Chapter 431: Two Camps
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Fan Yuru said happily, “Finally, she’s coming.”
In the capital, the daughters of military officials and civil officials were at loggerheads, utterly incompatible. Chu Qingzhi, with her martial prowess strong enough to throw a princess out of a wall, must certainly be a formidable figure. Fan Yuru was determined to recruit her into their camp.
Of course, the first order of business was to meet this future general’s wife.
Yuan Qingqing, the granddaughter of General of Agile Cavalry, was also looking forward to it. “Yuru, General Tang has snubbed all the noble ladies in the city, yet he’s smitten with a simple farm girl. What could be so special about her?”
Fan Yuru blinked, equally curious. “You’ll see for yourself soon enough.”
Yuan Qingqing smirked, “I’ll have to test her a bit.”
Feng Xuejun, daughter of another high-ranking general, cautioned, “Be careful with your test. She’s the girl who dared to throw a princess out of a wall, quite a fierce one.”
“I know,” Yuan Qingqing chuckled. “That’s exactly why I’m curious about her. She’s got guts.”
As they discussed this, other young ladies around them joined in the conversation…
A maid rushed over, “Miss Chu and another girl are coming.”
The chatter ceased abruptly, and everyone turned towards the entrance of the garden.
Chu Qingzhi and Ge Lihua arrived in the general’s carriage, with Nanny Han following but deciding to stay outside, ready to assist Chu Qingzhi in case of any trouble.
The carriage halted at the entrance of Pear Phoenix Garden. Nanny Han stepped down first, waiting respectfully to help Chu Qingzhi alight.
Tang Jinghong hurried over, having left early in the morning and only learning of the invitation after Chu Qingzhi had left. He immediately rushed to the scene.
He stood where Nanny Han had been, now waiting for Chu Qingzhi to alight.
Ge Lihua got out of the carriage first, followed by Chu Qingzhi.
Seeing Tang Jinghong, Chu Qingzhi smiled and took his arm, “What brings you here?”
Tang Jinghong said bluntly, “I’m worried.”
“It’s a small gathering, nothing serious,” Chu Qingzhi assured. “If I can’t handle this, how can I be your wife?”
Tang Jinghong smiled, “Sorry to cause you trouble, Qingzhi.”
“It’s just a small thing, no trouble at all,” Chu Qingzhi dismissed. “You’ve been running around. Why don’t you go back and get a good rest?”
“Alright, I’ll do that,” Tang Jinghong agreed obediently.
As they talked, another carriage stopped nearby, and a girl in green alighted.
Qiu Jingting stood beside the carriage and looked at Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong. General Tang looked at the girl in front of him with such a gentle gaze. That girl must be Chu Qingzhi, who had been famous in the capital for the past few days.
She was slightly envious. General Tang had personally sent Chu Qingzhi out to the banquet, and the two of them looked so compatible.
After some thought, she walked towards the two of them and bowed. “Qiu Jingting, the fourth daughter of the Qiu family. Greetings, General Tang and Miss Chu. Nice to meet you.”
Tang Jinghong cupped his hands in return.
Chu Qingzhi mirrored Qiu Jingting’s greeting, “Pleased to meet you, Miss Qiu.”
Qiu Jingting secretly sized Chu Qingzhi up. She said that she was a farm girl, but she did not have any rustic aura. Instead, she exuded a noble aura. This made her wonder if the rumors were wrong.
“Miss Chu, shall we go in together?”
Chu Qingzhi revealed a friendly smile. “Miss Qiu, please.”
She called Ge Lihua and the three ladies walked in side by side.
Tang Jinghong stood on the spot and watched Chu Qingzhi leave. He was really worried and planned to leave later.
Under everyone’s anticipation, Chu Qingzhi finally walked into the garden. In an instant, everyone’s gazes gathered on her.
Chu Qingzhi, with skin as white as snow and a face delicate and lovely, had the allure of blooming peach blossoms. Her black hair fell like a waterfall to her waist, adorned with pearl and jade hairpins. Her slender figure was draped in a light green dress, accentuating her graceful posture. Her lips curved in a gentle smile, making her look like a celestial being stepping out of a painting, exuding an aura of elegance and grace.
Yuan Qingqing gently touched Fan Yuru’s arm and covered her mouth with the fan in her hand. She asked softly, “Wiry is Chu Qingzhi so beautiful? And that temperament is even better than the princess!”
This was also the first time Fan Yuru had seen Chu Qingzhi. How would she know? “Be careful with your words later. Don’t push Chu Qingzhi too hard lest she joins the camp of the civil officials.”
Yuan Qingqing hurriedly said, “I know. It’s better to let such a girl join our camp.”
Ge Lihua’s expression was normal, but she was still a little mesmerized by those girls. Most of the girls in the northern border were more ragged, unlike the girls in the capital, who were like flowers.
Fan Yuru walked over quickly and bowed with a smile. “Greetings, Miss Chu.”
Chu Qingzhi sized up Fan Yuru. She was exceptionally beautiful, tall and slender, wearing a long white dress with deep green trim, radiating an elegant and dignified aura. “I’m Chu Qingzhi, nice meeting you, Miss Fan Yuru,” she greeted politely.
Everyone greeted each other.
Fan Yuru pulled Chu Qingzhi to the table. “You’re welcome. We’ll be friends in the future.”
She did not forget to take care of Ge Lihua. After dressing up today, Ge Lihua’s appearance and temperament were extremely good. The moonlight dress made her look like the moon in the sky. She was beautiful and low-key.
Feng Junxue agreed with a smile. “Yes, we’re friends now.”
Chu Qingzhi looked at the girls around her. This gathering was different from what she had imagined. Everyone was quite friendly and did not look like a trap at all!
Just as she secretly heaved a sigh of relief, a group of girls walked in. Those girls exuded a scholarly aura and looked soft and weak, unlike Fan Yuru and the other girls.
The girl in the lead was the daughter of the Prime Minister, Rong Shiyu. As soon as she arrived, she asked, “Fan Yuru, what do you mean?”
It was said that Fan Yuru led the camp of girls born in military families and Rong Shiyu led the camp of girls born to civil officials. There were still some who remained neutral, and they were not fawning with either side. This was a small portion. When they encountered these two sides, they could only hide.
Fan Yuru’s expression turned cold. “Miss Rong, isn’t it a bit improper to come uninvited?”
Rong Shiyu, with a stern expression, said, “Personal grudges should remain personal, but inviting Miss Chu without informing us, isn’t that also improper?”
This chapt𝙚r is updated by fr(e)ew𝒆bnov(e)l.com