You Spurned the Respect I Gave You!

The Golden Kylin Gathering.

Zhong Yanqi, a great Confucian scholar of his generation, departed in dejection.

Gu Chenfeng had successfully turned another large group of scholars into loyal supporters of the Gu Lineage.

By discussing how to raise Crescent, he had also drawn closer to Shangguan Bingxin.

He had already accomplished more than he had set out to do at the Golden Kylin Gathering.

Gu Chenfeng did not want to waste any more time.

He turned and cupped his fist toward Shangguan Bingxin.

"Miss Shangguan, my apologies for disrupting this literary gathering earlier. I have other matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave."

"Hmm...?"

Shangguan Bingxin was still somewhat dazed.

His words abruptly brought her back to her senses.

"You're leaving, Young Master Gu?"

The earlier commotion had indeed disrupted the proceedings of the Golden Kylin Gathering.

Yet Shangguan Bingxin did not care in the slightest.

All she could think about were the two poems Gu Chenfeng had recited, one in regular verse and one in ci form.

Especially that ci poem, "Man Jiang Hong."

Its impassioned patriotism, brimming with hot-blooded fervor.

Even someone as naturally aloof and reserved as her had felt her blood surge and her spirits soar.

A faint blush had even risen over her delicate cheeks.

Gu Chenfeng had said that this poem was written by Gu Lingxiao, the General Who Guards the North.

However, Shangguan Bingxin's father, Minister of Rites Shangguan Qingfeng, happened to have studied alongside Gu Lingxiao.

He knew General Gu's literary abilities inside out.

The man could never have composed such lines.

By contrast, when Gu Chenfeng first met her, he had used her name as inspiration.

He had composed such lovely lines as, "Ice-white silk untouched by the hues of worldly dust, a heart like a lotus newly mirrored in the water."

Then there was "Drunken West Chamber."

And today, that seven-character poem he had used to strike back at Zhong Yanqi and the other scholars.

Every one displayed dazzling literary grace and extraordinary talent.

Considering the Gu Lineage's current predicament, caught in a vortex of public condemnation.

She was almost certain that Gu Chenfeng had written "Man Jiang Hong" himself to restore his father's dignity.

What sort of person is he, really?

He's clearly a notorious wastrel in the Imperial Capital, yet he harbors poetic talent that could eclipse the world.

He can compose verses like "Drunken West Chamber," so tender and steeped in lingering passion.

And he can write something as stirring as "Man Jiang Hong," its heroic spirit blazing, its grandeur sweeping over mountains and rivers!

At that moment, Gu Chenfeng seemed shrouded in a veil of mystery in Shangguan Bingxin's eyes.

It left her with an urge to lift that veil and understand him more deeply.

When she suddenly heard that he was leaving, her instinct was to ask him to stay.

But before the words left her lips, she felt it would be inappropriate.

The two of them did not seem to be particularly close.

After a moment's hesitation, she suddenly looked at Crescent in her arms and said to Gu Chenfeng.

"Since you're so well versed in raising Origin Beasts, Young Master Gu, there are a few things I still don't understand. I shall visit your residence another day to ask you in person."

Gu Chenfeng was a little surprised.

Had the fish in the pond learned to bite the hook on its own?

That was a good thing.

Gu Chenfeng readily agreed, but beside him, Su Wanyue and Princess Yaoyin's expressions changed, and they eyed Shangguan Bingxin warily.

Princess Yaoyin could hardly say anything, given her status.

Su Wanyue, however, walked straight to Gu Chenfeng's side.

"My dear, I'm returning to the city as well. Let's go back together."

Gu Chenfeng nodded, and the two headed out of the pavilion.

However, before they could step onto the stairs outside.

An ill-timed voice rang out.

"Lady Su, please wait!"

The speaker was Imperial Uncle Xiao, who was still seated in the pavilion.

He was the one who had inexplicably come to pay a visit with Zhang You and a group of Imperial Academy students.

That had sparked the entire series of disturbances that followed.

Throughout it all, Imperial Uncle Xiao and Zhang You had repeatedly stirred up trouble and fanned the flames.

Anyone with half a brain knew those two had a hand in this affair.

Gu Chenfeng naturally knew it too.

But he also knew that a place like the Golden Kylin Gathering was not suitable for dealing with them, so he had simply ignored them for the time being.

He had not expected the man to stick his head out of his own accord now.

Gu Chenfeng and Su Wanyue both stopped and looked over.

"What guidance do you have for me, Imperial Uncle?"

Su Wanyue offered a perfunctory curtsey.

The two ends of Imperial Uncle Xiao's mustache curled slightly upward on his pale, plump face as he gave a mocking smile.

"Lady Su, I've sent servants to the Thousand Beauties Pavilion almost every day lately, inviting you to my home.

"Yet you're always either unwell or making some other excuse to decline.

"It's rare that we have a chance to meet here today.

"Surely you won't find another excuse to put me off.

"I've admired you for a long time, Lady Su, and I'd like to take this opportunity to get better acquainted."

Everyone in the pavilion's expression changed at those words.

Rumors of Gu Chenfeng and Su Wanyue's relationship had already spread like wildfire throughout the Imperial Capital.

Yet Imperial Uncle Xiao was trying to make Su Wanyue stay right in front of Gu Chenfeng.

Was that not a public slap in Gu Chenfeng's face?

Su Wanyue's slender brows furrowed as disgust stirred in her heart.

This imperial uncle was a veteran of the pleasure quarters, with a long trail of sordid deeds in the Imperial Capital.

Though generous with his money, he was utterly depraved.

The girls who served him often ended up covered in injuries, damaged in both body and mind.

Ever since he had seen her playing the zither at the Thousand Beauties Pavilion.

He had leaned on his status as imperial uncle to invite her repeatedly, secretly threatening and tempting her in hopes of forcing her to submit.

But Su Wanyue's identity as a courtesan was merely a disguise. Why would she entertain him?

She had never expected to run into him at the Golden Kylin Gathering today.

Still less had she expected him to invite her again, with no regard for the occasion or their positions.

"Imperial Uncle, I'm truly sorry, but I'm rather tired today. I cannot stay any longer."

Su Wanyue politely refused him on the spot.

Unexpectedly, Imperial Uncle Xiao's face darkened, and he gave a cold snort.

"Hmph, what airs you put on, Lady Su!

"You may leave, but come drink three full cups with me first. There'll be plenty of time to leave afterward."

At this, not only Su Wanyue but also Shangguan Bingxin and even Princess Yaoyin frowned.

Imperial Uncle Xiao's tone turned hostile.

"It's only three cups with an imperial uncle. Surely you won't deny me even that much respect, Lady Su?"

The threat could not have been clearer. He was using his status as imperial uncle to pressure her openly.

A chill settled over Su Wanyue's lovely face, and her hands secretly clenched inside her sleeves.

She wanted nothing more than to disregard her unhealed injuries and strike the bastard dead.

Unfortunately, she still had an important mission to carry out and could not expose herself.

But her current identity was that of a courtesan at the Thousand Beauties Pavilion.

Even with the supposed prestige of being the "Imperial Capital's foremost lady of the arts."

How could she dare challenge an imperial uncle?

Do I really have to drink with him?

If I refuse, someone like him will probably try every means possible to make it impossible for me to remain at the Thousand Beauties Pavilion.

As Su Wanyue wrestled with her dilemma.

"Sorry, Imperial Uncle Xiao, but she can't give you that respect!"

A familiar voice came from behind her.

Gu Chenfeng stepped forward and shielded Su Wanyue behind him.

Seeing Gu Chenfeng intervene, Imperial Uncle Xiao narrowed his eyes.

"Gu Chenfeng, my invitation to Miss Su to share a drink hardly concerns you!"

Imperial Uncle Xiao hated Gu Chenfeng enough to grind his teeth.

Su Wanyue had long been the "prize prey" he had set his sights on.

He had intended to slowly bring this proud beauty to heel through his schemes, savoring the process.

Instead, Gu Chenfeng had suddenly cut in and become the guest behind Su Wanyue's curtains.

Rumor had it that they met every day and were inseparable. They had probably crossed that final boundary long ago.

That filled him with bitter jealousy.

He had brought those Imperial Academy students here today precisely to ruin Gu Chenfeng's reputation and vent his hatred.

He had never expected Gu Chenfeng to possess such learning and talent.

Not only had he dealt with Zhong Yanqi, a great scholar of his generation, but he had also won the support of a large number of scholars.

All his hard work had only helped spread the fame of Gu Chenfeng and his father.

That left Imperial Uncle Xiao frustrated and even more resentful.

Why should every good thing fall into your lap, Gu Chenfeng?

He could not swallow this insult, and he had to find someone on whom to vent his fire.

So he set his sights on Su Wanyue again.

She had probably already been possessed by Gu Chenfeng.

But her looks and bearing remained just as alluring, and her figure seemed even better.

Once he got his hands on her, he would put her through every imaginable position and use every means at his disposal to torment her.

That would be his revenge on Su Wanyue and Gu Chenfeng!

But he had not expected Su Wanyue to be so ungrateful, or Gu Chenfeng to step in and stop him.

That immediately sent Imperial Uncle Xiao's temper surging.

Faced with Imperial Uncle Xiao's demand, however, Gu Chenfeng merely answered indifferently.

"Imperial Uncle, you're drunk. Miss Su and I have other matters to attend to. We can't stay.

"As for the wine... drink it yourself."

With that, Gu Chenfeng led Su Wanyue straight toward the exit.

"Stop!"

Imperial Uncle Xiao finally lost his temper and stepped forward to block their path.

His pale, plump face flushed crimson, whether from anger or drink.

He glared viciously at Gu Chenfeng.

"Gu Chenfeng, are you deliberately making an enemy of me?"

"Scram!"

Gu Chenfeng answered Imperial Uncle Xiao's threat with a single word.

"You..." Imperial Uncle Xiao's face began to contort.

"She's just a whore! If you can play with her, Gu Chenfeng, why can't I? I'm going to have her keep me company!"

As he spoke, he actually reached out to grab Su Wanyue's hand.

The word "whore" from Imperial Uncle Xiao's mouth struck Su Wanyue so sharply that her whole body trembled.

Then she saw him reach for her.

Fury blazed in her eyes, and a powerful surge of energy in her dantian was on the verge of bursting free.

Smack...!

But before Su Wanyue could act.

A thunderously loud slap rang through the pavilion.

Su Wanyue saw it with her own eyes.

Imperial Uncle Xiao's loathsome face twisted and deformed before her.

Then his entire body went tumbling away...

Beside her, Gu Chenfeng shook out his hand, his face once again showing the arrogant swagger of a wastrel.

"Did you think being an imperial uncle meant I couldn't slap you? You ungrateful bastard, spurning the respect I gave you!"