Chapter 247: A Loss Is a Loss

Lin Rujun turned her head in surprise and looked at Cheng Ming, who had grabbed her arm; the bout was over, they had compared sword techniques, they had quarreled, what more does he want?

Lin Rujun stared coldly at the hand holding her arm, then lifted her head to meet Cheng Ming's eyes.

"Young marquis, what do you mean?"

Cheng Ming let out a soft laugh, not knowing why this woman had tricked him today, defeating him with a bizarre move; instead of anger, he felt a hint of admiration.

This woman was clever both in fighting and swordplay, a mind worthy of Cheng Ming.

Cheng Ming smiled faintly: "Since this is a wager, we must state the outcome."

"Now that you've defeated me, I'm willing to accept defeat; how does the lady intend to deal with me?"

Lin Rujun froze, not understanding what Cheng Ming was saying; she coldly looked at him and said, "Lost is lost, that's all. Young marquis, what else do you wish to say?"

Cheng Ming chuckled lightly: "I said earlier, if I won, you would become my wife. Now that I've lost, there was a second half I didn't utter; listen carefully now."

"The second half is: if I lose, I will become your husband, at your disposal. How does that sound?"

Lin Rujun's eyes widened; the surrounding spectators stared at Cheng Ming in disbelief as if meeting him for the first time, having never seen such shamelessness. Whether win or lose, it's just...?"

Lin Rujun's pretty face flushed red, she forcefully shook off Cheng Ming's arm, and said, "Defeated underling, what right do you have to discuss conditions?"

"Fine, since you lost, I decide what the wager is."

"One hundred taels of silver."

Lin Rujun extended her hand toward Cheng Ming; the smile on Cheng Ming's face gradually stiffened as he stared at the delicate, jade‑white hand before him, his complexion darkening.

Any clever person could tell that Lin Rujun was unwilling to marry him, which made Cheng Ming feel as if he had fallen into hell, his whole body turning icy.

He lifted his gaze to Lin Rujun, then sneered, slowly pulling a silver note worth one hundred taels from his sleeve and slapping it onto her hand.

"Right, you are correct. The victor becomes king, the loser a bandit; the rules of the contest are set by the winner. One hundred taels of silver to you."

Lin Rujun hadn't expected the young marquis to say that, effectively letting her go easily; she clenched the silver note tightly, waved at Cheng Ming, turned, and strode out.

The anxious Princess who had been watching from there finally breathed a sigh of relief; she knew her son liked Liu Rujun, but across the entire Shang Jing Linru Army, this girl was certainly not a suitable match nor fit to become her son's daughter‑in‑law for the Cheng family to prosper.

She had truly worried that her son might act on a whim; now that the marriage in Jiangling was settled, it would be hard to speak up. In her heart a new hope arose—wasn't it just the eldest daughter of the neighboring family? Their lineage and status were far below the Princess's household, yet they somehow won her son's favor, being picky and indecisive, and she couldn't tell who gave them such ideas and courage. Still, the Princess said nothing; although her son had been coldly rejected, he could no longer become a daughter‑in‑law of the Cheng family, which relieved her. She then refocused on the flamboyantly dressed young ladies before her; though many were shallow, a few possessed an outstanding aura.

He was about to call his son over to ask his opinion, but the son had already chased after Lin Rujun's direction. The Princess was completely disheartened, and the banquet atmosphere grew tense. Fortunately it was Plum‑Viewing Night; after sitting for a while, everyone took their wine and went into the plum grove to enjoy the scenery.

The Princess's plum grove was the largest in all of Shang Jing; its scenery was the finest spot for enjoying views. In an instant, people cast aside the earlier tumultuous episode and became engrossed in the forest's beauty.

Here Gu Jiu Ling slipped out of the industry committee venue, hiding in the back courtyard's classroom; the music theory was pure. In this place, a month ago Gu Jiu Ling had helped Cheng Ming with a major surgery; the courtyard still remained. Now Gu Jiu Ling was resting in confinement; his month was advanced and no one dared disturb him, since the reputation of the Yue Prince's Residence was not pleasant, having offended the Princess Consort, and who knows how it would end, perhaps even death.

He sat in the cable car, leaning on a couch; meanwhile Jiu Yue was in front of him, massaging his legs. At this time Gu Jiu Ling, whose unborn child was already far along, felt his legs swelling and aching, while Yun Duo got up on the side.

Jiu Yue lifted her gaze to Gu Jiu Ling, incredulously: "Isn't it improper that your family's Lin girl was left there alone just now?"

Jiu Yue recalled the earlier scene and gave a wry smile to herself; leaving Jiangling girl there alone was indeed quite aggravating.

Gu Jiu Ling laughed softly: "You don't understand, do you? What do you think of the young marquis?"

Jiu Yue's attendant whispered a laugh: "The young He's temper is not much, that's also a matter of chivalrous righteousness. He deals with people sincerely."

Gu Jiu Ling nodded: "Because of that, I think this is a good marriage match. Moreover, I can't explain why I feel Lin girl and Little Lotus Leaf are especially well paired."

Jiu Yue's attendant finally understood: Princess Wang Fei had merely taken the initiative to matchmake Lin girl with the young marquis. Hearing the master say so, the two indeed seemed to fit.

Suddenly a burst of laughter came from outside: "Has Princess Consort rested? Come over to pay respects to the Princess Consort."

Gu Jiu Ling, hearing a woman's bright laugh for the first time, sat up instantly; Jiu Yue hurried to the doorway and pulled back the curtain.

He saw Madam Zhao of the Zhao family bringing her daughter‑in‑law, Miss Jinzhi, walking in slowly.

At that moment, his mind cleared; he rose quickly, looking at Madam Zhao, whose lively and generous nature was well known. Gu Jiu Ling, previously unfamiliar with the Zhao family, now saw why Zhao Xiao Yin had once arranged for Su Wan to marry Zhao Lang. Xiao Yin's judgment was sharp; the Zhao family were not bad, even quite sincere, and marrying into them was a blessing. Yet now Zhao Lang's slight prejudice against Xiao Yin made the interfamily relations somewhat strained.

Fortunately, Madam Zhao, being sensible, tightly held Jinzhi's hand as she entered; Gu Jiu Ling bowed and offered his blessings.

"Madam Zhao, no need for formalities, please proceed quickly with the ceremony."

Gu Jiu Ling rose, and Yun Duo presented a tea cup; only then did Gu Jiu Ling focus on the seated Madam Zhao and the delicate scene, suddenly noticing how harmonious the mother‑in‑law and daughter‑in‑law relationship was. Jinzhi, obedient as ever, followed behind Madam Zhao, like a reflection of her, bringing her own daughter to the banquet.