Chapter7:The Invitation to Yunxia Tower

On this day, Su Qianqian lay comfortably on her lazy sofa, flipping through a business book she had brought from the modern world. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm and peaceful light on the room. She was completely immersed in the world of modern business theories, her mind busy calculating how to break the ancient business conventions and find her own path to success.

The pages of the book turned gently, like the calm surface of a lake, occasionally rippling with subtle thoughts.

However, this tranquility didn't last long. Suddenly, a soft knock on the door interrupted her reverie. "Miss Su, someone from Lord Gu's side has come to see you. He says he wants to meet you."

At the mention of this, Su Qianqian raised an eyebrow slightly, a wry smile forming at the corner of her lips. "We've cleared up the misunderstanding already. Why is he still looking for me?" She turned to glance at the blue sky outside the window, feeling a wave of irritation wash over her. She couldn't completely refuse, so she reluctantly stood up, preparing to deal with the uninvited guest.

She walked to the wardrobe and decided to change into the light purple robe that Liu Niang had recently made for her. The fabric was carefully chosen, with a soft sheen and a faint purple hue, like a violet blooming gently in the morning light.

The dress was adorned with intricate ancient floral patterns, as if a scroll was unfolding before her eyes. The flowers were arranged in a lively manner, like the vibrant peach blossoms of spring—elegant and full of vitality.

The belt around her waist was crafted with exquisite cloud brocade, interwoven with gold and silver threads. The pattern resembled flowing clouds and mist, gentle yet regal.

Her hair was styled into an ancient "cloud bun," with strands of hair like light clouds, pinned with a green jade hairpin that swayed softly, making a faint sound as it moved.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she smiled lightly. "No matter how he looks at me, today's appearance is definitely better than the first time we met."

Once she had changed, her mood seemed to lift. As she walked toward the door, she couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Gu Yichen, if you dare put on that 'high and mighty' attitude again today, I'll have to give you a lesson."

She took a deep breath, stepped forward, and prepared to greet her "special guest."

Just as Su Qianqian was about to open the door, a servant from Gu Yichen's side stepped forward quickly and bowed. "Miss Su, I have been sent by Lord Gu to invite you. Lord Gu has reserved the Lotus Room on the third floor of Yunxia Tower for lunch today and hopes you will honor him with your presence."

Su Qianqian was momentarily stunned. "Yunxia Tower?" She had certainly heard of it. It was the most prestigious restaurant in the area, renowned for its dishes and extravagant decor. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, and her curiosity grew.

Recently, she had been busy organizing the inn and hadn't had the chance to explore such high-end establishments. Plus, some guests had mentioned that the food at the inn was a bit ordinary, so this was a great opportunity to experience top-tier cuisine.

She smiled and nodded. "Since Lord Gu is so generous, I'll be happy to take a look." With that, she followed the servant into Gu Yichen's carriage, heading toward Yunxia Tower.

When the carriage arrived in front of Yunxia Tower, Su Qianqian got out and looked up. The building was grand, with eaves that soared and intricately carved beams. The entire structure was made of redwood, adorned with gold lacquer that shimmered in the sunlight. At the entrance, two massive stone pillars stood, entwined with lifelike dragon carvings, as if they were about to break free from the stone. The most striking feature was the plaque above the door, bearing the three bold characters "Yunxia Tower," reputed to be written by the imperial calligraphy master of the time.

Su Qianqian couldn't help but silently marvel, "This level of luxury definitely surpasses my modest inn."

As she entered the main hall, a fragrant scent filled the air, a blend of sandalwood and the aroma of dishes. The hall was bustling with guests, each table set with exquisite dishes. The attendants wore matching satin uniforms, moving gracefully and with practiced ease.

Su Qianqian's gaze wandered around, and she couldn't help but sigh. While her inn was doing well, there was indeed a huge difference in both the atmosphere and the delicacy of the food here.

"Clearly, Yunxia Tower places far more emphasis on ingredients, presentation, and customer experience than I do. I suppose I'll have to work on this aspect in the future," Su Qianqian thought, pondering how to elevate her inn to a new level.

She followed the servant to the third floor. Upon entering the Lotus Room, she saw that the room was elegantly decorated. The floor was made of smooth, mirror-like ebony wood, and the surrounding screens depicted ink wash paintings of blooming lotus flowers, both fresh and noble. The view from the window offered a sweeping vista of the entire city, like a paradise.

Su Qianqian looked around, nodding in satisfaction. "This place is definitely interesting; it's worth the visit." She seated herself at the table, but her curiosity about why Gu Yichen had invited her here remained.

Just as she settled in, before she could compose herself, a tall figure emerged from the tea room in the suite.

Gu Yichen, dressed in a purple long robe, moved with a grace that made the fabric shimmer with a subtle luxury. The cuffs and hem were embroidered with intricate cloud patterns, making him appear even more distinguished.

His brows carried an inherent air of aloofness, and his deep, handsome features were framed by eyes that seemed as deep as a cold pond—difficult to read, hard to understand.

At that moment, he lowered his head to adjust his sleeve, his movements elegant and unhurried, completely unaffected by any rush. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting his silhouette in sharp relief.

For a moment, Su Qianqian found herself a bit distracted. "This guy really is a born model. Why does he always look so… pleasing to the eye every time I see him?"

As she was thinking, she cleared her throat softly, trying to disguise her absent-mindedness. "Lord An Gu invited me here; what's the purpose of this meeting?" Her gaze quickly shifted down to the teacup on the table, using it as an excuse to regain her composure.

Before she could continue to daydream about his handsome face, she heard a cold voice, tinged with casual indifference, "Miss Su, we meet again." The tone was casual, but it instantly snapped Su Qianqian back to reality.

She blinked, smiling awkwardly. "Lord An Gu certainly has good taste, inviting me to such an expensive place." Though she teased, her thoughts were elsewhere. "This guy is so handsome, but could he please stop speaking so coldly? It makes my heart skip a beat!"

Gu Yichen slowly sat down, his gaze calm but carrying a hint of probing. He lifted the teacup, took a sip, and then spoke in a low voice, "Miss Su, we didn't have a chance to talk in detail last time. I've heard you've been busy renovating your inn, and it piqued my curiosity."

He lifted his eyes slightly and spoke slowly, "Where are you from, Miss Su? How did you come to own the inn? As far as I know, you're not from here."

Although his words were polite, they carried an undeniable hint of scrutiny, as though he were probing into her background. Su Qianqian was momentarily stunned, thinking to herself, "Is he checking my background?" But she kept her smile intact.

She chuckled lightly, lifting her teacup to mask her thoughts. "Lord An Gu, you're very thorough. The inn? It's a family business that's been passed down. I'm just continuing the old tradition." As she spoke, the image of her grandmother flashed across her mind. It was the truth; she hadn't lied.

Gu Yichen raised an eyebrow, his tone calm but with an edge of curiosity. "Is your family the Su family from Jiangnan?"

Su Qianqian froze for a moment, then smiled and shook her head. "Not at all. My family is just a humble, ordinary one. We are no great family."

Gu Yichen nodded thoughtfully, lightly tapping his fingers on the table. "Then, Miss Su, how is it that a woman like you dares to run such a shop by yourself, without the help of any father, brother, or husband? Or are you already married, managing the inn with your husband?"

Su Qianqian gently placed her chopsticks down, looking directly at him with calm eyes. "Indeed, I have no one to help," she said, her voice soft but firm. "A woman can stand alone. I am on my own, relying on no one but myself. And I believe that by relying on myself, I will do my best."

Gu Yichen was taken aback for a moment, then a faint smile appeared on his lips, with a touch of amusement. "You are truly a woman unlike any I've met before."

Su Qianqian didn't respond to his evaluation. She simply smiled faintly and then picked up her chopsticks to continue eating.

They maintained a polite conversation, and every now and then, Gu Yichen would glance at