When Cen Yan arrived, Bi Shuyu was being supported by Liu Mama, her eyes wide with anger, bloodshot and fierce. It was clear that she had been quite shaken.

On Hao San’s side, he had his men lined up in front of Zhuang Dongqing, all of them had drawn their swords. Although Hao San’s sword was still sheathed, he was pressing down on it tightly, creating a tense atmosphere. As for Zhuang Dongqing, he was being protected behind Hao San, his face a bit pale, gripping Liu Fu’s arm. It looked like he was a bit scared.

“What’s going on here?” Cen Yan called out cheerfully as he walked in.

Seeing Cen Yan, Bi Shuyu huffed, “Dingxi Wang, the Zhuang family did not invite you to our residence!”

Cen Yan’s expression remained unchanged, “I came with the second young master of your esteemed house. I hope you can understand that I am here for official business.”

While he spoke of understanding, his actions were anything but considerate. Liu Qi quickly stepped forward, bringing Zhuang Dongqing to their side, while Hao San and his team stood guard in front. Cen Yan was followed by more than a dozen armed guards, creating an imposing presence.

Of course, it also seemed quite provocative.

Zhuang Dongqing: “…”

He turned back halfway, catching Bi Shuyu’s fierce gaze, and quickly averted his eyes, focusing on his nose and heart, behaving obediently.

Cen Yan found it somewhat amusing but managed to hold back his laughter.

In the brief moment of contact, Liu Qi took Zhuang Dongqing’s wrist to check his pulse, then stood still and whispered to Cen Yan, “He was just a bit startled, it’s nothing serious.”

Cen Yan nodded.

He glanced at Zhuang Dongqing and noticed that he wasn’t afraid of him at all; instead, he stood behind him. It was silly, but at a critical moment, he could still distinguish between friend and foe.

Bi Shuyu was quite agitated by Liu Qi’s protective gesture. She wanted to step forward but was firmly held back by Liu Mama, who kept advising her in a low voice.

Cen Yan met her gaze calmly. Bi Shuyu’s eyes were deep red, glaring at their group without blinking, clearly filled with hatred.

Thinking about what Zhuang Dongqing had advised her, Cen Yan felt it was reasonable.

Once Zhuang Dongqing was settled, Hao San came over to Cen Yan and bowed, recounting the whole situation.

In fact, not much was said, but the problem was that it was too straightforward. Zhuang Dongqing had almost relayed the plan he discussed with Cen Yan without any embellishments directly to Bi Shuyu.

Cen Yan: “…”

He turned to give Zhuang Dongqing a glance, feeling a chill run down his spine.

After pondering for a moment, Cen Yan asked, “So, has everything been said?”

Hao San: “… Yes.”

Looking at the situation, Cen Yan didn’t want to get involved, so he turned to Zhuang Dongqing and asked, “Is there anything we missed?”

Zhuang Dongqing’s voice was tense, “I’ve said almost everything that needs to be said.”

Cen Yan nodded, making a cheerful decision, “Since the lady doesn’t welcome us, let’s leave.”

Bi Shuyu: “Stop!”

Her voice was hoarse, “Zhuang Dongqing is my Zhuang family’s illegitimate son. Does Dingxi Wang think he can just take him away?”

She even pointed out “illegitimate son,” which really tore the mask off.

Cen Yan’s expression turned cold, “The Dali Temple is handling the case. Zhuang Xingchang and Zhuang Yue are both detained in the Ministry of Justice, and Zhuang Dongqing also participated in this imperial examination as a suspect from the Zhuang family. How could I not take him away?”

Bi Shuyu exclaimed, “You’re taking him away to investigate?”

“What else? Does the lady think it’s something else?”

Zhuang Dongqing had returned, bringing Hao San and his group with him. Recently, the Zhuang family had been in turmoil, and Bi Shuyu was ill. Although she had given Zhuang Dongqing money and a contract, it was impossible to place all her hopes on an illegitimate son. Therefore, for the past few days, the steward had been running around for Bi Shuyu.

With the steward absent, the other servants didn’t recognize Cen Yan and reported to Bi Shuyu, who thought it was just Zhuang Dongqing.

In a fit of anger, she didn’t think much when she saw Cen Yan.

After a couple of sentences, Bi Shuyu suddenly began to feel anxious. Could it be that the Bi family’s luck had truly run out?

As this thought crossed her mind, her head spun, and she felt dizzy.

Liu Mama called out to her repeatedly, helping her steady herself.

Bi Shuyu: “I still have a few words to say to Zhuang Dongqing, privately.”

She stared blankly, her voice dazed.

Cen Yan turned to Zhuang Dongqing, “Do you want to talk to her?”

Zhuang Dongqing: “…”

Zhuang Dongqing shook his head, slightly raising his voice so both sides could hear, “I’ve already said what I needed to say today. The rest is for the lady to weigh herself.”

“You…”

Cen Yan: “The lady must have heard everything, so let’s part ways here…”

“No, you can’t leave! Zhuang Dongqing, don’t betray me!”

Her voice was sharp and piercing.

But it made Cen Yan laugh, “Betray you? You have to eat first, right?”

“Lady, have you ever heard the saying, ‘Repay kindness with kindness, how do you repay enmity?’”

Bi Shuyu was already on the verge of collapse, holding on by sheer willpower. Cen Yan’s words were too blunt, almost merciless, and she suddenly bent over, feeling a sharp pain in her chest, her vision darkening.

She looked truly pitiful, but it didn’t move Cen Yan at all: “Everything that needed to be said has been said. Since the lady is still insistent, let me give you two statements, Liu Qi—”

Liu Qi took out the statements from Zhuang Xingchang and Zhuang Yue and handed them to Liu Mama.

Bi Shuyu’s attention was instantly captured.

Cen Yan: “The eldest young master’s statement was obtained using some methods during the interrogation, but it was a minor punishment, so it won’t leave any lasting harm. I’m giving these to the lady today, but given the eldest young master’s tight-lipped nature, if he encounters someone else and is interrogated again, it’s uncertain whether he’ll be as forthcoming as he was today.”

After saying that, he spoke in a deep voice, “Let’s go.”

This time, no one stopped them, and they smoothly exited the Zhuang residence.

Once they got into the carriage, Cen Yan noticed that Zhuang Dongqing’s hem was wet, looking like it had been splashed with tea, and his face immediately darkened, “What happened?”

Zhuang Dongqing was still shaken by the events at the Zhuang residence. Seeing Cen Yan’s expression drop, he instinctively shrank his shoulders, feeling dazed.

Cen Yan: “…”

He pressed his forehead and changed his approach, “Let Hao San come up and explain.”

This time, Hao San detailed everything that happened after Zhuang Dongqing met with the lady.

The tea stains on his hem were from Bi Shuyu throwing the teacup at him after he finished speaking. Fortunately, Zhuang Dongqing dodged quickly, so only the corners of his clothes got wet, and he was unharmed.

Cen Yan: “…”

Cen Yan looked at Zhuang Dongqing, unsure of what to say.

Zhuang Dongqing also regained his composure and quietly defended himself, “It didn’t hit me.”

Cen Yan: “That’s quite impressive, young master!”

“…”

Zhuang Dongqing shifted uncomfortably.

Cen Yan rolled his eyes, annoyed, “Even when hitting a dog, you have to look at its owner, let alone the people I brought over…”

As he spoke, he actually considered getting out of the carriage and returning to the Zhuang residence. Zhuang Dongqing knew Cen Yan had a bad temper, and if he went back today, it would definitely end badly, so he quickly stopped him, saying, “She, she didn’t know the prince was with me.”

“?”

“So, it’s not that she was bullying the prince, she was just angry with me.”

Cen Yan laughed, “So you’re not even a little angry?”

“Well, it’s not like I wanted to save anyone. I rushed back to the Zhuang residence for Zhuang Yue, only to be thrown out without gratitude.”

Zhuang Dongqing: “…”

Zhuang Dongqing: “…It’s not just for Zhuang Yue.”

“Oh?” Cen Yan became interested, wanting to hear how this fool would argue.

Zhuang Dongqing had intended to explain, but under Cen Yan’s intense gaze, he felt a bit nervous. After a while, realizing he couldn’t avoid it, he finally spoke, “It’s not for Zhuang Yue, it’s for myself.”

“If Zhuang Yue can be saved, it would be better for the Zhuang family, and I would also benefit.”

“Secondly,”

“I think Zhuang Yue doesn’t deserve this. Returning to the Zhuang residence is also something I want to do.”

Cen Yan raised an eyebrow.

The carriage rattled along, and after a while, Cen Yan looked at him, “You want to help, but why did you speak so bluntly to Lady Zhuang? Why not be a bit more tactful?”

Zhuang Dongqing scratched his head, “This matter can’t really be said in a roundabout way, can it?!”

Muttering, “Besides, her relationship with me isn’t that good. Why should I go through the trouble of beating around the bush?”

A few sentences were enough to get the point across. His conscience could only support him to this extent; he couldn’t do more.

Zhuang Dongqing felt a bit embarrassed but still spoke honestly, “Actually, it’s just a matter of passing a few words. If it works out, I benefit; if it doesn’t, I don’t lose anything. When it comes to saving people, I’m not even in line.”

“If, if the loss were mine, I wouldn’t necessarily come here…”

Cen Yan laughed, “Is that so?”

Zhuang Dongqing lowered his head, feeling a bit embarrassed by the laughter.

“Do you usually speak this straightforwardly with others?”

Zhuang Dongqing mumbled, “Not really, I just can’t fool you, can I?”

Cen Yan laughed even more heartily.

Zhuang Dongqing looked at the bottom of the carriage, comforting himself that it was okay; it was just a bit embarrassing.

Cen Yan: “You’re quite interesting.”

Zhuang Dongqing weakly replied, “Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness.”

“I really am complimenting you.”

“?”

Zhuang Dongqing looked up. Cen Yan was still smiling, but it was different from the cold smirk he usually saw; this smile seemed to come from the depths of his eyes, making him appear much more gentle and approachable.

Yes, he was really smiling.

Cen Yan: “To do things according to one’s heart, many people say it, but few can truly achieve it.”

“Even if you’re not very clever, you’re quite sincere.”

In a daze, Cen Yan seemed to recall something, and his gaze became distant. “‘It’s better to take the straight path than to seek the curved one.’ You fit this saying quite well.”

Zhuang Dongqing didn’t quite understand.

But before he could figure it out, Cen Yan continued, “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard such sincere words. It’s nice. It’s getting late to return home; you pick a restaurant for us to go to.”

Zhuang Dongqing’s eyes lit up.

Cen Yan inexplicably thought of the little dog he had raised in his childhood, who would also act like this when it was mealtime.

*

They entered the restaurant hungry and came out stuffed.

Zhuang Dongqing’s eating habits couldn’t really be described as wolfing down food; he was able to be seen, and even if scrutinized, he had some manners. But he still ate at a pace that was hard to understand.

Sitting with him, Cen Yan had eaten more than half a bowl of rice.

Cen Yan was puzzled, “Do you usually eat this… deliciously?”

Zhuang Dongqing patted his belly, “No, usually there isn’t that much meat.”

He spoke quickly and a bit unclearly. Before Cen Yan could catch what he said, he saw Zhuang Dongqing shout for Liu Fu, and the two of them, now full, happily went down the stairs together.

*

That night, while Cen Yan was handling official business, Liu Qi came to report that someone from the Zhuang residence had come.

“Oh, are they here to seek justice?”

“No, Lady Zhuang said she agreed and is willing to help persuade Zhuang Yue.”

Cen Yan was surprised.

After a moment, he shook his head and chuckled.

“She’s much more decisive than many ministers in the court.”

“It seems she’s not one to make a fuss; she just knows who to deal with.”

By the end, his smile faded.

He then asked, “What about Zhuang Dongqing?”

Liu Qi: “He’s already gone to bed.”

“Okay, then let’s talk to him tomorrow to avoid any unpleasantness in the middle of the night.”

“Yes.”

The next day, an even more significant piece of news than Lady Zhuang’s decision arrived at the Wang residence first.

The Emperor decreed that the Crown Prince was unfilial and ungrateful, lacking loyalty and righteousness, behaving inappropriately, and forming cliques for personal gain.

The great Da Sheng dynasty must not be passed on to this son.

From this day forth, Crown Prince Li Cheng was deposed.