The guard didn't say a word. After bowing to Gu Jiangyue in salute, he entered the courtyard to announce her arrival. The red - clothed woman saw that Gu Jiangyue was so polite to a gate - guarding guard but ignored her completely. The hint of pride on her face couldn't hold up any longer.
She reached out and tugged at the corner of the person beside her, signaling her to say something and give Gu Jiangyue a set - down.
"What Miss Gu? I've never heard of her. Our Miss Mu Xia is the top courtesan in Wangchun Tower. The Ninth Prince adores our Miss very much."
Seeing the look Mu Xia gave her, she quickly understood. Hands on her hips, she raised her head and rambled on at Gu Jiangyue in an arrogant tone.
"The Ninth Prince never lets just anyone into his residence. Someone like you definitely won't be able to get in. Don't waste your time. Go back quickly."
It seemed that if Gu Jiangyue didn't say a word, she would keep on sneering without any intention of stopping.
"Alright, Tao'er. If Miss Gu really wants to enter Bishui Yunju, maybe I'll be in a good mood and take you in later."
It was Mu Xia who, seeing that enough groundwork had been laid and that Gu Jiangyue already knew her power, finally spoke up to interrupt the maid named Tao'er.
Mu Xia's tone was full of indescribable arrogance. After she finished speaking, she stood to one side and didn't look at Gu Jiangyue again, as if waiting for Gu Jiangyue to come and flatter her.
The surroundings gradually fell silent again. Gu Jiangyue seemed to suddenly think of something. A mysterious glint flashed in her eyes as she scanned Mu Xia from head to toe.
A genuine, mischievous smile curved Gu Jiangyue's lips.
Mu Xia's figure and looks seemed to match Xie Chengrui perfectly.
In fact, Xie Chengrui was far from being as gentle and elegant as he appeared on the surface. On the contrary, he was a two - faced brute, most adept at saying one thing to your face and doing another behind your back. If it weren't for this, Gu Jiangyue wouldn't have been deceived by him in her previous life and given her heart away in vain.
The reason why Gu Zhengwan was able to get involved with Xie Chengrui was that she failed to see his true nature and trusted her younger sister too much. She didn't stop their relationship, which gave Gu Zhengwan the opportunity to have an affair with Xie Chengrui.
But it takes two to tango. Another major reason why this man and woman were attracted to each other was that Xie Chengrui was a lecher. That's why Gu Jiangyue was set up by them.
Gu Jiangyue noticed that Mu Xia's looks and figure seemed to be exactly Xie Chengrui's type.
Moreover, looking at Mu Xia's temper, a mysterious smile played on Gu Jiangyue's lips. Mu Xia's temper was perfect for dealing with Gu Zhengwan.
Mu Xia was a courtesan. Her task was just to serve the guests in the brothel. Gu Jiangyue's mind involuntarily conjured up Xie Jiuan's face. She always felt that Xie Jiuan's reason for seeking Mu Xia wasn't for amorous affairs.
Since Mu Xia could get involved with Xie Jiuan, she could also get close to Xie Chengrui. Such a good "weapon", how could Gu Jiangyue not use it?
The most urgent thing for Gu Jiangyue to do now was to quickly crush Mu Xia's feelings for Xie Jiuan.
Mu Xia must have some tricks up her sleeve to become the top courtesan in Wangchun Tower. As long as Xie Jiuan cut off contact with her, she would surely look for another powerful person in the capital. At that time, with a little push from Gu Jiangyue, Xie Chengrui and Mu Xia would surely form some kind of relationship.
Mu Xia was no easy target. If she could stir up trouble between Xie Chengrui and Gu Zhengwan, that would be even better.
With a smile on her lips, Gu Jiangyue tilted her head and glanced at Mu Xia. Her tone was calm, devoid of much emotion.
"Miss Mu, how do you know that my friendship with the Ninth Prince is not as deep as yours?"
Hearing this, Mu Xia scoffed directly. She had been by Xie Jiuan's side for so long and had never heard that Xie Jiuan was on good terms with any young lady. Naturally, she labeled Gu Jiangyue as a presumptuous person in her heart.
"Humph, you? If the Ninth Prince sees you today..."
Before Mu Xia could finish her sentence, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the guard who had gone to announce her return.
She quickly rushed forward and blocked the guard, no longer paying attention to Gu Jiangyue. She always believed that Xie Jiuan would never let Gu Jiangyue in, so there was no need to finish the rest of the sentence.
The guard looked at her self - assured expression. His eyes were cold, and his tone was equally frigid.
"The Ninth Prince only allows Miss Gu to enter. He also said that Miss Gu can enter Bishui Yunju whenever she wants in the future. There's no need to wait outside."
After saying that, the guard wanted to find Gu Jiangyue to show her the way.
But Mu Xia was completely shocked when she heard this. Even though she had been by Xie Jiuan's side for so many years, she had only entered Bishui Yunju once or twice. But now, Xie Jiuan was allowing a little girl she had never even heard of to enter freely.
Mu Xia couldn't help but feel her eyes redden. She even suspected her own ears. Not believing it, she wanted to stop the guard and confirm with him again if Xie Jiuan had simply forgotten to mention her.
"Did the Ninth Prince say anything about me? What about me?"
The guard was a bit impatient. He dodged her hand irritably and quickly walked to Gu Jiangyue's side. He raised his hand in a gesture of invitation, indicating that Gu Jiangyue could enter.
Mu Xia finally faced the reality. Her eyes were bloodshot as she stared fixedly at Gu Jiangyue's retreating back. She directly slapped Tao'er across the face. A bright red handprint slowly emerged on Tao'er's face.
Just now, she had confidently said that if Gu Jiangyue could flatter her, she would take Gu Jiangyue in to have a look. But now, it was she who was being shut out. The sudden reversal of their positions was too much for Mu Xia to accept.
Although in the past when she came to find Xie Jiuan, she was almost always blocked outside the door, today was different. Xie Jiuan must have known what was going on outside. He was clearly protecting that little girl and deliberately treating her this way.
Mu Xia looked at another expressionless guard by the door. She felt as if he was also mocking her. Having lost so much face, she was too embarrassed to stay any longer. She angrily flicked her sleeve and strode away.
"Humph, let's go."
Tao'er could only silently follow behind her, covering her face, not daring to say another word.
The guard led Gu Jiangyue into Bishui Yunju, pointed out the direction where Xie Jiuan was, and then left.
Judging from the guard's expression, it seemed that he didn't dare to go any deeper. Gu Jiangyue didn't make things difficult for him. She could just look for Xie Jiuan on her own.
But she hadn't walked far when she started to lose her way.
Xie Jiuan didn't like noise, so Bishui Yunju was built in a rather secluded place. There were hardly any residents around, only patches of bamboo.
When the wind blew through the bamboo forest, the bamboo leaves rustled, revealing a sense of solemnity in the stillness.
After entering Bishui Yunju, Gu Jiangyue realized that although the residence was as quiet as the outside, it was more vibrant.
Without the guard to lead the way, she could only keep walking in one direction along the corridor.
The gentle breeze caressed the lake, causing the unopened flower buds in the lake to sway gently.
Gu Jiangyue could only walk aimlessly. She was a bit puzzled. Bishui Yunju was just too quiet. She had walked for so long but hadn't even seen a single servant.
She could only mutter to herself in her heart that Bishui Yunju seemed to be too big.