Chapter Eighty-Four

Chapter 84

The Tenth Prince’s face turned deathly pale in an instant, teeth clenched in fury, but he was horrified to find his whole body trembling, unable to utter a word. His body was held fast by Wu Hong’s arms, and surges of inner energy flooded into him, sealing his meridians.

Wu Hong smiled faintly, lifting the Tenth Prince—now reduced to his former position as the tenth son—and continued, “Your Highness, you truly care for the people! Even with a commoner of rather ill repute like myself, you show such courtesy. It is my great fortune indeed!”

“Pfft—!” The Tenth Prince, unable to speak, shook with rage and spat out a mouthful of blood. Fortunately, golden energy whirled protectively around Wu Hong, so not a drop touched him.

Wu Hong hurriedly stepped back a few paces. “Your Highness, is there something I have done wrong?”

Wu Hong’s manner was exceedingly respectful, so much so that some of the bystanders could not understand it. Why was Wu Hong, so infamous for his arrogance, behaving with such politeness now?

And what was wrong with the Tenth Prince? Why had he dropped to his knees at the sight of Wu Hong? Were those subordinates of his utterly useless?

“Brother, you’re so wicked!” Wu Songran’s earlier anger melted away; seeing the Tenth Prince humiliated so, she was delighted, laughing in unrestrained delight, her laughter melodious.

Li Ruolan, her face flushed red, was also filled with surprise. Along the way, she had already marveled at how rapidly Wu Hong’s martial abilities had advanced in just two short years. Though she herself did not practice martial arts, she knew enough to recognize that sealing a person’s meridians with pure energy was unheard of.

The Tenth Prince’s three guards looked uneasy as well, for a peculiar pressure had locked them into place, rendering them speechless—a truly alarming realization.

Wu Hong, with a smile that could enrage a corpse, said, “Your Highness, you labor day and night for the nation. You must take care of your health!”

The Tenth Prince trembled all over, pointing a trembling finger at Wu Hong, yet not a sound could pass his lips.

“Is there something you wish to say, Your Highness? Please, tell me—I will do my utmost to assist you,” Wu Hong continued, feigning apprehension.

The Tenth Prince’s three guards suddenly found themselves able to move again, though their inner strength remained sealed. Their faces turned ashen, and they leapt to stand protectively before their lord. But none of them dared to attack Wu Hong—the gap in strength was simply too vast. It was like ants challenging an elephant; who could believe that four tiny ants could bring down such a beast?

The Tenth Prince’s pale face now turned alternately blue, red, and twisted with rage. His finger quivered at Wu Hong, but still, he could not speak.

Around them, the sound of murmuring voices grew ever louder.

Suddenly, the Tenth Prince flung his wide sleeves in fury and turned to leave, his three guards hurrying after him.

“Wow, Brother, that was amazing! Will you teach me?” Wu Songran slipped her jade-like arm around Wu Hong’s neck.

“Of course,” Wu Hong replied, looking fondly at the vivacious Wu Songran, gently flicking her nose with his finger.

Wu Songran abruptly let go, her cheeks flushed scarlet. She stole a glance at Li Ruolan, and seeing she hadn’t noticed, breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Yet Li Ruolan had taken in everything, and wondered to herself if there was truly some ambiguous relationship between her benefactor and Wu Songran.

Though the Tenth Prince’s interruption had been unpleasant, it did not dampen the trio’s spirits. They continued their amusement throughout the morning before finally entering an imposing restaurant.

After being seated for quite some time, not a single waiter came to serve them.

“Waiter! Does Full Blossom Pavilion still wish to do business? Can’t you see there are customers?” Wu Songran called out, her expression sour.

At her call, several patrons glanced over at Wu Hong’s table. When they recognized him, their expressions turned odd.

After a while, a trembling waiter finally approached and stammered, “We… we’re out of everything, there’s nothing left to serve…”

Normally, the waiter was quick-witted, but the rumors of Wu Hong’s ferocity had unnerved him, and he stumbled over his words.

“What did you say? This grand restaurant has nothing to serve? Then what are they all eating—pig slop?” Wu Songran demanded. As the pampered daughter of a noble family, she had never been treated with such cold indifference.

Her words insulted all the patrons present, but none dared to take offense.

Wu Hong could only smile wryly and shake his head. His reputation had truly reached rock bottom.

“Hmph! Once, Prince Wu Wei was a hero among men. Who could have imagined he’d father a wretch like you?” someone in the crowd called out.

Wu Hong turned toward the voice and recognized the speaker at once, though it left him somewhat embarrassed.

The man wore a long robe of deep blue, with a scholar’s cap and an impressive mustache. Though middle-aged, he exuded a refined air. His face, upon seeing Wu Hong, twisted in anger, shattering his scholarly demeanor.

Wu Hong recognized him as Wang Liang’s father, the current Minister of Rites, Grand Chancellor Wen—a high-ranking official who had served under both the late Emperor Yang Guang and the new Emperor Yang Wei.

Though his words were harsh, Wu Hong could not feel anger toward him. Wang Liang, though arrogant in his youth, had suffered mutilation only because of Wu Hong’s involvement. Though Wu Hong was not the direct culprit, the root of the tragedy was not far from him; others had taken it upon themselves to avenge Wu Hong, and Wang Liang had disappeared into the world of the Celestial Book, never to be heard from again. Wu Hong felt a pang of guilt.

He rose, approached the Minister of Rites, and bowed deeply. “What happened to your son was a misunderstanding, never my intention. I beg your forgiveness, Uncle.”

Wu Hong’s humility only seemed to enrage the Minister further, who sprang to his feet. “Not your intention, you say? If your son suffered so, how would you feel? Wu Hong, remember this—even if no one can oppose you now, letting you run amok in the capital, I believe there is justice in this world.”

From Wu Hong’s account, Wu Songran had learned the truth of Wang Liang’s fate. Seeing the Minister speak so harshly, she stepped forward. “Uncle Wang, my brother did not harm Wang Liang! The true culprit is someone else!”

“Someone else? Who? Can you prove it?” The Minister gave her no quarter, his tone unyielding.

Wu Songran was left speechless.

The Minister, seeing that Wu Hong would not resort to violence, pressed his attack. “And you—daughter of Prince Wu Wei—how shameless, standing by your brother after what you’ve done! You’re even worse than women of the brothels!”

Wu Songran trembled with anger, unable to defend herself. She could never understand why, that day, she had awoken unclothed at the inn. It could not have been Wu Hong’s doing, nor did it seem possible any of Li Ruolan’s men had been responsible. The matter remained a thorn in her heart.

The Full Blossom Pavilion was one of the most prestigious establishments in the capital, frequented by the highest officials. It was no surprise to find the Minister of Rites present.

Wu Hong knew of the rumors circulating about him and his sister, but could not discern their origin. Seeing the Minister’s words growing more venomous, and Wu Songran about to lose her temper, he decided it was best to leave.

“Songran, pay no heed to idle gossip. The innocent will always be vindicated, and the truth will come to light one day. Let’s go.”

He ignored the Minister’s insults and turned to leave. Wu Songran, though fuming, could do nothing and followed Wu Hong out. Li Ruolan trailed behind.

Just as they reached the exit, the sound of marching feet echoed from outside.

“Where is the Demon Wu Hong? I, Xiao Hongfei, Minister of War, have come!” boomed a rough voice from the entrance.

The synchronized steps suggested a contingent of soldiers.

Wu Hong sighed to himself, “Another enemy? Must I truly find no place for myself in this world?”