What Do You Think
What Do You Think
The little lady didn't even lift an eyelid when she heard the approaching footsteps,
Outside the gazebo.
Palace Lady Jing stepped forward and stretched out her hand to stop the young ladies' path. She furrowed her brow as she looked at Zhongli Zhiwei.
"The crown prince consort is resting here. Unrelated people cannot come near," Palace Lady Jing declared impassively.
Palace Lady Jing was a veteran of the palace. After immersing in the palace for several decades, she naturally commanded a presence that brought the group of young ladies into submission in an instant.
Zhongli Zhiwei evidently recognized Palace Lady Jing. She was very respectful and gave the latter a semi-salute before saying with a smile, "Zhongli Zhiwei of the Zhongli Estate greets Palace Lady Jing. We especially came over to formally meet Her Highness the Crown Prince Consort."
Palace Lady Jing's gaze landed on Zhongli Zhiwei, but there was no ripple in her expression. "Wait here."
After saying this, she had Caixiu and Caiqi continue blocking the group while she quickly entered the gazebo and reported to the young crown prince consort, "Crown Prince Consort, Miss Zhongli and company request an audience."
Qiao Mu had already noticed the coterie of women. There were around seven to eight people, led by Zhongli Zhiwei. The Minister of the Left's daughter, Chen Baojia, followed closely behind.
A bunch of servants and nannies surrounded this group of noble ladies. For a moment, the radiance from jewels and the fragrance from makeup assaulted her senses.
"I'll see them." Qiao Mu nodded expressionlessly.
Didn't these people send away the prince consort to pick a quarrel?
Fine!
It was all still fighting, whether she fought once, twice, or countless times.
Since Qiao Mu had given the okay, Palace Lady Jing allowed Zhongli Zhiwei and the group of young ladies to enter the gazebo.
Fortunately, this gazebo was rather large, so it was not too cramped even with seven to eight more people inside.
Zhongli Zhiwei stepped forward with a smile and saluted, "Greetings to the crown prince consort."
Whether Chen Baojia and the others were happy about it on the inside, they still maintained appearances and saluted courteously as well.
Qiao Mu did not make things difficult for them and nodded for them to rise.
"Has the crown prince consort gone to the Garden of Elegance? If you have not, how about allowing Zhiwei to guide the crown prince consort over to see." Zhongli Zhiwei was polite and explained gently, "The winter plum blossoms bloom the best in our Garden of Elegance. It would be a pity if the crown prince consort misses out on it."
"I have to wait here for the prince consort," Qiao Mu replied indifferently.
"That is not a problem. The crown prince consort can leave a palace maid here to wait for the prince consort. Zhiwei will also leave a maidservant here to guide the prince consort over to the Garden of Elegance when she comes back. What does the crown prince consort think?"
Qiao Mu swept over Zhongli Zhiwei's face with her pitch-black eyes, and a cold smile formed on her lips.
For some reason, Zhongli Zhiwei's heart trembled when she met this placid gaze.
She still had a smile on her face, but it was now unwittingly a bit forced.
"What does the crown prince consort think?" Zhongli Zhiwei repeated.
Qiao Mu did not disappoint her and nodded insipidly, "Since Miss Zhongli is inviting me so ardently, this crown prince consort naturally cannot disappoint."
Zhongli Zhiwei smiled awkwardly, "After you, Crown Prince Consort."
Chen Baojia chattered with a smile, "Crown Prince Consort, the plum blossoms in the Garden of Elegance are extremely beautiful."