Du Lanyue quickly changed the subject, as Gu Qingcheng's further praise would surely make her flush and unsure how to respond.
"Young Master Gu, the fish in your flowing table seem to have gotten fatter."
"Yes, these guys eat when they wake up and sleep when they're full. See this one with eyes like swollen bubbles? It's called Big Monster. And this one that always blows bubbles? It's called Little Meow Meow."
As soon as Du Lanyue mentioned goldfish, Gu Qingcheng launched into conversation.
Her tea table was her own design, inspired by the ancient pastime of "flowing cups" during banquets. In that tradition, tables were set along both sides of a flowing stream, and wine cups were sent down the water. Whoever the cup stopped in front of had to drink.
Gu Qingcheng had designed a water channel on her tea table through which water flowed, and she kept goldfish in it. While sipping tea, one could watch the fish play. For a time, such a tea table was the talk of Tea Stream Island.
Elder Du had seen it once and immediately fell in love. Eagerly, he asked Gu Qingcheng for the craftsman's address and immediately commissioned a set.
The craftsman who made these flowing cup tea tables was trained by Gu Qingcheng herself. From the design drawings to the final detailed carving, every aspect was Gu Qingcheng's labor of love.
However, after the tea table was made, Gu Qingcheng did not hoard the patent. Instead, she let the craftsman take orders.
It was a joy to promote her designs and aesthetics here, and it also allowed the craftsman to earn more money. Why not?
"Young Master Gu, where did you order this tea table from? I've never seen anything like it before."
Indeed, after looking at the fish, Du Lanyue also inquired about the origin of the tea table.
Gu Qingcheng inevitably had much to say.
"I'll have my father order one too. It's so interesting. In the future, Lan Xing and I can drink tea indoors and watch the fish."
Du Lanyue was captivated by the goldfish.
Seeing this, Gu Qingcheng generously offered to give her a few. She only needed to put them in a fish tank at home to raise them.
As for the tea table, she would have the craftsman make one, identical to hers, and deliver it to Lanyue Manor.
Upon hearing this, Du Lanyue quickly waved her hands, saying she would order one herself.
Gu Qingcheng's eyes gleamed, and she said, "How about this: I'm going to Peach Blossom Island tomorrow to buy some fabric. But I don't know much about fabrics. Don't you know a lot about them? Why don't you accompany me? We can consider the tea table as your compensation for the trouble."
Du Lanyue was overjoyed. The important thing wasn't the compensation, but the chance to be with Gu Qingcheng. She quickly said:
"Okay, I'll go with you. My family used to run a fabric shop, so I definitely know more about fabrics than you do."
Peach Blossom Island was fifty li away from Tea Stream Island. It was half the size of Tea Stream Island, but Peach Blossom Island primarily dealt in fabric sales. Those nearby who needed to buy fabrics in bulk would go to Peach Blossom Island to source them.
Previously, Phoenix Village had bought fabrics from Tea Stream Island. In the beginning, they didn't know they could buy them elsewhere. Later, after spending more time there, they learned that Tea Stream Island's fabrics were sourced from Peach Blossom Island.
Phoenix Village had a large demand for fabrics. If they sourced directly from Peach Blossom Island, they could save a lot of money. Gu Qingcheng had wanted to explore Peach Blossom Island for a long time.
However, she hadn't had the time before. It was by chance that she could invite Du Lanyue to go with her.
Du Lanyue thought of the matchmaking event. Looking at Gu Qingcheng's spring-like smile, she couldn't bring herself to speak.
She couldn't help but secretly complain about her own incompetence. If it were her sister, she would have already resolved the matter.
She told herself to suppress her inner anxiety. It was certain that Young Master Gu had feelings for her; they just needed a suitable opportunity.
Coincidentally, they were going to Peach Blossom Island tomorrow, and there would be plenty of opportunities along the way.
Therefore, Du Lanyue's current concern was what excuse to fabricate for the next day to be able to go out for the entire day.
In the end, she had to ask her sister to cover for her, saying they were going to the dyeing workshop in the suburbs to learn about dyeing and weaving.
Elder Du owned the largest dyeing workshop on Tea Stream Island, where all the dyed fabrics were processed. It supplied to nearby islands and was doing quite well.
Elder Du doted on his daughters, but not to an excessive degree. He planned to give them a portion of the family's assets after they got married, so that they would have their own businesses to manage and be independent even after marriage.
Therefore, he always encouraged them to learn more about these skills.
Du Lanyue knew that her parents would not object to this request.
Moreover, she had roped in Du Lanxing, which would surely make her parents feel more at ease.
Normally, her parents did not frequent the dyeing workshop.
As expected, when Du Lanyue returned home and made the request, Madame Du agreed.
Although their family was wealthy now, they had worked hard to get here. They didn't demand that their daughters stay indoors like noble ladies.
Madame Du, who had survived the chaos of the times with her family, was no ordinary woman. She also believed that having a skill was better than anything else. Therefore, she had always encouraged her children to learn more skills.
Du Lanxing knew that her sister was going to Peach Blossom Island with Young Master Gu. Not only did she not object, but she excitedly urged her sister to seize this important opportunity to be alone together and win over Young Master Gu.
"I heard Mother say that the matchmaking is set for the morning of the day after tomorrow. If you don't seize this chance, you might end up marrying that person."
Du Lanxing also felt that her sister and Young Master Gu were a perfect match, and Young Master Gu's personal abilities were among the best on the island.
As for the nephews of her father's friends, there wasn't anyone particularly outstanding among them. However, she heard that her father intended to choose matchmaking partners for them from that group.
Du Lanxing also hoped that her sister and Young Master Gu would succeed, break her father's rigid thinking, and that when it was her turn to marry, the choices wouldn't be limited to those people.
Du Lanyue made careful preparations.
The next day, the two of them packed a small rattan basket into the carriage. Uncle Zhu drove them to the small dock.
Gu Qingcheng was already waiting for her at the small dock.
"Lan Xing, are you coming too!"
Seeing Du Lanxing also appear, Gu Qingcheng greeted her enthusiastically.
"I won't go. I'm just here to see my sister off. You two have fun!"
Du Lanxing had no intention of being a third wheel between them. Although she didn't understand the term, the principle was the same.
If she were there, her sister, who was usually reserved, wouldn't talk much and would wait for her to speak.
Only by pushing her sister would she be forced to be alone with Young Master Gu. Only then would her sister not be so quiet.
The thought of facilitating their union made Du Lanxing feel happy.
"If we can't make it back in time, we might have to stay out for a night. Is that okay?"
Gu Qingcheng glanced at Uncle Zhu. This middle-aged uncle, over forty, seemed to hold considerable influence with the sisters.
"No problem. We told our parents we were going to the dyeing workshop to learn. We often go for three to five days at a time. With Uncle Zhu accompanying us, they are very relieved."
Du Lanxing winked at her sister, implying that she should cherish this trip and, if possible, try to stay out for a few more days.