Chapter 310: Lord Xiao Wants a Beating

Gu Rongjin finished presenting the congratulatory gift, returned and sat down, saw two extra plates of pastries on the table, without thinking picked them up and ate; this action drew the attention of a nearby palace maid who hadn't walked away, she turned and glanced at him twice.

He caught it out of the corner of his eye, quickly spat out what was in his mouth, and asked Mu Yuanzhi: "Little Yuanzhi, you haven't eaten this plate of pastries, have you?"

Mu Yuanzhi shook her head. "What's wrong?"

"Maybe there's something fishy." Gu Rongjin said, pricking it with a silver needle.

Non-toxic.

Being non-toxic doesn't prove anything.

Earlier, when they were in Yingxu State, they had eaten Dead Vine Water, which was also non-toxic, and a silver needle couldn't detect anything at all.

"It's unlikely they'd do something so blatant, but something hidden like Dead Vine Water is possible." Mu Yuanzhi said.

"There might be more than one person here trying to get rid of us." Gu Rongjin said, his gaze turning to the Xiao Family side.

"So I won't eat or drink any of today's tea and pastries." Mu Yuanzhi said.

Since falling into the Dead Vine Water trap in Yingxu State last time, she has become much more cautious about what she eats and drinks, mainly because she is no longer alone; there's also the baby in her belly, making caution even more necessary.

Gu Rongjin: "Well said, but if we both refuse to eat and drink, it might look a bit odd. I'll just pretend to drink, then pour it into my sleeve—though it feels wet and sticky and unpleasant."

The banquet has proceeded to this point, with song and dance performed several times in rotation; next up is the martial demonstration segment.

As soon as this segment began, Gu Rongjin knew he couldn't avoid it; sure enough, after those strongmen lost, the new emperor summoned him out.

Gu Rongjin isn't a famed undefeated general; his reputation outside is nothing special, those foreign envoys look down on him, and naturally he got beaten black and blue.

"Amazing! Amazing! Heroes emerge from youth!"

Foreigners applauded in unison, someone questioned: "Lord Gu's martial skill is so superb, is he the bravest and strongest person in your country?"

"Sure!" Gu Rongjin didn't wait for the new emperor's nod, and immediately admitted it.

Though it's hard to say for the whole world, among those present, surely none are his equal; this confidence, Gu Rongjin naturally possesses.

However, just as his words fell, a moderate tapping sound came— it was Xiao Yichen setting down his tea cup; he rose and said: "Lord Gu, why don't we practice a few moves?"

What?!

Xiao Yichen actually wants to spar with Gu Rongjin?

Many thought he was crazy!

Qi Shihuai even more directly mocked: "Secretary Xiao, have you been drinking? Compared to Lord Gu's skill, yours is like a petty witch seeing a great witch!"

That remark was practically a double blow.

Once exalted Senior Grand Secretary Xiao is now merely a Sixth-Rank official of the Imperial Court of Justice, inferior to others, having lost his fiancée and his post— does he still want to bring disgrace upon himself?

Lose again and he'll lose all face, inside and out!

Many wore the expression of watching a show; the once court‑flattering Senior Grand Secretary, whom civil and military officials used to fawn over, is now just a petty official— no one pays him any heed.

In their eyes, the Xiao Family is no different from a jumping clown.

Xiao Yichen merely gave Qi Shihuai a cold glance; regarding this red‑hot figure before the new emperor, the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Xiao Yichen couldn't care less— his only opponent is Gu Rongjin!

"Lord Gu won't be scared, will he?" Xiao Yichen goaded.

Mu Yuanzhi, however, differed from them; she furrowed her brows, her gaze falling on the witch doctor beside Xiao Yichen, worrying that the witch doctor might be up to something furtive.

Otherwise, why would Xiao Yichen suddenly want to fight Gu Rongjin for no reason?

He hasn't been provoked; his emotions are stable, certainly not a momentary impulse to contend with Gu Rongjin over superiority.

Then he must have come prepared, intending to play a dirty trick!

"Lord Gu, be careful." Mu Yuanzhi whispered a reminder to Gu Rongjin.

Whatever she could think of, Gu Rongjin could naturally think of as well; but no matter what, his dictionary lacks the word "fear"— previously he hid his true ability to disguise himself, now there's no need.

Moreover, since someone came to the door looking for a beating, he couldn't possibly refuse to oblige, could he?

"Don't worry, my love; I'll settle a personal score for you right away and give him a sound thrashing."

Having said that, he took off his robe, stretched, and said: "Since Lord Xiao so desires a sound thrashing, this prince is naturally duty‑bound to comply!"

There's a good show to watch!

Those who were a bit drowsy are now wide awake, sitting upright, ready to watch this love‑rival showdown; anyone not blind knows Xiao Yichen still harbors old feelings for Mu Yuanzhi— doesn't that strike a nerve in Gu Rongjin?

Their respective powers are said to be vastly different; just thinking about it makes it exciting.

The people of Great Zhou think this way; those foreign guests, unaware of the details, see Xiao Yichen's aura and assume this will be a splendid fierce battle.

Everyone saw just how capable Gu Rongjin was in beating them a moment ago— what about Lord Xiao? Isn't he equally unwilling to yield?

Is Great Zhou really brimming with talent?

The Qilin also worried Xiao Yichen might play a dirty trick; he hurriedly asked the monk beside him: "Did you see clearly what mischief that witch doctor is up to?"

"Do you really think this poor monk is a deity? That he can see everything?"

"Tsk, you usually act all profound and inscrutable, yet you can't even see this!"

"If this poor monk were that powerful, he'd have become an immortal long ago; why would he still be here drinking tea and chatting with you, Qilin benefactor?"

The Qilin ignored him and went to observe the witch doctor himself.

That witch doctor sits opposite them; if he makes any move, he and Yuan Yan will surely notice.

But what if it's the same as before?

Had these people previously taken some kind of medicine or the like?

Then it's hard to say.

Had he known earlier, he would have given Gu Rongjin some pills too; now it's too late.

"Yuan Yan, that witch doctor isn't conjuring any illusion, is he?" The Qilin thought; they probably haven't been affected by any hallucinogenic substance like Dead Vine Water either.

"Unless his skill surpasses that poor monk's." The monk set down his tea cup, adding: "But these witch doctors have plenty of heretical tricks."

Hearing that, the Qilin's face filled with worry.

Gu Rongjin, you'd better show some spirit!

The witch doctor opposite continued to sip tea leisurely, seeming not the slightest bit worried about the current situation; either he was already scheming, or he didn't care at all whether Xiao Yichen lived or died.

Both parties agreed, and the new emperor naturally had no reason to refuse; he agreed to the contest between the two.

Pei Di and Qi Shihuai exchanged a glance, then turned their gaze back to the martial arts arena, watching intently.

"I didn't expect it, Master Xiao, you have a penchant for getting beaten; perfect, this prince has wanted to beat you for a while, that punch last time wasn't satisfying." Gu Rongjin smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

Xiao Yichen, as usual, had no expression, his eyes deep; facing Gu Rongjin and Gu Rongjin's provocation, he showed no trace of emotion, as if devising strategies.