Chapter 83

The woman, unable to bear the blatant words of Prince Zhao Xiaojun, slightly lowered her head and sniffed a chestnut.

"Two catties, please!"

"Is the lady from the capital?"

While packing the chestnuts, Zhao Yougong casually asked, thinking that most people in the capital should recognize him. This young lady was beautiful and gentle, yet she didn't recognize him, so she must have just moved to the capital from elsewhere.

To Zhao Yougong's surprise, although the woman was puzzled, she still smiled and replied, "Yes, why do you ask, sir?"

"Nothing, it's just that I often see people on Bian River Street, but I've never seen the lady before. You look quite unfamiliar!"

"Ah, I see. I have been staying at home for a long time and rarely go out. A few days ago, our maid went back to her hometown, so the task of buying vegetables and cooking fell on me!"

Listening to the woman's explanation, Zhao Yougong understood. It turned out that the maid used to do the shopping. No wonder he didn't recognize this beauty; she must be a lady who rarely went out.

"What is the lady's name?"

"My name is Zhang Zhen娘... The woman answered without much thought, but then she paused. That's not right; we've been talking, but the chestnuts should have been weighed by now.

She looked up carefully, and the woman named Zhang Zhen娘 almost laughed out loud. It turned out that the shop owner was fumbling with the scale, unable to figure out where two catties were.

"What are you doing..."

"Don't laugh, lady. My old father is ill, and this is the first time I've come out to sell chestnuts. I'm still not familiar with the scale!"

Zhao Yougong bluffed, without a hint of embarrassment. Besides, his face was black, so even if he blushed, no one would notice. Ajiu, holding an iron spoon, stirred rapidly, admiring her lord's quick wit.

Zhang Zhen娘 felt a bit of a different emotion. It was her first time buying chestnuts, and she met someone selling chestnuts for the first time. Was this fate?

Putting down her basket, Zhang Zhen娘 extended her fair wrist and pointed to the marks on the scale, "Look carefully, this is one catty, this is two catties... one catty is sixteen taels, one mark is one tael... Your father really should have learned how to use the scale before coming out to sell chestnuts!"

"Ah, you're right, thank you, lady!"

Zhao Yougong was speechless. His father was Zhao Si, and even if he were alive, he wouldn't know how to use a scale.

Trembling, he finally managed to weigh two catties of chestnuts. Zhang Zhen娘 didn't let him pay, leaving behind twenty or so coins, "You should be more careful. Business isn't that easy, don't let anyone cheat you!"

"Ah, lady, walk slowly!"

Zhang Zhen娘 walked past with her basket, leaving a faint fragrance. Watching her beautiful figure, Zhao Yougong's eyes were fixed. Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat, almost shouting out loud. Lin Chong's wife was named Zhang Zhen娘, could it really be that coincidental?

Zhao Yougong thought dazedly, feeling someone poking his waist. He turned around and grumbled, "What is it?"

Ajiu couldn't speak, pointing to the large iron pot with her dirty fingers. It turned out that the pot was ready, and it needed to be taken out.

After sitting at the stall for over two hours, they had only sold two portions of roasted chestnuts, one to a family member and the other to Zhang Zhen娘, who didn't recognize Prince Zhao Xiaojun.

Sighing, Zhao Yougong wondered if his reputation was that intimidating. Should he show some anger and force these people to buy?

At the end of the long street, Xiao San had run back and forth several times with a sullen face. Xie Dahuizi had said that Prince Zhao Xiaojun was on Bian River Street, but why hadn't he seen him after several trips?

Seeing Xiao San exhausted like a dog, Zhao Yougong called out maliciously, "San, what's wrong with your eyes? Can't you see a living person?"

"..." Looking at the two black figures behind the stall, Xiao San almost cried. They had both changed so much that no one could recognize them without a close look. Feeling aggrieved, Xiao San still dragged his legs toward the stall.

"Sir, there's something. I met the leader of the Qinghong Gang, Lei Wu. He wants to talk to you!"

"What to talk about? That scoundrel should either leave Bian River Street or listen to us. Is he treating Kaifeng like a market?"

"Sir, Lei Wu wants to invite you to a meal. He seems afraid that you might have him thrown in jail!"

"Oh, I see. When?"

"Tonight!" As soon as Xiao San finished speaking, Zhao Yougong took off his apron, threw away the rag, and muttered, "Why didn't you say so earlier? What time is it? Hurry back and change your clothes!"

Xiao San felt wronged. Wasn't it his fault? He had searched for a long time without finding anyone!

When Zhao Yougong closed the stall, Nian Nu'er saw it. She pouted, a bit unhappy. This young prince was so close but didn't even come to say hello, truly despicable. Looking at the chestnuts on the stall, she thought it was a waste. Putting down her book, she stretched lazily, "Xiao Tan, let's go sell chestnuts!"

"Huh? Cui Jier, are you serious?"

"Who's joking? If our young master can sell them, why can't we? Besides, selling chestnuts will give us some income and save us from always depending on others."

Nian Nu'er's words carried some resentment. They say a plucked phoenix is no better than a chicken, and it's true. After giving up her status as a courtesan, things were initially fine, but now they were getting worse. Wu Mama rarely came, and the usual supplies were much less. On the other hand, Cui Ying'er was becoming more and more popular.

"Cui Jier, you're angry now. When Prince Zhao Xiaojun wanted to redeem you, you refused. Now you're in a difficult position in the brothel."

"You're just good at talking. Say one more word, and I'll tear your mouth. Let's go!"

"Alright, Cui Jier, don't rush. I'm coming!"

The two of them changed their clothes, took over the stall, and from that day on, Bian River Street had a beautiful chestnut seller. Of course, this was an unexpected turn of events, and Zhao Yougong hadn't intended for Nian Nu'er to sell chestnuts.

Dressed in a brocade robe, followed by two servants, and gently waving a folding fan, who said Prince Zhao Xiaojun wasn't suave?

Thinking about the various joys and sorrows of the world, he had experienced both sadness and sorrow. No matter how many storms he faced, his feet still trod on the lingering sunset.

A journey of storms and songs, a legacy that would last forever. The Prefect of Kaifeng, collecting protection fees and running a criminal organization, could indeed last for a long time.

Lei Wu's banquet was in Zizhu Alley, a place Zhao Yougong was unfamiliar with, so he had to let Xiao San lead the way. The eastern city could never compare to the northern and western cities. By night, there were far fewer people, and some places had no passersby at all. Zizhu Alley, with its pleasant name, was not a prestigious place. As soon as he stepped into the alley, Zhao Yougong's heart raced. Something felt off. If it was a banquet, wouldn't the western city be a better choice? Why come to the eastern city?

Looking at Xiao San leading the way, Zhao Yougong subtly focused, hearing the wind and some unusual breathing sounds.

There were people around, and they were all skilled. Lei Wu was just a gang leader, how could he have martial arts experts? Zhao Yougong remained calm, smiling slightly, wanting to see what Xiao San was up to.

After walking about ten paces into the alley, they were almost at the end. Suddenly, Xiao San stopped and slowly turned around, laughing. At that moment, Xiao San stood straight, gripping his waist knife tightly, his eyes sharp.

"Sir, we're here!"

Zhao Yougong's eyebrows twitched, his face puzzled, "San, what are you up to? What banquet is here?"

Hearing the word "banquet," Xiao San burst into laughter, drawing his waist knife. In the moonlight, it gleamed coldly, "Sir, don't you understand? This is a banquet of treachery. Once you come, you won't leave!"

Zhao Yougong was shocked, closing his folding fan and pulling Ajiu back, "Xiao San, what are you doing?"

"What am I doing? Sir, you should understand. The protection fees have been constant, and the Qinghong Gang has no way out. So Lei Wu said, either you die, or he dies!"

Hearing Xiao San's words, Zhao Yougong understood everything. Did Lei Wu have the nerve to kill a prince? Of course not, even if he had ten more lives, he wouldn't dare.

Xiao San was Zhao Ji's man, but what had happened that required Zhao Ji to take such drastic action? Zhao Yougong was puzzled, but Xiao San didn't give him time to think. In a few steps, he raised his waist knife and swung it down. Zhao Yougong hesitated about dodging, but Ajiu had already stepped forward.

The thin Ajiu opened her eyes, her gaze cold like two knives. "Ah... ah..." she growled, charging forward like a fierce hound, baring her teeth.

Even with his skills, Xiao San was startled by Ajiu's ferocity. He felt that Ajiu was not human but a wild beast. Gripping his knife, Xiao San shouted, "You mute, get out of the way..."

"Bang!" The two collided. Xiao San was unharmed, but Ajiu was kicked flying, hitting the wall and falling heavily to the ground. Ajiu tried to get up, but a mouthful of blood made her fall again.

Just one kick, and such power. Who said Xiao San was useless? Zhao Yougong felt a deep pain, realizing the feeling of betrayal.

"Scoundrel, Xiao San, I treated you so well, and you betray me to help Lei Wu..."

"Sir, don't say more. Blame yourself. I have no choice. Give up your life. No one can save you tonight!"

The moonlight was cold, and the alley was filled with the gleam of long knives. Zhao Yougong kept retreating, unsure of his fate tonight.

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**End of Chapter**