Chapter Seventy-six: Autumn Yu

  Ye Qinglan's smile suddenly froze.

  Shen Ce Fei? It can't be that coincidental, is she the legendary Shen Qiuyu...

  A gentle and pleasant female voice rang out: "Hurry up, no need for formalities. Mo Xiang, is Xi Yu not in the pavilion?" Although she had not seen her, just hearing such a beautiful voice made it clear that the newcomer was an extremely rare beauty.

  Moxiang, however, showed a bit of loyalty and replied boldly: "The young lady is inside with her cousin, I'll go inform them for you right away, please wait for just a moment."

  The woman smiled slightly and nodded in agreement.

  At this moment, Ye Qinglan had already come back to her senses. The person who came was indeed Shen Qiuyu!

  After hearing that touching love story, she had always been curious about the heroine in the story. Never thought that today I would have the good fortune to see the true face of Shen Qiuyu.

  At this thought, Ye Qinglan became somewhat agitated and excited.

  Mo Xiang walked into the pavilion and reported in a low voice: "Miss, Shen Ce Fei wants to see you." After a pause, she added another sentence in a low voice: "It's Shen Miss who used to live in our mansion."

  Gu Xiuyu heard this name, seemingly not happy, even furrowed her brow.

  Mo Xiang had long been accustomed to her master's taciturnity, and came in to report only so that she would be mentally prepared. Just as she was about to turn around, she suddenly heard Gu Xiuyu say: "I don't want to see her."

  The sentence clearly reached Mo Xiang and Ye Qinglan's ears, and both of them were stunned.

  Mo Xiang didn't know what to do, and looked at Ye Qinglan for help. If it were someone else, it would be fine, but Shen Qiuyu was now the most favored woman by the crown prince's side...

  Ye Qinglan glanced at Gu Xiyu, but saw that Gu Xiyu was pursing her lips, with a stubborn look in her eyes. People who usually don't have their own opinions are particularly difficult to deal with once they become stubborn. Moreover, Gu Xiyu's temperament is different from ordinary people, so it's better to follow her wishes. Unfortunately, this good opportunity will not come easily again next time if she wants to see Shen Qiuyu again.

  Ye Qinglan made up her mind and said in a low voice: "Mo Xiang, tell Shen Ce Fei that Miss is not feeling well and it's not suitable for her to see anyone at the moment."

  He left with a bitter face.

  Ye Qinglan perked up her ears and listened carefully to the movements on that side.

  "Really sorry, miss. You're not feeling well and shouldn't be seeing outsiders."

  The girl was silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh: "In my cousin's eyes, have I become an outsider?" That one long, gentle sigh carried a hint of faint melancholy and regret.

  Mo Xiang didn't dare to take another step forward, so he could only accompany her with a smile.

  The girl didn't force the issue and said lightly: "Since my cousin doesn't want to see me, then forget it. I hope next time we meet, my cousin won't refuse to see me from a thousand miles away."

  Having said that, he turned around and left.

  Mo Xiang let out a deep breath, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with his hand. Turning around, he found that Ye Qinglan had already walked over, her gaze fixed on the woman's receding back.

  Even though she was so far away, and there were several maidservants blocking her view, she could only see the woman's half-back and a head of black hair. Yet, despite this, she still felt a sense of stunning beauty.

  She has seen many beauties, beauty is lovely in appearance, beauty is lively and lovely. The temperament is beautiful, the figure is beautiful, and a frown and a smile are also beautiful. But there is a kind of beauty that transcends physical appearance. Even just a back view can make people's hearts flutter.

  Shen Qiuyu is such a beauty.

  It was probably Ye Qinglan's gaze that was too eager and focused. Mo Xiang couldn't help but cough.

  Ye Qinglan came back to her senses and smiled, sighing: "She's really so beautiful."

  Mo Xiang naturally did not refute this statement. Anyone who has seen Shen Qiuyu would know that Ye Qinglan's praise was not excessive at all.

  "She's not beautiful!" Gu Xiuyu walked over with an expressionless face, bluntly spitting out three words.

  Ye Qinglan was taken aback. Gu Xiuyu seemed to not like Shen Qiuyue very much, previously refusing to see her, and now suddenly saying something like this. For someone with Gu Xiuyu's temperament, such a reaction could almost be described as intense...

  "She's not beautiful," Gu Xiyu repeated again, and suddenly thought of something, smiled: "You are more beautiful than her."

  Ye Qinglan was speechless with joy. Who doesn't love to hear good things about themselves, but she never thought that one day she would hear such praise from Gu Xizhen.

  For Gu Xiyu, the word "beauty" only represents her personal feelings. What she likes is naturally beautiful, and what she doesn't like is not beautiful at all. It seems that before Shen Qiuyu got married, she didn't get along well with Gu Xiyu.

  The rest of the maids also came over.

  It's already past noon and everyone is getting a bit hungry. Rui Xue couldn't help but say in a low voice, "Miss, shouldn't we head back? Staying here isn't a solution either."

  Ye Qinglan looked at Gu Xiyu and asked softly: "Xiyu sister, are you hungry? Shall we go eat?"

  Gu Xiuyu first nodded, then shook her head. She was hungry, but she didn't want to go back to that crowded place at all.

  Ye Qinglan thought for a moment, then whispered to Mo Xiang: "You go quietly find Auntie and tell her that I and Xi Yu won't be going over. On your way back, bring some food."

  The fragrance of ink has gone with his life.

  Ye Qinglan saw that Gu Xiuyu's mood was not bad, so she accompanied Gu Xiuyu to stroll around the pavilion. She asked casually: "Don't you like her?"

  Although no one was mentioned by name, Gu Xiuyu understood who she was, her pretty face suddenly sank, and she didn't say a word, which was equivalent to admitting it.

  It was really inappropriate to ask such a simple child for gossip, but Ye Qinglan was extremely curious and couldn't help asking: "Did she really live in the Dingguo Gongfu all along?"

  Gu Xiuyu nodded and rarely spoke: "She has been living here for a long time."

  "Has Gu always liked her?" Ye Qinglan asked quietly.

  This fact is known to everyone, Gu Xiuyu thought she couldn't deny it even if she wanted to, so she let out a soft hum and turned her head to the side. Rarely seen childishness, looking at it was quite cute.

  Shen Qiuyu had been living in the Dingguo Gongfu for many years, and she was childhood friends with Gu Xi. Although Gu Xiyu was a few years younger, she should be quite familiar with Shen Qiuyu too. So, why did Gu Xiyu reject Shen Qiuyu like this?

  Is it because Gu Xi Yu has a brother complex that she feels disgusted with Shen Qiuyu, since Gu Xi Nian likes Shen Qiuyu?

  Ye Qinglan thought about it more and felt that this was very likely. This psychology is actually quite common, the older brother originally doted on only one person, but then another girl appeared and took away the older brother's attention and care, the younger sister felt discontented and even developed a feeling of disgust towards that girl, this is simply a matter of course.

  It's just that Gu Xi Yu doesn't know how to hide her likes and dislikes, so it shows even more clearly.

  Mo Xiang returned quickly, also coming were Ye Qingning and Zhang Yue.

  Ye Qinglan smiled and stepped forward to greet him, Ye Qingning responded casually, glanced at Gu Xiyu, and asked in a low voice: "Is she better now?" The previous scene had startled everyone. No one dared to approach Gu Xiyu easily again.

  Ye Qinglan nodded.

  Ye Qingning finally put her mind at ease and walked closer with Zhang Yue, carefully keeping a small distance: "Xi Yu sister, I and Yue sister brought some food for you."

  As long as she didn't get too close, Gu Xiuyu didn't have any particularly unusual reactions, silently acquiescing.

  Zhang Yue gave a signal to the several maids behind her, and they carried trays into the pavilion, placing each dish on the stone table. Then they quietly retreated.

  The dishes were not many in quantity, but few and exquisite, eight plates were placed neatly, plus two bowls of rice.

  As the aroma of food wafted up, Ye Qinglan suddenly felt hungry and put all her thoughts aside for the time being. She sat down and saw that Gu Xiuyu hadn't moved, so she smiled and beckoned to Gu Xiuyu: "Xiuyu jie, you must be hungry too, come sit down and eat together, or the food will get cold."

  Mo Xiang was just about to say "Our young lady is not used to eating with others" when he saw Gu Xiuyu obediently walk over and sit down.

  ……

  Mo Xiang and Fei Cui stared at each other, both seeing the astonishment in each other's eyes.

  Gu Xiuyu never liked to eat with others at the same table, even in the Dingguo Gongfu, there were only three people who had this honor. These three people were naturally Zheng Hong and Mrs. Zheng, as well as Gu Xiyue.

  What's so special about this tenth young lady from the Changyuan Bo household that she can get Gu Xiuyu to look at her with such different eyes?

  Ye Qingning watched this scene, feeling a bit uncomfortable in her heart. Today's events were really not few, and her mind was all messy, she just wanted to have a quiet conversation with Ye Qinglan alone. Unfortunately, neither the time nor the place was suitable, so she had to suppress her chaotic thoughts.

  Ye Qinglan ate with relish, while Gu Xiyu originally didn't have much of an appetite. But seeing Ye Qinglan eating so deliciously, she unknowingly also ate quite a bit.

  When both of them were full, half of the dishes on the table had been taken away. The remaining ones were given to several maids to eat.

  After both the master and servant had eaten their fill, they were both in much better spirits.

  Zhang Yue smiled and opened her mouth to say, "Today's flower appreciation banquet is set up by the lotus pond. Mother has specially prepared fine wine and delicious food, as well as various fresh fruits, pastries, and tea. Later, there will also be wonderful performances by everyone. Why don't you two sisters go together to join in the fun?"

  Ye Qinglan had been cooped up in the mansion all day, and as soon as she heard about such excitement, how could she not be tempted? However, Gu Xiuyu seemed obviously unwilling to go, hanging her head and remaining silent.

  Ye Qinglan thought for a moment and said in a low voice: "Xi Yu sister, shall we play a game?"

  Game? Gu Xi Yu raised her head, her eyes full of doubt.

  "Let's sneak over there quietly and take a peek at what they're doing. Just make sure they don't see us, okay?" Ye Qinglan whispered with a smile.