Prince Qi was almost driven mad by Prince Jing's anger.
But Li Dagang and Mo Zhai, who were seriously injured on the ground, and the merchants and shopkeepers in the corner who were terrified, were truly dumbfounded at this moment.
Utterly bewildered!
Today's events, from beginning to end, are shrouded in absurdity and bizarreness.
First, Zhang Heng, the heir of the Marquis Estate's Heir Apparent, led his men to their door, acting arrogantly and unreasonably, and almost hacked their Master Li to death.
Immediately afterwards, Divine Weapon.
A Princes with an imposing presence and terrifying strength arrived with the elite of the Imperial City Department, Heaven and Earth with a single arrow. He repeatedly declared that they were Imperial Merchants and would severely punish the murderer.
This should give them enough time to process.
Imperial Merchant?
When did we become Imperial Merchants?
Before they could even recover from this shocking revelation, the even more outrageous Prince Jing burst in, shouting and boasting about his achievements.
They didn't hear the details of the praise clearly, but they clearly heard the word "elder brother" that Prince Jing mentioned.
Boss?
These two words, like a flash of lightning in the darkness, instantly illuminated the chaotic minds of Li Dagang and Mo Zhai.
Of course they have a leader; they only have one leader.
Zhang Yu, the one who pulled them out of the mud and gave them new life and a mission, is now in Heavenly Prison.
I see.
So that's where the Imperial Merchant that Prince Qi mentioned came from.
It turns out that Prince Jing's elaborate performance, even going so far as to abandon his Princes status and commit violence in public, was all to curry favor with his elder brother.
These Princes and grandsons, who are usually so high and mighty that they can't even see their feet when looking up to them, are now fighting so ugly and using such... unique methods just to show off and get credit in front of their leader?
After the immense sense of absurdity came an indescribable shock and... a strange excitement.
What exactly did their leader do?
Or, what do you possess?
How could two powerful princes, both strong contenders for the Princes, go to such lengths?
Boss... have you really gotten to this point?
Without having to lift a finger or even make a clear statement, your mere presence is enough to make these top elites flock to you.
This cannot be explained simply by power or influence.
This represents a higher level of recognition of "value" and investment in the future.
In the corner, the merchants and shopkeepers were so frightened they dared not breathe, but their minds were racing.
They looked at Zhang Heng, who lay on the ground covered in blood, then at the two imposing Princes, and then at their mysterious and unpredictable leader who had never truly shown himself.
Suddenly, they felt as if they had... inadvertently latched onto an incredibly powerful and Golden Light figure?
As for Qin Xuehua, Zhang Heng, Zhang Wanning, and Jiang Luohan, they were equally bewildered.
What's going on today? I only dealt with a few merchants, and it's attracted the attention of two Princes.
Who exactly is the "boss" that Prince Jing is talking about, that he could make the dignified Prince Jing act so humbly?
If it were a Princes, the Marquis Yong'an and the Duke Qin wouldn't be too wary of him.
But if there are two Princes, then the meaning is different.
At this moment, Qin Xuehua was truly flustered, and managed to gather her thoughts, saying, "May I ask, Your Prince, who exactly is this 'elder brother' that Prince Jing speaks of? My Marquis Estate has offended you greatly today, and we will certainly go to apologize in the future."
"An apology is certainly necessary, but not sometime in the future, but today."
Prince Qi, his expression cold and indifferent, said, "Guards, seize all those who have bullied the Merchant Guild and take them to the Heavenly Prison to await Young Master Zhang's judgment."
To be taken to the Heavenly Prison, awaiting Young Master Zhang's judgment?
Instead of being sent to the Ministry of Justice for trial according to the law, or handed over to the Imperial Clan Affairs Office for deliberation, they were directly thrown into the Heavenly Prison, the place that symbolized the highest punishment of Imperial Authority.
Even more shockingly, the power to decide their fate was casually handed over to a Young Master Zhang.
What does that mean?
This means that in the face of this mysterious figure, the laws of the Great Wei, Imperial Court procedures, and even the authority of the Imperial Family must all give way.
This means that the century-old reputation, illustrious title, and even military power in the Northern Frontier of the Marquis Yong'an's Estate have all become dust that can be trampled on at will.
"Wait!"
Qin Xuehua shouted angrily:
"Your Prince, even if we are at fault, we should be handed over to the authorities for punishment according to the law."
Our Marquis Estate has been loyal and virtuous for generations, guarding the Northern Frontier. Even if we have not made great contributions, we have certainly worked hard.
How could you... how could you imprison all the direct descendants of my Marquis Estate's family in the Heavenly Prison just because of a Young Master Zhang of unknown origin?
Wouldn't this discourage the soldiers on the frontier?
Aren't you afraid...?
What are you afraid of?
Are you afraid that the Marquis Yong'an's Estate will become too powerful and hold too much influence?
Or are they afraid of a mutiny by the 100 million border troops in Northern Frontier?
Prince Qi, Xiao Jingyan, coldly interrupted her:
"Marquis's Wife, I advise you not to bring up the Northern Frontier again."
There are certain bottom lines that the Marquis Yong'an's Estate cannot cross;
There are some people you absolutely cannot afford to offend.
He slightly raised his hand, signaling for the operation to continue, completely disdaining to offer any further explanation.
The Princes' subordinates— the Black Armored Guards and the personal guards of Jing Prince's Estate —had already pounced on them like wolves and tigers.
The well-trained elite troops moved with lightning speed, giving Qin Xuehua and the others no chance to resist or argue.
Shackled and subjected to brutal treatment, the once high-ranking noblewomen of the Marquis Estate were now like lambs to the slaughter, utterly devoid of dignity.
"Mother, save me!"
Zhang Heng was no longer the high-spirited man he once was; he looked at Qin Xuehua with a pitiful howl, like a lame dog.
"Mother, please think of something!"
Zhang Wanning was terrified, her delicate makeup ruined by tears, and she struggled desperately but to no avail.
Qin Xuehua felt her heart breaking at the sight of her children's miserable state, but what chilled her to the bone even more was the resolute and... fearless tone revealed in Prince Qi's words!
They were actually not afraid!
They were not afraid of forcing the Marquis Yong'an's Estate, which held considerable military power, to rebel.
What does that mean?
This means that on the scales of value of that "Young Master Zhang," the entire Marquis Yong'an's Estate plus the Northern Frontier Army might be insignificant.
This means the Imperial Family has made its choice and is full of confidence.
Just who exactly is this Young Master Zhang?
Qin Xuehua frantically searched her mind, going through all the top powerful and mysterious figures with the surname Capital City and even the entire Great Wei, but she couldn't match any of them to her name.
There are powerful individuals with the surname Zhang, but to have the Imperial Family go to such lengths... is unheard of.
Fear clung to my heart like a poisonous vine, and with it spread an unbearable, agonizing regret.
Had they known that the "Young Master Zhang" behind this Merchant Guild possessed such immense power, capable of making two princes vying for the Princes fawn over him, why would they have bothered to provoke such a terrifying figure for a little profit?
This was no longer just kicking a hornet's nest; it was personally pushing the Marquis Estate to the edge of a precipice.
Just as Qin Xuehua and the others were gripped by immense panic and regret.
Jiang Luohan, who had been observing coldly, felt as if a huge rock had been thrown into a deep pool, and suddenly a raging storm surged within her.
When the Prince Qi uttered those cold and ruthless words, "Take him to the Heavenly Prison and await Young Master Zhang's judgment," her heart clenched.
Young Master Zhang? The Heavenly Prison
These two words, like two intertwined lightning bolts, struck her mind hard.
A figure she knew all too well suddenly appeared uncontrollably in her mind— Zhang Yu.
He also shares the surname Zhang; isn't he currently imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison?
Could it be... could it be that the "Young Master Zhang" who stirred up the storm, causing the two Princes to vie for his favor and even personally engage in battle, is actually Zhang Yu, the very same Zhang Yu whom she personally rejected and discarded like trash?
This thought sent a shiver through Jiang Luohan's body, a tremor mixed with absurdity, horror, and even a hint of indescribable excitement instantly spreading throughout her limbs.
She had witnessed Zhang Yu's hidden methods, which allowed him to make Chen Dongpeng, Grandmaster of both martial arts and formations, humble himself and seek his guidance, and to make the Marquis Estate's economic lifeline teeter on the brink of collapse with just a few words.
She knew that Zhang Yu was not as simple as he appeared.
However... for two Princes who are considered favorites to win the throne to go to such lengths, even risking a direct confrontation with the Marquis Yong'an's Estate, which holds considerable military power.
This... this is completely beyond Jiang Luohan's understanding of hidden energy!
No, impossible!
She frantically denied it in her mind.
Zhang Yu may have some connections, know some experts, and possess Xiantian Cultivation himself.
But this was by no means enough to make the Imperial Family pay such attention, much less enough to make the two arrogant Princes behave in an almost... humble and obsequious manner.
Xiantian?
Does the Imperial Family lack Innate Masters?
It may be precious, but it is by no means irreplaceable.
Grandmaster's network?
Doesn't the Imperial Family have its own Grandmaster?
Based on these factors, it would have been impossible for Prince Qi and Prince Jing to lose their composure and fight over it so fiercely, let alone give them the confidence to deal such a ruthless blow to the Marquis Yong'an's Estate.