Upon seeing this, Master Gu frowned and said, "What's the point of discussing poetry with such a savage? Baozhu is really being ridiculous!"

Qin Yuan laughed.

Yelü Guzha Neli was very cunning and scheming.

In his previous life, he spent countless amounts of gold and silver to bribe important officials in the court and befriended low-ranking officials to serve him. In less than ten years, he had built up a considerable influence in the court.

After Lin Ziqi became prime minister, he lamented that the one who would cause great chaos in the future would surely be the Yelü clan.

Sixth Master Gu judged him by his appearance and was deceived by his rugged looks.

Qin Heng, who was standing nearby, immediately spoke up to defend Gu Baozhu: "Isn't it because this person is uncivilized and what he said was so offensive that even Sister Baozhu couldn't stand it?"

Sixth Master Gu quickly glanced at Qin Siyuan and chimed in, "Yes, yes! These barbarians are used to being crude. How could they understand poetry, let alone judge its quality? Baozhu probably couldn't convince them with reason, which is why she impulsively played polo with them."

Qin Yuan bit her lower lip, struggling to suppress her laughter.

Gu Baozhu persuaded people with reason! She even recited poetry to them!

Only Gu Liuye, his own brother, could utter such nonsense.

On the field.

Yelü Guzha's amber eyes, illuminated by the firelight, appeared as pure as glass, but the smile on his lips was provocative, and his tone was mocking.

"I wonder what would be appropriate for Marquis Dingbei? I am a hostage of the Yelü clan in Daxing, and I am unfamiliar with many of the rules of polo in Daxing. I hope Marquis Dingbei will correct me."

It was somewhat of a veiled criticism of the Marquis of Dingbei for abusing his power.

Gu Baozhu was about to yell and curse when the youngest daughter of the Minister of Personnel grabbed her and whispered, "Don't do anything rash, listen to your brother."

Gu Baozhu had no choice but to suppress her temper and wait for her third brother's reply.

Gu Jinghui, however, avoided the topic and read out the agreement between the two parties word by word by the light of the torch.

"Both parties agree to determine the winner through a polo match. The loser will be disposed of at the discretion of the winner. Due to the danger of this matter and the need to consider the safety of lives, we hereby ask all passersby to witness this agreement in front of the poetry arena. We assume full responsibility for our own life and death, and it is no one else's business!"

The contracting parties were Yelü Guzha and Gu Baozhu, among others.

His voice wasn't loud, but it came from his diaphragm, making every word clear and distinct to everyone's ears.

Only then did everyone realize what the so-called life-or-death agreement contained, and they couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

Sixth Master Gu asked Qin Yuan, "Third Sister-in-law, what do you think Third Brother is trying to do? Wasn't he going to re-establish the three rules? Why is he reading out a death pact again?"

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "If you don't read it, who would know that the agreement was signed by Yelü's hostage and Baozhu, but the ones playing the ball were his concubines?"

Master Gu was greatly puzzled.

"Wouldn't it be even harder to win if it were a competition against men?"

Qin Yuan said, "There are many intricacies involved here. It depends on how your third brother chooses. But in my opinion, he has thought of this aspect. No matter what he chooses, he will definitely win against Yelü Guzha."

Qin Siyuan frowned and said, "What my younger sister says is true. However, Yelü Guzha spoke first and gained the upper hand. He mocked the Marquis for trying to use his power to suppress others. The best strategy is to win people's hearts and minds."

Sixth Master Gu said, "Brother Siyuan, what do you think we should do?"

Qin Siyuan said, "After weighing the options, I think the Marquis's primary choice should be to avoid any injuries or disabilities. If that happens, none of us will benefit. It would be better to turn hostility into friendship."

Sixth Master Gu nodded.

"Although a life-or-death agreement was signed, there was no deep-seated hatred between the two parties. Why go to such lengths over a few words?"

Qin Yuan nodded and said, "I'm afraid Yelü Guzha wouldn't want such a thing to happen either."

Master Gu disagreed.

"The pearl was in great danger just now. If it weren't for Third Brother..."

Qin Yuan said, "For him, the Gu family is an exception."

The matter is simple. Yelü Guzha's scheme against the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion had already left traces, and the Yelü clan, driven far away by Gu Jinghui, had long been entangled in an intractable feud. By using this polo match to cause trouble for Gu Baozhu, they also had a life-or-death agreement as collateral.

However, if other noble ladies were injured or disabled, it would also be troublesome for him.

Qin Siyuan thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "Miss Seven was tricked into the scheme from the very beginning. Even if Miss Seven doesn't get into trouble, he will find a way to get others to cause some trouble for her."

Qin Yuan nodded: "Yes, Yelü Guzha had the upper hand from the beginning. The Yelü clan has the advantage in both physical strength and horsemanship. Even though the Marquis changed the rules, he cannot guarantee victory. But the Marquis must ensure that he wins. Now, Baozhu represents the Dingbei Marquis's Mansion, and even the scholars of the Imperial Academy, and all the scholars in the world."

Qin Siyuan was persuaded.

Master Gu frowned and said, "So..."

The Qin siblings' words were giving him a headache.

He just wanted to hear a clear explanation.

What should we do?

Qin Yuan said, "No matter what method the Marquis chooses, as long as he can win, he will be invincible. Of course, it would be best if he is convinced, but it doesn't matter if he is not convinced. After all, Yelü Guzha was originally a hostage brought back to Daxing by the Marquis."

A proton should simply do what a proton is supposed to do.

This hostage from the Yelü clan has gone too far.

Qin Siyuan interrupted Qin Yuan, retorting, "My dear sister, you are mistaken. To deal with barbarians, we must use force to make them fear us, but we must also use benevolence to influence them. Only in this way can we demonstrate the magnanimity of our great nation."

Qin Yuan said, "That's true, but a sage doesn't govern by simply using force and manipulating people for three years to reform them. The Yelü clan has been at odds with Daxing for many years, and they are unruly and difficult to control. Although they are just a minor nuisance, we still have to deal with them properly. Therefore, the court granted the Marquis of Dingbei a hereditary title. The Marquis drove the Yelü clan out of the northern border, but look at this Yelü hostage—does he show any semblance of what one would expect after being suppressed? Those who are unrepentant and vicious should be exterminated. If they still don't submit, then kill them. Think about it, Confucius never hesitated to kill Shao Zhengmao or the actors from Qi."

Qin Siyuan wanted to say something but couldn't get the words out.

On the field.

Yelü Guzha asked with a smile, "What advice does the Marquis of Dingbei have for this? I am all ears."

Lord Gu said, "There is something I don't understand. Why did you sign this life-or-death agreement with the noble ladies of Daxing?"

Yelü Guzha asked, "Didn't your sister tell you?"

"I want to hear what you have to say."

Lord Gu gave Yelü Guzha a sly look.

Qin Yuan couldn't help but clap her hands and exclaim, "Brilliant!"

The crowd outside the venue erupted in noise again.

Qin Heng suddenly said, "What Brother Siyuan said is excellent for policy discussion, and what Eldest Sister said can be put into practice. As for Eldest Brother-in-law, it reminds me of a saying, 'How can you know the joy of a fish if you are not a fish yourself?' None of you are Eldest Brother-in-law, so how can you know what he is thinking?"

Sixth Master Gu said, "What you said is also quite insightful."

Qin Heng tugged at his sleeve shyly, trying his best to appear nonchalant, and said, "Not at all."

On the field, Lord Gu's ears twitched slightly, and the corners of his lips couldn't help but curl up. He stared intently at Yelü Guzha and pressed, "Yelü Guzha, do you dare to tell us in front of so many spectators in the training ground why you made such a life-or-death pact with these young ladies?"