Chapter 532: Ostensible Compliance and Secret Defiance

Qin Yuan also noticed the small gestures between the two but pretended to believe, saying, "That’s good, then. Father and mother will be relieved. It’s better for you to stay out of adults’ affairs. Your elder brother’s matters have the Marquis Mansion’s assistance, there won’t be any issues."

Qin Heng showed a face of deference, nodding repeatedly as if he had listened and understood.

Once everyone headed to the training field, Qin Yuan rode Li Nu to circle around the outer area, while Qin Heng approached Gu Baoshu and asked, "Why did you wink at me just then?"

Gu Baoshu said, "You can’t argue forcefully with elders. We should quietly manage things on our own, so no one will know. If you succeed, naturally they won’t scold you but praise you instead. Do you think I’m right?"

Qin Heng admired her greatly: "You’re very right."

Gu Baoshu said proudly, "Of course, from a young age I knew that one should be brave to admit mistakes and change as per the situation."

Qin Heng savored this for a moment and raised a thumb to show his respect.

Gu Baoshu’s eyes darted as she leaned in to ask, "Qin Heng, do you think my martial skills are good?"

Qin Heng immediately replied, "Of course they are good. Women can be as good as men."

Upon hearing this, Gu Baoshu was not happy. Frowning, she asked, "I don’t quite like hearing that. In martial arts, there’s only a difference between strength and weakness, what’s with women versus men?"

Qin Heng scratched his head, hesitatingly said, "Do you know why men are called ’brows’? In ancient times, women might shave their eyebrows and draw them, making them equal to none. Thus, ’brows’ came to only refer to men. I’m a proper ’brows’ man, you’re a proper ’women’ lady."

"Is that so?"

Gu Baoshu’s expression improved slightly but insisted, "Even so, it’s the women who can beat the men thoroughly, not women not letting men."

As she looked up, she saw Qin Siyuan nearby, and shouted, "Brother Qin, do you agree?"

Qin Siyuan held back his laughter, nodded, and said, "Miss Gu Qi is absolutely right, your heroic spirit is not something these vulgar things can compare to. Brother Heng’s words are somewhat inappropriate."

Qin Heng: "..."

Gu Baoshu was satisfied.

"It has to be Brother Qin. I said Brother Heng should read more books, or else how can he not end up as a wastrel in the future."

Qin Heng then coldly replied, "You keep saying I should read more, I think you’re the one who should read more. Do you know what ’wastrel’ means?"

Gu Baoshu thought for a moment, then said, "Wastrel means someone who doesn’t do serious work."

Qin Heng shook his head, saying, "No, no, ’wastrel’ refers to fine silk, worn by the sons of wealthy families, later implying a rich kid. In the Qin Family, my father can at most get a fourth-grade official title in his generation. I have no talent for studying, not as good as elder brother and father, only living comfortably under their protection. I can’t be called a wastrel."

Gu Baoshu glanced at Qin Siyuan.

Qin Siyuan then said, "What Miss Gu Qi said reminded me of a poem I read by chance."

Gu Baoshu raised her eyebrows and asked, "Which poem?"

Qin Heng also looked at him.

Qin Siyuan returned the look meaningfully to Qin Heng, saying, "This poem is called ’Youth’s Journey,’ quite fitting. Youths who do not read, fathers and brothers wear golden seals, young ones ride high carriages. Those not learning farming, from morning depart the grand lanes, drink under brothels in the evening. How could they know the flowers on trees, discarded being inferior to shrubs and hemp. The pity of stairs in a building, rotted without debating high and low. Their fathers and brothers rest in the yellow earth, heirs now face the estate alone. They fail to distinguish farm directions, they also can’t learn commerce. Formerly, with green clothes dismissed, scattered with none knowing where. Rumor has it, newly appointed sage governor, treasures talent yet clumsy. You never distinguished characters, speaking without purpose. Selling lands unsaleable, crying at the city’s eastern tomb. Former youths being thus, do those below hear of this?"

Gu Baoshu nodded, "Good poem, good poem."

Qin Heng blushed, saying, "Brother needn’t mock me with advice. I know that I won’t make it through study but I don’t intend to be idle, I certainly won’t fall to such a state."

Qin Yuan came over riding Li Nu and asked, "Why are the three of you gathering here, not riding? Treasure Bead, weren’t you going to teach us riding skills?"

Gu Baoshu laughed heartily and said, "I forgot all about that listening to Brother Qin’s poem just now."

Qin Heng muttered to himself quietly.

"Folly doesn’t blind, people’s folly blinds themselves. Humph, my brother is the cultured talent, I’m the idle wastrel."

Gu Baoshu originally wanted to chat more with Qin Siyuan, but upon hearing Qin Heng’s complaint, she pulled him to train hard, and the two didn’t separate until everyone dispersed, only then did Gu Baoshu let Qin Heng off.

Qin Heng showed toughness, his inner thighs hurt from rubbing, his bones nearly shaken loose, but he never asked for mercy.

This made Gu Baoshu see him in a new light.

Qin Heng endured the pain, wobbling behind, Gu Baoshu grabbed him and said softly, "While no one’s watching now, let me discuss something with you."

Qin Heng, face full of sweat and body exhausted with no strength to resist, replied weakly, "Auntie, just say what you have to say."

Gu Baoshu, with a mysterious look, said, "Didn’t you also say my martial skills are strong? You go ahead and deal with the Xu family, I’ve got your back."

"How will you back me up?"

Qin Heng was rather shocked, staring at Gu Baoshu.

Gu Baoshu rolled her eyes and said, "Naturally, I’ll back you up with my martial skills; how could you be so silly not to think of that? No wonder your studies aren’t good, completely unlike your brother and sister. Your sister would know exactly what I’m planning to do upon hearing."

Qin Heng was so angry he almost jumped, expressing his grievance, "You talk about me, but why compare me to my brother and sister? I haven’t compared you to your third brother."

Seeing him getting upset, Gu Baoshu then unconvincingly admitted, "Alright, alright, that’s my fault."

Qin Heng glared at her, saying, "Is this your so-called brave to admit mistakes but never repent? Now I understand."

He then tried to shake off Gu Baoshu but was grabbed by his collar by her, saying, "Stop bothering about these trivial matters, I’ve admitted my mistake. Let’s put this behind and talk about serious stuff now."

Qin Heng couldn’t break free, urgently saying, "Quickly let go. If someone sees, what would it look like?"

Gu Baoshu snorted, threatening, "If you don’t agree, I’ll keep this up."

"Fine, fine, quickly let go."

Qin Heng had never met a girl like her before.

Couldn’t talk back, couldn’t fight back.

Truly fatal.

Gu Baoshu finally released him, clapping her hands and said with a laugh, "That’s settled then, think of a way to recommend me to the Xu family."

Qin Heng hurriedly retreated a few steps, straightened his clothes, and hopped angrily, "Crazy, you just beat them up, now you want me to recommend you to them. Besides, you’re a lady, why should I introduce you to them?"

Gu Baoshu placed her index finger before her lips and ’shushed,’ saying with mystery and pride, "Miss naturally has a plan, just follow what I say and do, I guarantee you won’t regret it. Otherwise, I’ll tell your third sister-in-law that you plan to feign compliance but act disobediently, and have someone to keep a strict watch over you, not letting you leave home."