Zhao Jingcheng respectfully welcomed the two princesses into his home.
Recently, he had heard rumors about the princes and princesses from the palace going out to travel.
However, he was a bit unsure of the intention behind Yuan'an visiting his home.
According to Zhao Jingcheng's own thoughts, he was eager to befriend Yuan'an.
If he could establish a connection with the Martial Empress, his position in the imperial court would be even more secure in the future.
As for Ankang by her side, although Zhao Jingcheng had never met her before.
But among all the princesses, at this age, and sitting in a wheelchair, there was likely only that legendary one.
Regarding Ankang, Zhao Jingcheng wanted to stay as far away as possible.
A princess living in the Cold Palace was the first since the founding of Great Xing, which showed just how out of favor Ankang was with His Majesty.
If not for the fact that Zhao Jingcheng couldn't drive Ankang away, he would never have let her step foot into his home.
The two princesses followed Zhao Jingcheng all the way to the reception hall of the Zhao residence and began to drink tea and chat.
But Yuan'an had no patience for socializing, and she also had no interest in getting to know Zhao Jingcheng.
From the moment they were at the door, Zhao Jingcheng's attitude had made Yuan'an deeply disgusted.
Ever since she grew up, she had seen too many fake, hypocritical smiles like Zhao Jingcheng's.
Especially when the other party deliberately treated her and Ankang differently, it made Yuan'an look down on this Vice Minister of Revenue even more.
"Lord Zhao, we are visiting today to see Zhao Gu. I wonder if he is available?"
Hearing Yuan'an specifically ask to see Zhao Gu, the smile on Zhao Jingcheng's face couldn't help but stiffen, and then he asked with some trepidation:
"I wonder why Your Highness is looking for my son?"
It was no wonder Zhao Jingcheng was so cautious.
He, as the father, knew exactly what kind of character his fourth son had.
If it were someone else, Zhao Jingcheng might have been happy, thinking that his son had formed a connection with Yuan'an over the past few days.
But that fat pig Zhao Gu was someone even he, as his father, couldn't stand; there was even less chance that Yuan'an would even spare him a glance.
In this world, presumably only Madam Zhao found her own son pleasing to the eye.
Zhao Jingcheng also knew what kind of behavior Zhao Four had outside, so he was terrified that he might have offended Yuan'an somewhere.
He had been quite happy when he heard Yuan'an was visiting, but now he couldn't be happy at all.
If they had come to hold him accountable, let alone establishing a path to the Empress, it was questionable whether he could even keep his current official position.
"It has to do with a case. We need to ask him some questions."
Yuan'an answered coldly.
"A case?"
Zhao Jingcheng wore a look of suspicion, but neither Yuan'an nor Ankang appeared to have any intention of explaining it to him.
Zhao Jingcheng had to awkwardly touch his nose, not daring to ask any more questions.
Because he noticed that there were two eunuchs beside the two princesses writing furiously, and he didn't know what they were recording.
In the past few days, Zhao Jingcheng had also heard that the First Prince had been making a big fuss and had solved a case.
Zhao Jingcheng was a veteran of the officialdom, and combined with the rumors of the past few days, he guessed that this time the princes and princesses were likely not just out of the palace for fun.
Although Zhao Jingcheng held a high official position, he had no connections in the inner palace.
The few children born in his family were all boys, and they weren't very promising either.
If he had a daughter, and with some careful grooming, given Zhao Jingcheng's resources, he could have helped his daughter find a position in the inner palace.
But that was just how things were in this world; some people prayed for a son their whole lives, only to have all daughters.
And some people wanted a daughter, but didn't have the fate for it.
Seeing that Yuan'an was unwilling to say more, Zhao Jingcheng didn't ask further.
If it's a blessing, it's not a disaster; if it's a disaster, it cannot be avoided.
"At worst, if that brat really did something wrong, I'll just uphold righteousness and eliminate my own kin today. It could count as his contribution to my Zhao family."
Having thought this through, Zhao Jingcheng immediately sent someone to bring Zhao Four over.
But waiting and waiting, Zhao Four still didn't appear, which made Zhao Jingcheng feel like he was losing face.
He was the head of the household, after all. If he couldn't even summon his son in his own home, how would Yuan'an view him?
"Where is he? Why hasn't he been brought over yet?"
Zhao Jingcheng asked the servant beside him, suppressing his temper.
Madam Zhao also knew that they couldn't drop the ball at a time like this, so she immediately said:
"My Lord, why don't I go take a look and urge him along? Perhaps Gu'er is so excited to see the two Your Highnesses that he doesn't know what clothes to wear."
Madam Zhao covered her mouth and smiled, trying to resolve the awkward atmosphere at hand.
But both Ankang and Yuan'an knew what kind of person Zhao Four was, so they certainly didn't believe this.
Li Xuan knew even better that this guy had long since been scared out of his wits and was likely afraid to easily leave his bed covers.
Zhao Jingcheng forced a laugh along with his wife's words.
But he knew his wife was a typical indulgent mother who spoiled her child, so sending her to urge him would likely not have any good effect.
Zhao Jingcheng immediately ordered his trusted steward to take a few guards and hurry to "invite" Zhao Four out.
This time, it was clearly much more efficient.
In less than a moment, a series of ear-piercing, pig-slaughtering screams came from the back.
Zhao Jingcheng's eye twitched and his mouth jerked; he immediately recognized this as the sound his son was making.
Madam Zhao, on the other hand, looked worried, fearing that Zhao Four had been wronged.
But this pig-like squealing that made Zhao Jingcheng so embarrassed only lasted for a short while.
Not long after, Zhao Four was hog-tied and carried into the reception hall on a pole.
In this scene, coupled with Zhao Four's obese figure, the visual impact was truly too strong.
Even the two princesses couldn't help but lose their composure.
"Lord Zhao, this is..."
Yuan'an couldn't help but ask.
She would never have imagined that this would be the way Zhao Four made his entrance in his own home.
"My son is unruly. He has made a fool of himself before Your Highnesses; I hope you will bear with it."
Zhao Jingcheng had to apologize first, then he signaled to the servants to remove the cloth gagging Zhao Four's mouth.
"No, no..."
"Quick, send me back to my room! I can't stay outside!"
"Quick, quick, send me back!"
Zhao Four was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, his obese body squirming, tucking his head into his chest as if he were terrified of being seen by something.
Ankang and Yuan'an immediately narrowed their eyes, a cold light flashing through them.
If they hadn't heard about the evil deeds he and Third Young Master Hou committed at Cuihua Tower, they probably wouldn't know what Zhao Four was afraid of upon seeing his current state.
But now it was different; having already gained a rough understanding of the matter, the two princesses immediately realized that Zhao Four was afraid of the so-called female ghost coming for revenge.
Otherwise, in broad daylight, what could he be so terrified of in his own home?
"Zhao Gu, what are you afraid of?"
Ankang asked indifferently, seemingly just out of curiosity.
Zhao Jingcheng couldn't help but take another look at Ankang.
This was his first time seeing this legendary princess who had long resided in the Cold Palace.
But after seeing her with his own eyes, he found that she seemed quite different from what he had expected.
He often heard people say that this princess had been sickly since childhood, and he had assumed she would be a weakling.
But now it seemed that, apart from sitting in a wheelchair, there was not much sign of illness.
Moreover, she was full of spirit and energy, not at all like someone who had been tortured by illness for years.
Especially when she was asking the question just now, that Aura of imperial nobility was not lacking in the slightest.
In terms of temperament, she was completely not inferior to Yuan'an, the Empress's legitimate daughter.
But Zhao Gu seemed to not hear Ankang's question at all, still just muttering to himself incoherently.
At first, Zhao Jingcheng hadn't taken Zhao Four's state to heart, thinking he was deliberately playing the fool to gain sympathy.
Zhao Four had used this trick countless times, and Zhao Jingcheng, being his father, had long since become accustomed to it.
But Madam Zhao was the only one who fell for this trick, allowing Zhao Four to succeed repeatedly, which only made him worse.
As Zhao Four's state looked increasingly real, Zhao Jingcheng couldn't help but start to suspect that Zhao Four might be for real this time.
Ankang signaled for Yu'er to push the wheelchair forward a few steps, approaching Zhao Four, who was now slumped on the ground, muttering incoherently.
"Zhao Gu, do you still remember Qianqian?"
Hearing this name, Zhao Four's eyes immediately went wide, his muttering stopped abruptly, and he opened his mouth wide but couldn't utter another word.
"I don't know, don't ask me!"
"I don't know any Qianqian!"
"It really has nothing to do with me!!!"
Zhao Four shouted, suddenly squirming on the ground, crawling towards Madam Zhao, looking just like a fat caterpillar.
"Mother, save me!"
"They are all bad people, they are all bad people who want to kill me!"
"Save me!!!"
Zhao Four screamed hysterically, seeking help from the mother he relied on most.
Madam Zhao could not bear to see her son in this state, and she herself was taken aback.
Madam Zhao quickly knelt down, hugged her son, patted his back gently, and comforted him:
"Son, don't worry."
"With Mother here, no one will hurt you!"
"Be good, don't be afraid, don't be afraid."
Watching Madam Zhao comfort her son as if he were a little baby, this scene made everyone frown.
Zhao Four was about the same age as the First Prince, likely at least sixteen or seventeen, nearing adulthood, and he was even a head taller than Madam Zhao.
Therefore, seeing Zhao Four held in Madam Zhao's arms being comforted was as awkward as it could be.
Zhao Jingcheng also realized at this moment that the situation was wrong, and immediately asked:
"Your Highnesses, I wonder, who is this Qianqian?"
Ankang remained silent, observing Zhao Four's reaction.
Zhao Four's such intense reaction to the name Qianqian was enough to explain everything.
And Yuan'an, who was beside her, answered this question.
"A girl from the Flower Street in the East Market. More than a month ago, she was redeemed and bought by Zhao Gu and Hou Chi Si, and ended up dying that very night."
Upon hearing that it was a girl from the Flower Street, one could clearly feel Zhao Jingcheng heave a sigh of relief.
He looked as if he were saying: "So it was just this small matter."
Li Xuan looked coldly at Zhao Jingcheng, as well as Zhao Four and Madam Zhao on the ground.
He stuck out his tongue and licked his paw, his eyes gradually deepening.
Zhao Jingcheng quickly wiped away his relaxed expression, and then asked:
"I wonder why Your Highnesses are interested in this matter?"
Ankang finally turned to look at Zhao Jingcheng, curled the corners of her mouth, and then said:
"This time when we left the palace, we were both burdened with a trial from the Emperor."
"It's just that as our trial proceeded, it led us to your son."
"The other Lord Hou involved in this matter was burned to death inside Hu Yu House last night."
"Right now, Young Master Zhao might be the last person who knows the truth."
Li Xuan couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
Ankang's words were quite clever; not a single lie was told, yet she concealed the fact that their original case had absolutely nothing to do with Zhao Four and Third Young Master Hou.
Hearing this, Zhao Jingcheng's expression changed. He couldn't help but look at Yuan'an, only to realize that her expression was exceptionally grim, and the way she stared at him made it seem as if she wished she could kick him to death.
Zhao Jingcheng's eyes darted around, and he immediately understood that this so-called trial was actually an investigation.
It was just like the case the First Prince had solved.
Now that he thought about it, the two princesses' case must have been obstructed because of Zhao Four, which was why they had come to visit in person.
Zhao Jingcheng could ignore Ankang's business, but he absolutely did not want to become a stumbling block for Yuan'an.
At the moment, the way Yuan'an was looking at him was already very wrong.
Zhao Jingcheng had to make amends.
"Someone, come here."
"Escort the Madam away to rest."
Immediately, two maids helped Madam Zhao up and took her toward the back of the reception hall.
Taken by surprise, Madam Zhao and Zhao Four were easily separated.
"What are you doing?"
"Master, what are you doing!?"
Zhao Jingcheng ignored his wife's questioning.
Once Madam Zhao was taken away, he grabbed the still-sobbing Zhao Four.
Zhao Jingcheng seemed to have no cultivation; he didn't actually lift Zhao Four up, but merely grabbed his collar to make him sit straight.
Then, Zhao Jingcheng began slapping Zhao Four back and forth across the face, the sounds ringing out sharply.
Zhao Four, who was still whimpering, was instantly stunned by the beating.
He was used to his mother's warm embrace and gentle words of comfort; now, suddenly struck by these burning slaps across the face, his brain couldn't quite process what was happening.
"Unfilial son, unfilial son!"
"All day long you do nothing but idle about and stir up trouble."
"Instead of thinking of ways to ease the worries of Your Highnesses, you come here to cause more trouble! I'll beat you to death, you good-for-nothing!"
Zhao Jingcheng slapped with quite a bit of Aura, causing a more realistic pig's head to immediately swell up on Zhao Four's neck.
After all, Zhao Jingcheng had no cultivation; relying solely on his anger, he burst out for a moment before quickly becoming winded and panting.
He pointed at Zhao Four's nose and said hatefully:
"Unfilial son, hurry up and confess honestly to Your Highnesses!"
"I, I'll speak, I'll speak..."
Beaten into submission by his father, Zhao Four couldn't even care about being afraid anymore. He immediately used his swollen mouth to incoherently confess the sordid things he and Third Young Master Hou had done.
Xixi was originally a girl at Hu Yu House; because her looks were ordinary and she had no special talents, she received very little business.
Therefore, a month ago, Hu Yu House offered Xixi a relatively "discounted" price for her redemption.
This discount was, of course, relative; for an ordinary family, it was still a significant amount of silver.
As luck would have it, Zhao Four and Third Young Master Hou, who had gone there that night to seek pleasure, happened to encounter her.
Neither of them had any impression of Xixi at first, but because of a misunderstanding and a quarrel, they suddenly began to fight over who would claim Xixi.
Initially, Xixi's redemption price was only thirty taels, but these two fellows drove it up to two hundred and fifty taels before the deal was struck.
According to their bet, Third Young Master Hou barked like a dog for Zhao Four in public and also paid half of the redemption money.
The two idiots were simple in their competition; it just depended on who had more money in their pockets that night to see who would finally win Xixi.
Originally, Third Young Master Hou was supposed to go into the room to cheer Zhao Four on.
But when they entered the room, they saw that Xixi's expression, which had been full of joy, slowly froze.
Third Young Master Hou had lost the bet and was already in a bad mood, so he immediately mocked her, saying that Xixi thought Zhao Four was too ugly and was disgusted even after being redeemed by him.
Zhao Four was already quite insecure about his appearance. Originally in a good mood from winning the bet, his spirits were immediately dampened by Third Young Master Hou's words.
Especially seeing Xixi hiding from him, a sense of brutality spontaneously arose in his heart.
Zhao Four wanted to teach this girl he had just bought a lesson, to let her know the consequences of displeasing her master.
But at that time, Xixi struggled violently, which instead piqued the interest of Zhao Four and Third Young Master Hou.
That night, Xixi was like a girl who had just been sent to Flower Street, struggling and crying out violently, like a woman of unyielding chastity.
If Zhao Four and Third Young Master Hou hadn't known that Xixi was a girl who had already been on Flower Street for several years, they would have feared they had walked into the wrong place.
Just when they thought they could enjoy themselves that night, Xixi grabbed her life-saving scissors and then, without hesitation, slashed her own throat, drenching Zhao Four and Third Young Master Hou with her blood.
Only at that moment did Xixi safely let go of the collar she had been clutching tightly.
As a girl, she resisted two playboy Young Masters and, until the very end, did not let them take advantage of her.
That night, Zhao Four and Third Young Master Hou were so angry that their interest was completely gone, and they caused a huge scene with Zhou Mama of Hu Yu House.
In the end, Zhou Mama apologized and waived the bill, only then managing to send them both away.
"Slap!"
Another crisp slap.
"Unfilial son, tell me honestly, did that girl really commit suicide?"
Zhao Four was in so much pain that tears welled up, but he immediately said:
"Father, I swear, that woman really committed suicide; Zhou Mama of Hu Yu House can testify."
"Besides, I paid for her redemption; wouldn't killing her be a waste of my own money?"
Zhao Four swore an oath, his attitude appearing extremely sincere.
Zhao Jingcheng didn't care about the life or death of a prostitute.
The slap he had just given was mainly because he saw that the expressions of the two princesses were not very good, and he had angered them to the point where their eyes were red.
Although Zhao Jingcheng didn't know what was actually going on, he still wanted to absolve Zhao Four as much as possible.
Otherwise, if Zhao Four were to be held in resentment by Yuan'an, wouldn't he, as the father, also suffer along with him?
The reason Zhao Jingcheng had emphasized asking whether Xixi committed suicide was to show that Zhao Four's actions were unintentional.
Although Zhao Jingcheng was talking to his son, his attention was entirely on Yuan'an.
Li Xuan controlled his breathing and slowly retracted the claws that had popped out at some unknown moment.
Although he wished he could tear this Zhao Four apart right now, he realized that Zhao Four should not die at his hands.
As Zhao Four added many more details, the matter became clearer and clearer.
That night, Xixi must have been waiting for someone else.
Ankang clearly thought of this too; her eyes were red, and she held back her emotions, not shedding tears.
Although she and Xixi had never met, just hearing these stories from others was enough to make one sad.
"Then what about her body?"
Ankang lowered her head and asked, controlling her emotions.
Zhao Four looked at Ankang, and only then did he recognize the two princesses.
"It's you?"
When he was dragged up, he was so scared he was delirious, and later, after being slapped by his father, he was already in a daze.
Only now did he realize that it was these two girls, whom he had met once at Cuihua Tower, who had come to his house.
"Don't talk nonsense, answer whatever you are asked!"
Zhao Jingcheng pushed his son's head, terrified that he would cause more trouble.
Startled by his father, Zhao Four didn't dare to think too much and immediately answered honestly:
"These kinds of things are always handled by Hu Yu House; I guess you have to ask Zhou Mama."
"I, I really don't know."
Ankang looked at Zhao Four coldly, and then said something shocking:
"Third Young Master Hou is already dead."
"Since you are so afraid, you must have already guessed who the female ghost is."
"She will come to find you; you owe her, and you must pay her back, right?"
Leaving these words behind, Ankang didn't want to stay in the Zhao residence any longer and had Yu'er push her away.
Yuan'an followed closely behind, and before leaving, she glared fiercely at the Zhao father and son.
Zhao Jingcheng didn't care about Ankang's attitude, but he did care about Yuan'an's.
Now, after being glared at by Yuan'an and knowing that he was already disliked, Zhao Jingcheng, fueled by anger and a sudden burst of unknown strength, began slapping Zhao Four back and forth again, venting the rage in his heart.
"Unfilial son, trash, something worse than a pig or dog!"
"All you know is how to cause trouble for me!"
"Master, stop hitting him!"
"If you keep hitting him, Gu'er won't make it!"
By the time the two princesses left the Zhao residence, it was already in chaos inside.
And the moment they stepped out of the Zhao residence, Li Xuan suddenly felt a warmth on his body.
He looked back and discovered that his body was wet in two spots.
It turned out to be Ankang's tears falling on him.
"Sister..."
Yuan'an called out, but didn't know what to say.
Li Xuan silently stood up, hugged Ankang, and then gently wiped away her tears.
"He will die."
Li Xuan's tail gently wrote on the back of Ankang's hand.
"But even so, Xixi won't come back to life."
Ankang cried for Xixi's miserable fate, and also cried for the unfairness of this world.
"Why must two good people suffer such hardships because of two bad people?"
Li Xuan sighed; he also didn't understand why.
The ultimate truth of the world always guides people toward goodness.
But this world has never been peaceful, and wicked people always run rampant.
Although Li Xuan had lived two lives, he still couldn't figure out the answer to this question.
He looked back at the Zhao residence; the security there was still as strict as before.
Ordinary people would not be able to break in and kill Zhao Four.
Li Xuan took a deep look at the Zhao residence, then withdrew his gaze.
Pulling himself together, the group returned to Hu Yu House.
They were still staying here because there was unfinished business.
They needed an ending, a satisfying ending.
Therefore, the original purpose of waiting for the rabbit had changed.
This time, they were no longer the hunters catching the rabbit.
Inside a private room at Hu Yu House, Ankang silently gazed at the scenery on Flower Street, then quietly wrote a few words on Li Xuan's back with her finger.
"Li Xuan, let's go help Miss Xixi."