[Wuxia] The Number One Ding Under Heaven (Complete) - 12

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Chapter 86 Research on Bathing and Sex

"Qin Yi! Nan Nan Nan Nan... Nangong Qin Yi!?"
Pang Yu stammered, shocked, his mouth agape, unable to utter a word.
How could it be her? How could it be? My hearing is pretty sharp, I clearly spoke to her quite a bit yesterday through the car door, how come I didn't recognize Nangong Qin Yi's voice? Could it be that
I was too busy looking at sex and forgot to listen... Ah!
Wait! Nangong Qin Yi... Nangong Qin Yi... Doesn't that mean that I just, I just saw the goddess of every man's dream in the entire capital—no, the entire world!!!
Pang Yu's heart pounded wildly, his excitement was indescribable.
Countless scholars, heroes, and knights-errant in the entire capital yearn for Nangong Qin Yi, their souls yearning for her, fighting tooth and nail just to see her once. Meeting her, it's just seeing her "face," at most just looking at her face. This is my first time here, my first time entering the Green Jade Pavilion, my first time witnessing a beauty bathing, my first time seeing her completely naked.
"Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha—"
"Nangong...beautiful...Sister Qinyi, um...I really didn't mean to..." He frantically waved his hands in front of him, desperately trying to prove his innocence, while his feet moved closer and closer to Nangong Qinyi, preparing for a close encounter at the right moment, like kidnapping a little princess.
***, the man outside the door sounded like a tough opponent. What if he rushed in...Green Jade Pavilion was Nangong Qinyi's territory. If he didn't subdue her, who knew if he'd get out alive!
Pang Yu was still considering which grappling technique would be most suitable. Old man pushing a cart? Guanyin sitting on a lotus? Or dragon flip, tiger step, ape wrestling, cicada attaching? (Damn it, is this a grappling technique! )
Nangong Qinyi pounced on him first ! What? What is this? Pushing, pushing ... "You actually tried to force me because I'm handsome!!! " Pang Yu didn't have time to struggle or dodge before Nangong Qinyi's slender, jade-like fingers touched his cheek. Her snow-white, lustrous palm, like warm, translucent mutton-fat jade, was right under his nose. "Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..." He, who usually covered little girls' mouths, was now being covered by Nangong Qinyi! "Don't talk, I'll hide you." ×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××× "Bang!" The door was pushed open. A man rushed in, looked around the bathtub where there was no one but several messy puddles of water, stomped his foot, and quickly walked into the only boudoir behind the bathtub. The boudoir was Nangong Qinyi's boudoir where she rested after her bath; the dressing table, bronze mirror, gauze curtains, and embroidered couch were all exquisitely decorated. Nangong Qinyi sat on the soft couch beside the bed, seemingly having just bathed. She hadn't even dressed properly, only a pink undergarment covering her youthful body, over which she wore a thin, pale yellow gauze dress. Sunlight filtered through the window, making her slender arms and long legs appear almost transparent beneath the gauze. Her already fair skin was further enhanced by this, making her beauty indescribable. The man, realizing his abruptness at her scantily clad state, took two steps back and said in a deep voice, "Qinyi, who were you talking to just now?" His voice trembled with excitement, his questioning tone blatant. "Damn it! Who is this? That tone, that attitude—even more aggressive than me!" Pang Yu lay on the bed, indignant. Well, much like that day at the Pianxian Pavilion, Nangong Qinyi had hidden him in her bed, dealing with the man who had barged in alone. Pang Yuguang, not content with just seeing her body, actually slept on the soft quilt and pillows where he used to caress Nangong Qinyi's snow-white skin and soak up her cool, fragrant sweat. The entire bed was filled with a sweet, rich, virginal fragrance, like freshly peeled fruit. One sniff almost made him want to climax, and he nearly picked up the pillowcase to take a few deep breaths, reluctant to remove it—well, if only it weren't so noisy outside. "Your Highness," Nangong Qinyi's snow-white face showed a rare, mocking sneer, "This is not your palace, and I am no one to you. What I do, where I am, and who I talk to are none of your concern." Yes, that's the answer. Don't challenge him! What's wrong with being a prince? Does being a prince mean he can barge into a beautiful woman's bathroom and whine in her bedroom? Bah! Pang Yu was filled with righteous indignation and almost jumped out to punch someone, when he suddenly heard the "Prince" sigh: "Alas, so much time has passed, and you still won't call me 'Father'?" Ha!? Father? The Eighth Prince!? Pang Yu was startled and almost fell off the bed. He leaned forward and looked through the slight gap in the gauze curtain. This legendary "Eighth Prince," who held the highest position in the court yet was indifferent to fame and fortune and had immense influence in the Song Dynasty, was wearing a brocade robe that could only be described as slightly luxurious, but he exuded an aristocratic air that could not be concealed. His temples were slightly frosted, but he showed no signs of aging. He had a long beard and a face like jade, possessing both the demeanor of a Confucian scholar and a vast and distant temperament like towering mountains. "You are the one who wronged Mother, do you still expect me to acknowledge you!" Nangong Qinyi suddenly stood up, her icy face as cold as frost, her eyes filled with deep hatred. “Yi’er, your father had his reasons back then…” The Eighth Prince hurriedly tried to explain. Nangong Qinyi coldly interrupted, “Your Highness, if you have something to say, please speak. If not, please leave. Qinyi needs to bathe and change. Also, please don’t come here again next time. You are not welcome here!” At the mention of bathing, the Eighth Prince’s forehead veins throbbed. He wasn’t a fool. He had clearly heard the man’s voice in his daughter’s room just now. Although he had disappeared by the time he rushed in, unfortunately, Pang Yu, who had been hiding, had made another big mistake. — He was in bed, but his shoes were still outside. Seeing the pair of men’s boots that had been kicked haphazardly off the bed, the Eighth Prince was furious! This was originally a good thing. With a man hiding in his daughter’s room, his wish to hold his grandson was probably not far from being fulfilled. But these shoes were clearly worn by a servant! Not to mention his daughter, a princess of the Great Song Dynasty, even if she were the most famous courtesan in the world, she could not lower herself to marry a servant and entrust her life to him! The Eighth Prince’s heart was bleeding. He knew his daughter had just been taking a bath! As someone with experience, he knew that you usually had to shower before or after doing something. Love, love, love! Or even more passionately, doing it while showering in the bathtub!? The Eighth Prince was going crazy. If it weren't for his daughter's reputation, he would have torn the man hiding in the bed to shreds with his life on the line! "Yi'er," he said, suppressing his anger, trying his best to persuade his daughter, "Even if you don't admit it, you are still my daughter, Zhao Yuanyan's daughter, a princess of the Song Dynasty, with the blood of the Zhao family flowing through your veins. From the moment you were born, your identity was already determined. Your every word and action concerns not only yourself, but the entire Song Dynasty… Yi'er, do you understand what your father is saying? You have a long life ahead of you; you must not indulge in momentary pleasure…"

"How dare you say that!" Nangong Qinyi hissed, her beautiful eyes flashing with deep hatred. "If you hadn't been so greedy for a moment of pleasure and defiled my mother back then, how could this have happened... how could this have happened..." Her high, firm chest heaved rapidly, and two streams of clear tears fell down her smooth, alabaster cheeks.
The Eighth Prince panicked.
"That's not how it is, daughter! It's not what you think! Listen to your father, listen to your father's explanation!"
"I won't listen! I won't listen! I won't listen!" Nangong Qinyi screamed, the bitterness and resentment she had suppressed for years suddenly bursting through her defenses. Tears streamed down her face like a spring, her black hair was disheveled, and she shouted at the Eighth Prince in complete loss of control, "Get out! Get out! Get out! What I want to do, what I want to do, what I like to do, who I like to do it with, is none of your business!!! Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out!"

Chapter 87 Fourth Brother's Solo Adventure in Kaifeng Prefecture

"On sunny days, young people should cherish..."
Humming a little tune, Pang Yu swaggered out of the back door of the Green Jade Pavilion.
Originally, he insisted on leaving openly through the main gate, but he couldn't resist Nangong Qinyi's soft pleas after she had just finished crying.
"You're not allowed to tell anyone what you saw, heard, or understood here today, or I can't guarantee how many people will trample you to death when you go out on the street." Nangong Qinyi stared coldly at him with her beautiful eyes, her voice like ice shards colliding and a cold spring gurgling, as if she had instantly transformed into a celestial fairy, obliterating all human emotions.
Hey, hey, hey, this isn't fair, this is a threat! Before Pang Yu could even ask what he wanted to ask, he was given an ultimatum.
"This... is possible, but you have to answer one question first."
"You lecherous scoundrel, you have no right to negotiate!"
Hey, hey, hey, I just saw you taking a bath, why are you so angry?
Fourth Brother has seen countless girls taking baths since he was a child, if every one of them were like you, there would be suicides every day—sigh, never mind, even goddesses have tempers, handsome guys don't hold grudges against beautiful girls, let's not stoop to his level, at most I'll come back tomorrow and see enough, ahahahahahahahahahahaha.
Pang Yu has always been a considerate person towards beautiful women, so he came out through the back door.
Of course, another reason was the fear of being pelted with eggs and bricks by Nangong Qinyi's crazed fans outside the main gate, and the terrifying gazes of the other four little girls who seemed to want to tear him apart were also somewhat frightening.
"...Forget the sorrow, forget the failure, you must overcome yourself..."
"...Life should be colorful, happiness requires your own efforts..."
"Glorious years are hard-won, don't forget that the most beautiful flowers bloom when..."
Anyway, having seen enough, Pang Yuzi felt he had made a profit, and was in a very happy mood, skipping and humming a little tune as he walked. But the word "spring" was still stuck in his throat when he suddenly stopped.
On the main road not far ahead, several guards dressed in the uniforms of the Beihai Prince's Mansion were shouting and pushing a prison cart over. Inside the prison cart was none other than...
Wanren Di!
"Clang! Clang clang clang!" "Clang—" The guards walked along, banging gongs as they went, attracting a crowd of onlookers.
"Fellow citizens of the capital, take a look! Just this morning, not long ago, this fellow spread rumors in the largest teahouse in the south of the city, the Five Blessings Teahouse, using the excuse of drinking tea to spread bad things about my prince. We have now arrested him and handed him over to Kaifeng Prefecture. Anyone else who dares to slander the Prince of Beihai will be punished the same way!" "
Sigh, it really won't work."
Pang Yu sighed.
Disdain for one's opponent is unwise. Zhao Yunbi isn't stupid; after hearing rumors unfavorable to him once or twice, he'd surely guess someone was deliberately spreading them. He'd sent people to thoroughly investigate restaurants, teahouses, and storytelling venues to stop the rumors from spreading... Oh well, last night he rewarded Wanrendi with a good beating, just to make him a target to test the waters.
Sure enough, he went out early this morning and was caught. Looks like he needs to change his strategy; the propaganda war can't be played like this anymore—it's time to "invent" some tabloids and leaflets, these "big weapons."
The first thing to do right now... big weapons aren't urgent, really not urgent. Anyway, with two idle young masters helping out, a single call from Mr. Qian, who doesn't use woodblock printing and only copies by hand, could produce thousands of copies in one night. The most urgent task is... Let's get Wanrendi back. We don't want him to confess everything under torture in Kaifeng Prefecture—spreading rumors and framing Zhao Yunbi is fine; Fourth Brother isn't worried about leaks. Anyway, both sides know who's behind it all, who's plotting against whom, who's setting the trap, and who's stabbing us in the back. Fourth Brother's concern is that if Wanrendi, that glutton, is locked up in jail and starves for a few days, he might confess to his past offense of fabricating stories about lewd thieves at Jinxi Inn. If that gets back to Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang, the
Grand Tutor's mansion will probably be the next place to be burned down.
So… a prison break?
As the saying goes, skill breeds daring, who am I afraid of?
Pang Yu touched the silver bricks and two large bags of lime powder in his pocket.
Bah, Fourth Brother isn't that stupid!
A gentleman uses words, not fists; a talented person uses wisdom, not force. Getting someone out of prison is much simpler with the opportunist Lao Wu, isn't it? Besides… hehehe, there's something else I need to discuss with him.
××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××
Kaifeng Prefectural Government Office, Main Hall.
After lunch, Kaifeng Prefect Wu Gongzheng dismissed his clerks, officials, and constables, and took a nap at his desk.
He'd barely finished half a cup of tea when the loud thumping of his fist on the table completely ruined his nap.
"How dare you! This prefect is on his lunch break, who dares…" Wu Gongzheng had barely uttered a few words in his official tone when he abruptly jumped up, bracing himself on the table, staring blankly ahead, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Pang Pang Pang, Pang Si!?"
"My surname is Pang, and my name is Si, not Pang Pang Pang, Pang Si." Pang Yu, still a considerable height above Wu Gongzheng, looked down at him with a smug smile.
"Pang Si, you—you dare to come here!" Wu Gongzheng slammed his gavel, roaring in exasperation.
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Pang Yu was still smiling, casually toying with the case files and books on the table.
"You—you dare!" Wu Gongzheng grabbed the gavel and slammed it down again. "Do you know you're the defendant in three major cases? I just personally led my officers to the Grand Tutor's mansion to arrest you. If it weren't for the Grand Tutor's wife… humph, coming to Kaifeng would have been like walking into a trap, saving me the trouble of arresting you!"
"Lord Wu, Wu—Gong—Zheng!" Fourth Brother couldn't stand this kind of two-faced, cowardly official who pretended to be virtuous when he caught someone, and almost pulled out a silver brick to smash him over the head.
"How dare you address me by my name!" Wu Gongzheng was enraged, raising the gavel to strike again.
Pang Yu snatched it away and threw it on the ground, his eyes turning fierce as he glared at him menacingly.
"You—you—what are you doing?" Wu Gongzheng panicked, grabbing the chair and backing away. It wasn't that he, a dignified official of Kaifeng, was cowardly; it was simply that the murderous aura naturally emanating from Pang Yu's eyes was too fierce and terrifying—you know, the eyes of someone who has killed are different from those who haven't, and the eyes of someone who has killed many are different from those who have killed. Although Pang Yu's hands hadn't been stained with blood, his eyes had naturally fallen into the second category, a cold sweep that sent chills down Wu Gongzheng's spine, even more terrifying than the notorious bandits he had interrogated before!
"Nothing much, I just wanted to discuss something with Lord Wu."
"W-what is it?" Wu Gongzheng forced himself to sit up straight. "Let me tell you, don't expect this prefecture to let you off the hook. Both princes have sent letters with their orders; no matter how much you try to negotiate, you're doomed!"
"Does Lord Wu think I've come to beg you for mercy?"
"Isn't that right?"
"Hahahaha—" Pang Yu laughed, his face brimming with arrogance.
Wu Gongzheng wanted to cry, to weep bitterly!
His position as Prefect of Kaifeng was utterly humiliating!
Not only did he have to constantly be at the mercy of these high-ranking officials in the capital, but now even a lowly servant was riding roughshod over him, threatening to fight… Fight? What kind of "negotiation" was this? It was too much, absolutely too much!
"Lord Wu thinks I'm just a lowly servant, a lackey, only good at bullying others by relying on my master's power, with no real skills whatsoever. To 'discuss' with you would be an insult, wouldn't it?" "
Hmph! Good to know." Wu Gongzheng suddenly became agitated. "If you don't obediently bind your hands and go to jail, don't blame me for calling the constables in to..."
"Lord Wu, are you planning to remain a swaying weed on the wall until you retire and return to your hometown?" Pang Yu suddenly sneered, his voice sharp and clear, making Wu Gongzheng tremble, his official pronouncements stuck in his throat.
Pang Yu looked at him coldly, glancing at the back door out of the corner of his eye.
The clerk, scribes, constables, and other miscellaneous people had been tricked by him and wouldn't be coming in anytime soon; the entire hall was empty except for Wu Gongzheng and him. In what amount to about ten minutes, Fourth Brother not only had to persuade Wu Gongzheng to release the prisoners, but also had to force the entire Kaifeng Prefecture...
to completely side with the Crown Prince's faction!
"Lord Wu must think,"
he said, leaning on the table, standing on tiptoe to make himself appear even more heroic and upright, like a god, and began his persuasion with a condescending attitude, "that he is already old and will soon retire and return to his hometown. There is no need for him to get involved in the factional strife between the two factions of纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy families who are spoiled and dissolute) at this time. Am I right?"
Wu Gongzheng snorted, which was taken as tacit agreement.
"In this world, being an official is no easy task. It's especially difficult to be an official in the capital, and among those, the position of Prefect of Kaifeng is the most difficult. Lord Wu, you have neither a powerful backer nor rely on flattery or sycophancy, yet you've managed to sit comfortably in this most difficult official position in the land. You truly deserve praise!"
Pang Yu first flattered him, and as Wu Gongzheng's expression softened, his tone suddenly shifted: "But this time, does Lord Wu really think that by relying on his past tendency to waver and remain neutral, he can weather the storm?"
Wu Gongzheng remained silent.
Pang Yu paused slightly, then abruptly uttered two words:
"Dream on!"
Wu Gongzheng's right hand, resting on the table, trembled slightly.
"Lord Wu, in all your years as Prefect of Kaifeng, have you ever seen a case like the one at Lijiazhuang that has involved millions of people? Not only my lord, the Prince of Beihai, and the Prince of Kuaiji, but even the Nangong family is implicated—well, in other words, the Eighth Prince is also involved, not to mention your subordinate Ouyang Shaoli…and behind him, Prime Minister Lü. It seems like every big shot in the capital is involved."
Wu Gongzheng's face was a little pale, apparently, after Pang Yu's encouragement, he had a greater "understanding" of the seriousness of the case.
"Lord Wu, do you think the court will give the people an explanation for such a major case that involves so many people and has such a huge impact?"
"Of course." Wu Gongzheng finally replied.
"How will they explain it?"
"Naturally, by severely punishing the perpetrators and upholding justice."
"Is that all? A case that has caused a sensation throughout the city and is known throughout the land, and has dragged on for so long, is it enough to just severely punish the murderer?" Pang Yu's eyes gleamed, staring at Wu Gongzheng with a hint of unease.
"If not this way... what do you suggest?"
"I'm afraid we'll have to find a few scapegoats to take the blame for the court!" Pang Yu sneered.
Wu Gongzheng's hunched body trembled again.
"On one side is Grand Tutor Pang's only son, the Imperial Concubine's younger brother; on the other is the Prince of Beihai, who possesses blood from both the Taizu and Taizong lineages and holds a very important position within the imperial clan. I think even if the Emperor were to make a decision, without overwhelming evidence, he wouldn't be able to bring himself to take action against that side. So, what if they just grab a servant to take the blame, and then..."
Pang Yu deliberately stopped talking, looking at him with a grin.
"And then what?" Wu Gongzheng couldn't help but ask.
"Then, to quell public anger, they'll charge someone with a crime of negligence and abuse of power!"
Wu Gongzheng's face changed drastically, and he could no longer maintain his composure.
He knew in his heart that while Pang Yu's words contained elements of intimidation, they were definitely not just bluffing! The case has escalated to this point, and it's no longer about identifying the murderer, but rather whose backing is strongest and whose background is most powerful. The struggle between the two groups of纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy and powerful families) – the Crown Prince's faction and the Prince's faction – was already complex, and now the Eighth Prince and Prime Minister Lü have been dragged into it. Even if the Emperor were to handle the matter, it would be difficult to severely punish either side.
So, as Pang Yu said, to quell public anger, a scapegoat with considerable influence who wouldn't harm the interests of any party must be chosen – and he is the best choice!
Prefect Wu Gongzheng of Kaifeng has failed in his duties, allowing the situation to escalate and rumors to spread unchecked. This has allowed a seemingly ordinary case, triggered by a servant, to become the talk of the capital, stirring up public unrest. He has failed in his duties as prefect, a grave offense…
Wu Gongzheng dares not think further. With such a heavy label on his head, not only will he lose his official position, but even his future will be in question.
This is not nonsense, nor is it wishful thinking; the reality is this extreme.
He was able to become the Prefect of Kaifeng and sit there peacefully because he was prudent and kept to himself, not siding with any faction (referring to factions within the court, such as the Grand Tutor's faction, the imperial family's faction, the prime minister's faction, etc., not the princes' and nobles' factions among the纨绔 (playboys)). This made his rise to power more acceptable to all sides. But this time, he was destined for ruin, again because he didn't side with any faction—if things escalated and someone had to take responsibility, neither side would protect him!
Since becoming the Prefect of Kaifeng, he had witnessed countless victims of political struggles, with consequences far more horrific than this!
Pang Yu, observing the situation and seeing that things were getting heated, began to add fuel to the fire: "Alas, how tragic! Poor Lord Wu, you've been so cautious and timid, walking on thin ice, carefully enduring so many years as the Prefect of Kaifeng. Just when you were about to retire and enjoy your old age, who knew you'd end up like this... alas, one wrong move, and the whole game is lost, becoming a victim of the factional strife! Tragic! Tragic!! Truly tragic!!!"
"Thump—"
Wu Gongzheng, who had stood up to have him thrown out, instantly turned deathly pale, as white as paper. He slumped back into his chair, his defenses completely broken, and asked in a trembling voice, "Then... then what should I... what should I do?"
"Easy, two words, and I guarantee you'll be fine." Pang Yu's eyes narrowed, a sinister glint in his pupils.
"Which... which two?"
"Side by side."

Chapter 88: Punishing Pang Si, a capital offense!!!

"Stand on one side, stand on the other," doesn't mean you should stand to one side, but rather that you should choose which side to follow.
Wu Gongzheng, being a cunning old fox, understood perfectly. He exclaimed in surprise, "You... you want me to side with Marquis Anle and help you suppress Zhao Yunbi!" In his haste, he even called out Zhao Yunbi's name.
"Whom Lord Wu chooses to side with is his business, I don't care, and I won't give you any advice. I just want Lord Wu to release the fat man who was just brought in by the guards of the Prince's mansion."
"That guy... is he your subordinate? Did you send him to spread rumors and frame the Prince?"
"Yes." Pang Yu answered very readily.
"Making me release him is forcing me to offend the Prince!" Wu Gongzheng said angrily.
“Not releasing him means offending Marquis Anle.” Pang Yu rolled his eyes, his expression utterly shameless.
“You!”
“Whether Zhao Yunbi forced you to go to the Grand Tutor’s mansion to arrest him, or sent my men who were spreading rumors to come here, the purpose was the same—to drag you down with him, to force you to offend my Marquis, to offend the Grand Tutor’s mansion, and to force you to stand on his side. Otherwise, given Zhao Yunbi’s shrewdness and experience, and knowing your opportunistic nature, why didn’t he ‘deal with’ the man himself instead of pushing him to Kaifeng Prefecture? Oh dear, what a painstaking plan, digging a pit for Lord Wu… no, directly pushing you down, Lord Wu.”
Wu Gongzheng’s old eyes widened, a chill running down his spine.
He was no fool to have become the Prefect of Kaifeng; with a little prompting from Pang Yu, he immediately understood everything, and a feeling of dejection washed over him again.
What good is a high-ranking official position? In the end, isn’t he just a tool manipulated at will by these纨绔公子 (spoiled young masters)?
"Lord Wu, you have no way out now." Pang Yu sighed deeply, looking at him with a hint of sorrow. "It wasn't me who forced you; it was Zhao Yunbi who insisted on pushing you into this predicament. So, choose one: become his lackey and serve him, or abandon the darkness and follow my master?"
"You...you're trying to persuade me?"
"I said, Lord Wu, it's your business who you choose to follow, I don't care. I just want Lord Wu to show mercy and release my men immediately."
"Release them, that's forcing me to follow Marquis Anle!" Wu Gongzheng shouted, his emotions somewhat out of control.
"Don't use 'force,' okay? I'm discussing this with Lord Wu." Pang Yu grinned, perfectly demonstrating what shamelessness truly means.
"Lord Wu, think about it. If this matter really comes to a head, who has a better chance of winning, my Marquis or the Prince of Beihai? Or to put it another way, is it the Zhao clan's influence on the Emperor that's greater, or the Grand Tutor's power and his influence with the Consort's pillow talk... Alas, since ancient times, even heroes have found it hard to resist the charms of a beautiful woman. Lust is a double-edged sword. Back then, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was willing to bear the accusation of stealing his son's wife for Yang Guifei (Yang Guifei was originally the beloved concubine of Prince Shou, Li Mao). Our Emperor's civil and military achievements are no less than those of the Kaiyuan era, and the Consort is even more beautiful and enjoys the Emperor's exclusive favor, receiving all the Emperor's affections. Compared to Yang Yuhuan..."
As he spoke, he glanced at Wu Gongzheng, who was covered in sweat and frantically wiping it with his sleeve. Knowing his resolve was wavering, he continued unhurriedly, "Furthermore, yesterday, Lady Nangong returned from her travels and, in front of 100,000 people in the capital, announced that she believed my Marquis was not guilty. If, in the end, you, Lord Wu, judge my Marquis and find him guilty, then... wouldn't that be slapping Lady Nangong in the face? Wouldn't that be embarrassing the Eighth Prince? Even if the Emperor is merciful and doesn't strip you of your official position, what consequences will arise from angering all of Nangong Qinyi's supporters in the city—hahaha, Lord Wu surely understands this better than I do!"
Wu Gongzheng's face was frighteningly pale, his withered arms trembling uncontrollably. He had intended to pick up his cup to drink some tea to moisten his parched throat, but instead, he dropped it with a "bang" to the ground.
The cup shattered without warning, and his anxious, aged heart was probably about to break in two.
"I...I'm following Marquis Anle. Are you sure you have a way to bring down Beihai...to bring down Zhao Yunbi?"
"Of course! With Lord Wu's help, we'll achieve twice the result with half the effort. Zhao Yunbi's reign as Prince of Beihai is over." The bolder the man, the greater the reward; Pang Yu's ability to make outrageous claims is absolutely first-rate.
"Do you have evidence to prove...to prove that he orchestrated everything?"
"Evidence? No." Pang Yu frankly shook his head.
"What!?" Wu Gongzheng almost jumped up again.
"If there's no evidence, we can investigate. Otherwise, why would I drag you, Lord Wu, into this?"
"Then...what if we can't find it?"
"If there's no evidence, we'll 'create' evidence." Pang Yu flashed a bright yet cold smile, the sinister glint in his eyes instantly making Wu Gongzheng feel a chill run down his spine.
Good heavens! This official has been tricked onto a pirate ship; there's no getting off! A
quarter
of an hour later, Wanrendi was led into the main hall by the yamen runners.
"Fourth Brother!" Wanrendi was extremely excited upon seeing him, almost lunging forward.
Pang Yu, too lazy to waste words, waved his hand: "Let's go, back to the manor." He strode out of the Kaifeng Prefecture's main hall first.
"Why did you take so long?"
Pang Yu asked on the way.
"No, they let me go as soon as they released me, and I came immediately without stopping for a moment." Wanrendi tried to explain, his expression extremely innocent.
"Oh, is that so? Then the yamen runners were too lazy, and you were dawdling." Everything went too smoothly, and Pang Yu didn't suspect anything.
Suddenly, a cold, contemptuous, and angry snort rang out from outside the front courtyard wall: "It's not that the yamen runners were lazy, it's that you're too stupid, dumber than a pig!"
The sound of rapid footsteps approached, and Pang Yu stopped to look, his heart immediately sinking. Damn it, they
've fallen for it! Even picking someone up takes so long – turns out the yamen runners are trying to stall for time!
The person in front was none other than Zhao Yunbi and his men, numbering at least twenty or thirty.
"Oh, Your Highness, what brings you here? It's an honor to Kaifeng Prefecture!" Wu Gongzheng lived up to his reputation as a fence-sitter; he had just decided to pledge allegiance to Pang Yu, but now he was fawning over Zhao Yunbi. But you can't blame him. Zhao Yunbi was dressed in a magnificent suit, his face stern, and he had brought twenty or thirty men with him – it was clear he was there to cause trouble – to force Kaifeng Prefecture to provoke the Grand Tutor's Mansion!
"Truly, what a stroke of luck!" Zhao Yunbi smiled sinisterly. "The culprit who burned down my residence is right here. Lord Wu, why don't you arrest him?"
"This…this…" Wu Gongzheng was finally swayed by Pang Yu, hesitating for a long time without moving.
Zhao Yunbi seemed to have anticipated this situation, his face showing little anger. He turned and pointed at the four men bound hand and foot by his men in the center of the crowd, coldly saying each word: "The bastards who set fire to the house last night have been apprehended by me. According to their identification..."
"He gave us silver and told us to set fire to the Prince's mansion!" The four men simultaneously
pointed at Pang Yu! "
Damn it, is he really going to kill me even at the cost of four lives?"
Pang Yu finally experienced firsthand (before, it was all indirect) just how ruthless and vicious Zhao Yunbi could be. Realizing that today's actions had been somewhat reckless, it was already too late.
Zhao Yunbi smiled sinisterly: "The evidence is irrefutable. I want Lord Wu to immediately punish Pang Si, death penalty!!!"

Chapter 89: The Great Battle of Kaifeng Prefecture.

The long wait is over, here's the update.
Upon hearing the words "death penalty," Wan Rendi was paralyzed with fear.
Although he wasn't the brightest, he knew this was Kaifeng Prefecture, not the Marquis's territory. Zhao Yunbi's sudden appearance with dozens of men clearly indicated he was prepared and wouldn't give them any chance to escape.
Pang Yu was anxious, but he knew it was useless.
Zhao Yunbi was no ordinary man; judging from the current situation, he was 100% certain he had spies planted in Kaifeng Prefecture. They were sure they would report Pang Yu's arrival immediately, and perhaps… from the moment they captured Wan Rendi, Zhao Yunbi had anticipated Pang Yu's arrival and deliberately laid a trap for him!
Damn it, he'd underestimated him this time!
Pang Yu was filled with endless regret, but there was nothing he could do. Things had progressed to this point; Zhao Yunbi had blocked his way, and he couldn't escape even if he wanted to. Should he try to be reckless and fight back? In a more spacious area, it would be fine; he could just scatter some lime and run away. But Kaifeng Prefecture only had one gate, and with seven or eight people staring at him, he couldn't get out even if he wanted to.
"Grand...Grand Master!" Pang Yu suddenly shouted, his eyes wide.
Everyone except Zhao Yunbi turned around in a daze.
This was exactly the effect Pang Yu wanted.
The lime was scattered, its target Zhao Yunbi, a massive amount unprecedented in its kind, covering him head and face.
Lime, a substance surpassing even the three great weapons of the martial arts world, even the former (former? or future) Heaven and Earth Society leader Chen Jinnan couldn't withstand a single blow, let alone Zhao Yunbi.
The lime was thrown. The first time, Zhao Yunbi clutched his face and fell to the ground; the second time, the guards who turned around were all hit; the third time, chaos ensued; the fourth time… there was no fourth time. After throwing the three, Pang Yu rushed over and slammed a silver brick hard on Zhao Yunbi's forehead, then winked at Wan Rendi, and the master and servant, one on each side, ran!
Wait, weren't they supposed to be unable to escape?
Unable to escape? How would they know they couldn't escape if they didn't try?
The twenty or thirty men Zhao Yunbi brought were all elites from the prefectural guards, well-trained and highly skilled in martial arts. Let alone the limited space of the Kaifeng prefectural government office, capturing two people in the wilderness would be a piece of cake. Unfortunately, Pang Yu was well-prepared, with plenty of lime. After three rounds of "attacks," those dozen or so who weren't affected just had to step in front of him… sorry, a cloud of white mist hit their faces, and they collapsed to the ground groaning.
Instantly, screams of agony filled the Kaifeng prefectural government office. What elites, what masters, what a load of rubbish! Before the brick, one of the three great weapons of the martial arts world, and the lime powder, which surpasses even the three great weapons of the martial arts world, they are all utterly worthless!
Pang Yu ran incredibly fast, perfectly demonstrating what it means to slip away
unscathed. Wan Ren Di was also surprisingly fast, probably because he had been caught stealing food so often that he had developed superhuman speed over time.
Kaifeng Prefecture was quite large. As an important institution managing the capital and the surrounding area, and the capital of the country, its area was not much smaller than that of the current Beijing Municipal Government. The main axis consisted of the main gate, the ceremonial gate, the main hall, the council hall, and the Plum Blossom Hall, supplemented by Tianqing Temple, Mingli Academy, Qianlong Palace, Qingxin Tower, prison, Yingwu Tower, Yinbin Hotel... This was the tour guide Pang Yu had heard when he visited Kaifeng in his later years. In reality, when he entered, he thought, "Holy crap, there are at least two of these!"
"Catch him! Catch him!"
"Don't let this kid get away—"
Countless voices behind him were shouting wildly, mixed with panicked cries such as "Oh no, the prince has gone blind!" "The prince has been cracked open!" "Blood is flowing everywhere!"
Pang Yu felt increasingly satisfied as he listened, almost wanting to run back for a second look. His feet moved incredibly fast.
After all, they were in Kaifeng Prefecture, and he encountered many constables and yamen runners along the way. However, in the rush of things, by the time they reacted, Pang Yu was already gone. Zhao Yunbi's "far-sighted" placement of thugs and lackeys at various passageways and doorways to prevent his escape now seemed like a disastrous move,
only adding to the casualties.
Imagine you and three or five brothers are guarding the passageways and gates, and suddenly you see a tall, strong, imposing young man and a burly fat man charging towards you. Would your first reaction be to blindfold yourself? Of course not! If not, then you're just waiting to be fed lime.
The size of the place wasn't a problem; Fourth Brother had been running like a whirlwind, unstoppable, lime and silver bricks were invincible, and no one could stop him.
So, the number of people wasn't a problem either.
But there was still a problem.
What was it?
Lime, of course.
Pang Yu's two large bags of lime were usually enough, even more! But Zhao Yunbi had gone to great lengths to capture him, blocking his path with at least a dozen or twenty people. If we averaged one bag of lime for each of the four men, plus the initial three large bags… well, no need to count. Anyway, by the time they reached the main gate of Kaifeng Prefecture, the two large bags of lime were completely empty, and there were still eight guards from the Beihai Prince's Mansion standing guard at the gate!
What to do? What to do? Surrender?
Wan Rendi panicked, his legs trembling and he almost collapsed. Then he saw his great master—when he was about five or six steps away from the eight guards—when Pang Yu stopped, very stylishly tossed the bags of lime to either side, clapped his hands, and looked at them fearlessly, while quickly rummaging in his robes.
Ah, ah, did Master have a backup plan?
Wan Rendi's heart pounded.
When he saw a confident smile flash across Pang Yu's lips, he was thrilled.
"Wow, the master is truly the master! He never fights unprepared; he even has a secret weapon at a time like this!
" "Yes, of course!" Pang Yu's gaze burned as he coldly stared at the eight burly men surrounding him, completely unafraid of the broadswords they held aloft.
When he pulled his hand from his robes, he clutched a gleaming white object.
This was absolutely the most formidable weapon in the world! What were Little Li's Flying Daggers, Peacock Feathers, Sand-Spitting Shadows, or Rain of Pear Blossom Nails? They all had to step aside before it! Otherwise, how could the once powerless Little Bao have used it to conquer the world, marry seven wives, and trample on countless others?
Yes, you guessed it, Fourth Brother's secret weapon was...
banknotes! "Fifty strings of cash a note, a hundred notes for five thousand strings of cash, grab them all!"
With a deafening shout, Pang Yu scattered a handful of gleaming banknotes across the sky.
Chaos erupted, utter chaos ensued.
The moment the cry of "Five thousand strings of cash" rang out, not only did the eight guards drop their broadswords and begin grabbing the money in a frenzy, their eyes bloodshot, but even the yamen runners on guard and passing constables pounced like mad dogs.
Fifty strings of cash! That was a year's salary they might not even earn. Pang Yu had just thrown away five thousand strings—that would take them a hundred years of hard work! A hundred years!
Who could possibly remain rational then?
"Grab it! Grab it now! One bill is worth a year's salary, two bills are worth two years' salary, grab one and you'll never have to worry again!"
These were the words of Pang Yu. He had barely finished shouting when even the guards outside couldn't resist anymore. Bare-handed (their knives were thrown fast enough!), they rushed in and lunged at the banknotes without even glancing at him.
"Go ahead and grab, I'm off! "
Since it wasn't his own money, Pang Yu didn't care at all. He took a leap and strode out of the Kaifeng Prefecture gate.
Wanrendi grabbed two cards before following, naturally a step behind. He thought he'd have to expend some effort to catch up with his master, but as soon as he stepped out, he nearly bumped into Pang Yu from behind.
"Fourth Brother, why aren't you running..." Wanrendi stopped just in time to avoid the collision, full of questions, but before he could finish his sentence, he froze, his mouth agape, unable to utter a word.
In front of the Kaifeng Prefecture gate, there wasn't a single person!
To be precise, not a single pedestrian, because a dense mass of burly men carrying knives blocked the entire street.
Zhao Yunbi had gone mad, bringing so many men!?
They weren't Zhao Yunbi's men, but rather the guards, protectors, thugs, bodyguards, and lackeys of the Kuaiji Prince's mansion.
"Your Highness!" Nearly a hundred men shouted in unison, heading towards the sedan chair carried by four men in the center, reminiscent of a gangster boss's henchmen calling out "Boss!"
However, the boss was dressed in a black suit, black tie, and black shoes—all in black, exuding arrogance and domineering power. In contrast, Prince Zhao Shiqing of Kuaiji, in his sedan chair, was dressed in a completely different outfit, pale and ruddy! His face
was bruised and swollen, his eyes were bloodshot, and half of his head was wrapped in a white cloth with spots of blood showing through. If one had to describe him, it would be "miserable." In short, he had been "beaten into a pig's head."
"Pang Si, hmph, hmph hmph hmph hmph..." Zhao Shiqing barely managed to sit up with the help of two people, glaring venomously at Pang Yu with his right eye, which was swollen like a panda's but not bandaged.
"You...you've finally met your match! Hahaha, hahaha—hahahaha—" Zhao Shiqing laughed wildly, but it sounded more like he was crying. He couldn't help it; Pang Yu had knocked out two of his front teeth, hence the sound.
"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, Your Highness, you can still get up, you can still go out? Looks like I wasn't strong enough. A failure, a damn failure." What does it mean to be fearless in the face of danger, what does it mean to remain calm in the face of change? Just look at Fourth Brother, who can still laugh now. Facing the menacing gazes of dozens of burly men, facing the gleaming blades of dozens of broadswords, he wasn't afraid at all; instead, he took two steps forward.
"Zhao Shiqing, you little bastard, don't think I'm afraid of you just because we outnumber you. Our Grand Tutor's Mansion has no shortage of thugs. Come on, call your lackeys over here! Fourth Grandfather can take on Zhao Yunbi and his men all by himself in Kaifeng Prefecture, and he can still beat you to a pulp!"
Wanrendi was utterly shocked. How could the Marquis be so boastful? Even now, he could still laugh and talk big. He didn't know that if he were caught, he would be tortured until there wasn't even a bone left.
"Go inside, sneak into the backyard, and try to climb over the wall to escape!" Pang Yu secretly tugged at him.
Damn it, Fourth Brother isn't a god, he can't really take on dozens of people by himself. Let's stall Wanrendi here and let him go back to report. As long as Second Madam and Third Madam are notified, I'm not afraid that this mad dog surnamed Zhao can do anything to me.
Although Wanrendi was a glutton, fortunately, his mind was still sharp when he was full. He quickly woke up when Pang Yu pointed at him and quietly took a step back, ready to shrink back into the door at any moment.
"You surnamed Zhao, let me tell you!" Pang Yu, drawing attention, leaped down the steps. "Don't think my lord doesn't know which dog was behind the Li Family Village incident. He's not saying anything because he doesn't want to break ties so quickly. I'll give you time to think it over carefully, whether you want to..."
"Arrest him! Arrest him! Castrate him! Castrate him!! Castrate him!!!" Zhao Shiqing screamed hysterically, his reaction unexpectedly strong, almost jumping off the sedan chair.
The guards, receiving the order, brandished their blades and swarmed towards Pang Yu.
"Who dares!" Pang Yu roared, his cold eyes sweeping across the room.
A chilling killing intent filled the air, causing everyone to retreat in fear.
Actually, adding "Anyone who moves, my lord will kill their entire family" would have been more effective, but Fourth Brother wasn't the type to bully others with his power—even if he were, the fierce eyes and tyrannical aura bestowed upon him by Heaven were enough to subdue any expert below the second tier of martial arts masters.
"Go, go! Are you all afraid of him?!" Zhao Shiqing shouted, then, perhaps aggravating his injury with his movements, cried out in pain. "
Who…ouch, who castrated him? I will reward…ouch, a hefty reward! Ouch—" A hefty
reward always attracts brave men. A tall, strong, scarred man, over twelve feet tall, lunged forward like a wolf, slashing his blade straight at Pang Yu's chest.
The blow was heavy and whistling; it could probably cleave a large ox in two, yet Pang Yu neither dodged, nor flinched, nor avoided, letting the blow strike his chest.
"Clang!" With a loud crash, Pang Yu remained unmoved, while the burly man's arm ached from the impact. Undoubtedly
, the blow to the silver brick had caused no damage. "
You, chest..." the scarred man began , but Pang Yu delivered a flying kick . "Ah ... Pang Yu jumped forward, and the guards retreated. "Come on, don't be afraid!" Pang Yu jumped forward again, and the guards retreated again. Jumping and retreating, retreating and jumping, the once impenetrable street suddenly became full of gaps. Damn it, what's the point of sending a message? I could escape—no, I should retreat—just like this. Pang Yu prepared to run away. "Stop him! Don't worry, this guy is just bluffing, he has no real skills." Zhao Yunbi's voice came at a very inopportune time. Pang Yu wanted to run again, but it was too late. Helplessly, he turned around and was met with a pair of eyes that were red from lime, filled with hatred that wanted to kill him, to cut him into a thousand pieces and mince him into meat paste. However, compared to that, the broken and bleeding forehead was more conspicuous. This time, Pang Yu was helpless, really helpless. There were people all around him, where could he run? "I'm not fighting anymore, I surrender, I surrender now." He raised his hands and shouted loudly at Wu Gongzheng, who was rushing out, "Lord Wu, look! I can jump and leap all over the place now, I'm perfectly healthy. If anyone lays a hand on me and hurts me, you have to stand up for me! Besides, I have no illnesses or old ailments, and I'm full of hope for life. I will absolutely not die suddenly in prison or commit suicide out of despair. Remember that, remember that if I die under mysterious circumstances, you must notify the Grand Tutor's Mansion to seek justice for me!" Zhao Yunbi originally wanted to have his men beat him to a pulp, at least break a few ribs if not cripple him, but after being provoked like this, he thought, "Fine, you should stop now. There are so many eyes in Kaifeng Prefecture watching how you try to play dirty." "Your Highness, please...please hand him over to me. I will handle it according to the law..." Wu Gongzheng, already determined to side with the Marquis of Anle after being instigated by Pang Yu, rushed over to demand the release of the prisoner upon seeing the situation turn against him. Pang Yu was confident in his ability to handle the situation. After all, any case in the capital was nominally under the jurisdiction of the Prefect of Kaifeng. Wu Gongzheng's request for the prisoner from Zhao Yunbi was reasonable, justifiable, and legal. As long as he was firm and not too soft, even a prince like Zhao Yunbi couldn't refuse. Handing him over and imprisoning him in Kaifeng would be easy. He could go in and come out in no time, free before Wanrendi could even go back for reinforcements. Zhao Yunbi sneered, seemingly anticipating this move. He leaned close to Wu Gongzheng's ear and whispered something, his voice low, only catching a few words like "princess," "insult," and "rape." "So, does Lord Wu still want the prisoner?" Zhao Yunbi asked bluntly at the end. Wu Gongzheng frantically waved his hands: "No, no, no, no, no, it concerns the princess's reputation..." "Hmm?" " Please do as you please, Your Highness." He was covered in sweat, not daring to utter a single word. Zhao Yunbi nodded in satisfaction, stepped down, and walked to Pang Yu's side. "Hmph, kid, you've finally fallen into my hands. Do you know what it means to wish you were dead? No? Fine, I'll tell you in the next few days." Pang Yu was afraid of him? He glared at him and snorted, "A hot potato, Your Highness shouldn't be able to pick it up but not throw it away." "Hot potato? Hahahaha—" Zhao Yunbi laughed loudly, clapping his hands twice. Two guards pushed the bound and gagged Wan Rendi out of Kaifeng Prefecture. "You want him to climb over the wall and go back to the Grand Tutor's mansion to report? Sorry, there's no chance."

Zhao Yunbi smiled, a cold killing intent flashing in his eyes: "Quickly, tie them up and take them all back to me."
"Who dares! Leave him here!!!" A clear, vigorous, and authoritative voice suddenly rang out. Zhao Yunbi turned around, his pupils dilating in shock, as if struck by lightning, his face filled with horror, disbelief, and disbelief.
How could this person, his identity, possibly be here!?

Chapter Ninety of the main text: The Ruthless, Cunning Uncle's Outburst

Updated! I saw many readers' replies yesterday, and many guessed correctly. Yes, the one who came to save Fourth Brother was of course his cheap father-in-law, the Eighth Prince! Everyone, please read on; I've decided to subvert expectations and write an Eighth Prince that's completely different from the past! ^▽^
——————————A Gorgeous Dividing Line————————————
This person, his identity, anytime, anywhere, his appearance is always a shock to everyone present.
What is Zhao Yunbi? What are the Prince's Party?
Before him, there was nothing to do but bow down and be subservient!
Seeing this person and hearing these words, Zhao Yunbi's heart sank.
It was all over, all ruined, all his plans and efforts had gone down the drain.
Last night, in the Prince's mansion, he could have personally directed his men to extinguish the fire early, but he gritted his teeth and made a tough decision, letting the fire burn down his three outer courtyards, all to make the Crown Prince's faction complacent and careless, thus luring out and eliminating this damned Pang Si.
Once this guy was gone, and with the Marquis of Anle ill in his residence, crushing Gao Ya Nei and Qian Shi Cai's bunch of good-for-nothing playboys would be a piece of cake!
But when he saw this person, when he heard these words… Zhao Yunbi's mind went completely blank!
He said to keep the man, and even if he had ten times the courage of a bear and a leopard, he wouldn't dare not keep him!
His clothes, which in his eyes were merely ordinary brocade robes, without any ostentatious adornments, were nonetheless imposing, wealthy, and exuding royal aura!
The foremost member of the Song Dynasty's imperial family, the impartial and selfless, loyal and filial, with the privilege of not having to attend court sessions or leave the palace, and the power to punish corrupt emperors and treacherous officials!
"Eighth Imperial Uncle, what brings you here?" Zhao Yunbi asked in surprise, wondering if he had misheard. How could his usually aloof and superior Eighth Imperial Uncle, whom even he had to look up to, be meddling in the affairs of a mere servant?
"What, can't I have some free time to go out for a stroll?" The Eighth Imperial Uncle's face had been dark from the start. His usual amiable and approachable demeanor as an elder in front of the imperial family members was completely gone. His casual remark was authoritative and domineering, intimidating Zhao Yunbi, who had been so vocal just moments before, so much so that he didn't dare to utter a sound.
Not only Zhao Yunbi, but Zhao Shiqing, who was in the sedan chair, was also terrified and lay there pretending to be dead, not daring to utter a sound. They were all teenagers now, and when had they, as the younger generation, ever seen the Eighth Prince so angry? Especially since he didn't even know why he was angry. What if they said something wrong… Well, too much talk leads to trouble, so they'd better keep quiet.
"This person, leave him here. I'm taking him away!" The Eighth Prince didn't waste any more words, his eyes sweeping over Pang Yu.
"Eighth Imperial Uncle, this… this isn't right…" Zhao Yunbi stammered.
"What, you can't?" The Eighth Prince turned and coldly stared at him, his eyes like lightning.
"No, no, this person caused trouble at the street corner the other day, seriously injuring Shiqing…"
"It was this guy speeding at 70 miles per hour… this guy's carriage hit my woman!" Pang Yu shouted.
Upon hearing "my woman," the Eighth Prince's brows furrowed even more, his face turning even uglier. Zhao Yunbi, oblivious, continued his accusations, "Last night, he and a gang of thugs broke into my nephew's residence and set it on fire, burning it down..."
"Damn it! You've done so many evil deeds, attracting the attention of江湖 heroes! What does this have to do with me?!"
He spewed profanities at every turn, driving the Eighth Prince to the brink of collapse, his heart bleeding—daughter, my precious daughter, why did you have to choose such a morally bankrupt, uncultured, low-class, arrogant, and vulgar servant?!
Pang Yu, observing his expression, knew exactly what he was thinking. Abandoning his usual gentlemanly demeanor, he continued his tirade.
"Eighth Imperial Uncle, you must stand up for your nephew! My family's three courtyards were burned down last night..." Zhao Yunbi continued his tirade.
The Eighth Prince was too busy tending to his daughter to pay him any attention. He gave him a cold glare: "Is that so? Your nephew's residence has over a hundred servants and is heavily guarded. How could it be so easily burned to the ground by a mere servant? It seems you're quite incompetent as the Prince of Beihai. You've completely disgraced the Song Dynasty's royal family!"
Zhao Yunbi was dumbfounded, thinking that his uncle was on fire, ready to attack anyone who spoke. Seeing that he couldn't stop him openly, he quickly bowed and whispered a few words in the Eighth Prince's ear. Even without eavesdropping, just looking at that servile face, he knew it was still the same old accusations of "princess," "insult," and "rape."
Mentioning this only fueled the Eighth Prince's anger. Before he could finish, the Eighth Prince abruptly cut him off, his face darkening: "Aiwu is a princess, but my daughter isn't!" His face was contorted with rage, a fierce but weak expression, his eyes practically spitting fire.
Zhao Yunbi was absolutely certain that if he uttered another word at this moment, his Eighth Prince would immediately turn on him and refuse to acknowledge him. Not only him, but even his father—no, even the Emperor himself—couldn't stop the Eighth Prince. Luckily, he was in plain clothes and hadn't brought his golden mace, otherwise, it would surely have been used to strike his head.
"Come with me!" The Eighth Prince grabbed Pang Yu's sleeve and dragged him away without a word.
"Your Highness, no, they…" The fearless Pang Yu actually cowered, timidly looking at the broadswords in the guards' hands, then shamelessly shifting his gaze to Zhao Yunbi.
The Eighth Prince's eyes turned cold, his anger blazing!
A parent's heart is always full of love and concern; to find out the relationship between his daughter and this servant as quickly as possible, he was in such a hurry that he didn't care about anything else.
Anyone who tried to stop him, he would kill!
Zhao Yunbi stood there, trembling with fear. He wanted to curse, but the fierce look in the eyes of this man, whom he had never seen before, made his legs weak with timidity. He forced a smile and bowed repeatedly, then turned and gritted his teeth, ordering, "Get out of the way! Make way for the Imperial Uncle!"
A whoosh! Nearly a hundred people from both princely residences shrank back.
Pang Yu smiled smugly, swaggering out of Zhao Yunbi's carefully constructed encirclement with the "Number One Protector of the Song Dynasty." He didn't forget to wave back at the end: "Thank you, Prince of Beihai, for seeing me off. I am but a servant , unworthy of your hundred-man entourage!
Wahahahaha— " ×× ... "That's a good saying." A charming voice, both frivolous and deep, flamboyant yet magnetic, rang out; it was clearly Pang Yu. "Great kindness needs no thanks. Your Highness saved me from the jaws of death, so I have nothing more to say. Your Highness is so benevolent and righteous; you are surely not the kind of person who seeks repayment for favors. I will take my leave now, so as not to disturb you any longer." Having shared a carriage with the dark-faced Eighth Prince for less than five minutes, Pang Yu couldn't stand his scrutinizing gaze any longer. "What the hell? What does this mean? Is he angry because he saw his daughter's... well, you father, and wants to see me again?" Pang Yu couldn't take it anymore. He offered a few insincere words of "gratitude," opened the carriage door, and prepared to get out. Clang! Clang! Two swords were placed against his neck, one on each side.

"Your Highness, what...what are you doing? Let's talk this out, let's talk this out! I make a living with my looks, if my face is ruined, that would be...that would be a huge problem, wouldn't it?" Fourth Brother, who was excitedly preparing to jump out of the carriage and run away, suddenly wilted and sheepishly retreated back into the carriage.
The Eighth Prince stared coldly at him, his gaze like a knife.
Besides his heartless father, this was the second person who was completely unafraid of Pang Yu's menacing gaze.
Pang Yu was completely at a loss, spreading his hands and saying, "Eighth Prince, where are you taking me? I still have work to do at my residence, and if I go back late, my Marquis will scold me."
The Eighth Prince snorted, only showing more contempt for this man, and glanced at him, saying, "You will come back to my residence with me. I will ask you a few questions, and after you're done..."
"After I'm done, I can leave?" Pang Yu asked eagerly.
"That depends on your answer."
"Then... what if I don't answer well?" For some reason, Pang Yu had a strange feeling, like he was alone on a thief's train about to enter their den, and his voice trembled slightly. "Nothing much
. I'm a man of the law. I won't take your head so easily. At most..." The Eighth Prince suddenly smiled, a hint of sharpness in his eyes.
"At most, from now on, the palace will be your home."
"Oh, that's good—ah!!!"
Pang Yu suddenly realized, the palace as his home?! He'd become a eunuch!
He stared in astonishment, wide-eyed, unable to believe his eyes as he looked at the middle-aged man opposite him.
Good heavens, is this really the righteous and outspoken Eighth Prince from the novels and storytelling? How come he looks like a cunning, treacherous, and sinister old man with a smile that hides a knife?!

Chapter Ninety-One: The Birth of a Cheap Son-in-Law

In the Eighth Prince's Mansion, in a secluded building, in a tightly sealed room,
the Eighth Prince stood before a table like a policeman interrogating a prisoner, his murderous gaze fixed on the man opposite him.
Pang Yu, the "prisoner," was neither handcuffed nor restrained. If he wanted to, he could easily leap up, using his nearly ninety-foot height, to subdue the Eighth Prince and force him to release him. However, weighing the pros and cons, he refrained. What crime
was kidnapping the Eighth Prince? Not usurpation, not rudeness, not rebellion—it was simply treason. Otherwise, he wouldn't be the first member of the imperial family, the Eighth Prince, exaggerated in operas and storytelling as possessing unlimited power. Pang Yu only had one brain; flirting with the princess and taking advantage of her was enough for him. He would never be foolish enough to kidnap the Eighth Prince, whom even his ruthless father couldn't handle.
That would be tantamount to suicide.
Besides, he had a vague feeling that this cunning uncle, so different from the legendary figure, was definitely hiding something. Reason told him not to act impulsively, or the consequences would be far worse than being interrogated as a criminal!
"You… what exactly is your relationship with my daughter? Why were you in her bathhouse the day after she returned, and then—and hiding in her bed?" The cunning uncle was furious, but his voice was very low, as if he were afraid their conversation would be exposed even through the thick walls of the secret room.
"Daughter? Eighth Prince, when have I, a mere servant, ever had any dealings with the princess?" Pang Yu feigned ignorance.
"Bang!" The cunning uncle slammed his hand on the table.
"I'll ask you one more time. If you don't want to answer, fine, we can change the location to the palace." "
A threat! This is a blatant threat!"
Pang Yu was furious, but there was nothing he could do. He was in the hands of the Eighth Prince; even if the Imperial Concubine intervened, she probably couldn't get him out. He could only obediently cooperate and try to escape by talking.
"What exactly is your relationship with Qin Yi?"
"Nothing much."
"If you have nothing much, how did you end up in her bathhouse?"
"By chance."
"Nonsense!" He shouted, he shouted! See? Pang Yu was unusually honest this time, telling the truth, but the cunning uncle didn't believe him at all, convinced he was lying.
"Do you think anyone can just walk into Green Jade Pavilion? If you can't answer Qin Yi's questions, her four loyal maids will never let you cross the threshold."
"But I answered them."
"You?" The cunning uncle looked at him suspiciously, his eyes filled with ill intent.
"Hmm." "
Hmph, my Qin Yi, though a woman, is intelligent and talented, excelling in poetry, prose, and all other arts. The three difficult questions she posed, while not entirely unsolvable, are so difficult that even Ouyang Xiu, the esteemed disciple of Prime Minister Lü, couldn't answer them. How could you, a mere servant, possibly succeed?"
"So what if I'm a servant? Can't servants be cultured? Tang Bohu was once a servant in the Hua family!"
"Who is Tang Bohu? " "
Ah, it's just...that..." Pang Yu had gone too far and quickly started making things up, "A long, long time ago, there was a great scholar named Tang Yin, courtesy name Bohu, who fell in love with Qiu Xiang, a maid in the Hua family..."
Pang Yu used his eloquence to stretch the story of Tang Bohu and Qiu Xiang from the Ming Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty.
The Eighth Prince's expression was uncertain after hearing this.
Pang Yu preferred it this way because he found that "smile" was the most terrifying expression on the cunning old man.
The Eighth Prince smiled.
"It seems that all the pretty maids in the Grand Tutor's mansion have been taken by the Marquis of Anle."
"Yes."
"Grand Tutor Pang doesn't seem to have any daughters, nieces, or nephews living in the Grand Tutor's mansion, does he?"
"No."
"Then why did you enter the Grand Tutor's mansion as a servant a month ago? Was it for some male servant? Hmm?" The Eighth Prince's smile remained, very lewd and violent, making Pang Yu's spine tingle.
What is a smile hiding a knife? Just look at the old man's current appearance and you'll know!
"I'll give you one more chance." "
With the servant in hand, and on his own turf, the Eighth Prince's rare display of rage in front of Kaifeng Prefecture vanished.
Pang Yu would rather he be angry, rather he be sullen, than see him smile, because…
“If you don’t answer properly, our next conversation really will have to take place in the palace. As for which hall, which pavilion…” The Eighth Prince patted his shoulder and smiled, “You can choose freely; I can make that arrangement.”
Listen, listen! This is what’s hidden behind the seemingly kind and harmless smile of the cunning uncle.
Black-hearted bastard!
“Alright, I’ll tell you.”
To avoid being cut, and for the “sexual happiness” of all the beauties of this era, Pang Yu could no longer hide it.
“Miss Qin Yi and I actually… actually… actually…”
“Actually what?” This time, the Eighth Prince wasn’t in a hurry, smiling as he made a gesture.
—Left hand thumb up, right hand slicing horizontally.
“Miss Qin Yi and I have actually pledged our lives to each other.”
“What! Although he had already "foreseen" this, the Eighth Prince was still startled to hear Pang Yu say it himself. He paused for about two seconds, then suddenly burst into wild laughter, "Good, good, what a fine thing you've done! This prince..."
"Father-in-law!!!" Pang Yu shouted and rushed over, hugging the Eighth Prince's leg and yelling, "Qin Yi and I are deeply in love and secretly pledged our lives to each other. It was on a sunny autumn afternoon..." He improvised a long, old-fashioned story about a down-on-his-luck scholar who was rescued by a beautiful woman, gradually developing feelings for each other while recovering from his injuries, until they got to know each other, fell in love, and pledged their lives to each other, but were unable to be together due to the disparity in their social status.
"I am but a humble scholar, without official rank or power, knowing I am unworthy of Qin Yi. That is why I changed my name and joined the Grand Tutor's mansion, hoping to gain a better position and then propose marriage after achieving some success..."
"Was this also Qin Yi's idea?"
"Yes."
"Nonsense!" The Eighth Prince sneered, staring at him. "Why choose the Grand Tutor's mansion when you could gain a better position anywhere? With Qin Yi's connections, you could surely rise to prominence in any household."
"But what place could offer a faster path to advancement than the Grand Tutor's mansion? Qin Yi merely wrote a note, and the Marquis promoted me to the rank of First-Class Servant; the other day, when Qin Yi returned to the capital, she helped me stage a brilliant counterattack in front of 100,000 people. My name is already known throughout the streets and alleys, and the Marquis was overjoyed, rewarding me with 5,000 strings of cash and saying he would recommend me for an official position when the Grand Tutor returns."
"So, your so-called 'answering questions' at the Green Jade Pavilion was also an act?"
"No, it's true! If I didn't have this much literary talent, how could I have won Qin Yi's heart?" Pang Yu's ability to exaggerate was truly first-rate; he boasted to the heavens without even blushing. "To be honest, Father-in-law, Qin Yi seems quite aloof and cold, but actually... she's really mischievous. You know, we've been apart for so long, we should at least have some time to catch up, right? But she insisted on giving me a quiz, and if I couldn't answer it, I couldn't go in. Luckily, your future son-in-law is exceptionally talented and eloquent, so I easily solved the problem, and then... hehe, as the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Qin Yi and I hadn't seen each other for a while, and we went into the bathhouse to have some fun and see if we could give you a grandson, but who knew that Father-in-law would catch us in the act...
" *Smack!* Another slap on the table.
"Enough!" The Eighth Prince's reaction was unexpectedly calm. He sighed, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips. "Three years have passed in the blink of an eye. So many scholars and young heroes have come seeking her, yet none have caught Qin Yi's eye. But unexpectedly… she's fallen for you, and… and even secretly pledged her life to you, secretly conceiving a child (the term 'secretly conceiving a child' has a broad meaning; it can be used for anything, not necessarily pregnancy).
As her father, I truly don't know what to say." Pang Yu was even more helpless!
Ah, being a person is truly difficult. When you tell the truth, people accuse you of lying; but when you actually lie, damn it, they believe you completely!
And now, I'm practically the cunning uncle's "cheap son-in-law." He can't possibly castrate me and send me to the palace, leaving his daughter to live a life of widowhood, can he?
The Eighth Prince stood up.
"Do you still have any unfulfilled wishes?" he asked.
"Ah!?" This time, Pang Yu reacted quickly, immediately sensing something was wrong.
The Eighth Prince stared at him, his self-deprecating smile deepening: "Yes! It's my fault as a father, letting Qin Yi's innocence be ruined by you. Even if you, a mere servant, rise to great heights, you're not worthy of my daughter. For her lifelong happiness, I cannot let you live!"
"Hey, father-in-law, you're not joking, are you?" Pang Yu exclaimed in shock, shrinking back while holding onto the stool.
"Whatever your wish, I can fulfill it for you."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Seeing the Eighth Prince approaching with a smile, Pang Yu felt like crying. Well, he was supposed to be castrated at most, but a casual lie and a fabricated story turned into a death sentence.
After two unanswered questions, the Eighth Prince ignored him, walking straight to the door of the secret chamber, turning back with a faint smile: "Don't worry, I've found a master. One stroke and the head is severed; you won't suffer." "
Pang Yu was in despair. Just as the cunning uncle pushed open the door and called for help, he used his last strength to scream,
'I have a way to make Qin Yi—recognize you as her father!!!'"

(Chapter 92: Eloquent Words to

Persuade the Father-in-Law) I took the afternoon off to go to the driving school to get my fingerprints taken. I came back early, so I'm offering another chapter for everyone! My fellow brothers and sisters, Ding's ranking is starting to drop again. Fourth Brother needs your votes!
————————A fancy dividing line——————————
Ambrosia, elk's roe, deer lips, leopard fetus, wild camel hooves, crisp cheese, cicada-shaped minced meat, jade-
like sliced meat, emerald pot, rhinoceros chopsticks, orangutan lips, bear's white meat, roasted camel roe.
There weren't many dishes, just one table, but everything was top-quality from the capital!
In this "Ru Gui Hall" of the Eight Immortals' Mansion, there were no buildings within a radius of thirty feet, only openwork flower walls separating the four sides. A small, flowing stream ran around the hall, its banks planted with hundreds of flowers. It was nearing the end of spring and the beginning of summer, the clouds were light and the air was fresh. A gentle breeze swept across the flowers and water, filling the hall with coolness and fragrance.
Pang Yu sat casually in an exquisitely carved rosewood armchair, putting down his chopsticks, raising his cup, and enjoying his meal.
He ate with
gusto .
"Come, come, son-in-law, let your father-in-law toast you." Just a quarter of an hour ago, the Eighth Prince had told Pang Yu, "A single stroke will sever your head, and you won't suffer." Now, beaming, he personally raised a cup and offered it to Pang Yu. The cup contained the finest Zijinchun wine, its amber color and clear orange-yellow hue. Even before tasting it, a sweet fragrance of osmanthus wafted out, rich and intoxicating, giving one a sense of ethereal bliss simply from the aroma.
"Oh dear, no, no, no! I am but a servant; how can I accept a toast from Your Highness?" Pang Yu, always one to say one thing and do another, unceremoniously accepted the wine cup, tilted his head back, and downed it in one gulp. The wine was indeed sweet and mellow. "
Wow, good wine indeed! It seems the food at the Eight Immortals Prince's Mansion is no less than that of the Grand Tutor's Mansion .
Especially when entertaining a future son-in-law, how could they not serve the best?
" Looking at the table laden with rare delicacies and savoring the exquisite flavors prepared by the renowned chef, Pang Yu, who had only hastily eaten a little at noon before rushing to Kaifeng to rescue someone, could only describe his current mood as "exhilarating."
Shouldn't he be happy and celebrating? He was about to be beheaded, but just one sentence—one sentence! The Eighth Prince's attitude immediately underwent a complete 180-degree turn, from wanting to kill him to treating him like an honored guest, a perfect example of "feeling at home." "A banquet was set up in Ru Gui Hall, with the prince himself in attendance!
After the wine was drunk, Pang Yu picked up his jade-carved chopsticks and gently dipped a slice of venison into the boiling broth.
This venison hot pot, called 'Bo Xia Gong,' is all about the cooking technique. If it's not cooked long enough, the venison is reddish-purple and slightly fishy; if it's overcooked, the thin slices curl up like aged wood ear fungus, turning a soy sauce color and becoming bitter.
Pang Yu dipped the meat into the pot, only turning it twice before removing it from the broth, not lingering for a moment longer. The paper-thin venison retained its freshness and color, a vibrant red like the sunset. He dipped it in a sauce made with yellow wine, garlic, chili, cinnamon, orange sauce, and pepper (pepper was a rare commodity these days; a small packet could be exchanged for gold) and put it in his mouth.
'Mmm, delicious! It melts in your mouth, so tender it seems to melt on your tongue. Father-in-law, thank you for your hospitality.'" The Eighth
Prince raised an eyebrow, showing no unease at being addressed as "father-in-law" in public by a mere servant. He smiled, poured himself a full cup, but brought it to his lips without drinking. Looking up at Pang Yu, he asked, "You...you really have a way to get Qin Yi to acknowledge me as her father?"
"No problem, leave it to me."
"Good!" The Eighth Prince raised his hand slightly, swallowing the wine whole, a surge of pleasure rushing to his chest.
"Tell me how."
"Huh?"
"How to get Qin Yi to acknowledge me as her father."
Pang Yu was gnawing on a bear paw with an orchid design when asked, and mumbled, "This...this can't be rushed, it has to be done slowly..." Seeing the Eighth Prince's slight smile, he immediately sat up straight, threw the bear paw aside, and said solemnly, "Father-in-law, what do you think are the most important people for a young lady?"
"What are they?"
"Father, mother, and husband, of course." Pang Yu took a sip of wine and began his silver tongue, "I won't talk about Qin Yi's mother's matter. If Your Highness has a way to make up for this debt, there's no need to ask me anything more; Qin Yi's father—Your Highness, the head of the imperial clan, holding the highest position, doesn't need her to worry about anything; so..."
"So as long as you have a good background, rise to a high position, and become a high-ranking official, you'll be worthy of Qin Yi marrying her, and Qin Yi will be very happy. When she's happy, she'll be in a good mood, and when she's in a good mood, she'll recognize me as her father, right?" The Eighth Prince snorted, looked at him with a sidelong glance, and sneered again and again.
"No, no, no, Your Highness, you've misunderstood. That's absolutely not what I meant."
"Then what are you trying to say?" The Eighth Prince toyed with the empty cup in his hand, staring intently at him.
Pang Yu felt a little uneasy under his gaze, so he drank a large cup to bolster his courage before saying, "Alas, although I am confident in my literary talent and the abilities of Su Qin and Zhang Yi, I come from humble origins and have no one to appreciate my talents. I don't know when I'll ever have a chance to rise in the world. Qin Yi had no choice but to send me to the Grand Tutor's mansion, hoping to use the Marquis of Anle's help—cough, father-in-law, do you understand what I mean? If someone secretly helps me... so that I can marry Qin Yi openly and gloriously, Qin Yi will definitely be grateful to him. When she one day finds out that the benefactor who helped her husband, gave her happiness, restored her beautiful life, and allowed her mother to rest in peace is none other than Your Highness, will Qin Yi still have a reason not to acknowledge this silent benefactor?" "Will he always care for his father? Then, Qin Yi, your father-in-law, and I will live happily together as a family of three. A few years later, we'll have a baby… Father-in-law, you can stop worrying about politics, settle down in a quiet house outside the city, enjoy your retirement, and be surrounded by your grandchildren. Wouldn't that be wonderful!"
The Eighth Prince was completely moved by the beautiful scene he described. His eyes gleamed, and his breathing quickened. He said impatiently, "You want to rise to power, right? It's simple. If you are truly talented, then leave the Pang residence immediately. I will recommend you to the Imperial Academy, to study under Prime Minister Lü. If you can become the top scholar in the imperial examinations, I guarantee the Emperor will at least appoint you as a prefectural vice-prefect (deputy secretary of the municipal party committee and secretary of the discipline inspection commission)..."
"It's different, Father-in-law." Pang Yu remained calm, not becoming excited or forgetting his place upon hearing the promises of a bright future and high-ranking positions from the Eighth Prince. "If Qin Yi were willing to accept your help directly, she would have already asked. And I, of course, am not the kind of person who expects to gain everything without effort just because I have a good father-in-law. Besides, I'm doing this for your sake, Father-in-law. Imagine if I rose to a high position through your recommendation and eventually married Qin Yi; people would gossip, accusing you of nepotism and abusing your power, and Qin Yi would be heartbroken. But if I were promoted by Grand Tutor Pang… surely no one would be so foolish as to say that you're colluding with your mortal enemies to pave the way for your future son-in-law."
The Eighth Prince stroked his beard and nodded: "Very well, then tell me, what exactly do you need me to do?"
"Simple, just a small favor from you, Father-in-law, and I'll find a way to rise above my station and achieve great success."
"What small favor?"
"My father-in-law helped me find the mastermind behind the Li Family Village case."
"Just that simple?" The Eighth Prince looked at him doubtfully.
"Yes, the Marquis is furious about being framed. If I can find the mastermind and clear his name, not only will the Marquis be happy, but Grand Tutor Pang will also be grateful to me for saving his son." Pang Yu stood up, his face full of confidence. "Not to boast, but with my talent, as long as Grand Tutor Pang gives me the opportunity, and if you, Father-in-law, and Prime Minister Lü don't make things difficult, I will surely rise to prominence within three to five years and marry Qin Yi openly and honorably."
Marry Qin Yi? That means she'll be so moved she'll want to acknowledge him as her father!
Upon hearing this, the Eighth Prince was overjoyed and slammed his fist on the table: "Alright, I promise you! As long as Qin Yi acknowledges me as her father, I'll do anything you ask!"
"Thank you, Your Highness." Pang Yu was secretly delighted, but his face remained serious. "However, to ensure there are no mishaps, I must agree to three rules with you."
"What three rules? Tell me, tell me quickly!" The Eighth Prince pressed eagerly. For his beloved daughter, whom he had lost for many years, he would agree to anything, not just three rules, but thirty or even three hundred.
"First... Ah, my mouth is dry... This Nine-Grade Soup seems quite good."
"Serve the soup, quickly, quickly, serve the soup!"
The soup was served. It was a small bowl of Nine-Grade Soup, made by steaming and boiling five kinds of mountain delicacies, seven kinds of seafood, four kinds of fine wine, and thirteen kinds of Chinese medicine, and cooking it through more than forty processes. If others had the chance to taste it, they would sip it slowly and savor it carefully, for fear of drinking it too fast and missing out on this delicacy. Pang Yu, however, picked it up and gulped it down in one go. He finished two bowls without even blinking, which made the little maid serving him look on with awe: Wow—no wonder he is a first-class servant of the Grand Tutor's Mansion. His demeanor and style are much more heroic than our servants in the Prince's Mansion!
Under the Eighth Prince's faint smile and questioning and the maids' infatuated gazes, Pang Yu finally spoke.
"First, never mention this matter in front of Qin Yi, and don't even let her know I've met you. That way, when I achieve success and marry her, I can easily say it was your arrangement, Father-in-law. Qin Yi will be moved to tears by your profound and tender fatherly love, and she won't care about those past grievances anymore."
"Second, never mention this in front of the maids. They're so comfortable outside with Qin Yi, going wherever they want and doing whatever they want; they're all used to being wild. If Qin Yi acknowledges you as her father, and they move into the palace with her, they'll be restricted in every way. Who can stand that? They might secretly instigate trouble.
" "Third, I have a favor to ask: I hope Father-in-law will leave me a piece of calligraphy...
"

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