June 20th, the Gu Residence.
Song Yu and Song Shihuan had come specifically to watch the lively martial arts contest for marriage. From the spectator stands, Song Shihuan’s eyes darted back and forth across the crowd until suddenly, her brows furrowed.
"Father, that young man doesn’t seem strong enough. I fear he might get hurt soon."
Following her gaze, Song Yu nodded in agreement.
The boy wore clothes that were clearly too large for him, and his frame was noticeably slighter compared to the other burly contestants. Standing alone without mingling, he seemed out of place.
"Someone like him usually gets knocked out in the first round," Song Yu sighed. "He looks like a pitiful lad. Let’s have the imperial physician ready to tend to him later."
As the father and daughter kept their eyes fixed on the boy, the sound of a gong echoed:
"The first round begins—no weapons allowed."
Without weapons, the contest would test skill and brute strength.
The first round paired fighters by random draw, with winners advancing and losers eliminated outright.
Desperate to become the Gu family’s son-in-law, the men on the training grounds fought as if their lives depended on it, making Song Yu’s heart tremble with dread. How terrifying!
Thankfully, he had taken the path of scholarly pursuits. Though he had suffered under Old Man Ye and Old Man Shen’s strict tutelage, at least his life wasn’t in danger.
Meanwhile, the boy who had caught Song Yu and Song Shihuan’s attention drew the last lot. By the time he stepped onto the arena, the others had already settled their matches.
Facing a muscular opponent, the boy moved sluggishly onto the stage.
"If you surrender now, I won’t hit you," the brawny man couldn’t help but say. "With a body like yours, one punch from me would send you flying off this arena."
At the same time, Gu Zheng’s gaze also fell upon the boy.
"May we begin now?"
The boy’s eyes burned with a fervor the brawny man couldn’t comprehend, and his entire aura shifted in an instant.
At the signal, the brawny man threw a right fist straight at the boy.
The onlookers winced, already resigned to the boy’s inevitable defeat.
But in the next moment, the entire arena fell silent.
The boy effortlessly intercepted the punch, his expression unflinching, as if he hadn’t even exerted his full strength. Before the brawny man could react, the boy swiftly flipped him over his shoulder and slammed him onto the ground with a heavy thud.
"I’ve won."
"Yu Fan is victorious—"
The two voices rang out simultaneously. On the stands, Song Yu and Song Shihuan gaped in astonishment, their mouths wide enough to fit an egg.
"He... he blocked that punch barehanded?" Song Yu’s voice was thick with disbelief. How was this possible?
Beside him, Shen Qingping shot him a meaningful glance.
The prince was tall and imposing, but he had always been timid around soldiers—until Song Shihuan came to the Qin Manor and helped him overcome it.
Song Yu swallowed hard, his eyes glued to Yu Fan. This young man was extraordinary!
"Father, Master Shen, I bet he’ll win."
Song Shihuan patted her numb cheeks. She even felt the urge to spar with him herself.
With his upright features and righteous demeanor, he seemed a fitting match for Sister Gu.
......
Like a dark horse emerging from nowhere, Yu Fan went from being underestimated to becoming a feared opponent in the span of a single incense stick’s burn.
"The second round begins—choose your weapons."
"The third round..."
The contest lasted from dawn till dusk without a single break.
Finally, Gu Zheng studied Yu Fan, who was now covered in wounds, and a glint of admiration flashed in his eyes.
"I can tell your martial foundation isn’t the strongest. What carried you this far was sheer determination," Gu Zheng said slowly. "Where are you from?"
"The northern frontier."
The two curt words made Gu Zheng pause.
The northern frontier was a borderland—the very place the Gu family had defended for generations.
Yu Fan dropped to his knees, the impact resonating with a dull thud.
"I was born in the harsh lands of the north, where enemy raids were constant. It was only because the Gu family led the garrison day and night that I survived."
His voice boomed like an ancient bell in Gu Zheng’s heart. "My entire village is indebted to the Gu family. When we heard about the martial contest for marriage, they pooled their silver to send me to the capital for a chance."
"Even the northern frontier knew about this contest?" Gu Zheng’s mind spun. The news had spread to such a remote place?
"General Gu, well... we may have spread the word a little too enthusiastically..." Song Shihuan rubbed her nose. If this marriage succeeded, she deserved the seat of honor at the wedding!
Yu Fan clasped his hands solemnly. "I, Yu Fan, wish to serve under the Gu family as a soldier, protecting the people of Great Qi. I beg General Gu to grant me this opportunity."
His eyes burned with the desire to ride into battle.
Never once had he dared dream of winning the hand of the Gu family’s eldest daughter.
"By tradition, the victor of today’s contest is to marry my daughter. Are you unwilling?" Gu Zheng glared at Yu Fan. Was this boy really so dense?
Yu Fan blinked, stammering,
"Willing—of course I’m willing."
"If I am fortunate enough to wed Miss Gu, I will cherish her as my most precious treasure, remaining devoted to her alone until our hair turns white."
In that instant, Song Shihuan’s ears echoed with the words Gu Mingliu had spoken when they first met last year: "I know my blessings are few. I’ve never aspired to marry into nobility—only to find a kindred spirit to grow old with."
Now, Song Shihuan felt she was witnessing a match made by the heavens.
"Good! I, Gu Zheng, acknowledge you as my son-in-law!"
Gu Zheng threw his head back and laughed. "Someone, fetch my daughter!"
......
The moment Gu Zheng mentioned Gu Mingliu, Yu Fan’s composure shattered. Within seconds, his face flushed crimson.
When Gu Mingliu stood before him, Song Shihuan couldn’t resist shaking her head and teasing, "Young Master Yu, you might want to remember to breathe."
Otherwise, they’d really need to call the physician.
Gu Mingliu laughed softly at the flustered young man.
"Young Master Yu, I’m not some man-eating beast. Why won’t you speak to me?"
"I... I once had the honor of meeting Young General Gu. He said his sister possessed beauty to topple cities. Seeing you today, I... I find his words were no exaggeration."
Yu Fan couldn’t bring himself to lift his eyes, his words stumbling.
The moment he finished speaking, Gu Mingzhu’s eyes sparkled nearby.
"Big Brother said I have beauty to topple cities? Really?"
