Chapter 1133: What Bad Intentions Could Young Lord Gu Have? 4
Taohua Mountain in March is when the peach flowers are in full bloom, and anyone walking amidst them is utterly captivated.
"This place is simply a paradise. If only we could live here forever!" Tang Zixin said, smiling as she conversed with Master Tang.
Master Tang glanced at his eldest daughter, who was lively and full of spirit, and then at his second daughter, who was obediently following alongside his wife. He recalled the previous letter, which specifically asked him to bring his two daughters, and couldn't help but feel a bit excited.
The eldest daughter was charming and vivacious, while the second daughter was gentle and well-behaved, both having childhood memories of playing together. Perhaps the Tang Family really might become in-laws with the Duke Residence!
"When we meet the old Duke later, don't speak out of turn."
Tang Zixin promptly nodded obediently.
Soon, guided by the servants, the Tang family entered Taohua Temple and saw Gu Jian lying on the deck chair in the courtyard, basking in the sun.
Master Tang was about to lead his wife and daughters to greet him, but was stopped by Dongli nearby, "The old man is asleep. Master Tang, please go to meet the Emperor and Crown Prince first, and come back to pay respects to the old man later."
Master Tang naturally agreed.
While Master Tang went to see the Emperor and Crown Prince, Madam Tang took Tang Zixin and Tang Zijin to meet with the Crown Princess Consort.
Although the Emperor planned to personally arrange Gu Moyan's marriage, he couldn't handle everything personally, and most of the matters were left to the Crown Princess Consort.
The Crown Princess Consort hadn't been idle this time, meeting numerous young ladies.
After polite greetings with Madam Tang, the Crown Princess Consort began to size up the two young ladies of the Tang family and asked them some questions.
Tang Zixin was more articulate and garnered most of the Crown Princess Consort's attention.
Seeing Tang Zijin unable to get a word in edgewise for a long time, Madam Tang could only sit by anxiously.
Tang Zijin wasn't incapable of speaking; she simply disliked pandering or saying things against her own will for the sake of flattery or compliments.
The Crown Princess Consort observed the performance of the three from the Tang family and, after chatting for a while, smiled at Madam Tang, "The peach blossoms on the mountain are in full bloom, let the young ladies go out for a stroll."
Madam Tang immediately smiled and said to Tang Zixin and Tang Zijin, "Hurry up and thank the Crown Princess Consort."
Tang Zixin and Tang Zijin quickly rose to greet her.
The Crown Princess Consort smiled, "No need for such formalities."
As Tang Zijin finished her bow and was about to leave, Tang Zixin stayed put, smilingly looking at the Crown Princess Consort. "Your Highness, I noticed the peach blossoms in a vase in your room are quite beautiful. I boldly wish to ask Your Highness for a couple of branches to take back for my grandmother's appreciation."
Upon hearing this, Madam Tang slightly furrowed her brow and swiftly glanced at Tang Zixin.
This girl Zixin was growing increasingly calculating, even daring to bring up the elderly lady as an excuse now.
The Crown Princess Consort, having seen many people, glanced at the few peach branches in a vase by the window and smiled, "There are so many peach blossoms on the mountain, feel free to take whichever branches you and your sister like."
Tang Zixin beamed with joy, happily giving her thanks and a bow, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Watching the sisters of the Tang family leave, the Crown Princess Consort picked up her teacup and took a slow sip.
The eldest daughter of the Tang family seemed shrewd, but alas, her intentions were too transparent.
The second daughter of the Tang family... seemed rather charming!
The Crown Princess Consort sighed internally; it was necessary for Yiyi to return quickly. Choosing her daughter-in-law was something she wanted to do herself.
...
After exiting the Crown Princess Consort's courtyard, Tang Zixin directly said to Tang Zijin, "I'm going to swing at the mountaintop, you go elsewhere."
Before coming, she had learned that the swing on Taohua Mountain was made by Lord Wei Yuan for Princess Consort Wei Yuan, and that the young Lord often practiced martial arts there, making it the best place for an encounter.
Coincidentally, Tang Zijin didn't want to walk with Tang Zixin either, so she said nothing and headed in another direction with Zu Xin.
"Since the Crown Princess Consort has permitted us to pick peach blossoms here, let's pick a couple more branches to take back."
Tang Zijin moved among the peach blossoms, tiptoeing to break off any branches she found beautiful.
"Miss, what are you doing?!"
Zu Xin suddenly exclaimed in amazement and rushed forward to stop Tang Zijin who was trying to climb a tree.
Tang Zijin pointed to a peach blossom overhead, "That peach blossom is in full bloom, I want it."
Zu Xin was desperate, "Oh dear, my good miss, you're a lady of a prestigious family, how can you casually climb trees? If anyone sees this, it will surely be laughable."
Tang Zijin gave a playful smile, "Of course, I know that, but look around, this place is so secluded, no one will come. Don't worry, I'll be down shortly." Saying this, she pried off Zu Xin's hand and nimbly climbed up the peach tree.
Zu Xin watched with her heart racing, and began to lament internally that it was all the young Lord's fault. If he hadn't taught her to climb trees, how would she be able to do this?
"Miss, hurry up!"
"I know, I know, stop rushing me!"
Tang Zijin, with her petite and light frame, swiftly climbed up the peach tree and picked the peach blossom she wanted.
From the heights, the scenery was even more captivating, and instead of immediately descending, Tang Zijin stood on the tree and gazed at the beautiful landscape of Taohua Mountain.
As Zu Xin urged once more, Tang Zijin was about to come down when, out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a person and a dog approaching from behind.
The Young Lord!!!
Tang Zijin was shocked, lost her balance, and suddenly fell.
"Miss!"
Gu Moyan, having just finished his martial arts practice, hadn't noticed Tang Zijin and her maid. But Zu Xin's shout caught his attention.
"Erha, come on, let's go over and have a look!"
Gu Moyan quickly walked in the direction of the voice, soon seeing Tang Zijin hanging on the peach tree, tightly clutching the tree branches.
"It's you again!"
Seeing Gu Moyan approaching, Tang Zijin wished she could just disappear.
She must look awful in her current state.
In her panic just now, she grabbed onto the peach tree branches, avoiding a fall, but she would rather have fallen to the ground than be stuck hanging on the tree.
She thought about letting go and jumping down, but dared not.
She was afraid of the pain!
Gu Moyan leisurely approached, observing the girl hanging on the tree.
Zu Xin, upon seeing him, felt as if she'd seen her savior, "Young Lord, please save my lady!"
Gu Moyan ignored her, instead teasingly saying to Tang Zijin, "Which family's young miss are you? First you pick someone else's medicinal herbs, now you're after the peach blossoms. You sure are resourceful!"
Tang Zijin struggled while hanging there, "I didn't try to pick anyone's medicinal herbs... The peach blossoms were allowed by the Crown Princess Consort."
Gu Moyan remained indifferent, suddenly gave a sound of realization, and said while stroking his chin, "Why do you look more and more familiar to me?"
Zu Xin, seeing her lady was struggling to hold on, had no choice but to muster her courage and said, "Young Lord, please help my lady down first before asking questions, wouldn't that be better?"
Gu Moyan decisively shook his head, "No can do, men and women shouldn't touch, what if I help your lady down and she clings to me?"
Zu Xin was dumbfounded, "Then what about my lady?"
Gu Moyan shrugged, "How should I know? I didn't ask her to climb the tree."