Chapter 26: Only He Is Allowed to Show Off
Although she realized Feng Rongrong was deliberately provoking her, who was Gu Qingsu? How could she lose face over such a trivial matter? Her expression was cold and stern, a slight, disdainful smile playing on her lips, as if Feng Rongrong's provocation was childish and laughable in her eyes.
"Dare not?" Gu Qingxu seemed to have heard the most absurd joke in the world. "The word 'dare not' doesn't even exist in my life!"
She raised an eyebrow, her gaze firm and sharp, like two drawn blades, staring directly at Feng Rongrong.
Gu Qingxu's resolute attitude truly caught Feng Rongrong off guard. A flicker of her eye revealed that Gu Qingxu was probably just putting on a brave face. In this capital city, everyone knew that her literary talent was first-rate, while Gu Qingxu was merely interested in fighting and killing.
Thinking this over, Feng Rongrong provoked her again, saying, "Then I hope to see Miss Gu tomorrow."
As she spoke, a smug smile appeared on her face, a smile that seemed to confirm that Gu Qingxu would not dare to keep the appointment, and she looked like she had victory in her grasp.
Ruan Xingzhu hadn't expected things to turn out this way. If she had known, she would have stopped it.
After Feng Rongrong left, Ruan Xingzhu couldn't help but recall the scene at the flower-viewing banquet where Feng Rongrong had taken the lead, and a sense of worry welled up in her heart.
She cautiously approached Gu Qingxu and asked softly, "Fifth Sister, are you really going?"
Compared to Ruan Xingzhu's deep worry, Gu Qingxu looked completely calm and composed, as if this matter was nothing more than a piece of cake.
She reached out and gently patted Ruan Xingzhu's shoulder, saying nonchalantly, "Of course we have to go, otherwise wouldn't we be playing right into her hands!"
After saying that, she winked playfully at Ruan Xingzhu, "Besides, you're here with me, so what's there to be afraid of?"
Upon hearing this, Ruan Xingzhu's eyes widened immediately; she was determined to go. However, not wanting to dampen Gu Qingsu's spirits, Ruan Xingzhu had no choice but to obediently follow Gu Qingsu.
one
Shaohua Pavilion is situated in a shady spot on the west side. Even when the sun is shining brightly outside, a gentle breeze blows through the pavilion, making it a truly pleasant place. The pavilions and towers are arranged in a harmonious and orderly fashion, surrounded by blooming flowers, resembling a beautiful painting.
Upon entering, the two saw Feng Rongrong, dressed in a light purple brocade dress, talking to someone in the crowd. Gu Qingxu rarely attended these banquets, and some people couldn't help but whisper among themselves when they saw her.
Feng Rongrong, hearing the sound, looked over and a look of surprise flashed across her face when she saw Gu Qingxu appear. She had thought that Gu Qingxu was just putting on a brave front yesterday, but she hadn't expected her to actually have the guts to come.
His expression narrowed slightly. Since she had come so close, there was no reason for him to let her go.
She then turned around and pretended to welcome her. Seeing Feng Rongrong coming up, Ruan Xingzhu couldn't help but tug at Gu Qingsu's sleeve to remind her.
Feng Rongrong went to greet her, forcing a smile, and said meaningfully, "I didn't expect Miss Gu to actually come?"
As she spoke, she lowered her eyes slightly, "I thought... Miss Gu..." She deliberately left her sentence unfinished, her words carrying a subtle sarcasm.
This was so targeted that Ruan Xingzhu couldn't help but gasp, fearing that Gu Qingxu might not be able to resist making a move.
Gu Qingxu narrowed his eyes, showing no tolerance for Feng Rongrong's sarcastic and unfriendly behavior.
"What did you think? Did you think I wouldn't dare to come?" She directly exposed Feng Rongrong's words without showing any sense of humiliation. On the contrary, she carried a certain imposing aura of questioning.
Seeing Gu Qingsu's bluntness, Feng Rongrong seemed a little flustered and unsure of what to do.
Gu Qingxu couldn't help but scoff at this. This guy still comes to her every day to show off his presence. She lowered her head slightly and continued talking with great interest.
"Besides, didn't you extend a warm invitation yesterday? How could I not come?" Gu Qingxu said, deliberately putting on an expression that said, "This is exactly what you wanted, so what else could you be dissatisfied with?"
Feng Rongrong was almost amused by her appearance. She invited her? Was she really that clueless or just pretending? It was clearly a ploy to humiliate her!
But since she dared to come, then don't blame her; she delivered herself right to our doorstep.
Thinking it over, Feng Rongrong turned around and walked into the crowd, showing off her signature skills.
"The breeze is pleasant today, so why don't we use 'wind' as the keyword and play a poetry game? What do you all think?"
After saying that, Feng Rongrong looked up at Gu Qingsu and then at Ruan Xingzhu. "However, there is an extra rule for today: you are only allowed to think of it yourself and no one else can help you."
With no one to help her, she wanted to see how Gu Qingxu would handle it. Today, she would make him admit defeat wholeheartedly.
Upon seeing this, Ruan Xingzhu couldn't help but look up at Gu Qingxu. This was clearly a veiled attack aimed directly at Gu Qingxu. Knowing full well that Gu Qingxu was not good at poetry, she deliberately said that she wouldn't let others help her.
She knew Feng Rongrong wouldn't let this opportunity pass, otherwise she wouldn't have provoked Gu Qingxu like that yesterday.
These banquets have always been mainly about poetry and literature, and they are used to it. Whether they can help or not doesn't matter, and the people around them are also ready to echo and agree.
Seeing that everyone was about to speak up and agree, Gu Qingxu, who hadn't moved until now, stepped forward. Feng Rongrong thought that Gu Qingxu was afraid of losing badly and wanted to admit defeat first. She had already prepared her mocking words, but all she saw was Gu Qingxu curling her lips into a smile.
"Don't you all get tired of playing the poem-passing game all the time?" Gu Qingxu, dressed in a dark red brocade dress, smiled slightly. "Why don't we try something new this time?"
Hearing Gu Qingsu's low, dismissive words, Feng Rongrong felt a surge of displeasure. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she quickly said, "This poem-passing ceremony is something we've always agreed upon, how could it be..."
Before she could finish speaking, Gu Qingxu quietly interrupted her, saying with amusement, "Why are you in such a panic, Miss Gu? I haven't even said what we're going to play yet. Or are you scared, Miss Gu?"
When Gu Qingxu asked her this question, Feng Rongrong looked a little flustered. She hadn't expected Gu Qingxu to use her previous words to retort.
They allow her to scheme against her, waiting for her to fall into their trap, but forbid her from fighting back. Don't they even bother to ask around? Is Gu Qingxu a lamb to the slaughter?
With a soft laugh, Gu Qingxu slowly said, "This place is spacious and has a gentle breeze, making it perfect for setting up a prize. Everyone who participates can have a share of the prize, and the one who wins the prize will be the winner of today."
"A prize? That's a novel idea!" Young Master Yuan exclaimed from the crowd.
"Yeah, I've never played this before."
As they spoke, some people suddenly became interested and began whispering among themselves, discussing how to win the prize.
"Then how do we obtain this prize?" Young Master Yuan stepped forward and asked.
Seeing this, Gu Qingxu continued, "There are many ways to win prizes. For example, you can compete by reciting poems, win by throwing arrows into a pot, or win by shooting arrows."
As soon as he finished speaking, Young Master Yuan's eyes lit up. "This suggestion is quite good. That way, there won't be just one game."
Upon hearing this, the crowd was no longer limited to the monotonous act of reciting and composing poems. This was undoubtedly a good opportunity for some people who were not good at poetry.
Feng Rongrong, standing to the side, immediately objected upon hearing the mention of archery. Her face flushed with a hint of annoyance, and she said in a coquettish voice, "How could we young ladies know how to shoot arrows?"
Gu Qingxu had intended to dampen her spirits, and seeing her like this, she couldn't help but chuckle and say, "But there's still the option of reciting poetry."
After saying that, she turned her gaze, raised her eyebrows slightly, and looked at Feng Rongrong with a meaningful look in her eyes, "What, are you only allowed to play what Miss Gu is good at, but others are not allowed to participate in what they are good at?"
Her words surprised everyone, and they all turned to look at Feng Rongrong. In the past, she had always led the way in discussing poetry at banquets. Feng Rongrong came from a family of high-ranking officials, a family of scholars, and was exceptionally talented in literature. She always won poetry competitions, and they naturally became mere bystanders.
Now that Gu Qingxu has proposed a new way to play, Feng Rongrong is trying to stop her, which inevitably makes people think that she is a bit petty and only wants everyone to revolve around her.
Seeing that everyone was looking at her and that the situation was not in her favor, Feng Rongrong immediately put on a weak and delicate appearance, and her voice became soft and delicate: "No, what I mean is that most bows and arrows are quite heavy, how could we possibly lift them?"
As she spoke, she looked pitifully at some delicate noble ladies, trying to get them to stand on her side.
"Didn't Miss Gu say that it's up to you to choose? Besides, if you can't lift a bow and arrow, there's always pitch-pot and poetry recitation. Pitch-pot is at least easy, isn't it?"
Young Master Yuan, who was initially quite excited, couldn't help but frown and retort after Feng Rongrong's affected rebuttal.
Feng Rongrong paused, looked up, and felt a surge of anger. Her brows furrowed slightly. Why was it him again? He was the one who spoke up for Gu Qingxu during the last poetry recital, and now he was meddling in her affairs again!
"Yes, Young Master Yuan is right. Everyone can choose for themselves, so that everyone can play what they like."
A voice echoed the sentiment, and those around them followed suit in agreement.
Feng Rongrong was caught in a dilemma. If she disagreed, she would become the odd one out, which might backfire. If she agreed, then her purpose of deliberately provoking Gu Qingsu to come here would be ruined.
She was filled with disapproval, but dared not show it on her face. Before she could come up with a solution, she heard Gu Qingxu say loudly, "Since everyone agrees, let's proceed with the arrangement. Everyone can make their own choice."
Before long, the archery and pitch-pot locations were set up. Although Feng Rongrong was unwilling, she was powerless to stop her. She could only watch helplessly as Gu Qingxu successfully added the pitch-pot and archery events.
She naturally adhered to her own proposal to pass on the poem, but she did not forget the purpose of provoking Gu Qingxu to come here today.
Seeing that Gu Qingxu was about to walk towards the archery range, she quickly stepped forward and said, "Miss Gu, are you afraid to come here to recite poems?"
These words inevitably reminded some people of the brilliant challenge that Feng Rongrong posed to Gu Qingsu at the flower-viewing banquet.
The air suddenly seemed to freeze, and even those who were walking slowly couldn't help but stop and sniff the strong smell of gunpowder.
Gu Qingxu paused, realizing that Feng Rongrong was indeed afraid of being outdone. With a slight smile, Gu Qingxu said, "Alright, I can accept Miss Feng's invitation to compose a poem. But after the poem, how about Miss Feng also participates in a round of archery?"
Instantly, Feng Rongrong's smile froze, and she said bluntly, "How could I know how to shoot arrows? This is clearly your specialty. Aren't you just deliberately making things difficult for me?"
These words immediately sparked a flurry of rumors.
Just as Gu Qingxu was about to speak, Young Master Yuan reacted first and said, "Who here doesn't know that Miss Feng is exceptionally talented in literature? Isn't it just making things difficult for her to want Miss Gu to participate in the poetry contest?"
“I…” Feng Rongrong froze, speechless.
Upon seeing this, people couldn't help but start discussing it, questioning whether Feng Rongrong was being pretentious and only caring about herself.
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