Chapter 330: Miss Gu, It’s Your Turn

Wang Jinhe adjusted his sleeves while calmly observing Gu Xiruo.

Gu Xiruo’s expression stiffened slightly as she forced a smile at Wang Jinhe. “Is the County Princess trying to intervene in our little joke?”

“Little joke? Stabbing someone in the heart is called a little joke? What does it have to do with you if someone withdrew the proposal due to mourning? ” Wang Jinhe asked.

“Moreover, during the mourning period of the fiancée, shouldn’t the blame be on the man? What use is a man who isn’t willing to wait even for two or three years?” Wang Jinhe looked sharply at Gu Xiruo, taunting her.

Ming Wanning stared at Wang Jinhe blankly. Since the proposal was withdrawn, everyone had been talking about her, saying she couldn’t keep a man and deserved to be abandoned.

Only Wang Jinhe said it was the man’s fault.

Gu Xiruo felt a bit embarrassed and looked at Wang Jinhe. “Is the County Princess unwelcoming to me?”

“Isn’t it you causing trouble at my banquet?” Wang Jinhe retorted impassively.

“Just suggesting to play a game of ‘Fei Hua Ling’—how is that causing trouble for the County Princess? Or is the County Princess afraid?” Gu Xiruo looked innocently at Wang Jinhe.

Seeing Gu Xiruo’s demeanor, Wang Jinhe chuckled softly. “Since you want to play, then I’ll play with you.”

Ming Wanning looked at Wang Jinhe with some concern, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Wang Jinhe had read Wang Jingyu’s books related to poetry and found that some modern poems were included, while others were not. It had puzzled her when she first read them.

“Well then, let’s use flowers,” Wang Jinhe suggested.

Wang Jinhe looked meaningfully at Gu Xiruo and said, “This was your idea.”

“Of course, it was my idea. Shall I start?” Today, she wanted everyone present to know that Wang Jinhe was just a rustic village woman who only knew how to farm, and she couldn’t compare to a young lady like her.

Wang Jinhe gestured for her to proceed.

She couldn’t compose poetry, but couldn’t she recite the poems of the poets from the five thousand years of Chinese history?

“A pot of wine among the flowers, I pour alone lacking companionship.”

“Dew on the roses, rain on the lotus leaves, frost on the chrysanthemums—fragrance in the courtyard and at the door.”

…

After more than a dozen rounds, fewer people were participating, and even Ming Wanning had stopped and was now watching Wang Jinhe and Gu Xiruo.

At the beginning, she worried about Wang Jinhe, but now it seemed her concerns were unnecessary.

After another dozen rounds, Gu Xiruo had beads of sweat on her forehead, struggling with the verses, while Wang Jinhe was relaxed and composed, as if these challenges were nothing to her.

“Where the partridges cry, where the east wind brings green, and where the afterglow brings blossoms.”

After Wang Jinhe finished her verse, Gu Xiruo struggled for a moment, her face turning pale as she looked at Wang Jinhe.

How could this be possible? Continuing like this would only end up embarrassing her.

“Miss Gu, it’s your turn. Are you… conceding?” Wang Jinhe tilted her head, a curious expression in her eyes, almost like a slap hitting Gu Xiruo’s face.

As they played the “Fei Hua Ling,” the people around had gathered to watch. Now, all eyes were on Gu Xiruo.

Under the scrutiny of those gazes, Gu Xiruo felt the burning sensation on her face. She knew that if she didn’t resolve the situation now, she would undoubtedly lose face.

She had never expected Wang Jinhe to be so skilled at composing poetry. How could a village woman be this talented?

What should she do now?

In her anxious state, Gu Xiruo could only think of two solutions: either win against Wang Jinhe or pretend to be ill and divert attention from the matter.

Winning against Wang Jinhe seemed nearly impossible, so the only viable option now was to feign illness.

“Miss Gu’s complexion doesn’t look too good. When I first heard about Miss Gu’s health issues upon arriving in the capital, I thought it might be a rumor. Now, it seems to be true. My husband has many capable people under him, including two outstanding disciples who are skilled in medicine. If Miss Gu needs it, this County Princess can have them come over to check your pulse.” Seeing Gu Xiruo looking like she was about to faint, Wang Jinhe spoke with an apparently concerned expression.

Gu Xiruo couldn’t afford to faint right now.

If she fainted, Wang Jinhe would surely have the physicians examine her, and everyone would know about her feigned illness.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Xiruo forced a smile and said, “Thank you for your concern, County Princess.”

Wang Jinhe looked at Gu Xiruo with a gentle expression. “Miss Gu, do you want to continue playing?”

“I, Xiruo, concede. The County Princess has won.” Only heaven knew how difficult it was for Gu Xiruo to say those words.

Damn it, Wang Jinhe had intentionally done this today.

Intentionally making her admit defeat in front of so many people.

“Well, dealing with grains and vegetables in the fields every day has made me a bit rusty. If we continue playing, I might run out of ideas.” Wang Jinhe chuckled with a bitter smile.

Ming Wanning looked at Wang Jinhe strangely. This County Princess was quite good at deceiving people. With her effortless demeanor, she didn’t seem like someone who had run out of ideas. Shouldn’t it be Gu Xiruo who was at a loss?

Gu Xiruo’s face alternated between shades of blue and purple as she stared at Wang Jinhe. Now she was completely certain that it was intentional.

“What’s wrong, Miss Gu? Your complexion doesn’t look too good.” Wang Jinhe looked at Gu Xiruo with concern, furrowing her brows.

“It’s nothing,” Gu Xiruo gritted her teeth and replied.

“Really? If you’re feeling unwell, feel free to ask, and I’ll have the physician come over to check on you,” Wang Jinhe said with genuine concern for Gu Xiruo.

Gu Xiruo, infuriated by Wang Jinhe’s words, trembled all over. Was she trying to embarrass her with such remarks?

“Gu Xiruo, are you unable to handle losing?” Ming Wanning suddenly spoke up.

“You initiated this and ended up losing to County Princess Changning. Must be quite embarrassing, right?” Ming Wanning looked at Gu Xiruo with feigned curiosity.

Wang Jinhe couldn’t help but laugh. This Miss Ming was also not one to hold back. Having just been teased by Gu Xiruo, she now seized the opportunity to retaliate. Unfortunately, Gu Xiruo couldn’t say anything in return.

“Ming Wanning, stop talking nonsense here,” Gu Xiruo trembled with anger.

“Alright, alright, I was just joking. Why are you so angry? There’s no smoke without fire, right?” Ming Wanning acted as if she had been startled, patting her chest with her hand.

Wang Jinhe, with a hint of amusement in her eyes, supported her chin with one hand, watching Gu Xiruo with a playful expression.

What should she do?

She wanted to make Wang Jinhe look bad, but it ended up with her making a fool of herself. Gu Xiruo must be fuming with anger right now, wouldn’t she?

Gu Xiruo made an effort to calm herself down and said to Wang Jinhe, “County Princess, I’m not feeling well. I’ll head back first.”

“Take care,” Wang Jinhe nodded with a smile.

Su Yu walked to Wang Jinhe’s side, put her arm around her shoulder, and watched Gu Xiruo leave in frustration.

“Wife, you’re amazing.” To actually defeat Gu Xiruo.

“I told you it was a coincidence. Do you believe me?” Wang Jinhe raised an eyebrow and asked Su Yu.

“I believe in ghosts.” Today, Gu Xiruo lost so much face that she probably wouldn’t let it go easily afterward.