Zhao Yishi: “Third son of the Xie Cabinet Minister’s family, Xie Chengyu.”

Xie Zhifei respectfully saluted Prince Han.

Prince Han deliberately asked, “Their relationship with Your Highness…”

“Mingting and Chengyu are my right and left arms.”

Zhao Yishi said flatly, “Today I brought them out to see the world, and also to let Imperial Uncle take a look.”

Look at what?

Look at how you three are already birds of a feather in secret.

Prince Han said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “Then please come inside!”

“Please!” Zhao Yishi swept his sleeves and walked side by side with Prince Han.

Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao followed closely behind.

Zhao Yixian watched Xie Zhifei’s retreating back, teeth grinding. He hadn’t forgotten how this bastard made him lose face in public last time!

…

In the main hall.

An Eight Immortals table, with rows of grand master chairs on either side below.

Zhao Yishi sat in the head position at the Eight Immortals table.

Prince Heir Zhao Yixian’s anger, which had just been suppressed, flared up again with a whoosh.

Actually sitting in the head position?

Actually trying to forcibly outrank Father?

When we return, I’ll have Father impeach you before His Majesty for disrespecting your elders.

But Zhao Yanjin seemed quite good-tempered, not minding in the slightest. After maids served tea, fruits and snacks, he asked:

“So late in the evening, Your Highness suddenly comes…”

“This prince comes for Xie Daozhi’s goddaughter.”

One “this prince” instantly widened the distance between uncle and nephew, and once again suppressed Zhao Yixian’s rising anger.

So the Imperial Grand Grandson came tonight to demand an accounting?

Zhao Yanjin could hardly not understand. He played dumb: “Your Highness, what does Xie Daozhi’s goddaughter have to do with this subject?”

Zhao Yishi picked up his tea bowl. “Previously she had nothing to do with you, but starting today, there’s some connection?”

“What connection?”

“What connection—Imperial Uncle knows in his heart!”

“Don’t know.”

Zhao Yanjin laughed coldly. “Please enlighten me, Your Highness.”

“Smack—”

Zhao Yishi heavily set his tea bowl on the table. “Some things can be done sneakily, but some words cannot be said openly and brazenly.”

These words were quite severe.

For anyone else, cold sweat should be dripping down.

But who was Zhao Yanjin?

These years relying on His Majesty’s favor, who had he ever taken seriously?

He immediately darkened his face. “I walk uprightly and sit properly. What words can’t I say openly and brazenly?”

You still walk uprightly and sit properly?

Pei Xiao glanced at Xie Zhifei: Shameless!

Xie Zhifei shut his eyes at him: Keep watching.

Zhao Yishi: “Minister Xie’s goddaughter is surnamed Yan, given name Sanhe. This afternoon at Jinxiu Silk Shop, she disappeared…”

“What does Your Highness mean?”

Zhao Yanjin slammed the table. “You suspect I captured Yan Sanhe?”

“Strange, Mingting.”

Xie Zhifei made a “tsk” sound. “His Highness only said my sworn sister disappeared, how does His Highness know she was captured?”

Pei Xiao said irritably, “Shut up. Is it your turn to speak now?”

Indeed it wasn’t his turn.

But these words were extremely well said.

The reasons for a person’s disappearance could be running away from home or getting lost. Yet Zhao Yanjin blurted out that she was captured…

Somewhat carrying the meaning of “no silver here—three hundred taels.”

But Zhao Yanjin, who’d maintained imperial favor for so many years, besides his resemblance to His Majesty, also possessed some real ability.

He drank his tea on his own, completely disdaining to explain to these two juniors.

This made it appear that Xie Zhifei’s question just now was quite unreasonable.

Oral claims need no evidence—produce proof.

Evidence?

They had none—everything was speculation.

His mother’s… Xie Zhifei secretly clenched his fist. This old ginger truly was spicy!

Zhao Yishi watched Prince Han’s pretentious act and suddenly understood why the Crown Prince was always suppressed by this person.

Because he couldn’t throw everything aside;

Because his face wasn’t thick enough!

“Imperial Uncle.”

He smiled lightly. “The incident occurred suddenly. Chengyu is still hiding it from Xie Daozhi. If this matter truly reaches him, with his protective nature…”

“Your Highness!”

Zhao Yanjin suddenly raised his voice.

“You need not tell me these things. I don’t even know when Xie Daozhi got a goddaughter, how could I do such shameless things?”

Zhao Yishi slowly nodded. “It seems this prince came for nothing this trip.”

“You shouldn’t have come at all.”

Zhao Yixian laughed coldly. “What status is my father? What status is Xie Daozhi’s goddaughter? They have nothing to do with each other—why would my father have issues with her?”

Excellent!

Zhao Yishi’s gaze darkened. “Xie Chengyu.”

“Your Highness, present.”

“We can’t hide it anyway. You go back first and explain the matter’s origins to Minister Xie.”

Zhao Yishi looked at Xie Zhifei. “Tell him to use whatever methods he should use, settle accounts with whoever he should settle accounts with.”

“Yes!”

Xie Zhifei saluted Zhao Yishi, said nothing more and walked out of the inner hall.

“Mingting.”

“Your Highness?”

“Take my calling card and immediately go to the Embroidered Uniform Guard to find Feng Changxiu.”

Zhao Yishi laughed coldly. “Just ask him one question: In broad daylight, under the Son of Heaven’s feet, is there no law?”

“Yes!”

After Pei Xiao left, Zhao Yishi picked up his tea cup, unhurriedly stirring the tea leaves inside, learning from Prince Han’s manner.

You think I’ll be afraid?

Zhao Yanjin tapped the table with his fingers. “Xian’er.”

“Father?”

“Take your father’s calling card and go find Yang Yijie from the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Southern Judicial Office.”

Zhao Yanjin: “Tell him Xie Daozhi’s goddaughter has disappeared. Imperial Grand Grandson says this prince did it. Have him restore this prince’s innocence.”

“Yes!”

Zhao Yixian was momentarily stunned. He looked at the Grand Grandson, then at his own father, and quickly said, “Yes!”

In the vast main hall, only uncle and nephew remained, slowly and methodically drinking tea, as if neither had been affected by the scene just now.

After finishing one cup of tea, Zhao Yishi stood. “Night has deepened. This prince won’t disturb Imperial Uncle further.”

Zhao Yanjin secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “Your Highness, take care.”

“Please see me out, Imperial Uncle.”

“Please.”

The two walked side by side, slowly proceeding outward.

Having a guilty conscience, no matter how Zhao Yanjin pretended to be calm and collected, his steps still showed some disorder.

Zhao Yishi’s lips curved upward. “Imperial Uncle’s back is poor—you should walk slower.”

Zhao Yanjin’s lips twitched slightly. “As a martial artist, I’m used to speed. Can’t change it.”

“Still should change somewhat.”

Zhao Yishi said flatly, “People must accept their age.”

“True. We older ones must accept age. You younger ones should also understand some propriety.”

Zhao Yanjin: “Making something out of nothing—don’t make too big a scene, or it won’t end well.”

“Imperial Uncle, don’t blame me. It’s just that this prince’s mood has been poor lately, so…”

The Imperial Grand Grandson’s brows turned cold as he smiled faintly. “This prince not only wants to make something out of nothing but also wants to stir up trouble, lest certain people truly forget the heavens are high and earth is vast, forgetting their status as ministers.”

Zhao Yanjin wished he could grind his back teeth to powder.

Little beast—who’s ruler, who’s minister isn’t certain yet. Don’t be too arrogant.

“Does Imperial Uncle’s heart want to curse me?”

“Your Highness thinks too much.”

Zhao Yishi stopped, turned around, using an extremely pitying gaze to look at Zhao Yanjin.

“Cursing is fine. From childhood to now, this prince doesn’t know how many beatings and scoldings Father gave me, yet the Imperial Grand Grandson position still sits firmly.”

Blue veins bulged on Zhao Yanjin’s hands clasped behind his back.

The little beast was using himself to speak of the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince received how many scoldings and dislikes from His Majesty, yet the heir apparent position still sat firmly.

“Imperial Uncle should conduct yourself properly!”

Zhao Yishi meaningfully left this line and walked away with hands behind his back.

Zhao Yanjin waited until he’d gone far, then looked murderously toward the shadows.

A guard emerged from the darkness. “Your Highness?”

“Tell Dong Xiao to find a way to extract something from the woman’s mouth, then release her quickly. After it’s done, immediately return to the prince’s manor. I have important matters to discuss.”

“Yes!”

—