Chapter 707: There Are Plenty of Means 【Thank You! Again, Thank You! 40k Words Owed】

"Second Brother Gu, from the way you speak, you already know what happened in the Yu family's tent yesterday?"

Liang Han, sitting beside him, asked.

Gu Tingye breathed heavily a few times, then nodded: "Yes. I found out last night."

Xu Zaijing's face showed surprise: "Huh? How did you find out, Second Brother?"

Qi Heng's face was equally puzzled.

Gu Tingye spoke with disdain:

"Hmph! As the saying goes: if the top beam is crooked, the bottom one will be too! That young Master Yu and his wife are greedy and stingy—of course their subordinates follow suit."

"This afternoon, when we returned to the city, I sent Qiuniang to wait near the Yu residence. I spent five taels of silver, and the Yu family's head maid told me the whole story."

Seeing Xu Zaijing and Qi Heng lost in thought, Gu Tingye's face filled with guilt: "All these years, her life with the Yu family has been hard."

"That Gu Shi only dotes on her own two children; she treats her like a burden, constantly scolding and insulting her. If not for the old Master Yu and his wife caring for her, who knows what would've happened!"

"Yu Yanhong, as a younger sister, resents how much the old Master and Lady Yu dote on her, and she never gives her a kind look."

After speaking, Gu Tingye angrily punched his own thigh: "If I'd known all this earlier, I never would've acted so recklessly yesterday!"

Xu Zaijing sipped his drink from a porcelain cup and said calmly: "It's not too late to know now."

Those around him nodded and smiled.

Gu Tingye said seriously: "Five Brother is right!"

"Second Uncle, has the wedding date been set?" Qi Heng asked.

Gu Tingye shook his head: "Not yet. Mother said after the preliminary betrothal papers are exchanged, she'll personally ask a master to pick an auspicious day."

Xu Zaijing was about to speak when Gu Tingye added: "But Mother also said that given the Yu family's situation, the sooner the wedding, the better—otherwise, who knows what trouble might arise?"

Xu Zaijing put down his cup, glanced at Gu Tingye's personal maid Qiuniang, then said: "Your aunt is right."

"But if you marry before the New Year, you'll miss your chance to win the jade carving at Jinming Pond!"

Gu Tingye was stunned: "That's right! If you hadn't mentioned it, I'd have forgotten entirely!"

After a moment's thought, Gu Tingye shook his head: "Forget it. Marriage matters more."

Liang Han chuckled: "Second Brother Gu, by next year, I bet that Huang family brat from Shoushan Marquis's household will be frantic trying to win that peony jade carving."

Gu Tingye's expression shifted, then he nodded: "Six Brother, when that time comes, don't hold back just because I dislike him—if you can help, help him."

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head: "Do you really have to say that?"

At that moment, a female official walked toward the tent entrance.

Xu Zaijing and the others immediately rose.

The female official bowed with a smile: "My lords, the Empress has just removed a jade ring as the prize. Those who wish to compete may prepare now."

"Teng."

Gu Tingye sprang to his feet and looked around: "Five Brother, Six Brother, lend me your strength today!"

Before he finished speaking, the female official smiled: "Second Master Gu, the Empress said the four competitors must be two men and two women."

"Ah?" Gu Tingye froze.

Xu Zaijing smiled: "Then bring Yanran over, and add Tingyi—it'll be enough."

Gu Tingye's eyes lit up.

Qi Heng and Liang Han nodded in agreement. Liang Han said: "Fifth Brother, why don't you join? You've got a better chance!"

Gu Tingye looked at Xu Zaijing with pleading eyes.

"Fine."

Xu Zaijing nodded.

Seeing this, Gu Tingye quickly waved: "Qiuniang, go find Tingyi right away!"

Not far from the Empress's tent,

in the Chai family's tent,

Madam Chai sat in the center, with her daughter-in-law Lu Shi beside her.

Several seats below held a few noble ladies from the capital who were close to Chai Zhengzheng.

Qiuniang stood near the tent entrance and said: "Miss, Second Master asks you to go to the Yu family's tent and bring Yanran along with Fifth Master Xu to compete for the prize."

"Huh? Is Fifth Master Xu going to compete?" Zhang Wu niang, holding a green apricot, exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, Fifth Lady."

Gu Tingyi immediately rose, bowed to Madam Chai: "Madam, Lady Lu, sisters, I'll be going now."

"Go, go quickly! I've been eager to see Fifth Master Xu play polo!" Zhang Wu niang laughed.

Gu Tingyi smiled and left the Chai tent with her maid.

Not long after Gu Tingyi departed, a young female servant arrived at the Chai tent.

She was a maid from the Lu family of Lian State Duke.

Lu Shi, Chai Jin's eldest daughter-in-law, smiled: "Does the Duke's mansion have news?"

The young maid bowed and replied: "Second Miss, Lady Lu sent me to say that the marriage between the Gu and Yu families will most likely be held before the New Year."

"The Lady Gu herself told the Empress just now."

Lu Shi and Madam Chai exchanged glances and nodded: "Thank you for passing on the message to your mistress."

Madam Chai smiled: "Reward her."

The young maid bowed happily: "Thank you, Madam! Thank you, Second Miss!"

After the young maid left to collect her reward,

Madam Chai laughed to the ladies in the tent: "No wonder the Empress personally provided a prize today—the reason is clear now."

Zhang Wu niang laughed: "If they marry before the New Year, Second Master Gu won't get a chance to win the prize at Jinming Pond."

Chai Zhengzheng nodded slightly: "I wonder who else besides Second Master Gu will compete."

Soon,

the eight competitors lined up on the field's edge, mounted.

Because Xu Zaijing had drawn attention yesterday,

today he merely sat on his small black mare, his arm wraps and headband tied, drawing many glances from the tents lining the field.

Due to Xu Zaijing's stature and the small mare's withers, he sat half a head taller than Gu Tingye beside him.

Xu Zaijing held his position on the inner side; across the referee and the incense table, he could see his opponents.

It was Qin Chi, of the Dongchang Marquis's Qin family—whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

This fellow had lain low since the Qingfeng Tower crossbow incident, even ruining the reputation of Lady Hong, who lost her chance at promotion and was sent to Xingqing Prefecture.

Xu Zaijing's latest news of him came when Qin Chi's cronies delivered the betrothal gifts for the Qin family.

The Dongchang Marquis's household had some kinship with the Empress; after the scandal faded, this fellow had reappeared.

His teammate was Wei Faqi of the Fuan Marquis's Wei family; the two women were unfamiliar to Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing turned to look at Gu Tingyi beside him.

Gu Tingyi, who had known Xu Zaijing since childhood, understood his glance and whispered: "Fifth Brother, the two ladies are from the Tian family of Huixian Count and the Ma family of Jinxiang Marquis."

Xu Zaijing nodded slightly.

"Today, I hope Fifth Brother will go easy on us!" Qin Chi said with a broad smile.

Xu Zaijing gave a cold, polite nod: "Of course. Of course."

After greeting Xu Zaijing, Qin Chi leaned over to look at Gu Tingye: "Second Brother, how is your cousin lately? With your wedding approaching, congratulations!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Yanran shrank back and hid beside Gu Tingyi.

Gu Tingye's lips curled into a faint smile as he gripped his polo stick and bowed: "Thank you, Brother Qin, for your concern. How are your leg and knee now?"

Qin Chi's smile froze. At Qingfeng Tower, his leg and knee had been badly injured by the jade pendant Xu Zaijing hurled with force.

"Start the game!" the referee called.

"Dang!"

At the sound of the gong,

Xu Zaijing shot forward like a bolt.

Watching the polo field,

Imperial Prince Zhao Fang laughed: "Mother, now that there's a prize, Jingge and the others play polo far better than before."

The Empress sighed: "Fang'er, you've offended every noble lady playing today with that remark."

The ladies in the main tent laughed behind their fans.

Gao Taotao, her eyes crinkling, pointed her fan at the field: "Empress, look how Lady Tian keeps circling Lady Yu—she must know Lady Yu's polo skills are mediocre."

"But she didn't expect Fifth Master Xu and Second Master Gu won't pass her the ball at all."

No sooner had Taotao finished speaking—

"Pam!"

A sharp crack of the stick sent the ball flying halfway across the field and straight into the goal.

"Bravo!"

Imperial Prince Zhao Fang stood and clapped enthusiastically.

When Zhao Fang sat back down,

the Yao family lady beside him remarked: "We've seen the two young masters from the Xu and Gu families play before, but today they're unusually fierce—A Qin's team hasn't scored a single goal yet."

Xie Yun, who had been in the Xie family tent yesterday and now sat in the Empress's tent, said nothing, only stared intently at Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye riding and swinging their sticks.

"Yun-jie, what are you thinking about?"

The Empress's gentle voice came through.

Xie Yun jolted awake and quickly rose to bow: "My lady, I was just thinking how skillfully the two young masters on the field coordinated, and whether Xu Wu could catch the ball bare-handed if Gu Er swung his mallet."

Then a soft laugh echoed from the tent.

The outcome was unquestionably a victory for Xu Zaijing and his team.

Moreover, Yu Yanran, Xu Zaijing, and two others mercilessly prevented their opponents from scoring a single point.

Back at the field's edge,

everyone dismounted,

Gu Tingye stared at the Empress's jade ring on the table and moved to rush over.

Xu Zaijing quickly pulled Gu Tingye back and said, "Second Young Master, let Tingyi fetch it."

Gu Tingye: "Huh?" Then he nodded quickly: "Fifth Young Master is right."

Afterwards,

Madam Wu solemnly handed the Empress's jade ring to Gu Tingyi.

Tingyi then took Yanran's hand and raised the prize together.

After thanking the Empress, Gu Tingyi smiled and slipped the jade ring into Yanran's hand.

When Xu Zaijing and the others returned to their tents, other noble ladies and officials' wives offered fine gifts as prizes, prompting young lords and ladies to organize matches to compete for them.

The sun set behind the mountains,

the afterglow faded,

the polo match had long disbanded.

Within the inner city of Bianjing,

Bianyang Neighborhood

the Yu residence,

not far from the Yu family compound stood a vast estate belonging to Tian family, one of Bianjing's most renowned wealthy households.

Logically, the Tian family, as merchants, should not have been neighbors to the Yu family, a bureaucratic lineage.

But the Tian family was too rich: they spent enormous sums to have their clan members marry several imperial clan ladies, and their daughters frequently wed successful jinshi graduates.

Thus, the Tian family was no longer merely merchants.

Along the street within the neighborhood

Young Master Yu sat in his carriage with eyes closed, lost in thought after leaving office.

"Are you Master Yu in person?"

A polite inquiry came from outside the carriage.

Young Master Yu opened his eyes, lifted the curtain, and frowned outward.

"I am the steward of the Tian family. My lord saw your carriage and sent me to pay his respects to Master Yu."

Seeing the well-dressed steward outside, Young Master Yu smiled and said, "Thank your lord for his kindness. Please convey my regards to your master."

"Yes, Master! I shall deliver your message! When your household has a wedding feast in the coming days, my lord humbly requests an invitation." The Tian steward bowed respectfully.

"Hahaha! Distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors—of course, of course!" Young Master Yu laughed.

After a few more words, the carriage continued toward the Yu residence.

Once at a distance,

Young Master Yu muttered coldly: "Now that he saw me, he still sends a steward to speak? What an arrogant Tian family!"

The personal guard outside glanced around and hurriedly said, "Master, the Tian family is a long-established wealthy household in Bianjing! Their in-laws include imperial clans and high officials—their influence cannot be underestimated."

"Not just you—even Old Master shows them deference."

"Hmm." Young Master Yu, now understanding, hummed in agreement.

Soon,

back at the Yu residence,

Young Master Yu first paid respects to his father and mother before returning to his own courtyard.

Seeing the courtyard with few maids and old women, Young Master Yu frowned in confusion.

Entering the main chamber,

he saw Gu Shi sitting at the dining table, eyes vacant, tears streaming down her face. He quickened his steps and asked, "Wife, what's wrong today?"

Gu Shi wiped her tears but said nothing.

"What happened? Where are the maids and old women?" Young Master Yu asked anxiously.

Gu Shi shook her head: "Husband, I sent them away so they wouldn't see me like this."

"Has Father scolded you again?" Young Master Yu sat beside her, concerned.

Gu Shi shook her head: "No, Father-in-law hasn't scolded me. I'm just pained thinking about the future of our Second Son and Third Daughter."

Young Master Yu nodded: "Second Son is indeed lazy with his studies, but with Father and me, he'll still have a future! Why distress yourself so?"

"By the way, Mother mentioned yesterday that Yanran's marriage is settled—do you know which family?"

Gu Shi burst into tears: "It's Gu family's Second Young Master—the Ningyuan Marquis's household."

"Gu family? The Gu family who helped found the dynasty?" Young Master Yu's eyes lit up with delight.

"Yes!" Gu Shi nodded.

"Clap!"

Young Master Yu couldn't help but clap his hands: "Oof! I never expected—Mother managed to find such an excellent match for Yanran!"

"I thought it would be some young master from Sheng family! No wonder my colleagues kept smiling at me today! Now I understand!"

Seeing Gu Shi still wiping tears, Young Master Yu said, "Wife, we have such good news—why are you crying?"

Gu Shi looked up, earnestly saying: "Husband, Yanran and Second Son aren't full siblings. Once she marries into the Gu household, she might forget about her younger brother."

"Who knows? She might even resent us for what we did years ago. When we're old, who will care for Second Son and the others?"

A flicker of hesitation crossed Young Master Yu's face.

He had always known Gu Shi had seized Yanran's biological mother Fan Damu's dowry—he had chosen to pretend ignorance.

After all, if Gu Shi hadn't seized it, those assets would have gone with Yanran to another household!

Young Master Yu shook his head, hesitating: "Yanran's nature is always gentle—she'd never do what you suggest. After all, this is her natal home! Without family support, she'd be bullied."

Gu Shi wiped her tears and said urgently: "Husband, why not arrange for Yanhong to marry into the Gu household? Then Second Son is her own brother—she'd naturally care for him!"

Young Master Yu glared: "Nonsense! How can the youngest daughter marry before her elder siblings are wed? People would laugh at our family!"

Gu Shi lowered her voice: "Husband, look at the Gu family—they want our Yu family's reputation as a scholarly, bureaucratic lineage to shed their military brute image. They're marrying a Yu girl—why not take Yanhong? In a few days, arrange a match for Second Son, then find an excuse to prevent Yanran from marrying in."

Young Master Yu shook his head repeatedly: "Father and Mother won't allow it!"

Gu Shi lifted her chin: "Then make them allow it! Say she's frail, injured, barren, scarred—there are plenty of ways!"

Young Master Yu frowned: "You! You can't do this! She's my daughter too!"

Gu Shi said urgently:

"Husband, think! Lady Bai, the Marquis's wife, comes from Yangzhou's top salt merchant family—immensely wealthy! For years, under her management, the Ningyuan Marquis household has earned fortunes beyond measure! Even the scraps from her fingers would suffice for our household's expenses!"

"If Yanhong marries in and learns of our careful planning, how could she fail to treat us well? But if Yanran marries in—"

Young Master Yu said: "Tsk! This won't do… no! Let me think… let me think…"

Watching him say "no" while nodding repeatedly, Gu Shi's lips curled into a faint cold smile.

(End of Chapter)