Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 330 A weakling in combat, a poisonous lotus

Seeing the beads of sweat on Qin's temples, Gu Qingyue couldn't help but feel a little worried.

The conflict with Princess Chaoyue in front of the palace gate didn't bother her much, since she had already fallen out with Princess Chaoyue long ago anyway.

What she's worried about now is Liu.

She was terrified that Liu might do something behind her back.

In particular, what will she do to the Qin family?

The previous poisoning still keeps her on her guard, and the fact that she can't have Yue Ran and the others secretly follow her into the palace today makes her even more worried.

"Sister Qingyue," Cui Jiaojiao's voice came from behind after some time.

Gu Qingyue turned around and saw Cui Jiaojiao, dressed in scarlet, like a bright peony, staring at her with her two round eyes full of surprise.

Seeing the two deep dimples on her cheeks, Gu Qingyue's mood suddenly improved.

No matter what tricks Liu comes up with, she'll just go along with them.

"Greetings, Auntie! How are you feeling?" Upon seeing Qin Shi beside Gu Qingyue, Cui Jiaojiao immediately curtsied in greeting.

Seeing Qin Shi nod with a smile, she turned to look at Gu Qingyue.

"You've become even more beautiful in just a few days! Tell me your secret!"

With a cheerful expression, the girl's pretty face was full of smiles.

Cui Jiaojiao affectionately took Gu Qingyue's hand, her eyes carefully tracing the light blue dress, her admiration undisguised.

Seeing Cui Jiaojiao's gaze, Gu Qingyue suddenly remembered the clothes, jewelry box, and letter she saw on the table when she returned to her room this afternoon. Without much thought, she knew that Mu Yun Chu had sent them!

He gave it to her, so naturally she wanted to wear it.

The key is that this dress is simple and elegant, yet sophisticated and dignified, and it complements her skin tone perfectly! She loves it herself!

I wonder if he has arrived yet?

Looking around, none of the princes or princesses appeared. They were probably going to make their final appearance with the emperor!

The royal family is naturally high and mighty, and even though she is the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, she is still just a subject.

Even if Mu Yun Chu was no longer favored by the emperor, her status was completely different from Mu Yun Chu's from birth.

Thinking of this, she shook her head with amusement.

Having been here for so long, has my mindset really changed?

Ideas like gender equality and the idea that all people are born equal have long been incompatible with this place.

Coming to her senses, she saw Cui Jiaojiao examining the jewelry on her head. Amused, she pinched Cui Jiaojiao's cheek, and the two began to have a lively discussion about the jewelry.

This is a set of lustrous pearl jewelry. Various sizes of pearls, white and lustrous, are paired with silver ornaments and gemstones and made into hairpins, hair ornaments, jade buckles, necklaces, earrings, and several begonia-shaped ornaments. The lustrous pearls make Gu Qingyue's already beautiful face look like morning dew, clear, moist, fresh and tender.

Sure enough, Cui Jiaojiao kept touching the fabric of her clothes and fiddling with the tassels under her hair ornaments, looking both happy and envious.

As more and more people entered the hall, the noise became incessant.

"Mother, Jiaojiao and I are going out for a walk," Gu Qingyue said, feeling uncomfortable from the buzzing noise around them.

Madam Qin looked at her daughter and her friend's two adorable little faces with doting eyes, and nodded gently, "Be careful, don't wander off, and come back soon."

"Yes, Mother, please rest a bit more," Gu Qingyue glanced at Cui Shuming and Gu Qing behind Qin Shi, signaling them to take good care of her mother, before walking out the door with Cui Jiaojiao.

Gu Qing and Gu Che were two personal female bodyguards that her elder brother had recently sent to the Qin family. Both of them were quite skilled in martial arts.

This time when she entered the palace, Qin brought Sangzhi and Gu Qing, while Gu Qingyue brought Jiang Wan and Cui Shuming. She was afraid that Liu might make some moves, so she left Cui Shuming behind as well, which made her feel more at ease.

Just as they stepped out of the main hall, they ran into Princess Chaoyue and her entourage coming from the direction of the Imperial Garden.

Gu Qingyue cursed inwardly, "What a small world!"

Seeing the murderous look that Princess Chaoyue was giving her, Gu Qingyue rolled her eyes. It was truly a case of enemies meeting on a narrow road!

Princess Chaoyue happened to see her expression and became even angrier!

She tried to come closer, but Zhao Lingyun grabbed her from behind.

At this moment, many ladies were standing at the entrance of the main hall. Princess Chaoyue, perhaps out of concern for her reputation, did not come over.

The two groups did not end up having any conflict until they entered the Imperial Garden.

Cui Jiaojiao asked with amusement, "I heard that Princess Chaoyue gave you a hard time at the palace gate again?"

Gu Qingyue nodded and shrugged; she was speechless too!

“Princess Chaoyue can’t argue with you anyway, so tell me, why does she always provoke you?” Cui Jiaojiao thought seriously for a moment and then asked.

Looking at her curious gaze, Gu Qingyue herself didn't understand either!

Could it be jealousy of my beauty? *cough cough*

Gu Qingyue is quite narcissistic.

It has to be said that Gu Qingyue was right. The biggest reason for the clash of personalities between women is often this: "Who told you to be prettier and more outstanding than me? You're such an eyesore!"

The two happened to walk up to a flowerbed. Gu Qingyue crossed her arms and stroked her chin, looking every bit the boss.

She didn't have any deep-seated hatred for Princess Chaoyue at first, and the more she thought about it, the more inexplicable it seemed.

"Tell me, Princess Chaoyue is such a weakling, she can't even last two rounds against me, so why does she always have to jump out and embarrass herself?"

Cui Jiaojiao stared at Gu Qingyue for a moment as if she were an alien, then asked, "What is 'battle-weak'?"

"That's right—always thinking you're invincible, but the truth is you're always crushed in every aspect. You're just trash," Gu Qingyue said dismissively.

"Hahaha------" A burst of laughter suddenly came from behind the two of them. Gu Qingyue and Cui Jiaojiao were startled and turned around.

The Fifth Prince led a large entourage over. Gu Qingyue's eyes swept around and she saw the Sixth Prince beside the Fifth Prince, as well as Yue Zhiqi, whom she had met a few days ago, and Princess Lianfu next to Yue Zhiqi.

The one who just laughed loudly was the Sixth Prince, Mu Yunzhen.

"I never expected Miss Gu to be so interesting!" Mu Yunzhen fanned herself leisurely with her folding fan, exuding a carefree and unrestrained air, while her gaze towards Gu Qingyue held an indescribable strangeness.

Gu Qingyue and Cui Jiaojiao exchanged a glance and then curtsied.

"No need for formalities," the Fifth Prince said, displaying a gentle and refined demeanor.

A gentle breeze blew by, and the hem of the wide silver python robe fluttered, making him look like a banished immortal.

He nodded slightly to the two of them, his gaze lingering on Gu Qingyue's face for several moments, his eyes tender.

Gu Qingyue found it utterly baffling and also got goosebumps.

Standing not far from him, Princess Lianfu stared at the Fifth Prince's profile, her eyes flickering slightly. She lowered her head, her fingers clenching tightly in her palms to conceal the emotion in her eyes.

Coincidentally, none of this escaped Gu Qingyue's eyes, and a thought stirred within her.

"What are you two ladies talking about that makes you so happy?" the Fifth Prince asked.

Gu Qingyue wanted to roll her eyes. Where did they get the idea that they were happy?

“Oh, we’re discussing a poisonous lotus,” Gu Qingyue said.

Cui Jiaojiao's lips twitched. Wasn't Princess Chaoyue just a poisonous lotus flower?

She appears bright and beautiful, but is actually foolish and malicious.