Although the owner of the Book Sea Pavilion did not speak, he was clearly very pleased as he opened and closed a folding fan in his hand.

The shopkeeper cheerfully went downstairs to quickly arrange for a high-quality lamp artisan from Cangzhou to come to the shop and make lamps. After giving his instructions, he walked out of the shop to check on the wooden poem wall stand placed at the door.

Seeing that Sixth Master Gu and others hadn’t left yet, he glanced at them with a mocking expression, sneering, "Let’s see how long your luck lasts."

Sixth Master Gu and Shen Changle were still fine with it, but Gu Shiliu, being a martial artist, had sharp eyes. He immediately took a small stone out of his sleeve and tossed it over.

The shopkeeper’s knee went numb, causing him to fall onto the poem wall stand, bringing the whole structure crashing down with a loud clang.

"What happened to the shopkeeper?"

The staff exclaimed in alarm, and the shop was in chaos.

The shopkeeper, supported by others, stood up with difficulty, grimacing as he clutched his waist, complaining, "My waist seems to be twisted."

Turning back to look, the three had already ridden away on horseback.

"How unlucky," the shopkeeper cursed, "I get misfortune every time I see them."

"Who are they?"

A young staff member quickly asked.

"It’s nothing, just pretend I didn’t say anything. Go quickly and get a doctor who specializes in treating injuries to take a look. Otherwise, I might be bedridden for a month."

The shopkeeper didn’t dare to name names. The situation was indeed bizarre, and it’s possible that anyone with the surname Gu was his jinx. If he cursed them by name, what if it caused even bigger trouble?

...

Sixth Master Gu and Shen Changle went to the painter’s home for a discussion, while Gu Shiliu sought out the local beggar leader in the city to inquire about some matters. After finishing, he went to the Jin family to bring back two women before returning to seek out Sixth Master Gu.

Sixth Master Gu was startled and asked, "Why did you bring back two maidservants from outside? What’s this for?"

The Gu family had always used household-born servants.

Gu Shiliu replied, "The Marquis instructed me to bring back two martial arts-trained maidservants from the Jin family to attend to the Old Madam and Madam closely."

After a moment, Sixth Master Gu asked, "Is it because the Yelv Clan people are planning to stir up trouble again?"

Gu Shiliu said, "I can’t say much, but the last time the ancestral temple was attacked at night, it was by Yelv Xianyong. From his tone, I’m afraid Yelv Guza might have some underhanded tricks up his sleeve."

Sixth Master Gu suddenly understood, "No wonder you insisted on following me out today."

Gu Shiliu smiled and said, "The Marquis instructed that whenever the masters of the mansion go out, I must arrange for people to protect them. Today just happened to be convenient."

Sixth Master Gu sighed, "How long must we remain on guard?"

Gu Shiliu replied, "Not to overstep, Sixth Master, but I’m afraid you’ll have to remain vigilant until... the power shifts and things improve."

With a heavy heart, Sixth Master Gu returned to the Marquis Mansion and sought out Marquis Gu to talk.

Learning that Marquis Gu had not yet returned, he couldn’t settle his mind to paint and instead sat in the outer courtyard pavilion, painstakingly copying out the poems given by Shen Changle. When he reached Miss Dong’s poem, he couldn’t help but put down his brush and sigh, "Why is it that a woman reads better than me?"

Gu Baoshu chimed in from beside him, "And there are those who are better than you at martial arts."

Sixth Master Gu was startled, turned around sharply to see her, and, feeling ashamed and annoyed, said, "You’re already grown up, no longer a child, yet still so mysterious and unsettling. How do you expect to become a scholar’s wife? I heard that the mother of brother Si Yuan is a lady of a noble family, who never exposes her teeth when smiling. With your behavior, it might be hard to catch their eye."

Gu Baoshu felt quite wronged and pouted, "Sixth Brother, you never used to talk to me like this."

Sixth Master Gu softened his tone, saying, "You were younger before. Besides, at that time, Third Brother’s future in the Northern Border was uncertain, and my health was poor. Mother hoped you could learn more martial arts, just in case you might have to take charge of the Gu Family Army in the future. But now Third Brother is doing better and returned triumphantly this year. Mother and the brothers all hope you can marry into a good family, have children, and naturally they expect you to be virtuous and gentle."

Gu Baoshu was first shocked, then angry, saying, "Being virtuous and gentle is impossible. I actually think Mother’s earlier idea was quite good. Third Brother also says I have a talent for martial arts, and he trains me diligently every day. How could I, after all that hard work in martial arts, just set aside my skills to become a virtuous wife and mother?"

These words left Sixth Master Gu utterly dumbfounded.

After a while, he said, "Little Sister Baozhu, do you not want to become a scholar’s wife anymore?"

Gu Baoshu turned her head aside and replied, "Actually, it was just a passing thought. Xu Zhen is keen on becoming a scholar’s wife and has taken a fancy to your brother Si Yuan, so I figured since she always likes to pick and take advantage, this Mr. Qin must be a good catch. If she wants him, so can I. But as Third Sister-in-law said, the daughters-in-law of scholarly families have so many rules, and I don’t want to exert all that effort to live uncomfortably."

This was a sign that she planned to let Qin Siyuan be.

Sixth Master Gu immediately breathed a sigh of relief. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"I said that although brother Si Yuan is talented and not bad-looking, it’s not like everyone has to compete to marry him. Our Little Sister Baozhu was born into a life of luxury, with top-notch status, lineage, family, and wealth. From a young age, you’ve been exposed to swords and spears, and you’re unfamiliar with those scholarly rules. There’s no need to compromise yourself to wear a good pair of shoes. As long as you open your mind, what kind of shoes can we not get? Sixth Brother has no skills, but Third Brother will surely find a way for you."

There’s no need to compete with Xu Zhen for anything; it’s really unlucky.

In the future, marriage should be chosen with utmost care. The Xu family’s relationship brought nothing but trouble.

Gu Baoshu’s eyes were wide and round, and she gave a thumbs up, "Sixth Brother, ever since you started studying poetry and painting, your insights and demeanor are entirely different from before. Promise me, when Sixth Brother becomes renowned, you must gift me some paintings."

Sixth Master Gu, delighted yet a bit bashful, said, "We’re family, why bring this up."

"Qin Heng said that an artist’s works will be worth a lot in the future. I’m thinking that a cartful of paintings from Sixth Brother wouldn’t take up much space and would be worth a lot. If I ever need money, I could sell them."

Sixth Master Gu retorted angrily, "A cart? Do you think I’m a donkey?"

Gu Baoshu replied, unfazed, "It’s not hard for you. It’s just painting and sketching. Why be so stingy?"

Gu Baoshu’s words left Sixth Master Gu exasperated.

Yet Gu Baoshu completely ignored her brother’s mood, and added, "Sixth Brother, aren’t you planning to paint that day’s polo game scene? I want to invite the noble ladies from the polo team over for tea at our house. You can accompany, and maybe even paint us a Ten Beauties Picture?"

"Ten Beauties Picture?"

Sixth Master Gu hadn’t been drinking water, yet he managed to choke on his own spit, coughing.

"Sixth Brother!" Gu Baoshu looked disgusted, "How can you choke on your own saliva like this? You must remain composed that day, don’t embarrass me."

"...You..."

Sixth Master Gu coughed a few more times, finally stopping, and asked hoarsely, "Where on earth did you learn these things?"

Like some dandy who frequents brothels.

This sister is irredeemable.

Gu Baoshu explained, "It was You Da who taught me. He said the Crown Prince is determined to select a beauty for the Eastern Palace, and the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers do not wish their legitimate daughters to marry him, nor do they want to offend the Emperor and Empress Lin. Upon hearing the news, they searched everywhere for beautiful women. The painters, painting portraits, have their hands full."