[Wuxia] The Number One Ding Under Heaven (Complete) - 33

Chapter 238 Teasing Yuehua, the Good Girl.

What is meant by "remaining calm even when Mount Tai collapses before you"? It means that even if Mount Tai is right in front of you, you must remain calm and composed, a quality essential for those who aspire to great things.
Fourth Brother is undoubtedly someone destined for great things, but he detests conformity. So while other "people destined for great things" remain calm even when a sword is pressed against their chest, showing no fear or apprehension, Fourth Brother simply smiles brightly, a warm and sunny smile, with the gentleness of an older brother.
"Yuehua, it's been a long time." He said to the handsome young man holding the sword to his chest.
"Pah, who's your Yuehua?" the handsome young man snorted angrily. He looked only thirteen or fourteen years old, with red lips, white teeth, and delicate skin. Although dressed as a boy, it was obvious at a glance that he was a girl. Her delicate body was just beginning to develop, her hips and buttocks showing slight feminine features, and two tiny bumps slightly protruding on her chest. She was truly just about to bloom, like a budding flower just beginning to unfurl. Her body possessed both the plumpness of a loli and the nascent curves of a mature woman. Especially when she spoke, her voice was melodious and sweet, like a nightingale singing among the flowers. It was none other than Ding Yuehua, the loli-like little heroine disguised as a boy.
"Isn't it a sister? Oh, I see, then it's Yuehua, my dear sister. My dear sister, if you've been longing for your brother, just come directly! Why bother with a gift? Come on, put the sword away! Swinging it around like that, you might hurt someone. Even if you don't hurt anyone, it's still wrong to hurt the flowers and plants."
Ding Yuehua was slightly taken aback, then suddenly burst out laughing.
Fourth Brother loved watching the little girl's smile. He wiped his mouth, wanting to tease her some more, but Ding Yuehua raised her sword a little higher with a "clang," placing it against his neck. She pouted her thin, pink lips and said, "You...you shut up! This little sister—no, this young lady—is here to settle accounts with you! This heroine is going to punish you properly."
"Ah, settle accounts? Settle accounts with what? Good little sister, has your brother made you lovesick, making you miss me so much you can't eat or sleep? Now that you've seen your brother, you can calm down, right?" Fourth Brother fully demonstrated his fearlessness in the grand undertaking of teasing girls. Even with the axe and halberd at his feet, he was still smiling, completely unaware of what fear was.
"You, you..." The little girl couldn't possibly argue with him, and her face immediately turned red with anger. "You're not allowed to talk nonsense! I like Zhan... I didn't... like you..."
Fourth Brother rolled his eyes: "A beating is a sign of affection, scolding is a sign of love, love to the extreme is to kick, and when it goes too far, use a sword..."
Before he could finish, the little girl quickly sheathed her sword. What a master! Fourth Brother was a man of many talents; his mouth was more powerful than a thousand troops.
The little girl sheathed her sword, her cheeks still puffed out in anger. Her big eyes glared fiercely at Pang, looking like she wanted to settle scores with him: "You bad person! You big bad person! You caused Judge Bao to be falsely imprisoned! You bad person! I'm going to act on behalf of Heaven and kill you..." She wanted to raise her sword to stab him, but she was afraid. Afraid of being misunderstood as "liking" him. Her pink face grew redder and redder, making her incredibly cute and irresistible.
"What does Lord Bao's imprisonment have to do with you? Is it worth it for your good sister to go and fight with your good brother?"
"Who's your good sister!" Ding Yuehua suddenly rushed into the carriage. She was petite, and standing inside, she couldn't even touch the top of the carriage. She rubbed her slender waist and angrily said, "You caused Lord Bao to be unjustly imprisoned. Brother Zhan has been running around everywhere to prove Lord Bao's innocence and hasn't had time to accompany him!"
...Damn it. You stabbed me with a sword just for this? If Brother Zhan isn't there, then there's Fourth Brother. Really.
"If Brother Zhan isn't there, then there's your Sister Xiuxiang!" Fourth Brother wasn't some shameless lecher. He wouldn't say something as nauseating as "I still have Fourth Brother" to her face. His expression changed, and he became sentimental. "Alas. These days, without you, your Sister Xiuxiang has suffered a lot in the Grand Tutor's mansion."
"You dare to bully Sister Xiuxiang!" The little girl got anxious and drew her sword again.
"Oh, no, I dote on Xiuxiang, how could I bear to bully her?" Pang slowly deflected the little girl's sword. "The one who bullied your Xiuxiang was Bao Zheng!"
"What!?" The little girl jumped up and slammed her head against the carriage roof with a "thud," immediately clutching her head in pain, tears welling up in her eyes.
"You, you're talking nonsense, Lord Bao is a good person... how could he... bully Xiuxiang... sob..."
As a considerate man, Fourth Brother thoughtfully took a handkerchief to wipe her tears. Ding Yuehua took it, and only after wiping them did she realize it was the big bad guy. She burst into tears even harder, throwing the handkerchief away and stomping on it a few more times, when suddenly she noticed a small "Xiang" character embroidered on the corner of the handkerchief.
"This is... Xiuxiang's?"
"Yes, otherwise why would a grown man like me have a handkerchief?" Pang shrugged. "I was wrong to bully Xiuxiang earlier, completely wrong! The one who bullied Xiuxiang was indeed Lord Bao. You know, Lord Bao arrested the Marquis's two sworn brothers for no reason and threw them into prison. I am the Marquis's most trusted servant, and these days I've been running around trying to save them, and I haven't had a moment to spend with Xiuxiang. Xiuxiang is so lonely in the mansion, she's
cried several times, and the culprit is this Bao Zheng!"
"You...you're talking nonsense!" The little girl snorted and pouted, "Lord Bao was clearly wronged and imprisoned by you..."
"Wronged? You say I'm wronged?" Pang was furious, snatched Ding Yuehua's sword and slammed it into the carriage wall. "Good sister, is this speculation, conjecture, guessing, prediction, or guesswork? You're saying these baseless things, you're simply insulting me, helping the bad guy who bullied your Xiuxiang!"
"Lord Bao...that wasn't bullying!"
"Lord Bao arrested people arbitrarily, making Xiuxiang cry. If Lord Bao hadn't arrested people, Xiuxiang wouldn't have cried. Isn't that the root of the problem!" Pang was extremely indignant, then sighed heavily: "Alas, Xiuxiang treated you like her own sister, but in the end, you stabbed the person she loved with a sword for the sake of the person who harmed her. Xiuxiang must be heartbroken if she knew! Alas, my poor Xiuxiang, she spends her days in tears, heartbroken..."
"You...you tell me quickly, what happened to Sister Xiuxiang?" "
...Every day she faces the lonely moon outside the window, alone in her empty room, sobbing uncontrollably."
"Tell me quickly, tell me quickly! Tell me quickly!! What happened to Sister Xiuxiang!" Ding Yuehua was anxious and angry, almost lunging at him, but the carriage was too small. If she lunged, it would be like throwing herself directly into Pang's arms, scaring the little girl so much that she dared not move, her cute little nose twitching, her eyes brimming with tears, about to cry again.
"Why are you crying? Your sister Xiuxiang is all better now, it's alright." Fourth Brother glanced at her, playfully pinching her nose and teasing her. "I've finished my work recently and have been spending time with her, making up for all the things I missed these past few days. Last night I even took her out to the night market and to Jinhua for some snacks. Their signature snack, 'Thousand-Layer Phoenix,' is a favorite of your sister Xiuxiang. She even said she wanted to bring some for little Di Qing. How about it, want some too?"
"Yes!" Girls, of course, love snacks. When Di Xiuxiang heard that her sister Xiuxiang loved them, she instinctively said "yes." But as soon as the words left her mouth, she remembered that she was here to settle scores with Pang. Her face flushed, and she stammered, "You... don't think you can shut me up with food. I'm here to... avenge Lord Bao..."
"Sigh—" Pang sighed deeply, looking at him sadly. "If Sister Xiuxiang knew that you were like this, aiding and abetting evil, helping bad people beat up her dear husband, she would be heartbroken."
"You're talking nonsense! He didn't!" The little girl clenched her fists and waved them wildly.
"Still saying he didn't? Bao Zheng's imprisonment has absolutely nothing to do with me. I was just responsible for trying my best to rescue the Marquis's brother. What happened afterward is someone else's business. It's not like I was the one in court saying Bao Zheng was guilty of this or that and wanted to lock him up. I don't have that kind of power!"
"The Marquis's brother? That's the young master who bullied Sister Xiuxiang that day, right? He's not a good person. If you save him, you're not a good person either." The little girl bared her teeth at her.
"Is that so? Then according to your logic, Sister Xiuxiang is now living in the Grand Tutor's mansion, next to the great villain Marquis Anle, so she's even less of a good person." Fourth Brother continued to roll his eyes.
Ding Yuehua was no match for his sharp tongue and was immediately rendered speechless, but she was unwilling to give up, her tender face turning even redder, making her even more adorable.
"Sister Yuehua, listen to your brother." Fourth Brother smiled, holding her small hand, and patiently explained, "Bao Zheng's matter wasn't caused by anyone, it was his own doing. Otherwise, why were all the high-ranking officials present at the joint trial unanimously speaking? Were they all villains? Was the Song Dynasty ruled by a group of villains? Then was the emperor who selected these people to be officials also a great villain?"
Ding Yuehua pouted her thin pink lips, unable to say a word after being asked such a question, even forgetting that she should be angry about being taken advantage of by him calling her "sister."
"Good sister, listen to your brother. When judging a person, you have to look at their inner qualities, not just their appearance. Like me, how kind-hearted I am! Don't glare at me, I'm not bragging, but your sister Xiuxiang said that! But you think I'm a bad person. Bao Zheng is the same. He seems very righteous on the outside, but actually he's very wicked and evil."
"But... the common people all say... Lord Bao is a good official."
"Is that so? That was in the past. Now go and grab any common person on the street and ask them, see if they still say Bao Zheng is a good official." Fourth Brother waved his hand confidently. These days, ordinary people just follow the crowd and have no independent judgment. The joint trial by the three judicial departments—many people witnessed Bao Zheng being rendered speechless by overwhelming evidence and obediently releasing the suspect. Furthermore, the previous issue of the *Great Song Dynasty Weekly* featured a front-page headline, "Why are the people so terrified? They question the Kaifeng Prefecture: How can they serve the people with such methods?" which directly publicized Bao Zheng's "inaction" in the face of a major case. The scheduled third issue, with its front-page headline, "To solve a case, he'll stop at nothing: Such actions, such methods of handling cases," will thoroughly expose Bao Zheng's bribery of witnesses and his framing of innocent people!

In Chapter 239 of the main text, the little

girl, with her sharp tongue, completely smeared Bao Zheng. However, this was because she was telling the truth and objectively explaining the past misdeeds of Bao Zheng that Grand Tutor Pang and the princes had found, thus proving that Bao Zheng was not the great official that Ding Yuehua thought. Of course, embellishment and distortion were indispensable. After all, Ding Yuehua was still young and had poor comprehension. She could be easily fooled. The description had to be vivid and descriptive to make it easier for her to understand.
Ding Yuehua, hearing his increasingly reasonable explanation, calmed down a bit. She wrinkled her cute little nose, made a face at him, and said with lingering anger, "Don't you dare lie to me! If... if I find out you're lying, this young lady—no, this heroine, this heroine will definitely not let you off!"
"Oh dear, how could I dare!" Pang Yi slapped his thigh. "Sister Yuehua, you come from a family of martial arts masters, your skills are superb, and your swordsmanship is first-rate. So many petty villains, bullies, and lecherous thieves are terrified at the mere mention of Miss Ding's name, they all run away in fear. How could I dare to offend the world-renowned little heroine?"
Ding Yuehua's eyes lit up at the mention of "little heroine." She felt that although this big bad guy was bad, what he said was very true, very true. Brother Zhan was the "Southern Hero," and she was the "little heroine"—a perfect match! Yes, that was absolutely right, absolutely reasonable! As for the claim that Bao Zheng wasn't a good official, well, let's just leave it at that, since the title "Little Heroine" is exactly what our Miss Ding likes.
"By the way, Yuehua, can I ask you for a favor?" Pang's expression was very sincere, but the little girl ignored him, her hands on her hips, her lips curled up high.
"Little Heroine, Little Heroine Ding, can you do me a favor?"
"What favor? Tell me." The little girl responded quickly at the mention of "Heroine."
"Could you come to the manor during the day to keep Xiuxiang company? Qing'er has to go to the private school, and I have to do errands for the Marquis. Xiuxiang is really bored by herself, often staying in her room, talking about her Yuehua sister..."
"Leave it to me, this young lady..." Ding Yuehua proudly puffed out her tiny, barely protruding chest, "Hmph, this heroine also wants to spend more time talking with Sister Xiuxiang."
Okay, done, work done, finished. Fourth Brother was just about to trick the little girl into going to the manor to keep Xiuxiang company when a gust of wind blew in from outside the carriage.
"Marquis, it's starting." Long Wu's voice.
"Hey. You there!" The little girl yelled at him, struggling to pull the long sword stuck in the carriage wall. "You, you take me to see Sister Xiuxiang now. I haven't talked to my sister for so long... so long."
"Clang—" Pang pulled out the sword and handed it to Ding Yuehua's soft little hand. His expression was very solemn.
"Little heroine, before you see Xiuxiang, could you please lend a hand and punish these bad guys in the capital?"
"Bad guys?"
"Yes. A dozen of them are bullying a poor, defenseless scholar. If you can clean up these bastards, the name of Little Heroine Ding will surely be renowned throughout the capital!"
"Take me there! Quickly!" The little girl eagerly raised her sword.
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"Slap!"
"Ah— "
"Slap! Slap!"
"Ah ah—"
"Beat him! Beat him to death! A broken arm will be rewarded with fifty strings of cash, a broken leg with eighty strings, and if you cripple his manhood, the young master will reward you with two hundred strings!"
In front of a nameless inn in the south of the city, a brutal brawl was underway. Seven or eight young men dressed like thugs surrounded Gongsun Ce in the middle of the road, punching and kicking him, slapping him twice, beating him with great enthusiasm. Not only were they beating him, but four or five others were watching the show, shouting encouragement as they watched.
Gongsun Ce, a frail scholar, looked like he could be blown away by a gust of wind. How could he withstand such a beating? He endured it without screaming when he was first dragged out,
but in no time his face was bruised and swollen, and he began to howl. "Ah, ahhh, ahhhhhhh—" Literally speaking, it's similar to ** (a euphemism for violence), but the scene was extremely gruesome, with blood spurting out and splattering all over the ground.
"Sir, please stop, please don't!" The innkeeper pleaded with the leader, almost kneeling down. "This gentleman is a scholar who came to the capital to take the imperial examination. The examination is in two months. Please have mercy... ahhhhhh!" Suddenly, his feet lightened, and he was lifted up.
"Imperial examination? Taking the examination? Bah!" The leader of the thugs spat on the ground and then punched the innkeeper, sending him flying backward, smashing half a hole in the inn's door with a "bang."
"Let me tell you the truth, this kid messed with our young master. Forget about taking the imperial examinations, he won't even see the autumn sun!" He added another kick, sending the innkeeper tumbling into the inn, his nose covered in blood.
The leader of the thugs turned around, looking menacingly at Gongsun Ce, who lay on the ground, his clothes tattered, covered in blood, unable to even crawl. He waved his hand, and two men immediately rushed over and lifted him up.
"Kid!" He grabbed
his chin, twisted it, and spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Don't blame me for being ruthless. Blame yourself for meddling, blame yourself for knowing that damned Pang Si, making my master take his anger out on you." He reached for his waist and pulled out a gleaming knife.
"You...you want to...do...what...what?" Gongsun Ce couldn't even speak clearly; his vision was blurry, but he could still recognize the knife.
"What am I going to do? Heh heh, I'll stab you!" The leader of the thugs grinned. "Two hundred strings of cash per stab. Tell me, how many stabs do you think I need to make up for it? Ten? Twenty? Hahahaha, this is like money sent from heaven, hahahaha."
"I...I'm not afraid of you. Confucius said...to achieve righteousness, Mencius said..." Blood dripped from Gongsun Ce's mouth, yet he still clung to his favorite saying. Tragically, before he could even utter the words "to uphold righteousness," he was punched hard in the stomach by the ringleader's henchmen. The pain made him want to clutch his stomach, but his hand was held down, rendering him immobile.
At that moment, an overwhelming sense of grievance and sorrow welled up within him: "
A scholar is utterly useless!" Tears streamed down Gongsun Ce's face. He felt wronged, sad, sorrowful, and bewildered. He couldn't understand why, after studying for so long, ten years of diligent study, day and night, he had ended up being beaten by a group of thugs for doing what the books taught him to do—acting righteously and acting as a chivalrous hero. Even if he survived this beating, he would certainly have no hope of passing the imperial examination in the autumn, and then he would have to wait another three years. If he failed, it would be another three years, three years after three years, and three years after three years again. How many three-year periods does one have in a lifetime?
In a daze, Gongsun Ce only saw the ringleader raise his sword and lunge at him—not to stab his chest, not to pierce his stomach, not to cut that spot, but to slash directly at his face.
How could he do this? This was too cruel…
“Clang—” At the critical moment, his savior arrived. The melodious sound of a sword slicing through the air rang out before the dagger reached his face, followed by a crisp, pleasant, and sweet scolding, and then a chorus of screams of agony.
Of course, before she could act, Fourth Brother had already charged in on horseback. With just one punch, the ringleader, sword and all, flew through the air, crashing to the ground, unable to get up. He could only watch helplessly as his elite brothers were slaughtered by a handsome young man who looked to be no more than a teenager, falling to the ground in disarray.
“Sister Yuehua, you’re doing chivalry today—fighting for justice—it’s okay to be ruthless. Kill a few villains, take a few lives, and your brilliance will spread far and wide, and the title of Little Heroine will truly be known!” Remembering her fourth brother’s instructions, the little girl wielded her family heirloom sword, stabbing one after another, sending all the arrogant thugs who had been beating Gongsun Ce to meet their maker.
“Brother Gongsun, are you alright!” Pang Da cried out, rushing over to hug the battered Ouyang Xiu, his concern overflowing, almost bringing tears to his eyes. “I’m sorry, brother, I’m late, and I’ve made you suffer. These damned dogs—good sister, don’t hold back, kill them all to avenge Brother Gongsun!”
“No…no!” Gongsun Ce cried out urgently, his whole body grimacing in pain, but he still persevered, “Wait for the soldiers to come, arrest…these people…trial…convict them…”
"Young Master Gongsun, don't you understand!" Pang Da interrupted him with a loud voice, "That day, you and I acted bravely and saved that mother and daughter. The one who harassed them was none other than Zhao Shiqing, the precious son of Prince Chu, Zhao Shouxun! This man, relying on his status as a member of the imperial family, has always committed numerous evils. Although he was stripped of his title of Prince by Lord Bao and reduced to a commoner, he still has a prince as a father. Even though his own princely mansion was confiscated, he can still bring his servants to run wild and harass innocent women. He has always harbored resentment towards my Marquis. I thought he would come to settle accounts with me after that day, but I didn't expect... Alas, Young Master Gongsun, I have implicated you!"
"Brother Pang, no... don't say that. Confucius said to achieve benevolence, Mencius said to uphold righteousness... Gongsun Ce has been well-versed in the classics since childhood. When faced with such a situation, he will definitely stand up... Even knowing that he will be retaliated against... I will not... will back down... Brother Pang, Brother Pang, don't kill for me... Arrest them and hand them over to the authorities..."
"Good girl, that's enough, stop killing..." Pang hadn't finished shouting when he realized there were only a few left on the scene—to be precise, only one, the local thug leader, who had also been stabbed in the chest by the little girl's sword. If he hadn't shouted quickly, and the little girl hadn't stopped, Ding Xiaoxia's fierce power was truly overwhelming; in less than half a cup of tea's time,
she had wiped out the thugs who had been committing numerous evil deeds for over ten days. Murder is punishable by death! Ding Xiaoxia was so focused on punishing the wicked that she completely forgot this. When Gongsun Ce and Pang Pang stared in astonishment at the blood-dripping sword in her hand, a group of fully armed soldiers, clad in armor and wielding spears, parted the terrified officials and surrounded them.

Chapter 240: The Responsibility To commit

murder in broad daylight, to be caught red-handed in the street—what a grave offense!
"Farewell, Fourth Master, take care—" A group of fully armed soldiers, clad in armor and wielding spears, respectfully lined up in two rows, bowing and scraping as they saw off the mastermind behind the murder, Pang; the main culprit, the young female warrior Ding; and Gongsun Ce, who had been beaten and was to be taken to the yamen for questioning. They swaggered away in their carriage.
Don't be surprised, don't curse, this is how things should be handled.
After Bao Zheng was imprisoned, the security of the capital was entirely taken over by the Imperial Guards under the command of Grand Commandant Gao. The group of soldiers who arrived at the scene after receiving the "report" from the people were none other than the same Imperial Guards who, a few days ago, had been ordered to inspect Qixiufang, and whose incorruptible Fourth Brother had led them in a thorough search, only to find nothing
. They were all old acquaintances. Seeing the special envoy, Tian Ding, appointed by the Emperor, recommended by Grand Tutor Pang, and treated with kindness even by Grand Commandant Gao, everyone from the squad leader to every soldier quickly stepped forward to greet him.
As for the murder that occurred on the spot, well, in the feudal society of the Song Dynasty, what's the big deal about a high-ranking official killing a couple of people? With his title of "Special Inspector of the Campaign to Suppress Rebels," what's the big deal about killing a few petty thugs in the capital suspected of colluding with remnants of the Southern Tang during the investigation of rebels?
That's what the soldiers all thought, and they all rushed to flatter and praise the special envoy, praising him for achieving another great feat, eliminating a group of thugs colluding with rebels for the people, extinguishing the seeds of unrest for the country, and adding another brilliant stroke to the record of the "Campaign to Suppress Rebels."
Fourth Brother was very dissatisfied with this explanation!
Born into a modern society governed by the rule of law, although he now belonged to the privileged class and killing a few people was child's play for him, a drop in the ocean, a trivial matter, his unwavering sense of justice and the noble character cultivated from childhood under the sunshine of the Party and the rain of socialism made him feel it was his responsibility, necessity, and obligation to clearly explain the whole story. He could not disregard the laws of the Song Dynasty because of his current special status!
In front of all the imperial guards, in front of all the onlookers, and in front of Gongsun Ce, Fourth Brother recounted the entire incident in detail, fully emphasizing the ruthlessness and viciousness of the thugs, fully highlighting the critical situation at the time, and perfectly demonstrating the necessity of legitimate self-defense.
Legitimate self-defense, understand? To put it bluntly, when Gongsun Ce was about to be beaten to death, the valiant Fourth Brother arrived at the scene in time, killed the thugs to save him, and had no responsibility whatsoever!
Yes. That's it. Fourth Brother's sharp tongue. Even Bao Zheng could be choked to death. Let alone a bunch of burly soldiers. When Fourth Brother left, they were completely convinced. Their cries of "Farewell, Fourth Master!" were not flattery, but genuine respect and admiration for the upright and selfless Fourth Brother.
Shouldn't they admire him? In this capital city teeming with high-ranking officials and nobles, who else respected the law as much as Fourth Master? With his current immense power, his position as the left hand of the Crown Prince's faction, his right hand as a specially appointed imperial envoy, and his glorious achievement of even imprisoning Bao Zheng, the law was nothing but a piece of waste paper before him!
Facing the admiring gazes of the Imperial Guards and the common people, Fourth Brother led the heavily injured Gongsun Ce straight to Baozhi Hall.
"How is it? How is Gongsun's injury?" Fourth Brother stared at the Imperial Physician Lin, urgently asking. Although he trusted the medical skills of the beautiful Imperial Physician Wen Yuhan, with whom he had a one-night stand, more than the lecherous old man. However, having the palace's top physician treat Gongsun Ce was clearly unrealistic.
"I've personally examined him. Although the young scholar's injuries are severe, fortunately they are all superficial wounds. No bones or internal organs have been damaged. He should recover in about half a month,
" the lecherous old man said, while unconsciously glancing at the young heroine Ding. His eyes were sharp; he immediately recognized her as the beautiful girl who had once held a sword to his neck and made him cry. It seemed her lecherous nature would never change, even in death.
"Look, keep watching." Fourth Brother shrugged and smiled. Now that he's in a higher position, as the head of the Crown Prince's faction, he can't just resort to threats all the time, right? That wouldn't do. He can still scare the old lecher to death with his words. "Just now, our heroine Ding stabbed thirteen reckless hooligans who dared to harass her in the south of the city. The bodies were just taken away by the Imperial Guards. Does the Great Physician need any bodies for research? If so, I'll have someone send two over."
Great Physician Lin froze, his face hardening, his eyes darting back quickly.
"If the young scholar's injury were given to an ordinary doctor, it wouldn't heal in less than half a month. However, with my Great Physician Lin's unique formula for bruise and pain relief powder, the young scholar will be back to his old self in five days at the latest, and three days at the earliest. Here, ten strings of cash for the medicine, thirty strings for the consultation fee, fifty strings for the consultation fee..."
The old lecher got carried away and rattled off all the money he was supposed to collect.
"Ah, no, no, no, no, no, no!" Realizing he had made a grave mistake, he quickly changed his tune, "It's a great honor for this national physician to treat Lord Tian Ding's friend. How could I possibly charge a fee?"
"Why can't you charge?!" Fourth Brother slammed his hand on the table, nearly making Physician Lin wet himself. "
Paying for medical treatment is a matter of course, especially when a renowned physician from the capital personally examines you, especially when you're using Physician Lin's unique formula—a miraculous medicine that will cure you in three days! How could I not—pay—?" Pang shouted loudly, pulling out a large wad of banknotes and slamming them on the table.
"What? You gave one hundred strings of cash!" Standing outside Gongsun Ce's resting room, the little girl jumped up and down, shouting.
"Hmm, ten strings of cash for the door, thirty strings for the medicine, fifty strings for the consultation, and... Physician Lin is a great physician; it's an unwritten rule to give him an extra tip for a diagnosis, otherwise he won't be so attentive to Brother Gongsun during follow-up visits."
"Are you crazy!" the little girl yelled angrily, her voice so loud that even through the door, Gongsun Ce, lying inside, couldn't help but hear. "Do you know how much a hundred strings of cash is? Xiuxiang used to chop firewood and sell it, earning less than two hundred coins a month. You just dumped it today, and Sister Xiuxiang will have to toil in the mountains for fifty years!" (
A hundred strings of cash? He could easily earn ten times that by selling a bottle of perfume.)
Fourth Brother thought to himself, but didn't say it aloud.
"You big bad guy, you big bad guy!" The little girl suddenly pounced on him, her tiny pink hands pounding him frantically. "You have so much money, you waste it, I don't care, but...but...you promised to marry Sister Xiuxiang, what you're spending now is Sister Xiuxiang's future money, you...you're making Sister Xiuxiang suffer for someone unrelated...I shouldn't, I shouldn't, I shouldn't—"
"Good sister, listen to me!" Pang grabbed her delicate shoulders, his expression extremely serious. "Big brother isn't an irresponsible person. Brother Gongsun's injury was caused by me, so naturally I have to take responsibility to the end, just like big brother fell in love with you, Sister Xiuxiang, and had to take responsibility and marry her, understand?"
"If you're taking responsibility, you don't need to bring him to Baozhitang, there are plenty of doctors in the capital!" The little girl was even more furious, wishing she could kick him away and snatch the banknotes back to give to Sister Xiuxiang as her private savings.
"How can that be? Brother Gongsun is so badly injured, I won't feel at ease if he doesn't come to see the best doctor." "
A single 'I'm worried' cost a hundred strings of cash! You…" The little girl choked with anger. If it weren't for the fact that this was Xiuxiang's husband, and that killing him would make Xiuxiang a widow, she would have already grabbed her sword and stabbed him, just like she had killed the thugs earlier, turning this madman into a swarm of bees!
"Even a thousand strings of cash would be spent!" Fourth Brother revealed a resolute expression, enunciating each word clearly, "What is money? It's just an external thing! Human life is the most important. As long as Brother Gongsun can recover soon, I don't care how much money it costs!!!"
"You!" The little girl was about to go crazy, grabbing his hand and pinching it hard, "You… you've spent all your monthly salary on this pedantic scholar, what will Xiuxiang do in the future? If Xiuxiang marries you, won't she have to live a hard life!"
"I'll earn the money again." "Fourth Brother took a deep breath, his voice like thunder, filled with unwavering belief and determination: 'But, Brother Gongsun's injuries must be healed first—no matter what—it's my responsibility. I consider Brother Gongsun a brother; his affairs are my affairs!'"
Ding Yuehua was stunned by Pang's words, her large eyes staring blankly at him, a faint trace of emotion hidden deep within her angry and playful pupils. Meanwhile, inside the side room, the heavily injured Gongsun Ce wept, leaning against the bed, tears welling in his eyes.
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"What's going on?" "Pang put down his chopsticks and looked up to ask.
It was already night. In the morning, after settling Gongsun Ce in Baozhitang to recuperate, Fourth Brother rushed to the publishing house to supervise the editing and printing of the new issue of the weekly magazine without even having lunch. Together with Fan Zhongyan, he rejected six different versions of the headline commentary article, but was still not satisfied. He had no choice but to write a headline article himself titled "To Solve a Case, Any 'Method' Will Be Used: Such Actions, Such Case Handling," and didn't return until nightfall, only then having time to eat. He
ate half a bowl of rice when Long Wu, whom he had sent to monitor Zhao Shiqing, returned.
"Upon receiving news that the thugs he sent had been completely wiped out, Zhao Shiqing was furious and publicly declared that unless Gongsun Ce moved into the Grand Tutor's mansion, he would definitely kill him."
"Hoho, not bad, a deposed commoner prince, still dares to be so arrogant."
"My lord, shouldn't we bring Gongsun Ce into the mansion? A vicious dog can bite without mercy."
"Bring what in?" "Let Zhao Shiqing bite." Pang sneered, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "In the past, Zhuge Liang captured and released Meng Huo seven times before finally subduing the barbarian king. I want to see how many times I need to save Gongsun
Ce before he's grateful and obediently submits to my command, becoming my slave." "Furthermore," Pang toyed with his empty wine glass, "I need to find a way to get Zhao Yunbi to agree to the three rules I made, one of which is to hand over Zhao Shiqing and let the Crown Prince's faction deal with him. Let Zhao Shiqing know about this, hmph, I want him to become a mad dog that bites anyone he sees, ahahahahaha—"
With a loud laugh, he smashed the wine glass with a "crack.

" Chapter 241: Sister Paifeng Also Plays Seduction!?

The third issue of the "Great Song Dynasty Weekly" officially went on sale that day, and the sales exceeded Fourth Brother's expectations. The 50,000 copies printed sold out in less than a morning. With all 108 bookstores in the city displaying "sold out" signs, in Bianliang, teahouses, restaurants, brothels, and streets—wherever people gathered—almost every three to five people held a copy of the "Great Song Dynasty Weekly," its pages faintly scented with ink. In this capital city, where the political landscape had recently shifted dramatically and people's hearts were in turmoil, reading and discussing the "Great Song Dynasty Weekly" had become a trend, a fashion, a fad. The most common greeting between people was no longer the usual "Have you eaten?" "But...
have you seen it today? Have you read the 'Great Song Dynasty Weekly'?
With the booming sales of the 'Great Song Dynasty Weekly' and the new trend it has created, the public opinion, firmly controlled by Pang, has swept through the entire capital like a whirlwind. That's how the people were back then; three men can make a tiger, and people will follow the crowd. If one person starts to doubt Bao Zheng's impartiality, it will influence two people around them, and those two people will influence four people around them, until there are more and more. I dare not say that it has completely overturned Bao Zheng's upright image in the hearts of the people, but at least the ironclad fact of three consecutive wrong judgments has taken root in their hearts. Bao Zheng is no longer the flawless judge! What
Fourth Brother did was manipulate public opinion and pull Bao Zheng down from his 'divine position.' He didn't care about the rest, nor was it his place to care, because Grand Tutor Pang, who had always regarded Bao Zheng as a thorn in his side, took care of everything."
For four consecutive days, the only topic of conversation in the Zichen Hall of the Song Dynasty was the imperial court. Grand Tutor Pang was determined to use this rare opportunity to unite with the imperial clan against a common enemy to completely overthrow his second greatest rival in court (the first being his eighth uncle...).
Since his father had already made his move, Fourth Brother was too lazy to interfere further—who in the world could be more effective at attacking a political enemy than his ruthless father? He had done what he needed to do; there was no need to meddle further. While plotting how to bring Gongsun Ce under his wing, he tirelessly shuttled between the Pang Family Research Institute and the publishing house.
Busy! Busy! Busy! Being a successful playboy is incredibly busy! Being a successful playboy without capable allies is even busier!
Fourth Brother had been busy outside for almost the entire day, finally returning before evening to spend some time with Xiuxiang. Suddenly, an uninvited guest arrived at the mansion—a guest he had never expected.
Yang Paifeng!
Yang Paifeng was dressed as a man, her head wrapped in a hero's scarf, her wrists bound with leather gauntlets, and her black warrior's attire accentuating her fair skin. She exuded an indescribable heroic spirit and captivating charm.
"Oh, didn't the Yang family army withdraw to the border? Why is Sister Paifeng still in the capital?" Pang leaned back in his chair, smiling and observing her with an admiring gaze.
"The matter of the rebels is still unclear. The Marshal kept me here. I must seek justice for our fallen brothers." Yang Paifeng met his gaze. Her tone revealed a resolute determination beyond the reach of ordinary people.
"Then what brings Sister Paifeng to the Grand Tutor's mansion? There's no justice for you here.
"
"Paifeng wishes to ask Lord Tian Ding for a favor. Please, Lord Tian Ding, lend a hand." She looked calmly at Pang. She spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, clearly having prepared her words beforehand.
"Hahahaha—" Pang laughed loudly, his gaze towards Yang Paifeng becoming increasingly unrestrained. He intended to overwhelm her with his imposing manner. "Did I hear that right? General Yang, the heroine who single-handedly traversed the border, striking fear into the hearts of the Liao people, has come to beg a lowly servant like me."
"Lord Tianding, you heard me right. Paifeng has come to ask you for a favor. There's something I urgently need your help with." Yang Paifeng spoke sincerely, surprising Fourth Brother slightly.
"What are you asking me for?"
"I beg Lord Tianding to show mercy and spare Lord Bao."
"Huh???" Pang was genuinely astonished.
“Sister Paifeng, if I remember correctly, just a few days ago, your Yang family had a lot of people causing trouble in Kaifeng Prefecture, committing countless heinous acts such as putting someone in a sack and beating them, or stabbing them in the back. And Sister Paifeng, even on the day of the joint trial by the three judicial authorities, you still disliked Bao Zheng, watching helplessly as the three cases were unraveled, the truth revealed bit by bit, and Bao Zheng's conspiracy exposed to the world, yet you remained unmoved. Now that Bao Zheng has been dismissed from his post and imprisoned, Sister Paifeng, you should be happy, so why have you suddenly changed your mind and asked me to save him?”
Pang deliberately spoke slowly, observing Yang Paifeng's expression as he spoke, but after a long string of questions, Yang Paifeng still maintained that sincere yet indifferent attitude, and after a long while, she sighed softly: “Lord Bao once did our Tianbo Mansion a favor…”
“But this time, knowing that the suspect is Zhao Yunbi, he has been delaying.”
“Didn’t Lord Tian Ding already prove it? Zhao Yunbi colluded with rebels. The evidence was insufficient. Lord Bao didn’t arrest him then, presumably because he was
eager to avenge his fallen brothers. He was wrong to blame him.”
“Wrong to blame? Sister Paifeng doesn’t believe the words of our fallen brothers?”
Yang Paifeng glared at him angrily, thinking, “Didn’t you keep insisting that dying words were unreliable, and even brought up the old general to force us to stop talking about it?” But now that Pang was looking at her with a smile, she immediately realized that he was just enjoying her anger. Her pretty face instantly hardened, and she regained her usual composure.
“I believe you.” Two simple words.
“Since you believe it, then…”
“Whoosh!” Yang Paifeng suddenly stood up, rushed to Pang, pressed down on the desk next to his seat, and coldly glanced down at him with her sharp eyes: “I believe Brother Chengwu’s words. The rebels definitely, absolutely, and without a doubt entered the Prince of Beihai’s mansion. But at that time, there was one thing I didn’t expect. The rebels entered the Prince of Beihai’s mansion. Maybe they just happened to be passing by, or maybe they were instructed by someone to deliberately frame the Prince of Beihai and, incidentally, incite the Tianbo Mansion and the Prince’s party to fight each other!” This time it was her turn to stare at Pang, trying to see if he was guilty from the changes in his eyes.
Pang, as expected, looked surprised. "Ah, so that's how it is. No wonder! I was saying the other evidence wasn't very reliable, only the testimony of the Yang brothers, Chengwu and his brother, was the most trustworthy. But in the details… Ah, so that's how it is. Alas, I was wrong. I shouldn't have questioned Lord Yang's loyalty. Sister Paifeng, it was my fault. I spoke carelessly. I apologize." He stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed deeply to Yang Paifeng.
Yang Paifeng felt embarrassed and quickly helped him up. She had come to plead for him; how could she make him feel bad instead? Little did she know, Pang was shocked. Damn it, even Bao Zheng was kept in the dark about my meticulous plan, how come Yang Paifeng was the first to spot the flaw? Was this still the legendary fiery, hot-tempered girl who could explode at any moment?
But then again, it felt pretty good to have Sister Paifeng hold my shoulders and gently lift me up. If only we could be closer... Hey, being held in someone's arms is the best.
"Having figured this out, Paifeng feels even more strongly that Lord Bao was right not to arrest people rashly back then." Yang Paifeng didn't return to her seat, but simply stood in front of him and said, "And the rash arrests and the hasty sentencing of the Prince of Beihai were mostly influenced by our Yang family army..."
She spoke while standing, and Fourth Brother couldn't sit down to listen, as that would be disrespectful to a woman, so he also stood and listened to her. The two were very close, and they could hear each other's breath.
"This time, Lord Bao was unjustly imprisoned, and Paifeng and the entire Yang family feel deeply ashamed. This case has many hidden details and involves the Prince of Beihai's Mansion, Kaifeng Prefecture, the Grand Tutor's Mansion, and my Tianbo Mansion. The case is complicated and complex, and I'm afraid only Lord Bao can solve it in this world..."
Yang Paifeng was a heroine among women, and she spent most of her time in the military camp, surrounded by burly soldiers. Sometimes they even ate from the same pot. She didn't feel anything when she stood close to Pang. This is a real treat for Fourth Brother! The two of them are so close, and Yang Paifeng keeps talking about the warm, elegant fragrance emanating from her. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees her fair, plump skin and the curves of her breasts that can't be hidden even under her warrior's uniform. He can't help but feel a flutter in his heart and think to himself, "As expected of a woman who's been on the battlefield for years, she's got a great figure. Look at those full breasts and that slender waist, oh my, there's not an ounce of excess fat. If only I could hold her in my arms and gently caress her..."
"What is Lord Tian Ding thinking about?" Yang Paifeng suddenly asked.
Fourth Brother's skin was probably thicker than a city wall; he wasn't even blushing when caught red-handed. But he couldn't very well reveal everything, so he quickly shook his head and said, "There's something I don't understand, but I don't know if I should say it ."
Yang Paifeng glanced at him, a hint of girlish annoyance flashing in her bright eyes, as if she saw through his lies but didn't expose him. She pursed her lips and said lightly, "Lord Tianding, just say it."
"Sister Paifeng, you know that my Grand Tutor and Bao Zheng are enemies, right?"
"I know."
"And they've always disliked each other, they're sworn enemies. "
"I know."
"Then why are you asking me for help?"
"It's because it's difficult, very difficult, so only if you, Lord Tianding, step in, is it possible to persuade Grand Tutor Pang." Yang Paifeng moved a little closer, her clear and bright eyes sparkling, gazing at Pang with a slightly pleading look, the fragrance of sandalwood and musk wafting before his nose.
"Well, Lord Tian Ding, may I 'ask' you for a small favor, like 'removing the wind'?" She moved closer again, her firm breasts almost touching Pang's body.
Damn it, it's true what they say, fame makes people afraid, just like pigs are afraid of getting fat. Have I been too eye-catching lately? Is it because Sister Huoshuai is trying to seduce me to achieve her goals?
As a gentleman, Pang felt a lot of pressure.
"Hmm... if you want me to help Sister Paifeng, it's not impossible, but..." Pang touched his nose, his smile becoming more and more ambiguous.

Chapter 242 It's all about you, Sister

Huoshuai While Brother Huoshuai was leisurely negotiating with Sister Huoshuai, in another part of the capital, someone was anxious and furious, his head steaming, and he was smashing things in his room.
"Bang!" "Bang!" "Whoosh—"
Zhao Shiqing, the beloved son of King Zhao Shouxun of Chu and a commoner, didn't know if he had taken the wrong medicine or had a brain fart. He was shouting, yelling, and yelling wildly, grabbing everything he could grab and smashing it.
"Young Master, please...please don't do this..." His servant went to persuade him, but in his frenzy, Zhao Shiqing grabbed a vase and smashed it over his head. With a "bang," the vase shattered into pieces, and Zhao Shiqing staggered and fell to the ground.
"Smash!" "Bang!" "Crash—"
There was another round of smashing and throwing, until there was nothing left for him to throw in the study. Only then did Zhao Shiqing lean against the wall and collapse weakly.
"Young Master..." another servant, trembling and almost paralyzed with fear, called out in a shaky voice.
"Afu!" Zhao Shiqing turned his head, his swollen eyes filled with despair. "You really found out? Big brother... Big brother promised Marquis Anle... promised... to exchange my life for that traitor Pang Si's betrayal... and let him go..."
"I, young master, I... Afu heard it from the servants of the Beihai Prince's mansion. When we went to the Jiangxia Prince's and Anding Prince's mansions to ask, we found the personal servants of those masters... They all stammered... stammered..."
"Bang! Crack—" Zhao Shiqing jumped up and kicked the desk lying on the ground. That was the finest mahogany table, and it didn't budge when he kicked it... So where did the "crack" come from? He used too much force and broke a bone. He was in so much pain that he fell back to the ground, his back hitting the corner of the table. The pain was excruciating. He curled up on the ground like a mangy dog, only able to howl "Ahhhhhhh."
After a long while, Zhao Shiqing finally got up, his vision blurred to the point of near blindness. Those weren't tears, but regret, remorse, and loneliness!
How he had once idolized his elder brother, Zhao Yunbi! He had wholeheartedly followed his brother, determined to expand the Prince's faction, crush their arch-rival, Marquis Anle, and completely dominate the capital! He wanted to be a capable and insightful playboy, instead of indulging in eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling as before!
How he had once willingly obeyed his brother's orders, even as a slave, because he believed that among his peers, only his brother was different—ambitious, decisive, and capable of leading them to success!
How he had once fawned over his brother at all costs! If his brother took a fancy to a girl, he would arrange for her to come. If his brother saw his woman, he would immediately offer her up without hesitation. Even when his elder brother wanted to do something bad… he would do it all for him, just to please his brother and secure a good position within the Prince's faction.
He sacrificed so much for his brother and the Prince's faction. And what did he get in return?
When Zhao Yunbi plotted against Marquis Anle, he didn't go ahead himself, but instead sent him to the front lines. He was the one orchestrating most of the conspiracies and schemes behind the scenes. When he was castrated by Pang Si, Zhao Yunbi outwardly appeared heartbroken and visited him at his residence multiple times. But secretly, he was overjoyed, believing he had found a major weakness in the Grand Tutor's mansion…
He also had informants and connections. He knew many of the inside stories of Zhao Yunbi's selfishness and willingness to betray his brothers. But at that time, he foolishly thought his elder brother was thinking of the bigger picture, sacrificing some of his brothers to eliminate the Crown Prince's faction first, which would benefit everyone later.
Even after Bao Zheng solved the massacre at Li Family Village, and Zhao Yunbi, to escape punishment, shifted all the blame onto him, causing him to be stripped of his title and reduced to a commoner, he still firmly believed that this was a carefully orchestrated expedient by his elder brother. To preserve the greater good, he was temporarily sacrificed, and later, when the opportunity arose to eliminate the Crown Prince's faction, his wealth, power, and influence would return!
But today, at this moment, he understood, finally understood!
In Zhao Yunbi's eyes, there were no brothers like them; only himself!
What the Crown Prince's faction, what brotherhood—what nonsense!
Zhao Yunbi only cared about himself. As long as he held absolute power and controlled the world, he didn't care about the lives of his brothers!
He had been tricked, deceived, and manipulated by Zhao Yunbi's lie for five whole years!
He had lost his dignity as a man, lost the wealth and honor he could have enjoyed. His life, which could have been peaceful and comfortable, was now completely empty—utterly wasted!
Zhao Shiqing was furious—no, no, "furious" couldn't even begin to describe his current state of mind. He was like a mad dog, terminally ill and on the verge of death, determined to bite all his enemies to death and drag these living people down with him!
He wanted to bite Zhao Yunbi, the beastly older brother who had deceived him for five years and was now willing to trade his life for Zhao Yunbi's; he wanted to bite Pang Si, the scoundrel servant who had trampled him underfoot time and time again, and that scholar named Gongsun Ce—yes, anyone connected to Pang Si, he wanted to bite them all!
"
This is impossible!" Yang Paifeng refused resolutely, her delicate eyebrows furrowed in anger
.
"What's impossible about it? Is Miss Yang so precious? She can stab people indiscriminately in her own barracks and doesn't have to apologize for her mistakes?" Fourth Brother was extremely angry. He thought, "Your sister Paifeng asked me for such a big favor, asking a lowly servant like me to negotiate with my master to spare the sworn enemy of the entire household! You're putting me on the hot seat, making me the target of everyone's scorn!" But the considerate and righteous Fourth Brother, out of respect for Paifeng, gritted his teeth and agreed. His condition was simply that that unruly girl who had repeatedly threatened to chop him to pieces, crush him, and torture him a thousand times come to apologize and say a few sweet words. Paifeng actually refused! And not only that, but she refused so decisively! What kind of attitude is that?! Don't think that just because you're pretty I'll soften my heart! Asking Fourth Brother for a favor isn't like this!
"Yan'er apologized to you back then!" Yang Paifeng emphasized.
"But then, in front of the Kaifeng Prefecture gate, she stabbed me again—no, I mean, she whipped me!" Pang shouted, looking utterly aggrieved. "Whip me, Sister Paifeng, do you understand? Whip me!!! In front of so many people, she whipped me with a horsewhip, and even slapped my face! I make a living with my face. If she disfigures me, how am I supposed to live? Am I supposed to go and rely on Sister Paifeng, to let her support me and eat my bread for the rest of my life?"
If it were any other man, daring to speak to Yang Paifeng like that, deliberately flirting with her, the word "support" would probably be stuck in his throat before he could utter another word. In a worse case, he'd never be able to speak again—his jaw would be crushed, his tongue cut off, and he wouldn't be able to speak anymore. And believe it or not, ten years ago, Paifeng did this, not just once or twice, but countless times. She's a repeat offender. But ten years later, today, in the mansion of Grand Tutor Pang, the sworn enemy of the Tianbo Mansion, Yang Paifeng could only endure the lewd, shameless, and glib-tongued servant's verbal harassment. She couldn't even retaliate, let alone get angry.
This was for Yan'er, for that young lady she had watched grow up, a spoiled and impulsive girl even more unruly and impulsive than she had been at her age!
"In front of Kaifeng Prefecture, it was clearly you who bullied Yan'er, tripped her horse, and even looked at her... looked at her..." Yang Paifeng blushed for the first time ever, stammering and unable to continue. Although at her age in ancient times, she should have been married and had children long ago, perhaps even two or three, our Fire Marshal Sister was still a pure and innocent virgin, completely ignorant of matters between men and women. How could she possibly say such a thing? Yang Paifeng had originally intended to kick that shameless, wicked servant to death that day, but not only did he steal her first kiss, but he also saw everything under her skirt!
"You saw? You saw what? Sister Paifeng, don't talk nonsense! I'm a cultured, well-mannered, and ethical servant, a true gentleman. How could I possibly kiss her forcibly, or look under her skirt?" She was too embarrassed to speak, but Pang Ke blurted it all out, making Yang Paifeng, who was usually shameless, blush like two pink peach blossoms glistening with dew. She was clearly annoyed by his inappropriate words, but dared not dwell on the topic, and stammered, "In short... you bullied Yan'er, and you expect him to apologize to you? Impossible!"
"I bullied her? Are you kidding me?!" Pang jumped three feet high, looking furious as if he had suffered a great injustice. "Sister Paifeng, you can't just accuse me like this because she's the eldest daughter of the Yang family! I'm just a lowly servant, I don't even have much strength, I fight with lime, I don't know any martial arts at all, how could I possibly bully her? If the eldest daughter of the Yang family were to run me over with one spear, I wouldn't be enough to die three times over!"
Yang Paifeng had truly experienced his shamelessness. Really, the word "shameless" had been perfectly embodied by him. A man over six feet tall (over 1.8 meters), claiming to have been bullied, my god, he claimed to have little strength, yet he single-handedly turned Kaifeng Prefecture upside down and caused chaos in the Beihai Prince's Mansion... No, she couldn't argue with him like this anymore, not only would she lose the argument, but she would also be driven to death by anger!
Yang Paifeng raised her beautiful eyebrows and stared at Pang, saying each word clearly, "No matter what,
let me tell you, it's impossible for Yan'er to come and apologize!" "Fine then, it's also—impossible—for me to persuade the Grand Tutor to show mercy to Bao Zheng!" Pang grinned smugly, displaying a rogue's face, just to provoke our self-righteous Fire Marshal sister. So what if it's the Yang family? So what if it's the eldest daughter of the Yang family? If you've angered your fourth brother, you'd better obediently surrender, otherwise… Hmph, if it weren't for my chivalry and my usual leniency towards beautiful women, for that night's wild spear thrusts that almost scared someone to death, you'd all be in jail like Bao Zheng.

Chapter 243 I want my sister

…! Faced with Pang's arrogant and unreasonable attitude, Yang Paifeng was completely exasperated. The Yang family and the Grand Tutor's mansion were mortal enemies. As the vanguard general of the Yang family army and the second-in-command of the Yang family's female warriors, she was already undergoing a fierce internal struggle, bearing immense self-reproach and shame, as she came to plead with a mere servant of the Grand Tutor's mansion. However, to rescue Bao Zheng from prison, to help him uncover the traitors who colluded with rebels, and to avenge her fallen comrades, Yang Paifeng gritted her teeth and endured it all herself.
She came to plead with Pang, who insisted that she bring Yang Yan to apologize before he would help. She knew the young lady's temper. Asking her to bow down to a lowly servant who had bullied her was worse than death for her. Therefore, Yang Paifeng would rather plead with him amicably, even if it meant enduring some humiliation and being taken advantage of, than let this shameless servant bully and defile her. But this shameless scoundrel, knowing her concerns, insisted on making her bow down to him no matter what she said. How could Yang Paifeng possibly agree to that?! In a fit of rage, the "restraint and forbearance" she had cultivated for ten years vanished completely. The once feared and avoided "kitchen maid" of the Tianbo Mansion from ten years ago was back!
"Crack!" With one kick, the chair to Pang's left flew away, crashing into the wall and cracking into three pieces.
"Whoosh—" Another kick, and the tea table to Pang's right didn't fly away, but exploded into pieces.
"Whoosh!" "This time it was a punch, a punch aimed straight at Pang Kaozhe's face, meant to distort his features and twist his face, to teach him a lesson for daring to anger the most unapproachable Fire-Haired Sister in the world.
Yang Paifeng's furious attack was incredibly fast; almost as soon as the chair on the left cracked and the coffee table on the right exploded, her beautiful jade fist, carrying a sharp gust of wind, had already struck in front of Fourth Brother.
Fourth Brother's reaction at this moment could be summed up in two words—calm!
No, it should be said that his reaction all along could be summed up in two words—calm!
From the moment Yang Paifeng started smashing the furniture in anger until this punch was about to land in front of him, he hadn't even raised an eyebrow, simply watching quietly as Fire-Haired Sister unleashed her fury.
Unfazed even when Mount Tai collapsed before him, how could a young hero praised by all lack such qualities!
Half an inch, Yang Paifeng's punch, carrying a whooshing sound, was only half an inch away from Fourth Brother's face, Fourth Brother's calmness remained unchanged, but Yang Paifeng stopped.
"Why aren't you hitting me anymore? Weren't you very angry and going to beat me up?" Fourth Brother raised an eyebrow, remaining calm.
"I..." Yang Paifeng choked, speechless. Yes. She was angry. She wanted to beat Pang. But could she? Not to mention she came here to ask for a favor, one punch would definitely ruin everything. Even if she hadn't come here to ask Pang for help, she still couldn't deliver that punch. She was no longer the lowly kitchen maid of Tianbo Mansion ten years ago. Even if she crippled a certain prince and caused a huge uproar, she could still be dismissed with a simple "little brat." "Ignorance" is a thing of the past—wasn't it because the late emperor saw her as young that he spared her the grave crime of crippling a prince? Now, Yang Paifeng is a formal member of the Yang family genealogy, the greatest symbol of the Yang family's female warriors besides Mu Guiying. Her every move is not just her own affair, but concerns the entire Yang family army and the entire Tianbo Mansion. If she were to actually throw that punch, it wouldn't just be a little girl throwing a tantrum; it would be the Yang family army openly declaring war on the Grand Tutor's Mansion!
Yang Paifeng dared not throw that punch. She absolutely dared not! Her slender, elegant hand hovered in front of Pang for a few seconds before finally withdrawing. As soon as
she withdrew it, Pang immediately smiled, a frivolous and ambiguous smile: "Sister, I've suddenly changed my mind."
He looked at Yang Paifeng, his calm eyes full of amusement. "For the sake of calling you 'sister,' I won't ask you to pay for the damaged rosewood furniture. But you must say 'I'm sorry.' You and Miss Yang, come and apologize to me together. Otherwise, don't expect me to help you persuade the Grand Tutor."
He said this with a smile, but Yang Paifeng's heart trembled. She knew she couldn't persuade him. She was no match for him in a verbal battle. A look of disappointment and confusion flashed in her eyes.
She hated herself for being useless. Why could she be so invincible on the battlefield, striking fear into the hearts of the Liao people, but after leaving the border and returning to the capital, she couldn't even persuade a lowly servant?
At this moment, Pang suddenly smiled: "Actually… there's another way for me to persuade the Grand Tutor."
"What way?" Yang Paifeng couldn't help but ask immediately.
Pang sat back down and beckoned to her. Yang Paifeng approached willingly. Standing high up, she knew this shameless servant wouldn't be satisfied, and with all the seats around her overturned, she had no choice but to bend forward, half-bent over, to listen. Yang Paifeng was thankful she was dressed as a man, her chest tightly covered; otherwise, in women's clothing, this bending over would have exposed her entire cleavage.
Pang blocked her way, shaking his head to indicate it wasn't necessary. Yang Paifeng thought he was sensible, and her impression of him improved slightly. Suddenly, Pang gestured with his chin, pointing to his own lap
.
This… he wanted her to sit on his lap to listen to him!
Yang Paifeng felt a surge of anger rise in her chest, almost bursting into curses, her teeth grinding together.
She could choose not to sit, but that would mean there was no room for negotiation. Grand Tutor Pang wouldn't back down, Bao Zheng wouldn't get out, and the brothers who died tragically would forever die with their eyes wide open in anger!
Yang Paifeng had no choice. If she didn't want the young lady to suffer, she had no choice but to submit to Pang's tyranny! She moved closer little by little, hesitating and wavering several times... Fourth Brother, we're gentlemen, we won't force the girl. He watched with a smile, waiting patiently for Yang Paifeng to obediently sit on him.
Yang Paifeng obediently sat on him, her fragrant bones swaying gently. She touched his knees, then leaned in a little further and didn't move. Even so, Pang could still feel the ample fullness and boneless softness of her buttocks. Even through the layer of warrior's clothing, the indescribably round and pert shape deeply aroused his masculine desire.
Although Yang Paifeng's body was light and agile, her beautiful buttocks, sitting on Pang's legs, created a sense of weight, pressing against his body. Soft and elastic, her rounded buttocks seemed to shyly want to rise, yet dared not move. Hesitant to move upwards, fearful to move downwards, her indecisive movements turned into gentle rubbing. If her plump buttocks weren't so far from Pang's groin, and if he weren't sitting with his legs together, he might have already made a fool of himself.
Pang couldn't help but pull the woman disguised as a man, the Fire General, his hands slipping under her ribs, tightly embracing her from behind like vines, holding her arms to prevent her from struggling.
"Ah!" Yang Paifeng let out a soft moan, wanting to break free but afraid of angering him, so she could only tighten her body. Her beautiful collarbone tensed, and her two smooth breasts below were stimulated, bouncing and rubbing against his arms that held her tightly. The feeling was beyond description.
Pang felt the firm elasticity of her two warm, soft breasts with pleasure, while Yang Paifeng was so nervous that she dared not lift her head. Her once dashing demeanor was completely gone; she seemed more ashamed than a young maiden.
Pang pressed his advantage, his large, hot hand grasping her trembling hand. Yang Paifeng cried out again, her breath catching in her throat, her cheeks flushing red to her long, white neck.
"What are you doing?!" Her voice trembled uncontrollably, growing softer involuntarily. "You...shameless...be careful what gets out...you'll be punished for being frivolous and dissolute..."
"Is that so? Holding hands is a sin?" Pang grinned slyly, his large, wicked hand tightening its grip on her delicate wrist, which was exposed beneath her sleeve.
"Then I'd rather be a sinner for life!!!"
Hearing his hateful voice, Yang Paifeng trembled, a nagging, uncontrollable palpitation washing over her.
"You, you let me go..." Sister Huoshuai's breathing quickened. Not daring to struggle herself, she could only threaten Fourth Brother with her words, "If you... if you don't let go... I, I'll call for help—"
"Help! Help!" Before she could finish speaking, Fourth Brother shouted at the top of his lungs, "Everyone come and see! I'm holding Sister Paifeng's hand, it's so soft, so smooth, so good..." Her soft hand, trembling with heat, hurriedly broke free and pressed against his lips. Sister Huoshuai was both angry and annoyed, but dared not hit him. Her eyes were red with anxiety. Then, her delicate body suddenly trembled violently, convulsing like a seizure. She almost cried out in surprise!
It turned out that while she was struggling, Pang's large hand withdrew and moved down her waist. He first gently stroked her two firm, taut mounds of flesh, and then hooked his middle finger and gently rubbed the tempting crevice between them.
In an instant, Yang Paifeng's mind went blank. A near-numbing sensation flashed through her entire body, causing a dizzy spell. The blissful tingling feeling vanished in an instant. Accompanied by unusually rapid breathing, Yang Paifeng's body went limp in Pang's arms, her delicate frame slightly twisting. Her head was spinning, and her fair, delicate cheeks turned a vibrant red, as if coated with the finest rouge…
This was the first time in Yang Paifeng's life that she had been held in a man's arms. For the first time, she even forgot to struggle. Her whole body gradually heated up, and she involuntarily squeezed her legs together, her inner thighs rubbing together slightly, creating a faint, itchy sensation. Her pretty face was as red as cherry blossoms, and the shyness in her eyes outshone even the setting sun.
Pang laughed heartily, grabbed her hand, and once again held her soft hand in his palm.
Yang Paifeng then realized she was lying in this wicked man's arms, and he had seen everything. She was filled with shame and anxiety, trying to break free and stand up, but she couldn't muster any strength!
Pang hugged her tightly, pressing his body against her from behind, biting her burning red ear.
"If you want me to beg the Grand Tutor, fine, but you must grant me one condition."
"Wh...what condition?" Yang Paifeng's voice was soft and sweet, as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"I want you, sister."

Chapter 244 The Most Awesome Thing in the World

What is the most awesome thing in the world?
Standing on the roof of the world's tallest building, masturbating for the woman you love?
That's modern times? What about ancient times, the Song Dynasty?
Naturally, it was riding in the most luxurious carriage, speeding along the imperial road used for the emperor's travels, surrounded by countless bodyguards even more impressive than the emperor's personal guards.
Fourth Brother is currently riding the most stylish horse of the era, in Grand Tutor Pang's luxurious five-horse carriage, speeding along the imperial road in the center of the capital. Two riders follow in his wake. On the left, riding a black warhorse, sits Long Wu, Fourth Brother's personal bodyguard. Dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, his face is cold and imposing. Especially striking is the ancient, sharp sword slung on his back, its cold gleam gleaming in the midday sun. Just looking at him sends chills down your spine, as if all the blood in your body is constricted, expanding, and about to burst from your chest.
Handsome, right? Cool, right? Stylish, right? If our Long Wu were to wear a pair of black sunglasses, he would definitely outshine any bodyguard in Zhongnanhai today.
However, despite Long Wu's handsome, cool, and dashing appearance, as he galloped along the imperial road, not a single pedestrian or shopkeeper glanced at him. It wasn't because his fourth brother's luxurious carriage stole his thunder, but because all eyes were fixed on the other side of the carriage, staring intently, completely dumbfounded.
On the other side of the carriage, a red steed, steadily steed followed about two feet from the window, its rider's superb skill allowing her to maintain this distance with just one hand on the reins. Her other hand, strong yet graceful, gripped a silver fire poker.
In the entire world, only one person wielded a fire poker as a weapon: Yang Paifeng.
Yes, it's her, the undisputed number one beauty among the Yang family's female warriors (Xiao Yan'er isn't quite there yet, so she's second for now). Dressed in a purple, fitted outfit, she rode her prized horse, "Chi Xiao," following Pang closely, just like when she protected the Emperor on his travels.
Being called the number one beauty, her appearance is naturally stunning; otherwise, even Fourth Brother wouldn't have been interested. However, compared to her exceptionally long and slender waist and legs, even the most beautiful face pales in comparison. Her full, firm breasts, accentuated by her tight clothing, seemed poised to burst forth at any moment. Her alluring waistline constantly captivated onlookers. Her dashing figure and bright eyes and white teeth complemented each other perfectly. With nine parts beauty and an added touch of heroism, she possessed a completely different kind of alluring beauty compared to Nangong Qin Yi, Hua Xiang Rong, and other women. Passersby on both sides stared intently, their mouths practically watering.
"Tomorrow, you're not allowed to wear any clothes!" This was Fourth Brother's demand of her. No, it was an order!
It wasn't that he was forcing her to wear anything at all. It was simply that she couldn't wear men's clothing. She had to change back into women's clothes and obediently follow Fourth Brother, becoming his...bodyguard.
Of course. What else did you expect?
"I...want you...to be my personal bodyguard." She had to listen to the whole story. That was Fourth Brother's demand. Fourth Brother was a gentleman. A true gentleman. He couldn't possibly make such unrealistic demands as "I...want you...to be my wife, sleep with me, be my woman, be my mistress" without any emotional foundation.
Fourth Brother just wanted to show off a bit. To be arrogant. The servants of the Grand Tutor's mansion going out, with Fire General Yang Paifeng as their personal protector. How cool! How arrogant! How eye-catching! Right?
Dressed in the brocade robes of the Marquis of Anle, riding in the luxurious carriage of Grand Tutor Pang, and accompanied by the female guards of the Yang family, could the Song Dynasty have anything more extravagant?
Fourth Brother was an honest man; this grand display wasn't for show or to appear cool, but because he genuinely had important business to attend to—wasn't picking up Gongsun Ce a serious matter?
The former Lord Xinling, one of the Four Lords of the Warring States period, went to great lengths to recruit the extraordinary Hou Ying, even going so far as to "drive his carriage into the market," personally holding the reins and having his guests wait for his return for a banquet, just to personally "invite" Hou Ying back to his residence. Such humility and respect for talent—what talented person wouldn't be grateful and willing to join his ranks?
Fourth Brother's status surpasses even that of Lord Xinling back then (of course, the Wei Kingdom was much smaller than the Song Dynasty). His love, appreciation, and cherishing of talent are no less than Lord Xinling's. Therefore, Fourth Brother not only personally drove to pick up Gongsun Ce but also brought Yang Paifeng as his bodyguard.
"Hey, are you crazy?" Stared at by countless admiring and surprised gazes the whole way, Yang Paifeng grew annoyed, flicking her fire poker to lift the carriage curtain and asking coldly.
"Ah, do I look crazy?" Fourth Brother was surprised, looking at her through the carriage window. Wow—Sister Huoshuai looks so radiant today! Her jet-black hair was tightly tied within a red scarf, and her rounded left shoulder was embroidered with a striking dragon pattern, like a shoulder armor; her left wrist wore a matching floral
long bracer. If she were to wear a helmet and soft armor, she would be the epitome of a beautiful female warrior on the battlefield. The afternoon sun was bright and soft, casting a soft glow on her fair, rosy skin. A hint of annoyance flickered across her snow-white, oval face, as if she were blaming him for calling her out as his personal bodyguard just to show off, to display the power of the Grand Tutor's Mansion and the might of his Heavenly General in front of the entire city.
"If you're not crazy, calling me out to protect you so early in the morning just for..."
"To show off? To be cool? No, no, no, I'm wrong, dear sister, I'm asking you to come here because it's really important, really!" Despite repeatedly emphasizing "really," Pang's playful expression made it seem like he was lying. Yang Paifeng naturally didn't believe him a thousand times over. She squeezed her horse's flanks with all her might, glaring at him angrily, her furrowed brows and glaring eyes seeming to say, "If you dare to lie to me, I'll make you pay."
Unfortunately, this "pay-to-win" moment from the fiery-faced sister couldn't be given to her fourth brother, even though he thought she looked really good in her current attire. When their carriage arrived at the entrance of Baozhilin Clinic, it was not only unsightly but also in complete disarray. The gate was smashed to pieces, and upon rushing inside, the scene was strikingly similar to Ding Yuehua's previous rampage. The plaques on the pillars bearing the inscriptions "True Remedy for Injuries from Alcohol: Jixiang Pills" and "Taiyang Zhongwan for Gastrointestinal Ailments" lay scattered on the ground. The exquisitely carved rosewood medicine cabinets were strewn about, with various medicinal herbs strewn everywhere. Earthenware pots, herbs, and pestles were strewn about, and even the porcelain statue of the Medicine King enshrined in the hall was on the ground, shattered into pieces. But the ground was not only littered with scattered herbs but also splattered with blood. The cabinets were marked with sword marks, knife marks, and club marks—all sorts of marks. It was clear that a large group of armed men had stormed in, seemingly uninterested in assassination and openly intending to kill Ouyang Xiu in the Baozhilin Clinic.
Pang Yima charged in first, rushing into the backyard. The scene was overwhelming; over twenty well-trained thugs dressed in black, wielding weapons, had stormed in with ease, smashing and smashing, intending to drag Ouyang Xiu out and smash his brains to pieces!
This was an outrageous act! In broad daylight, under the clear sky, in the capital city under the Emperor's rule, such a heinous crime had occurred! How could Yang Paifeng, with her chivalrous heart and unwavering commitment to protecting her country, tolerate this? She grabbed her fire poker, forgot her scolding, and charged straight in.
Over twenty well-trained thugs in black—what did that mean? It
meant instant kill! For the Fire Commander, who was invincible on the border, moving freely among hundreds of thousands of Liao soldiers with just a poker and a horse, killing as if it were child's play, that meant instant kill.
Besides the thirteen blows, Yang Paifeng had taken down twenty-three of the black-clad thugs. The last one rushed to Ouyang Xiu's sickroom, kicked open the door, and was about to rush in when he was suddenly struck hard on the forehead. He saw stars and collapsed to the ground—it was Fourth Brother who had struck him, and it was Yin Zhuan who had hit him. "
I also know martial arts and have some skills. I can't let Sister Huo Shuai suffer alone, right?"
Fourth Brother kicked the black-clad assassin's corpse aside, smeared some blood on his face to emphasize the intensity, hardship, and danger of the battle, and roared, "Brother Gongsun, are you alright? I'm late, I've frightened you!" He rushed in as fast as he could.
What happened next is easy to imagine. Gongsun Ce, who had been rescued by Fourth Brother for the second time, was extremely grateful. Hearing that Fourth Brother had personally driven the luxurious carriage of the Grand Tutor's mansion and led the famous female generals of the Yang family to escort him for his safety, he held Fourth Brother's hand, almost moved to tears.
His fourth brother comforted him, saying, "Brother Gongsun, a man doesn't easily shed tears. Don't cry. I acted rashly that day, causing Zhao Shiqing to turn his attention to you. I should be the one apologizing! Brother Gongsun, forgive my bluntness, but Zhao Shiqing has always been a lawless and unscrupulous man in the capital. Although the Emperor has stripped him of his title, he still has a prince as a father. He wants you dead... Alas, I don't have the power of a master. Outside... I really can't protect you."
Gongsun Ce wiped away a tear of gratitude, straightened his back, and said in a choked voice, "Confucius said to achieve benevolence, Mencius said to uphold righteousness. Gongsun Ce believes that there is still justice in this world. Even if I die at the hands of a villain, there will surely be a good official like Lord Bao to seek justice for me!"
"How could you!" Pang exclaimed, grabbing Gongsun Ce's shoulders. "Young Master Gongsun, you are learned and talented, your talents should be used to serve the country. How can you take your own life like this! Young Master Gongsun, from the moment you stepped into the capital, you no longer belong to yourself. You belong to the country, to the Song Dynasty. You must not take your own life!" (To be continued. For more chapters, please log in. Support the author and read the original!)

Chapter 245: The Incontinent Sister Pai Feng

belongs to the country, to the Song Dynasty. You must not take your own life!
Gongsun Ce trembled. Pang's words were like a brand, deeply imprinted on his heart.
He was just an ordinary, unremarkable student preparing for the imperial examinations. He had no background, no connections. He was like an ant. There were countless people in the Song Dynasty. Before the examination even began, who knew who the real talent was? And who would care about the life or death of a down-on-his-luck scholar? Only Fourth Brother in the world has the discerning eye to recognize talent. He saw his potential so early on and even spoke such sincere and honest words, making him feel a little smug. He even felt that he couldn't just give up his life so easily.
"Young Master Gongsun, forgive my bluntness!" Fourth Brother's expression suddenly turned serious. He leaned forward, almost touching Gongsun Ce's nose, and lowered his voice to a very low hue, "Zhao Shiqing is determined to kill you. If you stay outside, you will die at his hands sooner or later..."
Gongsun Ce's heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself: Could it be that he wants to recruit me into the Grand Tutor's mansion? Like ordinary people, he was blinded by public opinion and subconsciously felt that Grand Tutor Pang was not a good official (his black-hearted father was a good official, just look it up on Baidu). Adding to this, the Marquis of Anle had committed countless evil deeds, indulging in sensual pleasures, his "infamy" and "lewdness" resounding throughout the land. Ordinary people might not know who the current prime minister was, but they certainly knew of the wicked Marquis of Anle in the capital. Therefore, when Gongsun Ce heard Pang's words, which seemed to imply he was being recruited into the Grand Tutor's mansion to serve the Marquis of Anle, his initial gratitude was immediately replaced by a growing sense of unease. "
He saved me twice and even found the best doctor in the capital to treat my illness… Could he really be putting on an act, trying to recruit talent for his master… But am I even a talent now…? Can he even tell?"
Damn it, even this little bit of warning is useless! Is Gongsun Ce still Gongsun Ce?!
"Brother Gongsun, your travel expenses are almost gone, aren't they?" his fourth brother suddenly blurted out.
Gongsun Ce, thinking Pang was about to launch a winning over offensive, blushed instantly upon hearing him bring up this issue. "I...yes, I'm poor and didn't bring much money. I was hoping to work as a clerk under Lord Bao, but...Brother Pang, you've gone to so much trouble to treat my injuries, this..." He gritted his teeth, "Brother Pang's kindness is immense, Gongsun Ce will remember it forever, this...I will definitely repay you in the future."
Pang's face immediately hardened, his serious expression revealing undisguised inferiority. "Young Master Gongsun, do you look down on me, thinking I'm just a servant, unworthy to be your friend?"
"No, no, no!" Gongsun Ce quickly waved his hand, explaining, "I just feel that Brother Pang and I have only just met, and we don't have a deep relationship. Brother Pang's monthly salary is low...to treat my injuries, you spent a hundred strings of cash..."
"Young Master Gongsun—" Pang drawled, grabbing his shoulder. "We hit it off immediately. Talking about money and such would hurt our feelings.
But I also know that you, young man, are an ambitious and far-sighted person. You're not one of those bookish, pedantic scholars. With your talent, you'll surely rise to prominence one day. How could you possibly accept such a favor for nothing? Right?" These words were both flattering and a dig at him. Damn it, you've already accepted the favor. Why don't you obediently come and do things for your fourth brother!
Gongsun Ce's lips twitched slightly, but Pang interrupted him before he could speak. "Here's what we have. I have a job here that's perfect for you to showcase your talents, gives you ample time to prepare for the exams, and features several successful candidates from previous imperial examinations who can serve as your reference before the provincial examination. And most importantly, staying there won't deter Zhao Shiqing from sending people to cause trouble. What do you think, young man?" When
×××××××××
came out of the ward, Fourth Brother greeted him with a faint smile. She pulled him aside, her pretty face hardening as she questioned, "What's going on here? I just brought out a few of the thugs I caught. Turns out they're all Zhao Shiqing's men. Hasn't your master settled his score with him yet? How come you're at odds again?"
"What can I do? He's just asking for trouble. He chose to provoke my… Lord Marquis."
"That can't be right." Yang Paifeng stared at him, her bright, sharp eyes filled with doubt. "The Marquis of Anle is currently at the height of his power. Relying on your little bit of cleverness, you've not only stolen the show at the Flower Queen Contest, but your 'Great Song Era Weekly' and Pang's Perfume are selling like hotcakes, making a fortune every day. Even Zhao Yunbi was forced to kneel and beg for mercy during the joint trial. The Prince's faction doesn't even dare go to brothels anymore. How dare a mere Zhao Shiqing provoke you again?"
(Wow, Sister Huoshuai's mind is so sharp!)
Fourth Brother secretly praised her, but remained calm on the surface. He shrugged and smiled, "How would I know? You should ask Zhao Shiqing, or..." Pang suddenly grabbed her small hand. Yang Paifeng was so busy talking that she was caught off guard and was pulled forward, almost falling into his arms. She immediately blushed.
(The female generals of the Yang family, when they get shy, are no different from other girls—)
Fourth Brother thought smugly, while his other mischievous hand reached up from behind and grabbed her slender waist. He whispered mischievously in her ear, "Well
, there are usually two kinds of people, those who have no reason..."
Don't be fooled by Yang Paifeng's heroic and valiant appearance on the battlefield, killing Liao people as easily as cutting melons and vegetables. But when Fourth Brother, such a heroic and valiant man, held her body, her full hips, slender waist, and soft hands were all "captured." His hot hands burned through her clothes, and even her body went limp. She clearly had a lot of martial arts skills, but she couldn't use them at all.
“There are two kinds of people in this world. The first kind is irrational…” Pang smiled lewdly and hugged her tighter. “One kind is women in love. They would do anything for the man they love, even sacrifice everything willingly. The other kind is madmen who are blinded by hatred and jealousy. They would do anything despicable to get revenge. They have no reason. Even though they know that their strength is vastly different from the other party's, they still try every means to get revenge and cause trouble. For example, Zhao Shiqing now. The Marquis could kill him without a burial place with a flick of his finger, but he keeps provoking us again and again. He's like a mad dog. He's mad and he bites everywhere. He wants to drag more people down with him.”
"Oh, right!" As if suddenly remembering something, he tilted his head slightly, staring at Yang Paifeng's beautiful face, which was flushed like cherry blossoms. His hot, masculine breath brushed against her nose, which was damp with a thin layer of sweat. "Does Sister have someone she likes? If so... will she become the first type of woman, willing to do anything for 'him,' even giving up everything to make 'him' happy?"
Pang asked with a light laugh as he leaned forward, closer and closer, almost... Their lips met, and Yang Paifeng felt both shy and anxious, her body weak and unable to struggle. She bit her pink lips tightly, her moist neck trying desperately to arch back, but her slender waist was firmly in Pang's grasp. With the slightest effort, all her resistance vanished. She was so ashamed that her flushed face seemed to bleed, yet a sliver of joy lingered in her heart…
This… this is what it's like between a man and a woman…
Yang Paifeng's heart pounded, her delicate hand, held in his grasp, trembled uncontrollably.
Pang felt it. The Fire General's sister's once cool, slender hand was now burning hot. The once-conquering female general of the Yang family, the once-valiant Fire General on the frontier, was now as shy and timid as a young girl in love, even the soft breaths and moans escaping her throat trembled softly.
Fourth Brother understood what she needed and lowered his head to kiss her fragrant lips. Yang Paifeng was overwhelmed with shyness, her cheeks flushed red, her small mouth pursed as she breathed heavily, her hands clenched tightly in nervousness.
"Thump thump thump—" Her hands tightened, but she couldn't hold onto the fire poker, which fell to the ground with a thud. Yang Paifeng suddenly came to her senses, her whole body trembling. She broke free from Pang's embrace and leaped backward. As soon as her feet touched the ground, her ankles suddenly lost all strength, and her legs buckled, almost causing her to fall.
"Sister Paifeng, are you alright?" Fourth Brother rushed over to help her.
"You, you don't come any closer—" Yang Paifeng leaned against the wall, her wet, hoarse voice sounding like she was in a dream. A pair of long, slender hands, so resolute on the battlefield, pointed at him, their fingertips trembling slightly.
"Sister, don't fall!" Pang was concerned for her and wanted to rush forward.
"Don't come any closer!" Yang Paifeng shuddered, her delicate hands gripping her skirt. "If you come any closer, I...I..."
"What do you mean, sister? I can't hear you!" Pang looked puzzled and took another step forward.
"Whoosh—" A flash of white light suddenly appeared, accompanied by a gust of wind that rushed towards her face. Luckily, Fourth Brother reacted quickly, leaning back. The object grazed her nose, stinging her face. After dodging and regaining his senses, he saw, oh my god, Sister Huoshuai had somehow grabbed her fire poker and was smashing it against his face!
"You...you come any closer, I...I...I'll beat you to death!" Yang Paifeng held the gleaming silver fire poker in one hand and supported her aching elbow with the other, barely managing to keep the poker from falling. Her pretty face was tightly clenched, her eyes staring straight ahead, her body and voice deliberately stiff.
"Ah, why? Did I make sister angry?" Fourth Brother pretended to be clueless as always.
"You, you... just now..." Yang Paifeng's heart was pounding, and a thin layer of fine sweat appeared on her cheeks, making her skin look even more radiant. Her full, snow-white breasts rose and fell incessantly, unable to suppress her violent panting.
"You're so frivolous...you kissed me...you just kissed me...so...so shameless..." Yang Paifeng had meant to rebuke him, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized how bold and suggestive they were. The shyness that had just faded bloomed like a bud in spring, suddenly rushing to her face. She was so ashamed that she wanted to disappear. She ran downstairs as if fleeing, but after a few steps, her body went weak. Her skirt lifted slightly, and she felt a cool, wet sensation between her legs. It was a cool, slippery feeling from the friction between her thighs, sticking to the thin fabric underneath. Even the thin fabric on the inside of her thighs was soaked with the juice, clinging tightly to her delicate and sensitive skin. The feeling of rubbing and slipping was a pleasure she had never experienced before! (To be continued. To find out what happens next, please log in for more chapters, support the author, and support genuine reading!)

Chapter 246 Subduing Gongsun Ce

Going out? What's the use of running away?
If Fourth Brother wanted to chase after him, wouldn't he be able to catch up?
However, there's no need to chase after her at all. Yang Paifeng promised to be his bodyguard for seven days. Only after she's done her job to his satisfaction will Fourth Brother consider helping her persuade the Grand Tutor to save Bao Zheng.
Besides, when it comes to pursuing women, especially the type who is both mature and a virgin, you absolutely can't rush things. You have to take it slow and let her fall for you little by little.
Fourth Brother helped the tearful Gongsun Ce out of the small building. Imperial Guards who had heard the news had already arrived to clean up the scene. Seeing the special envoy, the Imperial Guards were extremely excited, and their hands and feet became nimble. They cleaned up the body, examined the scene, and collected evidence very quickly.
This time, Zhao Shiqing went all out. Unlike last time, he didn't spend money to hire thugs. Instead, he directly selected more than twenty elite guards from the Chu Prince's Mansion, changed into civilian clothes, and stormed into Baozhi Hall with weapons. Having learned from Ding Yuehua's previous rude intrusion, Lin Daguo was much more cautious. He hired several guards to guard Baozhitang. The guards from the Prince's mansion put up some resistance when they rushed in, and it wasn't until Fourth Brother arrived in time, together with Yang Paifeng, that they stopped the attack.
Of course, this refers to the attack on Gongsun Ce; the attacks on others were much more severe. The seven or eight guards and martial arts instructors that Lin Daguo had hired at great expense were either seriously injured or killed instantly. Many of the apprentices at the Baozhitang counter also suffered losses, and seven or eight maids and servants in the back courtyard were hacked down, three of whom died on the spot. The casualties met the criteria for a "bloodbath.
" A "bloodbath" would be great; the whole city would be in an uproar, and everyone would know about it. Zhao Shiqing wouldn't be able to escape punishment, and in this special period, he might even attract the Emperor's special "attention." He wouldn't have enough lives to survive.
"Tie them all up and send them to the prison of the Imperial Guard. General Yang of Tianbo Mansion can testify that they are all from the Chu Prince's Mansion, sent here to kill people on the orders of the deposed Prince of Anding, Zhao Shiqing. Remember, no one except me, not even Grand Commandant Gao, is allowed to interrogate them privately. I have the Emperor's secret decree here. Disobey, and you will be killed!"
Fourth Brother's casual remark terrified the soldiers, who immediately agreed. Who would dare not do their best?
After quickly dealing with the scene, Fourth Brother, in front of Gongsun Ce, very magnanimously tossed a large stack of banknotes to the almost paralyzed Physician Lin as compensation. Of course, he also added a lot of words like, "Baozhitang suffered many injuries while protecting Young Master Gongsun, this is considered compensation and a pension for the dead," which moved Gongsun Ce a little.
Shouldn't this be moving? In this era, for Fourth Brother, with his prominent status (leader of the Crown Prince's faction, imperial envoy), to be so considerate of a group of lowly commoners, and even using his own money—in the society of that time. These "lowly people" are just dead, that's it. A hole is dug, they're buried, or a token sum of money is given to their families, and that's it. But Fourth Brother's banknotes are all fifty strings of cash! Such great benevolence and righteousness! Looking around the capital, besides the universally praised Eighth Prince, who can compare!
Fourth Brother helped Gongsun Ce out. Yang Paifeng obediently waited in front of the carriage. Although her pretty face was cold and expressionless, faint traces of blush could still be seen on her cheeks.
Fourth Brother looked into her eyes. Yang Paifeng was indeed different from ordinary girls. She actually raised her head and glared at him, her eyes filled with anger. Fourth Brother didn't care. He pretended not to see, helped Gongsun Ce into the carriage, then turned back, shrugged, and grinned slyly at her, his lewd eyes darting around.
At first, Yang Paifeng could still display the heroic spirit of a woman, expressing her anger with cold eyes. But when Fourth Brother accidentally glanced at a certain part between her legs, a gust of wind blew by, lifting her skirt. A cool, damp patch appeared between her thighs. Instead of anger, a sudden, inexplicable thud ran through her.
He…he saw it! He…saw it! Yang Paifeng thought she would faint from shame and anger. Her cheeks burned, but somehow, a faint, shy joy stirred within her. It wasn't that she was angry that he had seen her like this; on the contrary…on the contrary, she longed to be held in his arms, gently stroking her cheeks and patting her soothingly.
Yang Paifeng's heart pounded. She stood there, frozen, listening to her heart pounding like a drum. An uncontrollable tremor ran through her body.
What if he…he comes over…comes over and hugs me…?
“Hey, we’re leaving! Get on your horse, my bodyguard sister!” Pang Da shouted.
Hearing this, Yang Paifeng breathed a sigh of relief, but almost simultaneously, a wave of inexplicable disappointment welled up inside her. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Where...where are you going this time?"
"The editorial department of *The Great Song Dynasty Weekly*, giddy up!" Fourth Brother flicked the reins, and the five tall horses galloped down the street in a spectacular display.
"
Young Master Gongsun, this is it.
" The carriage stopped outside a quaint and elegant courtyard. Fourth Brother personally helped Gongsun Ce down, past a golden plaque hanging high above the gate.
Gongsun Ce looked up and saw the eight large, gilded characters of *The Great Song Dynasty Weekly*. The characters were vigorous and elegant, the strokes like flying geese playing in the sea, incredibly vivid.
"This is the Eighth Prince's own handwriting. The Prince's support for our weekly magazine is something you can rest assured about, Young Master Gongsun
. With this backing, Zhao Shiqing's men would never dare to cause trouble here." Fourth Brother first brought in the incredibly high-ranking Eighth Uncle, then gave a detailed introduction to the investors, mentioning the God of Wealth, and also the honorary editor-in-chief, Ouyang Xiu, a disciple of Prime Minister Lü and the most talented man in the capital (Fourth Brother was modest; he wouldn't claim the title for himself)... In short, this isn't the private property of the so-called Marquis of Anle or the Crown Prince's faction; it's a joint-stock company owned by all the big shots in the capital. Young Master Gongsun, you can work with peace of mind; no one will say you've become a lackey of the Marquis of Anle.
Fourth Brother handed the carriage to a servant to park, and led Gongsun Ce, under Yang Paifeng's close protection, straight to the editorial department, naturally including a visit to the bustling publishing house along the way.
Although the fourth issue of the weekly was still several days away from publication, and most of the content was not yet finalized, the atmosphere here was still tense. Workers were busy everywhere, moving paper, cleaning printing blocks, repairing movable type, preparing clay… and so on. They were dedicating their youth and sweat to the great publishing cause.
“Do you know why *The Great Song Dynasty Weekly* sells so well?” Pang pointed to the third issue, which was being rushed into reprint. Gongsun Ce and Yang Paifeng both looked puzzled.
“Why?” they asked almost simultaneously.
“Four words: appealing to both refined and popular tastes.” Fourth Brother picked up a printed, dried-out copy of the weekly. “Look, these forty-eight pages cover a wide range of topics. Whether you’re a scholar, a novelist, or someone who enjoys anecdotes, you can find something relevant in *The Great Song Dynasty Weekly*.”
"Furthermore, there's our weekly's formidable editorial team. Their tireless and meticulous approach ensures the quality of every published article. Whether it's popular folk tales and anecdotes enjoyed by the masses, or more specialized readings, essays, research, and annotations, each article is carefully selected, revised, and polished by its editor. Finally, it passes through the review of our chief editor—the Emperor's literary attendant and the Imperial Collator, Fan Zhongyan—before it reaches our printing press." Fourth Brother patted his chest confidently and casually. "Not to boast, but the Marquis entrusted me with a hand..." "The talent recruited by the editorial department... no, the talent we've gathered is far superior to any of the scholars and literati in any mansion in the capital. They are truly 'brimming with literary talent, brilliant minds, and a thriving community of learned scholars, so refined and elegant...'"
Fourth Brother spoke the truth without a hint of boasting. After all, Ouyang Xiu and Fan Zhongyan, these two chief editors alone, would later become great literary figures whose names would be etched in history. Add to that Wang Anshi, who was eager to become his student and was preparing to recruit "internship" students, Zeng Gong, who was also working with him, and... Fourth Brother was even planning to put in some effort to scout out talent and bring all six of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties to work for him.
Gongsun Ce listened with longing in his eyes. In fact, there was no need to mention Ouyang Xiu and Fan Zhongyan; just seeing them along the way had already made him interested. Then he remembered that Pang had mentioned in the hospital room that he would be introduced to "a job," which seemed to refer to this place. He was already secretly delighted, but he was too embarrassed to ask what exactly he was to do.
The thought of working in the editorial department, alongside so many talented scholars and writers, filled Gongsun Ce with immense excitement, momentarily forgetting even the pain of his still-healing injuries.
"Brother Gongsun—" As soon as his fourth brother spoke, Gongsun Ce trembled with excitement, quickly turning around and exclaiming, "Brother Pang, you saved me twice! I am deeply grateful… I am moved to tears! You want me to contribute to the *Great Song Dynasty Weekly*? I will certainly do my best, even if it's just moving paper and books…"
"Oh dear, Brother Gongsun, what are you saying? With your literary talent, how could you be relegated to such menial work?" Pang affectionately put his arm around his shoulder, as if they were good brothers discussing something. "Here's the situation: after *The Great Song Dynasty Weekly* became popular, we received more and more submissions. The existing editors were simply overwhelmed. As the executive vice president, I, along with the shareholders, decided to re-select a group of learned scholars and experts with knowledge and prestige in various disciplines to serve as editors, specifically responsible for reviewing manuscripts and selecting those with positive and progressive content, in line with national conditions, and beneficial to the people." "We'll select and compile the best articles from the social exhibition and open publications into our weekly magazine."
Gongsun Ce, excited, blurted out, "Brother Pang, so you mean...you mean you want me...you want me to be the editor of the weekly magazine?" He had originally thought that as an ordinary student preparing for the imperial examinations, without any official rank or particularly outstanding talents (like composing poems or lyrics; Liu Yong didn't even take the exams, yet he's famous throughout the land), he would be content with a simple proofreading job at a publishing house. But Pang's offer sounded like he was to be an editor responsible for selecting, polishing, and revising articles!
"Editor? Brother Gongsun, are you kidding me!" Pang suddenly shoved him, his eyes wide.
Gongsun Ce's heart sank.
But the drama after great sorrow often makes one even more ecstatic, and his fourth brother's next line made Gongsun Ce go wild.
"The position I've prepared for you is the deputy editor-in-chief of the second editorial department of the *Great Song Dynasty Weekly*!"

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