingyun couldn't get any useful information from him and couldn't get along with him, so he sent his princess in person?

They knew perfectly well that she was the future Princess Li, yet they still went to great lengths to curry favor and win her over. Why?

Furthermore, she even mentioned the tea and snacks from her soon-to-be-opened Wenxianglou tea shop, which perfectly aligned with her target audience for the day.

This British princess... is indeed very perceptive!

Is this a gesture of goodwill? A bid to win someone over? Or a conspiracy?

Gu Qingyue's mind began to race.

Of course, these thoughts only flashed through my mind for a moment.

"Your Highness is too kind. Wenxianglou is about to officially open, and today we have prepared tea and snacks from Wenxianglou for everyone to taste and give us feedback," Gu Qingyue said with a genuine smile.

Regardless of the other party's purpose, she'll focus on achieving her own goal first.

The opening of Wenxianglou is the most important thing right now.

As for whether or not to cultivate a good relationship with the Prince of England's Palace, that's the choice of her grandfather and Prince Li. What business is it of hers?

"Really? That's great, I'll definitely have to try it." The Princess smiled innocently.

Very well, Gu Qingyue is quite adept at such insincere pleasantries! Hehe.

“Naturally,” Gu Qingyue nodded.

After Gu Qingyue finished speaking, she gave Cui Shuming a wink, and Cui Shuming immediately went to make the arrangements.

Before long, four long tables were set up in the spacious hall on the second floor of Feihong Garden, with all the necessary items for a tea ceremony on them.

The tablecloths were all light blue, and there was a long-necked celadon porcelain vase on the upper right, filled with seasonal flowers and plants, even bamboo and orchids, which were elegant and dignified, yet relaxed and carefree.

Princess Jinglian, accompanied by Madam Qin, went up to the second floor. Her eyes lit up when she saw the decorations.

Gu Qingyue accompanied the Princess and her ladies up to the second floor.

Of course, there was also Zhao Lingyun behind him, who couldn't stand the sight of him no matter what.

As soon as everyone went upstairs, soft music immediately came from behind the eight-fold bamboo screen symbolizing wealth and prosperity.

The sound of the guqin is pure, melodious, and deeply moving.

The melodious ancient music flowed in everyone's ears, causing the ladies who were just excited to immediately quiet down and walk more lightly.

After everyone was seated in their assigned places, Gu Qingyue nodded to Cui Shuming, and immediately four young tea servers walked in.

They wore light purple robes with wide sleeves, exuding elegance and gentleness. After bowing to each other, they knelt down behind the four tea tables.

Upon seeing the four clean-cut and handsome young men, the eyes of the ladies and young women lit up as if they had seen stars.

Gu Qingyue slightly raised her hand, signaling to begin.

Immediately, more maids filed in.

In an instant, the aroma of fruit and cake filled the entire room.

A gentle breeze blows outside the window, carrying the fragrance of flowers and the ethereal sound of a zither, which travels far and wide.

Everything was perfect, just as Gu Qingyue had predicted. The tea and snacks at Wenxianglou received unanimous praise from everyone.

Wenxianglou's business is stable.

Seeing everyone nodding in agreement, and even the small cakes on the girls' table being devoured as soon as they were served, leaving them with not enough to eat, Gu Qingyue was as excited as a cat that had just stolen some fish.

Whether at the upcoming birthday banquet or seeing the ladies off at the gate, Gu Qingyue was in high spirits, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

Of course, when seeing off Princess Ying and Zhao Lingyun, Princess Ying touched her hand several more times and enthusiastically said that she would send her an invitation to go to her villa in the suburbs of Beijing to see the flowers and enjoy the spring. Her usual enthusiasm almost overwhelmed Gu Qingyue.

Besides that, there was also Zhao Lingyun's piercing gaze flying everywhere beside her.

Gu Qingyue raised an eyebrow, and looking at the two sisters with different thoughts, she felt even better!

Outside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, along the long Yongning Lane, a long procession of carriages was parked, creating a magnificent sight.

The place was bustling with noise, and just then, the male guests came out as well, making the entrance even more lively.

Gu Qingyue watched as Zhao Lingyun beside her frequently cast infatuated glances toward the Yongen Marquis's residence on the left, and she wanted to laugh even more.

Gu Qingyue admitted that she was quite gloating.

It seems that Zhao Lingyun is truly infatuated with Prince Zhang.

However... she needed to have Zhang Yuying give Zhang Shizi a good reminder so he wouldn't fall into Zhao Lingyun's trap.

Thinking of this, after seeing off Princess Ying and the others, Gu Qingyue rubbed her face, which was almost frozen from smiling, and quickly walked towards the mansion.

There were still some familiar ladies and young women who hadn't left yet, so she had to hurry over and remind Zhang Yuying.

Unexpectedly, before they even reached the vicinity of the old Duke's courtyard, they encountered the old Duke's personal attendant, Gu Lin, by the lake.

He hurriedly blocked Gu Qingyue's path and whispered a few words in her ear.

Gu Qingyue's face immediately darkened!

She thought everything was going smoothly at today's birthday banquet!

But then, some bad apples still managed to sabotage things!

When they arrived at a secluded courtyard outside the old Duke's residence, Gu Qingyue pushed through the crowd of onlookers and saw the old Duke sitting angrily in a round-backed chair under the eaves.