Water Margin: Gao Yanei is actually a Gal Genius

Gao Jin, accompanied by Lady Lin Chong, approached with a palace maid.

Looking at the figure leaning against the railing overlooking the lake, Gao Jin glanced at his clothes and pressed his temples with his hand.

Only then did he confidently walk towards the pavilion with his head held high, but he was stopped by the guards on the left and right as soon as he got close to the pavilion.

Gao Jin held his head high with disdain, waiting for Zhao Fujin to dismiss the guards.

That's how it's always portrayed in TV dramas: the protagonist trembles, and the noble ladies all bow down in awe.

Thinking of this, Gao Jin clenched all his muscles and shuddered.

Seeing that Zhao Fujin did not turn around, Gao Jin was shocked again.

The maids and attendants around them immediately covered their mouths, their eyes crinkling with suppressed laughter.

The guards facing Gao Jin kept their eyes straight ahead, their expressions tense.

Gao Jin felt somewhat embarrassed. Recalling the behavior of those young masters at the banquet, he clasped his hands in a salute and said...

"This humble subject, Gao Jin, pays his respects to Princess Maode."

Zhao Fujin then spoke, "Is there a sequel to the poem 'A Spray of Plum Blossoms' you recited at the banquet earlier?"

She didn't turn around, she just looked at the lake.

Gao Jin straightened up curiously and followed Zhao Fujin's gaze, only to find that she was looking at the stone bridge.

Could it be that she saw what just happened?

Gao Jin was curious, but replied, "Yes."

Zhao Fujin didn't ask why he hadn't said it earlier, but simply said, "Read it aloud, I want to hear it."

"I recall the osmanthus blossoms of Mid-Autumn Festival. Flowers in the cup, moon in the cup. Tonight, we share a cup upstairs. Clouds dampen the gauze window, rain dampens the gauze window. I long to ride the wind and question the Creator. The road is difficult to pass, letters are difficult to send. Only the red candlelight fills the room. Let the cup flow leisurely, let the song flow leisurely."

"...Cup and song with ease." Zhao Fujin recited these words before turning to look at Gao Jin.

[Zhao Fujin's favorability rating: 10.]

Brothers, you still need to memorize poems! A mere tremor of a tiger's body is all an illusion; only good poetry can get a noble lady's eye on you!

After scrutinizing Gao Jin for a while, Zhao Fujin spoke calmly.

"My future husband has some quirks, I'm sorry to trouble you, I apologize on his behalf."

Zhao Fujin was referring to homosexuality, which was considered elegant by scholars and was an open secret.

Gao Jin was stunned.

He thought Zhao Fujin was referring to Cai Xiu's bizarre habit of being cuckolded.

Shouldn't Princess Maode be even more aggrieved?

"Uh... I'm fine... Princess Maode has been wronged too." Gao Jin thought for a moment and still comforted Zhao Fujin.

Zhao Fujin looked back at the stone bridge. "Alright, there's nothing else here. You may go back to your residence."

Seeing Zhao Fujin's heavy heart, Gao Jin couldn't help but feel a pang of pity. "Then I'll take my leave. Princess Maode, please take care of yourself."

Zhao Fujin remained silent.

After bowing, Gao left with Lin Chong's wife.

Zhao Fujin's gaze shifted to the painted boat moored on the lake, and after a long while, he spoke softly.

"That pleasure boat is really beautiful."

After leaving Princess Maode, Gao Jin remained silent the entire way and successfully left the Cai residence with Lin Chong's wife.

No one knew what Lin Chong's wife was thinking; her face was flushed, as if blood was about to seep out.

Gao Jin dared not share a carriage with her any longer, so he went to the carriage and gestured for her to get in quickly.

"The moonlight is lovely tonight. Sister-in-law, you should go home and get some rest."

Lin Chong's wife approached Gao Jin, bowed, and gave a curtsy.

"I have had many misunderstandings with you before, and I hope you won't mind."

Gao Jin waved his hand, "Sister-in-law, go home and rest quickly. Remember to visit my brother tomorrow; he's very worried about you."

Lin Chong's wife dared not raise her head. "I will visit my husband tomorrow. I will leave this matter to you, Uncle."

"I will do my best to help my brother. Sister-in-law, get in the car quickly."

Lin Chong's wife then lowered her head and got into the carriage.

After seeing Lin Chong's wife enter the carriage and sit down, Gao Jin instructed the driver to make sure she got home safely.

After the coachman repeatedly assured Gao Jin, he drove the carriage away.

Gao Jin watched the carriage disappear into the distance, then glanced back at the west gate of the Cai residence, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions.

These young masters of the Song Dynasty are really going too far!

Shaking his head, Gao Jin let out a long sigh.

At first, Gao Jin thought his conflict with Cai Xiu was just a typical school squabble, but he never imagined it was this...

Hopefully, Old Deng can find a way to resolve this properly...

Bathed in moonlight, Gao Jin walked towards the Grand Commandant's mansion. He had only taken a few dozen steps when he heard a voice...

"Brother Gao."

Crazy woman?

Gao Jin's heart skipped a beat, and he turned to look in the direction the sound came from. The alley was pitch black, but there seemed to be a figure there.

[Chen Liqing's favorability rating: 50.] Who else could she be but a crazy woman?

Gao Jin's face lit up with joy, and he involuntarily took a step in that direction. However, he stopped after taking just one step, his expression solemn as he clasped his hands in a salute.

"Greetings, Miss Chen."

Chen Liqing's expression was not visible in the shadows, but as soon as she moved, a slender black shadow flew towards Gao Jin.

The shadowy figure wasn't moving fast; it was still in mid-air when Gao Jin realized it was a stick. He reached out and took it, puzzled.

"Miss Chen, what is the meaning of this?"

Chen Liqing's voice, as melodious as a nightingale's song, came from behind her: "Brother, you're feeling down today. Why don't you keep your little sister company and play for a bit? Maybe it will cheer you up."

You know I'm in a bad mood, shouldn't you come up to me and try to comfort me or make me feel better? What's with this fighting?

Gao Jin smiled bitterly to himself, thinking he should go back and ask Lao Deng for advice as soon as possible.

"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Chen. I have some things to take care of tonight, so I won't keep you company."

Gao Jin gripped the stick and turned to leave. With a whoosh, he had an idea. He used the stick as a gun, crouched down, and thrust it out.

"Clang!" The stick head indeed struck a pebble.

"Brother, what superb marksmanship! You've mastered the essence of the horse spear technique this time. Why didn't I see you use it before? Were you trying to hide your skills from me?" Chen Liqing's tone rose, seemingly both surprised and delighted.

[Chen Liqing's favorability rating: 55.]

Gao Jin frowned. Why was this crazy woman hitting his butt? Didn't she know his butt wasn't fully healed yet?

Enraged, Gao Jin's face contorted with malice as he thought of the marksmanship he had acquired from Lin Chong.

I must beat this wicked woman to tears today.

"This place isn't big enough, do you have a spot, miss?"

"Brother, please come with me."

The figure in the alley turned and left. Gao Jin looked around and, seeing that no one was around, followed.

Gao Jin followed Chen Liqing to a small courtyard, where he looked around and saw signs of long-term desertion.

Seeing him looking around, Chen Liqing explained, "This is the residence of my father's friend. He went south to find his relatives and entrusted this place to my father."

"I see." Gao Jin, seeing the bright moonlight in the courtyard, clasped his hands and asked, "Young lady Chen, are you having your duel here?"

"Let's do it here, brother!" Chen Liqing struck a pose, signaling Gao Jin to attack.

Gao Jin twirled the stick and said, "Young lady, please be careful." Then he swung the stick at Chen Liqing.

Today we're going to teach Chen Liqing a lesson and show her what's what.