Chapter 19: A Gentleman Does Not Delay Revenge

Tianxiang Hall.

Accompanied by a burst of miscellaneous noises.

Not far away, dozens of people gathered in a courtyard.

Li Ji seemed unusually excited and rushed toward the crowd.

The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs looked especially nervous, fearing that the Grandson might get hurt.

Gu Jin Nian walked calmly.

Grandfather Bai Ying followed behind and explained to Gu Jin Nian.

"His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Those are the heirs of Prince Qin, Prince Wei, Prince Jin, Prince Hui, and several princesses."

Grandfather Bai Ying smiled.

"Prince Qin, Prince Wei, Prince Jin?"

Gu Jin Nian glanced over.

He paid particular attention to the heirs of Prince Qin, Prince Wei, and Prince Jin.

Prince Qin and Prince Wei are half‑brothers of the current Crown Prince, both sons of Empress Guo.

The three have been close since childhood, while Prince Jin is the son of his uncle's most favored concubine and is also especially pampered; the other princes are just ordinary.

However, Prince Qin and Prince Wei are not to be trifled with—everybody in Da Xia knows Prince Qin resembles the Yongsheng Emperor in both temperament and disposition, and during the Jiande calamity he was always at the forefront, earning numerous feats; now he commands the Da Xia Heavenly Strategy Army and holds real power.

It can be said that without Prince Qin, his uncle might not have been able to seize the throne.

As for Prince Wei, he is the Chief Commander of the Suspended Lantern Office, wielding great authority; Gu Jin Nian's Sixth Uncle works under Prince Wei.

Prince Jin, on the other hand, is moderate and has no ambition, so he remains untroubled.

He glanced over again.

The Crown Prince of Prince Qin is estimated to be about eighteen years old, and Prince Wei's heir is similar.

In theory, the heirs of Prince Qin and Prince Wei are not these two; they originally had several older brothers, all of whom died in the Jiande calamity.

Hence the two became heirs.

The Crown Prince of Prince Qin wears a teal brocade robe, looking rather refined; the Crown Prince of Prince Wei looks a bit roguish, his eyes scanning left and right—perhaps inherited from his father, who is the Chief Commander of the Suspended Lantern Office, and has picked up some of that demeanor.

"What are they doing?"

Gu Jin Nian asked curiously; a dozen people were gathered nearby, and he didn't know what they were playing.

"Return, Crown Prince."

"I suppose the Grandson and the various heirs are testing their bravery."

Grandfather Bai Ying replied.

"Testing bravery?"

Gu Jin Nian was intrigued—what kind of game is this? "Your Highness the Crown Prince may not know; this is a pastime from the Border Pasture."

"It's a clamping device with dozens of mechanisms; one spot, when pressed, automatically clamps the fingers without harming the skin. It's what the Grandson and his peers use to test courage."

Grandfather Bai Ying answered with a smile.

"Testing courage?"

Gu Jin Nian felt oddly dim‑witted.

He walked over but did not get close, merely looking at the clamp, which wasn't very large—shaped like a beast's mouth, the teeth being the mechanisms.

Isn't this just a puzzle toy? Damn, they're really dim‑wits.

Using this to test courage? Were ancient people really this bored?

Not far away, Gu Jin Nian felt these people were indeed rather dull.

But on reflection, it's understandable; these heirs and the Grandson, though outwardly splendid, have yet to receive crowns.

Having spent years in the palace or the princely manor, indulging in fine food and drink, they lack real life experience aside from studying, and have little entertainment; even visiting a brothel makes them nervous, their minds still somewhat juvenile.

Gu Jin Nian, having lived two lifetimes, naturally cannot be as childish as they are.

He shook his head and decided to simply enjoy the palace scenery.

He left the area and let Grandfather Bai Ying give him a tour.

Thus time passed slowly, and in the blink of an eye half an hour slipped by.

During that half hour, Gu Jin Nian surveyed the palace scenery and had to admit there was no modern atmosphere; it truly gave an indescribable feeling.

Moreover, the palace maids were all delicate and beautiful; he couldn't find a single ugly one.

Plump and slender beauties were everywhere, sparking endless imagination.

Yet, while Gu Jin Nian was strolling, several figures appeared from the opposite side.

"Hm."

Accompanied by a faint cold snort, Gu Jin Nian couldn't help turning his gaze.

Leading them was an elder in his sixties, though in this world where immortals and martial heroes coexist, appearances tend to be a decade older.

The elder's head was white, he wore a second‑rank brocade robe, his look was unfriendly as he stared at Gu Jin Nian, and the cold snort was clearly directed at him.

"Minister of Rites, Yang Kai?"

With a single glance, Gu Jin Nian knew who it was.

Da Xia's Minister of Rites Yang Kai.

Second‑rank Celestial Officer.

He is also the Great Scholar of the current court, whose status and reputation are paramount.

Who would have thought to meet Yang Kai inside the imperial palace?

Yet, what does that cold snort mean? Gu Jin Nian slightly frowned but said nothing, merely giving the other a look.

Sensing Gu Jin Nian's gaze sweep toward him, Yang Kai's voice involuntarily sounded.

"Grandfather Xu, later send people to sweep the courtyard inside and out; this is the imperial palace, Da Xia sacred land, so don't let any filth cling."

Yang Kai spoke; he wasn't looking for trouble with Gu Jin Nian, but the words were almost as if directed at Gu Jin Nian.

When the voice sounded, Gu Jin Nian felt like laughing.

"You scoundrel, it's one thing that your granddaughter wronged me, but you, a Minister of Rites of such stature, who has lived seventy‑or‑eighty years, do you really have no brain at all? Come up here and start shouting? Bullying your own child?" Gu Jin Nian felt a spark of anger; the matter with Zhou Ning hadn't been settled, and now you're messing with my mindset? Is this just bullying a child? My own grandfather is here—do you dare say such a thing?

At that moment, Gu Jin Nian's voice involuntarily sounded.

"What a gentleman walks upon is all pure land; what a petty person looks at is all filth."

The voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone's ears.

In an instant, the Minister of Rites' gaze snapped toward him, cold in his eyes.

To onlookers, this was perfectly normal.

Yang Kai certainly despised Gu Jin Nian. First, because Gu Jin Nian flirted with his granddaughter; second, because Gu Jin Nian insulted his old yet undying self.

Moreover, to settle the matter, he forced him to take a direct admission slot at Da Xia Academy.

It wasn't that the slot was important; rather, Yang Kai, being upright and a proper Minister of Rites, had to let Gu Jin Nian go to Da Xia Academy because of his own reasons, which not only ruined his integrity but also brought disgrace to Da Xia Academy.

Thus his anger was natural, and to everyone it seemed not at all out of place.

What no one expected was that Gu Jin Nian actually dared to retort: "How audacious."

A scolding voice rang out, and Yang Kai met his gaze coldly.

Accompanying Yang Kai's rebuke, Gu Jin Nian cared not at all.

"You also call yourself a gentleman?"

"Truly a defilement."

"At such a tender age, you are unlearned and incompetent, tarnishing the Gu Family's reputation, relying on family power to act recklessly; people like you will become a great calamity in the future."

"If it weren't for the respect owed to the Duke, you kind of person, I would have already taken action to teach you a lesson."

Yang Kai spoke, and immediately launched into a barrage of insults.

This truly ignited Gu Jin Nian's anger.

But before Gu Jin Nian could speak, Yang Kai's voice sounded again.

"Shut up."

"I have no time to quarrel with you here."

"You schemed to obtain a Da Xia Academy slot, enough for you to grin, yet you still boast here shamelessly."

"Outside, I won't speak of you, out of respect for your status."

"If, after you enter Da Xia Academy, you still dare such disrespect for rites, disregard for teachers, and reckless behavior, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Yang Kai's speech was exceedingly impassioned, making it clear he was looking for trouble with Gu Jin Nian.

And he kept emphasizing the matter of Da Xia Academy.

What made Gu Jin Nian most angry was that Yang Kai gave him no chance; after a lecture, he walked straight toward the courtyard.

But this wasn't out of fear; he truly had urgent business and was too lazy to argue.

Yang Kai left.

Leaving behind a calm‑faced Gu Jin Nian.

He knew Yang Kai harbored great resentment toward him.

But that is not a reason for the other party to pick a fight with him.

"His Highness the Crown Prince, please don't be angry; Lord Yang merely has some pent‑up frustration, not directed at you."

"His Highness the Crown Prince, please don't act rashly."

At that moment, Bai Ying Gong Gong hurriedly spoke, trying to calm Gu Jin Nian's anger.

"I understand, Grandfather, rest assured."

"Alright, return to Heaven Fragrance Hall."

Gu Jin Nian nodded; he knew he couldn't go to pick a fight with Yang Kai.

But this loss, he couldn't accept.

A gentleman's revenge need not wait ten years.

Hearing Gu Jin Nian's reply, Bai Ying Gong Gong felt a surge of joy and couldn't help admiring Gu Jin Nian's cleverness; had it been Crown Prince Taishun, it would have erupted long ago.

Soon.

Bai Ying Gong Gong escorted Gu Jin Nian back to Heaven Fragrance Hall.

Along the way, Gu Jin Nian appeared somewhat preoccupied.

Two matters occupied his mind: first, curiosity why Yang Kai's rebuke left him without resentment.

Second, scheming revenge for later.

At this moment.

Within Heaven Fragrance Garden.

Li Ji still played that strange "foreign tribe" clamping game with the Crown Prince of Qin and others.

Gu Jin Nian stood aside, watching casually, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

He did not know why there was no resentment.

Perhaps it was because of Confucianism and Daoism.

But that was not important; the important thing was how to retaliate, using his own means.

Unable to devise a plan immediately, Gu Jin Nian could only turn his gaze toward the group.

At this moment, the clamping game still had the last two mechanisms left, meaning one of them must be the trigger object.

Pressed it wrong, a bout of hand pain was inevitable.

With all ten fingers, this thing gives an absolutely thrilling pinch.

Li Ji, however, also had the guts; after choosing one, he didn't hesitate at all and pressed it directly.

Some timid princesses closed their eyes one by one, looking fearful.

But Li Ji was lucky; he didn't trigger any trap.

In an instant, Li Ji's smug laugh rang out.

"Choose one of two, I dare to pick—say, am I Da Xia's number one warrior?"

Li Ji's voice sounded.

He was proud; after all, with a fifty‑percent chance, the others truly didn't dare choose, only he did.

Although the method was very childish, one must admit, this guy is indeed a tiger.

"It's only the third round, keep going, keep going."

"Yeah, just the third round, two more rounds, best of five."

The Crown Prince of Qin and the Crown Prince of Wei were clearly dissatisfied and demanded to continue.

These peers, that's all they're good for.

Watching His Highness the Great-Grandson's smugness, in an instant Gu Jin Nian's mind conjured a plan.

A perfect plan for revenge.

At that moment, the Crown Prince of Wei, who had been looking around, couldn't help but fix his gaze on Gu Jin Nian.

"Uncle Jin Nian, you came too."

He spoke, a friendly smile on his face, greeting Gu Jin Nian.

(End of chapter)