When He Cheng led the palace guards to Fuyou County, the large entourage attracted the attention of the people, who whispered among themselves.

Riding his tall horse, he saw that there were quite a few familiar neighbors among them, and his face, covered by a black cloth, couldn't help but become smug.

If it weren't for the fact that the palace's shadow guards couldn't reveal his identity, he really wanted to make a triumphant return home and let those who once looked down on him open their eyes and see who he was now.

They can't possibly be a match for that!

"Get these nuisances out of the way, lest they tip off that cripple!"

As soon as He Cheng spoke, several guards immediately dispersed the crowd, clearing a path to the clinic.

"Hmph." Compared to these lowly people, he would rather show off his power in front of Fu Zhun again to avenge the past humiliations.

The clinic was located in the center of the city. The originally bustling crowd was chased away by the guards, and soon it became quiet.

He Cheng stopped his horse in front of the clinic and coldly announced, "Prince Zhenbei, His Majesty has issued an edict. Come out immediately to receive the decree!"

However, the clinic was peaceful and quiet, without any response.

He Cheng frowned, raised his voice and shouted, "Prince Zhenbei, you must not disobey the imperial decree! This decree concerns your punishment. Do you intend to defy it?"

"..."

He Cheng's face turned ugly in an instant. He dismounted, walked forward, and pounded on the door knocker, making a loud "bang bang" sound.

"Fu Zhun, do you think you can escape? I am here today on His Majesty's orders to punish you. What are your intentions in trying to run away like this!"

Still no one answered; only the sound of the autumn wind blowing down leaves seemed to grow louder, as if mocking his futile efforts.

"Your Excellency, what should we do? Are we going to force our way in?" the guard asked, shrinking back.

"Heh, force my way in? He's probably just waiting for me to force my way in so he can preemptively pin a stain on my reputation!" He Cheng narrowed his eyes menacingly, turning his gaze to the Su family shop beside him. "However—"

"He has his own schemes, but I have my own ways. If we capture his sweetheart, why should he not show up and answer the call?"

He ordered a few guards to stand watch nearby, and then strode toward the shop. When he reached the back wall, he confidently jumped over it.

In the backyard, Su An was walking out of the kitchen, wearing a light blue cloth dress with a few water stains on the hem. A few strands of hair fell delicately on both sides of her face, making her look beautiful and lively.

Of course, this is assuming you ignore the bowl of swill she was carrying.

"What?! Cheng?!"

As soon as she looked up, she bumped right into He Cheng, who had climbed over the wall. Su An's eyes widened instantly, and her disgust was undisguised.

That's the outfit, that's the greasy and despicable feeling she has no doubt about!

A wave of nausea washed over her. "Oh, so this is some stinking ditch you crawled out of, trying to make trouble for me, huh?"

He Cheng never expected to get it so easily, he just stumbled upon it.

Hearing these words, he didn't take them seriously. He crossed his arms and a smug, provocative smile appeared on his lips. "Su An, you're still as sharp-tongued as ever. You're completely different from my obedient and gentle Xiao An. I must have been out of my mind before to not recognize you."

"However, how long do you think you can be so arrogant? I am here with His Majesty's decree. If you know what's good for you, come with me obediently, and you might suffer less."

"An imperial decree?" Su An laughed immediately. "Don't get me wrong. I'm a law-abiding citizen. I haven't broken any laws. No matter what, His Majesty's decree wouldn't fall on my head, would it?"

If I'm not mistaken, He Cheng is definitely after Fu Zhun, and this time he wants to use me as a hostage to threaten him!

"I think you're just using your petty power to swagger around and boast, aren't you? Don't you even know who you are? Here you're just a spineless scumbag who lives off a woman. If you dare to lay a hand on me, an ordinary citizen, without any reason, I'll immediately report you to the authorities and see if the emperor will side with you once things get out of hand!"

Su An cursed loudly, and seeing He Cheng trembling with anger and about to retort, she suddenly threw the wooden basin in her hand at He Cheng without saying a word.

Go to hell!

A full basin of swill flew straight toward He Cheng like a cannonball.

"You—!" He Cheng was completely taken aback by her sudden attack. His eyes widened in fury as he watched the foul-smelling swill rush towards him. He didn't even have time to dodge.

The swill splashed all over his face with a "splashing" sound, and a few strands of rotten vegetable leaves, smelling sour and putty, went right into his face towel and stuck to his cheeks and the corners of his mouth.

He Cheng froze on the spot, the pungent stench penetrating his nostrils and causing his stomach to spasm violently.

He instinctively opened his mouth as if to roar, but a wet vegetable leaf slid into his mouth. The leaf was covered in swill and filth, carrying a nauseating, rancid smell that spread wildly across his tongue.

Waves of acid surged up from his stomach, his chest heaved violently, and his bloodshot eyes glared at Su An. "Are you looking for death?!"

He suppressed his discomfort and lunged at Su An with a ferocious expression.

"Dark One! Dark Four!" Su An shouted, unleashing her trump card. She didn't want to cause any more trouble if He Chengneng had just retreated, but it seemed that was no longer an option.

However, He Cheng had already grabbed her arms with both hands, and Su An immediately felt a sharp pain, the force of which was so great that it felt like he was going to crush her bones.

Why aren't the two secret agents here yet?

He Cheng's face flushed red as he leaned closer, veins bulging on his forehead, his breath reeking of lingering swill as he roared, "You shameless wretch, how dare you humiliate me like this?! Do you really think I can't do anything to you?!"

"If you don't cooperate and listen to me today, even if I kill you right now, no one will know!"

Su An's face turned several shades pale from the stench, and he immediately sensed something was wrong.

Aren't the guards supposed to be working at the shop? Why haven't they shown up yet, given the commotion?

This is very inappropriate!

"Where did this villain come from!"

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from behind, and Su Jiang's figure, neither too big nor too small, appeared. He was holding a wooden stick in his hand and his eyes were bloodshot as he shouted and rushed toward He Cheng.

"You damned lecher, let go of my sister!"

"Xiao Jiang! Don't come any closer!" Su An cried out in surprise, but Su Jiang wouldn't listen. He ran over and viciously struck He Cheng's arm, which was holding her, with a stick.

As excruciating pain struck, He Cheng's ferocious expression twisted even more violently.

"You little brat, you don't know what's good for you. Well then, I'll teach you a lesson first!"

He Cheng's eyes blazed with fury. He released his grip on Su An and instead grabbed Su Jiang by the collar with lightning speed. With a forceful pull, he lifted Su Jiang high into the air, intending to throw him to the ground!