In the tavern, several drinkers lowered their voices.
“Have you heard? Zhao Cheng nearly ran someone over on the street today.”
“Hah, what’s so strange about that? He’s been that arrogant for quite some time now.”
“That Zhao Cheng kid really thinks he can do whatever he wants just because Zhao Gao is the Chancellor!”
As these words fell, drinkers from the neighboring table chimed in: “Exactly! My wife saw it this morning when she went to the market for groceries.”
“That good-for-nothing Zhao Cheng was riding alongside the Eighteenth Young Master, looking so arrogant he could pierce the sky with his gaze. He didn’t even show proper respect to the Princess! The audacity runs deep in his bones!”
“What does being Chancellor matter? Does being the Chancellor’s brother give him the right to bully the Princess? Are the rules of Great Qin only meant for us commoners?”
Those around nodded in agreement, and soon the tavern filled with condemnations of Zhao Cheng. Even Zhao Gao became the subject of hushed criticism, accused of indulging his clansmen and disregarding the law.
These words drifted out of the tavern with the scent of alcohol, spreading among passersby. Even the guards outside the palace walls whispered about it during shift changes.
Meanwhile, in the Chancellor’s study, the steward stood before Zhao Gao sweating profusely, his voice trembling: “My lord, the entire city is saying…”
“Saying what?”
“They’re saying… saying you’ve indulged the Second Young Master to the point where he dares to insult even the royal Princess! Some are even saying… saying your power has grown too great, that you show no respect for the imperial family!”
Zhao Gao suddenly looked up, the calm in his eyes replaced by dark intensity. Yet he didn’t immediately lose his temper, instead tapping his fingers rhythmically on the desk – thump, thump.
Before long, Zhao Cheng was summoned to the study.
The moment he entered, Zhao Cheng stiffened under his brother’s icy gaze, instinctively shrinking his neck: “Brother… you wanted to see me?”
“Wanted to see you?” Zhao Gao slammed the desk violently, sending bamboo scrolls scattering across the floor. “Do you know what people are saying about you outside? What they’re saying about me?”
“You flaunt my name while swaggering through the streets, even daring to provoke the Princess. Do you think having me behind you means you can act without regard for law or consequence?”
Zhao Cheng turned pale from the scolding and hurried to defend himself: “Brother, I was just racing horses with the Eighteenth Young Master when we happened upon the Sixth Princess’s carriage blocking the road. I never thought it would cause such a stir…”
At this, Zhao Cheng muttered discontentedly: “Besides, she’s just a minor princess anyway, not even favored…”
“Blocking the road?” Zhao Gao let out a cold laugh, stepping forward to grip Zhao Cheng’s wrist with such force that he cried out in pain.
“Who do you think the Princess is? She’s the Emperor’s daughter! And who are you? How dare you look down on her?”
“Now all of Xianyang is saying the Zhao family abuses imperial favor! Are you trying to push me into a pit of fire?”
When Huhai looks down on someone, at least in the Emperor’s eyes it’s just minor squabbles between siblings.
But what are you, Zhao Cheng? How dare you?
Zhao Cheng was sweating from the pain, begging repeatedly: “Brother, I was wrong, I’ll never do it again, please spare me…”
Zhao Gao released his hand, too disgusted to look at him further, his voice cold as ice: “From today onward, you will remain within the estate grounds, not taking a single step beyond the main gate! If you dare cause trouble outside again, don’t blame me for disowning you as my brother!”
Zhao Cheng scrambled to comply, slinking away in disgrace.
When the study held only himself, Zhao Gao walked to the window and gazed out at the deepening twilight, a flash of ruthlessness passing through his eyes.
He knew all too well that the news had spread so rapidly because someone was deliberately fanning the flames behind the scenes.
Could it be that old fool Li Si?
They’re like a pack of dogs sniffing out bones!
“Li Si…” Zhao Gao muttered the name under his breath. “You’re quite cunning, but do you really think you can bring me down with such methods? How naive.”
Though the two had never been on friendly terms, they had maintained a superficial civility.
But now, this incident had erupted…
At the thought, a cold gleam flashed in Zhao Gao’s eyes.
He had worked too hard to secure his position as Middle Chancellor. He would never allow anyone to drag him down from it—not even those currently in power.
Meanwhile, Li Si, far away in the Chancellor’s residence, remained completely unaware.
He was sitting peacefully at home when trouble descended from the sky.
At the same time, Zhao Cheng, who had just returned to his own courtyard, was cursing under his breath. “What is my elder brother so afraid of? She’s just a princess, and an unfavored one at that!”
“That wench! That wench!” Zhao Cheng rubbed his sore wrist, spittle flying as he raged.
If it weren’t for that wretched woman, why would his elder brother have placed him under house arrest?
Just as he was about to spew even fouler words, a heavy blow struck the back of his neck. A coarse sack was swiftly pulled over his head, tightly covering his mouth and nose.
“Mmph! Mmph!” Zhao Cheng trembled in panic, struggling briefly before a heavy punch to his back made his vision darken and stole his breath.
Then, fists and kicks rained down on him like a storm—shoulders, neck, waist, abdomen, thighs.
Each blow landed precisely on fleshy but excruciatingly painful spots, carefully avoiding bones and vital areas to leave no obvious marks, yet inflicting enough agony to shatter his spirit.
Zhao Cheng wanted to scream for help, but the sack muffled his mouth, reducing his cries to muffled whimpers. He tried to struggle, but two tall, shadowy figures pinned his limbs firmly, making even the slightest movement impossible.
He could tell his assailants were skilled—each strike was vicious yet controlled, clearly intended to teach him a lesson rather than take his life.
In mere moments, Zhao Cheng was beaten limp, collapsing to the ground like a heap of mud. His whimpers faded to weak tremors, leaving him shaking uncontrollably.
Then, a low, icy voice whispered in his ear, “Remember, cross the wrong person again, and next time it won’t just be a beating.”
As the words fell, the hand covering his mouth released, and the sack was yanked away.
Gasping for air, Zhao Cheng saw stars dancing before his eyes. Through the blur, he glimpsed two shadows vanishing into the darkness beyond the courtyard wall, leaving him lying cold on the ground, wracked with pain too severe even for tears.
Trembling, Zhao Cheng tried to rise, but every movement sent sharp aches shooting through his body. He could only curl up on the ground, consumed by fear and hatred.
Who sent these men?!
“Help! Someone, help!” Zhao Cheng’s voice was hoarse and shaky, cut short as a metallic taste in his throat made him cough violently.
Each cough felt like needles piercing the gaps between his bones.
Hearing their master’s cries, the servants outside the courtyard hurriedly pushed the door open and rushed in.
By the light of the corridor’s palace lanterns, they saw the crumpled figure on the ground. Terrified, the servants dropped to their knees, scrambling forward on hands and knees. “Young master! Young master, what happened?!”
The lead servant reached out a trembling hand to help him, but the moment he touched Zhao Cheng’s arm, Zhao Cheng flinched away in pain.
Zhao Cheng’s face was deathly pale, his forehead drenched in cold sweat. His disheveled hair clung to his face, and his once splendid brocade robe was now smeared with dust from head to toe, exuding utter wretchedness.
Like a stray dog.
Even calling him a stray dog would be an insult to dogs.
“Young master, who did this to you? How were you injured so badly?”