"The Princely Heir’s returning to the city, everyone make way swiftly."
The soldiers guarding the city gate straightened up instantly. Some opened the city gates, while many others moved nimbly to push the commoners waiting to enter or exit the city to either side. Opportunities to be seen by the Lingnan Marquis Residence’s Princely Heir were not frequent.
"Young Master is back in town, all unrelated persons must quickly clear the way!"
The crowd erupted with noisy chatter.
"The Young Master is back? Hasn’t it been three years since he last returned?"
"Hey, why are you pushing? I have legs, don’t I? Let me have a look, what’s the problem with that?"
"Exactly, what’s wrong with taking a look? The Young Master hasn’t even spoken, why are you gatekeepers putting on airs?"
A young woman lamented, "The first time I saw the Young Master, I was still an unmarried girl. Why did it take him so long to return!"
"Yo, Cuihua, you’re still pining for the Young Master, huh? Your son can almost walk now."
Cuihua replied discontentedly, "So what? I miss whom I miss, what’s that to you?"
"Heh, with the way you are, you’re only fit to long for Second Dog Zhang, not even taking a good look at yourself."
Cuihua rolled up her sleeves, furious, "Wang Dajiao, are you asking for a fight? Just watch as I rip your mouth apart."
The soldiers, faced with such a scene, could only be at their wits’ end. Someone shouted, "Take your fights home! If you startle the Young Master’s horse, you’ll all be thrown into the big prison."
By now, Yue Rujing and his companions had entered the city. Yue Rujing’s horse was at the forefront, his face beaming with a victorious smile.
It was also Gu Youyou’s first glimpse of an ancient grand spectacle, and she was a bit curious. However, she wasn’t overwhelmed; she maintained a look of complacency.
She remembered that she used to put on a much bigger front than this when she went to inspect the various branch companies to upstage her uncle.
"Ms. Gu, were you startled to learn of Young Master’s identity?"
"Heh heh..." Gu Youyou chuckled dryly.
She really hadn’t considered the Lingnan Princely Heir before.
"Look, look how much the commoners adore me. This is me returning without any prior notice. If I had alerted them beforehand, you would see the scene of fruit filling up the carriage as a tribute."
Gu Youyou never missed an opportunity to take a jab at him, and replied disdainfully, "You really think you’re Pan An, don’t you? At best, you’re like a rotten interior under a splendid exterior, a so-called gentleman only in decay. Those showering you with fruit are either middle-aged women with vision problems or vulgar flatterers relying on your status. There’s nothing to be proud of."
Yue Rujing’s face stiffened. What was she implying? That those who fancied him were either blind or only interested in clinging to power?
And she dared to call him a veneer over rotten straw, a gentleman in decay?
Gu Youyou’s venomous tongue reached new heights.
"You you... still, you’re better than a shameless woman like you," he retorted.
"How am I shameless, idiot."
As it looked like a quarrel was about to erupt on the street, Jin Zijin hurriedly squeezed his horse between the two.
"It’s good the commoners are noisy; otherwise, if these words of yours were to spread, your father would have another go at you."
"Brother!" Yue Rujing felt incredibly wronged. Why did his brother always criticize him? He was the one being insulted, the victim here.
"Ah, it really is the Young Master returning to the city. I won’t leave; if I can see the Young Master’s grace, even a beating would be worth it."
"Ouch, don’t push! You trying to kill me or what?"
"Who’s the bastard touching my butt?"
Peals of lofty voices emerged from the crowd, and the once triumphant Yue Rujing’s face gradually darkened.