Chapter 657: The Ball Game

Gu Baoshu threw her head back and laughed heartily upon hearing this.

Yuan Da added fuel to the fire: "Brother Qi, why are you still laughing here? Announce your family name and scare this bunch of fools to death."

Having interacted with Gu Baoshu for days, they still couldn’t figure out his background; now was the perfect time for him to declare it himself.

Gu Baoshu finally laughed enough and wiped the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand, sneering, "It’s just a commander’s official, not worthy of me revealing my family name. Here’s the truth,"

He pointed at Qin Heng, who was running on the field: "His father is the National Academy Sacrificial Officer. If it weren’t for other circumstances, that boy wouldn’t even be fit to be my follower.

As for you all, hahaha! I’ll only engage with you once; you really aren’t worthy of knowing who I am. I don’t care to know the name of anyone below third-rank."

"Anyone can brag. I believe you don’t dare to say it," Hua Bi shouted.

Fu Ya Nei felt a bit intimidated at first, taking a closer look at Gu Baoshu, who was dressed entirely in the attire of a wealthy family. He was secretly anxious, but he didn’t want to lose face in public, so he nudged Hua Bi beside him and whispered: "Think carefully, is there any noble person with the surname Qi in the Imperial City?"

"... Hiss... seems like there isn’t..." Hua Bi pondered.

Fu Ya Nei’s confidence instantly surged: "Blowing your own horn, do you think I’ll be afraid of you? Just wait until the match; then you’ll see my prowess. At that time, even if you kneel on the field, it won’t help."

Hua Bi added: "Exactly, if you’re scared now it’s still time, why not kneel now? It’s not a good look to kneel when there are lots of people watching."

Qin Heng saw Gu Baoshu surrounded by the opposing team and hurriedly ran over to push Hua Bi aside, scolding: "Whatever happens, we’ll settle it on the field. Today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday; all the noble guests will be watching the match. I advise you to calm down and don’t cause any trouble."

He raised his head and advised Gu Baoshu: "Mr. Qi, don’t fall into their trap. If you can’t hold your temper and hit them, the referee will stop you from playing."

Gu Baoshu, who had been clenching his fists, nodded after hearing this: "Goodness, they’re really cunning; good thing you’re here. Otherwise, I’d have really given them a good beating."

Fu Ya Nei secretly resolved to make that brat suffer on the field, to know the real power of Lord Ma.

A few gong strikes sounded, and the referees ascended the observatory platform.

Qin Heng shouted: "Quick, quick, quick, it’s starting soon. Let’s hurry to line up and prepare for the match."

The stands also became chaotic, with imperial guard members and eunuchs beginning to drive away the idle crowds, making space for the Holy Emperor, officials, and their families.

Gu Baoshu also left the stands to rendezvous with Black-skinned Brother Xiao Hong and others.

In a short time, someone had already taken the best position and set up a high scaffold by the edge of the field, bringing chairs and ladders, and putting up curtains.

"Goodness, they’re really fast," Gu Baoshu exclaimed.

Qin Heng shrugged: "It’s lively like this every year; if it weren’t for the imperial guard driving people away fiercely, there would be many vendors selling sour plum drinks, roast meat, and pastries here."

Someone raised a silk handkerchief from a high place, shouting: "Ximen Langjun, Mr. Ximen, my sister is here watching you play!"

Brother Ximen turned around, looked up, and caught the thrown handkerchief, with an incense bag tied to it.

Gu Baoshu also looked over and saw, goodness, up high, Li Xingshou dressed in a red shirt and green skirt, looking very charming, leaning forward and smiling brightly at Brother Ximen.

Brother Ximen displayed deep affection, holding the handkerchief to his nose, gently smelling it, and carefully putting it in his embrace.

The two really have mutual feelings.

Soon they will become a pair.

Just wonder what the Emperor will think when he sees this later.

Gu Baoshu was still daydreaming when Qin Heng suddenly shouted: "It’s not fair!"

"What now?" Gu Baoshu asked in surprise, turning back.

Qin Heng stomped furiously: "Brother Ximen is one thing, I know I can’t compare, but why are so many young ladies calling your name, their handkerchief throwing is annoying, humph!"

Gu Baoshu glanced at Qin Heng disdainfully, and although he said nothing, it was clear what disdain felt like.

Outside the field, the noise was chaotic.

More and more spectators madly shouted for their preferred team members, competing to see whose voice was loudest.

Previously standing out in Hong Society, most spectators here were shouting for Gu Baoshu, especially those young girls who not only called out but also threw incense bags, flowers, handkerchiefs, and other items.

Fu Ya Nei noticed this and was furious: "These people have no depth, never seen the world, none of our team is inferior to that brat."

Hua Bi exposed his arms, showing off tattoos, causing a series of screams.

Fu Ya Nei also struck a few poses he considered suave and unmatched, but the response was mediocre, far less than the cheers elicited by Gu Baoshu casually moving and jumping around.

Fu Ya Nei angrily said: "Later, we’ll play rough, let that brat learn a lesson."

Someone warned: "Today’s Holy Emperor is watching; if things get dangerous, I fear..."

Hua Bi expressed concern: "That brat mentioned Xu Tang, it might be a bit troublesome."

"What’s with Xu Tang?"

"Xu Tang is King Jin’s brother-in-law, recommended into the palace by Prince Qi and the prince consort, deeply favored by the Emperor, left to play ball in the palace, and quite well-regarded. If his leg hadn’t fractured and needed healing, today’s match would probably not have been up to them."

Fu Ya Nei considered and said: "No worries, the Holy Emperor watching is just for fun, as long as the referee is on our side. If we don’t give this brat a hard time, he might get into the Emperor’s favor."

Hua Bi and others all said: "Your insight is far-reaching and thoughtful."

That brat is handsome, behaving freely and gracefully, he might really be favored by some noble, and if he gains power, we’ll surely suffer.

A burst of musical beeps echoed, followed by the opening sound of gongs.

"The Empress Dowager arrives, the Emperor arrives, the Empress arrives."

Everyone knelt, waiting for the Holy Emperor to settle on the stands before daring to rise.

Qin Yuan and Old Madam Gu sat comfortably behind the Empress’s right side, while Gu Jinghui accompanied the Emperor.

Old Madam Gu looked around and asked: "Did you see that monkey?"

Qin Yuan laughingly pointed it out for her.

"Mother, there it is; looks quite dashing and elegant, doesn’t it."

Old Madam Gu smiled faintly.

The field’s competition was intense, with cheering voices constantly ringing out, the two teams’ scores were close, but the audience had seen through the matters.

The Emperor said: "Hong Team relies on these two young men; their speed is remarkable, and their agility is impressive."

Empress Lin laughed: "Emperor, your judgment is wise, the other members of Hong Team aren’t very useful, even though they’re quite loud."

The Emperor was somewhat proud: "I play well too, how could this escape my eye."

Gu Baoshu was heavily targeted on the field; Fu Ya Nei was determined to finish him quickly, with everyone using dirty tricks, but Gu Baoshu seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, breaking left and right through the crowd, as if it were a domain of no others.