freenovelworld Chapter 699 Sister, you're still so amazing!
Chapter 699 Sister, you're still so amazing!
Qian Zhenyun stood behind the Crown Prince, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.
He glanced at Gu Qingchen, who was caught in a dilemma, and then at the Crown Prince, who stood with his arms crossed, showing no intention of backing down. He sighed helplessly in his heart.
He stepped onto the plank connecting the two boats, intending to personally take Gu Qingchen away from the center of the whirlpool.
He had only taken two steps when a figure suddenly blocked his path from the side.
He was a young gentleman dressed in a magnificent brocade robe; he was a well-known retainer under the Third Prince.
"Please wait a moment, sir."
The man looked Qian Zhenyun up and down, dressed in simple everyday clothes, and said with sarcasm, "Today is a poetry gathering hosted by His Highness the Third Prince, and all who come are guests. Since you have come with His Highness the Crown Prince, you must be a man of great literary talent."
"Why not compose a poem on the spot, so that we can broaden our horizons?"
He knew that Qian Zhenyun was the Crown Prince's study companion, and he also knew that he came from a humble background. This move was clearly intended to embarrass him in public and thus humiliate the Crown Prince behind him.
All eyes instantly shifted from Gu Qingchen to Qian Zhenyun.
Gu Qingchen's heart tightened. Where did this bastard come from? Why is he making things difficult for Gun Gun?
Lin Jiayou still wore a smile on his face, seemingly looking at Qian Zhenyun with concern, but a hint of schadenfreude flashed deep in his eyes.
Despite the stares and malicious provocations from the crowd, Qian Zhenyun didn't even flinch. He showed no fear, nor did he try to compose a poem in response to the other party's words.
He simply looked calmly at the guest, then turned his gaze to the Third Prince in the main seat.
"I am of limited talent and knowledge, and dare not embarrass myself in front of you all."
"I have a question that I would like to ask Your Highness. I heard that Your Highness spent no less than a thousand taels of silver just on purchasing writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, fruits, and wine for this poetry gathering. I wonder which account this expense was recorded under?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience was in an uproar!
No one expected that he would dare to openly question the Third Prince's spending in his own territory!
This is no longer a contest of personal feelings among scholars, but directly addresses the most sensitive issue for the princes: their expenses!
The smile on the face of the Third Prince Zhao Chenyu finally froze.
Before he could figure out how to respond, the cold voice of Crown Prince Zhao Chen'an rang out from the opposite ship, carrying a condescending scrutiny.
“Third brother, Father often taught us that in governing the country and managing the family, diligence and thrift should be the foundation. The military supplies on the border of our dynasty are already tight, so every penny of silver in the national treasury should be used wisely.”
The Crown Prince's voice was not loud, but every word was like a hammer blow, directly escalating what was supposed to be a romantic poetry gathering into a matter of vital importance to the imperial court, concerning military supplies and the national treasury.
He glanced at Zhao Chenyu's unpleasant expression and uttered his last words.
"It seems I need to find some time to have a good talk with my father. Let's see if the princes' poetry gathering is truly elegant or extravagant."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Chenyu's face turned ashen.
The pleasure boat docked at the shore. Gu Qingchen grabbed Qian Zhenyun's wrist and, amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, pulled him toward the shore without looking back.
As Lin Jiayou watched the two figures disappear, the humble smile on his face froze slightly. The hand he reached out to try and stop them ultimately fell silently to the ground.
Only when they reached their own carriage and there was no one else around did Gu Qingchen suddenly let go of Qian Zhenyun's hand, turn around, and glare at him with her almond-shaped eyes, both anxious and angry.
"Are you crazy? Why would you confront the Third Prince in front of so many people?"
"The princes' infighting is their business. Why did you have to jump in? My father said that the Third Prince is as petty as a pinhead. You made him lose face so much today, he will definitely hold a grudge against you!"
She was like a mother hen protecting her chicks, chattering incessantly around him, her words filled with unconcealed worry.
Qian Zhenyun looked down at her incessant chatter and listened to her anxious ramblings, feeling very happy.
"Since you knew all this, why did you still come to keep the appointment with the Third Prince?"
One sentence stumped Gu Qingchen.
She turned her face away, stubbornly saying, "I... I just wanted to join in the fun, is that not allowed?"
She would never admit that she had come to this place of trouble to pave the way for Lin Jiayou and make him famous.
Qian Zhenyun saw her evasive eyes and understood perfectly well, but he didn't say anything.
"Let's go, I'll take you home." His voice softened, carrying a hint of barely perceptible indulgence.
"Wait!" Gu Qingchen grabbed his arm, a spark of fire rekindling in her almond-shaped eyes. "We still have things to do!"
After saying that, she turned around and stormed back without waiting for Qian Zhenyun's reaction.
On the shore of Lanyue Lake, as the crowd was about to disperse, the Third Prince's retainer was bowing and scraping as he spoke to several young masters from prominent families, a hint of smugness on his face as he recaptured the situation.
Suddenly, a figure blocked his way.
"Miss Gu... Miss Gu?" The waiter's smile froze when he saw the newcomer.
Gu Qingchen crossed her arms and looked at him coldly, her chin slightly raised, exuding an innate arrogance and murderous aura.
"Were you the one who made things difficult for him just now?"
The scholar's eyes darted around, still trying to argue: "Miss, you misunderstand. It's just a friendly exchange between scholars..."
"Snapped!"
A crisp sound interrupted him.
Gu Qingchen actually raised his hand and gave him a loud slap.
"A friendly spar?" She sneered. "You think you're worthy?"
The guest was stunned by the blow, covering his face in shock and anger: "You...you dare to hit me?"
"What happened to hitting you?"
Gu Qingchen took a step forward, and his imposing aura made Gu Qingchen involuntarily retreat.
"When my father was fighting for the country at the border, you, a pretentious scholar who only knows how to wag your tongue, were nowhere to be found! How dare you insult the Crown Prince's study companion?"
Everyone around looked over and pointed at her.
Gu Qingchen didn't care at all.
"I'll teach you a lesson today. Some people are not to be trifled with by someone like you. Next time you want to find someone to use as a ladder to climb up, remember to open your eyes wide and see clearly whether you're stepping on a stone or a red-hot iron."
Then, ignoring the ashen-faced guest, she turned and left.
Qian Zhenyun stood not far away, watching quietly.
Watching her, like an enraged little leopard, baring her teeth and brandishing her claws, she stood in front of him without hesitation, ready to vent his anger.
When they were little, she would stand in front of him like this.
Gu Qingchen walked up to him, her anger still simmering. Seeing him looking at her, she coughed awkwardly.
"What are you looking at? Let's go!"
Qian Zhenyun looked at her, but couldn't help but smile.
He followed her and whispered a teasing remark in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Sister, you're still so amazing."
"That's right, so you won't be bullied by others..."
Lin Jiayou was still standing there, wondering if he hadn't left the capital back then, would he have been bickering and teasing her like Qian Zhenyun...?