Being called out on his weakness in front of so many people, Gu Beichen's face instantly fell.
Embarrassment painted his entire face. Gu Beichen's eyelids twitched twice. He strongly suspected Feng Jin was deliberately tormenting him by saying these things in front of everyone.
"Good disciple, from now on, Master will definitely 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 of his suffering, Feng Jin felt her mood lighten.
"Then thank you, Master."
Gu Beichen gritted his teeth and squeezed out these words through them.
"We are master and disciple, family. Why be so formal?"
To outsiders, these two appeared to be a picture of a loving master and a filial disciple, but their exchanged glances were a fierce battle.
Feng Jin met Gu Beichen's gaze without fear, her eyes full of provocation.
Everyone knew that she was now Gu Beichen's master. If Gu Beichen showed any disrespect to his master, it would cause immense criticism.
Gu Beichen was not someone who valued face above all else and was not indifferent to his reputation. He also had to consider the reputation of the Zhennan Royal Manor.
She now held the biggest leverage over Gu Beichen and had no fear of him showing her any disrespect.
"Everyone, please proceed to the rear hall. The banquet will begin shortly."
Ling Mohan, sensing the silent competition between the two, interrupted. After everyone dispersed, Ling Mohan stepped forward, took Feng Jin's hand, and walked towards the rear hall. As they passed Gu Beichen, Feng Jin deliberately provoked him, "Good disciple, aren't you going to hurry and follow your Master?"
The address "good disciple" made Gu Beichen so angry that he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
In terms of age, Feng Jin was even younger than him. To have risen a generation above him like this, how was he supposed to address Ling Mohan in the future?
Ling Mohan was also somewhat stunned. This situation was...
"Why are you two looking at me? Is there something on my face?"
Feng Jin touched her face and asked cluelessly. What she had said was not wrong. The apprenticeship ceremony had been completed, and Gu Beichen was indeed her good disciple.
"Why are you standing there stunned? Your Master is leaving. Shouldn't you come forward and greet her? Do you want Master to clear the way for you? Do you even know what respecting your master means?"
"Master, please..." Gu Beichen reluctantly invited Feng Jin to enter first.
His lifelong reputation had been completely ruined by Feng Jin.
After the banquet ended, Feng Jin, too lazy to entertain the guests, pushed the task onto Gu Beichen, calling it an opportunity to train his social skills.
Given that everyone was present, Gu Beichen, for the sake of his remaining reputation, could only accept the task and dutifully send off the guests.
"Oh... Young Master Gu is truly doing a fine job. For this king to be seen off by Young Master Gu is not a wasted trip!"
Chu Chenyi's tone was full of mockery. He played the role of kicking someone while they were down to perfection.
"You should mind yourself. You're a cripple, why do you have so much to say!"
Gu Beichen's retort was just as sharp. Chu Chenyi had always been reclusive. For him to suddenly appear here was clearly to gloat at his misfortune. Gu Beichen was determined not to give him that satisfaction.
"Naturally, this king is not as fortunate as Young Master Gu, to be able to find such a Master."
"What, Your Highness Prince Jing, do you have a problem with me, or with 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, and even his posture straightened a little. He echoed Feng Jin's words, "Does Your Highness Prince Jing have an opinion?"
"This king... this king naturally has no opinion."
These two were ganging up on him, and he knew he wouldn't gain anything. Chu Chenyi wisely shut his mouth.
"If Your Highness Prince Jing is truly too idle, then find a way to earn more money to pay off your debts. Don't always have me chasing you for money. Also, using a woman's dowry money to do so, do you still have any face, Prince Jing?"
"If you said one less word, no one would think you're mute!"
Chu Chenyi wished he could sew Feng Jin's mouth shut, lest she spout more nonsense.
"You owe money and refuse to pay, yet you're afraid of people talking about it. Threatening your creditor here, Your Highness 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.
"Serves you right for being so talkative and getting scolded!" Lin Yuwei couldn't stand it any longer. She stepped forward to help Chu Chenyi out of his predicament. She didn't know her own limitations and insisted on finding trouble with others.
"Sister Feng Jin, Young Master Gu, he's just got a foul mouth. Considering his crippled leg, if you adults are magnanimous, please don't bicker 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 this slide this time. If I catch you bullying my disciple again, I'll beat you until you're brain-dead."
Feng Jin was always protective of her own. Although she didn't necessarily treat Gu Beichen with utmost care, now that Gu Beichen was her disciple, she absolutely would not allow others to bully him.
For the first time, Gu Beichen found Feng Jin extremely pleasing to the eye, especially when she defended him. It was simply too cool.
"Alright, this matter ends here. Someone escort the Prince and Princess of Jing back to their manor."
Constantly witnessing their arguments made Ling Mohan's head explode. He stepped forward to stop their quarrel, pulled Feng Jin to his side, and returned to their room.
Halfway through their walk, Ling Mohan suddenly stopped. He truly couldn't ignore the person trailing behind them.
"How long do you plan to follow?"
Since leaving the hall, Gu Beichen had been following behind them, occasionally hiding.
Did he think he couldn't notice, or did he think his hiding skills were superb?
Gu Beichen, who had been lurking behind a tree, slowly walked out, a hint of awkwardness on his face. He said sheepishly, "I'm just taking a stroll. You guys carry on."
"Just say it, what exactly is it?" Feng Jin asked helplessly.
How long was he going to follow before it was over?
Gu Beichen lowered his head and remained silent for a long time, almost wringing his hands.
"Speak quickly, are you trying to drive me crazy by dawdling?"
Feng Jin had a fiery temper and couldn't stand people being hesitant and shy.
"I just want to ask, can you teach me how gunpowder is made?"
Gu Beichen almost shouted these words. After speaking, he turned his head away, not looking at Feng Jin.
"Just this... you're following me for this long?" She took out a piece of paper from her怀 and handed it to Gu Beichen. "This is the formula for gunpowder. Go back and take a look. If there's anything you don't understand, come ask me tomorrow."
Her eyes were so tired she could barely keep them open. She really didn't want to waste any more breath with this brainless Gu Beichen.