Chapter-8
Translator: Silvery Butterfly
Xiao Bao swallowed nervously, wearing a pained expression as he turned around to kneel and pay his respects. “Your Highness, Prince Shen, I didn’t know you were here. Please forgive my rudeness.”
He had visited Prince Shen’s fiefdom when the prince organized a merchant guild, accompanying his father at the time. He was only fourteen or fifteen back then. Prince Shen was lofty and unapproachable, and wouldn’t have bothered with him. He had thought the prince was impressive and awe-inspiring, and the prince’s concubines were so beautiful and alluring that he practically idolized him. Now, with this awe-inspiring prince taking the initiative to speak to him, Xiao Bao was anything but pleased, instinctively sensing trouble.
Sure enough, after a polite “you may rise,” Prince Shen didn’t spare Xiao Bao a glance, his eyes fixated on Huai En instead.
Inwardly, Xiao Bao cursed the old lecher, but on the surface, he had to engage in polite conversation with the prince who wouldn’t even look at him directly.
It didn’t take long for Prince Shen to steer the conversation toward Huai En. “Young Master Jin, it has been widely rumored throughout Suzhou that you brought back a stunning beauty from somewhere. The news even reached me in Qingzhou. I hurried here overnight, not only to catch the final performance of the Xi Yue Troupe but also to catch a glimpse of this legendary beauty.”
Xiao Bao forced a smile and replied, “You flatter me, Your Highness. I happened to encounter Maiden Zheng being kidnapped by bandits while I was on an errand outside the city. I risked my life to rescue her. Maiden Zheng was still in shock, so she stayed in Suzhou to recuperate for a few days. I plan to escort her back in a few days.”
“Oh, where is Maiden Zheng from? I will be staying in Suzhou for a few days as well. If it’s on the way, I would be happy to assist in escorting her.” His words were full of flirtation, making Xiao Bao grind his teeth in frustration.
“Your Highness, I wouldn’t dare trouble you. I will personally escort Maiden Zheng home. My father has always taught me to see things through to the end.”
“In that case, I won’t insist. Maiden Zheng is truly extraordinary, not only beautiful but also possessing a refined and noble demeanor. She must come from a scholarly family. Although I am but a warrior, I do enjoy the occasional bit of culture. Would Maiden Zheng honor me with her company for a drink this evening? My residence in Suzhou is not far from here.”
Prince Shen extended his hand elegantly, his sparkling eyes fixed unwaveringly on Huai En, who had been watching coldly from the start.
“Y-Your Highness, I’m afraid that won’t be appropriate. Maiden Zheng is still recovering from her fright and needs plenty of rest…”
Prince Shen raised an eyebrow, casting a casual glance at Xiao Bao that instantly silenced him.
Huai En cursed inwardly at Xiao Bao’s incompetence, glaring coldly at Zong Zheng Lihan, who seemed to be up to no good. He spoke calmly, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I am indeed tired and would like to return to rest immediately.”
“Tired? That’s perfect. My residence is much closer than the inn where Maiden Zheng is staying. Why not…”
Xiao Bao cursed inwardly, calling Prince Shen shameless for trying to steal someone else’s beloved and even investigating where she was staying. He was prepared, truly shameless and disgraceful. Unable to bear it any longer, his hot-headedness overtook his fear of offending a genuine prince. He blurted out, “Your Highness, that would be inappropriate. Maiden Zheng and I are in love and have already privately pledged ourselves to each other. I am just waiting to formally propose. For an unmarried woman to casually rest at your residence would ruin her reputation and tarnish your honor.”
The air around them seemed to drop below freezing. No one dared to breathe. Zhao Cai and Jin Bao looked at each other in panic, Huai En pressed his lips together, barely containing his anger, and Prince Shen’s face was expressionless, a storm brewing. Xiao Bao, in that moment of clarity, felt the rush of blood drain away, leaving him cold from head to toe, as if plunged into an icy abyss.
What to do, what to do, what to do? I’ve offended the prince—what should I do? It’s said that this prince is incredibly skilled in martial arts, that crushing me would be as easy as squashing a fly, and after killing me, my family wouldn’t even be able to avenge me.
Xiao Bao, where did you get the courage for this? Though you’ve always believed that dying under a peony blossom, even as a ghost, is worthwhile, it’s not really worth dying for a woman, especially one who doesn’t even like you. Losing one beauty means there are still thousands more waiting.
…But this beauty is exceptionally beautiful…
What good is beauty? She’s fierce, her gaze alone is terrifying, and she constantly punches and kicks you, always for real.
But her fierceness is so enchanting and sexy.
But if you really marry her, there will be no chance to fool around outside; otherwise, you’ll be beaten to death.
But with such a fairy-like beauty, who needs anyone else?
But how could I ever compete with the prince?
But I really like her, it’s different from the others, different from all the other beauties.
But…
But…
As Xiao Bao’s mind was caught in an intense inner conflict, he suddenly heard Prince Shen speak.
“In that case, I won’t insist. I hope Maiden Zheng takes good care of herself, and I extend my best wishes to Young Master Jin and Maiden Zheng for a long and happy union.” With that, he turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.
Although it seemed like the matter was resolved, Xiao Bao broke out in a cold sweat and felt deep anxiety about the future. But the thought of handing over his wife to someone else was something he could never agree to.
Huai En turned and got into the carriage. Reaching under the seat cushion, he found that Zuo Ying had indeed placed his sword there.
Gripping the hilt tightly, a dark light flickered in Huai En’s eyes.
Zong Zheng Lihan, realizing there was no room for negotiation when Huai En refused his invitation to enter his residence, would undoubtedly resort to force on the way. The old fox never delayed in action, but how many men could Zuo Ying have gathered in such a short time?
This time, Huai En was still recovering from his injuries, making the situation even more dangerous, and he also had to ensure Jin Xiao bao’s safety.
Huai En lifted the curtain and ordered, “Stop the carriage.”
The coachman obediently stopped.
Xiao Bao turned his horse around and asked, “Maiden Zheng, what’s wrong?”
“Give me the horse. You take the carriage back.”
“What? Why?”
Huai En couldn’t be bothered to explain. He leaped up, grabbed Xiao Bao by the collar with one hand, and tossed him into the carriage. Then he swiftly mounted the horse, completing the move with impressive agility.
Xiao Bao, thrown into a dizzying tumble, struggled to get up, still unclear on how he had offended Huai En again. He barely managed to stand when he saw Huai En already riding away in a cloud of dust.
“Maiden Zheng!! Maiden Zheng!!”
Watching his soon-to-be wife vanish before his eyes, any man would be devastated. Xiao Bao was both furious and anxious, stomping his feet in frustration. “Zhao Cai, Jin Bao!!”
“Young Master.”
“Quick, go after her!!”
Zhao Cai hesitated, glancing in the direction where Huai En had disappeared. “Young Master, she’s already out of sight. Where are we supposed to chase her?”
“Instead of wasting time talking, go after her now.”
“Young Master, your Red Cloud horse is a rare, prized steed worth a fortune. It can run several miles in the time it takes to say a few words. Unless we can fly, what horse could possibly catch up?”
Xiao Bao kicked him in frustration but knew he was right. That Red Cloud horse had cost him two hundred thousand taels of silver and was incredibly fast. After buying it, he had never dared to experience its full speed due to his poor riding skills and fear, which had frustrated the horse. The stable hands had told him that whenever someone else rode it, Red Cloud would run like mad, as fast as possible, becoming more excited the faster it went.
Such a wild horse paired with such a wild rider—there was no way to catch up.
Xiao Bao regretted bringing it out to show off. Serves me right!! Now my wife has disappeared, and who knows whom she’s off secretly meeting. This is infuriating!!
Xiao Bao roared several times at the sky, scaring away all the birds and beasts within a few miles.
Suddenly, he had a brainwave. “Jin Bao, go to the mansion and get that tracker… what’s his name…”
“Wuying Guai Moluo.”
“Yes, him! He claims to be quite skilled. He’s been freeloading at our house long enough; it’s time for him to earn his keep. Bring him here tonight, and make sure he finds my wife!”
“Yes, Young Master!”
