"Look? What happened? That, that, isn't that Princess Jun from the Yongwang Mansion?" Passersby scrambled to the side in alarm.
"I heard that Prince Yong was beaten again. It seems that the princess is very angry and will probably go to tie her father up and bring him back to the manor herself. Let's go and see the show." The tofu seller, formerly known as the Tofu Beauty and now as the Tofu Granny, immediately packed up her stall and followed the crowd behind Zhao Shu.
The Ningguo Duke's Mansion and the Yongwang Mansion were separated by two streets. Zhao Shu did not use any means of transportation. Fu Da followed on her left, and Granny Guo followed on her right. On the left and right, other strong old women led the way, and behind them were twenty servants, each holding a solid wooden stick. Zhao Shu had the illusion of a gangster fighting.
Fu Dazi was filled with remorse. The princess was only nine years old. How could he have let her run wild like this! The prince's reputation was already bad. If the princess caused any more trouble, would she end up as a nun? He was so sorry to the princess, the empress dowager, and the royal family.
He started to shed tears again.
Just as Fu Da was going through a lot of trouble, Zhao Shu stopped in front of the Ningguo Duke's Mansion. The two guards at the gate of the Ningguo Duke's Mansion were so scared that their legs were trembling. The most beloved and cherished princess, Jun, arrived with an unhappy look on her face!
While feeling fearful, she also felt a sense of anticipation. This time, Prince Yong had lost face big time; not only was he beaten by the prince, but he would also be scolded by his own daughter. How pathetic!
I'm really looking forward to the scene of the princess and Prince Yong arguing loudly, so that I'll have gossip to tell the neighbors when I get back.
The two servants, both frightened and gloating, ushered Zhao Shu into the Ningguo Duke's mansion. Even the old women and servants didn't stop them; they let her through.
From afar, Zhao Shu could hear someone berating Prince Yong, "He's a disgrace to the royal family, a disgrace to the Emperor and Empress Dowager! I'll write a petition right now to have the Emperor strip him of his princely crown!"
"Jingming, don't lower yourself to the level of such a person; it would only lower your status," someone comforted Jiang Mingjing, the fifth son of the Duke of Ningguo.
"Thank you for your comfort, but I cannot swallow this humiliation of having my wife stolen! Today, all of you here will be my witnesses, so that I may save face as a man. I will not care about life or death!" Jiang Jingming's tone was icy, as if he had an irreconcilable hatred for Prince Yong.
All that could be heard was: "Nobody stop him! Do you think I'm afraid of some mere child? Get out of my way!"
"Fine!" Jiang Jingming said hatefully, and then heard a few muffled groans. Zhao Shu stepped into the garden. Prince Yong was beaten to the ground. He saw a pair of small shoes, slowly raised his head, and saw his daughter looking at him with a livid face.
Zhao Shu noticed the tenderness in Prince Yong's eyes, and felt even more heartbroken and incomparably angry.
The entire garden fell silent. Everyone watched the father and daughter as if they were a joke. It was even more amusing that Princess Jun had embarrassed Prince Yong in public.
Prince Yong had been beaten black and blue, with one eye bruised, bloodstains still visible at the corner of his mouth, and his python robe filthy.
Zhao Shu went over and personally helped Prince Yong up. "Father, is it in pain?" Upon hearing this question, Prince Yong was moved to tears by his daughter's concern for the first time.
His crying only drew more scorn, and laughter rang out: "That old wastrel Prince Yong, my son, don't ever follow his example. A seven-foot-tall man sheds blood but not tears. That's the difference between a useful person and a mediocre one."
Even though Prince Yong was a playboy, he still needed to save face in front of his daughter. Now, being used as a negative example to educate others, his face turned red and then pale, and his eyes became somewhat evasive.
Zhao Shu's gaze swept over everyone present like a knife, but all she saw was contempt and mockery. Apart from Prince Yong, there were no other members of the imperial family with higher status. They were all elegant young men from aristocratic families in the capital, as well as descendants of meritorious officials. Most of them held minor, sinecure positions of the sixth or seventh rank, and some were even commoners.
Although they held low or even no official positions, they were scions of powerful and influential families. In their eyes, Prince Yong was not even a commoner, but a scoundrel. How could he possibly be worthy of their attention, who were like immortals?
I didn't invite Prince Yong over today; it's because he didn't come in person.
"Princess, please take the Prince back to the manor." Someone said impatiently, completely disregarding Prince Yong and Zhao Shu.
Zhao Shu and Fu Da helped Prince Yong up. "A-Jun..." Zhao Shu's title was Jun, and her nickname was A-Jun, which was the nickname her deceased queen had given her.
Prince Yong longed to go home at this moment. He felt embarrassed and ashamed for losing face in front of his daughter, even though it wasn't the first time.
"Father, did you touch that woman?"
Prince Yong immediately retorted, "Father only glanced at it twice, and did nothing!"
At this moment, everyone wanted to see Zhao Shu argue loudly with Prince Yong in public, and no one noticed how inappropriate it was for a little girl to say such things.
Zhao Shu nodded, but before she could speak, Jiang Mingjing said hatefully, "To even glance at someone like you is to tarnish Qingge!"
"Fifth Young Master, please invite Miss Qingge out. I will apologize on behalf of my father." Zhao Shu's voice had lost its arrogance. She didn't even use the term "this princess" anymore, but instead called me "me." This was a sign of weakness.
Jiang Jingming looked down on Zhao Shu and her father even more; one was a spoiled brat and the other was weak. Tsk.
He immediately ordered someone to bring out the woman, Qingge.
This was a girl with a pure and innocent appearance, around fifteen years old, with a pair of ethereal eyes and a slender figure. She looked somewhat frail and didn't bow to Zhao Shu. Instead, she clung tightly to Jiang Mingjing, appearing very afraid of Prince Yong.
Zhao Shu asked, "Is this Miss Qingge?"
“Exactly,” Jiang Jingming replied arrogantly.
"Then may I ask, Miss Qingge, has my father ever touched you?"
Qingge immediately shook her head in horror. She never expected that someone would ask such a question in front of so many people. If she dared to say that she had been touched, wouldn't her life be over?
She shook her head without hesitation, then pursed her lips in a wronged tone, "No." Her voice was soft, instantly arousing pity in men, and even Prince Yong couldn't bear to look at her.
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