freenovelworld Chapter 9: Did he fall in love with me at first sight?
Chapter 9: Did he fall in love with me at first sight?
Everyone in the shop was taken aback.
Chu Qingyin was also stunned for a moment, and looked in the direction of the sound, a look of surprise flashing across her beautiful eyes.
Lu Zhiheng appeared at the shop entrance at some point. He was tall and straight, dressed in a black robe and leather belt, with his hands behind his back, exuding a calm and composed aura.
As he strode inside, his gaze lingered on Chu Qingyin's face for a moment before quickly turning to Lu Mingzhu: "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Cousin!" Lu Mingzhu's beautiful face changed several times upon seeing Lu Zhiheng. "Why are you here?"
Lu Zhiheng said calmly, "I was just passing by when I heard you causing trouble here, so I came in to take a look."
He turned to Chu Qingyin, "Miss Qiao, I apologize. My younger sister is ignorant and has offended me."
Chu Qingyin knew that Lu Zhiheng was always quite good at maintaining appearances, so she nodded slightly: "Lord Lu, you're too kind. It's just a piece of satin, not worth making a fuss about."
Lu Zhiheng's gaze swept over the smoky purple flowing satin, and looking at Chu Qingyin and Lu Mingzhu's expressions, he guessed what had happened.
"Shopkeeper, wrap up this piece of satin," Lu Zhiheng instructed.
Upon hearing this, Lu Mingzhu's face lit up with joy: "Cousin, I knew you would like me..."
Before she could finish speaking, Lu Zhiheng looked at Chu Qingyin and said, "Miss Qiao, this piece of satin is my apology for offending you. I hope you will accept it."
"Cousin!!" Lu Mingzhu exclaimed in surprise.
Lu Zhiheng only glanced at her coldly and indifferently, without saying a word.
But the intense authority contained in that glance made Lu Mingzhu tremble and dare not refute it again.
When Lu Mingzhu saw the shopkeeper actually wrap up the bolt of satin and hand it to Xianglan behind Chu Qingyin, she was so angry that her face turned red. She couldn't stand it any longer, so she stomped her foot and turned to leave.
"Miss—" Lu Mingzhu's maidservant hurriedly followed.
Lu Zhiheng did not leave immediately, but instead quietly watched Chu Qingyin.
Chu Qingyin found his gaze strange and frowned, reminding him, "Lord Lu, your cousin ran away in anger, aren't you going to go after her?"
Lu Zhiheng said dismissively, "She was in the wrong first, why should I chase after her?"
He paused for a moment, then looked at Chu Qingyin, "Would Miss Qiao be so kind as to speak with me privately?"
Chu Qingyin frowned subconsciously, but seeing the man staring intently at her, she followed him to the side corridor.
Seeing that there were no outsiders around, Chu Qingyin raised her delicate face and asked, "May I ask what advice Lord Lu has for me?"
Although her tone was calm and indifferent, Lu Zhiheng could clearly see that she always harbored an indescribable hostility towards him.
Could it be because of what happened at the teahouse last time that she harbored resentment?
Lu Zhiheng frowned slightly, composed himself, and then lowered his eyes to ask, "I heard that Miss Qiao is also going to participate in this talent show?"
He called her aside and asked her about this?
Chu Qingyin said, "Yes, I will participate as well."
Wait a moment, then she chuckled, "What, does Lord Lu also find it strange?"
Chu Qingyin looked at him, her eyes clear, "After all, I was head over heels in love with that Lin Yue, wasn't I?"
A strange light flashed in Lu Zhiheng's eyes: "What Miss Qiao said is... interesting."
"interesting?"
Chu Qingyin suddenly stepped forward, staring into the man's narrow eyes, her red lips slightly curved, "I think Lord Lu is the more interesting one. He's been sending me satin and asking me about the imperial concubine selection. Could it be that he's fallen in love with me at first sight and doesn't want me to enter the palace?"
The girl suddenly approached, and a faint, elegant fragrance emanating from her movements wafted straight to my nose.
When he met those seemingly provocative eyes again, Lu Zhiheng's brow twitched slightly, and a hint of unease flashed across his usually aloof face.
He took a step back and said in a deep voice, "Miss Qiao, you've misunderstood."
"Oh? Did I really misunderstand?"
Chu Qingyin naturally didn't miss Lu Zhiheng's fleeting moment of embarrassment, and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. She hadn't expected that this despicable hypocrite would also know how to feel awkward.
Perfectly, the more uncomfortable he was, the happier she became.
"Lord Lu has shown me such attention time and time again, I thought he might have feelings for me. But since it's a misunderstanding, that's for the best."
Chu Qingyin raised her hand and lightly adjusted her hair behind her ear, a sly and charming smile appearing in her eyes. She glanced at the man in front of her and said, "After all, the list of candidates for the imperial concubines has already been submitted. Even someone as noble as the Grand Secretary probably wouldn't dare to compete with the Emperor for a woman."
Lu Zhiheng was captivated by the charm in her eyes and was suddenly speechless.
Before he could even react, Chu Qingyin, a grown man, had been teased by a young lady from a respectable family. She had already left with a smile and a slender waist.
Looking at that slender figure swaying like a willow, Lu Zhiheng's breath hitched.
How could that old-fashioned Qiao Gongquan have raised such a shameless daughter?
-
Chu Qingyin was in a good mood.
It wasn't just about buying the satin she wanted; more importantly, it was about seeing Lu Zhiheng get his comeuppance.
What a beautiful day!
On the way back to the Minister's residence, she couldn't help but hum a cheerful little tune.
Upon returning to her residence, she instructed her maid to carefully lay the magnificent, shimmering smoky purple brocade on the table.
Her slender fingers gently caressed the satin surface, the smooth touch reminding her of her past life.
Purple was Pei Yuanling's favorite color.
He had always loved the luxurious and noble feel of purple, and by extension, her favorite color gradually changed from red to purple, and her wardrobe was filled with various purple dresses and shawls...
"Go to the sewing room and invite the embroiderer," Chu Qingyin instructed Xianglan, raising her eyes.
Xianglan accepted the order and withdrew. A short while later, the embroiderer arrived at Chu Qingyin's courtyard.
Chu Qingyin unfolded the satin and pointed to it, saying, "I plan to embroider a pair of wild geese on this, with twin lotus flowers on the side."
"Wild geese and twin lotus blossoms?" The embroiderer seemed slightly surprised. "That's a rare combination."
Chu Qingyin lazily reclined on the chaise lounge and softly explained, "Wild geese are loyal birds, recognizing only one mate in their lifetime. And twin lotus flowers symbolize a united heart, signifying good fortune."
"These are all very good embroidery patterns."
A knowing glint flashed in the embroiderer's eyes, and she nodded, saying, "Don't worry, Miss, I will definitely embroider this dress so lifelike that you will be satisfied."
"Yes, it must be finished on the day of the imperial concubine selection on the eighth day of the second month. If it is well done, I will reward you handsomely."
"Yes, don't worry, young lady."
After seeing the embroiderer off, Chu Qingyin sat by the window and sipped her tea.
She wondered what Pei Yuanling would think when he saw her wearing such a dress on the day she entered the palace.
He once said that he admired the unwavering loyalty of geese, but he himself had a harem and constantly selected concubines.
He once said that he only wanted to bloom with her, for all eternity, but she died tragically in the cold palace, and he probably had no shortage of women by his side.
Men's mouths are truly deceitful devils.
As she was sighing to herself, Xianglan rushed in to report: "Miss, Aunt Jiang and the Second Miss have arrived."
I've been so busy lately that I completely forgot about this mother and daughter.
Chu Qingyin put down her teacup, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Please invite them in."