Qin Yuan also noticed the subtle interaction between the two, but took it as a sign of acceptance, saying, "That's good, then Father and Mother can rest assured. It's best if you don't get involved in adults' affairs. Your elder brother's matter will be handled by the Marquis's mansion, so there won't be any problems."
Qin Heng nodded repeatedly with a submissive expression, as if he had taken it all to heart.
After everyone had gone to the training ground, Qin Yuan rode Chestnut Slave around the outer edge of the field. Qin Heng approached Gu Baozhu and asked, "Why did you give me that look just now?"
Gu Baozhu said, "You can't argue with your elders. Let's do it secretly, so no one will know. If we do something good, they won't scold you anymore; they'll praise you instead. Do you think I'm right?"
Qin Heng was very impressed: "That's right."
Gu Baozhu said proudly, "Of course, I've known since I was little that I should be brave enough to admit my mistakes and repent depending on the situation."
Qin Heng pondered for a moment, then gave a thumbs-up to show his admiration.
Gu Baozhu's eyes darted around, and she leaned closer to ask, "Qin Heng, what do you think of my martial arts skills?"
Qin Heng immediately replied, "That would be wonderful. Women are just as capable as men."
Hearing this, Gu Baozhu was not happy and frowned, asking, "I don't really like hearing this. In martial arts, there is only a distinction between strong and weak. Why distinguish between women and men?"
Qin Heng scratched his head and said after a while, "Do you know why men are called 'Xu Mei' (须眉)? It's probably because in ancient times women shaved off their eyebrows and drew them on with a brush, which was practically useless. So 'Xu Mei' was a term used specifically for men. I am a dignified man with 'Xu Mei,' and you are a dignified woman."
"is that so?"
Gu Baozhu's complexion improved a bit, but she still said, "That's because women defeated men decisively, it's not that women are not inferior to men."
Looking up and seeing Qin Siyuan nearby, he called out, "Brother Qin, aren't you right?"
Qin Siyuan nodded, suppressing a laugh, and said, "Miss Gu is right. How can such a filthy creature compare to your heroic and dashing appearance? Heng-ge'er's words are somewhat inappropriate."
Qin Heng: "..."
Gu Baozhu was satisfied.
"It still has to be Brother Qin. I say Heng-ge'er needs to study more with Brother Qin, otherwise he'll become a spoiled brat in the future."
Qin Heng's face turned cold as he said, "You said I should read more books? I think you're the one who should read more books. Do you even know what '纨绔' means?"
Gu Baozhu thought for a moment and said, "纨绔 means to be idle and not do proper work."
Qin Heng shook his head: "No, no. 'Wan' means fine silk, and 'wanku' refers to the clothes worn by rich young men. Later, it was extended to mean rich young men. In my Qin family, by my father's generation, the highest rank a family could achieve was fourth-grade official. I have no talent in studying, so naturally I am not as good as my father and brothers. I can only live a comfortable life under their protection. I can't be considered a 'wanku' at all."
Gu Baozhu glanced at Qin Siyuan.
Qin Siyuan then said, "What Miss Gu said reminds me of a poem I happened to see."
Gu Baozhu raised her eyebrows and asked, "What poem?"
Qin Heng was also looking at him.
Qin Siyuan looked back at Qin Heng with a meaningful gaze and said, "This poem is called 'A Young Man's Journey,' which is quite fitting for the occasion. 'A young man who doesn't study, his father and brothers wear golden seals, his sons ride in high carriages. A young man who doesn't learn farming, he goes out in the morning from Wuyi Lane, and drinks in the evening beneath brothels. Little does he know that the flowers on the tree, fallen to the ground, are no better than wormwood and hemp. Pity the ladder in the brothel, withered and rotten, who cares about its height? Your father and brothers have returned to the yellow earth, and now you alone stand guard. You can't even distinguish east from west in the fields, and you can't learn to be a merchant. The former officials, who once served in brothels, have scattered and gone. It is said that the new magistrate cherishes talent and values literature. You were illiterate, and when you open your mouth, you can't utter a single word. You tried to sell your land, but it didn't sell, and you wept at the grave east of the city. The young man of yesteryear is now like this; do the nobles in the underworld hear of it?'"
Gu Baozhu nodded and said, "A good poem, a good poem."
Qin Heng blushed and said, "Brother, there's no need to be so sarcastic. I know I'm not good at studying, but I have no intention of being idle and would never fall to this state."
Qin Yuan rode over on her horse, Li Nu, and asked, "Why aren't the three of you riding horses? Baozhu, weren't you going to teach us horsemanship?"
Gu Baozhu laughed and said, "I was listening to Brother Qin recite poetry just now, and I forgot about this."
Qin Heng muttered to himself.
"Beauty doesn't bewitch people, people bewitch themselves. Humph, my brother is a refined and talented man, and I'm just a lazy and idle playboy."
Gu Baozhu originally wanted to say a few more words to Qin Siyuan, but upon hearing Qin Heng's complaints, she grabbed him and started training him hard. The two didn't separate until finally, when everyone said it was time to leave, Gu Baozhu let Qin Heng go.
Qin Heng was also tough; even though the skin on his inner thighs was chafed so badly and his bones felt like they were about to break, he never begged for mercy.
This made Gu Baozhu think more highly of him.
Qin Heng endured the pain and walked unsteadily behind. Gu Baozhu grabbed him and whispered, "No one is paying attention to us right now. I want to talk to you about something."
Qin Heng was covered in sweat, his muscles were weak, and he had no strength to struggle. He said weakly, "Grandma, just tell me what you want to say."
Gu Baozhu said mysteriously, "Didn't you also say that I'm good at martial arts? You can deal with the Xu family all you want, I'll cover for you."
"How do you carry it?"
Qin Heng was somewhat shocked, staring at Gu Baozhu.
Gu Baozhu rolled her eyes and said, "Of course I'll use my fists and feet to cover for you. How can you be so stupid? You can't even think of that? No wonder you're bad at studying. You're nothing like your older brother and sister. Your sister knows what I'm going to do as soon as she hears it."
Qin Heng was so angry he wanted to jump up and down. He said with a look of grief and indignation, "You can criticize me, but why compare me to my older brother and sister? I didn't compare you to your third brother."
Seeing that he was getting anxious, Gu Baozhu said insincerely, "Alright, alright, it was my fault."
Qin Heng glared at her and said, "Is this what you mean by being willing to admit mistakes but refusing to repent? I understand."
After saying that, he tried to shake off Gu Baozhu, but Gu Baozhu grabbed his collar and said, "Don't dwell on these trivial matters. I've already admitted my mistake. Let's just let this go and talk about serious matters now."
Unable to break free, Qin Heng said urgently, "Let go quickly, what will it look like if others see this?"
Gu Baozhu snorted and threatened, "If you don't agree, I'll do it this way."
"Okay, okay, let go now."
Qin Heng had never met a woman like this before.
You can't say anything to them, and you can't beat them in a fight.
That's absolutely maddening.
Gu Baozhu then released her hand, clapped her hands and laughed, "That's settled then, you'll find a way to introduce me to the Xu family."
Qin Heng hurriedly took a few steps back, straightened his clothes, and jumped up and down, saying, "Are you crazy? You just beat them up, and now you want me to introduce you to them? Besides, you're a woman, why would I introduce you to them?"
Gu Baozhu put her index finger to her lips and shushed, saying mysteriously and smugly, "I have my own way. Just do as I say, and I guarantee you won't regret it. Otherwise, I'll tell Third Sister-in-law that you're planning to disobey her, and she'll have people keep a close eye on you so you won't even be able to leave the house."
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