Chapter 79

"His Majesty said that there is another condition for this matter. If you want to resolve it smoothly, Pan Shaofeng must personally go to Prince Ming's residence to apologize to Song Li. When Song Li forgives him, you can prepare to leave the capital for your new post."

When Prince Zhong said this, there was a hint of helplessness in his expression.

In Prince Zhong's view, the conflict between Song Li and Pan Shaofeng was entirely a squabble between children, something adults generally wouldn't interfere with. What Prince Zhong didn't expect was that His Majesty not only interfered but also formally proposed it as a condition during the negotiations.

Sometimes, Prince Zhong felt he couldn't understand His Majesty's intentions. If he was deliberately trying to win over Prince Ming's household, he could simply promote Song Xinghai. There was no need to support his son as well, right? What was His Majesty up to?

What Prince Zhong didn't know was that His Majesty did this because he genuinely admired the young Song Li, without much political motive. He wanted the descendants of the capital's nobility to know that His Majesty was a solid backing for Song Li. If they wanted to provoke him in the future, they would have to weigh their own strength.

Of course, there was still a bit of an intention to win over Song Xinghai. If His Majesty showed favor to Song Li, wouldn't Song Xinghai, as a father, be grateful?

Prince Zhong didn't care much about this condition. After all, Pan Shaofeng was the main culprit who cost him the position of Capital Governor, so he deeply detested him. It was fine to let others deal with him. He was just puzzled by His Majesty's involvement.

Pan Shijian sighed, sighing again for his son. "Why did you have to provoke Song Li, that troublemaker? Now, not only have you lost your father's position, but you've also lost face. This time, the Capital Governor has thoroughly experienced how difficult it is to deal with Prince Ming's son."

Ever since he learned Song Li's true identity, Pan Shaofeng had been afraid. He knew that whether in personal strength or background, he couldn't compare to Song Li. They were not in the same league. It was laughable that Pan Shaofeng still viewed Song Li with old eyes, even going so far as to seek him out for a beating, giving Song Li the chance to thoroughly crush him.

Now, his father had been caught by the authorities, and if it weren't for Prince Zhong's intervention, he might have lost his life. The Capital Governor's former glory was gone, and he was now demoted to a remote border state. Pan Shaofeng, once the legitimate son of the capital, would have to follow his father to a desolate place, and before leaving, he would have to face Song Li's humiliation again.

Did he dare not go? This was a direct order from His Majesty, asking him to apologize to Song Li. If he didn't go, it would be considered defiance. Unless his whole family wanted to die.

Pan Shaofeng was truly regretting it, wishing he had never provoked Song Li, who had the backing of His Majesty. Provoking him was like courting death.

Pan Shijian looked at his son's dejected appearance, feeling helpless despite his concern. If he could, he would have gone to beg Song Li for forgiveness on his son's behalf. But His Majesty's order was clear: only Pan Shaofeng himself could go to beg for mercy.

For his son, Pan Shijian felt both pity and anger.

Pan Shaofeng arrived at Prince Ming's residence in a simple carriage, no longer showing off. The guards at the gate were quite friendly, unlike the servants of other noble families who looked down on people. When Pan Shaofeng explained his purpose, the guard took his name card and sent someone to lead the way.

When Pan Shaofeng saw Song Li, he was surrounded by a group of Justice Alliance brothers, all admiring the golden carriage, their faces filled with envy.

"Boss, is this carriage really a gift from His Majesty?" Pang Da's mouth was almost watering. He was already imagining how many beautiful women would notice him if he rode in such a luxurious carriage. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became, wondering when he could borrow it to show off.

"Of course, this carriage is now a sensitive item. If His Majesty doesn't give permission, who would dare take it home?" Song Li saw Pang Da's hand reaching out to touch the carriage and quickly stopped him. "You can look, but don't touch. See how smooth and beautiful the surface is? One touch and there's a fingerprint, hard to clean."

"I won't touch if you let me borrow it for a few days." Pang Da started to act like a bully.

"Hey, are you threatening me? I'm not afraid of threats. Show me one touch, and I'll chop off your hand!" Song Li glared, scaring Pang Da into pulling back.

"Boss, I wouldn't dare threaten you. I'm just envious. I'm not asking for it; I just want to borrow it to show off. Maybe I can pick up a pretty girl." Pang Da smiled flatteringly. "Boss... what do you think?"

"I see, all your energy is spent on pretty girls. Otherwise, you wouldn't still be in the Body Refinement stage..." Song Li laughed. "You always talk about picking up pretty girls, but I've never seen you succeed."

"That's because I don't have a cool carriage!" Pang Da seized the opportunity. "Boss, we grew up together. Every time we fought, I was always the first to charge. Every time we saw a pretty girl, I let you look first. Even when using the toilet, I let you go first! Without me, you wouldn't be as handsome and outstanding as you are now... Now you won't even lend me the carriage, it's really disappointing..."

Song Li saw Pang Da clutching his heart, his face twisted in sorrow. He laughed and scolded, "Stop acting pitiful. You've used this trick over seven hundred times, it doesn't work on me. I didn't say I wouldn't lend it to you, why the long face?"

"Yay! Long live the boss!" Pang Da jumped up in excitement when he heard Song Li would lend him the carriage.

A brother nearby laughed, "Pan Shaofeng really lost big this time. Not only did he ruin his father, but he also gave this luxurious carriage to our boss..."

"Serves him right! Who told him to provoke our boss..." Pang Da spat, turning his head and seeing Pan Shaofeng standing nearby, looking embarrassed.

"Damn! Pan Shaofeng actually dares to come to Prince Ming's residence! Brothers, get the bricks ready!" Pang Da picked up a brick and ran towards Pan Shaofeng, who was so scared that his face turned pale. He wanted to run but his legs were shaking so badly he couldn't move.

Pang Da was at the peak of Body Refinement, while Pan Shaofeng was at the peak of the second level of Qi Induction. Even ten Pang DAs together wouldn't be a match for him. But he was so scared of Song Li that he wouldn't dare fight back, even if a weak maid from Prince Ming's residence came to hit him.

"Pang Da, what are you doing? Stop!" Song Li shouted. "A guest is a guest, I don't bully people at my doorstep."

In Song Li's eyes, Pan Shaofeng was no longer worth his attention. Since he came to apologize, there was no need to have his men beat him up.

Pang Da, who feared nothing but Song Li, immediately stopped and glared at Pan Shaofeng.

Pan Shaofeng noticed the hostile looks from the Justice Alliance brothers. He realized that Song Li was the safest one among them. They were too proud to lay a hand on him.

"Prince, I was blind before. Please be magnanimous and forgive me, a small fry. I beg for your forgiveness." Pan Shaofeng quickly walked to Song Li, bowed, and apologized with his head lowered.

"Pan Shaofeng, what do you think of this carriage?" Song Li ignored his apology and asked this seemingly irrelevant question.

The golden carriage reflected a dazzling light under the sunlight, exuding a noble aura from its luster, design, and both inner and outer decorations. Pan Shaofeng's heart was bleeding. This was his treasure, a gift from his father on his twentieth birthday, which he cherished deeply. It had won him a reputation among the capital's young nobles. But because of this carriage, his life had fallen from heaven to hell.

No matter what, this golden carriage played a crucial role in his life. Now, seeing it become someone else's, his heart was truly bleeding. When Song Li asked this question, his face couldn't help but twitch. This was a form of humiliation. Song Li was using the carriage to tell him, "You're not even close to me. I'm fine, but your father has been exiled, and your most precious item is now mine. What makes you think you can compete with me?"

"Prince, only someone like you deserves such a noble and luxurious carriage. It's as if it was made for you," Pan Shaofeng said, hating Song Li but having to say this.

"Pan Shaofeng, although I don't like you, I have some words to say. I advise you not to be too arrogant. You are not much better than the common people on the street. Their lives are precious too, and in their families, they are unique treasures. If you don't respect the lives of the common people, you won't get the respect you deserve from me. I always keep my word. What did I tell you before? I said I would make you kneel and beg me to take the carriage away. If you had followed my advice, you might have been able to take the carriage. But you didn't listen, you still believed in your backing and thought you could turn the tables. How is it now? Has your backing helped you?"

Song Li looked at Pan Shaofeng coldly, a hint of contempt on his lips.

Although he had no interest in Pan Shaofeng, he knew that people like him often caused more harm than good. If he didn't teach him a lesson now, he might continue to cause trouble in Qiongzhou. Wouldn't the people of Qiongzhou suffer?

Pan Shaofeng's head was almost between his legs, stammering, "I was wrong... I was blind... Prince, please forgive me..."