Chapter 107: with translation of chapter title

Gu Jiu Ling looked at Princess Yuanqing and smiled faintly: "Since the princess has a refined interest in contests, would I not be spoiling the mood if I didn't accompany you?"

As soon as Gu Jiu Ling spoke, the people around instantly stared at her in disbelief, wondering if this woman had lost her mind.

Although Princess Yuanqing is a Bei Di princess, she also holds another title: she is a Bei Di female general who has previously sparred with Xiao Yin.

Gu Jiu Ling had previously excelled in medicine and writing, but this kind of real combat cannot be handled merely with words.

A single slip could endanger her life.

Everyone thought that at worst Gu Jiu Ling would simply not hold a grudge against the Bei Di princess; even if she lost face, it wouldn't be that disgraceful.

After all, a pregnant woman asking to duel a princess is, from any angle, an act of Yuanqing's arrogance.

That Gu Jiu Ling actually agreed, and did so so readily, made the noblewomen around wear varied expressions.

A few were genuinely worried for Gu Jiu Ling, but most were watching the comedy, since the last poetry gathering they had been outshone by her and found her unpleasant.

Princess Changping laughed and said to Gu Jiu Ling: "Imperial Aunt, you're so mighty; since that's the case, shall we go to the open field over there for the contest?"

"I have heard that Princess Yuanqing is a once‑in‑a‑generation heroine of Bei Di, previously favored by Imperial Uncle. Imperial Aunt, don't be discouraged; if your skill falls short, that's just a lack of skill, and seeking mercy early is not shameful."

Princess Changping's words were a blatant provocation; Gu Jiu Ling treated them as nothing more than hot air.

Princess Yuanqing stared coldly at Gu Jiu Ling, her eyes full of mockery, thinking she was indeed a fool, foolish without realizing it.

She was only talking, yet she actually accepted; Xiao Yin is also a contemporary hero—how could he have taken such an unpresentable woman?

The mockery in Yuanqing's eyes was clear to Gu Jiu Ling; she slowly straightened her waist, and Yuanqing's gaze at her belly grew even colder.

Gu Jiu Ling laughed: "But to return to the point, I am now pregnant, and my husband won't let me act recklessly. He would be displeased if I duel you."

The surrounding crowd silently despised the Princess Consort of Rui, muttering all day that my husband is always on my lips, fearing others might not know how famous our marital affection is now in Southern Qi, yet they need not flaunt it so much.

Yuanqing looked at Gu Jiu Ling's delicate, husband‑nurtured demeanor and truly felt a surge of murderous intent.

She coldly laughed: "Princess Consort of Rui, if you're scared, that's fine; no need to bring Prince Rui as an excuse. Women of Southern Qi have always been like this—soft and weak, just like our Bei Di lambs, lacking any resolve or courage, unfit for your good Southern Qi men!"

As soon as Princess Yuanqing uttered those words, the noblewomen from Southern Qi who had come to Shang Jing and were watching for amusement began to show strained expressions.

"This is too arrogant," they thought, "to come to Southern Qi and berate all our Shang Jing women; now their looks at Gu Jiu Ling carry a hint of disgust."

All this trouble was caused by that clueless woman, and the others suffered the scolding with her, making the atmosphere tense.

"Your Highness, this statement is erroneous. Our Princess Consort of Rui writes excellently and excels in medicine; if she were to compete with Your Highness in these, she might not even win. Then wouldn't our Princess Consort be laughing at the Bei Di women as uncivilized brutes who can't even read a single character?"

"But indeed! The barbarian women are worthy of Bei Di's fine men!"

Princess Fuqing lightly enunciated the three words "good men," her sarcasm evident. The noblewomen around nodded, thinking that although Princess Fuqing is usually meek, she now dares to stand up against the Bei Di princess, showing she has backbone.

Princess Changping's expression darkened. "What kind of hype is this woman producing?"

Yuanqing did not expect to be publicly rebuked by a sharp‑tongued Southern Qi princess, and instantly became angry; the whip at her waist snapped out, pointing at Princess Fuqing: "If you have the guts, say it again!"

"Princess Yuanqing," Gu Jiu Ling slowly stepped in front of Fuqing, coldly looking at Yuanqing: "It's fine for a national princess to be all about fighting; it's not pleasant to see bloodshed. Since you want to duel me and the matter has come this far, how could I refuse your face?"

"It's just that I am indeed pregnant and not suited for brandishing spears," she paused, "shall we contest in archery instead?"

As soon as Gu Jiu Ling finished speaking, everyone felt a chill; Gu Jiu Ling was truly insane—Bei Di, male or female, are best at mounted archery.

At this moment Gu Jiu Ling actually wanted to compete in archery with Yuanqing; perhaps her brain had been kicked by a donkey? Is that her strong point?

The mocking smile at the corner of Yuanqing's mouth deepened; she thought to herself, "This fool is literally courting death!"

"Princess Consort of Rui! Please!"

Gu Jiu Ling smiled and followed behind Princess Yuanqing, standing on the open ground beneath the willow shade.

Princess Fuqing, not wanting Gu Jiu Ling to truly duel in archery, secretly sweated for her and whispered, pulling at Gu Jiu Ling's sleeve: "Imperial Aunt?"

"Don't worry, you watch the bows and arrows so they aren't tampered with; a corpse with three lives is no fun."

A hint of hesitation flashed in Fuqing's eyes, and she nodded.

That Imperial Aunt could entrust a matter of life and death to her, clearly treating her as an ally; since she had already stood on Imperial Uncle's side, she would follow him even unto death.

She always felt that following Imperial Uncle meant survival—and a good one at that!

Princess Yuanqing removed her outer cloak, revealing a slender yet agile waist, tossed her sleeves aside, and coldly looked at Gu Jiu Ling, smiling: "Who goes first?"

Gu Jiu Ling gave a faint smile: "Your Highness, please!"

Yuanqing let out a cold laugh, letting her go first; this fool knows she can't be ignored. Fine, let these frail Southern Qi women see the bearing of Bei Di women.

"Prepare the target!" Yuanqing shouted.

"No need for a target," Gu Jiu Ling stepped forward, "I, the Princess Consort, will be your target!"

Ah! The noblewomen around gasped! Princess Consort of Rui was truly mad!

Yuanqing also flinched slightly, staring at Gu Jiu Ling as if she thought her ears were malfunctioning and she misheard.

"You will be the target?"

"Yes, I will be the target. Since we're playing, let's play big—let's be each other's target! What, Your Highness, aren't you daring?" Gu Jiu Ling's lips curled in a hint of mockery, but her eyes shone astonishingly.

Yuanqing's eyebrows instantly knit: "Fine! Let's play big!"

"Then! Princess Consort of Rui, please!"

Gu Jiu Ling, cradling her belly, slowly moved to stand in front of a person‑high Taihu stone a short distance away, and ordered a palace maid to bring a bright red apple and place it atop her head.

Yuanqing's eyes narrowed, she muttered a curse of "seeking death," thinking Gu Jiu Ling looked down on her archery skill and believed she couldn't hit that apple.

She slowly drew the bow; her flawless face was extremely cold, lips tightly pressed from tension.

Saying she wasn't nervous was false; she merely wanted to squeeze Gu Jiu Ling, but not truly to kill her—otherwise Xiao Yin would never cease.

Thinking of Xiao Yin, Yuanqing's complexion darkened further, and she drew the bow a few more inches.

Just as the arrowhead was about to be released, Gu Jiu Ling suddenly raised her arm: "Wait!"

Yuanqing's brows furrowed, she lowered the bow, and coldly stared: "What? Are you scared?"

"If you're scared, then beg me!"

Gu Jiu Ling laughed: "I'm not scared, I'm thirsty!"

She abruptly took the apple off her head, Crunch! Crunch! she bit into it, and after a moment only the core remained, which she carefully placed on her head, shrugged at Yuanqing, whistled, and said, "Come on! so"

easy！」

Yuan Qing...