Chapter 82: Extreme Joy Leads to Sorrow

Leaving aside how Zhang Yue and the people on both sides managed to avoid being hit, at the moment the two groups approached each other on the main road, a loud shout came from each side. The leaders at the front immediately reined in their horses, followed by continuous neighing from the steeds.

The leader on the left rode a pure white horse without a single spot, wearing a golden crown that reached high into his hair, a bright red and purple floral brocade robe, and an outer cloak in rose purple. In his hand was a whip made from the skin of an old python from the mountains, and his expression was filled with arrogance. The leader on the right rode a yellow horse, with a sable fur headband tied around its forehead, dressed in a python-patterned robe in autumn fragrance color. His pale face showed undisguised malice. Both of them were only about fourteen or fifteen years old. As their eyes met, they both sneered.

“Judging by your attire, Brother Huan, you must have just returned from the palace, right?”
“Brother Qi is indeed right. Our father is still in the palace talking with the Emperor Grandfather! From your appearance, it seems you want to enter the palace to plead with the Emperor Grandfather. Ah, just as I left the palace, I heard that the Emperor Grandfather had just returned from Xihua Gate. I don’t know what the King of Han said that angered him so much. Now that he’s furious, not only will he refuse to see you, but it would be lucky if he doesn’t take his anger out on others. My advice to Brother Qi is to hold off for now.”
“You… Hmph, don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. Don’t forget—you still have a crown prince above you!”
“Brother Qi, that’s strange. Don’t you also have a crown prince above you? At least I’m luckier than you—without such a tyrannical father. My mother and I share the same mother, and she still lives a life of luxury and honor…”
“You… Hmph, enjoy your triumph for now. Let’s see how long you can be so arrogant!”

Zhang Yue saw the youth in the autumn fragrance python robe wave his whip fiercely and shout again. Everyone turned their horses in unison, thinking that the rivalry between these two young princes would end soon, and they could pass through. But just as they were about to set off, the youth glanced in his direction, pointed with his whip, and said,
“Come on, send a few people to whip those who laughed at me. That way, no one will think the people of the Han Prince’s mansion are easy targets!”

As soon as those words were spoken, more than a dozen men rushed out from behind the young man. Like wolves pouncing on tigers, they rode forward and, without hesitation, grabbed whips to lash at the terrified civilians. This sudden attack immediately turned the scene into chaos, with cries of despair and pleas for mercy filling the air. Yet the guards struck mercilessly, ignoring right or wrong or the severity of their blows.

The moment the young man spoke those words, Zhang Yue sensed something was wrong. Though he had long known of inequality in those times, he had never seen such unrestrained brutality before. In desperation, he glanced at the young man in the bright red brocade robe, expecting him to at least try to stop it. To his surprise, the man merely watched with a smile, seemingly enjoying the spectacle. Just then, a swift whip streaked toward his face, accompanied by the howling wind.

Reacting quickly, he stepped aside by squeezing his horse’s flanks, but the whip, like a venomous snake, still struck his shoulder. With a crack, his thick clothes were torn apart, followed by another heavy blow to the same spot. Seeing his master being beaten, Lian Sheng, who had been stunned, finally snapped out of it and shouted loudly, “Stop! Stop now! We’re from the Duke of Ying’s household!”

Although the area was in chaos, Lian Sheng’s urgent cries were heard by many. The guards who were beating people saw Zhang Yue’s delicate skin and, with a cruel grin, raised their whips again. But upon hearing “Duke of Ying’s household,” they were shocked and dropped their whips, pulling back a few steps. Soon, the young man in the red brocade robe also heard those words from his guards and his eyes gleamed. He then shouted sharply, “Someone, stop those lawless men! How can the capital allow the guards of a vassal prince to oppress the common people?”

The HanWangfu guards, already demoralized by the mention of the Duke of Ying’s household, retreated behind their young master when they saw people from the ZhaoWangfu stepping in to stop them.

At that moment, the young man in the autumn-colored python robe was so angry that he gritted his teeth, yet he was powerless. Glaring fiercely in the direction where “Duke of Ying’s household” was mentioned, he angrily rode away without saying a word. With his departure, the young man in the red brocade robe grew proud. He rode through the crowd and approached Zhang Yue.

He had originally thought he was just an ordinary person from the Duke of Yingguo’s household. But when he got closer and saw Zhang Yue’s appearance and attire, his heart tightened immediately. He quickly jumped off his horse and asked gently, “I am the Prince of Anyang, the second son of the King of Zhao. I failed to stop the people from the Prince of Han’s household in my haste, and I’m sorry for scaring you all. May I ask your name, young man? Who are you from the Duke of Yingguo’s household?”

If it weren’t for having witnessed him confronting that youth in the autumn-colored python robe moments earlier and then standing by idly watching, perhaps Zhang Yue would have thought this was a gentle and polite young prince. But knowing the truth, he felt deep hatred, though he only showed a pained expression on his face.

Had it not been for his timely shout, he might have taken a few blows himself, and it’s likely that several innocent civilians would have been killed. Such a serious incident could lead to fatal consequences, and Zhu Gaoxu, the Prince of Han who was already imprisoned inside Xihua Gate awaiting punishment, would surely have no chance of survival. This young Prince of Anyang was truly cunning—the Zhu family really never stopped causing trouble!

Before he could speak, a surprised voice came from behind, “Isn’t this my dear nephew Zhang Yue?”

Zhang Yue looked up abruptly and saw a middle-aged man emerging from behind the Prince of Anyang, with a look of both surprise and joy. That face seemed somewhat familiar. In a flash, he searched his memory and finally recognized the man. His face turned slightly pale before he forced a smile.

“Uncle Meng, it’s been so many years. How did you still recognize me?”

“Hahaha! Back then, you brothers caused quite a trouble for my nephew during your sister’s wedding. How could I forget? Now, my nephew and his wife get along harmoniously— isn’t that a wonderful story for our Meng family?” The middle-aged man said, laughing as he bowed to the Prince of Anyang, then pointed at Zhang Yue and explained, “Prince of Anyang, this is Zhang Yue, the cousin of the Duke of Yingguo, and also the cousin of my daughter-in-law.”

Hearing that Zhang Yue was the cousin of Duke Zhang Fu, the Prince of Anyang, Zhu Zhanxun, was overjoyed. He had only hoped that Zhu Zhanqi would get into trouble with the Duke of Yingguo’s household, but now it was actually a legitimate member of the Zhang family who was being attacked—this was even better. His expression became even more friendly as he blamed himself for not intervening earlier and criticized Zhu Zhanqi for his reckless behavior. Finally, he took off his robe and draped it over Zhang Yue’s shoulders, insisting on personally escorting him back.

At this moment, Zhang Yue felt a searing pain in his left shoulder and had no desire to argue with the Prince of Anyang. He simply let him act presumptuously, his mind fixed on another issue. All along, he had only thought of Zhang Qing and Meng Jun as a perfect match, forgetting that Meng Xian, the illegitimate elder brother of Marquis Bao Ding Meng Ying and thus Meng Jun’s uncle, was the commander of the Zhongshan guards for Prince Zhao Zhu Gao Sui. Although Prince Zhao’s fate wasn’t worse than that of the King of Han, it didn’t seem much better either!