Chapter 27: The Pitiful Fate of a Bootlicker

After patrolling the brothel, Chen Zhi'an prepared to hide in the Treasures Pavilion. 

After all, two virtual god-level powerhouses were lurking nearby, making him a bit nervous.

Just as he was about to leave, a loud shout suddenly came from a private room on the fourth floor. A figure burst out of the room and stood in the hall, berating loudly, "Zhou Qian, dare you hit me?"

Chen Zhi'an looked over in confusion, only to see that the figure was none other than his close friend and confidant, Gou Ge, who had spent ten thousand taels to buy two poems.

Curious, Chen Zhi'an approached and was immediately briefed by a Qinglou attendant on the situation. It turned out that after watching the play, the Fourth Young Master of Chang'an, feeling greatly pleased, proposed to go upstairs to listen to music and watch dances to liven up the atmosphere for his brother's sake.

Ordinarily, the dandies wouldn't agree to such an invitation, but today, having been made to feel so good by Chen Zhi'an's performance, they reluctantly accepted.

Upon arrival, they saw Su Xuner bowing to thank the guests, while the literati in the room were all scratching their heads in admiration.

Zhou Qian, who had long admired Li Chengxian, was disappointed when Su Xuner declined to meet him.

In an attempt to cheer her up, Gou Ge suddenly claimed to be inspired and insisted on writing a poem to help. With great fanfare, he wrote:

"Amidst the uneven smoke trees by the Moon Lake, all remnants of the past dynasty have vanished.

The withered poplars and ancient willows, having been climbed and broken repeatedly, reflect the emaciated waist of the Chu Palace.

The evening sun is leisurely, the autumn light is old, and thoughts of departure fill the Henggao.

A song of 'Yangguan' with a heartbreaking voice ends, leaving one alone leaning on the orchid oar."

Upon hearing this poem, the Qinglou attendants were stunned, as were Li Chengxian and the other literati, who had previously looked down on Gou Ge.

Filled with joy, Gou Ge gazed affectionately at Li Chengxian and lightly touched her forehead.

Li Chengxian, still in a daze, had no time to resist.

This caused Zhou Qian, who had long admired Li Chengxian, to become unhappy. He punched Gou Ge in the eye, knocking him out of the elegant room.

After listening to the tale of love and hatred, Chen Zhi'an frowned.

Zhou Qian deserved to die for daring to hit my beloved friend?

"Make trouble in the brothel? Find a place to bury him!" he said, just as he was about to shake Zhou Qian out, but then heard a cold voice in his ear.

Liu Qi was instructing an old cripple to bury Zhou Qian.

Chen Zhi'an's face darkened.

Liu Qi was a bit too presumptuous!

The old man from the Ministry of Rites was a powerful figure in the world of cultivation. He was also an elder of the Chen family, with countless disciples and connections.

If they buried him, the Chen family's holdings might not be enough to protect themselves.

The crippled old man was fearless, and Chen Zhi'an had no idea where he had come from, but he was already brandishing a shovel, eager to bury Zhou Qian.

Before the old man could act, there was another change in the scene.

Zhou Qian, dressed in white, held a three-foot green sword and stood in front of the hall, glaring coldly at Gou Youquan. "You dare to insult the county princess, even the Marquis of Wuan can't save you!"

"Little white face, you're a bit too ignorant!" Gou Youquan sneered and swung his wrist. A long knife flew out, and with a leap, Gou Youquan grabbed the handle with both hands and slashed at Zhou Qian with the force of a mountain splitting.

Both being Fourth Gentleman, the difference in their strength was not great. But Gou Ge was no ordinary person; he was the Marquis of Wuan's young master, a rugged man who spent his days in the borderlands fighting bandits. He was not to be compared with the literati who spent their days in Chang'an.

As their momentum rose, a surge of iron-blooded killing intent swept forth, causing Zhou Qian's face to change drastically.

"Clang!"

The green sword clashed with the long knife, and the elemental energy instantly surged forth, forcing Zhou Qian to retreat several steps, his face flushing red.

Gou Youquan remained calm and advanced, wielding his blade to strike again!

"Boom!"

The proud three-foot green sword shattered.

Zhou Qian's body was slammed against the wall like a cannonball, blood gushing from his mouth!

Gou Youquan arrogantly followed, stepping on Zhou Qian's chest indifferently, saying, "Little white face, I've long been fed up with you. Remember when you beat me up before? Have you forgotten?"

Zhou Qian looked at Gou Youquan in disbelief.

He had always thought that Gou Youquan could stand shoulder to shoulder with him because of his status as the fiancé of the county princess.

He had sneered at Gou Youquan countless times in private, ridiculing him for living off women and not deserving to stand beside him.

Now, being trampled on the ground, he finally realized that Gou Youquan's true strength was formidable.

And the reason he had been beaten up for no reason before was because of this thick-browed camper?

"Gou Youquan, stop!"

Li Chengxian finally came to her senses from her daze.

She pushed Gou Youquan's leg away and helped Zhou Qian up from the ground, carefully wiping the blood from the corners of his mouth.

Seeing this, GouYouquan's expression turned ugly.

Li Chengxian was his fiancée, not like Chen Zhi'an and Li Xining, who were privately engaged. Their engagement had been announced to the whole court after three formal betrothal gifts and six formal letters of proposal, and everyone knew about it.

It was understandable that Zhou Qian admired her, but as long as he didn't go too far, Gou Youquan would at most give Zhou Qian a beating.

But now, seeing Li Chengxian in public, showing affection for another man, and even wiping his blood, was a bit too much.

"Step aside!" GouYouquan said coldly.

"No!" Li Chengxian looked at Gou Ge with disgust. "GouYouquan, you've disappointed me too much!"

"Zhou Young Master only punched you, and you've hurt him like this! Even if he struck first, you were rude first. Don't you have any fault at all?"

"Step aside!"

Hearing Li Chengxian's words, Gou Youquan's eyes showed disappointment.

"If you want to hit him, hit me first!" Li Chengxian stood in front of Zhou Qian like a mother hen protecting her chick.

Behind her, Zhou Qian raised his head and looked at Gou Youquan, a smug smirk on his face.

"Well done!" Gou Youquan chuckled.

He had worked hard for over a year, rushing back from the borderlands just for this marriage, even giving up a great opportunity.

He had hoped to exchange his sincerity for hers.

But he didn't expect his sincerity to be wasted on a dog.

His smile faded, and he said word by word, "Tomorrow, I'll have the marriage contract sent to your mansion. I wish you... a happy life together!"

"What did you say?" Li Chengxian looked at Gou Youquan in disbelief, her emotions running high. "Gou Youquan, you... you want to call off the engagement?"

Gou Youquan turned his head away without answering her, revealing a smile uglier than crying. "Zhi'an, I'm sorry for what you wrote to me. It didn't work... I'm leaving. See you in the future... in the world..."

"Gou Ge, don't worry about the lack of friends on the road ahead. Who in the world doesn't know you?" Chen Zhi'an sighed. "What Fourth Gentleman? Just a plaything to woo women. I'll wait quietly in Chang'an for your fame to spread in the world..."

"Gou Youquan, stop!"

Li Chengxian flew up, wanting to grab Gou Youquan.

Although she didn't want to marry Gou Youquan, their engagement had been decreed by the emperor.

If Gou Youquan called off the engagement because of this, it would not only disgrace the Prince of Zhennan but also endanger the emperor's reputation...

"Get lost!"

Gou Youquan turned his head coldly and looked at her with indifference, as if she were a stranger.

As his momentum rose, the violent elemental energy forced Li Chengxian back several steps, and he said coldly, "Zhi'an is right. Sycophants deserve no good end. From now on, let's part ways and have no more entanglements!"

"Ah..."

Xia Yuanhou, also a Fourth Young Master, stood up and left.

Passing by Li Chengxian, he whispered softly, "Princess, the Fourth Gentleman's reputation was made by Gou Ge...

Those hundred and more bandits you killed...

Were also fed to you by Gou Ge.

Zhou Qian...

If it weren't for you insisting on bringing Zhou Qian along, what qualifications does he have to stand with us?

I didn't expect things to turn out like this...

Take care of yourself!"

"Is that true?" Li Chengxian's body trembled slightly.

She shouted at Gou Youquan, who was about to disappear at the door, "Is that true? Gou Youquan, answer me! Answer me!"