Chapter Twelve: Assistance Granted, But a Written Agreement Is Required

"What is this? My sister has arrived, and you don't come out to greet her immediately? What are you dawdling about?"

Wang Chengfeng held his head high, his nostrils flared in arrogance, as if Zhao Ang were completely beneath his notice.

Hearing this, Zhao Ang smiled. The original owner of this body had pampered them too much, spoiling them into such delusional arrogance.

"Greet her? I am a Prince Heir; are you even worthy of such a gesture?"

Had Zhao Ang not been waiting for the fish to take the bait, Wang Chengfeng’s words alone would have been enough to earn him dozens of lashes.

"You..."

"Chengfeng, sit down!"

Sensing that the atmosphere had turned sour, Wang Xiuyun instinctively grabbed Wang Chengfeng.

"Sister, we..."

Wang Chengfeng wanted to continue, but Wang Xiuyun shoved a pastry into his mouth to silence him. She fixed him with a warning glare, and seeing this, Wang Chengfeng finally quieted down.

"Zhao Ang, we haven't seen each other for several days. Have you missed me?"

Walking slowly to Zhao Ang’s side, Wang Xiuyun lifted her gaze, her eyes filled with coy shyness.

It had to be said, her acting skills were actually quite impressive; it was no wonder the original Zhao Ang had been so blind. However, this display of maidenly charm was being directed at the wrong person now.

"No. Tell me, why have you come to see me today?"

Zhao Ang was blunt, showing Wang Xiuyun no courtesy whatsoever.

"You..."

Wang Xiuyun gritted her teeth. Never before had Zhao Ang treated her with such an attitude. As she thought, men were all the same—once they hitched themselves to a princess, they changed completely. If that was the case, he was even less worth keeping.

The more venomous she felt inside, the softer and more tender her expression became. She covered her face and began to sob softly.

"It is my fault. All these days that you have been grounded at home, I have never once come to visit you. You are right to resent me, Zhao Lang. But you can beat me or scold me—just please, do not ignore me!"

As she spoke, she turned her face toward Zhao Ang, tears shimmering in the corners of her eyes, looking utterly pitiable. In the past, whenever Zhao Ang saw her like this, he would immediately surrender, as she reminded him so much of that Miss Jiang. But now, things were different.

*Smack!*

Zhao Ang slapped her directly across the face.

Meeting Wang Xiuyun’s stunned gaze, Zhao Ang chuckled.

"You were the one who asked for a beating. It’s my first time hearing such a peculiar request."

As soon as he said this, even Fugui couldn't help but stifle a laugh. His Young Master was still the same as ever, loving nothing more than to tease others!

"Zhao Ang, you dog! How dare you treat my sister this way, I—"

Before the enraged Wang Chengfeng could finish his sentence, Zhao Ang kicked him, sending him flying across the room.

"Hiss... ugh!"

A pampered weakling was just that—a weakling. With one light kick, Wang Chengfeng was already coughing up blood. Fortunately, Zhao Ang had retracted his strength quickly, or else he might have killed him with a single blow. Since the fish had already taken the bait, it would be a shame if it died before being reeled in.

"Zhao Ang, what do you mean by this?"

Seeing her younger brother sent flying, Wang Xiuyun had no heart left for acting.

Meeting her angry gaze, Zhao Ang laughed awkwardly.

"My apologies, I used too much force. Your brother is far too fragile—how will he ever manage? I’ll have to send a martial arts instructor to teach him later; he doesn't need to be able to beat others, but he should at least be able to take a beating!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Chengfeng, currently in Wang Xiuyun’s arms, was so infuriated that he vomited another mouthful of blood.

"Fugui, hurry and fetch the physician from the manor. We cannot let a Vice Minister's son die in our Duke Zhen’s mansion; that would be a terrible sin!"

Seeing that Wang Chengfeng looked to be in a bad way, Zhao Ang hurriedly called out to Fugui. The play hadn't even begun yet; the protagonist couldn't die before the curtain rose!

"Yes, Young Master!"

Fugui sprinted off, feet moving like lightning, while Zhao Ang turned his attention back to the glaring Wang Xiuyun. He stepped forward, pulled her to her feet, and said dismissively, "There, the beating is done, so I forgive you."

"Hm?"

Wang Xiuyun was at a loss for how to react. She remembered her earlier words and felt a pang of regret—had she known, she wouldn't have put on such a show! That fool Zhao Ang had actually taken her seriously! But... since she had already taken the beating and the insults, wouldn't it be too much of a loss if she didn't get something out of it?

Forcing a smile, Wang Xiuyun gritted her teeth and leaned back in.

"Zhao Lang, since you have forgiven me, I must speak to you from the heart."

She leaned obediently against Zhao Ang, looking up at him with eyes full of dependence and expectation. It had taken her only a few seconds to transform from a ferocious, angry woman into someone gentle and submissive. With talent like that, what could she not achieve? The original Zhao Ang had not died in vain.

Sighing inwardly, Zhao Ang brushed her hand away and replied, "Of course. Speak your mind."

Seeing Zhao Ang so compliant, Wang Xiuyun felt confident again. She told herself that even if a princess had married into the family, it was impossible for Zhao Ang to stop loving her overnight. It seemed he had simply been harboring resentment, which explained his coldness. Wasn't he now letting her have whatever she wanted?

"Zhao Lang, you know that my brother is good for nothing, he..."

Wang Xiuyun hesitated, acting coy, so Zhao Ang finished the sentence for her.

"He went to the gambling den yesterday and owes five hundred thousand taels of silver."

"Yes! Zhao Lang, I knew you cared about me!"

Wang Xiuyun’s eyes lit up. She hugged his arm and rubbed against him, appearing overjoyed. She then skillfully made the request for Zhao Ang to pay off the debt for Wang Chengfeng.

Fugui, who had just returned with the physician, overheard this. Ignoring the doctor, he rushed to Zhao Ang's side, his tone urgent.

"Young Master, you cannot agree to this! If you pay off five hundred thousand taels for someone else, the Duke will break your legs!"

Fugui was genuinely concerned for Zhao Ang; besides, the Wang family was a bottomless pit!

*Smack!*

"The masters are speaking. Is there any room for a servant like you to interrupt?"

Fearing that Fugui would ruin her plans, Wang Xiuyun slapped him across the face. Half of Fugui’s face turned bright red instantly. He clutched his cheek, not daring to speak again. He was just a servant and could not influence the Young Master's decisions; he only hoped his master wouldn't continue to be such a sucker.

Seeing Wang Xiuyun strike his people so recklessly, Zhao Ang’s eyes turned cold. He had originally intended to collect a little interest from Wang Xiuyun and be done with it, but it seemed this matter would not end so easily.

*Rest assured,* he thought, *I will make sure Fugui gets to return that slap sooner or later.*

Keeping his composure, Zhao Ang nodded quite readily.

"Paying off your brother's debt is fine, but I require him to sign a promissory note. You know how strictly the old man manages me since he returned; without a note, there is absolutely no way I can provide five hundred thousand taels."

Seeing that Zhao Ang had actually agreed, Fugui paced back and forth in a panic, unable to hold his tongue. Although Zhao Ang was no longer like his old self and knew to ask for a note, what use was it? He knew full well that the Young Master would never actually make Wang Xiuyun pay it back, and besides...

"Young Master, where would we even get five hundred thousand taels!" Fugui muttered under his breath, but Wang Xiuyun heard him clearly.