Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 280 Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road, Go Find a Sack

In the afternoon, sure enough, Liu, the old woman who served Madam Wei, came over and said that Madam Wei had invited her to go shopping together to buy jewelry and clothes for the Spring Festival banquet.

Gu Qingyue readily agreed.

She had never prepared any attire for an ancient banquet before. Although her brothers had given her a lot of jewelry and clothes, it would be nice to go shopping and choose for herself.

The two went to Liufang Pavilion as their first stop.

The shopkeeper from last time recognized Gu Qingyue and, being very perceptive, greeted the two of them.

As the two stepped onto the stairs, the innkeeper whispered from behind, "Miss, young mistress, please go to the third floor today. There are male guests on the second floor."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingyue and Madam Wei exchanged a glance and understood what the shopkeeper meant.

He's definitely not an ordinary male customer, otherwise there would be no need for him to be so discreet.

Since they were both in private rooms and wouldn't run into each other, the two nodded, lifted their skirts, and headed up the stairs.

As the saying goes, what you fear most is what happens. The two had just reached the top of the stairs on the second floor and were about to turn onto the third floor when they were attracted by a male voice behind them.

It wasn't because his voice was particularly pleasant, but because of his words.

"What woman of unparalleled beauty? Fifth Prince, are you joking? Are you perhaps referring to the granddaughter of the Duke of Zhenguo who just returned from the countryside? Let me see for myself whether a girl who has toiled in the fields since childhood is worthy of being my concubine?"

The man's voice sounded somewhat familiar.

Gu Qingyue released her spiritual power and immediately saw the face of the person speaking inside.

Isn't that Yue Zhiqi, who looks neither male nor female? What a small world!

Opposite him was a gentle and refined man. Could he be the Fifth Prince?

She's not bad looking, but unfortunately, she can't compare to Mu Yun Chu.

"Third Prince, please be careful what you say! That is a young lady from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion in Great Chu!"

No matter how arrogant Yue Zhiqi was, the fact that he dared to covet the young lady of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and speak rudely in the capital of Great Chu was disrespectful to him, the Fifth Prince. A hint of displeasure flashed across his usually handsome face.

"Heh, Fifth Prince, please don't be offended. I'm just aware of some of the rumors circulating in the capital. Is a country bumpkin worth getting angry over?" Yue Zhiqi said dismissively, a hint of disdain in his eyes. It was unclear whether this was directed at Gu Qingyue or the Fifth Prince in front of him.

Beside the two sat a veiled woman, dressed in a jade-colored red gauze dress, with a bright peacock hairpin inlaid with red and yellow gemstones, which looked very valuable.

The woman was admiring the jewelry with great interest.

He ignored the words of the two people beside him.

Who is she? Her attire looks somewhat exotic, but not too different from that of the Great Chu. Could she be some kind of princess from the Nanzhao Kingdom?

Gu Qingyue pondered for a moment, then continued walking upwards.

Madam Wei naturally heard the man's blatant taunts and laughed, and she trembled with anger.

She turned to look at Gu Qingyue beside her and found that Gu Qingyue, apart from her eyes darkening slightly, did not seem angry at all.

She lowered her voice, "Don't be angry, Yue'er. Those people are utterly shameless. We shouldn't stoop to their level, and..."

She meant that, judging from the implication, the Fifth Prince was also present.

It wouldn't be good for the two women to go to her door and cause a scene, as that would only ruin the younger sister's reputation.

"It's alright, let's go," Gu Qingyue said calmly, walking upstairs with Wei Shi.

When they came out, Jiang Wan and Wei Shi's maid, Biyu, each carried two sets of jewelry boxes. Gu Qingyue was very satisfied with the items she had chosen today.

Among them, a set of coral-inlaid gold and kingfisher feather headdresses was the most expensive and the most elegant.

Gu Qingyue originally didn't want it, but she couldn't resist Wei's persuasion and bought it.

There is also a set of purple jade gilt inlaid with gemstones and butterfly and flower headdress. This set is made of purple jade as the main material, with small pieces of gilt used for embellishment and connection in some jewelry. The eyes of the butterflies are embellished with gemstones, which is very fresh and elegant and very refined.

It also comes with a purple jade bracelet, which is quite thin and would be very suitable for younger girls.

Gu Qingyue was even happier when she remembered the purple jade bracelet that Mu Yun Chu had given her in her spatial storage.

She also happens to like purple dresses, so they complement each other perfectly.

She went to the fabric shop and the clothing store. Gu Qingyue couldn't help but admire herself. From her past life to this life, she had never lost a shopping trip. She could keep going from morning till night.

By the time they returned to the Duke's mansion, the lanterns were already lit.

Back at the manor, Madam Wei escorted Gu Qingyue back to Feiyue Pavilion before rushing back to take care of Tang Ge'er.

Gu Qingyue looked through all the jewelry and clothes and felt that women could really hold up a whole sky!

If it weren't for women's spending, where would such a prosperous economy come from?

This has been true from ancient times to the present.

Unfortunately, in this era, women were confined to the inner quarters and treated as appendages of men, but she refused to accept her fate!

Even though she is now the legitimate daughter of the Duke's mansion, she should be confined to the inner quarters, but how could she possibly do that?

She can finally set up her Fragrant Pavilion.

She had already written to Steward Wang, asking him to bring a head chef over in person. Once the Wenxianglou restaurant in the capital opened, she would continue to expand her business empire in the Great Chu. She wanted to realize her own dreams.

Lying in bed, Gu Qingyue frowned as she recalled the words she had overheard at Liufang Pavilion during the day.

This arrogant third prince is showing no respect for the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion!

Otherwise, how could she have uttered such shameless words as asking herself to become a concubine?

Tolerable or unbearable!

She got out of bed, put on her night clothes, and slipped out of the courtyard.

As luck would have it, she ran into Gu Yuanen, who had come looking for her. Gu Qingyue lightly touched the rooftop, and Gu Yuanen immediately followed suit.

Gu Qingyue: ...I somewhat regret having Gu Yuanen temper his body. This guy's lightness skill has improved quite a bit!

Upon arriving at the alley outside the Duke's mansion, Gu Qingyue crossed her arms.

"What do you want, Fourth Brother?"

Gu Qingyue made no attempt to conceal her voice. It was so dark that her face was hidden in the shadows, and most people wouldn't be able to tell who she was.

"Little sister, where are you going so late?" Gu Yuanen asked her excitedly, not caring that she was dressed in night clothes, his voice filled with a hint of joy.

Gu Qingyue's lips twitched.

Did they think they were just going out to have fun?

"Beat someone up," Gu Qingyue said directly.

Gu Yuanen froze in shock.

Does this girl really have to say something so shocking?

"Beat who?"

I won't tell you.

“I’m your fourth brother. Just tell me who you want to beat up, and I’ll do it for you.”

If your sister wants to beat someone up, should the older brother stop her?

That person must have provoked the younger sister; that's no good!

顾元恩从内心里，从小到大，认为妹妹都是对的，是可爱的，大家都应该爱她，如果欺负她，那就不是好人，该揍。

"Come here," Gu Qingyue whispered in Gu Yuanen's ear.

A moment later, Gu Yuanen's eyes widened, revealing an incredulous expression.

"Then bring some more people?" Gu Yuanen asked tentatively.

"No need, go find a burlap sack," Gu Qingyue said, stroking her chin.