Chapter 201 Love is not what you say

“Half a Cup of Floating Life” is still lively as ever.

And the coming and going of people is even greater than before.

Regardless of other things, the owner of this shop, Nian Xi, is enough to arouse the curiosity of many curious people.

The reason is simple, because the two most popular gentlemen in the capital are...

Pei Xiang and Guanjun Hou.

It just so happens that these two people have intricate connections with Nian Xi.

"How many years has Xu Wanxin been infatuated with Prime Minister Pei? Who in the capital doesn't know this? As soon as Nianxi came, she captured the heart of the young Prime Minister, causing Xu Wanxin to turn her love into hatred."

Some people relished saying, "But the entire Xu family was implicated because of her. All the men were exiled to the frontier, and all the women were enslaved."

"Isn't it because Minister Xu was involved in Prince Jing's rebellion?"

"In the end, Pei Xiang was so angry that he was killed for his beloved. That's what a crazy man is like. He will do anything for the woman he loves. It's written in the book!"

"Where do you put the champion?"

At this time, someone stood up and said, "Ask everyone here, everyone has seen Mr. Gu waiting across the street to pick up Nianxi. I don't know about you, but in my mind, the image of a gentle and loving man should be like a champion marquis!"

"Prime Minister Pei is the one who is infatuated!"

Such things always have a fatal attraction to girls.

A group of people talked at once, and the debate was so intense that it was a mess. They had to argue between Pei Jian and Gu Ci, citing examples and making arguments, and they were very passionate.

But when it comes to matters of the heart, who can really explain it clearly unless they are the person involved?

When the ladies were exhausted from talking, they stopped fighting. Then a small voice rang out, "I don't see what kind of magic Miss Wen has that is worth all of you fighting for."

This was a very provocative statement, and it was the kind that would offend all the girls in the room.

Everyone heard the sound and looked over.

It turned out to be Shu Muyun from Yongxing Marquis Mansion.

This Miss Shu had just come to Beijing that year, and it had only been three or five months, so she probably didn't know much about the gossips in the capital.

The enthusiastic young lady wanted to explain it to her, but Shu Muyun said, "From what you said, both gentlemen are fascinated by Miss Wen. But if that's the case, why don't we see anyone asking for her hand in marriage?"

The ladies were stunned.

She continued slowly, "That day, my mother and I went to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion as guests, but I didn't see the Duke of Zhenguo's wife show any intention of getting married. I'm afraid that you sisters have misunderstood something?"

This is a very subtle statement.

Especially since the restoration of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, many people have wanted to curry favor with it, and many families have sent invitations to banquets, but almost all of them were rejected by Mrs. Wang with excuses.

According to what Miss Shu meant, she was actually invited by Mrs. Wang herself to visit her house.

Looking at her expression, there was a hint of pride in her. The ladies looked at each other and slowly formed a plan in their minds.

Someone laughed it off and said, "We are just making random guesses, just for fun, it can't be counted."

Shu Muyun was unwilling to give in. "If it's just speculation, why do you make such a big fuss about it? If this gets out, will Miss Wen's reputation be saved? Wouldn't it be embarrassing?"

He actually started to teach someone a lesson on the spot.

The young ladies present here were all raised in wealthy families, and being humble was already the limit for them. Who would have thought that this naive Miss Shu would be so persistent, and they all looked unhappy.

"Embarrassed? Who are you talking about who is embarrassed? Let's not talk about Nianxi, who is friendly with us and kind, so she won't care. Let's just talk about the two gentlemen."

"They like Nianxi. What does it have to do with Nianxi's reputation?"

"Where do you want to go?"

One question after another left Shu Muyun speechless.

She had been in Beijing for half a year, and it wasn't like she hadn't seen Wen Nianxi before. In the porridge stand in the east of the city, Wen Nianxi, with a plain face, was giving porridge to the poor.

Her appearance was not bad, but in Shu Muyun's opinion, she was far from being able to make the "Twin Stars of Beijing" so infatuated.

Especially the champion Hou Gu Ci.

Shu Muyun had seen him riding a tall horse, holding a silver spear, looking majestic and awe-inspiring. How could such a heroic figure be the gentle lover they were talking about!

"As far as I know, the Champion has been so busy with official business these days that he can't spare any time to visit Miss Wen."

The women were silent for a moment.

Although Shu Muyun is a very eccentric and annoying person, as she said, if a man really cares about a woman, how could he not even have time to meet her?

No wonder I haven’t seen Nianxi on ‘Floating Life Half Cup’ these days.

She must be sad at home.

Men are really heartless!

It hasn't been long since then and he has already transferred his feelings.

Who knows, the object of his transfer of affection is this annoying Miss Shu who is right beside him now!

The scene suddenly became quiet.

The girls were about to leave after not getting on with the conversation when there was a knock on the chapel door. A moment later, a young lady of good age came out from outside.

She was wearing an apricot yellow dress, tied with a light white ribbon, and had her hair in a simple bun. She wore a pearl and jade jasmine hairpin on her hair, which matched the color of the ribbon. She smiled lightly, with a gentle charm, and when she walked, you could almost smell the fragrance of the pearl and jade jasmine flowers on her hair.

The person who came was Nian Xi.

She originally had a bright and beautiful appearance, but she usually dressed simply and was gentle, so she didn't look ostentatious. Now, with a little makeup, she looked dazzling.

Nian Xi was familiar with most of the ladies in the room. She greeted them one by one, occasionally making a few jokes. When it came to Shu Muyun, she was not familiar with her, so she just nodded in acknowledgement.

"This is an ice drink I just developed from an ancient recipe. I don't know if it suits your taste." Nian Xi said, motioning the maid to bring the tray up. "But for something new like this, I always want you to try it first."

She has been staying at home these days, but she is not completely relaxed. This kumquat tea is newly developed with improved taste.

These young ladies usually have everything they need, so this "first portion" is particularly appetizing and attractive to them.

Sure enough, the ladies all laughed and showed great support.

Cao Xitang was even more direct, "I know your recipe is good without even trying it."

Among all the ladies in the room, only Shu Muyun looked unhappy.

Nian Xi didn't understand what was going on, so she asked, "I don't know what Miss Shu likes. If you don't like it, why don't I give you another drink?"

She was smiling sweetly, and her clear eyes seemed to be rippling with spring water and flowing with autumnal waves, which made Shu Muyun feel even more depressed.

“No need.”

After Nian Xi came, the group laughed loudly again, as if the previous unpleasantness had never existed.

Only Shu Muyun was relatively silent.

Nian Xi thought she was introverted and took good care of her during the dinner.

When the party was over, Nian Xi personally saw everyone off. Shu Muyun deliberately slowed down her pace and stayed at the end.

Nian Xi naturally noticed it. Although she had not had much contact with Miss Shu, she made it clear that something was wrong. Nian Xi turned around and said with a smile, "Miss Shu, is there——"

Before he could finish his words, he fell down.

Perhaps it was because he had been staying at home for these days and his muscles and bones had become loose, his legs and feet were not as flexible as before. I don't know what evil spirit came over me, but I slipped on the square bricks and fell down on my back.

This is really embarrassing.

If I had known I wouldn't have dressed up so ostentatiously.

Before she fell to the ground, she thought that if she covered her face with a handkerchief, she didn't know if she could hide it.

At least give her some face.

Finally, God had mercy on her and a pair of big hands grabbed her, preventing her from making a fool of herself and lifted her up in mid-air.

Nian Xi was lying on her back, with her soft waist bent like a willow branch soaked in water, incredibly slender and graceful.

Gu Ci held her up with just one hand.

Their eyes met, and they were both stunned.

Gu Ci tensed up almost instantly. He touched something soft and slender. Even through the skirt, his whole body went numb, starting from his palms, as if he was poisoned.

Shu Muyun on the side gasped.

The girls who had not walked far all looked over, their expressions full of meaning and excitement.

But even if there were ten times more people, he would not feel the refusal. Everyone's thoughts on him were nothing but clouds and smoke, and all he could think of was the dazzling girl with bright eyes and white teeth in front of him.

Until the girl opened her red lips and said, "Master Gu, my waist is about to break."