Chapter Fifteen: Failed Seduction, Furious Humiliation

“Hiss... Three prime shops in a prime location!”
“The Young Lord really knows how to make a grand gesture!”

The crowd gasped in surprise, while Wang Xiuyun’s nails dug deeply into her flesh.

Bound by the old marquis’s control, Zhao Ang still managed to produce three shops.

What merit or fortune did he possess to be so blessed? These should have been hers.

Wang Xiuyun’s jealousy nearly drove her mad, and misfortune came in waves.

“Since I’ve paid off Wang Chengfeng’s gambling debts, should you not also repay what you owe me?”

Zhao Ang pocketed the IOU held by the gambling house owner and then pulled out a thick stack of IOUs they had written earlier.

“Whoa, these IOUs are so thick. How much must Miss Wang and her group owe?”

The crowd murmured among themselves, and Wang Xiuyun suddenly seemed to realize something.

“You’re asking me for money?” Wang Xiuyun pointed at her nose in disbelief.

“If not,” Zhao Ang shook the IOUs, “debts must be paid. It is only natural!”

“Exactly! The Young Lord is right!”

“Debts must be paid, it’s the natural order!”

Voices rose from the crowd, and the earlier mockery directed at Zhao Ang now turned against them.

“Look at her now, could it be she doesn’t want to pay back?”

“Looks like the Minister of Revenue isn’t much good after all, raising two useless children!”

“...”

“Enough, stop talking!”

Wang Xiuyun realized she was even more unable to bear the ridicule than Zhao Ang.

As for Wang Chengfeng, he had fled as soon as the gambling debts were settled and had no idea of these developments.

“Zhao Lang, can we discuss this debt when we get back?”

Wang Xiuyun could no longer stand it; she stepped forward, clutching Zhao Ang’s arm, pleading.

Zhao Ang pondered for a moment and nodded, then carefully put the IOUs away again.

He still needed that money, so it was best to collect the debts quietly.

Otherwise, if the money was reclaimed openly, it would be laid bare for all to see.

Relieved to see Zhao Ang willing to take her to the Zhen Nan Prince’s manor to resolve the IOU issue, Wang Xiuyun sighed in relief.

Luckily, it seemed Zhao Ang still loved her; all she had to do was find a way to retrieve those IOUs.

“Young Lord, don’t be foolish now!”

Fugui whispered in warning, having thought the Young Lord was finally wise.

But it seemed he was no different than before.

If you don’t collect the money outside, how could you get it back at the Zhen Nan Prince’s manor?

“Enough, don’t worry about things that aren’t your concern!”

Zhao Ang gave Fugui a sharp smack on the head, and the latter immediately grew obedient.

Well, as long as the Young Lord understood the situation, it was fine. At worst, he could tell his own father...

Fugui’s eyes darted around—his father was the steward.

If his father knew, the old marquis would surely find out too. With the old marquis’s abilities, there must be a way.

Fugui thought himself clever, but Zhao Ang saw through his little scheme and delivered another sharp smack.

“Don’t tell your father!”

“Ah? Oh!”

Amazing—how did the Young Lord know exactly what he was thinking?

Confused, Fugui watched as the sedan chair finally arrived at the Zhen Nan Prince’s manor.

“Zhao Lang, there are too many people here. Why don’t we go to your inner chamber to talk?”

On the way back to the manor, Wang Xiuyun had at last devised a plan to reclaim the IOUs.

Zhao Ang loved her so much that with a little effort, the IOUs would be hers in no time.

“Fine.”

Zhao Ang was curious to see what tricks Wang Xiuyun would employ.

However, once he actually brought her to the chamber, he immediately regretted it.

“Zhao Lang, do you like it when I do this?”

Wang Xiuyun closed the door behind her and began to remove her outer garment.

As she undressed, she coquetted and posed with bewitching charm.

“Is this your method?”

If he were the original Zhao Ang, seeing this might stir his heart.

But having watched countless celebrities dance in another life, Wang Xiuyun’s performance was far from enough to pique his interest.

“Zhao Lang? What did you say? Don’t you want to share a tender moment with me?”

She stepped closer, pressing her chest against his arm.

Zhao Ang felt a shudder of revulsion and pushed her away forcefully.

“That’s enough. Your skills are worse than a courtesan’s. Go practice in a brothel!”

“You... you worthless wretch! How dare you compare me to a brothel woman?”

Zhao Ang’s words enraged Wang Xiuyun instantly; she stopped pretending and swept a nearby vase to the floor.

“Fine, now you’ve damaged another vase. Remember to pay me for it along with the money you owe!”

Zhao Ang had no time for her backtalk. He slapped the IOUs on the table.

“Why should I? I won’t repay a single cent! The entire Duke of Zhen Guo’s estate belongs to me!”

She raved like a madwoman, lunging before Zhao Ang and reaching out her hand.

Zhao Ang did not stop her small gesture, and she easily snatched the IOUs.

“Hahaha, you useless wretch! Without the IOUs, how do you expect me to repay you?”

She tore the IOUs into pieces and scattered them on the floor.

Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Zhao Ang pulled out another set of IOUs and placed them on the table.

“If you like tearing them up, tear more. I had Fugui make many copies.”

“You... these IOUs are fake! How dare you deceive me! Are you even human?”

Wang Xiuyun was utterly deranged. She pointed at Zhao Ang, cursing fiercely.

“If I’d known you were like this, I should have finished you off back then. I...”

Her words faltered as her lost wits returned. She fell silent.

Zhao Ang stood to face her, his tone icy.

“Speak. Why are you silent?”

“Or should I speak for you? Should I say you should have poisoned me then, instead of letting me share a tender moment with Princess Zhao He?”

“How... how did you know? Who told you?”

Wang Xiuyun panicked. Where had Zhao Ang learned such things?

“I know more than that,” Zhao Ang’s gaze shifted to her abdomen.

“I also know you’re carrying a bastard child.”

Wang Xiuyun was completely terrified. She collapsed to the ground.

How could Zhao Ang know even this? What else did he know?

“Fine, I’ll waive the interest on the money. Consider it a gift for the child in your womb.”

“But tomorrow morning, I’ll come personally to collect the debt. Make sure you have all the money ready.”

Zhao Ang was not the type to utterly destroy a woman; this was why he spared Wang Xiuyun’s life.

After all, she was carrying a child.

Besides, letting Wang Xiuyun live like this was better than letting her die in agony.

“Zhao Ang, I beg you, I was wrong. Please spare me!”

“I really can’t repay the money. And the child in my belly—please don’t tell anyone!”

Wang Xiuyun was truly frightened now. She crawled forward, clutching Zhao Ang and pleading.

But Zhao Ang did not even glance at her.

He tossed her discarded clothes over her body and opened the door.

“Fugui, throw Wang Xiuyun out!”

“Yes, Young Lord.”