Dou Jingshu was at a loss for words after being asked this by Xiao Yunrou. The interpersonal relationships among the wealthy families were very complicated. Even if she hated him and wanted to kill him, she had to smile and get along peacefully without any real evidence.

Xiao Yunrou knew this, so she did her best to save face. She did ask Qingci to return the gift to the Dou family. If Dou Jingshu found fault with her because of this, she would not panic at all.

"My mother did. It's just that Jingshu is a little worried."

Dou Jingshu smiled widely, glancing in Pei Lingfeng's direction from time to time, her eyes full of affection unable to be ignored.

A hint of disgust flashed across Pei Lingfeng's eyes, and his expression became even colder.

"Miss Dou, please do not worry about my wife. If you have so much free time, you might as well read up on women's virtues and rules, and don't rush to a man every time you see him."

Pei Lingfeng didn't even look at Dou Jingshu's face which turned pale and aggrieved because of his words. Even Xiao Yunrou was surprised for a moment. She rarely saw Pei Lingfeng being so rude in front of so many people. He almost stepped on Dou Jingshu.

Pei Lingfeng didn't care what Dou Jingshu thought. He put his arm around Xiao Yunrou's waist and said softly, "It's almost noon. Shall we go to Guanyue Tower for lunch?"

Xiao Yunrou nodded and curled her lips slightly at Dou Jingshu, but in Dou Jingshu's eyes, that smile was full of ridicule and disdain for her. She stared at the backs of the two people as they left, her eyes becoming more and more resentful.

At this time, in front of the Guanyue Tower, Zhong Hao and Du Rui were at loggerheads. The Zhong family had been highly valued since the previous emperor. Although the old man Zhong was later released by the emperor because of the flood in Jiangnan, he still holds the title of the elder, but the power in his hands is almost gone. However, Zhong Shijie is still the commander of the imperial guards, and there is also a concubine Wan and the third prince in the palace. The Zhong family is still at the center of power. The Du family is a new noble family, but in the eyes of the real aristocratic families, they are not good enough. Only now that the emperor favors Concubine Li, they have given their family some face.

"Du Rui, don't be shameless. Who is my status? Who are you? Do you think you are worthy of competing with me?"

As soon as Zhong Hao finished his mocking voice, the playboys surrounding him echoed him.

"That's right, Du Rui, who gave you the nerve to compare with Master Zhong? Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself? You are not even worthy of carrying Master Zhong's shoes! And you still want to drink and have fun with Miss Haitang? Pah!"

"If Master Zhong hadn't been caught off guard a few days ago, how could you have become Miss Haitang's lover? Now that Master Zhong is back, you actually want to snatch her away from him. Who gave you the courage?"

Du Rui had been highly praised recently, so naturally he couldn't stand such humiliation. He had just spent 1,000 taels of silver to win the virginity of the courtesan Haitang at Chunfenglou a few days ago, and he was still in high spirits, but in the blink of an eye, it was snatched away by Zhong Hao. How could he bear it?

Now, looking at Haitang nestled in Zhong Hao's arms, Zhong Hao's hands became restless, causing Haitang to blush in public, which made Du Rui even more angry.

"Zhong Hao, you are a person who has been decreed by the Emperor to never be employed. You have no official title and are just a commoner. If it weren't for Lord Zhong, you would be nothing!"

Although Du Rui is also an unlearned person, he is still better than Zhong Hao. At least he learned something from his teacher seriously when he was young and knows how to stab Zhong Hao in the heart.

Zhong Hao's face flashed with a sly look, and then he sneered. He looked at Du Rui provoking him without knowing the world's high ground, and he just thought it was ridiculous. Thinking about his sister in the palace being ignored by the emperor because of Lipin, Du Rui still provoked her everywhere. It was time for Du Rui and the Du family to know the fate of provoking them, the Zhong family.

"Come here, catch him for me, so that our Master Du will know the consequences of trying to snatch someone from me."

Zhong Hao laughed wildly, and suddenly he hugged Haitang tightly and kissed her hard. This made Du Rui even more angry, but the guards brought by Zhong Hao surrounded him. Two of them held his hands and feet, and the others attacked him. Soon Du Rui was knocked to the ground, howling loudly.

The people Du Rui brought with him were all shaking with fear when they saw this scene. They watched Du Rui being beaten in horror and were too scared to say a word. Although they depended on Du Rui and did a lot of evil things in their daily lives, they dared not think of committing a crime in public.

"Master Zhong, I'm afraid that Master Du is in trouble. If he kills someone in broad daylight..."

Haitang looked at Du Rui, whose face was bruised and swollen from being beaten, and who had gone from howling loudly at the beginning to sobbing softly now. She felt a little scared.

"Why, are you feeling sad? Huh?" A sinister look flashed across Zhong Hao's face and he looked at Haitang coldly.

"No, how could that be?" Haitang said quickly.

"But there are so many people watching here. If he is really beaten to death, you, Master Zhong, will inevitably be implicated. Master Zhong is a rare talent. I admire him very much. How can I feel sorry for others?"

Zhong Hao liked Haitang's admiration the most, as if he was her god. He turned around and said proudly, "Alright, stop it."

Zhong Hao's guard stopped and slowly looked at Du Rui, who was crawling on the ground like a lost dog.

"Du Rui, I will let you go today, but you'd better not show up in front of me again. Look at you, you are worse than a dog."

Zhong Hao laughed and was escorted into the Moon Viewing Tower. At this time, the group of people around Du Rui came over and wanted to send him to the clinic first. But Du Rui didn't move at this time. Someone was afraid and tried to check Du Rui's breath. But after checking, his body trembled more and fell backwards, pointing at Du Rui in panic.

“Dead…dead…someone is dead…”

The person who spoke was very loud, and now everyone around heard it, and Zhong Hao's servant also ran into the building in panic to report the news. Beating someone is not terrible, and it is not a big deal if they are disabled, but beating someone to death in public is a completely different matter.

When Xiao Yunrou and Pei Lingfeng arrived at the Guanyue Tower, it was still in a mess. Jingzhao Yin was guarding the scene with yamen runners, the coroner was performing an autopsy, and the yamen runners were interrogating the employees of the Guanyue Tower and the people nearby.

Lord Du and Madam Du, who came upon hearing the news, saw the tragic death of their only son. Madam Du fainted. Lord Du's face was also livid. After all, Zhong Hao's killing could not be concealed in public. Although Lord Du was not a high-ranking official, his only son had died. He could no longer care about anything else. He ordered the maid to watch over Madam Du, and ran straight to the palace without changing his official uniform.

"Beat him to death?"

Xiao Yunrou had not thought that things would develop to this point. Although she borrowed Xiao Yunyan's secret power to let Du Rui and Zhong Hao get in touch with Haitang, she thought it would take some time to succeed with Haitang's looks and charm. She had never thought that Du Rui would be beaten to death in the street, although this made things easier than she had thought before.

Du Rui's death was not in her plan. Although she felt a little guilty about her plan, she suppressed her guilt when she thought about the consequences for the Zhong family. Xiao Yunrou thought that her heart had become even harder.

Xiao Yunrou looked at the noisy scene outside and then lowered the car curtain. Although she couldn't have dinner at Guanyue Tower today, it was worth it to watch a good show.

"Just now, I saw Lord Du heading towards the palace. I'm afraid he's going to the palace to file a complaint. With so many witnesses, Zhong Hao can't escape the charge. However, Lord Du's rank is not high, so I'm afraid he won't be able to get in before Commander Zhong. If Commander Zhong goes to the palace to see the emperor first, I'm afraid the charge will be much lighter. I took the initiative and had someone notify the guards at the palace gate. If Lord Du can't enter the palace, I'll remind him to beat the drum of injustice, and the emperor will definitely summon him in person."

Liu Feng whispered outside the carriage. He knew Pei Lingfeng had wanted to bring down the Zhong family for a long time, and he would never let go of any evidence given to him. Pei Lingfeng and Xiao Yunrou were both very satisfied, and Xiao Yunrou even praised Liu Feng's thoughtfulness.

"The injustice drum outside the palace gate has been sounded only a few times throughout the dynasties, but it is the only chance for Lord Du to avenge his son. As long as the emperor asks about it, the matter will not end well. Du Rui is the only son of the Du family, and so is Zhong Hao."

Xiao Yunrou was in a good mood. Pei Lingfeng was slightly stunned when he saw the corners of her mouth slightly raised. Logically speaking, Xiao Yunrou shouldn't know everything that the Xiaozhong family had done, but now she was so happy, could it be that she knew something?

Pei Lingfeng concealed the emotions in his eyes and said calmly: "Empress Wan will not sit idly by."

But it doesn't matter. With so many witnesses, Zhong Hao can't escape the murder lawsuit. Even if Concubine Wan pleads for mercy, there is still Concubine Li in the palace.

"No matter how much they plot, they can't cover up the truth. Such a big commotion is not only seen by these powerless people. There are many people with prominent family backgrounds in Guanyue Tower. Even if Commander Zhong is favored by the emperor, he can't let those people bear false witness for him."

It was certain that Zhong Hao would be punished, but it was unknown what the final result would be. Xiao Yunrou thought for a moment and instructed Qingci:

"Keep an eye on Zhong Hao's news and let me know the result of his punishment."

After Xiao Yunrou finished speaking, she realized that Pei Lingfeng was staring at her intently and felt a little confused.

"Why are you looking at me like that? But what's on my face?"

Pei Lingfeng shook his head, the doubts in his heart growing.

"I just think you seem to care too much about this matter. Does Zhong Hao or the Zhong family have a grudge against you?"

Xiao Yunrou was startled, a hint of panic flashed across her eyes, but she quickly concealed it. However, Pei Lingfeng caught all of this, which made him vaguely guess something.

As for Xiao Yunrou, she knew she had lost her composure! She naturally knew what would happen in the future after she was reborn, but she couldn't tell anyone about it. Pei Lingfeng was very good to her in this life, which made her unable to help but open up to him, but it exposed her secret.

"Since Shen Qingqing entered the Zhong Mansion, I can't help but pay more attention to her."

Xiao Yunrou quickly found an excuse for herself. Pei Lingfeng withdrew his gaze and nodded slightly, but only he knew what he was thinking in his heart.