Chapter 34: Confronting the Arrogant Princess

Everyone in the Gu family knew that Gu Ling’s greatest complex was his status as a concubine’s son, and it was a problem that could not be easily solved.

Gu Dao’s provocation sent a surge of rage straight to his head. His handsome face twisted, and just as a retort was about to slip out, he stopped himself.

Li Xianyun was passing by, watching the two of them with a cold gaze. Seeing her, and mindful of what was planned for today, Gu Ling forced himself to remain calm. Gu Dao was destined for total ruin today, and when that happened, he would have his revenge for everything. Especially at a time like this, he had to keep his reputation clean and avoid any entanglement with women. For the sake of the Princess, someone like Wei Qingmei was of no importance.

"Very well, then I shall make things clear to my older brother."

At this moment, all eyes were upon them. Even Wei Qingmei secretly pricked up her ears, hoping for Brother Jiuzhang to speak. All her admiration, all the infatuation that would lead her to brave fire and water for him, was about to be fulfilled today. Her palms were sweaty with nerves, and her face was flushed red. If Brother Jiuzhang said it, it would be a public declaration. Their families were of equal standing, and with their mutual affection, the elders would naturally arrange an engagement and then choose a date for the wedding. She would finally be able to spend the rest of her life with him.

"Miss Qingmei is both cultured and skilled in martial arts, a true standout among the ladies of the capital," Gu Ling stated with righteous conviction.

Listening to Brother Jiuzhang’s praise, Wei Qingmei straightened her posture, a surge of sweetness flooding her heart. Everything she had sacrificed was worth it.

"However, I, Gu Ling, merely appreciate Miss Wei’s talent and maintain a pure, platonic friendship with her. I do not know what Miss Wei thinks, but I, Gu Ling, have kept myself clean and have never harbored any romantic intentions. Unlike my older brother, who obsesses over such private matters all day and forces Miss Wei to serve as a maid—I wonder what sordid intentions he hides."

Gu Ling spoke with such certainty that he managed to splash a bucket of filth onto Gu Dao right in front of Li Xianyun. This heartless blow felt like a thunderbolt striking the soul. Wei Qingmei collapsed, and Jinse cried out in alarm, rushing to support her.

Gu Dao had already achieved his goal; as for the filth Gu Ling had cast, it was likely only Wei Qingmei who would be hurt by it. He released Gu Ling and said, "There, Miss Wei has heard your true feelings, so my task is complete. You may go."

Gu Dao waved him away as if shooing a fly. But his words left many pondering: what did he mean by "Miss Wei has heard" and "my task is complete"? Could it be that Gu Dao forced Wei Qingmei to be a maid just to let her see Gu Ling’s true nature?

Li Xianyun, wearing a deep purple cloak and a gold-inlaid white jade hairband, looked delicate yet possessed a haughty, domineering air. She stared coldly at Gu Dao. "Always causing trouble, making a spectacle of yourself."

Seeing the Princess scold Gu Dao, the onlookers grew even more excited. Now the show was truly beginning. Whatever feelings Gu Dao might have had for Wei Qingmei didn't matter; now that the Princess had heard it all firsthand, Gu Dao was surely about to be brought to his knees. In the past, whenever Gu Dao saw Li Xianyun, he was always obsequious; a single cold hum from the Princess was enough to make him tremble like he was facing the wrath of Heaven.

Gu Ling watched Gu Dao with a mocking smirk, waiting to see how he would handle the Princess’s thunderous fury. He ignored the fallen Wei Qingmei completely, inwardly applauding his own performance. That last sentence of his must have surely ignited the Princess’s rage. First, let the Princess’s fury break you, and soon, I will see you utterly disgraced.

But to everyone’s surprise, Gu Dao showed none of the expected panic. Instead, he looked at the Princess with cold, indifferent eyes. He flicked his sleeve and said with disdain, "What business is it of yours? Why are you overstepping your bounds? By what authority do you speak to me?"

*Gasp...*

The entire crowd inhaled sharply, staring at Gu Dao in shock. They had heard that Gu Dao had been acting wild lately, but to dare speak to the Princess like this? This wasn't just arrogance; it was... beyond description. It was simply defying the natural order. And he even dared to ask the Princess by what authority she spoke?

Li Xianyun was stunned. She hadn't expected him to talk back to her, and in front of so many people, too! It was intolerable, but she gritted her teeth. There was nothing she could do—hitting him wasn't appropriate for the occasion, and berating him would be beneath her station. She could only seethe in silence.

But Gu Dao wasn't finished. He truly detested this woman. She never asked about the facts; she just started firing accusations at him the moment she arrived. He seized the opportunity, his face cold, and continued:

"Did you ask what happened? Do you know the truth of the matter? You ask nothing, yet you come up here to lecture me. Where does your sense of superiority come from? Who spoiled you with such rotten habits? By what authority do you lecture me? If we speak of lord and subject, this is a family matter of the Gu house, and it is not for you to interfere. If we speak of family, you are my fiancée, and matters should be discussed behind closed doors. That Gu Ling is a bastard son who knows no etiquette, but why must you, a royal princess, lower yourself to his level? I’m embarrassed for you."

The verbal barrage was fierce as a tiger, and Gu Dao felt invigorated. Li Xianyun was left speechless, her face flushed with frustration. In the past, Gu Dao had catered to her every whim, even fawning over her without bottom, which had fostered her habit of scolding him and expecting an apology. But today, not only did he refuse to apologize, he fought back head-on.

Gu Ling, who had been enjoying the show, was suddenly dragged into it and labeled a "bastard son," then looked down upon for being "low-class."

"You are courting death..." Li Xianyun raged, reaching for the sword at her waist, only to realize she wasn't wearing one.

"Come then, do you think I’m afraid of you?" Gu Dao scoffed.

"The two of you, be quiet! What is going on?" The Prince of Chu had arrived and immediately rebuked them both.

"Royal Uncle, he is being insufferable," Li Xianyun complained indignantly.

"Your Highness, she doesn't know right from wrong," Gu Dao pointed at Li Xianyun, showing no restraint.

The Prince of Chu kicked him in the thigh. "You dare accuse the Princess? You dare to show contempt for royal upbringing? Who gave you the nerve?"

The appearance of the Prince of Chu, and his immediate pinning of a fault on Gu Dao, changed the mood. The charge of "contempt for the royal family" could be interpreted as minor or severe. The Princess couldn't handle Gu Dao, but the Prince of Chu certainly could. Ginger really was spicier the older it got; Gu Dao was in for a rough time now. Gu Ling, in particular, found it hard to suppress his excited smirk. *You’ve offended the Prince of Chu now, Gu Dao—are you not as good as dead?*

To everyone’s surprise, after taking the kick, Gu Dao jumped aside, showing no fear of the Prince’s accusation. He even dared to retort: "Your Highness, this is too much. You are being biased."

The Prince of Chu curled his lips into a smile. "I am her uncle; so what if I’m biased? But you have shown contempt for the royal family. Come here and let me kick you twice more, and I will let this matter drop."

*Contempt for the royal family, and all it takes is two kicks to settle it?* The crowd was stunned. This was not the attitude of someone looking to punish; it was clearly the Prince playing favorites and joking around. The rumors that the Prince of Chu appreciated Gu Dao must have been true.

The crowd let out a collective sigh of envy, jealousy, and resentment. *Why couldn't they be in Gu Dao's shoes? What virtue or talent did he have to be able to joke with a virtuous Prince?* Watching the scene unfold, they felt bitter in their hearts.

Gu Ling had lost all sense of direction; the constant highs and lows of hope and disappointment had left him numb. His clenched fists were stiff, and he thought viciously, *Just wait. I will see you suffer yet.*

To the Prince’s request for two more kicks, Gu Dao shook his head. *Not a chance,* he thought.

"Your Highness, they say that arguments between a husband and wife are settled before the night is over. We are a young couple having a spat, speaking without thinking; is it really appropriate for you to meddle?"

Li Xianyun was enraged at this. What kind of nonsense was he spouting? "Who is going to settle anything with you? No—phooey! Who is your wife? Gu Dao, stop talking nonsense!"

The Prince of Chu frowned and looked at Yuan Cong behind him. "These two must have been enemies in a past life; I can't handle them. Would you like to step in?"

Yuan Cong looked at the pair, floated past with his hands behind his back, and didn't say a word. He stopped halfway, turned back, grabbed Gu Dao, and brought him to an old man. He introduced him in a calm tone: "This is Fang Shoucheng, a great scholar of the National Institute of Literature. He is a master of the *I Ching*. You may call him Grandmaster Fang."

Gu Dao understood that his master was paving the way for him and immediately bowed respectfully. "Junior Gu Dao greets Grandmaster Fang."

The great scholar looked at Gu Dao, nodded, and spoke: "Did you write the *Inscription on My Humble Abode*? It’s passable. Write one just like it for me."

Before Gu Dao could answer, Yuan Cong reached out and pulled Fang Shoucheng away. "You’re at your age, can you have a little dignity?"

As he was being dragged away, Fang Shoucheng kept looking back and urging, "Remember to write it! Don't let it be worse than the *Inscription on My Humble Abode*. Once it's finished, send it to my house; your master knows the address."

The Prince of Chu playing around with Gu Dao, Yuan Cong treating him like a junior, and a great scholar from the National Institute of Literature begging him for a piece of writing—this made Gu Ling mad with jealousy. *Why? I am the outstanding one in the Gu family. These important figures should be treating me this way! Are they all blind? Why can’t they see me, the Brilliant Moon Gentleman?*

It didn't matter. After today, they would all know what kind of person Gu Dao really was. By then, the Princess would be his, and world-shaking fame would be his as well.

Unfortunately, no one cared about his inner monologue. The Prince of Chu led Li Xianyun away and managed to soothe her with a few words. Li Xianyun realized that today was the day she was hosting the poetry gathering; she really shouldn't be wasting time bickering with that scoundrel. It was all that wretched thing's fault. But it didn't matter—the poetry gathering was just a pretext; the real purpose was to ensure Gu Dao would never rise again. After today, she would never have to look at him again.

Gu Ling walked toward the high platform like a zombie and sat at a table next to Lu Zhang. Jealousy had made him deaf to the world, so it took Lu Zhang calling him several times before he reacted.

"Xiuzhi, the Little Chess Saint has arrived. Why aren't you getting up to welcome him?" Lu Zhang whispered loudly.

Upon hearing this, Gu Ling was instantly invigorated. He stood up abruptly, shaking off his previous gloom. *You have the attention of a great scholar, but I have the Little Chess Saint as my teacher. In the end, I am no less than you, Gu Dao.*

Thinking this, Gu Ling suppressed his excitement, smoothed his robes, and walked toward Mei Zisu with a graceful and focused stride. He passed Wei Qingmei without even a sidelong glance. Wei Qingmei’s eyes, however, followed his figure, her face pale as she wondered what he was thinking.

Gu Dao watched Mei Zisu, feeling strange. *Who was the blind fool who invited this guy? He’s just a chess player—does he even know how to critique poetry?*

Mei Zisu wore a clean, simple robe, his attitude haughty as he looked down upon the crowd, his long beard fluttering.

"Master," Gu Ling said loudly as he reached him, fearing that others might not know the Little Chess Saint was his mentor.

Mei Zisu nodded reservedly and walked toward the high platform. Gu Ling followed closely behind, also keeping his eyes forward, a confident and arrogant smirk on his lips, desperate for everyone to know that the "Brilliant Moon Gentleman" was now the disciple of the Little Chess Saint. As he passed Gu Dao, Mei Zisu didn't even look his way. Gu Ling shot a provocative glance at Gu Dao, his expression full of arrogance.

Gu Dao hadn't wanted to bother with him, but since he was begging for a challenge, he wouldn't be polite. Just as he was about to retort, Master Jingjie happened to arrive, his cough interrupting Gu Dao’s move.

"Give him some face," Master Jingjie whispered. He then pointed to a naive-looking youth behind him and said, "This is my newly accepted disciple, Duanmu Zhi from Nanyue, courtesy name Ruoyu."

The youth stepped forward before Gu Dao could speak, his voice honest and resonant. "Duanmu Ruoyu greets Senior Brother Gu Dao. I have long heard of your great talent, Senior Brother; I hope you will look after me in the future."

*Great wisdom looks like foolishness? He looks like a lucky charm.* Gu Dao thought he was looking at a giant panda—he really did look like one.