Meeting again

At the Third Prince's residence, Mu Yao looked at the intelligence on his desk, his expression deeply grave.

Li Ziye had come after all.

Even sooner than he had imagined.

"Your Highness, the heir went to Li Garden. Could something happen?"

Beside him, a servant dressed like a study attendant spoke up to remind him.

Mu Yao froze slightly at his words, then immediately rose.

But a moment later, Mu Yao sat back down, his expression darkening.

It was too late!

Now he could only hope that his foolish younger cousin would not provoke the Li Family's legitimate son too much.

That Li Ziye was a madman.

Li Ziye had even dared to strike him, a prince, let alone King Xuanwu's heir.

Ultimately, his cousin was in the wrong here. Until the imperial family and the Li Family tore away all pretense of civility, the imperial family would not step in to make trouble for the Li Family.

So even if Chen Yifei took a beating at the Li Residence, he would have taken it for nothing.

If his idiot cousin wanted to regain his pride, he would have to handle it himself.

At King Xuanwu's residence, under everyone's shocked gazes, Chen Yifei ran back in a disheveled state, his face twisted as he barged straight into the study.

"Father, I want him dead! I want him dead!"

Chen Yifei looked at the man in the study and said, beside himself with rage.

Inside the study, King Xuanwu raised his head, looked at his legitimate son who had barged in without permission, and said coolly, "Get out!"

"Father!"

Chen Yifei cried in anger and agitation.

"Get out!"

King Xuanwu's gaze turned cold as he barked.

Chen Yifei shuddered. Only then did he notice that besides his father, there was a woman in the room.

The woman was exceedingly beautiful, dressed in pinkish red, her features alluring and glamorous, her lips vermilion, a red flower adorning her face, and her black hair reaching her waist-the very image of a beauty who brought calamity.

Yet after seeing the woman's face, Chen Yifei showed no trace of infatuation. Instead, a shiver ran through his entire body, terror filled his face, and he stumbled out.

The Rakshasa King, Tao Yaoyao!

What was this madwoman doing here?

This woman had left an enormous shadow in Chen Yifei's heart.

Back then, unaware of the Rakshasa Woman's identity, he had taken his servants along to make lewd remarks at her, then watched helplessly as this madwoman tore out every one of his servants' hearts while they were still alive.

Even now, he could scarcely forget that bloody scene.

"The heir seems quite afraid of me."

Inside the study, Tao Yaoyao watched King Xuanwu's heir retreat in disgrace, the corners of her lips curving slightly as she spoke softly.

"Your fearsome reputation is known throughout the world, Rakshasa King. It is only natural for my unworthy son to regard you with awe," King Xuanwu said calmly.

Like him, this woman was one of the Ten Martial Kings. Though a woman, she was someone no one dared provoke-a smiling rakshasa with a heart of snakes and scorpions.

"Judging by the heir's appearance, he seems to have suffered quite a loss. It would appear that the Li Family's legitimate son is no tenderhearted soul," Tao Yaoyao said with a smile.

"The younger generation will resolve their own affairs. Rakshasa King, let us continue discussing our business," King Xuanwu said gravely.

"Not anymore. After that interruption from your son, I really am in no mood. Let us discuss it another day."

Tao Yaoyao replied with complete casualness, then languidly stretched, rose, and walked out of the study.

King Xuanwu watched her departing figure, his expression growing darker.

This Rakshasa Woman thought far too little of him!

"Father."

Outside the study, Chen Yifei saw the Rakshasa King leave and came back in, his face full of grievance. "You must seek justice for your son."

"Useless thing."

King Xuanwu snorted coldly. "I told you long ago not to provoke the Li Family without cause, but you would not listen. Now you have suffered a loss, and you want me to seek justice for you. Do you expect me, Great Shang's King Xuanwu, to step forward and make trouble for those youngsters of the Li Family?"

"Father, am I supposed to suffer this loss for nothing?" Chen Yifei asked anxiously.

"Resolve it yourself."

King Xuanwu said coolly, "Do you not usually have plenty of disreputable friends? Now is the time to use them."

At his words, realization dawned on Chen Yifei, and delight appeared on his face. "Thank you for the reminder, Father."

With that, Chen Yifei turned and hurried out of the study.

King Xuanwu looked at his disappointing son and shook his head helplessly. If this son of his possessed even half his cousin's cunning, this matter would not have become so troublesome.

Just as King Xuanwu's heir went to find his disreputable friends to regain his pride, Li Ziye, who had only recently arrived at Li Garden, received his first distinguished visitor.

The Third Prince, Mu Yao.

Of course, to Li Ziye, the Third Prince was no longer a stranger.

They were old friends.

"Why did you come in person, Your Highness? I had planned to pay a visit to your residence once I settled in."

In the main hall, Li Ziye and Mu Yao sat facing each other. On the table, the tea bubbled, giving off steam.

"When I heard you had arrived in the capital, Brother Li, I came to see you."

Mu Yao feigned anger. "What, am I not welcome?"

"How could that be?"

Li Ziye smiled apologetically. "Your presence truly brings splendor to our humble Li Garden, Your Highness."

Beside them, Hongzhu lifted the freshly brewed tea and poured hot tea for both men. Her red clothes set off her beautiful face, making her look so enchanting.

Mu Yao glanced at the woman before him, a flicker of admiration passing through his eyes, but he quickly looked away, without being discourteous.

This woman had an extraordinary bearing, unlike an ordinary maid.

"Hongzhu, you may leave for now. I have some things to discuss with His Highness."

Li Ziye gave the instruction.

"Yes!"

Hongzhu responded respectfully, then rose and left.

Once Hongzhu left, only the two remained in the main hall. Mu Yao looked at the youth before him and said apologetically, "I owe you an apology over Chen Yifei's affair, Brother Li. My cousin is impulsive and offended Miss Li. I hope you will be magnanimous and not hold it against him."

"This was not your fault, Your Highness, so you need not apologize."

Li Ziye said calmly, "As for King Xuanwu's heir, I fear this is no longer a question of whether I hold it against him."

King Xuanwu's heir certainly would not let this matter rest. Of course, he did not want Chen Yifei to stop here either. Otherwise, how would he have a reason to cripple that brat?

After hearing him, Mu Yao sighed softly. "I understand what you mean, Brother Li. Once I return, I will try to persuade Yifei not to cause any more trouble."

"That would naturally be best."

Li Ziye smiled. "All right, you have made the effort to visit, Your Highness, so let us not discuss such dispiriting matters. This is my first time in Great Shang's capital. Might you show me around when you have some free time?"

Mu Yao froze at his words. A moment later, he came back to his senses and smiled. "Why choose another day when today will do? How about today?"

"Today?"

Li Ziye glanced outside. "Very well. Sorry for the trouble, Your Highness. After you!"

"After you!"

The two rose, gestured courteously to each other, then walked out of the main hall one after the other.

"Young Master!"

Outside the main hall, Hongzhu bowed and asked, "Would you like me to accompany you?"

"No need."

Li Ziye shook his head. "Stay here and guard Li Garden. If anyone comes to cause trouble, beat them out."

"Yes!"

Hongzhu answered respectfully.

Hearing their exchange, Mu Yao was slightly surprised. Sure enough, this red-clad woman was no ordinary person.

The Li Family's waters were probably deeper than any of them imagined.

On the capital's streets, Li Ziye and Mu Yao walked side by side, admiring the bustling prosperity together.

Compared with Yuzhou City, the capital was clearly much livelier. People came and went, and vendors' cries rang out everywhere.

Yet they had not walked far before the commoners ahead scattered in alarm, and a group hurried toward them.

At the sight of the arrivals, Mu Yao froze, while a brilliant smile appeared on Li Ziye's face.

Truly, enemies met on a narrow road!

"That's him!"

At the head of the group, Chen Yifei spotted Li Ziye and shouted angrily, "Brothers, beat him!"

"Yifei, do not act so insolently!"

At this sight, Mu Yao's expression darkened, and he barked.

"Cousin, stay out of this!"

With his enemy before him, Chen Yifei could no longer care about so much. He answered, then shouted to his disreputable friends behind him, "Cripple him, and I will cover everyone's expenses at the Flower Cultivation Garden tonight!"

"Haha! Since you have spoken, Your Lordship, of course we must help you vent this anger."

Behind him, his disreputable friends loudly echoed him, then all advanced with vicious grins.

"Brat, you must be tired of living, daring to provoke our heir."

"..."

Looking at these wastrel scions, Li Ziye did not even feel like insulting them back. Why were there brainless idiots like these everywhere?

"Brothers, hurry up! Once the work is done, we're going drinking!"

One of the wastrel scions shouted, then charged forward first.

Then...

At the Imperial Academy, in the small courtyard where the Head of the Confucians resided.

Qin Enuo remained silent, while a hint of a smile graced the Head of the Confucians' aged face.

"Well?" Kong Qiu asked softly.

"A wager lost must be honored."

Qin Enuo said calmly, "For the coming year, I will lecture at the Imperial Academy."

"I imagine the students of my Imperial Academy will be delighted to hear the Plum Blossom Immortal Sword's lectures."

Kong Qiu smiled. "Shall we make another wager? Let us wager on when that Li Family boy, Ziye, will come to my Imperial Academy."

"No."

Qin Enuo shook her head. "You can divine all affairs beneath heaven. Having experienced it myself, how would I dare wager with you again?"

"The Imperial Academy has been quiet for too long. It is time to liven things up," Kong Qiu said softly.

On a street in the capital!

Miserable cries rang out one after another. Under the shocked gazes of the surrounding commoners, every wastrel scion Chen Yifei had brought was knocked to the ground, rolling about in pain.

Behind them, Chen Yifei stood pale-faced, his legs trembling so badly he could barely remain upright, yet his mouth still stubbornly uttered threats:

"You-you're done for! You struck students of the Imperial Academy! The Imperial Academy won't let you off!"

"Your Highness, let us go."

Li Ziye ignored him and spoke to the Third Prince beside him.

"Mm."

Mu Yao sighed softly and nodded.

The two walked onward. Just as they passed Chen Yifei, Li Ziye paused slightly and whispered in his ear, "Out of consideration for His Highness, I will spare you this once. Next time, you will not be so lucky."

With that, Li Ziye continued forward.

Chen Yifei shuddered, his face turning even paler.

"Brother Li, thank you!"

Beside him, Mu Yao voiced his thanks.

He knew Li Ziye had refrained from striking Chen Yifei entirely out of consideration for him.

"You are too polite, Your Highness."

Li Ziye smiled. He could hardly beat up the Third Prince's cousin right in front of him. Would that not be the same as slapping the Third Prince's face in public?

He and the Third Prince were brothers, after all!

How could he possibly stab his brother twice?

Still, now that he thought about it, Chen Yifei had mentioned some Imperial Academy just now. Had his fairy master not gone there? There had still been no word from her.

Hopefully, that Imperial Academy really would come looking for trouble with him.

Otherwise, he truly had no idea how to slip inside and find his fairy master's whereabouts.

Fairy master, your good disciple misses you!