Chapter 586: A Contest of Skills

Then it has to be the Crown Prince marrying Gu Baoshu.

The Ninth Princess glanced at Gu Baoshu with quite a bit of disdain.

Without beauty or talent, crude in speech. If not for wanting to win over the Dingbei Marquis, how could such a person enter the Eastern Palace?

The Crown Prince looked at Gu Baoshu, his voice very gentle, "I didn’t expect Old Madam Gu to be so fond of Dingbei Marquis’s wife. I wonder what kind of good family they’ll find for Little Sister Baozhu to marry in the future."

Song Wenyu quickly glanced at the Crown Prince, thinking that this dignified Crown Prince was like a gossiping old woman, willing to forgo any dignity for the throne.

The Three Dukes and Nine Ministers were unwilling to marry off their legitimate daughters to the Crown Prince. His marriage had been delayed for so long, and it’s uncertain which family it would finally land upon.

If they set their sights on Gu Baoshu...

The Gu Family would likely not let the Crown Prince get his way.

Gu Baoshu chuckled, lifted her two heroic eyebrows, shook her fist, and said unruly, "Naturally, it must be someone who can beat me. I’m currently practicing martial arts with Third Brother, no incompetent fool can get near me. Besides, it’s still early, I haven’t reached hairpin age yet, my mother wants to keep me for two more years."

The group: ...

It was inappropriate for the Crown Prince and Gu Baoshu to discuss marriage matters so openly, and Gu Baoshu’s response was even more shocking.

Song Wenyu returned to her senses, laughing heartily, "Are you planning on a martial arts contest for marriage? Only someone who beats you can marry you? I’ve read that in storybooks. The individuals of the martial world are that spontaneous. Gu Baoshu, are you going to do the same? You forgot last time we played ball with the Yelv Clan. If not for your Third Brother, we would’ve been beaten terribly."

"How can you boost others’ morale while belittling yourself?" Gu Baoshu was anxious, pulling her to stop laughing, "The current me is not the past me. If they come again, they won’t be able to beat me."

Song Wenyu simply didn’t believe it.

The Ninth Princess sneered, "Gu Baoshu, the more you speak, the more outrageous you become. The daughters of nobles don’t stick much to the rules, but they aren’t as reckless as you. If you mess around like this, can Old Madam Gu let you? It’s better to settle a marriage for you early, keep you restrained for a few years, nurture your disposition, and then you’ll marry off well."

Gu Baoshu was annoyed, casting a threatening glance at the Crown Prince siblings.

"If I marry someone who can’t beat me, and I beat him up every day, what can be done? Originally, one could live to a hundred, but ends up dying before thirty, leaving me a widow, that won’t do. Would my mother and Third Brother agree?"

Isn’t this pointing at a monk and calling him bald?

Just short of saying she won’t marry a short-lived fool.

The Crown Prince’s face also darkened.

Yet Song Wenyu was still laughing, "Just marry first, otherwise, if they’re gone, what, are you planning to dig the grave and whip the corpse?"

The Crown Prince siblings’ expressions became even more unsightly.

Gu Baoshu pondered, "It’s not that ruthless, but life for his family won’t be easy."

The Ninth Princess let out a derisive laugh.

Miss You tried to mediate, "Gu Baoshu, you’re just spouting nonsense because you’re young, it’s just us here, but don’t say this outside. If people hear, they won’t know how to laugh at you. I’ll have to remember this and tease you on your hairpin day."

Gu Baoshu refused to concede, stating seriously, "You all think I’m joking. In the past, I wouldn’t dare think this way either. Recently, I overheard my Third Brother and my mother discussing. They said, if I can’t marry as I wish, I can still choose a husband while sitting."

"Choosing a husband while sitting?"

The crowd was astonished.

The Ninth Princess sneered coldly, "Doesn’t your Third Brother have children, or is it because your Third Brother is destined to be childless, so you have to choose a husband?"

Gu Baoshu said, "My Sixth Brother is weak, and my nephews and nieces all study literature, so my Third Brother said as long as they are of the Gu Family bloodline, merit takes precedence."

The group: ...

Isn’t this implying that the Dingbei Marquis can’t have children, and the lineage of Sixth Master Gu is useless, so the Gu Family wants to continue the lineage through Gu Baoshu’s bloodline.

Song Wenyu laughed.

Having said this, if the Prince tries to plot again, it would be forcing things.

The Ninth Princess’s face became exceedingly unpleasant.

Miss You also didn’t speak, seemingly shocked to silence by Gu Baoshu’s words.

The Prince glanced at Third Young Master You.

Third Young Master You, who hadn’t spoken all along, hesitated and then cleared his throat, saying with a smile, "Miss Gu Qi, perhaps you’re boasting. Why don’t we have a competition? If you can’t even beat me, don’t think about any martial arts contests for marriage."

Miss You also said, "That would be best. As the Ninth Princess just said, some people might flatter us excessively. Normally, making us happy is one thing, but if you misinterpret it and make a wrong move, what then? My Third Brother plays with sticks, not particularly skilled, but have a match with him, regardless of winning or losing, we won’t make it public. What do you think?"

Her words were heartfelt and very appropriate.

Even Song Wenyu couldn’t find a fault, simply saying, "Third Young Master has been trained by renowned teachers since childhood, so be lenient with Miss Gu Qi. Gu Qi is still young, spontaneous, speaks her thoughts, and is indecisive. Who knows, she might change her mind tomorrow. We mean well for her, so let’s hold back."

Third Young Master You turned to look at Song Wenyu, making her blush.

Third Young Master You smiled, "Of course, we’ll hold back. I’m merely curious about Miss Gu Qi’s martial skills."

It couldn’t be compared with Marquis Gu, but it was easy to let Gu Baoshu suffer a setback.

Though he wasn’t willing to win without prowess, he couldn’t defy the Prince’s orders.

Third Young Master You had made up his mind to go easy, not embarrass the young girl.

Everyone looked at Gu Baoshu.

Gu Baoshu appeared somewhat conflicted, "Third Young Master You, we should give our all in a competition, otherwise how can there be a real comparison? If we hold back, what’s the point?"

Third Young Master You smiled wryly.

How could Gu Baoshu not understand people’s words? She was too self-righteous.

The Crown Prince glanced again at Third Young Master You.

Third Young Master You had to say, "Fine, but if I give my all and you get hurt, don’t cry."

Gu Baoshu stood up, crossed her arms, and tilted her chin arrogantly, "Then you don’t cry either."

Third Young Master You looked up at Gu Baoshu.

His expression was very complex.

There was speechlessness, mockery, some disdain, and a hint of helplessness.

"Just say whether you’ll cry," Gu Baoshu relentlessly pursued.

Third Young Master You sighed, "I won’t. I’ve practiced martial arts since childhood, have suffered injuries countless times, how could I cry?"

"Alright then," Gu Baoshu said with flair, "You stand up and speak, what should we compete in? Where should we compete? Draw a line, and I’ll follow your lead."

Song Wenyu stared wide-eyed at Miss You.

Are we here to celebrate Madam You’s birthday or to fight?

How did it end up like this?

Third Young Master You lightly laughed, stood up, and cupped his hands toward Gu Baoshu, "Let’s have a trial with hands and feet, after all, weapons have no eyes, and we shouldn’t cause too much commotion, it’d be bad to alarm the Crown Prince and Ninth Princess."