Chapter 61: Appreciating Orchids

  Adding the previous time they met, the two had seen each other twice. She was certain that she had been very careful with her words and actions, so where did Gu Xi Ye's vague hostility towards her come from?

  No matter how hard she thought about it, Ye Qinglan couldn't figure out the reason behind it. She had no choice but to temporarily suppress this doubt, and secretly made up her mind in her heart.

  From now on, I must keep a distance from this Mr. Gu Si.

  Gu Xiuyu was oblivious to the exchange between the two, her black and white eyes gazing at them with a puzzled expression, as if asking why they hadn't left yet.

  Gu Xiannian withdrew his gaze, lowered his head and smiled: "Alright, don't rush, we'll leave now."

  Out of the Jingyuan Garden, turning a corner, we arrived at the garden. From afar, I saw the figures of Mrs. Zheng and her entourage, several masters accompanied by a group of maidservants, making a grand spectacle.

  Ye Qinglan let out a quiet sigh. The short journey of just a few minutes seemed to have taken forever. Gu Xiannian was clearly walking in front of her, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was lurking behind her back and stuck in her throat.

  Ye Qingning was the first to notice the three figures, and her heart skipped a beat with excitement and joy. She couldn't help but rush over: "Brother, you've finally shown up." After speaking, Ye Qingning suddenly realized she had been a bit too forward, so she hastily added a few more sentences: "We arrived ages ago, we thought you wouldn't be returning to the manor today!"

  Gu Xiannian smiled faintly and replied: "You rarely come all the way here, I'll have to return even if I'm busy."

  These two sentences are ordinary polite words, but when Ye Qingning heard them, she felt sweet in her heart, and her delicate face floated with a girl's shyness, which was very touching.

  Gu Xiannian didn't react much and exchanged a few casual pleasantries before leading Gu Xiyu to the side where Zheng Shi and the others were.

  Ye Qinglan looked at Gu Xianyu's figure and added another layer of vigilance in her heart.

  A normal man, when faced with a young girl's admiring and shy expression, should have some unusual reaction. Even if he doesn't like the girl, he can't help but feel some male pride and complacency! But Gu Xiannian was completely unmoved.

  There are only two possibilities: either he is completely uninterested in women, or he has superhuman self-control and can calmly control all his emotions.

  If it's the former, then so be it. If it's the latter, this man is really profound and terrifying...

  Ye Qingning naturally noticed Ye Qinglan's gaze at Gu Xiannian, but didn't think much of it. A man as handsome as Gu Xiannian, who could resist his faint smile? It was normal to take a few more glances.

  "Shi Mei, let's go admire the orchids too!" After Gu Xiannian appeared, Ye Qingning's mood improved significantly.

  Ye Qinglan came back to her senses and smiled in response.

  Ye Qingrou was seeing the legendary Gu Si Lang for the first time. She had already been dazzled by his elegance and her eyes could hardly leave his face.

  Ye Qingning saw her silly appearance and suddenly felt more balanced in her heart. She smiled intentionally and asked, "Ba Mei, how are the orchids here? Are they beautiful?"

  "It's beautiful." Ye Qingrou blurted out.

  Nor did I know whether he was talking about the beauty of orchids or that tall and slender young man with a elegant demeanor.

  Ye Qingning raised an eyebrow, her eyes full of mockery. Ye Qingning finally came back to herself, somewhat embarrassedly withdrawing her gaze. Ye Qinglan usually didn't talk much, and at this moment she was silent, not drawing the attention of her two older sisters.

  Zheng smiled and took a few glances at Gu Xiannian, unable to help but praise: "Everyone says that Gu Si Lang is unparalleled in his demeanor and can be called the number one handsome man in the capital. In my opinion, this statement isn't exaggerated at all. Even I, as his aunt, couldn't help but take a few more glances!"

  This is no joking matter.

  Gu Xianyan was obviously already used to dealing with this kind of situation. With a calm and unhurried smile: "Auntie, don't be embarrassed for me. I'm lazy all day long, how can I compare to Yuan Wei who is so accomplished? At such a young age, he's already become the Deputy Minister of Rites, and has a loving wife and daughter. This is what it truly means to achieve success at a young age."

  He praised Ye Yuanwei so much that Zheng felt relieved in her heart. Cui Wan, who was on the side, also smiled lightly and tried to hold back her urge to take a few more glances at him.

  Mrs. Zheng glanced at her son, discontentedly scolding: "Yuan Wei is the same age as you and already has a wife and daughter. And what about you? You're already twenty and still single..."

  "Today's spring scenery is just right. It's boring to say more." Gu Xi lightly changed the subject: "I remember that there are still a few pots of orchids on the other side, which are also blooming beautifully. Why don't we go take a look together?"

  Zheng and others gladly agreed. Mrs. Zheng had no choice but to shut up reluctantly.

  The path in the garden is not wide, only enough for two people to walk side by side. Mrs. Zheng and Mr. Zheng are walking at the front, followed closely by Gu Xiannian and his sister Gu Xiyu. Ye Qingning doesn't want to walk alongside Ye Qingrou, so he keeps making eye contact with Ye Qinglan.

  Unfortunately, the usually quick-witted Ye Qinglan was a bit dull today and reacted a beat slower. In this brief moment, Ye Qingrou had already rushed up ahead of her.

  Ye Qingning glared at Ye Qinglan with a hint of annoyance.

  Ye Qinglan smiled apologetically and finally managed to get rid of Ye Qingning. Whoever wanted to get close to Gu Xiannian could go, anyway she was determined to stay far away from him.

  Ye Qinglan deliberately slowed down her pace, subtly increasing the distance between them. She estimated that she was at least five meters away from Gu Xiannian.

  Great!

  Ye Qinglan was very satisfied with this distance.

  Unfortunately, someone deliberately didn't want her to be at peace, and suddenly shouted loudly: "Lan sister, there is a pot of orchids here that are blooming extremely well, come over and take a look?"

  Orchid sister?

  Ye Qingning and Ye Qingrou's gazes fell on Ye Qinglan's face simultaneously. Especially Ye Qingning, whose pretty face suddenly turned gloomy.

  Under the warm sunshine, a young man in a brocade robe smiled lightly, his handsome face breathtaking. But Ye Qinglan didn't have any appreciation for this beautiful man, instead gritting her teeth in anger. This detestable Gu Xiannian was deliberately trying to make her an enemy, wasn't he? He intentionally let everyone hear, leaving her no room to refuse.

  Under the gaze of everyone, Ye Qinglan slowly moved over and stood still one meter away from Gu Xiannian's side, pretending to be engrossed in admiring that pot of orchids.

  "This pot of orchid is also called nine-son orchid." Gu Si Gongzi walked over elegantly, smiling warmly and intimately: "One stem with many flowers, blooming for three months. Most suitable for appreciation. What does Lan Biao Mei think?"

  Ye Qinglan could almost feel Ye Qingning's chilly gaze slicing over like a knife, took a deep breath and forced out a smile to reply: "I don't quite understand these things, but this orchid is really beautiful!"

  The orchid leaves are fragrant in the spring, the osmanthus flowers are bright and clean in autumn. The joyful meaning of this life is that it is a wonderful festival for you. Who knows that those who live in the forest hear the wind and sit together in joy? Grass and trees have their own hearts, why seek beautiful people to cut them off?

  When he finally said the two words "beautiful woman", Gu Xiannian gazed deeply at Ye Qinglan.

  This... this is simply blatant flirting!

  Ye Qinglan's face was faintly red, and even the powder couldn't cover up that... shyness? Spit spit spit, of course not, it was thorough anger!

  It's great that someone who can infuriate her is almost non-existent, but Gu Xi Ye managed to do it with ease!

  Ye Qinglan's smile faded from her eyes. She said lightly: "Brother Gu is indeed good at literature, and can recite such a good poem off the top of his head."

  Gu Xiannian smiled politely and replied, "This is a poem written by Zhang Jiuling of the previous dynasty, called 'Gan Yu'. It uses the beauty of orchids to express the carefree feelings in one's heart. I think it's very fitting for the occasion, so I just recited it offhand."

  Others speak with reason and courtesy, what can you do? Must you say "What a coincidence, what praise for the orchid! Bah, I'd rather not meet someone like you"?

  Ye Qinglan's heart was seething with anger, but her face became even more calm and gentle: "Brother Ye is so refined and elegant, it makes me feel ashamed. Although I know a few characters, I'm not very familiar with poetry. Compared to Sixth Sister, I'm far inferior. Why don't we call Sixth Sister over and have her accompany Brother Ye to appreciate the flowers and recite poetry together? Wouldn't that be better?"

  Without waiting for Gu Xian's reaction, Ye Qinglan laughed and shouted loudly: "Sixth sister, Gu Shu-xiong is in high spirits and wants to have a poetry contest with you!"

  Ye Qingning immediately came over. Ye Qingrou was unwilling to be left out and also came over with a thick face.

  Being stared at by two pairs of bright and beautiful girls' eyes, Gu Xiannian's previous playful heart was instantly gone.

  Yeh Ching-lan, who was still smiling on the side, said: "Sixth sister, Gu Zuo-ge said that he wants to compose a poem within the time of one incense stick. You are the best among us three sisters in terms of literary talent, and today you absolutely cannot lose to Gu Zuo-ge."

  Ye Qing's delicate and charming face seemed to radiate light, as she smiled brightly at Gu Xiannian: "Brother, let's set a limit of one incense stick. We'll each compose a poem on the theme of orchids, and let everyone judge whose poem is better."

  What else could Gu Xiannian say? He could only nod in response. Then he glanced at Ye Qinglan, who was watching the commotion with her arms crossed.

  Ye Qinglan countered Gu Xiannian's move with a smile, sweeping away the previous gloom and frustration, her lips curled up in a sweet and charming smile.

  Gu Xian suddenly felt that the sweet smile was a bit piercing, and he smiled quietly: "Many people make poetry lively, just the two of us are too thin. How about this, let the two sisters come to make poetry together. If anyone can win, all the orchids here can be chosen to take away, it's also a elegant and interesting thing. I wonder how the sisters feel?"

  That faint smile almost made Ye Qingning and Ye Qingrou both dazed, nodding in unison.

  Yeqing Lan hastily declined: "Sixth sister and eighth sister can write poetry, I'm not familiar with literature, it's better not to make a fool of myself."

  Gu Xiannian smiled slowly: "Lan sister is too modest, writing poetry is a matter of elegance and interest, whether it's good or bad is secondary. Ning sister, don't you think so?"

  Ye Qingning unhesitatingly chimed in: "Eldest brother is right. Tenth sister, don't make excuses anymore."

  Ye Qingrou also smiled and said: "Exactly, the more people there are, the more lively and interesting it is!"

  ……

  Infatuated to the point of losing one's senses, indeed not a single bit is false! When someone carelessly smiles at her, these two can't wait to sell out their own cousin.

  Ye Qinglan's heart was itching with hatred, but her face smiled shyly and cutely: "If I don't do well, please don't laugh at me."

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