Chapter 87

Leading Ajiu, Zhao Yougong stormed off to Xie Fang Tower, and even if Nian Nu'er had wanted to stop him, she couldn't.

With a glare, she threw the towel on the stall and huffed, "You little girl, will you die if you keep your mouth shut?"

"I'm just trying to do what's best for you, Cui Ji'er still has to say..."

Xiao Tan felt wronged, but she didn't understand Nian Nu'er's thoughts. Although the treatment was a bit poor, at least it calmed the sisters in the tower, allowing them to live in peace. If she insisted on being superior in every aspect, wouldn't that just invite resentment?

"You, talk too much!"

Sighing, Nian Nu'er hurried to Xie Fang Tower, hoping that Wu Mama would be sweet-talking, otherwise, there would surely be trouble today.

Arriving at Xie Fang Tower, Zhao Yougong sat in the center with a haughty air, then swept his fan across the table, causing the teapot to fall and shatter with a sharp sound.

"Who has the nerve to cause trouble at Xie Fang Tower..."

Wu Mama, who was eating sunflower seeds upstairs, heard the teapot break and thought it was a guest causing trouble. Peering out, she saw the visitor and swallowed her words, "Oh... My little prince, you've missed me so much!" She ran down, swaying her ample hips.

Zhao Yougong was momentarily stunned, cursing her as a flirt. This woman really knew how to speak to people, and her quick change of tone was hard not to admire.

Wu Mama ran down, her handkerchief fluttering, her red lips visible. Just as she was about to hug the prince's arm, a figure appeared, and Ajiu's frail body blocked the way, holding a dagger.

"Ouch... Little sir, don't be angry, don't be angry, I won't move!"

Wu Mama, having seen many people, felt a tremor in her heart. She knew that if she took two more steps, the dagger would definitely pierce her chest.

Zhao Yougong patted Ajiu's shoulder, signaling her not to be nervous. After Ajiu put away the dagger, he said coldly, "Wu Mama, I hear you've been making quite a bit of money lately. Have you paid your taxes?"

"Paid taxes?" Wu Mama's heart sank. Oh no, it seems the little prince is here to support Nian Nu'er. She quickly bent down, putting on a pitiful face.

"Prince, you must believe me, Cui Ji'er is my good daughter, how could I let her suffer? But, as you know, sometimes I have no choice. Now that Cui Ji'er is gone, business in the tower is bad..."

Wu Mama was about to continue, but Zhao Yougong glared and slapped the table, "Nonsense, how did I instruct you before?"

"This... Prince said that Nian Nu'er's treatment should remain the same..."

"Heh, you remember that, yet you still dared to make changes. Do you think I'm going to die, and no one will be able to deal with you?"

Zhao Yougong's words were harsh, and Wu Mama knew she was in trouble. In fact, she dared to lower Nian Nu'er's treatment for these reasons. After all, it was said that he was stabbed three times, and even if a normal person survived, they wouldn't be able to get out of bed for a year or two. And the relationship between the Zhu family lady and the little prince was close, so over time, he might forget about Nian Nu'er. There were many reasons.

"Prince, don't be angry, I really had no choice..."

"Shut up, if you dare to lie to me again, I'll send you to Kaifeng Prefecture right now!"

"No, really..." Wu Mama took a few hesitant steps forward, bit her lip, and whispered, "Prince, even if I had ten lives, I wouldn't dare to go against your wishes. But Cuizheng is protected by Cai Yannai, how could I not listen? Besides, you were recuperating in the mansion, I had no chance to talk to you!"

"Cai Sanlang? Heh, fine, since you're telling the truth, I won't hold it against you. In the future, be smart, don't lower Nian Nu'er's treatment. If you dare to bully her again, I'll destroy this place!"

"Prince, rest assured, I won't dare to do it again!" Wu Mama wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, still feeling the aftereffects of the scare.

Sigh, Cuizheng is unhappy with Nian Nu'er and brings up Cai Yannai, but in the end, it's Wu Mama who suffers. What a mess.

After scolding Wu Mama, Zhao Yougong went to Nian Nu'er's room. Nian Nu'er had already changed into new clothes and was kneeling by the table, waiting. Seeing him enter, she personally poured a cup of hot tea.

"Sir, there's no need to be angry. Those things, if they're missing, they're missing. I still have some savings, so I won't go hungry. Besides, with your stall, I can sell some chestnuts..."

"Ha, you're so understanding, but is this about money? How can my woman suffer such humiliation? In the future, don't be afraid of anything. Even if Cai Sanlang or Gao Yannai protect Cuizheng, you don't need to back down!"

Zhao Yougong's words pleased Xiao Tan, who nodded and giggled, "Prince, rest assured, if anyone bullies Cui Ji'er, I'll let you know..." She stopped, as if there was something she couldn't say.

Taking a sip of tea, Zhao Yougong leaned on Nian Nu'er's leg and chuckled, "What, is there something you're afraid to say?"

"Not at all! It's just that, I've sent several letters to the mansion, why haven't you replied?"

Xiao Tan quickly lowered her head. Nian Nu'er's body trembled, and she stared at Xiao Tan's face, "When did you send letters? You... I've told you so many times... You're really getting more and more out of line!"

Zhao Yougong understood. Xiao Tan must have written to complain but kept it a secret from Nian Nu'er. Regardless of Nian Nu'er's thoughts, Zhao Yougong was a bit angry because he hadn't received any of the letters, which meant they had been intercepted.

Sitting up, he patted Nian Nu'er's soft hand, "Enough, don't scold Xiao Tan. You've suffered, can't you tell me?"

Nian Nu'er's eyes were red, how could she not be moved? She lowered her head, resting it on his shoulder, and whispered, "Sir, you were injured, I wanted to see you, but with my status, it's..."

"Don't say such nonsense. Forget about it, hurry and get some food. You're not hungry, but I am!"

Xiao Tan rushed out, leaving the two of them in silence. Nian Nu'er's hand slowly caressed his body, reaching the long scar on his abdomen. The scar was long, and even after a long time, the pain was still felt.

"Sir, does it still hurt?"

"A little, but it's much better. Just don't be too rough!" Zhao Yougong smiled wickedly, his lips already touching her cherry lips, the sweetness and beauty of the kiss.

Nian Nu'er was a bit frustrated, but she couldn't help but look forward to it after two months of abstinence.

Soon, Xiao Tan brought in the food and drink, looking at the door, she asked nervously, "Prince, is Xiao San really going to kill you?"

Xiao Tan's words hit Zhao Yougong's sore spot. He reined in his smile, saying nothing. Nian Nu'er was also angry, pointing to the door and shouting, "You little girl, get out!"

Xiao Tan knew she had asked the wrong question, pouting and red-eyed, she retreated.

Pouring a cup of wine, Nian Nu'er softly comforted, "Sir, don't think too much. Most people in this world are insincere, some for money, some for fame, some for power. Xiao San's departure also gave you Ajiu, didn't it?"

"Heh, you're good at comforting!" Zhao Yougong wasn't really angry. Xiao San's issues were nothing to him, but he couldn't show his true self in front of Nian Nu'er.

"Not just comforting, I just think Ajiu is much better than Xiao San!"

"Hmm?" Zhao Yougong looked deeply at Nian Nu'er, why did he feel there was something else in her words?

"Not necessarily, Ajiu can't speak and doesn't know how to play, it's quite boring!"

"Hehe, anyone can play, but how many can save your life? No matter what you think, I just hope you live well, because only by living can you have hope!"

Today, Nian Nu'er spoke more than usual, her words seemed rambling and hard to follow. But Zhao Yougong felt a strange unease, sensing that Nian Nu'er knew something, otherwise, why would she say these things?

Lowering his head to eat, he changed the subject, looking out the window at the falling leaves, the autumn chill, and the bustling Kaifeng.

Due to his injuries, Zhao Yougong didn't stay overnight at Xie Fang Tower. Back home, he called for Mochun. His face wasn't good, and Mochun cautiously asked, "Prince, what's wrong?"

"Are you still asking? Did you intercept the letters Xiao Tan sent? Don't play these tricks with me!"

After saying this, Zhao Yougong went to the inner room alone. Mochun thought for a moment, stomping her foot in anger. It must have been Moxue's doing, that sister always causes trouble.

Going to bed early, in a daze, he heard a knock on the door. Mochun, sleeping on the outer side, quickly put on her clothes and went out. When she returned, she smiled bitterly, "Prince, Lady Zhu says there's progress in the case, she wants you to come over."

Zhao Yougong looked at the sky outside, frowning, "At this hour, still solving cases?"

It was just past midnight, around two in the morning. Getting up at this time was a real pain, but he couldn't refuse Lady Zhu.

Putting on his clothes hastily, he went outside and found Ajiu already waiting with a thick cloak.

In the southern city, a carriage slowly arrived. In a courtyard, Zhao Yougong saw Lady Zhu wrapped in a cloak, warming herself by the fire, with the Five Great Warriors and some constables nearby.

"Lady, what are we doing in the middle of the night?"

"Hehe, didn't you want to find something interesting?"

"Oh? Is there something interesting coming up?"

"Of course, after the hour of the rabbit, we'll leave the city!"

"What for?"

"To dig up a grave!"

Hearing these words and looking at the dark sky, Zhao Yougong felt a chill run down his spine, and goosebumps rose on his back.