Chapter 571: Eavesdropping

Gu Baoshu spoke lightly, but Qin Yuan listened with a sharp breath, hurriedly asking, "Did they agree to let you return?"

Gu Baoshu flicked her forehead hair, laughed heartily, and said, "Ha! Who am I? Can they stop me? Before the match started, I suppressed his arrogance with words and threw a large ingot of silver on the ground, asking the people present to testify that if it was a draw or if I lost, the silver would go to Xu Tang. He was injured, so naturally, I don’t want the silver, and Xu Tang wouldn’t dare to make trouble for me in public. As for privately, if he can hurt me a hair, count me as the loser."

She was using a false name for her wanderings in the martial world.

If one wants to find her, one must find Qin Heng.

After finishing today’s business, she dropped by Jiujie Mansion on the way. Qin Heng, bound by Lady Sacrificial Officer in the mansion to read books, was almost sick from boredom. Upon seeing her, he exclaimed with joy, "Great-aunt, you’re finally here." He refused to let go of her, otherwise, how could she return so late?

After speaking, Gu Baoshu confidently toyed with the sachet tied around her waist, thinking to herself that she now counted as someone both brave and wise.

She’s not bragging; this affair was handled so meticulously that even Qin Heng thought so.

Qin Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

"He doesn’t know who you are. When the injury has healed, you should be at White Crane Academy. It’s no problem."

After studying for two years and returning to the Capital City, Xu Tang wouldn’t be able to find anyone and should let go of this vendetta.

Gu Baoshu laughed again and said, "I saw he was injured, so I said I wouldn’t kick him. With so many of them trying to harm just me, they failed to steal a chicken and lost the rice used to lure them. Xu Tang couldn’t figure out my background, and could only pretend to be an upright man in front of others. Sister-in-law, you didn’t see, it truly is hilarious, haha."

Seeing her act lavishly, speaking boldly, giving no face to anyone, not able to figure out her background, Xu Tang didn’t dare to rashly turn hostile, only paled and forced himself to say they would have a good match next time.

After all, a gentleman avenges even after ten years are not late.

Gu Baoshu naturally agreed with a smile, then calmly stepped back from the scene, ducking into alleys, turning several times to avoid a few idling men tailing her, then unexpectedly doubling back and eavesdropping at the tea house.

She initially thought she would hear how to deal with her, but unexpectedly heard a secret.

"You mean King Jin wants to use the Xu family to cause trouble with us, catch our faults, and offer them to the Crown Prince?"

Qin Yuan casually grabbed the round fan and gently waved it, the strands of hair at her temples softly swaying in the breeze.

Gu Baoshu nodded, her dark eyes sparkling with brilliance.

"Sister-in-law, you know my ears are sharp. Xu Tang suffered such a great loss, how could he let it go, and, in anger, he would say something. I wanted to be prepared, so... Unexpectedly, King Jin couldn’t succeed in what he wanted with the Xu family, got very angry, and had him speak ill of my third brother before the Emperor. That old eunuch pointed at Xu Tang’s nose, asking the Xu family if they didn’t want to handle business with King Jin Mansion anymore."

She heard very clearly how that old eunuch arrogantly reprimanded Xu Tang, "Don’t forget what you promised His Highness before. Don’t just assume that going to the palace means climbing the high branches; remember that His Highness can use Prince Qi’s hand to send you in favor with the Emperor, and can also make you disappear without a trace. I fear the Emperor wouldn’t even recall who you are."

Xu Tang no longer had a shred of arrogance, his face pale as sweat dripped like beans from between his hair without bothering to wipe, and he squeezed a smile and said, "I hope the master speaks well of me to His Highness; the Xu family... Ah, the Xu family naturally looks to His Highness’s lead, but... my aunt is a shallow person with a small courage, keeping my uncle tightly controlled, if she tells him East he wouldn’t dare go West. Recently, they daily claim my aunt’s soul is seeking them for repayment, they’re greatly frightened, probably for this reason changed their mind, definitely unintended to ruin His Highness’s good deeds."

The old eunuch, eyes not eyes, nose not nose, coldly stated, "Your sister is still staying in the Prince Mansion, if you really care for her, you shouldn’t let His Highness lose face before the Crown Prince."

Xu Tang carefully promised there would never be another slip, adding, "I also have no control, can’t make decisions for the Xu family, otherwise, I wouldn’t have angered His Highness. Still, while my uncle’s side failed, I have an idea."

"What idea?"

Xu Tang whispered, "I previously wanted to bring trouble to Mr. Qin, so I tried to get closer to his sister’s husband’s family. The man is also a scholar, narrow-minded and intolerable, often expressing dissatisfaction in his words. He often complained that Qin Jijiu only had eyes for his nephew, ignoring his son-in-law."

With a sharp laugh, the old eunuch said, "Since ancient times, scholars have always undervalued each other. Any sour scholar thought they could be capable of extraordinary deeds, but it’s just petty grievances. I also know Qin Jijiu’s son-in-law is a scholar, with the talent of an advanced scholar, destined to enter court as an official. As long as these families are united, would they really care about these trivialities?"

Xu Tang sneered and said, "But this man doesn’t have the master’s insight and breadth. He daily doesn’t just complain about Qin Jijiu but also about Dingbei Marquis Mansion. I see his resentment has accumulated deeply, slightly instigate, I’m afraid he would do something unwise."

After some thought, the old eunuch became interested and said, "If it could cause trouble for the Qin Family, that’d be excellent. Prince Qi nowadays is well-received among scholars, especially with those Jiangxi people, united as one. The Crown Prince is very displeased, but the marriage between Princess Fu Yun and Zhang Hanlin was arranged by the Empress. His Highness also is seeking a solution for the Crown Prince’s distress these days, if you succeed, you might redeem yourself."

Xu Tang laughed, "Leave it to me, ask His Highness to await good news."

The two conversed heatedly, unaware Gu Baoshu overheard everything.

"I endured with great difficulty," Gu Baoshu complained, "If not for remembering Mr. Songshan saying minor impatience disrupts major plans, I would’ve rushed in and beaten them both."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Alright, alright, later eat something good, as compensation from Sister-in-law."

Gu Baoshu asked, "How did I do?"

"Very well, you count as both brave and wise," Qin Yuan lightly patted Gu Baoshu’s back, sighing, "It’s evident you’ve learned quite a lot attending Mr. Songshan’s lectures these days. Once at White Crane Academy, you’ll be versed in both civil and martial skills."

Gu Baoshu was delighted, saying, "Naturally, Sister-in-law just watch and see."

While the two were talking, Hong Ye brought in small maids, carrying dishes in a stream, filling the table completely, upon which Gu Baoshu’s stomach began rumbling, she said no more, just started eating.

It took quite a while before Gu Baoshu was willing to set down her chopsticks, patting her belly and sighed, "Why is my third brother still not back? This matter requires his decision to be best."

Qin Yuan said, "Your third brother is somewhere unknown now."

Gu Baoshu became a bit anxious.

"What on earth is he busy with?"

At that moment, a little maid outside announced, "Madam, the servant from Marquis’s side has come with a message."