Chapter 72 Head-to-Head
Qi Heng said, "It seems the matter is clear now. Punish them as appropriate."
Gao Shaoguang turned around and bowed to him: "It is Your Highness."
Tao Tao's eyes darted around, a flash of inspiration appearing in them. She said, "The government office imprisoned me for no reason, which caused me great mental harm. I'm not feeling well right now."
"So, Your Highness, it's only right that I ask them for compensation, isn't it?"
Everyone was stunned, especially Gao Shaoguang, who stared at her with wide eyes.
No one has ever dared to ask the government for money for this reason before. This young lady is really bold.
Qi Heng looked slightly surprised, but still nodded: "You're right. What kind of compensation do you want? How about I have the government compensate you with silver?"
Upon hearing this, Tao Tao nodded quickly, afraid that he would change his mind.
"Since the government has set an example, Master Yang and Boss Liang can't refuse to give it to us."
She turned to look at the two people kneeling on the ground and smiled playfully: "I don't want much. Although we are in the funeral business, we also value auspiciousness. Eighty-eight taels of silver per person will be enough."
Isn't that enough? This is truly outrageous.
Yang Zhengxian looked embarrassed, looked up at the important figures, and found that the Crown Prince had tacitly agreed. He could only smile wryly and respond.
Liang Yongsheng still wanted to make a last-ditch effort: "My lord, all of this was instructed by the Ye family. I hope you will be lenient in your punishment."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Ye suddenly sat up straight and shouted, "Liang Yongsheng, you owe me all of this! If I hadn't given you my money when I got married, would you have been able to open this shop?!"
"That was your own choice! If I hadn't opened the shop, your parents would still be lying dead in the wilderness!"
Watching the two bicker like dogs, Yang Zhengxian's temples throbbed with anger: "Ye Shuning! Is the child in your belly mine or not?"
"Aunt Ye was brought back to her senses by the roar, and cried out, 'Master, this child in my womb is truly yours; I have not uttered a single lie.'"
Actually, she didn't know if it was his or Liang Yongsheng's, but in order to protect herself, she couldn't tell the truth.
"Judge?" Tao Tao called out to him.
That Gao Shaoguang is so clueless! She already said eighty-eight taels, why doesn't he hurry up and take it out? She has to remind him.
He looked at her, met her resentful gaze, and immediately understood what she meant. He was speechless for a moment, and his lips twitched.
He then took the purse from his waist, opened it, glanced at it, and tossed it to her.
Tao Tao watched as a parabola streaked across the sky, then quickly reached out to catch it. Holding the heavy object in her hands, she instantly beamed with joy.
Sun Lanci suddenly rushed out and kicked Liang Yongsheng in the chest, angrily shouting, "You bastard! You heartless leopard, how dare you harm my Sun family!"
"Lord Gao, you must tear this bastard to pieces, cut him into a thousand pieces! And Yang Zhengxian, that heartless and ungrateful man, and that poisonous woman!"
"Alright."
Qi Heng's displeased voice came from behind.
Sun Lanhuai quickly went up to pull his brother back. Sun Lanci realized what had happened and broke out in a cold sweat. He hurriedly knelt down and admitted his mistake.
Tao Tao then looked at Yang Zhengxian and smiled, "Mr. Yang, please go ahead with your business. I believe we are all people who value integrity in business. I will come to collect it again tomorrow."
"By the way, it seems that Mr. Liang can no longer hold a funeral for your Madam. How about I take the loss and handle the funeral arrangements myself?"
Liang Yongsheng looked up, his eyes bloodshot, staring intently at her as if he wanted to devour her.
Sun Lanci glanced at Qi Heng and quickly said, "It is an honor for our Sun family that young lady is willing to help. Then young lady, please take care of it."
"No problem."
With money, everything is negotiable.
"Miss Tao, I would like to ask you some questions. Would you be willing to come to the Waterside Residence and have tea with me?"
Qi Heng looked at her, her eyes gentle, her lips slightly upturned, and she was extremely approachable.
Before Tao Tao could speak, she heard Duan Gan's voice.
“Your Highness, Tao Tao is a funeral director specially invited by the Privy Council. He has important matters to attend to at the moment and is afraid he cannot keep his appointment with Your Highness. I hope Your Highness will forgive him.”
Duan Gan stepped forward slowly, his expression indifferent.
"What if I refuse?"
Qi Heng looked up and stared at him, her thumb turning the thumb ring on her right hand.
Tao Tao stood between the two, looking back and forth with a puzzled expression, sensing that something was amiss.
Unbeknownst to them, the smell of gunpowder mixed with gunpowder smoke filled the air.
"Yes, Your Highness, I am free."
Tao Tao stood in front of Qi Heng, blocking their view of each other.
"If that's the case, then come with me."
Qi Heng walked briskly ahead, with Tao Tao and Shen Lin each walking a step behind him on either side.
The crowd said in unison, "Respectfully seeing off His Highness the Crown Prince."
Duan Gan watched their departing figures, pursed his thin, cold lips, and his eyes seemed to be shrouded in a thin mist, making it impossible to see the emotions in his eyes.
"Fourth Master?"
Chen Jinghe said cautiously from the side.
He said nothing and walked straight towards the door, and Chen Jinghe quickly followed.
"Respectfully seeing off the Ambassador."
The important figures have all left; it's time to deal with them.
Gao Shaoguang turned his attention to Liang Yongsheng and the others.
Wangyang Lake Water Residence is a six-story pavilion built next to the water, with exquisite decorations. Standing on the high ground, you can take in all the beautiful scenery.
Tao Tao stood by the window gazing into the distance. The surface of Wangyang Lake shimmered in the sunlight, displaying a kaleidoscope of colors. A boatman glided slowly across the water in a small boat.
"Xiao Tao?"
She turned her head in confusion.
"May I call you that?"
Qi Heng picked up the teacup, took a sip, and as the steam rose, her eyes became even clearer and more sincere.
It is truly rare to see royal children with such eyes.
Tao Tao paused for a moment, then replied, "Of course, Your Highness can give me anything you want."
"Xiao Tao, you don't need to be so formal. Just call me Yanli."
"Isn't this against the rules?"
He waved his hand dismissively and laughed, "As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, so does that mean we're friends?"
friend?
The Qiu family wanted to kill her, so what does His Highness the Crown Prince mean by this?
The two were like oil and water. Logically speaking, since Duan Gan had said that she was a funeral director of the Privy Council, he should be wary of her. What was he up to?
“Of course we are friends, Yan…Li.”
She called out hesitantly, sounding somewhat awkward and unaccustomed.
When Qi Heng heard her call him by his courtesy name, his brows and eyes relaxed even more. "I'm very curious, how could a young lady like you do these things?"
"Driven by life's necessities, people always have to make a living."
She spoke casually, as if this line of work was nothing out of the ordinary for her.
"Xiao Tao, you've worked hard."
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