Chapter 660: The Road to Heaven, You Refuse to Take

"This Princess didn’t know that apart from my brother, Prince Qi, a man adorning flowers could also appear so elegant," said the Ninth Princess.

Prince Qi’s face was as handsome as jade, and his demeanor was as bright as the moon. One year, at the Peony Festival, he drunkenly adorned himself with flowers and captured the hearts of many ladies. Since then, he had become the most handsome man in the Ninth Princess’s heart.

Unexpectedly, this Mr. Ximen could also have a unique elegance.

Gu Baoshu secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.

Originally worried about being remembered by the Ninth Princess and unable to escape, but now with Brother Ximen shining brightly in front, it saved her from many troubles.

The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, Empress Lin, and others subsequently gave them many rewards. After repeatedly thanking them on their knees, the two were led away by a little eunuch.

As they descended from the viewing platform, Brother Ximen remarked, "I didn’t expect to get so many good things just by kicking a ball."

Gu Baoshu replied with a laugh, "Brother Ximen, with such outstanding talent, it’s no surprise the nobles favor you. It’s a fortune of three lifetimes for a younger brother like me to catch a glimpse of the Emperor."

Yuan Da happened to catch up and overheard this, causing him to frown and suspiciously glance at Gu Baoshu.

At this moment, a eunuch on the platform sharply called out, "Make way for the Emperor!"

Everyone quickly prostrated themselves on the ground, only rising after the Imperial Family and officials had moved far away.

Brother Ximen intended to bid farewell to the group, but Black-skinned Little Brother Hong interrupted before Gu Baoshu could remind him, exclaiming, "Brother Ximen, how can you be so distant? We’re all good brothers, we can’t let you leave like that."

The group clung to his legs and waist, insisting on having him drink wine and watch the lanterns with them before letting him go.

Susu, left to keep an eye on Brother Ximen, anxiously paced outside in circles.

"Brother Ximen is really popular," Gu Baoshu remarked to Yuan Da.

Yuan Da pouted, "Ever since he arrived in the Capital City, he gets along with everyone, while I just follow along drinking wine. It’s a dull life with nothing fun to do."

Gu Baoshu suggested, "Why don’t you join him as well? Otherwise, he’ll just go off to Li Xingshou’s place, and that wouldn’t be as fun as drinking with us."

Seeing the logic, Yuan Da squeezed himself in.

Seizing the opportunity, Gu Baoshu quietly slipped through the back door of the theater, hurrying straight to West Street.

By this time, the lanterns on West Street were already lit, and more and more people were walking up the street to admire them.

Upon nearing Ranxiang Inn, Gu Baoshu had to dismount, squeezing through a narrow alley and entering Ranxiang Inn through the back door.

Handing the reins to the waiting servant at the door, she strode into the courtyard, where a maid rushed up to her: "Miss, we thought you weren’t coming."

"Of course not!" Gu Baoshu laughed. "Later, I’m going to watch the lanterns with Mother and Third Sister-in-law."

Shen Changle, with a broad smile on her round face, walked over, "Seventh Miss is here, please come in quickly, the elegant room is ready."

Gu Baoshu nodded, "With your enthusiasm, today’s Lantern Festival is bound to be exceptional."

Shen Changle laughed, "Later, Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang will come. Even if we casually hang a few white lanterns, it’ll be a crowd magnet."

"Where’s my Sixth Brother?"

"The Sixth Master is still painting beauty lanterns, and just after hanging them, a few were guessed and taken away."

Gu Baoshu said, "I’ll go change clothes."

She quickly entered the elegant room to remove her disguise, changed into her familiar outfit, and resumed her female identity.

By the time people at the tournament realized she wasn’t there, it was already too late.

Yuan Da asked Qin Heng, "Brother Qi isn’t joining us for the wine and lanterns?"

Qin Heng replied, "He’s closely watched at home, probably went back to clear his leave."

Brother Ximen took the opportunity to say, "This won’t do. Without him, what’s the point of drinking? We might as well part ways now and attend to our business separately."

He generously expressed that he wouldn’t want the rewards, allowing everyone to share in them instead.

Little Brother Hong clung to Brother Ximen’s sleeve.

"You and Mr. Qi are both generous people. He also said earlier he doesn’t want the rewards, which benefits us greatly.

We had already agreed to give all the rewards to you both.

Entering the top three is already a great fortune, we dare not expect more."

Brother Ximen praised, "Though Brother Qi is young, he is extraordinarily able and generous in his conduct."

Qin Heng interjected, "Brother Ximen has a keen eye for people. With his wealthy family, he’s generous and loves doing altruistic deeds, standing up for justice."

Yuan Da, curious, said, "I wonder which family’s young master he is, out here playing?"

Qin Heng laughed, "For us brothers of the jianghu, it’s all about fate! I was fortunate enough to help him with a small favor, and we became acquainted. Every time, he rides to find me, and then conveniently takes me home.

Judging by his words and actions, he’s not just any young master."

Yuan Da seemed skeptical.

Brother Ximen said, "Alright, alright, I appreciate your brotherly kindness. But since Mr. Qi isn’t here, we aren’t complete, so let’s just part ways and meet again in fate."

Little Brother Hong and Qin Heng both said, "That can’t be, without Mr. Qi, it’s already less lively. If Brother Ximen doesn’t go either, won’t it be twice as dull?"

Qin Heng added, "Tonight’s Lantern Festival, no one in the Capital City should sleep. Once he’s done dealing with family, he’ll surely sneak out. Let’s go drink and watch the lanterns first, he’ll catch up during the Grand Review."

Little Brother Hong immediately said, "Yeah, missing the Grand Review would be a real loss, a lot of people are staying up just to see it."

Brother Ximen and Yuan Da, unable to shake off the persistence, agreed.

Yuan Da muttered quietly, "Truly there’s a road to heaven, you don’t take it; and a doorless hell, you come knocking. I thought our friendship these past few days would let you go, but you insist on clinging without leaving, who can you blame?"

They escorted Brother Ximen and Yuan Da to their lodging, deposited the bestowed items, and then turned back to West Street.

Qin Heng was summoned by an old servant from his home and had to bid farewell for now, promising to regroup at a later location.

Susu, seeing Brother Ximen unable to extricate himself, said dejectedly, "You must remember to visit my sister. She postponed many engagements to watch your ball game, don’t make her wait by the window in vain."

Brother Ximen smiled wryly, "Of course not."

Only then did Susu leave, reluctantly looking back with every few steps.

Black-skinned Little Brother Hong, full of envy, said, "Brother Ximen, being handsome and talented, with a good tattoo and excellent at Cuju, even the Emperor noticed you. If I were a young lady, I’d like you too."

Yuan Da, sneering beside him, said, "You don’t understand, the hardest favor to bear is that of a beautiful woman."

Yet in the end, he didn’t reveal Li Xingshou’s identity.

Brother Ximen, laughing, put his arm around Little Brother Hong, "Let’s go, our brotherly bond is something those girls wouldn’t understand. Let’s check out West Street first.

I’ve heard from Brother that West Street is quite lively today, with the Book Sea Pavilion inviting Cangzhou artisans to make the Nine-Turn Lotus Lamp, and Ranxiang Inn competing against them."

Black-skinned Little Brother Hong curiously asked, "Brother Ximen has another brother? If you don’t mind, let’s go watch the lamps and drink. Today, with the backing of you two, we’ve won so many rewards, it’d be unmanly not to host a good feast!"