Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 655 - 491: Too Lazy to Name

"Xiao Liu, go fetch my chess pieces."

When Gu Chengyu heard that Qin Min was going all out, he realized he couldn’t just brush it off. He took off the pocket from his waist, pulled out a small Peace Pendant from it. It was something he randomly picked from his stash, but this Peace Pendant was no cheap trinket; it was a piece of Blood Jade.

Lu Chen raised an eyebrow when he saw Gu Chengyu take out a piece of Blood Jade.

"Are you sure you want to use that as your stake?"

"Jinyu! This is quite rare! You’re being too generous!" Zhu Pang came closer to take a look and couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy for Gu Chengyu.

This piece wasn’t inferior to those Mutton Fat Jade Chess Pieces. Although it was just a small piece, the Peace Pendant was entirely blood red, vividly vibrant.

Even if Gu Chengyu wanted to compete, the chances of winning were slim with Qin Min around. Zhu Pang wasn’t aware of Gu Chengyu’s skills in martial arts as he hadn’t seen him display them before, only heard from Gu Chengyu that he was decent.

As for pitch-pot, Gu Chengyu had held back when competing with his peers. It was only during a casual game with some friends that he didn’t give it his all. Yet, Zhu Pang had faith in Gu Chengyu because even when he didn’t use his full strength, he easily outperformed them, but Qin Min and Lu Chen...

Gu Chengyu only casually picked a piece; it wasn’t the best from his stash, but it was above average, as being too shabby wouldn’t do.

"Aren’t you going to compete? There are quite a few good things at stake!" Gu Chengyu teased Zhu Pang lightly.

Zhu Pang always had a liking for these jade antiques, and if they were lively and cute, he couldn’t resist them. Hence, Zhu Pang had taken quite a few things from Gu Chengyu’s stash, but Zhu Pang often exchanged them with his own collections.

"Ahem! I’ll pass! Don’t you know? Not only is Heir Qin skilled in pitch-pot, but Mr. Lu is also no slouch."

Zhu Pang had some self-awareness and knew he wouldn’t stand a chance against those people. Even Zhou Yuewei had a better chance than him.

Zheng Lun rubbed his forehead, Jinyu was too straightforward, but since Jinyu had Silver, he shouldn’t be too pained over it.

Everyone else took off a Jade Pendant from their person; since they wore it to the flower viewing event, it certainly wouldn’t be shabby. Though it might not compare to Qin Min’s Mutton Fat Jade Chess Pieces and Gu Chengyu’s Blood Jade Peace Pendant, it wasn’t bad.

"Are they planning to compete in pitch-pot?"

The Eldest Princess arrived at the Jade Flower Tree with the ladies, seeing the girls all looking toward the Lake Heart Pavilion.

"Greetings, Your Highness, the Princess!" The girls who were looking at the Lake Heart Pavilion quickly stepped forward to salute as soon as they saw the Eldest Princess and their elders approach.

"No need for formalities!"

Yao Mengxian cast her gaze toward the Eldest Princess, having heard that Princess Rong Jia’s beauty was inherited from the Princess, and it wasn’t false. She was a beautiful noblewoman who, despite having given birth to three sons, still retained her charm. Her resplendent cloud brocade palace gown perfectly complemented her dignified aura.

"Mother! Big Brother is competing in pitch-pot with them! I’ve heard they even have stakes involved."

"Oh? And who is that young man standing by Min Er? He seems unfamiliar." The Eldest Princess showed interest at the mention.

She stepped forward and looked toward the Lake Heart Pavilion, spotting Gu Chengyu standing beside Qin Min. Except for those from smaller families, she had basically seen all the young men from the major aristocratic families in the Capital.

Princess Rong Jia stood beside the Eldest Princess. "That is Mr. Gu, the little disciple of the former Grand Secretary Liang Zhirui, Gu Chengyu."

The Eldest Princess was a bit surprised; she thought he was a child from some small official family and didn’t expect him to be the one who proposed the tea tax, Gu Chengyu.

"Now that you mention it, I do recall having sent invitations to the Gu Mansion. Mr. Gu indeed looks young and is as handsome as the rumors say, comparable to Pan An. Besides, he should have some connection with Miss Yao."

The Eldest Princess referred to Miss Yao as Yao Mengxian. Previously, when Yao Mengxian visited the Eldest Princess, she unexpectedly received the Eldest Princess’s favor. The Eldest Princess felt some sympathy for the girl, asked a few questions, and found her character quite commendable.

"In response to Your Highness, yes indeed! My maternal grandfather was Mr. Gu’s mentor." Yao Mengxian stepped forward to reply promptly upon being mentioned.

"No need for courtesies. I’ve heard Mr. Gu is well-versed in literature, capable in poetry and prose. Even in calligraphy, he is quite accomplished, although his works are hard to come by."

Mrs. Ke’s chest slightly heaved seeing the Eldest Princess treat Yao Mengxian so warmly.

She had previously thought the girl to be simple and easy to control, but recently she’s become harder to deal with. Now, with the Princess’s favor, it was something she had to consider carefully.

Mrs. Ke took a deep breath, realizing this couldn’t be rushed, and decided to think it through once they returned home.

Gu Chengyu was already well-known, and the Eldest Princess was fond of his calligraphy. Unfortunately, Gu Chengyu’s Yan Style was difficult to master, and few of his works were circulated, making it hard to find examples.

The Eldest Princess had already decided to ask Gu Chengyu to write a piece later, so she and Yuanyuan could practice from it.

"How many are competing in pitch-pot? Since there are stakes, why don’t we join in the fun? Alright then, I’ll also contribute something, like that set of Small Leaf Red Sandalwood prayer beads."

Princess Rong Jia promptly stopped her, "Mother! Second Brother has had his eye on those beads for a long time and said just the other day that father wasn’t wearing them anymore, asking you to give them to him for play!"

The Eldest Princess waved her hand. "He always likes to fiddle with these things. Does he really need another set of beads? Have a maid bring them over!"

The second son wasn’t at the mansion, so the Eldest Princess didn’t mind. It was just a set of beads, after all, and she had confidence in her eldest son’s abilities.

The other aristocratic ladies, seeing the Eldest Princess contribute stakes, felt embarrassed not to contribute as well and said they would offer something too.

The Eldest Princess laughed, "No need, this is for the young men to compete, and the things you wear are for ladies; they wouldn’t be interested. Keep them. There will be enough time for you to spend later."

The ladies finally gave up, understanding the Eldest Princess’s meaning, as later there would be a talent competition among the women that also customarily required stakes every year.

"I assume everyone is familiar with the rules, so I won’t reiterate them. Let’s begin!"

Once the Mutton Fat Jade Chess Pieces arrived, Qin Min announced the start of the competition.

"Young Master! Her Highness has also sent a stake." At this moment, a servant approached, calling Qin Min, who was about to begin.

Gu Chengyu glanced curiously at the tray in the servant’s hand and saw a set of Small Leaf Red Sandalwood prayer beads. As the servant approached, the beads appeared round and smooth, as if they had been frequently handled.

He looked across and saw, unsurprisingly, the Eldest Princess watching from that side.

He had initially been interested in those Mutton Fat Jade Chess Pieces, thinking to gift them to his teacher who liked playing chess. But now, with the Eldest Princess offering this set of beads, he hesitated.