"Father, you've lost."
Chen Xiuer sheathed her spear and took a few breaths.
She hadn't enjoyed sparring with her father like this in a long time; the shock still makes her palms numb.
"Haha, losing to my daughter isn't shameful for a father!"
Chen Haichao laughed heartily, loudly trying to justify himself.
My daughter is a great shot, it's all thanks to his excellent coaching!
"Father, your daughter wants—"
Before Chen Xiuer could speak, a servant announced that distinguished guests had arrived and that the madam instructed them to go to the flower hall to receive them.
"Your Highness, Madam has instructed you to return to your room and dress properly."
The implication was that the young lady shouldn't dress in an "inappropriate" way when meeting guests...
After understanding what the maid had said, Chen Xiuer's face darkened, her mother's disdain was evident.
"Xiuer, I'll go change my clothes first. You should go change quickly too, so as not to be impolite."
Chen Haichao noticed his daughter's pitiful look and quickly slipped away before she could speak.
"well."
Chen Xiuer sighed and put the red-tasseled spear back into its case.
In the flower hall—
The furnishings of the Prefectural Commandant's residence were very simple, perhaps because he was a military officer; the furnishings in the hall were very efficient.
Jiang Yue glanced around casually, but her attention was immediately drawn to the painting of ten thousand horses galloping in the hall.
Don't get me wrong, it doesn't really look like a masterpiece.
In contrast, Gu Liulang had a well-behaved appearance, greeting everyone he met, bowing and then standing tall behind his elders, eyes downcast and mindful of his own thoughts.
Seeing that his older sister was also among those invited, he felt a little relieved.
He thought, "I'll play it by ear today!"
Surely his older sister wouldn't help his grandmother and push him into a "fire pit," right?
Madam Chen affectionately took Old Madam Gu's hand, not bothering to look at the young man more than once, and led him to the seat of honor.
Just as he was about to invite the young man to sit down, he noticed that Princess Jiang's gaze was fixed on the painting of the galloping horse, and explained somewhat embarrassedly:
"Your Highness, you flatter me. This is a humble work my daughter created when she was eight years old. My husband treasured it and had it framed..."
"Xiu'er could draw this picture when she was eight years old?"
Jiang Yue smiled, quite surprised.
Following his elder sister's gaze, Gu Liulang looked at the painting of a galloping horse hanging on the wall, pursed his lips, and suppressed a smile.
Haha~
What kind of "master" level is this?
They actually dared to hang it up for people to see; they really aren't ashamed!
"Yes, my daughter is not very talented, but she has loved poetry and books since childhood."
The words were on the tip of her tongue, but Madam Chen hesitated for a moment, then weakly added:
"Perhaps it was influenced by my master that he was also skilled in wielding swords and spears."
As she spoke, her gaze fell on the young man. She remembered how her daughter had accidentally kicked this Gu family boy at the wedding banquet of Princess Jiang's son...
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xu's smile deepened, and she immediately expressed her approval, her praise being quite obvious:
"It's good for a girl to be literate and understand things."
"If you know how to use knives and guns, you won't be bullied."
"Besides, a virtuous wife brings less trouble to her husband. Xiu'er is so ambitious; she is truly a role model for women."
Jiang Yue almost choked on her tea, but when she met her grandmother's gaze, she immediately understood.
Yes, the key to a successful visit is the use of praise—
"Xiuer is very good. She does things efficiently and without dragging her feet. Her colleagues all praise her."
"If my Yaoyao were as outstanding as Xiuer, I'd be so lucky!"
Parents just love to praise other people's children.
Upon hearing this, Madam Chen felt immense satisfaction, both on her face and in her heart.
His smile grew even more genuine, and he turned the praise around, saying:
"My Xiuer is nowhere near as good as Your Highness describes. But Your Highness's beloved daughter, the last time I saw her, she looks just like Your Highness, a real beauty. I wonder which lucky young master will be her."
Jiang Yue put down her teacup, having roughly figured out what was going on with Madam Chen sending out invitations today.
This Mrs. Chen is probably looking at the eligible children in each other's families with her maternal grandmother.
To put it bluntly, it was Liu Lang and Xiu Er's parents who had the idea of arranging a marriage between them!
Knowing the other party's purpose, she was also aware of what to say and what not to say.
Haha~
A hearty laugh came from outside the hall, and Gu Liulang shuddered at the sound.
As a native of Yunshui County, Chen Junwei's name was widely known when he was young.
Which boy doesn't dream of being a hero?
He also wanted to be a great hero, learn martial arts, and protect his grandparents!
Unfortunately, many people are eyeing the ancestral property of the Gu family.
Last time they parted in haste, he was beaten so quickly that he didn't even get a proper look at the general he had admired since childhood.
Seeing you today, I can confirm your extraordinary demeanor!
"We apologize for not being able to properly welcome our distinguished guests. Please forgive us."
Chen Haichao spotted the Gu family's grandson at a glance, his eyes flashing.
Like a cunning old fox, he didn't name names, only mentioning two people.
The fact that the Gu family and Princess Jiang were godparents was already common knowledge throughout the city.
"Commander Chen, you're too kind."
Old Mrs. Xu got up and was quickly asked to return to her seat.
Gu Liulang bowed deeply. No matter what, as a guest, one should not be impolite.
Jiang Yue didn't need to get up, but after considering something, she stood up as well, nodding slightly to indicate that the other party didn't need to be so polite.
"My lord, you are off today, which is perfect. I will take the Princess and Madam Gu to the lotus pond to admire the flowers."
"This is the first time Young Master Gu has visited our residence. Why don't you show him around the mansion, and we can have lunch later..."
When Madam Chen saw that her husband had arrived, she came up with a plan.
After subtly hinting to the master, she took Old Madam Gu's arm and gestured for the princess to enter.
"Please, Madam Chen!"
"Please, Your Highness."
Both women were very modest, and in the end, it was Old Madam Gu who was in the middle, walking hand in hand with one on each side.
Gu Liulang felt a little embarrassed, but forced himself to greet Commandant Chen.
"This junior greets Your Excellency, Commandant."
"Oh, you're too formal to call me 'sir,' just call me Uncle Chen."
Chen Haichao smiled and patted the young man on the shoulder.
Gu Liulang winced in pain, and his face changed color.
It hurts!
Waaaaah, is this a show of force?
Grandmother, elder sister, I want to go home!
"I remember you studied medicine, could you please take my pulse?"
Chen Haichao tries to find topics to talk about, otherwise they just stare at each other awkwardly.
"I obey your command."
Gu Liulang nodded and agreed.
He then bent down and knelt in front of the other person, gesturing for them to roll up their sleeves, and then solemnly began to take their pulse...
He dared not boast about his other skills, but he was skilled in diagnosis and pulse taking, a skill passed down through his family.
Chen Haichao was just making conversation, but seeing how serious and earnest the other person was, he decided to test him and asked:
"How are you feeling lately? I've been experiencing chest tightness and shortness of breath. When I'm wielding weapons, I feel a tightness and weakness in this area of my waist and abdomen, and this area too..."
"Reporting to Uncle, you..."
When Gu Liulang took the pulse, he seemed like a completely different person; his eyes became firm, and his tone became more solemn...
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