Chapter 136: Placed Under House Arrest

After the woman was pulled down, she offered no resistance and simply let things happen. Among the nobility, using beauties to entertain honored guests was a customary practice, and these women were typically songstresses of the household.

The two women dispatched by Gao Zhang, however, were burdened with special assignments and might even have posed a threat to Meng Di. Therefore, he harbored no distractions; once in bed, he turned over and fell fast asleep.

The two women exchanged glances, stepped forward to remove Meng Di's shoes and socks, and listened closely for a moment. Hearing that his breathing was even and without anomaly, they withdrew.

As soon as they left, Meng Di abruptly opened his eyes and let out a silent sigh. It seemed that entering the Gao residence this time was truly entering a tiger's lair, though for now, Gao Zhang showed no intention of harming him.

He only wondered how long Gao Zhang intended to keep him trapped here. While he was deep in thought, he suddenly heard very faint footsteps outside—had Meng Di not possessed extraordinary hearing, he would have caught no sound at all.

Without guessing, it must have been the two women returning. With no other choice, Meng Di forced himself to feign sleep.

Early the next morning, just as Meng Di rose, the door was pushed open and the two women filed in, holding a bronze basin and a towel, clearly intending to attend to his washing and grooming.

After stretching his limbs in the courtyard and checking the sky, he went to request an audience with Gao Zhang. To his surprise, the reply he received was that Prime Minister Gao had gone to the palace early in the morning—this was clearly an attempt to avoid him.

Moreover, wherever he went, the two women followed closely behind, leaving him not a moment of freedom. Deciding not to dwell on it further, and fortunate that the courtyard was quite spacious, Meng Di began practicing his swordsmanship right there.

Half an hour passed unnoticed when he suddenly heard laughter. Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw several young men and women walking toward him. The leading man was none other than Gao Li, followed closely by Zisu, the daughter of Guo Xia.

The woman accompanying Zisu was unfamiliar to him, but judging by her attire and bearing, her status was supremely noble.

After all, this was the Prime Minister's Estate, and because of Feixiong, Meng Di and Gao Li had experienced previous conflicts, so he intended to step aside.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, Gao Li called out loudly.

"Meng Zi, why do you turn and leave the moment you see me? Could it be that this time you plan to disguise yourself as someone else before coming to see me again?"

This was clearly mockery regarding how Meng Di had concealed his identity when he first entered the State of Qi. However, he paid it no mind, handed the bronze sword in his hand to the nearby woman, and then raised his hands in a formal greeting.

"The last time was out of sheer necessity. I must ask Young Master Gao not to make sport of me."

Hearing this, Gao Li seemed somewhat relentless. He stepped forward until he was right in front of Meng Di and looked him up and down.

"I heard that you previously defeated our Qi army with a mere three thousand cavalrymen. I truly never expected you to possess such capability. Coincidentally, I am also fond of swordsmanship; why don't we spar and test our skills?"

Meng Di felt a headache coming on at these words. Sparring with Gao Li offered no benefits upon winning, looked poor upon losing, and if he were to accidentally injure him, complications would undoubtedly ensue. Therefore, he hastily declined.

"This time, Meng comes to the State of Qi as an emissary, not to engage in duels. If Young Master Gao is so inclined, you are welcome to visit Mengyi, and I will gladly exchange a few blows with you then."

Disregarding him, Gao Li snatched the bronze sword from the hands of the nearby woman, swung it through the air a few times, and scoffed.

"The world says that you, Meng Zi, are exceptionally brave and formidable. How is it that upon arriving in the State of Qi, you dare not even draw a sword? Perhaps I have mistaken you for someone else. Since it is I, the Young Master, who wishes to spar with you, whatever happens shall be my sole responsibility."

"Well? Things have been said to this extent; if you still refuse to draw your sword, it means you hold me in contempt."

This fellow was as clinging as a medicinal plaster, leaving Meng Di feeling rather weary. He lowered his head in thought for a moment.

"The saying goes that swords have no eyes. Young Master Gao is of noble status, and I am currently representing the State of Lu on a mission to the State of Qi. Regardless of which of us is injured, it would be difficult to explain the matter to Prime Minister Gao. If Young Master Gao insists, the two of us may test our strength in a wrestling bout instead."

Upon hearing Meng Di mention Gao Zhang, a trace of unnaturalness immediately crossed Gao Li's face. He gave a soft cough, sized Meng Di up, and judging that he was likely no match, let out a light huff.

"I merely asked you to spar with a sword, yet you make endless excuses. How thoroughly unspirited! In my view, your reputation is entirely unearned."

At that moment, the unfamiliar woman stepped forward and spoke.

"Brother, do not force someone against their will. Father has already instructed that Meng Zi is an honored guest of the estate. Should any mishap occur, how will you answer to Father?"

Hearing this, Meng Di finally understood. This young woman turned out to be Gao Zhang's daughter and Gao Li's younger sister. He simply wondered what purpose the three of them had in coming here together.

Zisu, however, did not appear as lively as she had last time. She opened her mouth several times as if wanting to speak but hesitated, looking as though she harbored something on her mind. Seizing the opportunity now, she asked,

"So you are Meng Zi. You have quite a formidable reputation nowadays. Last time I lost a sword match to your bodyguard, and watching you practice just now, you are clearly an expert. Since you are currently a guest in the Prime Minister's Estate, why not teach me swordsmanship?"

Hearing this, Gao Li rolled his eyes dramatically, consumed by jealousy, and bluntly interjected,

"Sister Zisu, you mustn't overestimate him. Just now I invited him to a sword duel, and he didn't even dare to draw his sword. What could you possibly learn from someone like that? You might as well learn swordsmanship from me instead."

At these words, Zisu wore an expression of utter disdain and unceremoniously dismantled his pride.

"From childhood to this day, have you ever defeated me once? How dare you stand here and offer to teach me swordsmanship? Where did you get such a thick skin?"

The nearby woman covered her mouth, chuckled softly, and said,

"Sister, my brother only means well and harbors no other intentions; he merely wishes to spend more time in your company. Why are you so devoid of romance?"

Challenged thusly, Zisu flushed, glared at the woman, and said with evident annoyance,

"Sister Qian'er, you invited me over to the estate not to discuss such matters. Didn't you say you recently acquired a night-pearl, exceptionally brilliant, and intended to gift it to me? Where is it?"

Qian'er smiled, pointed at her brother Gao Li, and remained silent. At that, Gao Li hastily offered an ingratiating smile.

"The Guo and Gao clans have always been on amicable terms. Since I obtained something fine, how could I not think of you, my sister? It is only because you usually pay me no mind that your brother had to resort to such a clumsy stratagem."

Giving Qian'er a disgruntled look, Zisu instead extended an invitation to Meng Di.

"Meng Zi, would you care to come along?"