As for using the excuse of apologizing, Du Lanyue probably wouldn't accept it either, as it was too precious. However, Gu Qingcheng couldn't feel at ease without buying something to express her apologies.
Seeing the department store ahead, Gu Qingcheng suddenly had an idea and pulled Du Lanyue along to have a look.
The department store had all sorts of trinkets, such as agate beads, jade bracelets, and so on, all displayed in a dazzling array.
Although the items sold were miscellaneous, one could find treasures if they had a discerning eye.
Du Lanyue took a fancy to a jade buckle meant for a belt and bought it. The jade buckle cost 20 taels of silver, and upon hearing the price, Du Lanyue bought it without any hesitation.
The shopkeeper clearly had no idea that this jade buckle was a work by the renowned craftsmanship master Wu Chuncheng from the capital. The mere name of Wu Chuncheng would have doubled the price of the jade buckle.
The shopkeeper thought it was just an unremarkable jade buckle and, believing he had swindled a fool, was overjoyed.
In these chaotic times, his department store was also a jumble, with goods obtained through unknown channels. Therefore, the shopkeeper was unaware of the origin and value of some items, which provided Du Lanyue with opportunities to find hidden gems.
Upon leaving the store, Du Lanyue presented the box containing the jade buckle to Gu Qingcheng and said:
"Young Master Gu, thank you for taking care of me along the way. Please accept this jade buckle as a gift. I beg you to take it."
Du Lanyue also had ulterior motives. If Gu Qingcheng accepted the gift, then the item she gave would be with Gu Qingcheng all day long.
Gu Qingcheng had overheard the shop assistant quoting the price and knew the jade buckle was quite valuable. This price was equivalent to over a year's living expenses for ordinary people, but for a wealthy young lady like Du Lanyue, it was merely pocket money.
She thought for a moment and, not being petty, graciously accepted it, saying:
"Thank you." Gu Qingcheng also casually took out a gift and said, "I just found this at the store. It's for you. A token of reciprocity."
Du Lanyue was delighted to see Gu Qingcheng accept her gift and couldn't refuse hers.
Besides, she was genuinely curious to see what gift Gu Qingcheng would give her.
Gu Qingcheng's gift was quite mysterious, enclosed in a brocade box.
Seeing Du Lanyue holding the brocade box, cherishing it, yet not opening it, Gu Qingcheng smiled and said:
"Aren't you curious what I'm giving you?"
"Mmm, is it jewelry? If so, I'll wear it every day."
Before Du Lanyue had even seen what "jewelry" looked like, she blurted it out.
Gu Qingcheng smiled and said, "Then, if I were to give you a clay Buddha, would you still be willing to wear it?"
"Of course, as long as it's from you."
Du Lanyue said without hesitation.
No matter what Gu Qingcheng gave her, she would cherish it like a treasure.
Gu Qingcheng smiled and said, "Don't worry, the gift I'm giving you won't disappoint you. Open it quickly and see."
Du Lanyue's curiosity was piqued, and Gu Qingcheng's tone made her feel as if she would definitely like it. So, what exactly was this gift?
After all, it was the first gift Gu Qingcheng had given her, so she was both nervous and expectant.
She wondered if the gift was expensive.
Of course, she was more concerned about Gu Qingcheng's sincerity in giving the gift rather than its price.
"Ha, you'll know when you open the box," Gu Qingcheng said, seeing her lost in thought, and prompted her.
Gu Qingcheng had readily accepted Du Lanyue's gift earlier because she believed in reciprocity. Now that she had accepted Du Lanyue's gift, Du Lanyue wouldn't refuse hers.
As soon as Du Lanyue opened the box, a face as radiant as the dawn appeared inside. Caught off guard, she jumped in fright and exclaimed:
"Ah, who is this?"
Gu Qingcheng saw her startled reaction and quickly patted her back reassuringly, saying:
"Don't be scared, it's you!"
"Ah? How did I get locked in a box?"
Du Lanyue was still bewildered.
Gu Qingcheng laughed and said, "This is a glass mirror. It serves the same purpose as a bronze mirror, allowing us to see ourselves.
Earlier, at the store, a shop assistant said it was sent by a Western merchant for sale. I thought it was quite nice, so I bought it."
In any case, the scope of "Western merchants" was vast nowadays, and anything unclear was often attributed to them.
Upon hearing this, Du Lanyue snapped back to reality. She took out the glass mirror and examined it carefully from all angles.
Indeed, her reflection in the bronze mirror was her own.
However, this mirror was far too clear!
In the past, she had only seen a vague image of herself. Although everyone said she was beautiful, she herself didn't know to what extent.
After all, neither the reflection in the river nor the image in the bronze mirror had ever been so clear.
But looking at herself in the glass mirror this time, she could see every detail, even down to the individual eyelashes.
"Is, is this really me?"
Du Lanyue was almost mesmerized by her own appearance.
She was too beautiful!
Her eyebrows were so dark, her nose was as sharp as a gall bladder, and her lips were like cherry blossoms...
"Of course it's you. It's the first time you've seen yourself so clearly, right?"
Gu Qingcheng said with a chuckle.
She used mirrors every day and didn't find anything special about it. But Du Lanyue, seeing herself so clearly for the first time, was somewhat captivated and kept looking at the mirror repeatedly.
After a while, she excitedly said to Gu Qingcheng:
"Young Master Gu, you've truly found a treasure! Such a clear mirror. If this were on Chaliao Island, countless young ladies would be scrambling for it.
It's too precious. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to give it to me?"
"What's inappropriate? The best mirror should naturally be given to the most beautiful you!"
Gu Qingcheng flattered her profusely.
Du Lanyue was indeed amazed by the mirror. Although she felt it was too precious, seeing Gu Qingcheng's determination, she accepted it.
Hesitation was not her style.
Besides, she would soon be Gu Qingcheng's anyway, so what was accepting a mirror from her? Wouldn't it still belong to Gu Qingcheng in the end?
With this thought, Du Lanyue shamelessly accepted the mirror.
It had to be said, as a fellow woman, Gu Qingcheng knew exactly what women desired. This mirror had directly struck a chord with Du Lanyue.
It was more cherished by Du Lanyue than any dazzling and luxurious jewelry.
Gu Qingcheng said, "I've instructed the shop assistant that if there are any larger ones that can reflect the whole body, he should reserve one for me."
"Ah? There are such large mirrors? How much would that cost?"
Du Lanyue was stunned upon hearing this.
This small mirror was already a priceless treasure. She couldn't even imagine how much a larger one would cost.
No craftsman in the entire Great Zhou knew how to craft such mirrors. If the imperial family still existed, presenting this mirror to the palace would have earned significant rewards.
"Alas, why talk about money? Do we need to talk about money between us?"
Gu Qingcheng said nonchalantly.
Du Lanyue's face flushed with embarrassment upon hearing this.
Indeed, if she married Young Master Lu, hers would be his, and there would be no need to discuss money.
Du Lanyue's heart pounded, feeling that this was Gu Qingcheng's declaration of love.