According to procedure, after the unveiling ceremony, Zhao Cheng should take the guests on a tour of the manor, and then prepare drinks to treat them to a feast.
But after this incident, as soon as Wang Yufeng left, the guests all found excuses to leave.
"Young Prime Minister, I'm so sorry, but I have an appointment for lunch today, which was made three days ago. I can't cancel it!"
"Young Prime Minister, my twenty-eighth concubine has suddenly gone into premature labor, I must go there immediately!"
"Young Prime Minister, my male dog has slept with the Minister's female dog. I must go and apologize immediately!"
"Um... I... oh right, my sow is about to give birth..."
"..."
The young masters all left in a flash, and even Li Guanyu, not wanting to be left behind, made an excuse to slip away.
Zhao Cheng and Wang Yufeng have completely broken off relations. It would have been fine if they hadn't been there, but now that they've witnessed it firsthand, they have no choice but to take sides. If they stay here and continue eating and drinking with Zhao Cheng, they'll inevitably incur Wang Yufeng's resentment.
Being hated is secondary; what's more important is to catch up with General Zhaoyong and grovel before him!
He's been chosen by the Left Chancellor and will soon be sent to the Western Capital to receive his official title, followed by military training. His future is limitless...
Now is General Wang's most vulnerable moment, like a sentimental woman who has just suffered a heartbreak...
If not now, when?
The once bustling manor gates suddenly became sparsely populated. Zhao Wu glared angrily at the dust kicked up by the crowd and muttered, "Master, these bastards..."
"Good riddance. You gave a gift but didn't even eat. Doesn't that save me money?"
Zhao Cheng looked at Xu An, who was stroking Mr. Pu's calligraphy, and asked, "Everyone's gone to fawn over Wang Yufeng, why aren't you going?"
"One bite from each person, how disgusting!"
"You're a clean person? I never knew that!"
"I was standing right next to you when Wang Yufeng was about to make a move, and now you're running off to fawn over him? What do you take me for, Xu An? A fickle little man?"
Xu An glanced at Zhao Cheng and said, "I'll go later."
"How come I never noticed how honest you were before!" If Xu An weren't the only guest, Zhao Cheng would have kicked him to death.
"I have to lick his boots... My dad has it tough in Xidu. It's fine if I can't help him, but I can't cause him any trouble."
Xu An looked up at the lintel and said, "Aren't you going to take me inside to have a look?"
It's clear that Xu An still has an affection for this manor. Usually, when guests visit a friend's new home, it's just a quick tour, a perfunctory gesture to express their blessings for the friend's happy life—that's enough. But Xu An toured the entire vast manor, and even the host, Zhao Cheng, was exhausted before finally leaving after eating and drinking at Zhao Cheng's arrangement.
"He's not a bad person."
Yang Cai'e walked out from behind Zhao Cheng and watched Xu An's departing figure as he left the manor.
Zhao Cheng said, "Of course he's not a bad person, he's my god of wealth."
Yang Cai'e said, "When he took me away, I thought I was doomed because of his lecherous appearance. But he never touched me, not even took advantage of me."
Zhao Cheng smiled knowingly, understanding the purpose behind Yang Cai'e's words.
I knew all along that you were still a virgin...
"Don't think too highly of people; it's possible that he's not up to the task."
Yang Cai'e: "..."
Zhao Cheng looked at Yang Cai'e and asked, "Why did you say that when Wang Yufeng asked you just now?"
What did I say?
"You said... I'm the best man you've ever met..."
"I was just talking nonsense. I've never lived with you, how would I know if you're a good person or not?"
"You didn't know you were so sure?"
Yang Cai'e tilted her head and gave Zhao Cheng a bright smile, a gesture that made Zhao Cheng's heart flutter and made her look extremely cute.
She said, "Whether you are my master, my boss, or a man, as a woman, I will never let you lose face in front of outsiders!"
Zhao Cheng was stunned. This knowledge, this vision, this perspective...
What a wonderful wife!
Zhao Cheng was moved, his emotions taking over his body, and his feelings overcame his reason. He instinctively put his arm around Yang Cai'e's shoulder, wanting to pull her into his arms.
Yang Cai'e, however, spun around like an eel and slipped out of Zhao Cheng's grasp, then ran quickly into the garden.
"I'm going to chat with my sister for a bit, then I'll head back to the bookstore!"
Even in broad daylight, Zhao Cheng's heart was stirred up so much that he cursed Yang Cai'e's little vixen as he watched her retreating figure.
At that moment, a dark figure silently appeared behind him.
"Young Master."
"Holy crap!!" Zhao Cheng, who was lost in Yang Cai'e's tender embrace, was startled. He turned around and saw a soldier in black armor. He patted his chest and said, "General He Zhi, can't you make a little noise when you walk?"
"I'm used to being quiet and discreet while working at the Prime Minister's residence."
"You can fart as soon as you get close to me!"
"I had porridge this morning, a light meal, so I didn't have any diarrhea."
Seeing He Zhi's serious expression, Zhao Cheng lost all desire to tease him.
That's just how this person is; he never jokes.
Zhao Cheng calling him Grand General was naturally a respectful title, but He Zhi had also reached the rank of General Zhenyuan during the late emperor's reign, which was a fourth-rank official position. Later, the Fubing (military garrison) suffered almost a complete collapse, and He Zhi remained among the last three hundred men, becoming the Fubing Commandant. He was in charge of the one hundred Fubing soldiers who remained in Yanchuan.
So when they confronted each other in front of the manor earlier, Wang Yufeng introduced himself as General Zhaoyong, but He Zhi didn't even give him a second glance.
I, a dignified fourth-rank general, am busy guarding the house and yard. How dare you, a mere sixth-rank nobody, come to the outhouse to find shit?
He Zhi had a stern face. His personality was just like his appearance: rigid, serious, and taciturn. He almost never chatted with Zhao Cheng. Now that he had taken the initiative to come to Zhao Cheng, Zhao Cheng knew that he must have something to say.
Zhao Cheng looked around and, seeing no one nearby, said, "Speak."
“I arranged for someone to follow Wang Yufeng. After he drove away those young masters, he took Chen Yuxian back to the General’s Mansion.”
"The Vice Minister of War and Wang Yufeng are inseparable..." Zhao Cheng analyzed the key points in He Zhi's words.
“As per the young master’s instructions, we have been keeping an eye on Chen Yuxian for a long time. Based on the information we have so far, he is very likely to incite Wang Yufeng to take revenge on you.”
Zhao Cheng squinted and said, "I know Wang Yufeng well. He suffered such a big loss today, and he won't let it go unless someone instigates him."
He Zhi's face turned cold, and he said, "This humble general suggests that we strike first!"
"What are you going to do? Kill Wang Yufeng?"
"It's not difficult to create an accident. If it gets exposed, I'll take the blame alone."
Is it necessary?
"The Prime Minister instructed before setting out on the expedition that anyone who could pose a danger to you, Young Master, should be eliminated."
“No.” Zhao Cheng stood with his hands behind his back, his expression unusually serious. He said in a deep voice, “My father has not yet returned to the capital, and the situation is unclear. The Wang family has now climbed up to the Left Prime Minister. We cannot act rashly at this time. At least we cannot take the initiative to touch him.”
He asked doubtfully, "So you're just going to wait for him to come after you?"
"Just waiting!"
Zhao Cheng chuckled wickedly and said, "We're going to adopt a passive, defensive posture! And the bigger the commotion, the better!"
He Zhi frowned and said, "Young Master, I don't understand..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
