"Retreat?"

Gu Junze narrowed his eyes, slowly stood up, and glanced at Gu Zhixing's face, pretending not to see the murderous intent in Gu Zhixing's eyes. He said calmly, "The teachers are all on holiday. What brings you here?"

"Thump—"

Without saying a word, Gu Zhixing raised his hand and punched Gu Junze hard in the face.

The punch came quickly and hard. Gu Junze was caught off guard. He felt a blackout before his eyes, his head suddenly turned to one side, his whole body staggered, and he fell heavily onto the chair, his ribs aching from the impact.

The pain made him gasp, and it took him a long time to recover.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

The palace servants nearby cried out in alarm and rushed over to stop him, but Gu Zhixing kicked them hard to the ground.

The palace servant groaned as his head slammed against the door frame, instantly losing consciousness. Blood seeped from his forehead, staining the area red.

Upon seeing this, the guards of the Eastern Palace rushed into the courtyard, wanting to rescue Gu Junze.

However, Chongyang had already led his men to entangle them tightly, and the two sides were on the verge of a fierce battle.

The gates of the East Palace were tightly shut, and those outside had no idea what was happening inside, only hearing the sounds of chaotic fighting.

"Gu Zhixing, are you out of your mind?"

Gu Junze covered his mouth, feeling a sweet, metallic taste. His hair ornament had been knocked to the ground, and his hair was disheveled, hanging in front of his forehead. He looked utterly wretched.

Even when they had a conflict because of Gu Yanqing last time, Gu Zhixing only said a few words to him, but ultimately he was mindful of his status and did not make a move.

I don't know what happened this time, they started attacking right away, like it was a fight to the death.

Gu Zhixing lowered his head, his eyes cold and sharp, staring intently at Gu Junze, as if he were about to pounce on him again.

Gu Junze was now on guard. He raised his hand to block and roared, "Do you really think I'm afraid of you?"

As they spoke, the two began to wrestle.

Both of them had practiced martial arts since childhood, and for a moment they were unable to determine who was better.

Gu Junze threw a punch at Gu Zhixing's face, but Gu Zhixing dodged it by dodging.

Gu Zhixing's fists rained down like a storm, each punch carrying the strong smell of alcohol and anger.

Although his movements were somewhat slow, each punch was extremely vicious, as if he wanted to vent all his resentment on Gu Junze.

Gu Junze was somewhat stunned by the attack. He gritted his teeth and tried to fight back, but Gu Zhixing's offensive was too fierce, and he gradually fell into a disadvantageous position.

Blood trickled from the corner of Gu Junze's mouth. He wiped his face, stared fiercely at Gu Zhixing, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Today I will teach you a lesson about respect and hierarchy!"

The identity of the crown prince spurred him on, making him unable to bear such humiliation. He suddenly threw a punch at Gu Zhixing's face.

Gu Zhixing's head was knocked to one side by the blow. He sneered, shook his head, and tried to clear his head.

Having drunk too much, my head was a little fuzzy for a moment, and I was a bit slow in my movements.

But now that he'd been punched, the effects of the alcohol were gradually wearing off, and his movements became clearer and more ruthless.

Just as Gu Junze was about to throw another punch, Gu Zhixing dodged to the side and then slammed his fist into Gu Junze's abdomen.

Gu Junze groaned, his body bent over like a shrimp, and his face turned deathly pale.

Gu Zhixing's movements became increasingly fierce, his hands and feet moving quickly and ruthlessly. Gu Junze was soon at a disadvantage and had no power to fight back.

He was beaten and rolled around on the ground, his hair disheveled, his clothes in a mess, and blood dripping from the corner of his mouth onto the ground, a horrifying sight.

Gu Zhixing, however, did not stop, each punch filled with intense hatred.

"I wouldn't even dare to touch her, so why are you humiliating her like this?"

As Gu Zhixing spoke, he rained down punches, his fists filled with anger and the smell of alcohol, which fell on Gu Junze like a tidal wave, seemingly trying to shatter his bones.

Gu Junze was forced to endure the beating, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth, his clothes torn to shreds.

Hearing Gu Zhixing's words, he gradually understood what was going on.

It turns out it was all for Shen Jintang!

"Is it really worth it for a woman?"

Gu Junze cursed loudly, his voice filled with contempt and mockery: "Some lowly slut from who-knows-where can make you so infatuated? Is that all you've got?"

Perhaps angered by Gu Zhixing, Gu Junze began to speak recklessly, disregarding his status: "A lowly piece of trash who crawled all the way from a small village to the capital, covered in scars that can't be hidden, yet he speaks so sweetly, saying he met a bad master?"

"Is that the master? That must be the sugar daddy! The scars on her body are from being tortured, how come they didn't kill her?"

Gu Junze's voice grew increasingly shrill, as if he wanted to shatter Gu Zhixing's reason completely.

"A woman who is good-looking, literate, and skilled in all arts and crafts, which farmer could afford to spend so much money to train her? She could only be a kept woman by a wealthy merchant, someone to be entertained. Only you would treat her like a treasure."

"Shut up!"

Gu Zhixing was furious; his eyes were red, and he tightened his grip even more.

His fists rained down like a storm, each punch filled with intense anger and resentment.

In his heart, Shen Jintang was the most precious person in the world, and every word Gu Junze said was like a knife piercing his heart.

Seeing that Gu Zhixing was angry, Gu Junze became even more excited.

The angrier he gets, the happier he feels.

"Shut up? Why should I shut up? It's a fact! Don't you know that too? Otherwise, why are you so angry?"

He was panting heavily, a cruel smile playing on his lips: "Don't be so hasty, this is nothing. After what was said in court today, everyone there is shrewd and knows what's going on. In just a few hours, the reputation of the person you're holding dear will be rotten to the ground!"

Gu Junze struggled to lift his head, his eyes filled with a hint of malice: "A word spoken is a word kept. The rules and etiquette of the capital are strict. I want to see if the spittle of the people of the capital can drown her!"

Gu Zhixing paused for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.

His clenched fist was raised high, veins bulging, but it stopped in mid-air and did not fall.

At that moment, he seemed to understand why his mother had banished Shen Jintang from the capital, and why she said it was for her own good.

In the vortex of Kyoto, Shen Jintang's status was far too low; the slightest disturbance could lead to annihilation.

Seeing this, Gu Junze's smile widened, his smugness overflowing.

He sneered, his tone laced with flippancy and disdain: "Alright, Tuizhi, it's not worth ruining our brotherhood over such a lowly creature."

He paused slightly, then said, "She's just a woman. Your cousin will find you a few more to play with. Once you've seen enough, she'll be nothing special."

Gu Zhixing slowly stood up, his eyes as cold as a piece of ancient ice, exuding a chilling aura.