Looking at Wang Li, thrown onto the ground like a dead dog and knocked unconscious, Gu Chuan’s pupils contracted as if struck by a flash of bright light.
Although his face was still burning with pain, and although seeing Wang Li beaten like that felt pretty satisfying, he had no time to care about any of it now.
The young master of Duke Dingguo’s estate had both legs broken and his mouth smashed to pieces… this was a slap in Duke Dingguo’s face! This was going to blow up big!
Gu Chuan was panicking inside, but at this point he had no choice but to beg Bai Zhao for mercy. “Your Highness, the Heir, look, are you satisfied with the beating I gave you?”
As he spoke, he knelt there, bowing and scraping with a fawning smile. His mouth was split open and blood dripped down in a steady stream.
Bai Zhao, with his peach blossom eyes, looked at Gu Chuan and truly felt a bit impressed.
No wonder he could hold down a gate by himself. He really could bend and stretch, and endure when he needed to.
He knew which choice would minimize the impact on himself, understood his own position, and knew he could not afford to provoke this heir of the Prince of Zhenbei. So he decisively threw away his pride and begged for mercy. Heh. He had some skill.
Bai Zhao said calmly, “Chuntao, are you satisfied? Do you want to let him off?”
Hearing this, Gu Chuan hurriedly bowed toward Chuntao and begged, “Miss Chuntao, today I failed to restrain my subordinates and offended you. When I return, I will definitely punish those scum who insulted you without mercy!”
Chuntao knew that she could not let their His Highness the Heir offend too many people the moment he arrived in Chang’an City.
Beating Wang Li and the servants of Duke Dingguo’s estate was enough to vent her anger, and those military ruffians would be punished as well.
So she nodded and said sweetly to Bai Zhao, “Thank you, Your Highness the Heir, for venting my anger for me. My anger is out now, so can we let General Gu go?”
Bai Zhao looked at Chuntao with doting eyes and sighed inwardly. “As expected of little Chuntao, who grew up with me. All she thinks about is this Heir.”
“Since Chuntao says so, this Heir will let you off today! I hope General Gu will take today’s matter as a warning!”
“You are guarding the city gate for His Majesty, not for the Wang family!”
“These commoners are all citizens of Great Qian. If I were not the heir of the Prince of Zhenbei today, but just an ordinary young gentleman, would you and this Wang family little brat have toyed me to death?”
“With behavior like that! Even if you do not run into me today, someday you will run into someone else you cannot afford to offend! Take care of yourself!”
After Bai Zhao finished scolding Gu Chuan, he turned and called out to Old Mo, “Throw Wang Li here. I’m too lazy to hang him on the city wall! We’re entering the city and going home.”
“Right away.” Old Mo grinned with his weathered face, helped Bai Zhao onto the carriage, and the three of them headed into Chang’an City in the glow of the setting sun.
Gu Chuan stood up, brushed the dust off his knees, casually wiped the blood from his mouth, and watched the three figures disappear into the distance, thinking about what Bai Zhao had just said.
He always felt that this His Highness the Heir, who had once been notorious in Chang’an City as a wastrel, was not as simple as he looked!
After thinking for a while, he gave orders to the soldiers beside him, who were too afraid to look at him. “You two, go notify Duke Dingguo’s estate and tell them that the young master had a conflict at the city gate with the heir of the Prince of Zhenbei, who was entering the capital.”
“He had both legs broken and all his teeth knocked out by the heir of the Prince of Zhenbei, and he is currently unconscious! As the general, I was also humiliated by His Highness the Heir while trying to protect Young Master Wang. I hope Duke Dingguo’s estate will stand up for me! Yes, that’s it. Hurry!”
“Yes, General.” The two soldiers accepted the order and left.
“You lot, clean this place up. Carry those four bastards back to the camp for me. Thirty strokes of the military rod each. If they still don’t die, then apply medicine!”
“Carry Young Master Wang and his men to my residence in the city. Give them simple treatment first, then wait for the people from Duke Dingguo’s estate to come get them!”
“Go get me a carriage. I’m heading back to my residence! After you’re done, leave two people to continue letting the commoners into the city. Be quick, and don’t cause me any more trouble!”
After giving these trivial orders, Gu Chuan covered his face and walked toward the city gate.
He thought to himself that this way, none of it would be his business anymore. He had punished those four bastards and also made his position clear to Duke Dingguo’s estate!
Yes, he would offend neither side. The rest would be up to them to fight it out and see who could press the other down.
Damn it, I used too much force and hurt like hell! I can’t even talk properly now…
Bai Zhao and the other two sat in the carriage and did not bother thinking about Gu Chuan’s little tricks and schemes. Of course, even if Bai Zhao knew, he would not care.
After all, Duke Dingguo’s estate had never been on good terms with the Prince of Zhenbei’s estate.
Back then, the old Prince of Zhenbei… Bai Zhao’s grandfather, Bai Zhancang… was still the Duke of Zhenguo. He and Duke Dingguo had been at odds since the previous emperor’s reign.
Later, when the current emperor stood out among the princes and ascended the throne, the whole realm had been thrown into turmoil because of the succession struggle, with both internal and external troubles.
It was Bai Zhancang who led sixteen-year-old Bai Yuan, personally commanding one hundred thousand troops of the Northern Pacification Army, and crushed the three-hundred-thousand-strong Tianlang Dynasty army outside Jubai City on the Northern Border!
The hundred thousand troops were reduced to only twenty thousand, and Bai Zhancang himself suffered serious hidden injuries, to the point that eight years ago his condition suddenly worsened and he died from illness.
But that one battle wiped out one hundred fifty thousand soldiers of the Tianlang Dynasty and left the Tianlang Dynasty unable to recover for nearly twenty years.
It had a tremendous deterrent effect on the surrounding nations and played a crucial role in stabilizing the current His Majesty’s domestic situation.
To reward Bai Zhancang’s achievements, Emperor Qian ignored the objections of civil and military officials and granted him the only prince of a different surname in Great Qian: the Prince of Zhenbei! Hereditary and perpetual, sharing the nation’s fate.
And Duke Dingguo Wang Chonghu, who had always been at odds with Bai Zhancang, was even more unconvinced, thinking, “If I had been there, I could have done it too!”
Later, the conflict only grew fiercer starting with Bai Zhao’s father’s generation.
Wang Li and Wang Xiao’s father, the current Minister of Rites Wang Qianshan, and Bai Yuan both fell in love with Bai Zhao’s mother, Lu Xinrou!
In the end, Bai Yuan was the one who successfully won the beauty.
By Wang Xiao’s generation, although he had run around behind Bai Zhao when they were kids, Bai Zhao knew this brat had been rotten from childhood!
He often encouraged Bai Zhao to do bad things. Bai Zhao cooperated and did some of them to hide his talents, but that did not mean he did not know exactly what kind of person Wang Xiao was!
Bai Zhao sat by the carriage window, looking at the passing street scenery with a nostalgic expression.
“After being away from Chang’an City for eight years, so many places have changed beyond recognition. I wonder if Old Wentou, who ran the wine shop on East Street, is still around! And that Auntie Liu on West Street who sold pancakes…”
Chuntao sat beside him and looked up at Bai Zhao as he spoke wistfully about his childhood memories.
But just hearing those names, her delicate face slowly puffed up! Her bright little mouth also pouted, and her vivid apricot eyes looked at Bai Zhao with displeasure.
Bai Zhao felt Chuntao’s unhappy gaze, turned to look, and when he saw her expression he couldn’t help but laugh.
His beautiful peach blossom eyes carried a gentle look as he rubbed Chuntao’s little head and asked, “What’s wrong? I’m just talking about my childhood memories. Why are you unhappy?”
Chuntao said in a huff, “Heir, Old Wentou’s granddaughter is already married! She won’t be waiting for you. And Auntie Liu’s daughter already has kids old enough to run errands! Stop thinking about it! They are not worthy of Your Highness.”
“What are you talking about, you little girl! Is this Heir that kind of person? What do you take me for? I barely even remember them anymore…”
Bai Zhao reached out and gave Chuntao a light knock on the head, looking at her helplessly.
What kind of person did she think he was? Did she really think that at age seven or eight he was already lusting after little girls?
He just thought Old Wentou was an old man with a story, and Auntie Liu’s pancakes were really delicious!
“Hmph, who knows? Anyway, when the Heir came back this time, Madam had already made some arrangements, um…”
Chuntao wrinkled her cute nose and snorted, but as she spoke, it seemed like she had said something she should not have. She suddenly covered her mouth and stopped talking.
“Made arrangements for what? Did my mother call me back this time to arrange a blind date for me? Tell me the truth!”
Bai Zhao heard Chuntao only say half of it, and when he saw her suddenly cover her mouth and lower her head, too afraid to look at him, he immediately felt something was off! He asked suspiciously.
“Oh, Heir, I know nothing. Don’t ask me. When we get back to the estate, just ask Madam.”
Chuntao lowered her head and pretended to be a quail.
Seeing that Chuntao still would not say anything and was acting like that, Bai Zhao’s heart went cold. Damn it, could it really be a blind date? No wonder they said that once he turned sixteen, they would no longer care about him after he came to the capital this time.
So this was what they had been waiting for? Good grief, this is something else! They stopped caring about me and decided to find me a wife instead?
I do not want to get married this early. I am only sixteen! And they said I would be free!
You really know how to define freedom, Old Bai. Do you not feel even a little guilty for treating your own son like this?
No way. I have to run! Get out of the capital! Since I am free now, I’ll just go travel and enjoy the world!
The moment that thought crossed his mind, Bai Zhao straightened up sharply and shouted to Old Mo, “Old Mo, stop the carriage! We’re leaving the city! Hurry!”
Hearing this, Chuntao immediately lifted her little head. She realized her Heir had already guessed it!
But now that they were already in the city, how could they let him run?
“Old Mo, do not stop! Hurry, take the Heir back to the estate. Madam is waiting anxiously!”
As soon as she said that, Chuntao immediately opened her arms and wrapped them around Bai Zhao’s waist, acting spoiled.
“Heir~ Are you trying to run? Don’t you want to spend more time with Chuntao?”
“And Qiulan is still waiting for Young Master at the estate~ Didn’t you ask Qiulan to come back from the martial world half a month early to wait for the Heir? Are you really going to leave without saying a word?”
“Besides, haven’t you seen Madam in two years? Don’t you miss Madam? Madam has been talking about you every day at the estate and thinking about you every day!”
Bai Zhao looked at the little girl hugging his waist and acting spoiled. He knew she was doing it on purpose, but he still could not bring himself to push her away.
Of course he missed his mother too!
With a helpless sigh, he gave in weakly. “Fine, fine. I’ll go on the blind date then. Anyway, if I do not like her or she does not like me, that has nothing to do with me!”
“Hehe, that will not happen. Don’t worry, Heir!”
Chuntao raised her little head and gave Bai Zhao a sweet smile.
As they spoke, the carriage reached the gates of the Prince of Zhenbei’s estate.
“Your Highness the Heir, we’re home.” Old Mo called from outside the carriage.
Just as Bai Zhao and Chuntao jumped down from the carriage, the front of the Prince’s Residence burst into lively chatter: “The Heir is back!” “Welcome home, Heir!” “Hurry and report to Madam!”
However, among the crowd of servants and maidservants, a lonely figure caught Bai Zhao’s attention.
She wore a pale green mist gauze gown, a pleated skirt embroidered with scattered flowers and water-mist patterns, and a thin veil of green gauze over her shoulders. Her shoulders were sharp and delicate, her waist slender and soft. Her skin was as smooth as congealed fat, and her presence was as calm as an orchid. A three-footed blue sword hung at her waist, adding three points of heroic spirit.
Her faint brows were like distant mountains, and her bright eyes were as calm as autumn water. Her cheeks were like peaches and plums, and her red lips were like delicate flowers.
At this moment, the beauty’s tender red lips carried a faint smile as she stared at Bai Zhao, and her autumn-water eyes were full of longing.
“Qiulan! Do you miss Young Master? Come here and give me a hug, haha.”
Bai Zhao opened his arms and walked smiling toward the beauty at the front of the Prince’s Residence.
This beauty was Bai Zhao’s other maidservant, Qiulan.
Unlike Chuntao, Qiulan was a sword attendant. Chuntao had studied literature with Bai Zhao since childhood, while Qiulan had studied martial arts with Bai Zhao!
This year she was eighteen, two years older than Bai Zhao, and she was already a first-class expert in the martial world.
Qiulan was the orphan of a soldier who died in the Northern Pacification Army. Bai Zhao still remembered when she first came to the Bai estate: she was dark, thin, and tiny.
She was guarded with everyone, facing the world with coldness and stubbornness.
It was Bai Zhao and his parents, with more than ten years of warmth and care, who helped Qiulan break free from her miserable background.
However, Qiulan still preferred silence. Unlike Chuntao’s lively and cheerful nature, Qiulan spoke less. But she got along quite well with Chuntao.
Hearing her Heir’s slightly teasing words, a hint of shyness and nervousness flashed through Qiulan’s cool eyes, but having not seen her Heir for half a month, she could no longer hold back.
After hesitating for a moment, she plunged into Bai Zhao’s arms and tightly hugged his waist.
A flash of surprise crossed Bai Zhao’s face, and he also put his arms around Qiulan’s slender waist.
He really had not expected this girl, who was usually so cool and reserved, to throw herself into his arms. It seemed she really had missed him.
Bai Zhao, Qiulan, and Old Mo had traveled the martial world for two years, until half a month ago when Bai Zhao sent Qiulan back to the Bai estate first.
And before they traveled the martial world, ever since Qiulan came to the Bai family, the two of them had never been apart for such a long time!
Even a cool beauty like Qiulan could not help but throw herself into Bai Zhao’s arms.
Gently stroking Qiulan’s jade-like back, Bai Zhao asked, “Where is my mother?”
Hearing this, Qiulan quickly broke free from Bai Zhao’s embrace, flushed and flustered, and said softly, “Madam is waiting for Your Highness the Heir in the main hall. Please come with me to see Madam.”
With that, she took the lead and walked away into the Prince’s Residence as if fleeing.
Qiulan was still thin-skinned. After that bold move, reason returned, and her heart was pounding like crazy.
Seeing this, Chuntao hurried after Qiulan, threw an arm around her shoulder, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, “Nice one, Sister Qiulan! You even dared to hug our His Highness the Heir. How was it? Was it nice? Tell your little sister about it. Hehehe.”
Qiulan only felt a rush of heat to her head; even the roots of her ears turned red. She lowered her head without a word and just kept walking forward.
“Hey, don’t walk so fast~ Say something~”
“Shut up! If you keep talking, I’ll hit you, Chuntao!”
……
Watching the two little girls, Bai Zhao smiled and shook his head. He called out to Old Mo, telling him to park the carriage through the back gate. Then he followed the servant and maidservant at the front gate toward the main hall.
After entering the Prince’s Residence, the estate was quiet as could be.
All along the way, they passed through long corridors, pavilions, and an exquisitely trimmed garden.
Corridors, courtyards, pavilions, bridges, flowers, grass, and eaves. The dominant colors were black and white… elegant, clean, and yet exquisitely beautiful.
This unique scenery naturally cost a great deal of silver! But compared to the gaudy use of gold and silver, it looked much more noble.
The Prince’s Residence had been arranged by craftsmen Bai Yuan had brought from Jiangnan, all so that Bai Zhao’s mother, Lu Xinrou, could live comfortably.
To be honest, it had been eight years since he was last here. If not for Qiulan and Chuntao leading the way, Bai Zhao, with all those twists and turns, might really have gotten lost!
At last, as they neared the main hall, Bai Zhao saw from afar a beautiful woman standing at the door, looking at him gently.
She wore a pale yellow cloud-gauze gown that trailed to the floor, a white palace satin skirt like snow and clouds, and her hair was arranged in a hibiscus-style bun. Her eyebrows were lightly painted and her face was dusted with powder, so beautiful it was beyond words.
Graceful and dignified. Although she was nearly forty, she looked to be in her twenties.
“Mother, your son has returned.”
Bai Zhao’s eyes suddenly grew moist. After all, he had not seen Lu Xinrou for two years.
He quickly stepped forward to support Lu Xinrou’s arm and asked softly, “Mother, have you been well lately? Your son has missed you very much.”
Lu Xinrou looked at her grown son and smiled gently, her hand softly stroking Bai Zhao’s brows and cheeks.
Her eyes reddened slightly as she said, “Mother is doing fine. Do not worry. It has been two years, and my son is taller now! My little boy has grown into a young man!”
“Hm, a little thinner. It is all your useless father’s fault for letting you wander the martial world. You must have suffered a lot, son?”
“But as expected of my son, you are handsome! Have you met any girl you like out there? If you have, bring her back for me to see.”
“Our family has had only one child for three generations! When it comes to you, the job of continuing the family line is yours!”
“If you did not meet anyone you like, that is fine. Let me tell you, son, the reason I called you back to the capital this time is because when you were little, your father and I arranged a marriage contract for you! I was thinking…”
“What!? I have a marriage contract?!”