Chapter 326: They're Fighting Again

Two people came to the Matchmaker's Temple two streets away, just as lively in memory as ever, crowded with people and many small stalls, the vendors' calls still clear amid the noisy crowd.

Sellers of candied haws, sugar figurines, melons and fruits, clay figurines… the variety dazzled the eyes.

Gu Rongjin wanted the old clay figurine maker to shape a bunch of him and Mu Yuanzhi, but Mu Yuanzhi stopped him, saying, "I'm this fat now, no shaping!"

"Where's the fat? This is just good fortune, a little roundness." Gu Rongjin coaxed, "Besides, wouldn't it be nice to also shape our baby into it?"

"No, wait until the baby is born to shape it!" Mu Yuanzhi refused to compromise.

"You two are in high spirits."

A strange, effeminate voice suddenly appeared, out of place and jarringly discordant.

Mu Yuanzhi recognized the voice without turning—it was Xiao Yichen's. How could she run into a gloomy ghost just by going out for a stroll!

Gu Rongjin directly took Mu Yuanzhi's hand and left, not wanting to waste words with Xiao Yichen at all.

But Xiao Yichen was just so obtuse, insisting on going up to seek trouble; he blocked their path and smirked at Gu Rongjin: "What, Young Master Jin, are you as quiet as a quail today because you know you can't beat me and dare not speak?"

Gu Rongjin snorted: "Just you? How did you come up with the idea that you can beat me? Don't you have any sense?"

"All's fair in love and war, and I haven't even used deceit—can't you stand to lose?" Xiao Yichen jeered.

"Enough, Xiao Yichen, aren't you annoying?" Mu Yuanzhi said impatiently.

Her words proved apt; as soon as she spoke, the formerly proud Xiao Yichen's aura halved instantly, and he gazed at Mu Yuanzhi resentfully, as if someone owed him.

If the nightmare he saw was truly from a past life, and if she had completely given up on him because she remembered that past life, then no matter how humble he became or how he reformed, it would be useless.

It would be better…

Xiao Yichen secretly clenched his palms.

"Don't show up in front of us again, or don't blame us for being impolite!"

Xiao Yichen's gaze fell on Mu Yuanzhi's obviously swollen belly; before he hadn't noticed, perhaps because her high-waisted ruqun could largely conceal the pregnancy.

Knowing she was pregnant was one thing; seeing it with his own eyes, impossible to ignore, was quite another.

Xiao Yichen's eyes were complex as he stared at Mu Yuanzhi's belly, his heart in turmoil, past events inevitably turning over in his mind.

What hurts most is not the loss, but the memory of what was once possessed—a memory that was never cherished.

Gu Rongjin stood in front of Mu Yuanzhi, preventing Xiao Yichen's gaze from rudely sweeping over his wife: "Xiao Temple Secretary, show some respect in your eyes!"

"Hmph, does Young Master Jin also get to control others' gazes?" Xiao Yichen sneered.

"Staring at someone else's wife—who wouldn't want to strike you?" Gu Rongjin said loudly, drawing many sideways glances from passersby.

But Xiao Yichen didn't care what passersby thought; caring too much would just let Gu Rongjin lead him by the nose.

He had long learned to ignore others' gazes, ever since he was demoted from Senior Grand Secretary to Temple Secretary.

"What if I insist on staring?"

"Truly shameless!" Gu Rongjin swung a fist!

Xiao Yichen dodged, slightly surprised, but he didn't think much of it and instead started fighting with Gu Rongjin!

"How did they start fighting?!"

"Run!"

"Who is it? Why are they fighting in the Matchmaker's Temple? Isn't anyone going to stop them?!"

"Isn't that Young Master Jin?"

"Who is Young Master Jin fighting with?"

"Looks like Temple Secretary Xiao?"

Passersby scattered, clearing a large space; they feared being caught in the fight but also wanted to watch the spectacle.

Mu Yuanzhi was initially worried, after all Xiao Yichen's current skill could counter Gu Rongjin, but after watching a while she relaxed a bit.

It seems Jin really learned a few moves from Monk Yuan Yan!

Xiao Yichen naturally noticed the problem first; while sparring with Gu Rongjin, the latter avoided using Mountain Yin Sect techniques, but his long‑ingrained bodily habits couldn't be changed, and his newly learned moves weren't yet refined, so although he was at a disadvantage he wasn't overly passive.

However, Gu Rongjin is a genius; with more real combat, practice made perfect, and gradually he went from a slight edge to pressing Xiao Yichen!

Mu Yuanzhi watched anxiously, while the onlookers' eyes dazzled.

Soon, nearby troops arrived, hearing the commotion: "What's going on?!"

The only one who recognized Mu Yuanzhi hurriedly bowed and greeted: "Your Highness the Princess!"

"Keep order and protect the people," Mu Yuanzhi instructed.

These soldiers naturally obeyed, dispersing to maintain order; only then did they notice the two fighting fiercely—one was the current Prince Consort, the other the former Senior Grand Secretary now serving as Secretary of the Imperial Court of Justice.

Either one was someone these low‑rank soldiers could not afford to offend.

How did these two start fighting again? Is it because of the State‑protecting Princess?

Temple Secretary Xiao really is something—the princess has been married for so long yet he still can't let go.

Not only them, many onlookers thought the same; this Lord Xiao constantly dwells on others' wives—how shameless can he be?!

They pointed and gossiped; Xiao Yichen heard it all, but he didn't care—he only wanted to defeat Gu Rongjin now!

"Xiao Yichen, do you think I'll let you succeed a second time?" Gu Rongjin seized the moment and kicked Xiao Yichen flying!

Xiao Yichen was flung onto the opposite tree trunk, then fell to the ground, even denting the tree!

He clutched his chest and spat a mouthful of blood, a sorry sight, unable to get up for a while.

Gu Rongjin was unharmed, appearing fine.

"Jin!" Mu Yuanzhi rushed over anxiously.

"Don't worry, be careful not to disturb the fetal qi."

Actually, Gu Rongjin regretted it the moment he struck—he shouldn't have made her worry; she's pregnant and can't take stimulation.

"Don't think I'm so weak that this would disturb the fetal qi." Mu Yuanzhi still worried about Gu Rongjin, hurrying to check if he was really alright.

"I'm really fine; he can't get near me at all!" Gu Rongjin boasted.

Finally, we have wiped away our past shame!

Those soldiers also didn't know whether they should go help Xiao Yichen, after all he was fighting with Young Master Jin, and if they offended Young Master Jin and the Protector State Princess, that would be bad.

Moreover, Xiao Yichen is only a Sixth Rank Official; there's no need to treat him as cautiously as before.

Those onlookers saw the fight end; some dispersed, while others stayed to see if there was any more entertainment.

Xiao Yichen struggled to get up, staggering, he resentfully gazed at Gu Rongjin and at Mu Yuanzhi, who were being lovey-dovey, oblivious to everyone else.

He now doesn't even have his sole advantage!

He can no longer restrain Gu Rongjin; he needs to think of another plan.

We need to get the witch doctor to think of another way to deal with Gu Rongjin.