Chapter 128
Cheng Gui and Cui Lanting were already betrothed, so it was only natural for him to come over and join her.
He had visited the Cui family many times by now, and had grown familiar with all of Cui Lanting’s brothers. They no longer felt awkward about watching him and Cui Lanting whenever they were together.
Knowing that Cui Lanting enjoyed having fun, he leaned closer and suggested, “How about we skip that stone-pushing and writing challenge later?”
Cui Lanting did not act shy. She pointed openly at Cui Su. “We already have my third brother. Why would we need you?”
Cheng Gui immediately changed his tune. “In that case, I suppose I’ll have to do my best and give it a try.” It was obvious that as long as Cui Lanting was taking part, he would be her partner.
That was the proper attitude for a fiancé. The Cui brothers allowed him to take his place beside Cui Lanting.
The new game was called “Conquering the Nine Gates.” There had been similar guessing games and poetry challenges in the past, but none had been as entertaining or captivating as this one. Even Cui Su was eager to give it a try.
As its name suggested, “Conquering the Nine Gates” required players to pass nine challenges. Unlike the other games, however, this one required participants to form pairs.
For example, the first challenge was reciting poetry and throwing arrows into a pot. In front of the gate stood a wooden box with an opening just wide enough for one hand. Inside were folded slips of paper, each bearing a single character. One person had to recite a line of poetry containing that character, while the other had to successfully throw an arrow into the pot. Only then would they pass the challenge.
The partners could decide for themselves who would recite the poem and who would throw the arrow.
The cleverest part was that partners could remain together throughout, or switch partners at every challenge. Even those too shy to ask someone to pair up with them had nothing to worry about. When their turn came, anyone who wished to partner with them could volunteer.
If the volunteer happened to be someone they secretly favored, it would be a happy ending for both. If not, their brothers and sisters could always step in and save them from embarrassment.
The winner would be whoever passed the most challenges. If several people managed to clear all nine, the victory would go to the pair who had remained together for the greatest number of challenges.
With nothing else to do, Cui Su turned to Xu Zhen. “Little Sister Xu, you’re good at the four arts, aren’t you?”
Xu Zhen looked at him apologetically. “Fourth Brother Cui, I have to be the one doing the arrow throwing and stone-pushing challenges.”
Xu Yi added from the side, “That’s right. My second sister is the strongest among the four of us.”
Cui Su had already asked about this. Xu Gu and Xu Yi could both draw a three-shi bow, and there were not many military commanders in Dayong capable of doing so.
Of course, that was nothing unusual among the Lin Guards. Apart from those who specialized in agility and light-footed techniques, every Lin Guard could draw a three-shi bow. Archery and horsemanship were basic skills for them.
Unable to hold back, Cui Su asked, “She can draw a three-shi bow?”
Xu Yi scratched his head. “Our father had a three-and-a-half-shi bow made for her.”
A three-and-a-half-shi bow? That was enough to put her above many of Dayong’s military commanders.
Cui Su immediately looked at Xu Zhen with new respect. “With talent like yours, Little Sister Xu, you mustn’t neglect your martial skills.”
Xu Zhen nodded. “Once my family finishes building a place for horseback riding, I’ll start practicing again.”
Cui Jian, who had been silently listening beside them, suddenly said to Xu Zhen, “Sister Xu, how about we pair up?”
Cui Su looked from one to the other and clapped his hands delightedly. “I think that’s a fine idea.”
He pushed Cui Jian toward Xu Zhen. “Our Scholar Cui is skilled in all four arts. The two of you make a perfect team.”
After recently standing shoulder to shoulder with Lady Liang against Lady Sui, Xu Zhen’s bold nature could no longer be restrained. She smiled at Cui Jian. “Then I’ll ask Scholar Cui to guide me.”
Only then did Cui Fu, the other three brothers, and Jiang Xian realize what was happening. They all called out at once, “How did I not think of that? Little Sister Xu, why don’t you reconsider and choose me?”
Cui Jian stepped forward and shielded Xu Zhen behind him. “Don’t you understand the rule of first come, first served?”
Xu Yi scratched his head. How had his sister suddenly become so popular?
He knew that the brothers from the Cui and Jiang families treated Xu Zhen like their own sister and had no ulterior motives. Even so, he was still delighted.
He was young and had come to an occasion like this simply to join in the fun. Xu Zhen was different. She was already seventeen. In most families, girls became betrothed at that age, spent a year preparing for marriage, and married once they turned eighteen.
Over the past few days, Xu Yi had already realized that although the emperor and empress viewed them with special favor, the gentry families of Yingcheng would not consider marrying into the Xu family because of Lady Liang’s background.
That did not bother him or Xu Zhen. Xu Xian had said that they would simply look for a suitable family in the northern regions in the future.
But now that the situation had actually come to this, Xu Yi still did not want to see his sister be looked down upon, with no one even willing to approach her and ask her to be his partner.
The Cui brothers had stepped forward so readily, and they were among the most sought-after future sons-in-law in all of Yingcheng. With this one act, Xu Zhen had reclaimed her dignity.
Xu Yi watched happily as Xu Zhen and Cui Jian went over to register with the eunuchs. When he saw the astonished looks on the faces of the young men and women around them, his mood improved even further.
Nearby, Cui Su shooed Cui Fu and the others away like a man chasing off flies. “What are you standing around for? Go find partners already. Don’t tell me you’re really planning to wait until someone volunteers. If you do, you’ll probably come all this way for nothing again.”
Cheng Gui also took the opportunity to offer his brothers-in-law some advice. “Liyan is right. This isn’t a case of good food fearing that it will grow cold. You have to strike first.”
As he spoke, he tugged at Cui Lanting’s sleeve. “Shall we go over with them?”
With Cheng Gui, an experienced man, leading the way, Cui Fu and Jiang Xian gained a little confidence and followed him forward.
Cui Su looked at Xu Yi, Cui Yu, and Cui Zhong. “The three of you stick with me.”
He raised a hand and pointed upward. “I’ll send you onto the roof. From up there, you’ll be able to see everything.”
Xu Yi and Cui Zhong nodded repeatedly. Even Cui Yu did not refuse.
Cui Su lifted his chin, signaling for the three of them to follow, and prepared to find a secluded spot where he could get them onto the roof.
But just as he turned into the corridor, a beautiful woman with almond-shaped eyes and peach-tinted cheeks blocked his path.
“I have something to tell you.”
Cui Su pointed at himself. “You’re talking to me?”
Gu Ying rolled her eyes at him. “Who else?”
Cui Yu, quick to understand the situation, pulled Xu Yi and Cui Zhong farther ahead. Cui Su had no choice but to stop.
“What is it?”
“I just heard that a few girls are planning to throw themselves at you during the challenges. Be careful.” After saying this, Gu Ying moved past him and started to leave.
Cui Su reached out, caught her sleeve, and pulled her back. “Since when have you become so kindhearted? Aren’t I supposed to be a walking disaster?”
Gu Ying was not afraid to speak plainly. “I don’t get along with those girls. If they marry rich and influential husbands, I’ll be sick with envy.”
“I knew it.” Cui Su gave a snort. “I’m not playing that game anyway. Thank you for your concern.”
The moment Gu Ying heard that, she said, “Then just pretend I never said anything.” She pried his fingers off her sleeve and started walking away.
Once again, Cui Su caught her by the sleeve. “Wait a moment.”
Gu Ying was already regretting her meddling. She glanced anxiously in every direction. “Don’t set me up. If someone sees us, I’ll never be able to explain myself.”
“Don’t worry. If anyone asks, I’ll say that I’m not good enough for you and that you wouldn’t look twice at me. I’ll make sure your reputation is completely untouched.”
Gu Ying felt even more certain that something was wrong. “We barely know each other. You’re not the sort of person who shows kindness for no reason.”
Cui Su chuckled to cover his unease, then casually asked, “The Gu family is a scholarly household, and you’ve been steeped in learning since childhood. You must be well-read too, right?”
He paused before adding, “How about the two of us pair up and give it a try?”
Gu Ying’s eyes widened. “What did you say? The two of us?”
"If we team up, it's going to drive your rivals absolutely crazy."
Gu Ying thought of all those petty, annoying little tricks those people had pulled behind her back. Just imagining the sight of her walking side by side with Cui Su as a team made her feel a warm, genuine delight rise from the very bottom of her heart.
"Are you really going to clear my name completely after this?"
"It's nothing more than a few well-placed words. I won't just spread the rumor myself—I'll get all my brothers in the family to help spread the word too," Cui Su promised her confidently.
"Actually, I'm not even that worried. If you go back on your word, I'll go straight to the Empress and ask her to judge the matter."
"Exactly, that's the spirit."
Now that they had settled the deal, Gu Ying tugged at the sleeve of Cui Su's robe. "Then let's hurry up, or they'll close the sign-ups before we get there."
"We won't be late. Most people still haven't found a partner yet," Cui Su said, gesturing behind him. "First I'll send those three up to the rooftop, wait here for me a moment."
In the next moment, Gu Ying was so stunned she could barely blink. Cui Su was carrying a full-grown living person, scaling the wall with a series of rapid, leaping steps to reach the rooftop. He made three trips up and down, and when he finished, he was completely relaxed, not even panting for breath.
"Stay put and wait for me, I'm going to take first place," Cui Su called out to the three people he had left on the roof. Then he noticed Gu Ying staring at him in utter disbelief, and waved a hand in front of her eyes. "What's wrong with you?"
Gu Ying gestured wildly toward the rooftop. "That... that's the legendary wall-scaling, roof-leaping martial arts skill, isn't it?"
Cui Su suddenly looked very modest. "I've only just barely gotten the hang of it. My senior brothers are the ones who are truly amazing."
He didn't want to mention the Emperor and the Four Qilin Knights, so he referred to them all as his senior brothers.
Earlier, when Cui Jian and Xu Zhen showed up to sign up as a team, everyone had already been so shocked that they'd been whispering nonstop. Now when Cui Su and Gu Ying walked up side by side to register as partners, the murmurs in the crowd grew even louder, and everyone stared back and forth between the two of them with obvious suspicion.
The first challenge was reciting poetry and playing pitch-pot. Most people passed through it easily, including Cui Fu and his three friends, and Jiang Xian, all of whom passed with their respective partners.
When it was Cui Jian and Xu Zhen's turn, everyone was surprised to see that Cui Jian was the one doing the poetry reciting—they had expected the pair to swap roles. A collective sound of surprise rippled through the crowd, and all the chattering voices fell quiet.
As the top-scoring provincial graduate, Cui Jian wasn't affected by the attention at all. He calmly reached into the box, pulled out a slip of paper, and handed it to the palace eunuch. The eunuch unfolded it and read aloud, "The character is 'lei', meaning to build a nest."
Poems that include the character "lei" are quite rare, and for a moment no one could think of one. But Cui Jian had already recited it leisurely, "The spring scenery of the Jin River surges from heaven and earth, the floating clouds over Jade Lei Mountain change through all ages."
Someone stamped their foot in frustration and sighed, "That's from Saint Du Fu's *Climbing the Tower*! How could I not have thought of that?"
Cui Jian cleared the poetry reciting round, and it was Xu Zhen's turn to play pitch-pot. She had barely stepped up to the marked line when Cui Jian glanced over at Cui Su and Gu Ying, who were waiting their turn, and suddenly called out, "Sister Xu, show everyone what you can do."
Xu Zhen gave him a bright, brilliant smile. She had inherited all of Lady Liang's remarkable beauty, and that smile was like a peony in full bloom—gorgeous, dazzling, so bright that even those who had long looked down on the Xu family couldn't help but praise Second Miss Xu's stunning good looks.
The smile had barely faded from Xu Zhen's face when the pitch-pot arrows began to fly from her hand one after another. Amidst the rising gasps of the crowd, the three arrows lined up perfectly, one right behind the other, and landed in the pot in a neat, consecutive line.
Her beautiful, sharp, fluid technique outshone every single contestant who had gone before her, and cheers and applause broke out nonstop.
When it was Cui Su and Gu Ying's turn to compete, Gu Ying easily recited her assigned poem. Cui Su glanced over at Cui Jian and Xu Zhen, wondering if he should take it easy and let them win.
He turned his head and met Gu Ying's clear, watery apricot blossom eyes, which were brimming with obvious anticipation, eager to watch him show off his skills.
Fine, he thought. Since he'd roped her into this partnership, he ought to make sure she had a good time. Cui Su called out to Cui Jian and Xu Zhen, "Watch closely, you two. I'm going to make sure you lose and have nothing to complain about."
Cui Su then stepped more than a dozen paces back, past the marked line. He turned his back to the pitch pot, and before anyone in the crowd could figure out what he was doing, he waved his hand and sent the arrows flying. Just like Xu Zhen had done earlier, the arrows lined up in a perfect straight line, one pushing the next, and dropped right into the pot.
It was the exact same technique, but from a much further distance. Most shocking of all, he had done it all with his back turned to the pot.
The crowd fell silent for a split second, then erupted in thunderous cheers. Even the nobles and officials who were sitting up front, drinking wine and watching the dance performances, were startled by the noise. Cui Lanyin called her attendant Buyu over to go see what was happening.
When Buyu came back and reported that Cui Su had completely outperformed everyone in the first round of the game while teaming up with Gu Ying, all the noble ladies and court wives turned their eyes toward Minister Gu's wife. Some of the ladies sitting nearby leaned over to test her, "Are your family and the Cui family planning a marriage? You've kept it such a secret from all of us."
Minister Gu's wife was completely confused herself. She knew perfectly well that Gu Ying and Cui Su had never even interacted much, and that Gu Ying had never had any romantic interest in Cui Su.
But she couldn't say that out loud in front of everyone, so she could only vaguely reply, "There's no such thing at all. Our Gu Ying is just a playful, competitive girl. Assistant Commander Cui's skills are famous, so she just went up to ask to team up with him."
Luckily, before long, another wave of loud cheers broke out from behind. This time, without Cui Lanyin needing to give any order, Buyu ran over to check the scene. When she came back to report, she was laughing so hard she could barely catch her breath. "They're doing the next challenge now, pushing a heavy stone cart to write characters on the stone. Your Majesty, you have no idea what it looks like—Second Master Jian is sitting on top of the big stone cart, writing, and the one pushing the cart is Second Miss Xu..."
Just imagining that sight made Grand Empress Dowager Chen laugh so hard that her wine cup slipped right out of her hand.
Here we go [kiss emoji]
