Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 268 Emphasis and Care

If I still had 100,000 Gu family soldiers under my command, what would the future hold? If I were the emperor, I would be wary!

Gu Qingyue was lost in thought as she walked, but Gu Yuanen beside her misunderstood her intentions.

"Little sister, don't be afraid. No matter what happens in the future, your brother will always be there to protect you. Just relax and have fun."

Although these words sounded childish, as if he were treating himself like a little kid, Gu Qingyue could tell that they came from the care and love of an older brother.

She smiled and nodded, "Then I'll have to rely on Fourth Brother to protect me."

Gu Yuanen patted his chest, "A true man keeps his word."

Upon arriving at Feiyuexuan, Jiang Wan had just served tea and left when Gu Yuanen eagerly picked it up and took a sip.

"This is spring tea? You're quick on your feet! It's only early spring, where did you get such good tea?"

After saying that, he quickly took another sip and squinted his eyes in enjoyment.

"Not bad right?"

Gu Qingyue smelled the wafting aroma of tea in her hand and thought of the "Wen Chun" tea from Wenxianglou.

This is a tea tree that she planted in her space. There are ten of them, and she dug them up from the deep mountains while collecting herbs.

The tea I just drank is 'Wen Chun', one of the special teas she supplied to Wenxianglou.

She remembered this last night when she was sorting through everyone's gifts.

She took some out.

The old Duke received a small packet, and his four older brothers each received a small packet as well.

I also gave a small package to my eldest uncle and third uncle, and the rest is just this little bit for myself.

"Among the gifts I had Jiang Wan and the maid Zhu Qing deliver to everyone at noon today, there was one for you too," Gu Qingyue said. She took a sip and found it to be truly exceptional, possessing all the characteristics of a fine tea: fresh tea leaves, pure tea liquor, and a sweet aftertaste.

"I have some too?" Gu Yuanen immediately beamed upon hearing this. "Little sister is the best. Do you have any more? I'll send some to my mentor as well."

"That's all for now. These were sent by my men from Lizhou by fast horse. If there are any more, we'll have to wait a few more days," Gu Qingyue said, spreading her hands.

She really wanted to say that if she wanted more, she would have to wait for the tea trees in the space to grow another batch, which would take at least five or six days.

After sending Gu Yuanen back, Gu Qingyue thought of Yue Ran and Yu Mo and the others.

She had previously instructed us to buy a small house near the Duke's mansion as a place to stay, but I wonder how things are going.

She happened to be planning to go out of Beijing again that afternoon, so she decided to stop by.

Thinking of this, she called Jiang Wan and instructed Cui Shuming to take care of Qin Shi. Gu Qingyue then left with peace of mind.

The location of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion is Yongning Lane. This area is mostly occupied by the residences of high-ranking officials. To the left of the main gate is the Marquis of Jun'an's Mansion, and to the right is the Marquis of Yong'en's Mansion.

These three households alone occupied the entire street, which stretched for several hundred meters, demonstrating the vast area occupied by these three mansions.

Sitting in the carriage that her grandfather had specially built for her, Gu Qingyue felt as if she had returned to the time she spent with her maternal grandfather in her previous life.

Her first house was also bought with her grandfather's help, and he transferred the ownership of the villa in the mountains to her.

Grandpa said at the time: "Ah Yue, remember if you're ever unhappy, come back and see Grandpa, okay?"

After her grandfather passed away, she became a true orphan wandering the world.

Looking back, she realized that after she started working, apart from visiting her grandfather's clinic to discuss medical techniques, she hadn't even been to his house for months to cook him a meal or chat with him when she was very busy.

Looking back now, all that's left is deep regret.

Touching the smooth car window, one can see intricate and exquisite patterns carved into the openwork areas.

The carriage ceiling and backrests were covered with silk cloth embroidered with auspicious clouds and wild cranes, and inlaid with gold and silver threads. Each of the four corners of the ceiling was inlaid with gemstones of various colors. Lifting the purple brocade curtain, everything was brand new and exquisite, including several strings of small pearls hanging from the corners of the curtain, which were round, smooth and pink.

Gu Qingyue couldn't help but smile and form a pleased arc.

Such attention and care warmed her heart.

Upon arriving at the busiest Zhuque Street, one is greeted by the calls of shop assistants everywhere, each one more eloquent than the last, even managing to elicit a knowing smile from passersby before they hurry away.

Zhuque Avenue is the main street after exiting the main gate of the Imperial City in Beijing.

The streets were wide and clean, paved with large stone slabs, quite different from the backward ancient times Gu Qingyue had imagined.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of Liufang Pavilion, and Gu Qingyue finally arrived at the largest jewelry store in the capital.

It's also the shop of that unreliable thirteenth uncle.

She came to visit today on her way, but she had one purpose: to make money, not to spend it.

Gu Qingyue was once an amateur jewelry designer, and her design concepts may differ from those of the jewelry she designs now, but she believes that the aesthetics should be consistent.

Just like the beautiful dress she thinks, the people here agree that it's the same principle.

Stepping slowly into the store, Gu Qingyue felt slightly relieved, noticing the absence of glittering gold decorations or a gold-plated storefront.

The store is designed in a very elegant and classic style.

The product counters are set up with different heights, and even rotating counters, as well as display shelves made entirely of rosewood.

The various glazed bottles, ornaments, and green plants adorning the space create a decorative style that is aesthetically pleasing.

She thought about it for a moment and understood.

The ostentatious decorations might be suitable for a place like Liquan County.

But in a place like the capital, where there are countless nobles, one must conform to their aesthetic standards.

In other words, that unreliable thirteenth uncle still has a normal sense of aesthetics, which is good, and we can talk about it.

However, thinking of the person still lying in Lizhou recovering from his injuries, Gu Qingyue pinched the bridge of her nose. How could she have forgotten that she had talked to him about designing jewelry?

"Gu Qingyue," a clear voice broke through Gu Qingyue's worries.

"Cui Jiaojiao, what are you doing here?" Gu Qingyue followed the voice and saw Cui Jiaojiao standing in front of the display shelf from afar.

Two curious maids followed behind, staring intently at Gu Qingyue.

Combined with Cui Jiaojiao's naturally round face, round eyes, and chubby lips, she was especially endearing, and Gu Qingyue's mood immediately improved.

Never mind, we can talk to them next time. There's no chance to make money today.

"Qingyue, your clothes are so beautiful!" Cui Jiaojiao ran over as soon as she saw Gu Qingyue and kept circling around her.

Gu Qingyue specially changed into a light blue long dress and wore a light blue cloak when she went out today.

Her hair was styled in a double bun, adorned with a pearl butterfly hairpin, a row of pink and white begonia-shaped jade buckles, and emerald earrings. The look was clean and simple, yet still exuded a youthful charm and vibrancy, perfectly complementing the bright and warm spring sunshine outside.

"Yours is beautiful too," Gu Qingyue noticed that Cui Jiaojiao was particularly fond of pale yellow. Her skin was fair and delicate, and she was in the prime of her youth.

Dressed in pale yellow, she looked even more beautiful, lively, and lovely.

"Are you looking at jewelry? Perfect! Could you help me choose the prettiest piece?"

As he spoke, he took Gu Qingyue's hand and walked upstairs, naturally and very familiarly.

Gu Qingyue smiled and did not resist, and followed along in a good mood.