Did Chapter 80 make you feel better?
Upon seeing the newcomer, the two spoke in unison, their voices filled with barely concealed surprise:
What are you doing here?
Li Bao'er took Feng Li out, never intending to hide her identity as the mastermind behind the largest black market in the capital. Recently, various rumors have been circulating, suggesting that undercurrents are surging in the capital. She needs a powerful and legitimate "backer" to provide protection in the open, and her newlywed husband, Prince Jing, is undoubtedly the best candidate.
After all, they were family, and also allies. She decided to give him 30% of the black market's revenue. This was a golden opportunity. She had put in a lot of effort to build this place from scratch into what it is today.
She had originally planned to tell him after returning home, but she didn't expect Mu Cenlin to appear here so quickly.
Mu Cenlin had a special way of contacting Feng Li, Yuan Ting, and Zhu Zhi. After learning where Li Bao'er was on the way, he rushed over. He had anticipated all sorts of troubles, but he never expected to run into her, who usually seemed so delicate, holding a dagger and looking fierce as if she was about to teach someone a lesson herself.
What a pleasant surprise!
He didn't even glance at the spoiled brat pinned to the table. Instead, he grabbed Li Bao'er's wrist and gently pulled her behind him, saying in an absolutely protective manner, "You should be the one to respond to me first." His voice was unreadable.
Immediately, Mu Cenlin lowered his phoenix eyes and looked at Li Bao'er's incongruous outfit. A faint surprise flashed in his eyes, followed by a playful teasing. He looked her up and down without any hesitation: "It seems that you have more secrets than I imagined, young master."
As he spoke, he raised his hand, his slender fingers gently hooking the edge of Li Bao'er's veil, and before she could react, he had gracefully removed it.
Her veil slipped down, revealing a pale complexion that was usually frail, now tinged with a thin blush from her anger and agitation. Her dark hair was tied up with a simple scholar's cap, revealing a smooth, full forehead and the clear contours of her face.
The navy blue long gown she wore looked rather loose, which only accentuated her slender neck. Without any makeup, her features appeared exceptionally clear and distinct. Her almond-shaped eyes, which always carried a hint of mistiness, were now unusually bright with surprise. Her lips were tightly pressed together, revealing a stubbornness and heroic spirit unlike anything she had ever shown before.
This outfit concealed her feminine charm, but strangely highlighted her untamed spirit, making her look like a handsome and refined young gentleman with a unique and captivating charm.
Mu Cenlin's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, his eyes darkening, and his teasing smile deepened. His princess consort truly brought him "surprises" every time they met.
Then, his icy, emotionless gaze fell upon the rich boy's face, contorted with fear, as if he were looking at a dead object.
"Apologize." He parted his thin lips slightly and uttered two words.
The spoiled young master was pinned down, yet he remained defiant, struggling and roaring, "You... what are you?! How dare you demand an apology from me?! Do you know who my father is?! My father is the Vice Magistrate of the Capital Prefecture! If you dare touch me, my father will never let you dogs get away with this!"
“Wang Jing, the Vice Magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture?” Mu Cenlin’s voice interrupted him coldly, his tone indifferent. “Last year, he embezzled 30,000 taels of tax silver in the canal transport. This spring, under the pretext of repairing the imperial mausoleum, he used inferior goods to fill his own pockets with 57,000 taels. Last month, he even allowed his servants to seize farmland in the south of the city, driving three tenant farmers to their deaths. Do I need to continue?”
With each word he spoke, the rich young man's face grew paler, until finally he was completely pale, trembling like a leaf, his eyes filled with unbelievable terror!
How could this person know so much about these things... these extremely secret things his father did?! Even the amounts were accurate to the last penny!
"Who...who are you?!" His voice trembled as he finally realized the gravity of the situation.
Mu Cenlin did not answer, but simply turned slightly to the side and adjusted his posture.
This subtle movement revealed a jade pendant that was hidden under the hem of his black robe. The jade pendant was of excellent quality, with lifelike carvings of dragons and auspicious clouds. This was definitely not something that an ordinary nobleman could wear!
The spoiled young master's gaze was fixed on the jade pendant, his pupils suddenly shrinking to the size of pinpoints! No matter how stupid or spoiled he was, he recognized that this was a style only princes were qualified to wear!
Combined with the fact that the other party had just referred to himself as "this king," as well as his cold and stern demeanor and the terrifying knowledge he had of his father's crimes, this was truly terrifying.
A name that had recently risen to fame in Beijing but was feared by many suddenly exploded into his mind!
"You...you are...King Jing...King Jing?!" He screamed incoherently, his voice distorted and cracked by extreme fear.
Having completely confirmed the other party's identity, immense fear instantly gripped him! If his father's deeds were exposed, it would be a crime punishable by the confiscation of his family's property and the extermination of his clan! And falling into the hands of the ruthless Prince Jing... he was doomed!
He no longer cared about saving face, struggling desperately to get up from the table, wailing and begging for mercy with tears streaming down his face: "Your Highness! Your Highness! Spare me! I was blind! I deserve to die! I had a foul mouth! Please spare me, Your Highness! Spare my father! I'll kowtow to this young master and apologize! I'll kowtow!!"
He struggled, almost rolling off the thugs and collapsing to the ground. Then, he desperately started kowtowing repeatedly towards Li Bao'er, his forehead instantly turning red. He cried out incoherently, "Young master, spare me! Young master, spare me! I was talking nonsense! I'm an animal! Please be magnanimous and let me go!"
The gambling den was deathly silent, save for the muffled sounds of the spoiled young master kowtowing and begging for mercy, and his wailing.
Everyone was filled with horror.
Mu Cenlin then lowered his eyes slightly, looked at Li Bao'er beside him, and asked in a calm tone, "Are you satisfied now?"
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