"I heard people say that you became haggard overnight because you’re afraid of my retaliation?" Zhang Gaoqiu looked down, his eyes full of scrutiny.
Hearing this, Zhang Chen was slightly stunned, looking at Zhang Gaoqiu in astonishment, where did this grandson hear such rumors?
Moreover: Who would dare to spread rumors about him?
It’s really outrageous!
Facing the arrogant Zhang Gaoqiu, Zhang Chen was about to open his mouth to retort when Zhang Gaoqiu spoke first: "Zhang Chen, the current power is with me! As long as you obediently admit defeat and leave Jinling City, retreating when you see me in the future, I can spare you in consideration of the blood we share."
"Want me to leave Jinling City? You’re not worthy!" Zhang Chen looked Zhang Gaoqiu up and down, coughed lightly: "You hold yourself too high and see me too low."
Seeing Zhang Chen dare to counter his words, Zhang Gaoqiu’s expression changed, feeling a bit embarrassed in front of so many people. His voice turned cold: "If you persist, don’t blame me for ignoring family ties in the future."
"Ridiculous." Zhang Chen glanced at Zhang Gaoqiu, flicked his sleeve, and turned away. He pondered whether he had found an opportunity in the Exquisite Tower to release the sealed monster inside.
Watching Zhang Chen’s departing figure, Zhang Gaoqiu’s smile gradually stiffened. He spoke to the crowd around him: "This fellow is really ignorant. He’s from a small place and doesn’t know how high the sky is. He’ll understand after facing hardships in Jinling City."
"Don’t worry, Young Master Zhang, we will take care of him and teach him manners." Someone fawningly addressed Zhang Gaoqiu.
Hearing this, Zhang Gaoqiu nodded satisfactorily: "Tonight I’ll treat everyone to drinks to thank you for your support."
"Impossible! How can we let Young Master Zhang spend? I’ll treat everyone to drinks tonight to celebrate Young Master Zhang." Someone ingratiatingly said.
"Where do you get the right to treat? Today’s feast should obviously be mine." Another person interjected discontentedly.
"You both should stop arguing. I’ll speak reasonably; how about I treat tonight?"
This remark immediately provoked the two into spitting in unison: "Humph, shameless."
Beside them, Little Princess Chai Wenji scanned the crowd with her eyes, finally landing her gaze on Zhang Gaoqiu. Her voice was very tender: "Gaoqiu, what do you think?"
Zhang Gaoqiu pondered for a moment and replied: "I’m relying on everyone to educate Zhang Chen on manners, so today’s banquet..."
Before he could finish, Little Princess Chai Wenji interrupted: "I’ll treat for you."
Zhang Gaoqiu didn’t refuse upon hearing this, but looked at Chai Wenji gently: "If that’s the case, then thank you, Wenji."
On the outer edges of the crowd, Jiang Nan watched the exchange between Zhang Gaoqiu and Princess Chai Wenji, suddenly feeling an ominous premonition. The gaze between these two seemed off.
"Everyone, please explore the mysteries of this pavilion. I have some private words to say to the Princess." Zhang Gaoqiu told the crowd.
The crowd responded by winking at Zhang Gaoqiu. Someone joked: "Young Master Zhang, we won’t disturb your date with the Princess; we’re not insensible folk."
Zhang Gaoqiu smiled at this, turning to glance at the Little Princess, seeing her standing there openly without annoyance. When the crowd temporarily dispersed to explore mysteries, Jiang Nan approached Zhang Gaoqiu and Chai Wenji: "Big cousin, I have some private words to say to you."
Zhang Gaoqiu looked at Chai Wenji, who nodded: "If it’s private, then go ahead."
Zhang Gaoqiu and Jiang Nan moved to a corner, where Zhang Gaoqiu observed Jiang Nan’s struggling expression and raised a hand to silence him: "I know what you want to say."
Jiang Nan was caught off guard by Zhang Gaoqiu’s words, who continued: "I naturally have considerations regarding this, no need for your meddling. You only need to mind your own business; my matters don’t need your interference."
"I just want to remind you, big cousin, that Sister Shen Ling betrayed her faith, broke off the marriage with Zhang Chen for you, even deceitfully took Shen Qiu’s position to enter the Inner Courtyard for you. Now that you’ve succeeded, you absolutely can’t let down Sister Shen Ling’s feelings..." Jiang Nan warned while looking at Zhang Gaoqiu.
Hearing this, Zhang Gaoqiu’s eyes were filled with impatience: "I’ve already told you, I have my own plans for this. Who are you to meddle in my affairs?"
"But the Little Princess’s gaze at you is very peculiar, she even gave you the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Demon-Extinguishing Shuttle, which isn’t just ordinary bonding. The shuttle is the token of love between the current Human King and Queen; everyone knows what its implication means." Jiang Nan refused to relent, unable to watch Shen Ling suffer losses.
"Just mind yourself." Zhang Gaoqiu coldly snorted, flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.
Seeing Zhang Gaoqiu’s attitude, Jiang Nan took a deep breath, his voice full of threat: "The Shen Family is not an ordinary family, they’re not easy to provoke."
Zhang Gaoqiu paused, his expression uncertain, then quickly regained his calm, turned to Jiang Nan, and patiently explained: "Don’t overthink it. Shen Ling and I have already made a done deal. She’s carrying my child, how could I betray her? The reason I accepted the Little Princess’s offer is just to climb higher. You don’t know how hard it is for a second son to take a step up in a big family. If I ally with the Little Princess, my future path will be much smoother, and I can give Shen Ling a better future."
Saying this, Zhang Gaoqiu slowly walked towards Jiang Nan, arriving in front of him: "Shen Ling is now pregnant, please don’t speak nonsense in front of her, consider it as my request."
Jiang Nan heard him and repeated, "Are you truly not interested in the Little Princess?"
"I’m just a legitimate second son, ranked seventh. Do you think I’m worthy of the Little Princess?" Zhang Gaoqiu finished his words and left with large strides.
Actually, there was another meaning in his words, but unfortunately, it couldn’t be expressed.
Watching Zhang Gaoqiu standing closely with the Little Princess, their laughter occasionally ringing out, Jiang Nan showed a hint of confusion in his eyes: "Could it be I misunderstood?"
Further away
Zhang Chen and Tushan Qing stood together, eating melon.
"What do you think the final outcome will be?" Zhang Chen looked at Tushan Qing.
Tushan Qing tilted his head, a thoughtful look in his eyes: "That guy doesn’t seem easy to deal with, maybe he’ll go as far as to kill his wife and abandon his child."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen looked at Tushan Qing in surprise: "That’s too ruthless, isn’t it? That’s his son."
Tushan Qing shook his head: "I’m just speaking casually; even a tiger won’t eat its cubs, let alone a human."
As Zhang Chen and Tushan Qing were eating melon, the Little Princess and Zhang Gaoqiu stood in front of a mural. Looking at the distorted mural, the Little Princess said, "I’ve heard there’s something between you and Shen Ling?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Gaoqiu smirked: "Since you’ve heard the news, you should know I traveled a long way alone to Jinling City. The Shen Family is powerful, how could I confront them? The Shen Family covets the relics left by Zhang Chen’s mother and doesn’t want to return them to the Zhang Family, so on my first night, I was plotted against."
"I don’t care about those useless matters you’ve mentioned; I just assume you hired a prostitute or kept a mistress outside. But some issues must be resolved cleanly, or I won’t be able to account to the emperor and the queen. The dignity of the Royal Family cannot be offended!" Princess Chai Wenji turned to look at Zhang Gaoqiu: "Playing is one thing; men outside always play. But there can’t be any offspring left behind, or the Great Victory Royal Family will not tolerate it, and I will become a laughingstock."
Upon hearing Princess Chai Wenji’s words, Zhang Gaoqiu showed a bitter expression in his eyes: "I understand."
He’s now on a thief’s boat, how could there be an opportunity to get off? If he dares to run after taking everything, it would be like rubbing the face of the Great Victory Royal Family on the ground. Do you think the Great Victory Royal Family would tolerate his mischief?
"Shen Ling’s matter is a hidden danger, but the Jinling Shen Family is not easy to provoke either, not easy to bully. I’m really in a tough situation now." Zhang Gaoqiu’s heart was in chaos.
Princess Chai Wenji seemed to understand his turmoil and smiled, saying: "If you marry me, I can help you seize the position of the Zhang Family’s Patriarch. With the Crown Prince’s support, it’s not impossible for you to take the post."
"I know what choice to make," Zhang Gaoqiu said.
Princess Chai Wenji showed a hint of hesitation in her eyes:
"Also, your cousin, if you still have the chance, try to draw him in."
"Why?" Zhang Gaoqiu looked at Princess Chai Wenji puzzled.
"According to my investigation, he seems to have a deep relationship with the Xie Family’s father and daughter. Currently, the Xie Family’s father and daughter are the hottest figures in Kyoto. Once they gain their support, our faction’s power will surely explode! And your cousin seems to have some connection with the Grand Steward, who once spoke for him in front of the Human King..." Princess Chai Wenji turned her head and seriously said to Zhang Gaoqiu: "You should know what that means, right?"
"I understand!" Zhang Gaoqiu said: "I will extend a helping hand when he is desperate so that he is grateful and loyal to the Crown Prince."
Upon hearing this, Princess Chai Wenji nodded: "Since that’s the case, I’m reassured."
Meanwhile, Zhang Chen roamed inside the Exquisite Tower for a day before stepping out, and he saw a beautiful lady dressed in red standing at the gate, holding a food box in her arms, looking hopefully toward the gate.
"Isn’t that Shen Ling?" Tushan Qing, following Zhang Chen, said, then sniffed: "What a fragrant chicken soup!" Being a Fox Spirit, he was highly sensitive to the aroma of chicken soup.