323 Meeting Prince Liang Again
In the households of the rich and powerful, many shady things happen, so the death of a maid wasn't particularly strange. However, upon hearing this news, Zhao Zhitong's first instinct was that this matter wasn't simple.
Just as Zhao Zhitong was thinking this, Wei Zijian continued, "I also overheard a maid saying that on the day of the banquet, she saw Xiao Cui standing in the hallway with drinks for a long time before running off in a panic. At that time, she also saw Dr. Zhuo and his subordinates. She suspects that Xiao Cui accidentally overheard something she shouldn't have and was silenced."
Zhao Zhitong nodded. That's indeed a possibility, she thought.
Then she said, "Let's go. We need to be more careful in the future. With Dr. Zhuo's petty nature, I'm sure he wishes we were dead."
Wei Zijian nodded, patting his chest. "Master, don't worry. I will protect you!"
The two conversed as they walked towards the inn.
Zhao Zhitong's guess was correct; Dr. Zhuo hated her to the bone.
In recent days, Zhao Zhitong had been invited by various nobles and high-ranking officials in the Capital City to treat patients in their homes, which made Zhuo An feel as if his face was being slapped repeatedly.
In a fit of rage, he wanted to take action against Zhao Zhitong directly in the Capital City, making her disappear from his sight once and for all.
However, the skill Zhao Yu had shown when he beat up the thief made him think twice.
The thought of immediate action was dismissed, but his murderous intent had not lessened.
「 」
When Zhao Zhitong and Wei Zijian returned to their residence, they found Qiao Muchen talking with a man whose back looked somewhat familiar.
"Tongtong's back," Wei Shulan's voice sounded.
As she spoke, the man turned around. Zhao Zhitong couldn't help but exclaim in pleasant surprise, "Prince Liang!"
Pei Yuanqing chuckled. "My, my, it's only been two years, and the little young girl has already grown into a young lady! We haven't seen each other for just two years, so why are you being so distant with me now? You used to chase after me, always calling 'Uncle Pei, Uncle Pei'."
Zhao Zhitong smiled sheepishly. "I was too young and didn't understand etiquette back then. I hope Prince Liang won't take offense."
Hearing this, Pei Yuanqing deliberately put on a stern face. "What's all this about etiquette? I've practically watched you all grow up. What's wrong with calling me 'Uncle Pei'? Besides, do I look like the kind of person who cares about such empty formalities?"
"From now on, you mustn't be so distant with me. Just call me Uncle Pei."
Since Pei Yuanqing insisted, it would have been tactless for Zhao Zhitong to refuse further, so she nodded with a smile.
Then, thinking of something, she changed the subject. "I heard that for the past few years, Uncle Pei, you've been traveling and enjoying the sights. Why did you suddenly return?"
Pei Yuanqing laughed heartily. "Well, I figured you all would be coming to the Capital City for the exams around this time. So, I came back to support you, just in case some undiscerning people tried to bully you."
"I just didn't realize our little young girl had become so formidable! As soon as I entered the Capital City, I started hearing legendary tales about the young Divine Doctor Zhao."
Zhao Zhitong smiled shyly. "They're just exaggerating. I'm not really that amazing."
"Oh, I think what people are saying is true," Pei Yuanqing said with a laugh. Then, as a thought occurred to him, his expression turned somewhat serious.
"However, by doing so, you've certainly offended Dr. Zhuo. And this Dr. Zhuo is not a good person."
"He relies on the emperor's favor, secretly colluding with the King of Chu, currying favor with court officials, framing loyal subjects, and oppressing the common people. He constantly stirs up turmoil in the imperial court."
As they listened, angry expressions appeared on the faces of Zhao Zhitong and her companions.
Zhao Zhitong keenly picked up on one name and asked in confusion, "The King of Chu?"
"That's right," Pei Yuanqing sighed. "He's my paternal cousin, the current emperor's own nephew. We were both enfeoffed as princes at the same time, but this cousin of mine is more favored by His Majesty. He wields immense power, is arrogant and domineering, and often conspires with scoundrels like Zhuo An."
Zhao Yue frowned and asked, "Then, is there no way to deal with them?"
Pei Yuanqing shook his head. "Ah, I'm just a prince with no real responsibilities. The emperor granted me this title largely out of consideration for the kindness my late mother showed him. I don't have any actual authority."
"Furthermore, there's no concrete evidence against them, and the emperor trusts and favors them deeply. So, you all must be particularly careful here in the Capital City."
He sighed again. "If only someone could find evidence of his crimes—the King of Chu's crimes—and present it to the emperor, then this menace could be removed for the sake of the people. Alas!"
"However, don't you all worry too much. Tomorrow, I will publicly announce that you, Tongtong, are my niece. If they want to harm you, they'll surely have to be a bit more cautious, right?"
Reaching this point, Pei Yuanqing smiled and deftly changed the subject. "Alright, enough about them. I've encountered many interesting things during my travels these past few years. Would you like to hear about them?"
"Oh, yes!" replied Zhao Zhitong and the others.
Seeing him change the subject, Zhao Zhitong and the others didn't dwell on the previous topic and instead began chatting with Pei Yuanqing about the interesting anecdotes from his travels.
They chatted away until it grew dark. Pei Yuanqing stood up, chuckling. "Oh, just look at me! I got so caught up chatting with you young ones that I completely lost track of time."
"Alright, I've only just returned, and there are still many matters at my residence waiting for me to handle. I'll head back first. You all must come visit me at my manor another day!"
After Pei Yuanqing bid farewell to the group, he prepared to depart. Just as he stepped out the door, he seemed to remember something, turned back, and said, "Remember, if you encounter any difficulties here in the Capital City, come to my manor and find me anytime. I will always be your Uncle Pei."
With that, he winked at Zhao Zhitong, then turned and left.
Once Pei Yuanqing's figure had disappeared from sight, the young friends returned to the inn. After asking the waiter to bring them a few bowls of noodles, they sat down and resumed their conversation.
Wei Shulan was still reflecting on the recent events and couldn't help but remark with emotion, "Prince Liang truly lives up to his reputation for being virtuous. He's so approachable."
Zhao Zhitong nodded, recalling memories of her interactions with Pei Yuanqing from her childhood. "Yes, ever since I was little, Uncle Pei has always been so kind and affable."
Zhao Yue added, "I've heard that this Prince Liang dislikes power struggles and prefers being a carefree prince with no official duties. Whenever he's free, he goes off traveling and enjoying the scenic beauty. Looking at him now, the rumors seem to be true."
Then, his tone shifting, he asked, "But regarding what Prince Liang just mentioned—about the King of Chu and Dr. Zhuo—should we get involved?"
Wei Shulan frowned. "Get involved? How? The exam results for you two aren't even out yet, and none of us are officials in the imperial court. Even if we wanted to get involved, we couldn't."
Qiao Muchen also frowned and said, "Wei Shulan is right. We can't do anything about this matter for now. However, we all need to be much more careful about our safety recently."
They all nodded in agreement. Just then, the waiter brought the noodles they had ordered.
With a tacit understanding, they stopped discussing the topic.
In the days that followed, Pei Yuanqing indeed publicly announced that Zhao Zhitong was his niece. Instantly, many people in the Capital City began to treat Zhao Zhitong with even greater respect.
They had originally thought they would simply wait like this until Results Announcement Day. However, unexpectedly, just as the results were about to be announced, something happened to Pei Yuanqing!