Resplendent – Chapter 566

Chapter 566: Toxic Masculinity

At the time, the young Princess Anya, just twelve years old, was in the tender age of budding romance. In her most perilous moment, a tall, athletic, and handsome youth descended like a celestial being, saving her from being thrown from a startled horse and breaking her neck. He then wrapped his arms around her waist, held her body close, and rolled several times on the ground… Naturally, she was delighted.

The problem was that Chu Mubai, this bloke, was stuck in a painful phase of adolescent rebelliousness. He was also brash and clumsy, a complete blockhead who hadn’t a clue when it came to romance. Right then and there, he declared he’d never marry the spoiled little princess.

Princess Anya’s reputation for capriciousness actually stemmed from complex family circumstances. Prince Qing’s consort was frail and frequently ill, while the prince himself favored his concubine, blurring the lines between legitimate wife and concubine. Naturally, those with ulterior motives spread rumors about Princess Anya being willful, disrespectful to elders, and bullying her half-sisters!

At that moment, Princess Anya was so enraged she nearly collapsed before everyone. From then on, she adopted a ‘What’s the point in pretending?’ attitude. 

You say I’m willful? I’ll show you just how willful I can be. You say I bully my half-sisters? Then I’ll torment those two wretched girls born to Prince Qing’s concubine until they’re nearly dead. You say I’m arrogant and haughty? I’m a princess personally bestowed by the Emperor, one with her own fiefdom—I have every right to be proud. You ants can only watch helplessly!

Because of this, Princess Anya’s reputation in the capital grew increasingly tarnished… If you look closely, Chu Xiaoliu had a hand in that too!

Though past adolescence, Chu Mubai remained stubbornly awkward, especially around girls, showing no signs of maturing. Right now, he was making provocative faces and gestures at Princess Anya in the most infuriating way, sending the young girl into a rage.

Princess Anya, who had grown up training in martial arts alongside her brother, wielded a formidable whip technique. Unable to endure any longer, she drew the flexible whip coiled around her waist and lashed out at the detestable Chu Xiaowu.

In terms of martial prowess, even two Princess Anyas combined might not have been a match for Chu Xiaowu. Like a monkey, he leapt and dodged through the whipping shadows, his mouth twisting into a provoking grin. “Missed again! Missed again! You spoiled princess, your whip skills need work, lots of practice!”

Clearly, this pattern of bickering upon meeting was nothing new to the Jun family. Lady Jun sighed helplessly at her son. “Xiaowu, Anya is a girl. You should give her some leeway…”

“Mother, I can’t back down! Look at her fierce, tigress-like demeanor. If I retreat now, she’ll definitely bully me. Who knows, she might even whip this handsome face to pieces! How could I ever bring home a daughter-in-law to honor you then?” Chu Mubai grinned mischievously at his mother from between the whip’s swings.

Gu Ye pulled back the slightly worried Lady Jun and whispered with a smile in her ear, “Mother, don’t you think Fifth Brother and Princess Anya look like a pair of lovebirds? I heard some boys deliberately provoke girls they like just to get their attention!”

Little did they know, Chu Mubai had ears like a bat. His footing faltered, nearly landing him squarely in the whip’s path. He yelped, “Little Sister, what nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever have feelings for this stubborn brat?”

“Yes, yes! Fifth Brother, carry on. I shouldn’t have blurted out the truth and interrupted your playful banter!” Gu Ye chuckled mischievously.

“Miss Chu, if you dare keep talking nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth off!” Princess Anya’s face flushed crimson, thick as if coated in rouge. Whether it was from anger or embarrassment, no one could tell.

“Ouch, how fierce! I’m so scared! Fifth Brother, save me…” Gu Ye drawled in a mocking tone, her face twisted in a teasing expression.

Princess Anya lunged at her in fury, but her foot caught on a loose stone. She stumbled, her body crashing heavily toward the ground. Below her lay a cluster of sharp rocks, poised to injure the young girl.

Gu Ye gasped, about to rush over to help, but she was a step too late. Someone else had already swooped in to play the hero. 

Chu Mubai grabbed Princess Anya by the arm, hoisting her up like a little chick. He set her down carefully on the ground, but his words were stubbornly defensive: “I didn’t save you. I was afraid you’d fall on my little sister. You’re so sturdy. What if you crushed her?”

Princess Anya steadied herself, flung Chu Mubai’s arm away, and retorted furiously, “Who are you calling sturdy? What part of me is fat?”

Chu Mubai surveyed her figure—slim where it should be, yet full where it shouldn’t. Clearing his throat, he coughed twice. “Well, you’re definitely fatter than my sister!”

“That’s because your sister is too skinny! She’s like a stick, all bony and shriveled—what’s attractive about that?” Princess Anya was furious, her round eyes bulging like a cat with its fur standing on end.

Gu Ye felt like she was caught in the crossfire. Why drag me into your fight? You’re the one who’s shriveled! You’re the one who’s a stick figure! Your whole family is shriveled and stick-thin! 

Gu Ye glanced down at her own chest. It was still small, undeveloped. But just wait—someday you’ll see it differently!!

“My little sister is beautiful in every way, far more beautiful than you!” Chu Mubai bickered with Princess Anya like a child. “She’s sweet and adorable, sensible and gentle, a hundred times better than you, you stubborn old shrew!”

“You! You…” Princess Anya stamped her foot, her eyes gradually reddening. “Is that how worthless I am in your eyes?”

“Of cou—” Before Chu Mubai could finish the words ‘Of course,’ his supposedly well-behaved little sister kicked him aside, nearly sending him sprawling face-first into the dirt.

“Princess, ignore my idiot brother. With that foul mouth of his, he deserves to be single!” Gu Ye stepped forward, slipping his arm through Princess Anya’s and gently guiding her toward the steps leading to Anguo Temple. “Princess, are you here to offer incense too?”

Princess Anya quickly regained her composure, snorting coldly. ” I was delivering an invitation to the Duke’s Manor when I learned that a certain someone was accompanying her mother to Anguo Temple to fulfill a vow. I rushed over at full speed.”

Gu Ye’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she feigned surprise. “Oh? What invitation did you have to deliver to my Fifth Brother? How gracious of you to personally bring it…”

“Shut up! Who said I was delivering an invitation to him?” Princess Anya glared at Gu Ye, her eyes darting toward a certain person before she huffed indignantly, “Why should this princess be the one to deliver his invitation? I came to invite a certain mysterious Grand Pharmacist to attend the flower gathering I’m organizing in three days.”

“A Grand Pharmacist? Oh… so you meant to invite my Senior Brother Baili! Princess, you have excellent taste. My Senior Brother Baili is young and accomplished, gentle and refined, considerate and thoughtful… truly the best choice for a husband!” Before Gu Ye could finish her sentence, the soft flesh on her arm was pinched, making her wince in pain.

“See if you dare to talk nonsense again!” Princess Anya pinched her arm once before quickly releasing it. “Don’t play dumb in front of this princess. You know exactly who I’m talking about! What’s with this ‘Invisible Grand Pharmacist’ nonsense? You’re just trying to grab attention! Everyone knows that in the final assessment, only you and another Grand Pharmacist Ge remained. And among the patients testing the medicine, there was one suffering from venereal disease… You might fool others, but you won’t fool this princess!”

With that, the young girl lifted her chin haughtily, her nose turned up in pride.

“Yes, yes, yes! Your Highness has eyes like a hawk and discerns the slightest detail. Satisfied now?” Gu Ye rolled her eyes dismissively.

Princess Anya gave her a sidelong glance, her tone condescendingly gracious. “But rest assured, I won’t reveal that you are that mysterious Grand Pharmacist.”

Her expression clearly read, ‘See? This Princess is being generous, right?’

“Am I supposed to be grateful, tearfully thankful, and endlessly worship you?” Not a trace of gratitude appeared on Gu Ye’s face, in her eyes, or even in her tone.

“Cut the crap! Consider the flower gathering in three days as this princess’s victory banquet for you, celebrating your outstanding achievements at this Great Pharmacists Convention!” Princess Anya threw her arm around Gu Ye’s neck. The gesture didn’t suggest affection so much as a chokehold.

Poor Gu Ye, nearly half a head shorter than Princess Anya and held in a tight embrace, deliberately rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue, looking as if she was being bullied.

Princess Anya laughed at her antics. “Why are you making such a funny face? Outsiders might think I’m picking on you! Just give me a straight answer. Are you coming or not?”

Throughout her two lifetimes, Gu Ye dreaded nothing more than ‘social engagements.’ The mere thought of those prim and proper young ladies, with their coy affectations, flattery tailored to their audience, veiled insults, and open hostility, made her cringe. Well, she didn’t have that particular problem, but her head certainly ached. (Something felt off about that comparison, didn’t it?)

“What’s wrong? Toothache?” Princess Anya raised an eyebrow at Gu Ye’s grimacing, displeased expression. “I personally came to deliver this invitation, and you’re unhappy? No one has ever made me lose face like this before! Is being a Grand Pharmacist so grand? Does that mean you can ignore this princess?”

“Uhm… I know you mean well, wanting to celebrate for me. But… could we do this differently? Something more practical?” Gu Ye shot her a meaningful look. “Like gold, silver, jewels, rare herbs, antique paintings—anything valuable will do!”

Princess Anya raised an eyebrow at her, yet withdrew her arm draped over Gu Ye’s shoulder. Like two close friends, they walked side by side up the steps into Anguo Temple. She glanced sideways at her and said, “What? Is the owner of Gu Pharmaceutical, the newly crowned Grand Pharmacist, short on cash?”

“Who ever said money was a burden?” Gu Ye chuckled. “You must’ve heard. I’m relocating the pharmaceutical factory from Yan City. Building facilities, hiring staff, sourcing herbs… Where doesn’t it cost money? Right now, I’d gladly split every copper coin in two!”

Chu Mubai trailed behind them, muttering to himself: When did my little sister become so close to that wild princess? That princess is so stubborn and rough. I hope she doesn’t corrupt my little sister.

Hearing his sister complain about being broke, he couldn’t help but step closer and say, “Little Sister, since you need money urgently, I won’t buy that ‘Peerless’ dagger. I’ll save the money for you!”

Aside from collecting weapons, Chu Mubai had no other hobbies. His personal fund was perpetually in the red due to his obsession with legendary blades. He’d tightened his belt for an entire year just to afford this dagger named Peerless.