Seeing the carriage had entered Qingfeng Garden, Empress Xiao Lingshuang tactfully kept silent.
She was no longer interested in Gu Fei’s poetry. What piqued her interest now was that treasury filled with several dozen million taels of silver.
With that much money, she could finally speak confidently to those people again.
A vague feeling rose in her heart—perhaps Gu Fei really did have some capability. Otherwise, why would those noblewomen and young ladies go as far as threatening their lives just to have him make a judgment?
As soon as the carriage rolled into Qingfeng Garden, Gu Fei jumped down.
Right at the gate stood Ye Anlan, holding her longsword, clearly waiting for him.
Seeing Ye Anlan’s cold expression, Gu Fei raised the corner of his lips and said, “Oh? Why aren’t you inside maintaining order?”
Ye Anlan had just opened her mouth when she saw Empress Xiao Lingshuang step out of the carriage right after him.
She shot a glance at her, snorted coldly, and turned away without a word.
It was Xiao Lingshuang’s first time seeing Ye Anlan. She thought this female constable was beautiful and had a great figure. Every part of her exuded a clean-cut, sharp-edged charm. If one were to describe her in a single idiom—it would be heroic and valiant.
But these two… seemed to have some tension.
On paper, Gu Fei was supposed to be Ye Anlan’s superior after all.
As soon as Gu Fei appeared, many people began shouting.
“Quick! Lord Gu is here!”
Xiao Lingshuang was surprised to see a crowd of excited young men and women rushing toward Gu Fei.
Every one of them wore bright, eager smiles, calling out passionately, “Lord Gu!”
Gu Fei looked at the oncoming group, a trace of pride flashing in his eyes. He gave a subtle smile, coughed lightly, and waved his hand modestly, “Everyone, please calm down. Today isn’t my moment in the spotlight. Song Yan and Xu Hui are your real stars today.”
Laughter broke out among the crowd, but someone quickly shouted, “Lord Gu, if you’re not the judge, who else would have the qualification to make a fair decision?”
Gu Fei laughed aloud and made a mock salute, “Well then, if you all think so highly of me, I guess I have no choice but to accept.”
Xiao Lingshuang stood silently to the side, watching it all unfold.
Her brows furrowed slightly as confusion grew in her heart. Why did these youths admire him so much—so passionately?
She had never experienced such sincere admiration from the people herself.
It was clear—these young ones truly liked Gu Fei.
Ye Anlan suddenly reappeared at some point, coldly saying, “Cut the nonsense and go inside already. Don’t keep your little sweetheart waiting.”
“Hmm… this woman actually thinks Leng Lingshuang is my lover. Interesting.”
Beside him, Xiao Lingshuang frowned slightly, thinking, this Head Constable Ye—why is her tone always so sharp? What exactly did Gu Fei do to her?
At the same time, many people were staring at Xiao Lingshuang, wondering who this woman was… How lucky must she be to ride in the same carriage as Lord Gu and even walk beside him?
Even Head Constable Ye Anlan, ranked the top beauty of Shangyuan County, had never earned such favor from Lord Gu. So who the hell was this woman?
Countless young women’s hearts shattered in that moment. So Lord Gu already had a woman in secret?
When Gu Fei brought Xiao Lingshuang into the pavilion, Xu Hui and Song Yan saw the beautiful woman by his side and immediately panicked.
They hurriedly asked, “Lord Gu… who is this young lady?”
From the crowd, Ye Anlan’s ears perked up too.
Gu Fei gave the two girls a slight smile, then pulled Xiao Lingshuang forward and said, “Her? She’s Miss Leng Lingshuang, a merchant from the capital. She’s here to do business with us.”
The women let out a collective sigh of relief. Ye Anlan’s chest visibly relaxed, and she muttered under her breath, “So that’s who she is? Just a businesswoman.”
She had to admit—Xiao Lingshuang’s looks had startled her. This woman’s beauty was on par with her own, and her chest was even bigger and perkier!
For a moment, Ye Anlan thought she’d lost in that department alone.
But now it seemed the issue wasn’t with her.
Gu Fei made her love and hate him at the same time. He never treated her sincerely, always flirted with others, and often teased her. It left her completely speechless. Most importantly, she had followed him for three years now, and she wasn’t getting any younger. She was anxious.
Last time, Gu Fei had teased her with a comment about her chest being big, and she’d chased him with a blade for a good distance. They hadn’t made up since then.
If you don’t like me, why do you keep provoking me… scumbag.
Just then, Xu Hui chimed in with a syrupy tone, “I knew it. How could our Lord Gu ever fall for some vulgar, ordinary woman?”
Xu Hui had seen that Xiao Lingshuang, though pretty, was wearing one of the more common styles from Shangyuan City, so she spoke with arrogance.
Little did she know, those words nearly made the Empress explode in rage. “You wretched commoner, how dare you call me vulgar and ordinary! I’ll tear you to pieces!”
Even Ye Anlan in the crowd grew furious and said coldly, “Xu Hui, don’t waste Lord Gu’s time…!”
Song Yan rolled her eyes at Xu Hui and said, “Exactly. Even if Lord Gu had terrible taste, he still wouldn’t choose someone like you…!”
“Song Yan, you shameless tramp. You just want Lord Gu to sleep with you, don’t you? Like he’d ever like you either.”
With those words, the pavilion exploded into chaos. Supporters from both sides began mocking each other loudly.
Xiao Lingshuang never expected that girls would argue like this over Gu Fei.
She glanced at Gu Fei.
Gu Fei looked as if his head was about to burst.
He roared, “Enough! Anyone who keeps shouting will lose ten credits this semester!”
His words landed like a spell.
Xiao Lingshuang saw the entire scene instantly fall silent—it was eerie. She thought, what’s this ‘credits’ thing? Why are they so terrified of it?
Gu Fei was quite satisfied.
He said coldly, “Bring out your works. Let me take a look!”
The two girls pointed at the stone table in the center of the pavilion.
Gu Fei walked over and picked up one of the sheets of paper.
It read:
The breeze is light, the water clear, reflecting red lotuses,
Out of the water, hibiscus smiles and speaks with grace.
Untouched by dust, pure as the moon’s reflection,
A lone shadow lingers beneath the sky.
He thought to himself, “Hmm… this is actually quite good. Seems Shangyuan County Academy’s recent education has been impressive. Their poetry skills have really leveled up.”
Without a word, he picked up the second page.
Green leaves stretch toward the sky, blooming under the sun,
Fragrant breeze fills the sleeves, carrying tender emotions.
Never knowing the bitterness of a lotus heart,
Only seeing the flower’s beauty reflected in the mirror.
Gu Fei gave a small nod, his gaze sweeping over the poem. He was somewhat satisfied inside, though his expression remained calm and indifferent.
Xiao Lingshuang, however, was highly accomplished in poetry. Her teachers had all been great scholars of their time.
When she saw the two poems, her eyes lit up slightly. She thought, these are truly impressive. Even in the capital, such verses would rank among the top.
She never imagined she’d come across such quality in this fake county town.
But Gu Fei… showed no reaction.
This guy… maybe I overestimated him.
Perhaps he had no clue what poetry truly meant at all.
That would explain the blank face and complete lack of emotion.