141 The Current Imperial Duke
After arriving at the main hall, Gu Qingxue sat on the left-hand side of the main seat. She raised her head and took the tea that the maid handed over.
She had just opened the teacup when she smelled the alluring fragrance of tea. Gu Qingxue smiled and said, “This is really good tea.”
It was indeed worthy of being in the imperial duke’s manor. Not to mention anything else, just the tea alone was more than three times better than the GU family.
“Please, Eldest Miss Gu,” Qiu Yan said as she served a few plates of exquisite desserts.
Looking at the desserts, Gu Qingxue subconsciously thought of the three children.
If they were here, they would be very happy to see these exquisite desserts.
She did not know when, but she had already completely adapted to the role of a mother. In her heart, the three children were no different from her own children. No matter when or where she was, she would always think of them.
Just as Gu Qingxue was thinking of bringing some delicious food for the children, a middle-aged man in a dark purple robe walked into the main hall.
Gu Qingxue could not help but be attracted by his gaze. She looked at the middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man had some white hair on his temples, but it did not affect the aura around him at all. He was imposing even when he was not angry. His sharp eyes were like an unruly eagle, and an iron-blooded and murderous aura was released from his body.
Gu Qingxue could tell at a glance that the aura on this man was the kind of murderous aura that only someone who had experienced many battles and countless life and death trials could have.
Even without any introductions, she could guess that this dignified man in front of her must be the current imperial duke, Yan Zhanye.
Qiu Yan looked at Imperial Duke Zhan in surprise and hurriedly bowed together with the other serving girls in the hall, “Greetings, imperial duke.”
“Qiu Yan, why aren’t you serving by the Madam’s side?” Imperial Duke Zhan glanced at Gu Qingxue with a pair of sharp eyes, “Who is this lady?”
Qiu Yan was a little nervous.
Why did Imperial Duke Zhan suddenly come back? He had said that he was going to have dinner with the emperor in the palace today.
Then, Qiu Yan was a little worried about Gu Qingxue.
Although Imperial Duke Zhan was not a brutal man, he had been on the battlefield for a long time, and the aura around him was very terrifying. Even the soldiers on the battlefield would tremble in fear in front of him, let alone a lady like Gu Qingxue.
Imperial Duke Zhan also sized up Gu Qingxue, and no one could tell whether he was happy or angry.
It was not until Gu Qingxue smiled that the tense atmosphere was broken.
“This commoner, Gu Qingxue, greets the imperial duke.” Gu Qingxue gracefully saluted. Her movements and expression were flawless, and there was not the slightest hint of fear toward Imperial Duke Zhan.
Imperial Duke Zhan had not looked at Gu Qingxue at first until he saw her being so indifferent, the way he looked at her changed a little. “So it’s the eldest daughter of the Gu family. Eldest Miss, there’s no need to be so formal. You’re Yi’er’s savior and my benefactor. Please take a seat.”
“Thank you, imperial duke.” Gu Qingxue did not stand on ceremony and replied before sitting down gracefully.
Imperial Duke Zhan walked to the main seat and sat down. “Today, I wanted to stay at home with Yi’er and wait for Eldest Miss Gu to come. However, I must go to court, so I was delayed. Please don’t take offense, Eldest Miss Gu.”
“You’re too kind, imperial duke. I had some personal matters to attend to earlier, and I felt bad for delaying the treatment of the Madam. Fortunately, the imperial duke didn’t mind, and you even sent many things over. I can’t thank you enough,” Gu Qingxue replied in a neither servile nor overbearing manner.
Qiu Yan and the other maids and attendants stood at the side and were almost stunned when they saw this scene.
Just who was Eldest Miss Gu? This was the first time she had seen the imperial duke, yet she was without the slightest fear. She could even reply fluently and was not suppressed by the imperial duke’s imposing manner. It was truly a rare sight.