Chapter 523: The Sought-After Grand Marshal
Chapter 523: The Sought-After Grand Marshal
After getting into the carriage, Gong Sun Liuying first headed to Embroidered Cloud Street in the Imperial City.
This was a long street dedicated to selling women's textiles, jewelry, and cosmetics.
Most of the shops on either side were cloth stores, embroidery shops, and jewelry boutiques, and the pedestrians on the road were mostly women.
"Wow, it smells so good."
Tan Er jumped out of the carriage, taking a deep breath. There was no stench of sweaty men, only the fragrance of women's cosmetics.
"Miss."
She extended her hand, helping Gong Sun Liuying out of the carriage.
"Is this your first time here?"
Gong Sun Liuying asked.
Tan Er replied, "Yes, Master took me to many places, but never here!"
Gong Sun Liuying said, "This is where women do their shopping. Naturally, a young man wouldn't want to come here."
"Oh."
Tan Er's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Gong Sun Liuying took Tan Er to a three-story building called Heavenly Cloud Pavilion. It housed a wide variety of jewelry, fabrics, embroidery, and spices.
Her wedding dress was custom-made by the skilled embroiderers of Heavenly Cloud Pavilion.
The shopkeeper greeted her with a broad smile, "Miss Gong Sun, what an honor to have you here! The Heavenly Cloud Pavilion is truly blessed by your presence. Are you here to check on your wedding dress today?"
Gong Sun Liuying replied, "Since I'm here, I might as well take a look."
The shopkeeper was a bit puzzled. Could Miss Gong Sun be here for something else?
He smiled and said, "Please, Miss Gong Sun, this way to the parlor."
He led Gong Sun Liuying to the most elegant parlor on the second floor. As they ascended the stairs, he glanced at Tan Er and said with a smile, "This is the first time I've seen this young lady. She looks quite clever."
Tan Er said, "Miss taught me well!"
Gong Sun Liuying's lips twitched. For her, this was almost a smile.
Tan Er sniffed, "What a delicious osmanthus cake!"
The shopkeeper quickly said, "A new pastry shop opened on the back street. Their osmanthus cakes are quite good. Someone, please."
A clerk downstairs responded, "Shopkeeper!"
"Go buy some pastries."
"Yes, sir!"
The clerk hurried off.
The three of them entered the room.
Gong Sun Liuying sat down, and the shopkeeper personally brought her the wedding dress.
The moment Tan Er saw the dress, her eyes widened, "This wedding dress..."
The shopkeeper laughed, "You've never seen such a magnificent phoenix crown and red robe, have you? This is our Heavenly Cloud Pavilion's signature piece. Twelve embroiderers worked for two months to create this one-of-a-kind wedding dress."
Tan Er blinked, "Oh."
After Gong Sun Liuying finished inspecting the wedding dress, she said to the shopkeeper, "I heard you have jewelry here as well."
The shopkeeper's eyes lit up, "Yes, yes! It seems Miss is here to look at jewelry. Please wait a moment, and I'll bring the finest pieces to your parlor right away!"
Gong Sun Liuying spent the afternoon at Heavenly Cloud Pavilion, selecting a full box of jewels and ornaments.
On the way back, Gong Sun Liuying asked Tan Er a question, "Do you think I look better than Yan Xiaojiu?"
Of course, it's the older sister!
What kind of question is this?
Tan Er tilted her head and said, "Miss's beauty is unparalleled!"
"You haven't seen Yan Xiaojiu."
Gong Sun Liuying was referring to the fact that Meng Qianqian always wore a veil.
Tan Er blurted out, "Even so, Miss is the most beautiful!"
Gong Sun Liuying said, "No wonder Wuyou likes you."
Tan Er nodded, "I am quite popular!"
Gong Sun Liuying handed Tan Er a small golden lock, "This is a reward for you."
"Thank you, Miss!"
Tan Er accepted it.
Everything for the older sister!
After the carriage arrived at the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, Gong Sun Liuying asked Tan Er to visit Elder Yan's courtyard.
"Big Sister, where are you?"
Tan Er pushed open the slightly ajar door.
Meng Qianqian was organizing her revenge list. Hearing Tan Er's voice, she looked up, "Tan Er, you're here."
"Hehe."
Tan Er entered the room and sat down beside Meng Qianqian.
Meng Qianqian didn't hide anything from Tan Er, leaving the list open on the table.
Several names had been crossed out in cinnabar above.
Tan Er took a casual glance and saw the names of Gongsun Yanming and Gong Sun Liuying.
"Sister."
She turned her gaze away. "Gong Sun Liuying is looking for you."
"Oh?"
Meng Qianqian turned a page and wrote down "Miao Territory" with her brush. "So soon. It seems she's even more impatient than I thought."
Tan Er propped her cheeks with her hands. "Sister, are you going to see her? Should I tell her you're here?"
Meng Qianqian smiled slightly. "I'm waiting to see her."
Tan Er tilted her head. "Hmm."
—
Tan Er and Meng Qianqian went to Gong Sun Liuying's courtyard.
Gong Sun Ziyu had just arrived.
She glared fiercely at Meng Qianqian. "This is my sister's courtyard. What are you doing here? Get out now!"
Tan Er placed her hands on her hips. "Miss has asked me to invite her! You get out, but Sister Yan won't!"
Gong Sun Ziyu was so angry she nearly fainted. "You brat, do you really think no one can teach you a lesson?"
She slapped at Tan Er.
Meng Qianqian pulled Tan Er back and, with a swift motion, slapped Gong Sun Ziyu, sending her stumbling.
Gong Sun Ziyu covered her face, turning to look in disbelief. "You dare hit me? Someone, seize her!"
"Stop!"
Gong Sun Liuying's authoritative voice came from inside the room. "Sister Yan, come in."
Meng Qianqian didn't even glance at Gong Sun Ziyu as she walked past her.
Tan Er followed, sticking out her tongue at Gong Sun Ziyu. "Tsk."
Gong Sun Ziyu stomped her foot. "I'm so angry!"
Meng Qianqian entered the room.
Gong Sun Liuying gestured for her to sit opposite her and instructed Tan Er to guard the door, not letting anyone in.
She pushed a delicate wooden box toward Meng Qianqian. "Open it and take a look."
Meng Qianqian opened the box, revealing a dazzling array of jewelry.
Her expression didn't change.
Gong Sun Liuying watched her closely. "Do you like it?"
Meng Qianqian replied calmly, "That depends on the purpose."
Gong Sun Liuying smiled faintly. "I've investigated your background. An orphan with no parents, taken in by Elder Yan as his last disciple because of your outstanding talent. Don't think that pulling the Azure Phoenix Sword will make you a phoenix. Any piece of jewelry in this box is worth a fortune, something you could never earn in a lifetime. If you think it's not enough, I can give you more."
Meng Qianqian met her gaze steadily. "What are the conditions?"
Gong Sun Liuying gave her a meaningful look. "Stay away from Huang Changsun."
Meng Qianqian picked up a purple-gold dragon and phoenix bracelet, examining it closely.
Gong Sun Liuying said, "Huang Changsun favors you only because you pulled the Azure Phoenix Sword. He wants the Phoenix Maiden, not you."
Meng Qianqian put the bracelet down. "Has Miss forgotten that I am the Phoenix Maiden?"
Gong Sun Liuying sneered. "A stolen Phoenix Maiden is still a Phoenix Maiden? I advise you to know your limits before I expose your tricks."
Meng Qianqian picked up a pair of earrings, caressing the purple-gold tassels. "Has Miss taken a liking to Huang Changsun again?"
Dudu: This has nothing to do with me. (╯^╰)
Do you have any more votes? Can I have one?
(End of Chapter)
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