Sixth Master Gu frowned and said, "Why are we competing in poetry with such savages? Treasure Bead is being ridiculous!"

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh.

Yelv Guza was actually very scheming and calculating inside.

In a previous life, he spent countless gold and silver treasures to bribe important ministers in the court and made friends with lower-ranking officials to use them. In less than ten years, he had established quite a presence in the court.

After Lin Ziqi became the Prime Minister, he lamented that the ones who would bring chaos to Daxing would surely be the Yelv Clan.

Sixth Master Gu was judging by appearances, deceived by his rough exterior.

Qin Heng immediately spoke up to defend Gu Baoshu: "Isn’t it because this man disgraced civilization, saying things that even Sister Baozhu couldn’t stand to hear?"

Sixth Master Gu hurriedly glanced at Qin Siyuan and agreed, "Yes, yes! Such a barbarian, so crude, how could he understand poetry, let alone judge the quality of it. Treasure Bead probably couldn’t reason with him and got so angry that she decided to challenge them to a polo match."

Qin Yuan bit her lip, trying hard to suppress her laughter.

Gu Baoshu reasoning with people! And explaining poetry to them!

Only her own brother, Sixth Master Gu, could say such nonsense.

On the field.

Yelv Guza’s amber eyes, under the reflection of the firelight, were as pure as glass, but his smile was provocative, his tone mocking.

"I wonder what Dingbei Marquis thinks would be appropriate? I am a hostage of the Yelv Clan in Daxing and am not very familiar with the polo rules of Daxing, so I hope Dingbei Marquis can enlighten me."

There was a hint of sarcasm suggesting that Dingbei Marquis was using power to oppress people.

Gu Baoshu wanted to curse, but she was pulled back by the Minister of Personnel’s youngest daughter beside her, who whispered, "Don’t mess around, listen to your brother."

Gu Baoshu could only hold back her temper, waiting for her third brother to reply.

Gu Jinghui avoided the topic, using the torchlight to read out the agreement between the two parties word by word.

"Now both parties agree to determine the winner and loser by the outcome of the polo match. The loser will be at the mercy of the winner. Because this matter is dangerous, to consider life, we especially witness and set this agreement in front of the poetry arena. Life and death are assumed by oneself, unrelated to others!"

The contract signatories were Yelv Guza, Gu Baoshu, and others.

His voice wasn’t loud, but he spoke from his dantian, clearly conveying each word to the ears of everyone present.

Only then did everyone know what the so-called Life and Death Document entailed, and they couldn’t help but discuss it in low voices.

Sixth Master Gu asked Qin Yuan, "Sister-in-law, what do you think Third Brother is trying to do? Isn’t he supposed to renegotiate the terms? Why is he reading the Life and Death Document instead?"

Qin Yuan laughed, "If he doesn’t read, who would know that the signatories of the agreement are the Yelv Clan hostage and Treasure Bead and others, while the players on the field are actually his concubines?"

Sixth Master Gu was greatly puzzled.

"If it’s a match against men, wouldn’t it be even harder to win?"

Qin Yuan said, "There’s more to it, let’s see what your third brother decides. But in my view, he’s thought of this layer, and no matter how he chooses, he can certainly win against Yelv Guza."

Qin Siyuan frowned and said, "My little sister is right, but Yelv Guza laid down his words first, gaining an advantage. He sarcastically suggested that the Marquis wants to use power to pressure people. If he can persuade people, that’s the best strategy."

Sixth Master Gu said, "Brother Siyuan, what do you suggest we should do?"

Qin Siyuan said, "Weighing the options, I think the Marquis’ primary choice should be to avoid any injury. If that happens, it wouldn’t be good for anyone. Better to turn hostility into friendship."

Sixth Master Gu nodded.

"Though they signed a Life and Death Document, there isn’t deep-seated resentment between the two sides. Over a few words, it’s not worth it."

Qin Yuan nodded and said, "Yelv Guza probably doesn’t want such a thing to happen either."

Sixth Master Gu disagreed.

"Just a moment ago, Treasure Bead was in so much danger, if it weren’t for Third Brother..."

Qin Yuan said, "To him, anyone from the Gu Family is an exception."

The matter was simple: Yelv Guza’s scheme against Dingbei Marquis Mansion long had traces, and the Yelv Clan had been driven to exile by Gu Jinghui long ago, forming an inseparable deadlock. By taking advantage of this polo match to cause harm to Gu Baoshu, he even used the Life and Death Document as a reliance.

But if other noble ladies were injured, it wouldn’t be without trouble for him either.

Qin Siyuan thought for a moment and nodded, "Seventh Miss was manipulated into the game from the beginning, and if she isn’t harmed, he would find other means to cause trouble."

Qin Yuan nodded, "Yes, Yelv Guza had the upper hand from the start. The Yelv Clan people have both the advantages of physical strength and equestrian skills. Even if the Marquis changed the rules, it doesn’t guarantee winning. But the Marquis must ensure victory. Now, Treasure Bead has already represented the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, even representing the readers of the Imperial College, the scholars across the world."

Qin Siyuan was persuaded.

Sixth Master Gu frowned, saying, "So..."

The dialogue between the Qin siblings was driving him to a headache.

He just wanted to hear a straightforward answer.

What should actually be done?

Qin Yuan said, "No matter what the Marquis chooses, as long as he can win, he’s already in an undefeated position. As for winning over hearts and minds, of course, it’s best, but even if not, it’s no big deal. After all, Yelv Guza is, in essence, a hostage brought back to Daxing by the Marquis."

A hostage is supposed to adhere to the duties of a hostage.

This Yelv Clan hostage’s hands have reached too far.

Qin Siyuan cut off Qin Yuan, rebutting, "Little Sister, your words are incorrect. To deal with barbarians, one must use both force to instill fear and virtue to instill awe, thus demonstrating the grandeur of our great nation."

Qin Yuan said, "Though that is said, the Sage didn’t always hold a weapon for three years to transform them. The Yelv Clan has been opposing Daxing for years, fierce and unyielding. Though it’s a minor skin irritation, it must be well dealt with, hence the court grants the Dingbei Marquis Mansion an hereditary title. The Marquis drove the Yelv Clan out of the Northern Border, but look at this Yelv Clan hostage, does he show any signs of being suppressed? To those who are unrepentant and ruthless, they should be eradicated thoroughly. If he doesn’t obey, then kill again. Think about it, when did Confucius hesitate to execute Shao Zhengmao or the artists from Qi State?"

Qin Siyuan wanted to say something but couldn’t.

On the field.

Yelv Guza smiled and asked, "What does Dingbei Marquis suggest? I am all ears."

Marquis Gu said, "There’s one thing unclear to me, why did you sign this Life and Death Document with the noblewomen of Daxing?"

Yelv Guza asked, "Didn’t your sister tell you?"

"I want to hear it from you."

Marquis Gu cunningly glanced at Yelv Guza.

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but clap her hands and said, "Brilliant."

The onlookers outside the field clamored again.

Qin Heng suddenly said, "What Brother Siyuan said is excellent for making strategic arguments, but what Big Sister said can apply to actual matters. As for Brother-in-law, he reminds me of a saying, ’If you are not a fish, how do you know the joy of fish?’ None of you are Brother-in-law, how can you know what Brother-in-law thinks?"

Sixth Master Gu said, "Your saying is also brilliant."

Qin Heng bashfully tugged at his sleeve and tried hard to maintain a nonchalant demeanor, saying, "Oh, where, where."

On the field, Marquis Gu’s ears twitched slightly, the corners of his lips couldn’t help but curl up as he looked steadily at Yelv Guza, and pressed, "Yelv Guza, do you dare to explain in front of so many onlookers on the training ground, why you agreed on such a Life and Death Document with these young ladies?"