Chapter Twenty-One: Liu Yu Obtains the Cultivation Technique, Fully Convinced and Sincere

"In that case, I shall await the good news from you, sir."

"Rest assured, Your Highness. Once the book is published, I will certainly bring it for your review first."

Qian San patted his chest, offering repeated assurances before hurrying off, eager to record the events of the day. Zhao Ang did not detain him, and after he departed, the two of them strolled leisurely toward their carriage. As for the guards from the Prince of Zhennan’s estate, they had naturally already withdrawn.

"Your Highness, Miss Liu, you have finally returned."

Before they even reached the carriage, Fugui’s voice could be heard from afar. He came trotting over, glancing back and forth behind Zhao Ang with a perplexed expression.

"Your Highness, what about the silver owed by the Vice Minister’s residence?"

Although large-denomination banknotes were not easily spotted, he clearly remembered that the debt acknowledgment included a great deal of jewelry, cabinetry, and screens. Such things would take up space, so why were the two of them returning empty-handed?

Could it be...

"Your Highness, I told you they wouldn't honor the debt. Sigh."

Fugui let out a long sigh. He really shouldn't have held any expectations for the character of Wang Xiuyun and her brother. Look, even after the estate guards had been deployed, they still hadn't managed to recover the silver.

"You!"

Zhao Ang tapped Fugui on the head, annoyed. "How is it that I never realized you were such a miser? Stop worrying about the money and go drive the carriage!"

Zhao Ang offered no further explanation. Fugui rubbed his head, feeling even more confused.

"Did His Highness get the money or not?" he muttered to himself, his gaze turning eagerly toward Liu Yu. But unfortunately, Liu Yu said nothing. If Zhao Ang wasn't speaking, why should she chime in?

Seeing this, Fugui grew even more frustrated. It was clearly Liu Yu who was the newcomer. Not only did the Prince take her along to collect the debt instead of him, but now he wouldn't even tell him the outcome. He had truly fallen out of favor.

"Fugui, why are you still standing there?"

Zhao Ang’s voice came from inside the carriage, making Fugui jump and snap back to reality. What was he thinking? Wasn't it normal for his master not to tell him everything? No matter how late Liu Yu arrived, she was still a member of the Prince’s inner household, while he was merely a servant!

Realizing he had fallen into a trap of his own making, Fugui quickly gathered his wits and adopted a more respectful tone.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Does Your Highness no longer trust Fugui?"

Inside the carriage, Liu Yu lifted the curtain. She looked at Fugui, who was driving, and spoke abruptly. Zhao Ang was not surprised; though Liu Yu appeared dull-witted, her observations often struck right to the heart of a matter.

However...

"It is not a lack of trust, but rather that too much trust makes him forget his place."

Over the past few days, he had noticed that Fugui’s tongue had grown increasingly unrestrained. In the end, it was his own over-indulgence that had caused Fugui to lose his sense of propriety.

"Oh."

Liu Yu seemed to understand, yet it was not her concern.

"Your Highness, we have arrived."

The carriage came to a halt. Fugui set down the whip and stood below, respectfully lifting the curtain for Zhao Ang. It was a testament to Fugui’s quick wit that he had already adjusted his attitude without needing to be told. It went to show that the old Prince’s training was effective. Zhao Ang felt he should hold even tighter control over the Black Tiger Army.

With this in mind, Zhao Ang stepped out of the carriage, leaning on Fugui’s arm. Just as Fugui was preparing to take the carriage to the stables, he heard Zhao Ang’s voice.

"The Vice Minister of Revenue will personally deliver the silver tomorrow. Remember to audit the storehouse."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

He responded quickly, his heart racing with excitement. As expected, His Highness still trusted him.

"That’s enough, go do your work!"

Zhao Ang waved his hand, and Fugui hurried off with the carriage. Not far away, the old Prince, who was playing chess in the gazebo, watched with a look of gratification.

"This lad is not bad; he hasn't tarnished my reputation!"

"That is only natural, as he is, after all, your grandson, my lord."

The steward nodded in agreement. With Zhao Ang’s balance of strictness and leniency, his own son would likely be willing to lay down his life for the Prince in the future. But that was nothing—was he not willing to sacrifice his own life for the old Prince?

"Enough, let us stop this game. Go deliver this manual."

Clearing the white pieces back into the bowl, the old Prince handed over a martial arts manual.

"Yes, my lord."

The steward dutifully accepted it and headed toward the Prince’s quarters. After he left, the old Prince took the white pieces back out, his voice tinged with a hint of gnashing teeth.

"That old Wu is truly something. Doesn't he know I’m bad at chess? He could at least let me win a little!"

Wu Zheng was the steward’s name, and the only reason the old Prince had produced the manual at that moment was to escape the game. Otherwise, it would be too shameful if the mighty Prince of Zhennan were defeated by his own steward!

Inside the Prince’s residence:

"Father, why are you here?"

Seeing the old steward standing at the entrance, Fugui was pleasantly surprised.

"Is the Prince in? The old Prince ordered me to deliver something."

Seeing his son, the old steward did not engage in small talk, going straight to the point.

"He is. Father, wait here; I shall go report to His Highness immediately."

Fugui turned and ran into the courtyard. Even though they were father and son, they could not neglect the rules.

"Since the old man sent Uncle Wu, just let him in directly," Zhao Ang said, feeling a bit helpless at Fugui’s stubbornness.

"That won't do. If I did that, not to mention the old Prince, my father would be the first to punish me." Fugui made a gesture of cowering in fear, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

"Enough, stop with the jokes."

Zhao Ang set down his teacup and stood up, looking toward Liu Yu. "The old man is likely sending you a martial arts manual. Come with me to the front courtyard."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Liu Yu nodded obediently and followed behind Zhao Ang. Seeing Zhao Ang approach, the steward bowed.

"Uncle Wu, between you and me, why be so formal?"

Zhao Ang helped the old steward up and looked at the manual he was holding. "Did the old man pick this for Liu Yu?"

"Indeed. The Prince said that since Miss Liu possesses immense strength, it would be best to build upon that. This 'Vajra Fist' manual, if practiced to its peak, can turn one’s fists into iron and multiply one’s strength several times over. It is most suitable for Miss Liu."

The steward handed the manual to Zhao Ang, who flipped through it. Vajra Fist? It was certainly impressive, though it didn't sound like something meant for a woman to practice. Still, it didn't matter; Liu Yu didn't look much like a woman anyway.

"Since the old man picked it out for you, you should accept it."

He tossed the manual casually to Liu Yu. She caught it, still in a state of shock. This was the Vajra Fist, ranked in the top three of all martial arts manuals! Was he really just giving it to her?

"Miss Liu, what are you standing there for? Hurry and thank the Prince and His Highness." Fugui nudged her, whispering a reminder.

"This servant thanks the Prince and His Highness."

Liu Yu knelt down, and this time, she did so with her whole heart. She knew that if it weren't for Zhao Ang, she might have spent her entire life in a brothel, let alone ever obtaining such a powerful martial arts technique.

"That’s enough. Just make sure you protect me well once you’ve mastered it!"

Seeing Liu Yu so solemn for the first time, Zhao Ang felt a bit awkward. After all, she was usually quite thick-skinned. But after he finished speaking, Liu Yu’s resolve only hardened.

"This servant is willing to lay down her life to keep His Highness safe!"