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Chapter 56 - Chapter 281: Dispersal

Zhao Hu and Zhang Long's unfinished battle resumed.

The tiger-head broadsword and the longsword once again clashed with a clatter, sending sparks flying.

Although the fight on the field was lively, in the eyes of Li Xuan and the Flower-Clothed Eunuchs, these two were merely playing house.

Their crude moves and superficial Qi and Blood Power were simply not worthy of The Great Within's Great Inner Experts.

Despite this, it was not a good time for them to intervene.

Princess Ankang and Princess Princess Yuan An watched with keen interest from the side.

This scene was not something they could witness in the palace, and Zhao Four and Third Young Master Hou were clearly in a fit of pique; asking them now would certainly yield no coherent answers.

It was better to let them fight to a conclusion, and then inquire about the reasons.

But in just this short while, Zhao Hu and Zhang Long's battle was already nearing its end.

The tiger-head broadsword in Zhao Hu's hand could no longer be swung with its former vigor.

His moves were powerful and heavy, but Zhang Long, wielding a longsword, deftly dodged them, then seized opportunities to counterattack.

This rhythm of battle quickly exhausted Zhao Hu's stamina.

It seemed that if not for their unexpected appearance earlier, Zhao Hu would probably have already been defeated.

Although Zhao Hu had gained a moment to catch his breath during their conversation, it was clearly not enough.

Now that they had resumed fighting, he was immediately in peril again.

"He's almost done for."

Li Xuan shook his head silently, making a judgment about the ongoing battle.

And sure enough, just as Li Xuan predicted, a 'clang' sound followed, and Zhang Long's longsword parried Zhao Hu's tiger-head broadsword.

The tiger-head broadsword fell to the ground, and Zhao Hu's legs gave way, causing him to half-kneel.

At this moment, the longsword, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, glinted coldly as it shot straight for Zhao Hu's vital throat.

Zhao Hu closed his eyes, thinking, "My life is over!"

But at this critical juncture, a sudden sharp 'whoosh' sound was heard, followed by a loud 'clang', and the longsword in Zhang Long's hand fell to the ground.

Not only that, he clutched his wrist and retreated repeatedly, his face flushing red, clearly not feeling well.

Zhang Long immediately glared, looking in the direction of Princess Ankang and her group.

Yu'er, beside Princess Ankang, was at this moment making the motion of having just thrown something; clearly, the flying stone just now was thrown by her.

Yu'er, at Princess Ankang's signal, had timely interrupted Zhang Long's killing blow.

The flying stone Yu'er launched was powerful and heavy, not only knocking Zhang Long's longsword away but also injuring his wrist.

It should be noted that Yu'er had not yet broken through to the Qiangshen Realm, yet Zhang Long's apparent strength was already at the Marrow Refining Realm.

Ninth-grade against seventh-grade, although Yu'er's attack was a sneak one, the results were remarkable.

This showed that the gap between the two was not that great.

"Audacious!"

Seeing his hard-won victory ruined by someone else, Third Young Master Hou was instantly furious.

Although he hadn't clearly seen what had happened, he followed Zhang Long's gaze towards Princess Ankang's group.

And Yu'er had just withdrawn her action, naturally allowing Third Young Master Hou to realize who was causing trouble.

"Still saying you're not here to help this fatty? Trying to bully the few with your numbers, are you?"

Although Third Young Master Hou's side was now mostly remnants, his imposing manner showed no weakness.

"Alas, Young Master Third Young Master Hou, you misunderstand."

Princess Ankang said with a sweet smile, very courteously.

"Although it's a fight, there's no need for blood to be spilled, is there?"

"Otherwise, causing a death is always troublesome."

If Yu'er hadn't intervened to stop that sword strike, Zhao Hu's throat would have already been pierced.

They had walked through the first and second floors of Cuihua Tower earlier, thinking it was just a squabble between two scions, but they hadn't expected it to escalate to a matter of life and death.

Princess Ankang saw that the situation was not right and then prompted Yu'er to intervene and save him.

Although the Flower-Clothed Eunuchs' martial arts were superior, Princess Ankang could not be sure they would immediately execute her orders.

Especially since Zhao Hu had previously courted disaster by offending this group of Flower-Clothed Eunuchs.

After hearing Princess Ankang's words, Zhao Hu looked at Princess Ankang and Yu'er with immense gratitude, nodding heavily at them.

If it hadn't been for that strike that knocked Zhang Long's longsword away, he would have been dead by now.

Zhao Hu, still shaken, slumped to the ground, panting heavily.

Zhang Long glanced at Zhao Hu on the ground, then silently clutched his wrist and retreated to Third Young Master Hou's side, seemingly unable to continue fighting.

But Third Young Master Hou, after hearing Princess Ankang's explanation, still refused to let it go.

"We've already signed a life-and-death agreement. If someone dies, they die. The government can't even touch us, so what business is it of yours, little girl, to meddle?"

Hearing Third Young Master Hou's disrespectful remarks, Yu'er's pretty face turned cold. She stepped in front of Princess Ankang, protecting her, looking ready to teach Third Young Master Hou a lesson at any moment.

The Flower-Clothed Eunuchs around them also took a few steps forward, immediately surrounding Third Young Master Hou.

At this moment, Third Young Master Hou only had three guards with little combat power beside him. Seeing their aggressive demeanor, he was startled and shouted in a high-pitched voice:

"What do you want? What do you want!"

"I, Hou Chi Si, am the son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel! How dare you be rude to me!?"

Third Young Master Hou's voice was sharp and his words were harsh, but his body honestly hid behind his guards, despite his loud voice.

Princess Ankang was not annoyed. She looked at Third Young Master Hou and said with a chuckle, "Blood spilled here would only add trouble for the owner of Cuihua Tower."

"Now that the victory is decided, Young Master Third Young Master Hou, why not depart with your victory?"

This matter could be asked of anyone, and Princess Ankang didn't care whose mouth the answer came from.

If Third Young Master Hou remained uncooperative, she could simply send him away and then ask Zhao Four.

This would also gain more trust from the other person.

Therefore, for Princess Ankang, no matter how the situation changed, it would not have much impact on her.

She didn't want to be too rough with these two scions; she merely wanted to hear more truth from their mouths.

"Alright, alright, alright, I'll remember you. Be careful in the capital from now on!"

Third Young Master Hou stared at Princess Ankang, uttering harsh words, then looked at Zhao Four.

"Zhao Four, the victory is decided today."

"According to our agreement, you are not to step foot in Hu Yu House again."

"If you break your word..."

"Hmph, you know the consequences."

Third Young Master Hou snorted coldly and was about to lead his people downstairs.

Princess Ankang waved her hand, signaling the Flower-Clothed Eunuchs to clear the path.

With Third Young Master Hou gone, it would be easier for them to talk.

Third Young Master Hou, seeing them obediently make way, became even more smug, strutting down the stairs and leaving.

On the ground, Zhao Hu laboriously got up, then bowed to Zhao Four and apologized:

"Young master, it's all my fault for being useless and letting you suffer this grievance."

Zhao Four sighed, waved his hand, and said:

"Forget it, it's not like we haven't lost before. You're still alive, we'll get our revenge later."

Zhao Four's words somewhat surprised Li Xuan and the others.

"Oh, this fatty actually has some humanity."

Li Xuan had initially thought that given Zhao Four's scion-like temperament displayed on the street earlier, he would surely vent his anger on Zhao Hu and these guards. He hadn't expected him to be so generous, simply waving his hand as if nothing had happened.

Zhao Four made his three guards stand up, then led them to Princess Ankang and Princess Princess Yuan An.

"Two sisters, I cannot express my gratitude enough."

"That brother, although there was some conflict earlier, it can be considered a meeting through fighting."

Zhao Four said, reaching into his bosom and quickly pulling out two flying money notes. He took a step forward and directly tucked them into the hand of the Flower-Clothed Eunuch.

Li Xuan saw clearly that they were two large notes, each for one hundred taels of silver.

This made Li Xuan raise an eyebrow, thinking:

"This fatty is quite generous."

Two hundred taels of silver was no small sum. Although Li Xuan didn't know how much the Flower-Clothed Eunuchs' monthly salary was, it would probably take a considerable amount of time to save up two hundred taels of silver.

And Li Xuan also clearly saw that the Flower-Clothed Eunuch's expression was no longer as cold as when Zhao Hu had thrown him fifty taels earlier.

But the Flower-Clothed Eunuch still maintained his poker face, showing no emotion.

After receiving the silver, he immediately knelt and presented it before the two princesses.

This scene made Zhao Four take another look.

Even his own guards didn't have such discipline, which made him wonder about the identities of these two girls.

The fabric of their clothes was not cheap, and the guards behind them were also very robust, suggesting they were probably not from ordinary families.

However, he knew all the prominent figures in the capital, yet these two girls were a first for him.

Zhao Four was now also glad for his caution.

He hadn't given the silver notes directly to these two girls earlier but to the Flower-Clothed Eunuch, who appeared to be a guard; there was some wisdom in this.

If these two girls were indeed from rich and noble families, offering two hundred taels of silver as thanks would be an insult, but giving it to a subordinate was a thank-you gift in the form of a reward.

Which prominent family lacked these two hundred taels of silver?

In such an unclear situation, it was more appropriate to offer verbal thanks first.

Princess Ankang and Princess Princess Yuan An exchanged glances, both understanding the meaning in each other's eyes.

Seeing Princess Ankang nod gently at her, Princess Princess Yuan An spoke to the Flower-Clothed Eunuch, "Since it is Young Master Zhao Four's kind intention, you may accept it."

Since Princess Princess Yuan An had spoken, the Flower-Clothed Eunuch could not, by reason or etiquette, refuse the offer in front of outsiders.

"Thank you, young lady."

After thanking her, the Flower-Clothed Eunuch neatly tucked the silver notes into his bosom, then stood back in his original position as if nothing had happened.

Seeing such discipline between the mistress and servant, Zhao Four was even more unable to fathom the background of these two girls. He was also somewhat annoyed about the earlier conflict with their guards on the road.

As Zhao Four was wondering how to ease the awkwardness, Princess Ankang took the initiative to speak:

"Young Master Zhao Four, may I ask why there was such a big fight today?"

Princess Ankang had helped him out earlier, so Zhao Four did not hide anything now.

"Alas, two sisters, you may not know, but Third Young Master Hou and I have had many conflicts on ordinary days, and Cuihua Tower is a regular haunt for us."

Li Xuan and the others had spoken with the owner of Cuihua Tower earlier, so they naturally understood the meaning of 'regular haunt'.

Zhao Four and Third Young Master Hou were not regular customers who came to eat, but regular customers who came to trash the place.

"To be honest, it's nothing much. Third Young Master Hou and I both fancy a new Western Region Girl who recently arrived at Hu Yu House."

"Cough, cough..."

Perhaps remembering that this topic was not suitable for discussing with young girls, Zhao Four coughed a few times and summarized succinctly:

"Just a rivalry over a woman, actually nothing major."

Princess Ankang and Princess Princess Yuan An, hearing this simple reason, silently exchanged glances, speechless.

But thinking about it, what serious matters could there be between two scions?

"So that's how it is."

Princess Ankang smiled, not commenting further.

They had seen many entertainment venues when they were touring the East Market earlier.

Even during the day, those places were already bustling with activity and exceptionally lively.

At night, it would probably be an even grander spectacle.

There were many pleasure-seeking establishments in the East Market, and their quality was relatively high.

No wonder Zhao Four and Third Young Master Hou, these two scions, would fight fiercely over a new Western Region Girl in a brothel.

"Today, I truly thank you two sisters. If there's ever anything I can do for you in the future, just command me."

"I, Zhao Four, have some reputation in the capital. You can just ask anyone around to find out where I live."

"I also need to take my guards back to recuperate, so I won't stay long."

"In a few days, I'll host a banquet to properly thank you two sisters."

"For today, I'll take my leave. Until we meet again!"

Zhao Four hastily said a few polite words, then led his people downstairs, leaving in a hurry.

Li Xuan and the others watched their retreating figures silently, no one saying anything more.

"Imperial Sister, is it clear now?"

Princess Princess Yuan An asked Princess Ankang.

Honestly, she hadn't realized before that her Imperial Sister was so gossipy, wanting to know the details of a conflict between two scions so clearly.

In Princess Princess Yuan An's opinion, it was truly boring.

Princess Ankang smiled slightly, noticing Princess Princess Yuan An's dissatisfaction.

"Hehe, you're tired from running around with me, little sister. I'll treat you to something delicious later."

Princess Ankang said with a giggle.

But even as she spoke, her gaze couldn't help but turn towards the staircase entrance again.

The originally bustling Cuihua Tower gradually quieted down; presumably, the guards on the second floor had also left.

However, Princess Ankang always felt that today's events were a bit too coincidental.

Zhao Four and Third Young Master Hou both came from good families. The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel were not small officials, and they held important real power.

Did these two families not know about their departure from the palace to investigate a case?

Princess Ankang wasn't sure if there were concubines from these two families in the imperial harem.

But it stood to reason that such news would not go unnoticed by these two families.

"It's getting more and more interesting."

Princess Ankang hadn't been very concerned about the investigation, but now she felt that perhaps investigating it wouldn't be bad.

She felt that this month's competition seemed not as simple as she had thought.

"Imperial Sister, what are you thinking about?"

Princess Princess Yuan An waved her hand in front of Princess Ankang, startling her out of her daze.

Princess Ankang came back to her senses, gave a mischievous smile, and then said:

"I'm thinking about what to treat you to, little sister."

"This is my first time treating you as your older sister, I can't be too stingy."

Princess Princess Yuan An knew that Princess Ankang wasn't thinking about these things at all, but she was too lazy to argue.

"Then let's go quickly, I'm hungry again."

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