A remark that hit his weak spot, and revealed in front of so many people, Gu Beichen's face instantly lost its composure.
Embarrassment was written all over his face. Gu Beichen's eyelids twitched twice. He strongly suspected that Feng Jin was deliberately playing tricks on him by saying these words in front of everyone.
"Good disciple, in the future, this master will surely impart all of this skill to you."
Feng Jin said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Seeing Gu Beichen's expression of being unable to speak his suffering, Feng Jin felt refreshed.
"Then thank you, master."
Gu Beichen gritted his teeth, squeezing out these few words through his teeth.
"We are master and disciple, and we are family. Why be so formal?"
To outsiders, these two presented a picture of a kind master and a filial disciple, but their exchanged glances were a fierce battle.
Feng Jin met Gu Beichen's gaze fearlessly, her eyes full of provocation.
Everyone knew that she was now Gu Beichen's master. If Gu Beichen did anything disrespectful, it would cause great controversy.
Gu Beichen was not a man who valued his face and ignored his reputation. He also had to consider the reputation of the Zhennan Prince's mansion.
She now held the biggest leverage over Gu Beichen, so she had no fear of him daring to show her any disrespect.
"Everyone, please move to the rear hall. The banquet is about to begin."
Ling Mohan sensed their silent competition and spoke to interrupt. After everyone dispersed, Ling Mohan stepped forward, took Feng Jin's hand, and walked towards the rear hall. As he passed Gu Beichen, Feng Jin deliberately provoked him, "Good disciple, why aren't you hurrying to follow your master?"
The title "good disciple" almost made Gu Beichen spit out a mouthful of blood in anger.
In terms of age, Feng Jin was even younger than him. To be raised a generation above him like this, how would he address Ling Mohan in the future?
Ling Mohan was also somewhat taken aback. This situation...
"Why are you two looking at me? Is there something on my face?"
Feng Jin touched her face and asked, confused. What she had just said was not wrong. The apprenticeship ceremony had been performed, so Gu Beichen was her good disciple.
"Why are you愣着 (lèngzhe, stunned)? Your master is leaving, shouldn't you come forward to see her off? Do you want your master to clear the way for you? Do you know what it means to respect your master?"
"Master, please..." Gu Beichen reluctantly invited Feng Jin to go in first.
His lifelong reputation was completely ruined by Feng Jin.
After the banquet ended, Feng Jin was too lazy to entertain the guests and pushed the matter onto Gu Beichen, calling it a way to train his social skills.
Given that everyone was present, Gu Beichen, for the sake of his remaining reputation, had no choice but to accept the task and dutifully see off the guests.
"Yo... Crown Prince Gu is doing quite a good job. This prince is fortunate to be seen off by Crown Prince Gu. It's not a wasted trip!"
Chu Chenyi's tone was full of mockery. He played the role of kicking someone when they were down to perfection.
"You should mind your own business. You're a cripple, why so much nonsense!"
Gu Beichen's retort was equally sharp. Chu Chenyi had always lived a reclusive life, and his sudden appearance was clearly to watch his misfortune. He refused to let him have his way.
"This prince is naturally not as fortunate as Crown Prince Gu, to have such a master."
"What? Does His Highness Prince Jing have an opinion of me, or of my disciple?"
Feng Jin's voice arrived, causing Chu Chenyi's smile to freeze on his face.
When Gu Beichen saw Feng Jin approaching, he instantly gained confidence, even straightening his back a little. He echoed Feng Jin's words, "Does His Highness Prince Jing have any objections?"
"This prince... this prince naturally has no objections."
These two were in cahoots, and he knew he wouldn't gain anything. Chu Chenyi wisely shut his mouth.
"If Prince Jing is truly too idle, then find a way to earn more money to pay off your debts. Don't constantly have me hounding you for payment. Also, using a woman's dowry money to pay debts, do you still have any face, Prince Jing?"
"If you said one less sentence, no one would think you were mute!"
Chu Chenyi wished he could sew Feng Jin's mouth shut to stop her from spouting nonsense.
"You owe money and refuse to pay, yet you're afraid of being talked about and are threatening your creditor? Prince Jing, when did your skin become so thick?"
Gu Beichen would not let such a good opportunity pass. He joined Feng Jin in mocking Chu Chenyi.
"It serves you right to be scolded for talking so much!" Lin Yuwei couldn't stand it anymore. She stepped forward to help Chu Chenyi out of his predicament, not knowing her own capabilities and yet insisting on causing trouble for others.
"Sister Feng Jin, Crown Prince Gu, he's just a foul-mouthed person. Considering his crippled leg, if you magnanimous adults don't quarrel with him."
Crippled leg... Chu Chenyi's face darkened further. Now everyone had learned to resort to personal attacks.
"For Yuwei's sake, I'll let it go this time. If I catch you bullying my disciple again, I'll beat you until you have brain damage."
Feng Jin was always protective of her own. Although she didn't treat Gu Beichen that well, now that Gu Beichen was her disciple, she absolutely could not let others bully him.
Gu Beichen felt Feng Jin was extremely pleasing to the eye for the first time, especially when she was defending him. It was simply too cool.
"Alright, this matter ends here. Someone escort Prince Jing and Princess Jing back to their mansion."
Ling Mohan's head was about to explode from listening to their constant bickering. He stepped forward to stop their argument, pulled Feng Jin to his side, and returned to their room.
Halfway there, Ling Mohan suddenly stopped. He really couldn't ignore the person trailing behind them.
"How long are you planning to follow us?"
Since leaving the hall, Gu Beichen had been following them, hiding and peeking from time to time.
Did he really think he couldn't notice him? Or did he think his hiding skills were superb?
Gu Beichen, who had been hiding behind a tree, slowly emerged, a hint of embarrassment on his face. He said sheepishly, "I'm just taking a stroll. You guys carry on."
"Just tell us, what is it?" Feng Jin asked helplessly.
How long was this going to continue?
Gu Beichen lowered his head and remained silent for a long time, almost twisting a handkerchief.
"Speak quickly. Who are you trying to drive crazy with your dawdling?"
Feng Jin had a temper and couldn't stand people being indecisive.
"I just want to ask if you can teach me how to develop gunpowder."
Gu Beichen blurted out these words almost with a shout. After speaking, he turned his head away, not looking at Feng Jin.
"That's it... You followed me for so long for this?" She took out a piece of paper from her embrace and handed it to Gu Beichen, "This is the formula for gunpowder. You can take it back and read it first. If there's anything you don't understand, come ask me again tomorrow."
Her eyes were so tired she could barely keep them open. She really didn't want to waste any more time talking with this clueless Gu Beichen.