Chapter 169 Delirious Prince

Lu Bohong and Zhan Fujun strolled through the increasingly bustling streets of the capital, remaining silent the entire way.

As Zhanfu sat upright on her horse, her gaze quietly fell upon the tall, straight back of the figure in front of her.

He had broad shoulders and a steady gait, as if he could shield her from all the storms of the world, which gradually calmed her anxious heart and brought her a sense of warmth and peace.

Lu Bohong was completely focused on the road ahead, gripping the reins with extreme caution, as if they weighed a ton.

His hearing was keen, and he was constantly on the lookout for the slightest sounds behind him, afraid that the horse's hooves might falter and disturb the quiet young lady who seemed to be invisible.

Just as we arrived at a bustling street corner.

Suddenly, a servant-like man rushed out from the side alley and charged headfirst into the horse's head!

Lu Bohong reacted extremely quickly, stepping to the side to protect the horse in the blink of an eye. He forcefully parried the man with his left arm while simultaneously gripping the reins tightly with his right hand and pulling them back to firmly control the startled horse that was slightly rearing up.

The entire set of movements was clean and crisp, showcasing the true nature of a martial artist.

He immediately turned around, his gaze urgently seeking out Zhanfu: "Are you hurt? Were you frightened?"

Still shaken, Zhanfujun gripped the saddle tightly with one hand, while instinctively protecting the three books in her arms with the other.

She looked up at the sound, and as the light gauze swayed, she met Lu Bohong's anxious and concerned gaze. Her heart warmed slightly, and she shook her head, her voice trembling slightly but clear: "It's...it's alright. Thank you, Mr. Lu."

Seeing that she was indeed unharmed, Lu Bohong finally relaxed.

Turning to look at the reckless servant, he frowned and his tone turned serious: "How can you be so reckless in the marketplace! What if you startle the horse or injure someone?"

Knowing he was in the wrong, the servant repeatedly bowed and apologized.

Zhanfujun saw this and smiled, pursing her lips.

Before long, Lu Bohong escorted Zhanfujun to the imposing vermilion gate of the Marquis of Anguo's residence.

He was about to knock on the door when Zhanfu stopped him softly.

"Young Master Lu, this is enough." She said softly, then dismounted and curtsied to him. The light veil of her hat concealed her expression. "Thank you for protecting me all the way, Young Master. Please also thank Lady Zhaoruo for saving me. I will remember this kindness forever."

Seeing her so distant and polite, Lu Bohong felt a sudden unease and hurriedly said, "Zhan... Madam, there's no need for this. This is just my duty..."

Seeing the simple and embarrassed look between his heroic brows, Zhanfujun couldn't help but smile again.

She hugged the books in her arms tighter, lowered her head, and turned to walk towards the deep, narrow alleyway on the side of the high wall.

That was the path leading directly to the side gate of the mansion.

Lu Bohong stood there, stunned.

Even if she was an unfavored concubine's daughter, why was she not allowed to return home through the main gate?

He gripped the reins tightly, halting his horse, his gaze fixed intently on that slender yet upright figure, feeling a strange tightness in his chest.

Just as Zhanfujun reached the side gate, the low door creaked open from the inside.

A shrewd-looking, well-dressed old woman leaned out.

She was a respected aunt in the household, in charge of the trivial matters of the inner quarters.

Upon seeing that it was Zhan Fujun, her face instantly filled with undisguised disgust and mockery: "Oh! Who do we have here! It's our precious concubine's daughter, Fujun, who has returned?"

The old woman's voice was shrill and particularly jarring in the quiet alley, "Didn't you go out for a spring outing with the eldest mistress, steal things, and get left outside to fend for yourself? How dare you even step foot in front of this Marquis's mansion!"

Zhanfu trembled, lowered her head even further, bit her lip tightly and remained silent, wanting only to quickly squeeze past her into the doorway.

Seeing that she was swallowing her anger, the old woman became even more arrogant. She suddenly turned around and brought out a basin of murky sewage from the back of the door, and splashed it all over Zhanfu Jun's face!

"You have to wash away the bad luck before entering this gate! Don't bring your poverty, filth, and thieving habits from outside into the Marquis's mansion!"

The dirty water instantly soaked through Zhanfujun's clothes, and water droplets dripped down her veil. She stood frozen in place, and the books she was clutching tightly in her arms were also mostly wet.

"presumptuous!"

A deafening explosion!

Upon seeing this scene, Lu Bohong felt a surge of anger rising within him, which he could no longer suppress.

He abruptly threw down the reins, strode forward, and shielded the soaking wet and shivering Zhanfujun behind him. His gaze was like a knife, piercing the terrified old woman: "How dare a mere servant bully her master like this? This is the bloodline of the Marquis of Anguo, how can you treat her like this! Is this the rule of the Marquis's mansion?"

His voice was booming and his demeanor was imposing.

The old woman was so shocked that she was speechless for a moment, her face turned pale, and she staggered back half a step.

Zhanfu stared blankly at the tall, straight back blocking her way, a sudden surge of bittersweet warmth welling up in her heart, her heart pounding.

The old woman composed herself and carefully looked Lu Bohong up and down.

Although he had an extraordinary bearing, his clothes were simple and not the typical appearance of a noble son of a high-ranking official in the capital. I looked down on him a bit and puffed out my chest to question him: "Who are you? How dare you act so wildly in front of the Marquis of Anguo's mansion!"

Lu Bohong declared loudly, "I am Lu Bohong, a martial arts graduate from Jizhou, and I have now achieved the highest rank in the martial arts examination! My trip to the capital is precisely to take the provincial examination!"

"Wu Jieyuan?"

Upon hearing this, the old woman's lips curled into an undisguised sneer.

As a long-time aunt of the Marquis's family, she had seen a lot. Even if a martial arts graduate from another region passed the provincial examination and became a Jinshi, or even if he had a stroke of luck and became the Zhuangyuan in the palace examination, he was still just a martial artist who had just entered officialdom. He had no roots or foundation and was nothing compared to a noble family like the Marquis's family.

She scoffed coldly, drawing out her words: "Oh... I thought you were some important VIP, but you're just a martial arts scholar..."

"Granny Cao!"

Suddenly, Zhanfujun, who had been silent all along, spoke up.

She stepped forward and stood beside Lu Bohong. Although she was soaked and looked a little disheveled, her voice carried an unprecedented coolness and composure: "On my way back, I almost lost my life. It was General Xiao Yeming, who happened to be passing by on his triumphant return, who personally rescued me."

She turned her gaze to Lu Bohong, deliberately softening her tone: "This young master Lu is a close friend of General Xiao. He was entrusted by General Xiao and Lady Zhaoruo, who is about to meet the emperor and has made meritorious contributions to the donation of the navy, to protect me all the way. General Xiao also said that after meeting the emperor, he will hold a banquet at his residence and invite me to come over for a chat."

The words "General Xiao" instantly dispelled the arrogance on Granny Cao's face, turning it into fear and apprehension.

Who in the capital doesn't know the name Xiao Yeming these days?

That was a powerful figure who was about to meet the emperor, had made great contributions, and held military power!

Let alone a servant like her, even her master would have to be very polite to her!

Her waist went limp instantly, and she bowed respectfully, her voice trembling uncontrollably: "So, you are General Xiao's distinguished guest! This old servant was blind and offended you, my lord. Please forgive me! Forgive me!"

She hurriedly stepped aside to make way, her face plastered with a fawning smile: "Sister Fu, please come in quickly! This old servant will go and prepare hot water and ginger soup right away!"

Zhanfu nodded slightly, without glancing at Granny Cao again.

She turned around, curtsied to Lu Bohong, and said softly, "Thank you, Young Master Lu. Please go back now."

Despite his many concerns, Lu Bohong could only nod at this moment.

He watched her straighten her back and walk step by step into the deep corner door until the door slowly closed, concealing her slender figure.

He clenched his fists, stood outside the door, and remained there for a long time.