Sheng Huaijin, the Shizi of Zhenguogong.
He was the unparalleled young prodigy known throughout the realm.
His birth mother was Princess Yongle, the Emperor’s full-blooded elder sister. He was granted the title of Shizi at birth, and even his name and courtesy name were personally bestowed by the Emperor. The imperial favor he enjoyed surpassed even that of the princes and princesses, making his status truly unrivaled.
At sixteen, he achieved the rank of Tanhua, becoming the youngest Tanhualang in the dynasty. At eighteen, he followed his father to the battlefield and made a name for himself in a single battle, earning the title of “young god of slaughter” that struck fear across the land.
Even someone as composed as Yu Sheng couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned when she saw this Shiziye descend like a divine warrior.
When she received the urgent letter from home, she knew the situation was beyond simple resolution. Overnight, she listed the few influential figures in the court who could suppress Liyang Houfu.
After sending people to gather information, she learned that Zhenguogong, who commanded heavy troops stationed at the border, was struggling with insufficient military funds. She immediately dispatched a letter offering Yujia’s donation of ten thousand taels of gold as military provisions, requesting Zhenguogong to send someone to rescue Yujia from peril and uphold justice for her family.
Although Yu Sheng herself had written the letter seeking aid, she never expected this Shiziye to personally lead troops for Yujia’s sake. She couldn’t help but wonder whether the promised ten thousand taels of gold would be enough to cover the reward.
After all, Sheng Huaijin’s status was exceptionally noble, and the reward would likely need to be doubled at the very least.
After her brief moment of surprise, she quickly regained her composure and greeted the visitor with a polite bow. “I was unaware of Shizi’s esteemed arrival and failed to welcome you from afar…”
Sheng Huaijin glanced at the blood-stained silver whip in her hand and remarked with a faint, teasing smile, “Even if you had known, I doubt you would have had the time to welcome me from afar.”
Yu Sheng was momentarily speechless: “…”
This Shiziye seemed to take an unconventional approach.
“Indeed,” Yu Sheng decisively abandoned formalities.
She had been busy leading her guards in a fight against the Houfu Fubing and truly hadn’t had the time to welcome him from afar.
Better to speak directly—it saved trouble.
Yu Sheng turned and handed the silver whip to Dicui beside her. When she faced Sheng Huaijin again, she adopted the natural ease of a businessperson who could strike up a conversation with anyone. “If Shizi had arrived any later, you would have had to bail me out of prison.”
Yu Sheng wasn’t sure how just this Shiziye’s actions would be, so she took the opportunity to test the waters with her words.
She wanted Sheng Huaijin to understand that her father was critically injured and on the brink of death, and that the conflict between her, Xu Liu, and Liyang Houfu had escalated to the point where, if no one intervened, she would personally take Xu Liu’s life.
Sheng Huaijin understood the hint and suddenly smiled. This eldest daughter of Yujia was rather interesting.
“Not impossible,” Shiziye said, raising his right index finger to playfully tease the Haidongqing perched nearby. “But it’ll cost extra.”
Seeing this, Yu Sheng paused for a moment, thinking to herself: This Shiziye was born with the appearance of a Renzhong Longfeng, exuding innate nobility, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he didn’t seem quite as lofty after all.
A savior who could be swayed by money was more than welcome.
Yujia had been in business for many years—if nothing else, they had wealth.
“Agreed,” Yu Sheng replied without hesitation. “Then I’ll trouble Shizi to first remove Xu Liu and the people he brought. We can sit down and discuss the details.”
“Done,” Sheng Huaijin was even more direct than her. He immediately ordered his personal guards: “Take them all, not a single one left.”
Shiziye narrowed his phoenix-like eyes, his voice suddenly turning grave. “Investigate thoroughly. If it’s true that this worthless scoundrel abused his power to harm and kill, punish him without leniency.”
“Understood!”
The guards immediately sprang into action upon receiving the order.
The Haidongqing was quite intelligent, seemingly able to sense its master’s emotions. Knowing that Sheng Huaijin had serious matters to attend to, it spread its wings and flew into the air, patrolling the surroundings.
The black-armored soldiers, seasoned on the battlefield, moved swiftly and carried an aura of lethal intent. The arrogant servants and Houfu Fubing of the Houfu were no match for them at all.
In just moments, Xu Liu and the others were captured.
The soldiers had eyes only for the Shizi, obeying his commands without question. They paid no heed to whether these were Houfu sons or esteemed figures, acting swiftly and ruthlessly, causing the captives to howl in pain.
“Shizi! Shizi! I am Xu Liu of Liyang Houfu! We met at a palace banquet just two years ago!” Xu Liu never imagined that as a distinguished Houfu son, he could be captured like a turtle on his own turf.
Struggling and shouting, he tried to claim kinship, “My mother is a distant cousin of your mother, Princess Yongle. We are family…”
“Who is family with you? Ben Shizi has no useless waste like you in his household.” Sheng Huaijin despised such worthless individuals like Xu Liu and ordered his guards in a low voice, “Gag him.”
The guard immediately stuffed a cloth bundle into Xu Liu’s mouth.
Xu Liu could only utter muffled, incoherent sounds.
The bound arrogant servants nearby trembled even more fearfully at the sight.
The one who usually enjoyed the most favor in front of their master mustered the courage to speak, “Shizi, this is Lizhou. If you disrespect our Sixth Young Master, our Houye… Houye will not let this go…”
Far from being threatened, Sheng Huaijin seemed amused and said with a half-smile, “Someone, tie Xu Liu behind a horse and drag him to the post station. Ben Shizi wants to see today just how Liyanghou plans to not let this go.”
Upon hearing this, the servant was so shocked his mouth hung open.
Others from the Houfu, realizing that his loose tongue had brought suffering upon their master, dared not speak another word.
Sheng Huaijin showed no mercy and was impervious to threats.
Clearly, he was someone who yielded to neither soft nor hard tactics.
He showed no regard for Liyanghou’s face, even appearing ready to trample it underfoot.
The Shizi’s guards tied Xu Liu behind a horse and dragged him through the long street. Xu Liu’s fine silk garments were quickly torn, his skin scraped raw and bleeding, leaving a bloody trail. Other cavalrymen escorted the Houfu captives to follow.
Onlookers scattered like birds and beasts.
The dozen or so guards of Yujia watched in bewilderment as the Houfu Fubing, who had charged at them like mad dogs moments before, were taken away. They hesitantly lowered their clubs, feeling a shiver of fear in the presence of such a strikingly handsome yet deadly young figure.
Seeing this, Yu Sheng couldn’t help but think, ‘It’s easier to invite a deity than to send one away.’
But as things stood, having room for negotiation with this Shiziye was far better than being devoured, along with their wealth, by Liyang Houfu.
Yu Sheng took a deep breath and announced loudly, “Open the central gate to welcome our honored guest.”
The old steward, who had nearly lost half his life from the fright, immediately responded and arranged, “Open the central gate to welcome—our honored guest!”
With a clear task at hand, the guards quickly set aside their panic and fell into orderly formation.
Yujia was among the most prominent wealthy families in Lizhou. Their estate featured interconnected pavilions, towers, gardens, and waterside pavilions, with deep courtyards. As the central gate swung open, servants and maids lined both sides in a grand display to welcome the honored guest.
Yu Sheng gestured respectfully, “Shizi, please.”
Sheng Huaijin gave her an inscrutable look for a moment before stepping inside, passing through the shadow wall where crabapple branches slanted across.
The dark clouds in the sky had unknowingly dispersed, casting a pale golden sunlight over the world, enveloping the young man. Wherever he went, the surrounding flowers and branches were tinged with the lingering glow, filling the garden with dazzling radiance.
Yu Sheng followed a step behind him, feeling for the first time in her life that she had truly witnessed what it meant when “a noble visitor arrives, bringing glory to a humble abode.”
“Shi… Shizi…” Fourth Master Yu and Second Master Yu, who had been watching from the sidelines and suddenly found their savior descending from the heavens, hurried out upon sensing the unfavorable turn of events.
Just as the two managed to force smiles, they were stopped by the personal guards three paces away from Sheng Huaijin.
The guards declared in unison with resounding voices, “Before the Shizi, idlers shall not approach.”
The two Yu brothers stood awkwardly rooted to the spot, while Second Madam Yu and Fourth Madam Yu, walking slower, were too intimidated to step forward any further. Along with a crowd of servants, they stood frozen beneath the corridor…