Li Zhu was stunned by Zhang San's barrage of slaps to the face, but he quickly smiled maliciously. He was the kind of person who dared to slap even a prince, and yet an unknown nobody dared to speak to him like that!
Snap!
A resounding slap echoed throughout the entire venue!
Zhang San covered his face, stunned by the blow!
All the scholars and intellectuals were stunned. They hadn't expected the person who came out to be so brave, slapping him across the face right away!
Li Zhu, the person involved, was also stunned, because it wasn't him who did it!
Everyone looked at the Marquis standing next to Li Zhu. He was standing there with an innocent look on his face, his eyes fixed on Li Zhu. The meaning was clear: I'm just an employee, it's none of my business!
Li Zhu nearly lost it. He did want to slap Zhang San, but he wanted to do it himself. Not only was this chance to show off and impress stolen from him, but he also had to take the blame for the other guy. It was truly... infuriating...
But now that the fight has already begun, there's nothing we can do but accept it. Feeling everyone's gaze on him, Li Zhu feigned composure and surveyed the room as he spoke.
"Where did this mad dog come from? Barking wildly here? Doesn't it know I'm eating upstairs? You've ruined my enjoyment, you deserve to die, you know that?"
Being humiliated like this, I definitely have to get my revenge. You think you're so arrogant? You think you're so high and mighty? Well, I'll be even more arrogant and high and mighty than you, and I'll slap you in the face hard…
"You... you're so vulgar... what kind of skill is using force? If you're so capable, compete with me in poetry and literature!"
Zhang San pointed at Li Zhu and roared!
"I'm stronger than you, so I'm in the right. What's the problem with that?"
Li Zhu looked at Zhang San with a mocking expression. This guy's words were really interesting. Didn't he understand that might makes right? Truth is always within the range of cannons—that was a famous saying from his previous life!
"Hmph! He's nothing but a mere brute, a brave but reckless fool!"
Upon hearing Zhang San's words, Li Zhu immediately burst into laughter. He could casually come up with a plan that amazed Yuwen Guo, yet this guy actually said that he was brave but lacked strategy.
"Keep laughing, let's see how long you can keep laughing. Don't think that just because you can spout a poem, you're a literary master. You don't deserve it!"
Seeing Li Zhu mock him hurt Zhang San's pride, so he couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark!
This immediately piqued Li Zhu's interest. It seemed that things were indeed as he had thought; this group of people were after him. Otherwise, how could they know who he was if they had never even seen him before? Moreover, the incident of him composing the poem happened in the court today. The other party was just an ordinary scholar; how could they know so quickly?
First, they tried to assassinate him. When that failed, they tried to ruin his reputation, making his already bad reputation even worse. Their intentions are truly despicable!
"Oh...so you think you're a literary master?"
Li Zhu decided to cooperate with the other party, since they had put in so much effort, and if he didn't cooperate, wouldn't it be a waste of their time?
He's so kind, how could he possibly let the other person down!
"While I may not be a literary master, I am proficient in poetry and prose, which is better than someone who only knows how to wield a knife. I have heard that some people in the court have executed meritorious officials like the Eight Pillars of State without a word of argument. I really don't know what the consequences would be if such a person who doesn't distinguish right from wrong were to be in power!"
We scholars truly do not wish to plunge the people into misery, but today I will show the world your true colors!
Li Zhu had no choice but to cooperate with Zhang San, this seemingly refined scoundrel who spouted nothing but benevolence and morality. He talked a good game, but when he was clearly just a lackey, he insisted on standing on the moral high ground!
Zhang San's words sparked a flurry of discussion among those around him, with everyone speculating about Li Zhu's identity...
Yuwen Guo, upstairs, naturally overheard the conversation and knew that someone was setting a trap for the Crown Prince, with everyone else merely pawns in the scheme. He pondered who could orchestrate such a grand scheme. This person must have known Li Zhu's whereabouts and be able to execute two deadly moves in a short period of time. Such a person must possess immense ability, power, and authority…
But do such people really exist?
Even if they exist, there aren't many people like that...
Yuwen Guo glanced meaningfully towards the palace, because people with such abilities all lived there…
"Haha... So I'm that scary? Then why don't you tell everyone who I am..."
Li Zhu grinned and said!
"Hmph! Since you're not afraid of losing face, why not say it out loud? He's that good-for-nothing Crown Prince Li Zhu!"
Zhang San still spoke with an arrogant expression!
"You know I am the Crown Prince. How can a subject of the New Tang Dynasty show such disrespect to the Crown Prince? It is only right that..."
Before Li Zhu could finish speaking, another loud slap rang out!
Li Zhu stared blankly at the Marquis, wondering what was wrong with him and why he was so eager to slap him.
"You hit me?"
Zhang San looked at Li Zhu and roared in disbelief!
"Which eye of yours saw me make a move?"
Li Zhu looked at him speechlessly and said!
"He's your subordinate. If he hit me, wasn't that on your orders?"
Zhang San said angrily!
"Which ear did you hear me give the order with?"
Li Zhu spread his hands, looking completely innocent as he questioned Zhang San, who looked so irritating that Zhang San had no idea how to respond!
Finally, his face flushed red from holding it in, he managed to utter a single sentence.
"Such a vulgar and uncouth person, it's obvious at a glance that you stole that poem from who-knows-where. For someone like you to get your hands on it is truly an insult to culture!"
"I'm an honest and kind person, and I would never do something like plagiarism. Don't make things up if you don't have evidence; slandering the Crown Prince is a capital offense..."
Li Zhu spoke confidently, not forgetting to warn the other party!
"We scholars have our own integrity; we cannot be corrupted by wealth or honor, nor swayed by poverty or hardship, nor subdued by power or force. I am merely speaking the truth; what is there to fear in death!"
Zhang San tilted his head back and glanced at Li Zhu. He really did look like someone who was serious!
"Not bad, really not bad. In that case, I'll use my best skills and kill someone for fun..."
As he spoke, Li Zhu drew a knife from the person next to him and walked towards Zhang San. However, he did not move quickly, so that the other party could feel the killing intent emanating from him, but he did not directly kill him!
This put immense pressure on Zhang San. Every step Li Zhu took made him incredibly nervous, gradually breaking down his defenses.
"What...what are you doing?"
Zhang San's voice was already trembling slightly!
Li Zhu didn't speak, but simply shook the knife in his hand, making a buzzing sound. Zhang San immediately trembled and looked extremely pathetic!
"Haha...Truly, what a fine example of 'uncorrupted by wealth, unyielding in poverty, and indomitable in power'! Young Master Zhang is truly a model of a scholar..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
