Chapter 49: The Idle Prince Who Fights Cocks and Walks Dogs

Jian Aozhu shot her a sharp glance.

"I've told you countless times, whatever happened in Jiaozhou must rot in your stomach and never be mentioned again. Watch it, or I'll tear that mouth of yours apart."

"Miss, I didn't..." Moisture welled up in the corners of her eyes.

Jian Aozhu had always been cautious. Coupled with the assistance of her system, those messy affairs in Jiaozhou had long since been safely turned over. Even if there were loose ends the system couldn't clean up entirely, they would never travel a thousand miles away to the capital city of Shengjing.

The only person who knew the inside story was Haitang, who had grown up alongside her.

A murderous intent suddenly sprouted in Jian Aozhu's heart.

Anyone who might possibly leak her secret could not be allowed to live.

However, Haitang was brawny and simple-minded, yet utterly loyal to her.

She would keep her around for now; if she proved disobedient in the future, disposing of her then would not be too late.

"Let's go back! You're so annoying!"

...

Outside the Lu family's estate.

That unconventional young lord dressed in an ink-wash robe, riding a magnificent and spirited white steed, had been lingering outside for quite a while. His deputy general, Xiahou Ba, stepped forward to inquire:

"Your Highness, the Lu family is currently preparing the betrothal gifts for the heir's grand wedding. Shall we enter through the back door?"

The Prince of Yan, Mo Yuan, drew his folding fan from behind his back and tapped it lightly against his palm, wearing a genial smile.

"Forget it, the estate looks busy enough as it is, we shouldn't add to their chaos. When my cousin holds his grand wedding, I, your Prince, will come back to add some grandeur and support to this scoundrel."

Mo Yuan had grown accustomed to the carefree life in Yanzhou. With the emperor far away in the capital, everyday life there consisted of walking birds, fighting cocks, and living in a drunken dream—it was practically paradise.

Returning to Shengjing City always left him feeling terribly bored. He didn't many friends in the capital, and none of his scheming imperial brothers would ever play with him.

He had originally intended to find his cousin, Lu Lan, to drink, visit pleasure houses, and incidentally learn a few "unique techniques" from him.

Over the past three years in Yanzhou, had it not been for his cousin's strategic planning that won victories a thousand miles away, he probably would never have made it back to the capital alive.

Just how many people wished for him, the Prince of Yan, to die in Yanzhou? The daily assassination attempts alone numbered twenty-seven or eight times a year.

The two cousins had frequently communicated through secret letters.

Three years ago, when Mo Yuan set off to take up his fief in Yanzhou, Lu Lan had told him before his departure:

"In Yanzhou, you must keep your brilliance hidden and bide your time. A gentleman conceals his weapon within, acting only when the opportunity arises. On the surface, put on the act of a dissolute playboy to dull the vigilance of those in the capital who wish you dead. In secret, however, you must build up your strength and cultivate the ability to protect yourself. One day, if you find the weather too cold and your heart chilled, do not hesitate to put on a dragon robe to warm yourself..."

Recalling all those past events, Mo Yuan felt a myriad of emotions.

In three years, he had matured a great deal.

And now, Lu Lan was getting married too.

"Baba, you say my cousin, the number one scoundrel under heaven, actually wants to get married? The sun must be rising from the west."

Hearing this, Xiahou Ba lowered his head and chuckled secretly.

"We can only postpone our reunion for another day."

"Your Highness, it might be a bit too late for us to enter the palace now."

Mo Yuan pulled on the reins, and the magnificent dragon-steed of the snowy plains lifted its head and turned around. "Let's stay at the Calyx-Tower of Mutual Splendor for the night, and enter the palace during tomorrow morning's court audience to pay our respects to His Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort."

"Yes!"

His Majesty had summoned him back to the capital in such haste—could it be that... something had changed in the court?

...

Ting Zheng had waited outside the estate for a long time. After watching wave after wave of carriages depart, a full hour had passed before she approached the gatehouse in sheer exhaustion to announce her arrival.

Upon hearing that she was from the Gu family, the gatekeeper politely instructed a young page to lead her to the Water-Cloud Abode.

Just as she approached the vicinity of the courtyard, a pungent, foul odor drifted to her nose.

Ting Zheng looked at the Water-Cloud Abode in disbelief.

Certain that the stench was emanating from within, she felt even more bewildered.

Just then, Tong Yan came out from inside. Seeing a stranger in Ting Zheng, the page boy hurriedly explained to her:

"Sister Tong Yan, this is the personal maid of the Gu family's second young miss. She says she has a letter to deliver to the heir."

The moment Ting Zheng's gaze fell upon Tong Yan, she found her exceptionally breathtaking.

They always said that prominent households possessed wondrous mountains and rivers that nurtured exceptionally fair people.

Tong Yan looked tender, white, and delicate, with refined and well-proportioned facial features.

Even though she wore the hair bun of a maid just like herself, she wore a golden hairpin on her head, fine mutton-fat white jade bracelets inlaid with gold wire on her wrists, and garments made of the finest fabrics.

With such an aura of elegance and grandeur, if someone hadn't told her she was a maid, she would have truly mistaken her for a young lady of some noble household!

A sense of inferiority spontaneously welled up inside Ting Zheng. She never imagined that even a mere maid in the Duke of Yu's estate would possess such peerless beauty!

"Follow me!"

Tong Yan gracefully and naturally led Ting Zheng into the Water-Cloud Abode.

"Alright!"

Ting Zheng lowered her head slightly and looked around. The heir's courtyard was unexpectedly massive, probably covering an area of three mu.

Inside the Water-Cloud Abode, the painted beams and carved rafters, along with pavilions and terraces, were exquisitely crafted. The paint on the walls was bright and brand-new, with every detail exuding wealth and luxury.

The courtyard was also filled with the pleasant sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers everywhere.

However, right in the middle of the courtyard sat numerous stoves. A handsome man dressed in opulent and costly attire was squatting there with rapt concentration, tinkering with some kind of black stones—a scene that felt utterly out of place with the breathtakingly gorgeous courtyard.

The pungent stench was rising from those very stoves.

"Your Lordship, the maid of the Gu family's second young miss has arrived."

Lu Lan had never seen Ting Zheng before, but from her eyes, he could discern the exact same expression most people wore upon first meeting him:

Five parts awe, five parts terror.

Just like his reputation in the outside world, which was divided between praise and slander.

People praised his appearance while vilifying his character.

Fearing that he might frighten Ting Zheng, Lu Lan spoke in a gentle tone:

"Does Miss Gu have business with me?"