Chapter 660
You're Not Taking the Road to Heaven
Chapter 660 You're Not Taking the Road to Heaven
“I never knew that besides my brother, the Prince of Qi, men could be so romantic with flowers in their hair,” said the Ninth Princess.
King Qi had a handsome face and a refined demeanor. One year at the Qionghua Festival, he got drunk and wore flowers in his hair, which captivated all the women. From that moment on, King Qi became the most handsome man in the heart of the Ninth Princess.
Unexpectedly, this young master Ximen had a different kind of romantic charm.
Seeing this, Gu Baozhu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She was originally worried that the Ninth Princess would take notice of her and she wouldn't be able to get away, but now that Brother Ximen has set a good example, it saves her a lot of trouble.
The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, Empress Lin, and others then bestowed many gifts upon them. The two knelt in gratitude repeatedly before being led away by a young eunuch.
After leaving the stands, Brother Ximen exclaimed, "I never expected to get so many good things just from playing football."
Gu Baozhu smiled and said, "Brother Ximen is so talented that it is no wonder that he is favored by noble people. It is I who have benefited from his favor and have been able to meet the Emperor. It is truly my great fortune."
Yuan Da caught up just in time to hear this, and couldn't help but frown, giving Gu Baozhu a suspicious look.
At that moment, a eunuch on the platform shouted in a shrill voice, "Let's begin!"
Everyone hurriedly prostrated themselves on the ground, and only got up after all the royal officials had gone far away.
As Brother Ximen was about to bid farewell to everyone, Blackie Hong, before Gu Baozhu could remind him, immediately shouted, "Brother Ximen, how can you be so formal? We're all good brothers, how can we let you go?"
People grabbed his legs and waist, insisting on drinking and watching the lanterns together before letting him go.
Su Su, who had stayed behind to guard Brother Ximen, was so anxious that she paced around outside.
“Brother Ximen is really in high demand,” Gu Baozhu exclaimed to Yuan Da.
Yuan Da clenched his fist and pouted: "Ever since he came to the capital, he's been so good at getting along with everyone, and all I can do is drink with him. This life is so boring, there's nothing to do."
Gu Baozhu tempted him, "Why don't you come along too? Otherwise, he'll go to Li Xingshou's place, and that won't be as enjoyable as drinking and having fun with everyone."
Yuan Da agreed, so he squeezed in as well.
Gu Baozhu took the opportunity to sneak out through the back door of the entertainment district and hurried straight to West Street.
By this time, the lights on West Street had been lit, and more and more people were walking the streets to admire them.
As they approached Ranxiangju, Gu Baozhu had no choice but to dismount, squeeze through the narrow alley, and enter Ranxiangju through the back door.
She tossed the reins to the servant waiting at the gate, strode into the courtyard, and a maid rushed up to her: "Miss, I thought you weren't coming."
"How could that be!" Gu Baozhu laughed. "I'm going to enjoy the lanterns with Mother and Third Sister-in-law later."
Shen Changle walked over with a smile, her round face full of joy: "Seventh Miss has arrived. Please come in quickly. The elegant room has been arranged."
Gu Baozhu nodded, "Judging from your appearance, today's lantern festival must be quite good."
Shen Changle laughed and said, "When Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang arrive later, even if we just hang a few white lanterns, there will be a huge crowd."
Where is my sixth brother?
"Sixth Master is still painting the beauty lanterns. Several of them were guessed and taken as soon as they were hung up."
Gu Baozhu said, "Then I'll go change my clothes."
She hurriedly entered the elegant room, removed her disguise, and rediscovered her feminine identity.
By the time everyone on the field realized she was missing, it was too late.
Yuan Da asked Qin Heng, "Brother Qi, aren't you going to drink and watch the lanterns with us?" Qin Heng replied, "His family is very strict, so I'm afraid he'll go back to report for leave first."
Taking the opportunity, Brother Ximen said, "How can this be? What's the point of drinking without him? Let's say goodbye and go about our own business."
He generously stated that since he had already received these rewards, he wouldn't need any prize money and would share them with everyone.
Little Hong grabbed Brother Ximen's sleeve and wouldn't let go.
“You and Young Master Qi are both magnanimous people. He had already said he didn’t want any prizes, so this is a win for us.”
Actually, we had already agreed that we would give you all the prize money.
Making it into the top three is already incredibly lucky; I don't dare to hope for too much.
Brother Ximen exclaimed, "Brother Qi may be young, but he has an exceptional way of doing things and behaving. He is truly generous and proper."
Qin Heng interjected, "Brother Ximen has a keen eye for talent. He is wealthy, generous, and enjoys doing things like chivalry and fighting injustice."
Yuan Da asked with curiosity, "I wonder which family's young master he is, out having fun?"
Qin Heng laughed and said, "What we brothers in the martial arts world value is fate! I was fortunate enough to help him with a small favor back then, and that's how we became acquainted. Every time, he would ride his horse to find me and then take me home on the way."
Judging from his speech and actions, he is no ordinary young master.
Yuan Da didn't quite believe it.
Brother Ximen said, "Alright, alright, I appreciate your kindness, brothers. But since Young Master Qi isn't here and we're not all together, let's say goodbye here and hope to meet again someday."
Both Xiao Hong and Qin Heng said, "How can that be? It's already less lively without Young Master Qi. If Brother Ximen doesn't go either, wouldn't it be twice as lively?"
Qin Heng advised again, "Tonight is the Lantern Festival, and no one in the capital will be able to sleep peacefully. He will surely slip out after dealing with his family. Let's go drink and watch the lanterns first, and he will come looking for us during the grand parade."
Brother Hong immediately said, "Yes, it would be a real shame not to watch the grand parade. So many people stay up all night just to see it."
Brother Ximen and Yuan Da were pestered so much that they had no choice but to agree.
Yuan Da muttered under his breath, "You're really like someone who'd rather walk into hell than take the road to heaven. I was thinking of letting you go because of our friendship these past few days, but you just wouldn't leave. Who can you blame for that?"
The crowd escorted Brother Ximen and Yuan Da to their lodging, where they put down the imperial gifts before turning back towards West Street.
Qin Heng had to say goodbye temporarily because his old servant came to invite him. He agreed on a place to meet again and then left.
Seeing that Brother Ximen couldn't get away, Susu said sullenly, "You must remember to visit my sister. She turned away many people to watch the young master's polo match. Don't let her wait by the window in vain."
Brother Ximen smiled wryly and said, "Of course not."
Su Su then left, turning back every few steps.
Dark-skinned Little Hong was filled with envy: "Brother Ximen is handsome and talented, with excellent embroidery skills and is also good at Cuju (ancient Chinese football). Even the Emperor has taken a liking to him. If I were a young lady, I would like you too."
Yuan Da sneered a few times from the side and said, "What do you know? It's hardest to resist the kindness of a beautiful woman."
However, in the end, Li Hangshou's identity was not revealed.
Brother Ximen smiled and put his arm around Brother Hong: "Let's go. How could those women understand the bond between us brothers? Let's go take a look at West Street first."
My elder brother told me that West Street is busier than ever today because of the lantern festival. Shuhai Pavilion specially commissioned a craftsman from Cangzhou to make a nine-turn lotus lantern, and Ranxiangju is going to compete with it.
Black-skinned Little Hong asked curiously, "Brother Ximen, do you have another elder brother? If you don't mind, why don't we go see the lanterns and have some wine together? Today, the brothers have made so much money thanks to you two, how can we not treat you properly!"