151 Counterattack
At best, they would provoke each other with words. At worst, they would kill the enemy without spilling blood.
Baili Yin looked at Gu Yanfei from afar and revealed his snow-white teeth. His eyes flashed with interest.
Chu Yi stopped his horse and looked in the same direction at the same person.
Gu Yanfei continued walking as if no one was around. Her footsteps were neither fast nor slow, and even the rhythm did not change.
!
Yu Chaoyun watched as Gu Yanfei flew towards her. The corners of her lips curled up slightly, and the smile on her face deepened.
At first glance, she looked gentle, graceful, elegant, and generous, but her eyes flickered with arrogance.
She was just waiting for Gu Yanfei to lean over and pick up the golden collar on the ground for her.
In the next moment, her smile froze on her lips. Gu Yanfei's right deerskin boot landed heavily on the golden collar on the ground.
Crack.
The faint sound of footsteps was infinitely magnified in Yu Chaoyun's ears.
There was a pair of pure gold green butterflies on the golden collar. The butterfly's wings were thin and delicate like flowers. With Gu Yanfei's step, the butterfly's wings were instantly stepped off and crushed to dust.
"…" Yu Chaoyun's eyes widened in disbelief. Her face was pale as she looked at the golden collar that Gu Yanfei had stepped on.
This golden collar was the signature item of this season. It was a meeting gift from her aunt, the British Duchess, after she came to the capital this time.
At this moment, her face was like this unique golden collar that was stepped on by Gu Yanfei, and something in her heart seemed to have shattered.
Yu Chaoyun could no longer maintain her usual elegant and gentle bearing.
The surroundings were even quieter. Anyone could tell that this was Gu Yanfei's simple and crude counterattack.
Everyone was silent.
Whether it was the noble ladies opposite her or Lu Qin, they did not expect Gu Yanfei to dare to defy Yu Chaoyun so openly and fearlessly.
Gu Yanfei stopped for a moment and tilted her face slightly. Her beautiful right eyebrow rose as she sighed. "What a roadblock."
As she spoke, the tip of her right foot twitched, and she crushed the gold collar even more with the toe of her boot.
"You…" Yu Chaoyun's face turned slightly green, and her slender body trembled slightly.
Without needing her master to instruct her, a burly servant quickly took two steps forward and reprimanded Gu Yanfei angrily, "Miss Gu, what are you doing?!"
"Get lost," Gu Yanfei spat out coldly.
In an instant, she released a stern aura, like an unsheathed sword. Cold air filled the air.
It was as if she was saying that a good dog would not block the way.
The servant couldn't help but shiver. Overwhelmed by her intimidating aura, she cowered away.
"Let's go." When facing Wei Jiaoniang, a faint smile appeared on Gu Yanfei's exquisite face. She was happy and relaxed, like a carefree breeze.
Gu Yanfei held Wei Jiaoniang's hand and continued walking. Her footsteps were valiant and elegant, and she did not even look at Yu Chaoyun, as if she did not exist.
A ruby fell from the trampled golden collar on the grass. The gem rolled a few times, as if mocking something.
The other girls from the aristocratic families were all stunned, and a thought lingered in their minds.
Where did this wild girl come from!
How dare she!
Yanfei had done too well! Behind her, Lu Qin and the others gathered together happily to whisper and laugh. They also followed Gu Yanfei, and Wei Jiaoniang even linked arms with her affectionately.
As for the girls from the aristocratic families, no one could be bothered to give them another look.
Not far away, Baili Yin, who was riding his horse under a gloomy tree, still did not leave. Occasionally, a few broken leaves would be blown off by the wind and fall on his face, shoulders, and hair.
Baili Yin seemed to be oblivious as he stared at Gu Yanfei with a burning gaze, his eyes filled with amazement.
He had never seen a woman like her. She was as fierce as fire, as thorny as a rose, and as dazzling as the sun.
She was completely different from the gentle and beautiful Jiangnan women he had seen in the State of Yue.
He couldn't help but want to get closer and wonder how such a carefree beauty was born.
Baili Yin's heart burned. He casually patted the horse's butt and called out to the black horse, "Whirlwind", wanting to go to Gu Yanfei.
The black horse snorted, but before it could move, the white horse beside him galloped out, its snow-white tail swinging ostentatiously, brushing the back of his hand.
Baili Yin was slightly stunned.
He forgot to move forward for a moment and watched as Chu Yi rode his horse to Gu Yanfei's side and dismounted.
"Be careful." Chu Yi chuckled and extended his right hand to Gu Yanfei. His slender fingers made an inviting gesture.
His casual movements were elegant and noble, pleasing to the eye.
The mountain breeze blew, causing his clothes to flutter and his hair to flutter. A winter sun hung in the sky, scattering warm sunlight and broken gold. It gently enveloped him, like green bamboo in the wind.
Gu Yanfei, who was talking to Wei Jiaoniang, paused. The corner of her eye swept across a dead branch blocking the way half a foot ahead.
She had been careless. She looked up and met Chu Yi's eyes, her lips curling into a faint smile.
Chu Yi looked at her with a warm smile that couldn't stop flowing from his eyes. He moved his hand half an inch closer to her.
Gu Yanfei subconsciously placed her hand on his and gently jumped over the three- to four-foot-long withered branch that was as thick as a bowl.
Gu Yanfei smiled brightly at Chu Yi.
"…" Of course, Baili Yin saw this scene. His eyelids twitched, and the smile on his face became strange.
Countless gazes around them landed on Gu Yanfei and Chu Yi. They were either surprised, stunned, envious, or bitter.
Time seemed to slow down and become frozen once more.
...
152 Hostility
Gu Yanfei did not sense the emotions of the others.
There was no such thing as gender defense in the Bright Spirit Realm, and strength was always respected.
This was just a matter of helping her. It was no different from Qing Guang stepping on her shoulder and jumping onto the bookshelf.
"Thank you." She thanked him casually and stroked Chu Yi's white horse. How obedient.
!
She withdrew her hand, and Chu Yi lowered his. The mountain wind blew Gu Yanfei's black hair, which fluttered just enough to send a few strands into Chu Yi's hand and run through his fingers like running water.
An unspoken, tacit understanding flowed between them, and everything seemed to come naturally.
The others were still silent. Many people were stunned and could not even think about the meaning of Chu Yi's actions.
The wind picked up again, rustling the leaves.
The women from the aristocratic families patted the fallen leaves and dust off their bodies in frustration, neither of them looking too good.
Although they were born into an aristocratic family, they were not from the eldest branch, let alone the eldest daughter of the first wife. Most of them had come to the capital in the past month or two under the guise of following their father to celebrate the new year.
However, they had only one purpose for coming to the capital.
That was to become the Eldest Princess Consort.
Because the Eldest Prince would be coming to the hunting ground today, girls like them, who were usually pampered, lowered themselves to such a dirty and dangerous place.
However…
The women from the aristocratic families looked at each other, their eyes revealing some grievances and unwillingness.
Aristocratic families paid attention to matching families, and usually, they would only marry into aristocratic families with few exceptions.
Even if Chu Yi was the only son of the current Emperor, his future was still uncertain. After all, it was unknown who would win between him and Kang Wang.
These ladies were like "offerings" sent out by their families, gambling on the Eldest Prince's future.
However, if the position of Princess Consort was already occupied, they could not let the daughters of noble families be secondary consorts, right?!
As they thought about it, the gazes of the women from the aristocratic families changed again with a hint of hostility.
Yu Chaoyun bit her lower lip. The anger from the golden collar being stepped on had been completely suppressed, and her feelings turned into an even more complicated emotion that surged in her dark eyes.
The bone-chilling wind blew coldly on their faces, scraping their delicate skin like knives. Not only did they feel pain, but they also felt cold in their bodies and minds.
Not far behind, Gu Yuan was also dumbfounded. He stared blankly at the two familiar figures in front of him, unable to hide the surprise on his usually cold face.
This, this, this…
A possibility appeared in Gu Yuan's heart. He suddenly turned to look at the flintlock in Si Hai's hand.
Si Hai held the gun so tightly that even the cat paw mark on the gun could not be seen.
Gu Yuan glared at Si Hai angrily, the feeling in his heart indescribable. His heart was sour and stuffy, as if something was blocking his heart or as if his beloved treasure was about to be snatched away.
Si Hai looked at Gu Yuan in confusion.
Gu Yuan ignored Si Hai and turned back. Chu Yi, who was in front, got on his horse again. His bearing was beautiful, showing the elegant bearing of a noble young master.
The lively white horse happily swung its tail a few more times, as if it was playing with Gu Yanfei, making her smile sweetly.
When the slender girl stood with the tall and strong white horse, she looked so slender and weak, as if a mountain breeze would blow her away.
"…" Gu Yuan sighed silently, and his heart softened. Other than his sister, he could not see anyone else.
Not only Gu Yuan, but Baili Yin was also staring at Gu Yanfei without blinking.
She was really beautiful.
She was so beautiful that he couldn't look away.
The sound of hooves could be heard as another horse strolled over from behind and stopped beside Baili Yin.
Then, a familiar low male voice entered her ears. "The famous flower hasn't been taken."
Baili Yin turned his head and raised his eyebrows to meet Chu You's meaningful eagle eyes.
"There's no hurry." A frivolous smile hung on Baili Yin's face. He shrugged and glanced at Chu You before looking at Gu Yanfei's departing back.
The girls chatted and laughed.
"Yanfei." Lu Qin rode her horse next to Gu Yanfei and was almost close to her. "I hunted a hare today. I'll roast it for you later, okay? My roasting skills are good, and the hare will be delicious."
"Don't listen to her bragging. Only half of the rabbit she roasts can be eaten. The other half is always charred…"
153 Hostility
"That's right, that's right."
The other girls also surrounded Gu Yanfei happily.
In just half a day, their attitude towards Gu Yanfei had changed subtly.
In the beginning, they were close to Gu Yanfei because of Wei Jiaoniang. They looked friendly on the surface, but it was just to show face, and they were more or less distant and polite.
It was different now.
They were looking at Gu Yanfei affectionately.
Gu Yanfei rubbed her nose and said with a smile, "As long as I have something to eat."
She had not cooked in 200 years. If she were to roast it, the entire rabbit would probably be charred.
Finally, she added, "I'm not picky."
Thinking of the delicious roasted rabbit, Gu Yanfei's mouth quickly secreted saliva, and she was a little greedy.
"Yanfei, you're still the best!" Lu Qin pounced over and hugged her.
The girls laughed and played again, enjoying themselves.
Lu Qin chuckled and sighed. "Yanfei, you're really different from your third cousin!"
Just now, Lu Qin almost thought that Gu Yanfei would lower her head to Yu Chaoyun. She did not expect her to treat people so well!
This was the style that a daughter of a general should have!
At the mention of Gu Yunrong, the other girls were also worried. One of them sighed and said, "Yanfei, it's not that I want to say this, but your cousin… likes to put on airs!"
"That's right, that's right. She's as annoying as those aristocratic girls," another girl deliberately said at the top of her voice. Her words were obviously meant for the girls behind her.
"At least you're not at odds with us."
"…"
They spoke quickly, and there were many people. Gu Yanfei did not even have a chance to answer.
At first, Gu Yanfei was shocked by Lu Qin and the others' sudden enthusiasm. On second thought, she smiled again.
In her previous life, she was introverted and felt inferior. Because Yu Chaoyun had expressed goodwill to her first, she had treated Yu Chaoyun as her only friend and poured her heart out.
At the end of the day, she was just too weak back then. She was trapped by the belittling words of Madam Gu and Granny Xu and thought that she was useless.
She had trapped herself in a corner and never tried to really step out of the Marquis Mansion. It was equivalent to looking at the sky from the bottom of a well!
She had dug her own grave.
In an instant, Gu Yanfei felt her heart open up a little. It was as if a thread in the huge net that bound her body and mind had snapped, or a ray of sunlight had pushed away the layers of dark clouds and shone a ray of light…
The journey back was much more leisurely than when they had come. There was no need to hurry, and they played as they walked.
They were talking, picking flowers and fruits, and hunting wild beasts.
In just half an hour, Wei Jiaoniang had harvested two prey, a rabbit and a wolf.
As they chatted, they returned to the empty space outside the hunting ground.
It was still early in the afternoon.
Many people returned with Chu Yi and Baili Yin, and the surroundings became more and more lively. Piles of mangled prey were piled everywhere on the ground, and the smell of blood gradually became stronger.
Some people were busy counting their prey, some sat down to rest and chat, and some people surrounded the white tiger's corpse excitedly.
Everyone was still a little excited and wanted more. The young men boldly ran to the most luxurious shed in the field.
This shed had been specially built and decorated by the imperial guards today. At a glance, one could see tables, chairs, cups, tea, fruits, a charcoal fire, and a fragrant atmosphere. It was like a simple hall.
At this moment, Chu Yi, Chu You, Baili Yin, and the others were eating tea and drinking inside. The fragrance of tea and alcohol lingered.
"Your Highness." Lu Shi seemed to have run forward with four or five brothers, as if they were familiar with each other. He cupped his hands at Chu Yi, who was sitting at the head of the table. The first sentence was a polite praise, and he said, "That shot just now was really powerful."
The other young masters agreed and nodded in unison.
One killing shot. His accuracy was too good!
Even if he had given them the gun back then, they definitely wouldn't have been able to do it.
After all, a tiger was not a target. It would not sit still and wait for you to shoot it.
"Your Highness, this gun has been modified, right?" Another person asked the question that had been hidden in his heart for a long time.
The young man who asked the question had served in the Divine Arms Battalion before and had also used the flintlock pistol of the Divine Arms Battalion. He was certain that the Eldest Prince's flintlock pistol was far better than the one used by the Divine Arms Battalion.
Chu Yi nodded with a smile and picked up the teacup on the table.
Everyone's blood boiled, but they did not dare to ask for the details. They felt that this must be a military opportunity.
Lu Shi asked again, "Your Highness, how far can this gun shoot?"
"500 feet." Chu Yi took a shallow sip of tea and said gently, "Any further, and the aim won't be good."
There was another flurry of nods.
This conversation also reached Chu You's ears.
The corners of Chu You's eyes twitched, and the white porcelain wine glass in his right hand paused in midair.
He lowered his eyes and drank his wine. The wine in his glass was reflected in his eyes, flickering.
When the late Emperor was alive, he doted on him the most, and he had everything he wanted. There were also several flintlock guns of all sizes in Prince Kang's Manor, but the flintlock guns in his residence were nothing compared to the one in Chu Yi's hand.
Chu You suddenly raised his head and downed the wine in his glass. He could not help but glance at Baili Yin from the corner of his eye.
Coincidentally, she met Baili Yin's half-smile.
...
Chu You's expression froze slightly, but he forced himself to look calm and composed. A feeling of frustration and depression rose in his heart.
Not long after Baili Yin arrived in the capital, he once asked him to borrow a flintlock gun to test the target. At that time, he had also borrowed it…
Originally, he had done this to show his sincerity to the State of Yue, but now, Chu Yi's new flintlock gun has made his actions a joke.
Baili Yin would probably think that he was teasing him.
Chu You wanted to explain, but he did not know how to explain it to the other party. For the first time, he understood what it meant to be unable to defend himself. His eyes darkened.
154 Occupy
Lu Shi and the other young masters were not familiar with Chu Yi. This was the first time they had spoken to him.
At first, they were still a little reserved, but as they spoke, their expressions relaxed a lot. They felt that the Eldest Prince's temper was indeed good. He was polite, virtuous, and as benevolent as the Emperor.
"Your Highness." A square-faced young master strode forward to the front and eagerly made a shooting gesture. "I saw that the power of the new flintlock has also increased, right? One shot can pierce the spine of a tiger."
"I'm really lucky today. If I hadn't been called over by Lu Shi for the winter hunt at the last minute, I'm afraid I would have missed it."
"Amazing!"
"…"
They were talking happily, but Chu You's eyes were getting darker and darker, as if he was sitting on pins and needles, and his heart sank bit by bit.
If he allowed Baili Yin to misunderstand him, then his alliance with the State of Yue would probably…
If the State of Yue sided with Chu Yi, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Chu You's eyes narrowed. He put down his wine glass and looked at Chu Yi, who was sitting at the head of the table, and said calmly, "This flintlock is indeed powerful. This is the first time I've seen it.
"Nephew, I think my brother just got someone to develop this, right?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone else in the shed looked at Chu You. Yuan Zhe, who was sitting beside him, frowned slightly.
There was a strange silence.
After a short daze, Chu You also reacted. His thin lips pursed into a straight line.
He had misspoken.
He wanted to clarify some things to Baili Yin, but his words would only make others think that he was not as good as before in the royal court. He actually did not even know that the imperial court had a new weapon, and these descendants of noble families would probably look down on him because of this.
"Hahaha." Baili Yin laughed loudly, breaking the silence.
He placed the wine glass in his hand on the wine table and said, "Young Master Yi, your country is really filled with talents, and it has really broadened my horizons today. This spear is really precious, can you lend it to me so I can take a look?"
Chu Yi slowly took another sip of tea. When he put down the teacup, he looked at Chu You meaningfully and called out softly, "Si Hai."
Si Hai retreated.
Lu Shi and the other nobles frowned and exchanged disapproving looks. They felt that Kang Wang was really nosy and had given the people of the State of Yue a chance to borrow the flintlock.
The atmosphere in the shed instantly turned cold, and no one spoke for a long time.
After a while, Si Hai brought over a rectangular wooden box and placed the box with the flintlock on the wine table in front of Baili Yin.
Baili Yin still had his cynical look, but the moment he saw the flintlock, the light in his eyes could not be hidden at all.
He picked up the heavy gun and played with it casually, over and over.
The flintlock looked no different from the ones he'd seen before, except for a strange pattern drawn in cinnabar on the handle and a mark like a cat's paw on the side.
Could it be that this "cat paw print" was some kind of mechanism?
Baili Yin's fingers gently brushed across the cat's paw print, deliberately stopping for an extra moment.
Then he found it ridiculous. How was that possible? It was child's play.
Holding the barrel in one hand and the handle in the other, he played with the flintlock again but still couldn't figure it out.
The young master who had been to the Divine Arms Battalion patted Lu Shi's arm and gave him a look.
He could tell at a glance from the Third Prince of the State of Yue's gestures and movements that he was someone who had played with flintlocks.
A moment later, Baili Yin finally reluctantly put the flintlock back into the wooden box.
He couldn't dismantle it now, so he could only return the gun.
Besides, he knew that even if he dismantled it now, he probably wouldn't be able to see any secrets.
"Smash!"
Baili Yin slammed the table with a hearty smile that carried a hint of frivolity. He sighed and said, "Today, I obtained this rare white tiger and saw your country's flintlock. My trip was really not in vain!"
"Let me toast Young Master Yi!"
Baili Yin raised his cup with one hand and drank it in one gulp. Then, he poured himself another cup of wine.
Amidst the sound of wine being poured, he suddenly sighed and said regretfully, "Unfortunately, the reward I prepared for the bet can't be sent out today."
Lu Shi and the others were stunned. Their gazes turned to the curved saber at Baili Yin's waist. They recalled that before the hunt began today, Baili Yin had publicly said that he wanted to reward his curved saber to the leader of today's tiger hunt.
155 Possession
But now…
"Of course I don't need this reward," Chu You suddenly interrupted, his voice calm.
Baili Yin gave everyone a prize as a condescending reward, but Chu Yi had hunted a tiger, and both of them were princes of the same status. If Baili Yin gave Chu Yi a prize, it would become Chu Yi's self-demoted status.
Sigh, it was really going easy on the Third Prince of the State of Yue. Lu Shi sighed inwardly and was staring at the gem-studded scabbard on the side of Baili Yin's waist with some reluctance, when he heard Chu You's voice.
"Why don't you… give this treasure sword to Second Miss Gu? What do you think, Third Prince Baili?"
What?! Lu Shi seemed to come back to his senses and stared at Chu You with disbelief.
Under everyone's puzzled and curious gazes, Chu You slowly added, "For that magical skill…"
A mysterious smile appeared on his lips as his deep gaze swept between Baili Yin and Chu Yi. Of course, he was talking about Gu Yanfei saving the female deer.
Chu You did not explain further. Instead, it aroused the curiosity of Lu Shi and the others. All of them felt like their hearts were being scratched by a cat.
Chu You's suggestion was exactly what Baili Yin wanted.
"That's great!" Baili Yin's eyes lit up and shone as he clapped heavily in agreement.
As he spoke, he seemed to inadvertently glance at Chu Yi from the corner of his eye, and his lips curled up.
Chu Yi's handsome face held a gentle smile, and his eyes were calm and deep.
Baili Yin raised his hand and snapped his fingers. His follower immediately understood and walked out of the shed with the scimitar. He raised his head and walked towards the shed, where Gu Yanfei and the others were.
This time, even the others outside noticed the commotion.
Everyone's gazes surged over like a tide, all focused on an middle-aged man from the State of Yue holding the scimitar. They watched as he arrived in front of Gu Yanfei.
"Second Miss Gu." The middle-aged man held the scimitar towards Gu Yanfei with both hands. His movements looked serious, but there was a hint of disdain in his smile. "This treasured saber was given to you by His Highness as a gift."
These words resounded clearly throughout the venue.
When the others heard this, their gazes immediately became very strange. They sized up Gu Yanfei and went to check on the prey beside her.
Seeing that the hunting basket beside her was empty, everyone knew what was going on.
Second Miss Gu probably found nothing in the hunting ground.
Then, what right did she have to become the champion today and obtain this treasured saber?!
For a moment, Gu Yanfei almost became the target of public criticism. All eyes were on her like knives.
Although there were definitely people who were dissatisfied, no one dared to go forward and question Gu Yanfei.
After some word of mouth, at least 70 to 80% of the people present knew about the conflict between Gu Yanfei and Yu Chaoyun.
Second Miss Gu of the Dingyuan Marquis Household had a fierce personality!
There was silence, and the people who had been joking fell silent in unison.
Those noble descendants did not care about the saber at all. The noble family had obtained the title of nobility through a battle with Emperor Taizu. Not to mention anything else, they did not lack treasured sabers. Today, Gu Yanfei had taught those daughters of noble families a lesson and earned face for the nobles, so she deserved 10 treasured sabers.
Most of the children of the family of generals were carefree, but there were also meticulous people present.
The State of Yue person had said "gift", not "reward"!
"Chaoyun," a girl in pink whispered in Yu Chaoyun's ear. "The Baili family of the State of Yue royal family is from the Baitong clan. The Baitong clan has a tradition that men giving women a treasured saber is to take possession of her."
"Before their Baitong Clan was established in the State of Yue, they were already a Nanman tribe. In the past, they would always carry knives and directly snatch women before leaving… They're very barbaric."
She knew this because her great-grandmother was from the Xu family in Jiangnan. 60 years ago, because of the war, the Xu family moved to Jiangbei.
Yu Chaoyun pursed her lower lip thoughtfully and wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief.
"Sigh." The girl in pink sighed softly and said with a faint smile, "Who asked her to be so ostentatious!"
If not for Gu Yanfei's ostentatiousness, she would not have provoked someone she should not have!
Yu Chaoyun played with her handkerchief distractedly, still looking ahead.
Under everyone's gaze, Gu Yanfei leisurely played with the colorful quill in her hand and did not take the scimitar.
The middle-aged man looked deeply at Gu Yanfei and handed the scimitar an inch in her direction. He raised his voice with a smile. "This is a token of His Highness's appreciation."
As soon as he said that, even others who did not understand the traditions of the State of Yue understood the different meaning, and there was a subtle tension in the atmosphere.
Chu You's thin lips curled up slightly. He held the wine glass in his right hand, but he was paying attention to Chu Yi's every move from the corner of his eye.
Seeing him raise his right hand, Chu You said, "Nephew, it's also a good story to give such a rare Persian scimitar to Second Miss Gu."
Chu You did not hide the provocation in his eyes.
Chu Yi's expression was still calm as he looked at Gu Yanfei without blinking. His eyes were slightly rippling and as gentle as the spring breeze.
He chuckled and said,
"There's no hurry."
"There's no hurry!"
Chu You was confused for a moment. He did not know who had said those two words.
"There are still four hours until sunset. It's still unknown who will get this 'splendid item'." Gu Yanfei's clear voice was especially clear in this quiet environment, and it was sent into everyone's ears by the wind.
"…" Baili Yin raised his sharp eyebrows, but his smile deepened and his eyes curved into a frivolous arc.
The women he knew, whether they were from the palace or outside, liked to be the center of attention and would definitely not refuse to be the envy of others.
This little beauty always did things unexpectedly.
Baili Yin smiled again and did not look angry at all at being rejected in public. Instead, his eyes burned even more as he asked with a faint smile, "Does Second Miss Gu look down on it?"
...
156 Please
Baili Yin's heart was as clear as a mirror. He naturally knew that Kang Wang was deliberately provoking him to fight with Chu Yi.
But so what?!
Kang Wang and Chu Yi, the uncle and nephew, were not on good terms. They fought endlessly and caused chaos in the royal court of the State of Jin. This was what the State of Yue was happy to see.
Otherwise, why would they let Chu Yi back so easily?
Baili Yin stared at Gu Yanfei's exquisite face with a smile.
Beauties were just pleasing to the eye.
However, a beauty was always just a pastime. Just like this fine wine, it would be over if he tried it and enjoyed it.
Gu Yanfei and Baili Yin looked at each other from afar and took in each other's subtle emotions.
She could see the superiority and contempt in his eyes.
It was just like when those male cultivators with high cultivation levels looked at the female cultivators who were trying to attach themselves to them in the Bright Spirit Realm.
Gu Yanfei did not like it at all.
In the Bright Spirit Realm, no one could force her.
It was the same here!
"Yes." Gu Yanfei raised her chin and said calmly, "I don't like it."
As she said these three words, she exuded an oppressive aura. Her arrogance was like frost, making people feel that she was beyond their reach.
"This knife is not as good as my sword." She reached for the sword at her waist. "If you don't believe me, you can try!"
Meeting Gu Yanfei's cold eyes, Baili Yin's smile deepened. He laughed again and said frivolously, "Then I do have to 'try'."
"This feeling…"
There was a double meaning in his words. It was as if he was testing a sword or a person.
The teasing intent in Baili Yin's words was obvious.
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, a silver light flashed. Gu Yanfei's short sword had already been unsheathed and swung out.
Her movements were free and easy, as fast as lightning. It was almost difficult to catch with the naked eye.
The middle-aged man felt a silver flash in front of him, and his forehead turned cold.
Then a few wisps of fine hair fell from his eyes.
He still did not know what was going on. He looked confused and afraid, but the others could clearly see that one of his eyebrows was missing.
There was an uproar.
Gu Yanfei had casually cut off one of this person's eyebrows.
This strike was just right. If it had gone any lower, it would have pierced the man's eyes.
If it was any deeper, it would have cut his skin.
Several people who were good at wielding swords were secretly shocked.
If not for the fact that Gu Yuan still had a trace of rationality to remember that he was working, he would have clapped and cheered.
He secretly thought that when he returned to the capital, he would have to find a few scoundrel friends and beat up Baili Li.
"How is it?" Gu Yanfei casually twirled her sword and raised it to point at Baili Yin in front of her. She asked with a smile, "Do you still want to try?"
Baili Yin's eyes turned cold. The two of them were clearly far apart, but he seemed to be able to feel the coldness of the sword light.
Chu Yi looked at Gu Yanfei almost directly, his jade-like face gentle.
Under his long lashes, his dark eyes suddenly rippled like spring water, and his gaze darted to the familiar short sword.
She was quite handy with his sword.
Suddenly, he smiled, as if pleased by something.
"Knock, knock."
Chu Yi clenched his right hand into a fist and knocked on the table twice, attracting the attention of the others in the shed.
Chu Yi nodded seriously. "Indeed, it can't be compared."
His words were light but meaningful.
"Oh?" Baili Yin narrowed his eyes, still smiling.
Chu Yi continued, "Third Prince Baili's Persian scimitar is flashy but useless."
"It can't compare to this sword. It's made of cold iron and was forged by the swordsmith, Ouyang Jun, after three years and painstaking efforts."
Baili Yin stroked his square chin and teased, "Young Master Yi, you're so familiar with this sword. Have you seen it before?"
"Of course," Chu Yi said matter-of-factly. His phoenix eyes curled slightly as he smiled.
His smile was so warm and elegant, and his dark eyes were calm.
"…" Baili Yin choked. He met Chu Yi's gaze and felt an inexplicable chill. The hair on his neck stood on end.
Two young men of similar age and different appearances looked at each other, as if they were in a smokeless battle.
Chu You drank leisurely at the side, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Outside the shed, the warm sun hung in the sky, flickering with a resplendent golden light. Even the interior of the shed was illuminated by the sunlight.
157 Please
However, those women felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over their heads and their bodies had turned cold.
Anyone could tell that Baili Yin was interested in Gu Yanfei, and the Eldest Prince was openly protecting Gu Yanfei. This was equivalent to putting his thoughts on the table.
Yu Chaoyun looked at Chu Yi from afar and subconsciously clenched her handkerchief.
Suddenly, she felt her cuff tighten. The girl in pink beside her gently tugged at her cuff, silently indicating for her to look at Gu Yanfei.
!
Obviously, Gu Yanfei would be their greatest competitor to become the Eldest Princess Consort.
Yu Chaoyun patted her hand comfortingly and looked down at her beautiful and slender fingers. Chu Yi's smiling voice sounded in her ear again.
"Second Miss Gu is right. Since it's a prize, it should naturally be given to the leader."
The young man's voice was clear and melodious, like a spring breeze circling everyone's ears.
Gu Yanfei casually sheathed her sword. The crisp sound seemed to be responding to Chu Yi's words from afar.
The corners of Chu Yi's lips curled higher, and his black eyes sparkled. He said slowly, in an unquestionable tone, "In the next four hours, whoever has the most prey will be the champion!"
"In addition, I'll add another prize…"
Before Chu Yi could finish, he was interrupted by Baili Yin. "Young Master Yi, if we use this flintlock as a wager, I'll also go down and join in the fun."
Baili Yin had that unrestrained appearance again. He seemed to be provoking and joking.
Unmoved, Chu Yi smiled and refused. "That won't do."
"I'll use this pocket watch as a prize."
Chu Yi took out an enamel-embedded silver pocket watch the size of a baby's fist and gently placed it on the table.
Looking at this small and exquisite pocket watch, an abnormally bright stream of light flashed across Baili Yin's eyes.
The pocket watch was also invented by Emperor Taizu of the State of Jin, Chu Jin, and was far more precise than the existing pot watch. However, the components in the pocket watch were even more complicated and detailed than flintlocks and could not be replicated. Even in the State of Jin, only a handful of people had this item, and it was said that there were less than a hundred pieces.
The piece that the State of Yue had painstakingly obtained was given to the Crown Prince, so even Bailin Yin did not have it.
Baili Yin's eyes burned like fire. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he did not say anything.
He was the Third Prince of the State of Yue, so he naturally had to maintain his bearing as a prince. He could not fight with people below him like a young boy who had never seen the world, and could not ruin the prestige of the State of Yue.
When the young masters present heard that there was another rare and precious pocket watch today, their blood boiled and their eyes lit up.
Lu Shi smiled and cupped his fists. "Your Highness's prize is really extraordinary."
"If I could get this pocket watch today, my brothers in the family would definitely be envious," another person said excitedly, staring at the pocket watch with shining eyes.
"You just hunted two badgers this morning, and you want to win? Dream on!"
"Let's go, let's go to the hunting ground to compete again…"
The more the young masters spoke, the more excited they became, and their blood boiled again.
Afraid that they would fall behind, they rode their horses again and set off towards the forest with great momentum.
The high-spirited figures spurred their horses away. The rapid and chaotic sound of hooves rumbled like muffled thunder and faded away, leaving behind billowing yellow smoke.
Soon, the sound of their hooves was too far away to be heard, and the surroundings were much emptier.
Other than Chu Yi, Baili Yin, Chu You, and the others, the rest were basically all girls.
Since they had nothing to do, Wei Jiaoniang called Gu Yanfei, Lu Qin, and the others to barbecue.
It was already two hours later when they finished the roasted meat and digested it.
The girls didn't go far and simply played nearby.
They kicked shuttlecocks, played the spinning top, and played hide-and-seek… They were having a lot of fun.
Gu Yanfei was kicking the shuttlecock. She was agile and kicked the shuttlecock in all kinds of ways. One moment, she was cross-kicking, the next moment, she was kicking with her knees, the next moment, she was kicking with the tips of her feet, and the next moment, she was twisting…
The shuttlecock, made of pheasant feathers, flew in and out of the air like a lively bird.
Clap, clap, clap!
The girls applauded and cheered in high spirits.
"Catch!" Wei Jiaoniang was also kicking a shuttlecock at Gu Yanfei. The shuttlecock made a high arc in the air.
Gu Yanfei smiled sweetly and kicked the shuttlecock back to Wei Jiaoniang with her right foot. Then, she caught the shuttlecock with her left toe.
The two of them cooperated and kicked the two shuttlecocks around. They played as they pleased.
"Oh my!"
Wei Jiaoniang let out a low cry. She accidentally kicked one of the shuttlecocks high into the air.
As the rhythm became chaotic, she kicked the other shuttlecock askew. This shuttlecock "flew" up a tree. At first glance, it looked like a small bird squatting in the treetops.
Gu Yanfei could not help but laugh. She walked over to pick up the shuttlecock on the tree.
After Wei Jiaoniang picked up another shuttlecock, she walked behind Gu Yanfei and whispered, "Look at them."
"Them" referred to the women from aristocratic families not far away.
Ahead, the shed where the women of the aristocratic families lived had been redecorated. A few gauze curtains embroidered with lotus flowers hung down on three sides, and a three-legged incense burner was lit in the shed with incense curling up.
When the wind blew, the gauze curtains fluttered like lotus flowers swaying in the wind and smoke, adding to the poetic atmosphere.
Two maidservants set up the zither table. A girl in a red dress walked over with the zither and personally placed it on the table.
Following, she sat down gracefully behind the zither table, placed her hands on the strings, and began to transfer the test strings.
"They're burning the incense and playing the zither," Wei Jiaoniang whispered into Gu Yanfei's ear. "They're playing it for the Eldest Prince, aren't they?"
"Probably." Gu Yanfei nodded and smiled.
...
In the wilderness, they would not play the zither for foxes and rabbits, right?
Looking at Gu Yanfei's carefree appearance, a protective desire rose in Wei Jiaoniang's heart. Yanfei is so good, I have to protect her. I can't let those girls from noble families intercept her!
158 Competition
Wei Jiaoniang casually threw the shuttlecock up and caught it. She smiled and said, "Yanfei, do you know what I hate most about these people?"
She did not really want Gu Yanfei to answer, and she immediately answered her own question. "They're so pretentious!"
"They're too pretentious!"
"We're all humans, but they have to pretend that they're otherworldly fairies."
Wei Jiaoniang snorted disapprovingly and threw the shuttlecock again.
"That makes sense!" Gu Yanfei felt that Wei Jiaoniang's words were really interesting. She smiled until her dimples appeared, and her smile was like a flower.
Yanfei is so beautiful, like a flower! Wei Jiaoniang exclaimed sincerely in her heart. She patted Gu Yanfei's shoulder boldly and smiled slyly. She pointed at herself with her thumb and said, "Watch me."
She would help Yanfei!
Wei Jiaoniang's eyes were sparkling like the morning stars.
Gu Yanfei felt that she understood, but also seemed to not understand a little.
However, seeing how happy Wei Jiaoniang was, she should be saying something good!
"Okay." Gu Yanfei smiled and nodded. "Take it away!"
Wei Jiaoniang seemed to have been fed with some miracle medicine, for she became more energetic and happy. She held Gu Yanfei's arm and returned happily.
A desolate and mellow sound of the zither sounded faintly in the forest. It was like a sob, lingering and moving…
Wei Jiaoniang's eyes darted around as she excitedly suggested, "Lu Qin, let's play drums and pass on flowers!"
She winked playfully with her right eye.
Lu Qin and Wei Jiaoniang had been friends for many years. When Wei Jiaoniang raised her tail, Lu Qin knew what she wanted to do and tacitly said, "There are no drums here. Let's go get a gong."
A bright smile appeared on Lu Qin's face, and she was eager to try.
"A gong sounds good." Wei Jiaoniang snapped her fingers happily.
She wanted to see if the sound of the zither or the gong would be louder.
The two girls were in high spirits and did as they were told. After a while, they really found a gong.
Gu Yanfei and the other girls were a little stunned at first. Gradually, they understood and vaguely guessed that Wei Jiaoniang was competing with those women from the aristocratic families.
Interesting! Gu Yanfei was also interested. She felt that it was good to create trouble for everyone.
Her smile widened, and she waved the shuttlecock in her hand. "How about we use this shuttlecock as a flower ball?"
Gu Yanfei's suggestion was unanimously approved by the others.
The girls quickly stood in a large circle. In the first round, Wei Jiaoniang turned around and was in charge of striking the gong.
Clang!
A deafening gong sounded through the forest, followed by a second, then a third…
The sound of the gong easily drowned out the sound of the zither, causing the original poignant and gentle atmosphere to disappear.
The girls surrounding the zither table could not help but frown. They glanced at Wei Jiaoniang and the others with displeasure.
"Quick, quick, quick…"
"Pass it faster!"
Lu Qin and the others shouted as they quickly passed the shuttlecock.
That shuttlecock became a hot potato. Gu Yanfei passed it to Lu Qin, and Lu Qin passed it to her cousin. One passed it to the next, and the shuttlecock flew faster and faster…
At the same time, the sound of the gong did not stop. The more Wei Jiaoniang knocked, the more excited she became, and the rhythm of the gong became faster and faster.
Even the person playing the zither was affected. The melody and rhythm were led astray, and she played faster and faster…
Clang!
Her hands trembled, and one of the strings snapped.
The sound of the zither stopped abruptly, leaving only the few remaining strings still humming softly.
Broken strings were really ominous!
The faces of the women from the aristocratic families darkened.
The sound of the gong nearby also stopped at this moment. Someone shouted happily, "The shuttlecock has fallen into Lu Qin's hands! Come, come, Lu Qin, let's do a roundhouse spiral kick!"
There was another round of giggling and jeering. The girl playing the zither was so angry that her hands were trembling slightly.
"Sister Zeng, is your hand okay?" Yu Chaoyun gently checked the other party's hand and stroked it a few times. "I brought my zither too…"
She was about to raise her hand to summon the maidservant when she was stunned again. She looked in a certain direction and muttered, "…The Eldest Prince is looking at her."
Yu Chaoyun's voice was very low, but all the girls around her heard her clearly.
As soon as she said this, the other women from the aristocratic families all looked at the shed where Chu Yi was, including Miss Zeng, who had just played the zither.
Sure enough—
Chu Yi, who was sitting behind the wine table, was quietly watching Gu Yanfei with a smile on his lips.
159 Competition
All the women from the aristocratic families followed his gaze and realized he was looking at Gu Yanfei, who happened to throw out the shuttlecock she had just obtained…
Miss Zeng's expression darkened. She bit her lower lip until it turned white. "Crazy," she said softly.
"A woman should be quiet and gentle, as graceful as a lotus…"
She meant to say it for the crazy girls to hear, but before she could finish, she heard another deafening gong that drowned out the rest of her sentence.
Wei Jiaoniang grabbed the drumstick and began to beat the gong again.
She was simply a scoundrel! Miss Zeng was so angry that her chest heaved. She could not help but look at Chu Yi again, still holding a trace of hope in her heart, hoping to see displeasure on his face.
However, Chu Yi was smiling.
His smile was like a warm sun, unable to stop it from spilling out of his eyes and rippling across his handsome face.
Not far away, Chu You, who was on the hunting stage, was also looking at Chu Yi with a malicious gaze.
Ever since Chu Yi returned to the country, nothing had gone smoothly for him.
These failures reminded him again and again that he had been too careless previously and allowed Chu Yi to return to the capital alive.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The loud gong was fast-paced and hit Chu You's heart like a hammer.
Chu You became even more frustrated. His brows were furrowed as he looked down at the group of laughing girls.
"Your Highness, it's cold in the mountains. You're dressed so thin, be careful not to catch a cold."
Yuan Zhe's concerned voice came from behind.
Yuan Zhe slowly walked up the high hunting platform. The wind was strong, and the strong mountain wind blew his cloak around him.
He wanted to put a cloak on Chu You, but Chu You raised his hand to refuse.
"I'm not cold," Chu You said calmly.
He was not only not cold, but he also felt hot. There seemed to be an impatient fire flowing crazily in his body, and he had nowhere to vent it.
Yuan Zhe did not force him. He walked to Chu You's side and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, do you really not know that the flintlock has been improved?"
As he spoke, his complicated gaze accurately landed on Chu Yi below. His eyes flickered with a faint light as his thoughts raced.
If the late Emperor had improved the flintlock when he was in power, it was impossible for him not to tell Kang Wang. Then, the only remaining possibility pointed to the current Emperor. He must have managed to improve the flintlock.
What puzzled Yuan Zhe was that he had only been on the throne for less than a year. Before he ascended the throne, he had never taken on any jobs related to firearms.
The late Emperor had always been on guard against the current Emperor, so it was impossible for him to hand over such an important task to him.
"…" Chu You was silent. He was equally puzzled, and a thick, dark cloud surged onto his forehead.
To be honest, even he thought it was nonsense to say that he had no idea.
However, he really knew nothing!
Chu You's expression darkened further.
Yuan Zhe got the answer from his gloomy, ugly expression and sighed inwardly.
They were alone on the wide hunting platform. There was an empty silence, and the stiffness spread silently.
Without the cover of the trees, the mountain wind became stronger, like a dragon's roar blowing their robes.
Yuan Zhe pursed his lips and thought quickly.
He did not challenge Chu You's temper anymore and said bluntly, "If even Your Highness doesn't know, could it be that the Emperor obtained Emperor Taizu's personal letter?"
"I once heard from the Empress Dowager that a portion of Emperor Taizu's handwritten letter was lost…"
Chu You had been distracted. Hearing this, his slender body jerked, and he turned to look at Yuan Zhe, who was three steps away.
The cousins faced each other with solemn expressions.
"A portion of my Imperial Grandfather's handwritten letter has indeed been lost…" Chu You said softly, frowning in deep thought.
Emperor Taizu was talented and omnipotent. He was a god who had descended from the sky. Not only did he establish the Great Jin Dynasty, but he also developed and improved many things that benefited the country and the people.
In the hearts of the people of Great Jin, Emperor Taizu was a figure comparable to Confucius. He was enough to be remembered for generations to come.
Emperor Taizu was Chu You's grandfather. When he passed away, Chu You was not yet born, so he had naturally never seen Emperor Taizu.
His understanding of Emperor Taizu either came from Emperor Taizu's Living Notes or from the previous Emperor, Empress Dowager Yuan, the Grand Tutor, and the courtiers.
Chu You paced back and forth on the hunting platform thoughtfully. His originally fluctuating mind gradually calmed down, and he looked into the east, in the direction of the capital.
"I've heard my father talk about my Imperial Grandfather." Chu You searched his memories and organized his thoughts. "The things my Imperial Grandfather developed were far more than these mercury mirrors, windmills, and pocket watches on the surface. In his later years, he had some shocking works, including new firearms, but they were hidden."
Yuan Zhe stared intently at Chu You, waiting for him to continue.
"Father said that a few years before my Imperial Grandfather passed away, he became very anxious. From time to time, he would lock himself in the imperial study and write a lot of notes. However, when he was angry, he would tear those notes apart and mutter that the technology tree would be crooked if it was pointed wrong."
"No one understood those strange words either. At that time, Father almost thought that he was…" Mad.
Chu You pursed his lips and swallowed the last two words. His eyes darkened as his memory returned to years ago.
What he knew was that a few years ago, when the late Emperor was drunk, he had accidentally heard some drunken words from him.
That day was the anniversary of Emperor Taizu's death. The late Emperor was in a bad mood and drank a lot of wine. He cried drunkenly and complained that Emperor Taizu always despised his sons for being useless. He said that before Emperor Taizu died, he even muttered that it was a waste to leave good things like steam engines and textile machines to them. He complained that even his grandchildren were only average, and he had to wait for his great-grandchildren…
160 Best Plan
At that time, the drunken late Emperor had uttered many strange words. Chu You also did not understand and only treated it as drunken words.
After a pause, Chu You calmed himself down and continued, "It wasn't until after my Imperial Grandfather passed away that my father realized that there were a few missing handwritten notes. He couldn't announce it, so he silently sent someone to search Yangxin Hall, but he still couldn't find it. He thought that my Imperial Grandfather had destroyed a portion of the handwritten notes before he passed away."
"If those notes were not destroyed but discovered by my brother…"
Chu You opened his eyes and turned to walk down the hunting platform, unable to stand it anymore.
"Your Highness, calm down." Yuan Zhe pressed down on Chu You's wrist and tried his best to persuade him to stop.
Chu You raised his sharp eyebrows, and his eyes were sharp.
Yuan Zhe casually tidied the creases in his sleeves and calmly pointed at the most luxurious shed below. He said indifferently, "There must be someone more anxious than you."
His tone was meaningful, but he was not referring to Chu Yi. Instead, he was talking about Baili Yin, who was drinking beside Chu Yi.
Chu You narrowed his eagle eyes and also looked at Baili Yin thoughtfully.
The power of the new flintlock would definitely make Baili Yin wary. The State of Yue was ambitious, so how could they sit back and watch the Great Jin own such a divine weapon?
Baili Yin would make a move sooner or later!
"Therefore, there's no hurry, Your Highness." Yuan Zhe patted Chu You's shoulder. A confident smile appeared on his refined face, and his eyes suddenly flashed with a cold light. "The Eldest Prince has been in the State of Yue for eight years. This is his merit and his greatest weakness."
"If the Eldest Prince makes any mistakes, whether intentionally or unintentionally, it will be a serious crime."
Chu Yi had served the country in the State of Yue for eight years. Therefore, both the courtiers and the commoners had to remember his sacrifices over the past eight years.
However, this was also a stain that Chu Yi, the Eldest Prince, could never erase!
Yuan Zhe casually waved his sleeve and stood with his hands behind his back. His every move was confident and calm.
With Yuan Zhe's pointers, Chu You returned to his senses, and his heart immediately lit up.
When he looked down at Chu Yi again, his eyes were filled with mockery.
"I'm afraid you've miscalculated this time…" Chu You said as he gently rubbed the nine dragon patterns on the jade pendant by his waist with the pad of his index finger. The corners of his lips curled up.
The Emperor had asked Chu Yi to replace him to entertain Baili Yin. He naturally had his own plans and wanted to pave the way for Chu Yi.
However, if this plan was not handled well, it might backfire.
Chu Yi had been in the State of Yue for so long. If anything went wrong with his errand this time, they could impeach Chu Yi for sacrificing the benefits of the Great Jin and flattering the State of Yue.
Neither the courtiers nor the commoners understood Chu Yi.
The gap created by the missing eight years in the past was not easy to bridge!
Seeing that Kang Wang had calmed down, Yuan Zhe was relieved. He stroked his sleeve and smiled again, then said seriously, "This situation is beneficial to you, Your Highness."
"The Eldest Prince is in the limelight today because he wants to gain a foothold as soon as possible."
In Yuan Zhe's opinion, the Eldest Prince was really too young and rash. He should have hidden a weapon like the new flintlock and secretly mass-produced it as soon as possible to become their trump card.
In that case, it was the best solution.
However, the Eldest Prince was clearly anxious and wanted to establish himself in the royal court as soon as possible. That was why he made such a stupid move. He even took out this new flintlock to show it off. He was really trying to impress the crowd!
In the end, it only aroused the vigilance and covetous eyes of the people from the State of Yue!
How stupid and short-sighted.
Sigh, the Eldest Prince had indeed been raised to be useless by the people of the State of Yue. Yuan Zhe sighed faintly in his heart.
As Yuan Zhe spoke unhurriedly, Chu You completely calmed down. He let out a long breath of relief and nodded. "Cousin is right."
"It's all thanks to my cousin's advice."
Chu You cupped his hands at Yuan Zhe.
Yuan Zhe smiled faintly. After receiving Chu You's bow, he was neither arrogant nor anxious. He naturally had the extraordinary bearing of a descendant of an aristocratic family.
The mountain wind was still howling beside him, and the chill was bone-chilling.
Occasionally, a few broken leaves would be blown over by the mountain wind and fly around the hunting platform.
Yuan Zhe gently brushed away a remnant leaf that had fallen on his shoulder and reminded him, "Your Highness, Emperor Taizu's handwritten letter is secondary."
He was also worried that Chu You would be confused by the immediate benefits and forget their longer-term goals.