Chapter Twenty-Seven: Running Away from Home? The Heir Has Certainly Grown Ambitious

"Grandfather, why... why are you here?"

Zhou Qi’s struggling came to a halt, and a flicker of guilt crossed his eyes.

"If I didn't come, would I just sit back and watch you bring disgrace upon the Duke of Ding’s estate?"

The person who had arrived was none other than the Duke of Ding himself, and behind him stood the Old Prince. Both men were still dressed in their court attire, clearly having rushed over immediately after the morning court session.

"Duke of Ding, Prince of Zhennan."

The Mayor of the Capital bowed to each of them in turn.

The two men nodded. The Duke of Ding looked at his grandson and, seeing the bridge of his nose sunken and blood on the corner of his mouth, his eyes grew icy with rage.

"What exactly happened here?"

"Grandfather, it was Zhao Ang who hit me!"

Zhou Qi filed his complaint without hesitation. Zhao Ang retorted with a sarcastic sneer.

"Oh, pray tell, how old is the Young Duke this year? Can't win a fight, so you run to get your parents?"

"You..."

Zhou Qi was provoked again, but the Duke of Ding pressed a hand down on him.

"Zhao Rong, you must give me an explanation for this!"

"An explanation? To hell with that! My grandson is right—only a child would run to his elders after losing a fight." The Old Prince stroked his beard, showing no restraint. "Old Zhou, your grandson is truly a piece of work!"

"How boorish! I shall report today's events to His Majesty."

"Fine. Go ahead and let the Emperor decide on the matter of you harming my grandson and killing my household guards."

Hearing the Duke of Ding say this, Zhao Ang realized why Zhou Qi was the way he was. It was a classic case of "the upper beam is crooked, so the lower beam is askew." This Duke of Ding was no good either!

"Let him decide then! I have never feared anyone!"

"Zhao Ang, we are returning to the estate!"

The Old Prince didn't even glance at the Duke of Ding as he climbed into his carriage. Zhao Ang had to admit, he truly admired the Old Prince’s temperament.

"As you command, Grandfather."

Zhao Ang replied, then ordered Liu Yu to bring Jiang Qin over. Ignoring her resistance, Zhao Ang grabbed her hand and looked provocatively at Zhou Qi.

"I said it before: this woman belongs to me!"

Jiang Qin glared at Zhao Ang in annoyance, but out of respect for the Old Prince, she remained silent.

"You..."

"Enough! Is the embarrassment not enough for you?"

Scolded by the Duke of Ding, Zhou Qi dared not speak further, but his hatred for Zhao Ang deepened. The grudge of stealing a man's woman was unforgivable, especially since he had been humiliated by having his face struck repeatedly. One day, he would make Zhao Ang pay.

"Old man, how did you and the Duke of Ding end up here?"

After dropping the carriage curtain, Zhao Ang asked with some confusion. It was just a brawl; there was no need to trouble both of these old men, was there?

"This matter... I will tell you when we return!" The Old Prince looked around, closed his eyes to rest, and said no more.

However, the news that Zhao Ang and Zhou Qi had come to blows over a woman from the martial arts world, and that several household guards had been killed, spread throughout the capital.

"Is this woman really that beautiful? It’s one thing for the Young Prince to be a wastrel, but why is Young Master Zhou acting so foolishly, too?"

"Beautiful? She is a beauty unparalleled in this world!"

"Haven't you heard? It wasn't just the two young masters; even the Duke of Ding and the Prince of Zhennan were arguing over her!"

The rumors grew increasingly absurd, dragging both high-ranking officials into the fray.

"So, who ended up with the woman?"

"The Young Prince, of course. His family commands the Zhennan Army and the Black Tiger Army."

"Even the current Emperor has to yield to him three parts; how could the Duke of Ding possibly snatch her away?"

These words were clearly meant to frame the Prince of Zhennan’s estate as disloyal and treacherous. By the time this rumor surfaced, it had been less than half a day since the fight. If there wasn't someone pulling the strings behind the scenes, the Old Prince would gladly hand his head over to be kicked like a ball!

"So, the Emperor cannot even wait a single year?" Zhao Ang realized the gravity of the situation. "Is he trying to use this incident to strip you of your military power?"

The Old Prince tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes showing a touch of agitation. "That is exactly it. Therefore, your training of the troops must be moved up as soon as possible."

"Don't worry, Grandfather. I already have a plan in mind."

Zhao Ang nodded, exchanging a look with the Old Prince. The Old Prince understood immediately. He picked up a whip and began to strike Zhao Ang, his expression shifting into one of fury.

"I’ll teach you to fight over women! You wretched son, how are you worthy of being a member of the Zhao family?"

"If I'm not worthy, then so be it! You think I care?" Zhao Ang roared back, his face flushed and neck thick with feigned rage. "If I had a choice, I’d rather be a simple farmer in the fields!"

Liu Yu, standing to the side, was stunned. Weren't the two of them just fine a moment ago?

"Fine! My Prince of Zhennan’s estate has no room for an unfilial son like you! Get out!"

The Old Prince, appearing to be at the height of his rage, kicked Zhao Ang out of the estate. Of course, he didn't use any real force, keeping up his character as a man who always pampered his grandson.

"Fine, I'm leaving! You think I care to stay in this Prince of Zhennan’s estate anyway?"

Zhao Ang scrambled up, cursed a few times with his hands on his hips, and then left with Liu Yu. He even ordered Liu Yu to carry Jiang Qin along with him.

In an instant, the capital was buzzing again.

"The Young Prince... has he really left home?"

"Isn't it obvious? If you ask me, the Old Prince must have been truly furious to actually drive the Young Prince away."

"That's not necessarily true. I think that Zhao Ang just wants to go out and have some fun."

"Who leaves home and takes a maid with them?"

"He's just finding a way to go out and chase women!"

Once one person said this, the others burst into laughter. Zhao Ang’s impression on them was so deep that the aristocratic families who received the news didn't doubt it for a moment. No one even sent people to tail Zhao Ang; instead, they kept a closer watch on the Prince of Zhennan’s estate.

"Your Highness, can the Young Prince really train the troops well?"

Since the Old Prince intended for Zhao Ang to take command of the Black Tiger Army, he no longer kept certain things from Wang Xin. Watching Zhao Ang’s departing figure, Wang Xin felt a bit worried.

"What are you afraid of? He is a man of my Zhao family; the ability to train troops is in his blood!"

Compared to Wang Xin, the Old Prince was full of confidence. Wang Xin didn't say anything more, but he still had his doubts. After all... could Zhao Ang's previous reputation as a wastrel really have been an act?

Outside the city, Liu Yu was driving the carriage.

"Young Prince, where are we going now?"

Although he didn't know why his master had run away from home, Liu Yu only knew how to obey.

"To Nanshan, on the outskirts of the capital."

After Zhao Ang finished speaking, he looked at Jiang Qin. To keep up the ruse, he had ordered Liu Yu to tie her up inside the carriage before leaving the city. He hadn't paid much attention at the time, but now he noticed that the way Jiang Qin was bound made her figure look remarkably curvaceous.

"What kind of look is that? I’m telling you, I agreed to be your subordinate to the Prince. Don't you dare have any improper thoughts about me!"

"We've already left the city. Aren't you going to untie me?"

The beauty’s slight anger was indeed a sight to behold. Zhao Ang thought to himself as his hands moved.

"What are you doing?" Jiang Qin struggled instinctively. Zhao Ang didn't stop, but pretended to be confused.

"Didn't you ask me to untie the ropes? Hey, stop moving! I don't want to accidentally touch you somewhere I shouldn't!"

Seeing Jiang Qin still struggling, Zhao Ang’s hands brushed against her chest. Jiang Qin froze, glaring at Zhao Ang.

"Pervert!"

Seeing Zhao Ang’s hands beginning to wander where they shouldn't, Jiang Qin gritted her teeth.

"Oh... my mistake. I'll stop moving. You just untie them properly!"