Outside the northernmost courtyard of the palace where Zou Heng lived, the two looked up at the plaque and found that there was no plaque at all.

"Brother, is this the courtyard where Master lives?"

"We came here according to the directions given by that auspicious guard, so we shouldn't have gone wrong."

"Oh, shall we go in then?"

"Go in, why don't you go in?"

Qin Jingmu, who was standing at the door, knocked on it. After hearing a voice from inside saying "Come in," the two of them pushed open the door and went inside.

Zou Heng, who had just finished his shift and was taking a break, was drinking porridge when he saw that the person who came in was Qin Jingmu or Qin Jingtai, and he couldn't help but spit it out.

"puff--"

Realizing his lapse in composure, Zou Heng immediately wiped his mouth on his sleeve before speaking.

"Why have Your Highnesses come to my humble abode?"

"Master, you've really made us search so hard!"

"???"

"Commander Zou, Jingtai and I have come to become your disciples."

As he spoke, Qin Jingmu pulled Qin Jingtai into a gesture of respect.

Upon hearing that Qin Jingmu and Qin Jingtai wanted to become disciples, Zou Heng, who had just stood up, immediately took a few steps back.

"Your Highnesses, I am of limited knowledge and ability and am not qualified to be your teacher."

In reality, Zou Heng was thinking: I can't afford to take on either of you apprentices; they're too expensive and too much of a hassle. I heard that His Majesty sent someone to Consort Shu's residence these past few days to request "Wei Zi Mudan" (a type of peony).

"How could that be? My brother and I both believe that Master is highly skilled in martial arts, and possesses both courage and wisdom."

The clueless Qin Jingtai naturally had no idea what Zou Heng was thinking, but Qin Jingmu, seeing Zou Heng take three steps back, more or less guessed what was going on.

"Yes, Master, Jingtai and I sincerely wish to become your disciples."

At this moment, Qin Jingmu also spoke up, leaving Zou Heng completely bewildered.

"Well... Your Highnesses, the main problem is that I don't currently have the intention to take on disciples. Perhaps you two could find another master?"

"Master..."

"Master is joking. We'll come back when Master is ready to accept Jingtai and me."

Qin Jingmu interrupted Qin Jingtai and continued speaking. After finishing, he led Qin Jingtai away from the courtyard where Zou Heng lived.

"Master, this disciple takes his leave."

"What are you standing there for, Qin Jingtai? Let's go!"

Standing there, Zou Heng watched Qin Jingmu and Qin Jingtai walk further and further away, and he had a feeling that something bad was about to happen to him.

The thought that Qin Jingmu and Qin Jingtai knew where I lived still intrigued me; relatively few people knew my address.

So Zou Heng called for help.

"good luck"

Two men dressed as guards entered. "Commander..."

"Investigate how the two princes found out where I live."

"yes"

Dali bowed and prepared to go out to investigate.

Zou Heng saw that Daji was still standing there, so he turned his gaze to Daji.

Why aren't you going?

"Hehe, Commander, there's no need for Dali to investigate. I know who told the two princes."

"Now that Dali is back, tell me, who told the two princes?"

Dali returned after receiving the order, and then both Zou Heng and Dali looked at Daji.

Daji felt embarrassed and scratched his head, grinning foolishly as he looked at Zou Heng.

"Commander, that's what my subordinate said."

"What did you say?"

Zou Heng thought he had misheard, so he picked at his ear with his little finger, signaling Daji to repeat himself.

"Commander, I said it was I who told the two princes."

"hehe"

When Daji saw Zou Heng smile, he immediately felt that he had made the right decision back then.

"You said that?"

"Yes, Your Highnesses said they were the commander's apprentices, so I informed them."

"Daji, come here, come here."

Zou Heng smiled and told Daji to come over. Daji, thinking he was about to receive praise from Zou Heng, ran faster than anyone else.

On the other hand, Dali had a feeling that Daji was going to have bad luck, and Dali's prediction came true.

"ah--!!"

Zou Heng punched Daji in the stomach.

Daji, who had been hit, looked at Zou Heng with a wronged expression, not understanding why he had been beaten.

Zou Heng smiled and said this while playing the "Big Luck" card.

"You were the one who told the two princes where I lived, weren't you?"

"It's because..."

"ah--!!!"

"You still know how to talk back?"

"I see you're asking for a beating, let me give you a good scrub."

After Zou Heng finished, Dali saw that Daji's entire face was covered in bruises and swollen.

Zou Heng stood to the side, rubbing his wrist, and said, "Go and guard the city gate for two months."

Daji, who had been beaten and dared not utter a word, obediently accepted his orders and left the courtyard where Zou Heng lived.

——————

Walking along the palace path leading back to Liuyun Pavilion, the two brothers chatted casually.

"Brother, why are we leaving?"

"Last time, Zou Heng found out we were waiting for him outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, so he quietly left."

"If we stay in his yard again this time, he probably won't come back."

"Brother, what do we do?"

You'll find out tomorrow.

Looking completely bewildered, Qin Jingtai had no choice but to listen to Qin Jingmu.

——————

In the Imperial Garden

"Daddy~"

"What's wrong, Xiaoxi'er?"

"I want to eat that candy from last time."

Clever little Xi'er even knew how to use hand gestures, but Qin Jue didn't quite understand because her gestures were too exaggerated.

"That candy?"

"Daddy, you're so silly! It's the candy Fang Xuxu bought!"

Now Qin Jue finally understood what Xiao Xi'er meant.

"How about Father asks the imperial kitchen to make you candied hawthorns?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!