Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 653 - 489 Qionghua

Lu Chen smiled, and his originally refined eyes suddenly appeared even more radiant.

Gu Chengyu’s brow twitched. Who on earth said his skills were superb? Could it be Zhu Pang, that rascal?

He glanced at Zhu Pang beside him and saw Zhu looking a bit guilty, which made him extremely annoyed. This rascal always sets up his friends.

"I wonder where Brother Lu heard this from. Actually, I..." Just as Gu Chengyu was about to explain, he saw Lu Chen with a meaningful smile.

He was momentarily speechless. Even when he played touhu with his classmates at the Imperial College, he never really showed any remarkable skills.

It was just that Zhu Pang knew a bit about his capabilities. Zhu must have been provoked by someone into setting him up.

Oh well! Since the host personally invited him, it would be rude not to go.

"Actually, I’m not that proficient, but I am eager to witness the exceptional skills of Heir Qin and Brother Lu."

Gu Chengyu smiled. Ever since he met Lu Chen today, his attitude had been somewhat unusual, leaving Gu Chengyu wondering what he was up to.

Qin Min didn’t expect Gu Chengyu to say this, but he was not afraid.

He had practiced martial arts since childhood; otherwise, he wouldn’t have pursued a military position.

He often played touhu in the past, and with his experience in archery and horseback riding, hitting the target in touhu was not difficult for him.

"In that case, let’s go together!" Qin Min said, taking the lead.

Gu Chengyu helplessly glared at Zhu Pang, then gestured for Lu Chen to proceed.

Lu Chen nodded and walked towards the Lake Heart Pavilion with his hands behind his back, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"Cough! Who told you that Min Feng was comparing you and said your touhu skills were terrible? I just couldn’t stand him badmouthing you," Zhu Pang muttered behind Gu Chengyu.

These were trivial matters, and he knew Jinyu didn’t care about such vanity.

But Min Feng seized every opportunity to embarrass Jinyu. More confidential matters aside, like Jinyu’s martial arts skills, of which Jinyu never spoke, Zhu Pang would never reveal them to outsiders.

On such trivial matters, Zhu Pang felt that Min Feng shouldn’t take advantage.

Although Gu Chengyu felt helpless, he knew Zhu Pang was measured. Having interacted for over three years, he understood Zhu Pang’s personality quite well.

Zhu Pang wasn’t someone who easily let others in. If the relationship wasn’t good, he wouldn’t drop his defenses in front of others.

Only when he truly recognized you would he consider you one of his own.

Of course, he had his principles and wouldn’t disclose everything indiscriminately.

He was loyal, and as long as you were genuine with him, he would reciprocate sincerely.

Therefore, he wouldn’t be too discontent if some insignificant things were revealed.

However, to prevent this kid from developing a habit of setting him up in the future, Gu Chengyu felt it necessary to give him a slight scolding.

As Gu Chengyu followed Heir Qin and the others up the bridge, he carefully admired the surrounding scenery.

This bridge was not high, just slightly above the water’s surface. It wasn’t long, and the Lake Heart Pavilion wasn’t centrally located, being relatively close to the shore.

The people at the Lake Heart Pavilion, upon seeing Heir Qin and the others arrive, hurriedly made space for them.

As Gu Chengyu stepped into the Lake Heart Pavilion, he suddenly heard enchanting voices from the third courtyard.

Due to the wind’s direction and the fact that the Hanging Flower Gate hadn’t been opened, he hadn’t heard the voices of the women earlier.

Glancing in that direction, he saw nothing but a sea of Qionghua flowers, vast and white, breathtakingly beautiful.

Gu Chengyu was momentarily mesmerized. Lu Chen hadn’t been wrong; the Qionghua flowers at the Princess’s Mansion were truly stunning.

"Is this the first time you’ve seen so many Qionghua flowers? Unfortunately, there aren’t any in this courtyard; all of them are in the third. However, viewing them from a distance is even more impactful," Lu Chen said, standing beside Gu Chengyu, lost in thought while looking at the flowers.

Since Gu Chengyu arrived at the Lake Heart Pavilion, Min Feng’s expression had soured.

He hadn’t expected Heir Qin and Lu Chen to value Gu Chengyu so much, even personally inviting him.

To Min Feng, Gu Chengyu was truly hypocritical, speaking high-mindedly as if he didn’t care.

Once at the Lake Heart Pavilion, how did his behavior differ from that of other noble sons?

Min Feng was merely projecting his own thoughts onto others; Gu Chengyu was genuinely mesmerized by the Qionghua flowers and hadn’t noticed the women across from them.

However, while Gu Chengyu didn’t notice the women, someone among them was observing him.

"Third Sister! Look, isn’t that Mr. Gu?" Yao Mengdie excitedly tugged at Yao Mengxian’s sleeve, having been disappointed not to see Gu Chengyu earlier.

Such a handsome face naturally drew admiration; this was unrelated to romantic feelings.

Yao Mengxian’s heart fluttered. Based on Gu Chengyu’s personality, he didn’t enjoy such lively occasions. She hadn’t expected him to come to the Princess’s Mansion, much less to the Lake Heart Pavilion.

Turning towards the Lake Heart Pavilion, though at a distance, she could still discern the tall figure, undoubtedly Gu Chengyu.

Today, Gu Chengyu wore a robe with a snow-blue base adorned with white magnolia flowers, featuring a standing collar, pankou buttons, and right lapel, with gray trim at the cuffs—a creation by Gu Wan.

Since learning to make pankou buttons, Gu Wan often incorporated them when making clothes for Gu Chengyu, and this was one of her favorite outfits.

She always said the colors suited him, and the style made his figure appear taller.

Yao Mengxian had seen Gu Chengyu wear this outfit once before, leaving a distinct impression.

"It’s him! I didn’t expect he’d come either." After glancing a couple of times, Yao Mengxian turned to shield Yao Mengdie’s line of sight.

"Oh, Third Sister, you’re blocking me! Who is that person next to him? Judging by their attire, they must be someone of high status."

Yao Mengxian frowned, "We’re guests here, and your behavior is already impolite."

Yao Mengdie retorted, pouting, "But they’re also looking!"

"Who are you looking at? Who is that person? I recognize the one beside him; that’s the second son of Marquis Zhan’s Mansion, Lu Chen."

"You know him? Oh, he’s the son of the Marquis Zhan’s Mansion. Do you not recognize the one standing next to him? That’s Mr. Gu, Gu Chengyu."

"So that’s Mr. Gu! He does seem quite young."

It’s usually inappropriate for women to discuss men’s appearances, so they just remarked on his youthful age.

Yao Menglian, noticing the commotion over there, also glanced towards the Lake Heart Pavilion, only to turn back after a couple of glances.

It’s undeniable that Gu Chengyu was one of the most handsome men in the Capital, though his background was lacking.

The Lu Chen beside him, albeit a noble son, belonged to a marquisate that would likely dismiss a mere fifth-rank official’s daughter like her.

Since Yao Mengdie mentioned Mr. Gu, Princess Rong Jia had set down her teacup and looked towards the Lake Heart Pavilion.

Seeing Gu Chengyu and Lu Chen lost in the sight of the Qionghua, Qin Min cleared his throat, "Qionghua may be beautiful, but you shouldn’t be so captivated by it, right?"

While the Lake Heart Pavilion provided a rather obscured view of the women opposite, due to the Jade Flower Trees serving as a screen, the view was indistinct.

However, the women under the Jade Flower Trees had an unobstructed view of the Lake Heart Pavilion.