A long silence fell within the room.

Let alone Zhou Huairang who was listening with a dumbfounded expression looked completely petrified, Shen Buqi, who could always keep up with the Crown Prince’s train of thought, was also quite astonished.

Shen Buqi knew that His Highness had always suspected that Beiyuan forces were behind everything they had witnessed since entering Dongling’s territory. He had fought against Li Er and the others, and judging by their skills alone, he could tell they were no ordinary people, not just commoners.

But His Highness’ leaps in deduction from Beiyuan, to the Fuxue Tower, and finally pointing directly to Prince Heng of Beiyuan, he couldn’t figure it out.

The first to break the silence, unable to hold back was the naive Zhou Huairang: “You’re saying he-he-he is Wei…”

Zhou Huairang suddenly realized that if the fishmonger was really the little prince of Beiyuan, then it was one thing for him to casually call him by name, Wei, when chatting privately with His Highness, but to do so in front of the person himself was truly lacking in the etiquette befitting a great nation.

However, things had already escalated to this point, their pretenses had long been shattered, so was there still a need to adhere to the customs of a land of propriety?

Zhou Huairang was momentarily unsure of what to do and hesitated to close his mouth.

Li Er answered Zhou Huairang’s question for Zhao Mian.

“Of course not.” As soon as Li Er spoke, he returned to his usual demeanor, as if the excitement he just displayed was merely someone else’s illusion. The more he thought about it, the funnier it became, and he finally he burst out laughing: “What are you thinking? If I were the little prince of Beiyuan, and Wan Huameng bullied me like this in Dongling, I would have already sent 50,000 Beiyuan iron cavalry to pressure Dongling and force Wan Huameng to hand over the antidote and call me ‘Father.’ Why would I be pitifully begging you to form an alliance with me and fight two against one here?”

Zhao Mian thought to himself that Beiyuan likely didn’t possess 50,000 iron cavalry at the moment, such nonsense. They had been fighting wars for more than ten years, and they had finally managed to destroy the country of Western Xia. Shouldn’t Beiyuan be strengthening its troops and recuperating?

Even if they were to pressure Dongling, it would be the elite troops of his Nanjing.

Zhao Mian didn’t expect Li Er to tell him the truth, but whether Li Er admitted it was one thing, and whether he asked was another.

As long as he asked, Li Er would understand the situation and be mindful of their respective statuses.

However, Li Er did say one thing that he believed. Facing Wan Huameng, they being in a foreign land together should stand on the same side.

“In that case, I guessed wrong.” Zhao Mian looked around, “Why are you all making those faces? I was just saying whatever came to mind, no need to take it seriously.”

Zhou Huairang couldn’t help but mutter to himself: “You’ve said so much in one breath, you’ve forgotten to maintain the aloof, taciturn demeanor of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. It hardly sounds like you were just saying it casually.”

“Since you’re not a noble of Beiyuan, then I don’t need to hold back.” Zhao Mian stood up and said, “Forget about an alliance, you can acknowledge me as your master. In the future, I’ll be the bigger one, you’ll be the smaller one. You will still kneel and speak to me, and obey my every command.Do you understand?”

Li Er: “…”

Li Er’s speechless appearance finally gave Zhao Mian a moment of satisfaction. It was Li Er himself who said he wasn’t, so it wasn’t Zhao Mian’s fault.

Zhao Mian: “Speak.”

Li Er: “Oh.”

That simple “oh” was just like his father, the Emperor, brushing off the Prime Minister when he didn’t want to deal with him. Zhao Mian generously didn’t hold it against Li Er.

Zhao Mian left Li Er to Shen Buqi to slowly train him and instructed, “Keep an eye on him, find him a place to live. Remember, don’t let him have any opportunity to contact Zhu Guangshen.”

The Qianji Institute had spent a lot of effort to get these hidden spies planted in the capital of Dongling, and it would be a great loss if Li Er discovered them.

“Yes.” Shen Buqi paused and asked, “Your Highness, have you met Prince Heng of Beiyuan?”

Shen Buqi had been in thought since earlier, and had come to the conclusion that His Highness must be acquainted with the Beiyuan’s Prince Heng, which was why he was making this current judgment.

Zhao Mian nodded: “I’ve met him twice. If I remember correctly, it was when I was six and twelve years old.”

Shen Buqi asked again: “May I ask Your Highness, is Prince Heng of Beiyuan’s personality similar to Li Er’s?”

Zhao Mian pondered and gave a vague answer: “Hard to say he…” Zhao Mian really didn’t know how to describe it, “Forget it.”

Zhou Huairang couldn’t hold back and said, “Your Highness, is that fishmonger… no, is Young Master Li really the Little Prince of Beiyuan?”

Zhao Mian chuckled coldly: “‘Young Master Li.’ That’s a nice way of calling him. If he is, would you like to be his study companion?”

Zhou Huairang was shocked and waved his hands repeatedly: “This subject doesn’t want to! This subject only wants to be the study companion of one person for life, and that is Your Highness!”

Zhao Mian glanced at him, his tone softening slightly: “Do you think he is?”

Zhou Huairang had a flash of inspiration and found a universal answer: “Whatever you think, that’s what I think.”

Zhao Mian said meaningfully: “Didn’t you hear what he said? He claims to be from Western Xia and hates Beiyuan to the bone. Think about it yourself.”

Zhou Huairang was completely confused. After Zhao Mian left, he tried to curry favor with Shen Buqi, seeking help, “Old Shen… no, Brother Shen, what do you think His Highness is thinking?”

Shen Buqi said: “Figure it out yourself.”

Zhou Huairang clutched his head with both hands, wailing in pain: “My head is itching so much.”

Zhao Mian returned to the Zhu residence, summoned Zhu Guangshen, and asked if he had found any clues about Beiyuan spies lurking in Dongling during his many years in the capital.

Zhu Guangshen replied with shame that he hadn’t. He had indeed sensed the shadow of Beiyuan forces driving many events, big and small in the capital but these Beiyuan people were extremely cautious, rarely leaving behind any trace when they acted.

It wasn’t that Zhu Guangshen hadn’t investigated, but no matter how they searched, they could only find minor characters who weren’t central or core to the operation.

“That’s enough,” Zhao Mian said. “Pick the most influential one from among them and present him to me.”

The next morning, Zhao Mian, along with Zhou Huairang and others, arrived at Li Er’s temporary residence.

This was a good place Zhao Mian had specifically found for Li Er, located in an alley near the famous brothels of Jingdu.

The alley was jokingly named “Mistress Alley” by the local residents. It was inhabited by former prostitutes who had been redeemed but were temporarily inconvenient to bring home. In other words, they were the not-so-clean mistresses of merchants and officials.

Although Dongling wasn’t as steeped in propriety as Nanjing, those who had fallen into prostitution, becoming mistresses of men with wives were still frowned upon. Ordinary people would hold their noses and wrinkle their brows, walking around the alley when they passed by.

Given Li Er’s status, Zhao Mian couldn’t physically beat him, but a slight reprimand was necessary.

Zhao Mian had arranged for Li Er to stay here, undoubtedly with the intention of humiliating him.

It was said that when Li Er moved in yesterday, he attracted a crowd of locals whispering and gossiping amongst themselves. In less than half a day, Li Er had become famous around the brothels.

“The forest is so big, you see all kinds of birds. I’ve lived most of my life and this is the first time I’ve seen such a tall, dark male prostitute—which master or young lord has a taste for this?”

“This man is tall and strong, not missing any arms or legs. He could do anything to support himself, but he has to do this kind of work, so shameful!”

“If I were his parents, I’d be so angry I’d bury myself alive.”

Zhao Mian had thought that Li Er would hide in his room all day, too ashamed to face anyone, and secretly curse him for being so excessive, after being sent to such a place and subjected to such criticism. Who knew that as soon as he entered the courtyard, he would smell the aroma of grilled meat,

Li Er was in the courtyard, setting up a stove to grill fish. One hand brushed oil, the other sprinkled spices, and every now and then he’d fan the flames with a palm-leaf fan, working up a sweat.

“Oh, the young master’s here.” Li Er sat on a small stool, chin slightly raised. “Do you need me to kneel and kowtow to you?”

Zhao Mian’s expression was arrogant: “Yes.”

Li Er clicked his tongue: “You really don’t stand on ceremony at all. I’ll owe it to you, I’ll kneel after I’m done grilling the fish.”

Zhao Mian sneered: “You seem to be enjoying yourself here.”

“Not bad, just scraping by.”

Zhao Mian glanced at the sizzling grilled fish on the stove, which looked quite delicious: “Do you know what others are saying about you?”

“I do.” Li Er said casually, “They were discussing it quite loudly yesterday. This morning, there was even a drunk shouting at my door, calling me shameless, saying I must have some special skill to be taken in and kept here.”

Zhao Mian was somewhat satisfied with the drunk’s behavior: “And you still have the leisure to grill fish?”

“Are you sure you know how to humiliate someone, Young Master?” Li Er chuckled. “You want to disgrace me, yet you give me such a nice courtyard to live in, feed me and give me drink. What does it matter if I’m cursed by unimportant people? It’s not like it’ll cost me anything. Think about it again.”

Zhao Mian retorted with a sullen face: “It’s clearly because you’re too thick-skinned. It has nothing to do with me.”

Li Er adopted a diligent, instructive tone. “If you want to humiliate someone, you have to grasp their pain points and weaknesses. For example, make a performer who prides themselves on their voice unable to sing another note, or make a scholar who refuses to bow for a pittance of rice beg you, crying and pleading, for that very pittance.” Li Er looked up at him. “Or, make an arrogant young master like you kneel.”

Zhao Mian’s eyes narrowed, recalling the scene, wishing he could slap Li Er twice more, splitting both corners of his mouth.

His imperial father didn’t like killing, nor did he like torturing people. He was inevitably influenced by this, and had never taken a life. But this time, rage overwhelmed his reason, and he genuinely felt a desire to kill.

After he calmed down, he consoled himself that Li Er didn’t deserve to die. Besides, he had slapped the man, and made him kneel in return so many times, it was more or less even.

However, for some reason, he always felt like he was the one who had suffered. No matter how subservient Li Er was in front of him in the future, he would always feel like he was at a loss.

He understood now that Li Er and he were two different kinds of people. In his eyes, kneeling was humiliation, being slapped was humiliation, being slandered was humiliation. But for Li Er, kneeling didn’t matter, being slandered as a kept man didn’t matter, as long as it didn’t interfere with his business, he wouldn’t be angered.

The key to making Li Er uncomfortable was “attacking his heart”.

That was easy. Weren’t Li Er’s pain points and weaknesses easy to find? That was why he had come today.

“Hearing your words is truly enlightening,” Zhao Mian said, turning around. “Quickly eat your fish. After you’re done, come with me to a place.”

Li Er responded with a nod and a smile, continuing to season the grilled fish.

Sigh, still giving him time to eat fish. This young master really can’t bring himself to be ruthless.

The group left the city in a carriage, arriving at the outskirts about fifteen miles from the capital. Zhao Mian led Li Er up a small hill. Standing at the top of the hill, they could overlook a small road leading into the capital from the outside.

Although this small road was a shortcut, it was too remote, and rarely saw any travelers.

After standing there for a while, Li Er asked, “What are we waiting for?”

Zhao Mian said, “Waiting for your ‘enemy’.”

Li Er glanced at Zhao Mian. Beneath the young man’s seemingly calm profile, there seemed to be a hidden anticipation of watching a good show.

The young master seemed to be in a good mood, which wasn’t necessarily a good thing for him.

They waited for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, and finally, figures appeared at the end of the small road.

It was an escort team with two carts of goods and five or six guards. These guards were all burly and carried sabers at their waists. It was clear at a glance that they were veterans of the martial world.

Among them, one person was particularly eye-catching. This man was around thirty years old, his rugged face weathered with hardship, with several visible scars. Most importantly, he only had one arm; his right arm was gone from the shoulder down.

The moment Li Er clearly saw the man’s face, his expression changed drastically. He turned cold, completely losing the relaxed and carefree demeanor he had displayed while grilling fish in the courtyard just moments before.

Zhao Mian took in his reaction, feeling greatly pleased, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly. “Do you recognize him?”

Li Er, who was usually so talkative, remained silent.

“Let me tell you who he is.” Zhao Mian’s voice mingled with the sound of the wind, but it was exceptionally clear in Li Er’s ears. “This man is named Sun Zuo, from Shengjing in Beiyuan. Three years ago, he was conscripted into the army, becoming an ordinary archer in the Beiyuan’s Western Expeditionary Army.”

“Sun Zuo was skilled in archery and horsemanship, able to shoot through willow leaves a hundred paces away. In the Battle of Luyang, amidst the chaos, Sun Zuo drew his bow and with one arrow shot the banner general of Western Xia off his horse, seriously wounding the enemy commander. Without their leader, the Western Xia forces suffered a crushing defeat, lost Luyang, and were forced to retreat to Lingzhou.”

“Someone as talented as Sun should have accumulated great military merit and been promoted to high rank. Unfortunately, during the subsequent siege of Lingzhou, Sun carelessly lost his right hand, forever ending his chances of drawing a bow. His western campaign came to an end, and however unwilling he was, he could only return to his hometown with a reward of a thousand taels of gold.”

“After returning to Shengjing, Sun bought a security company and became a bodyguard escort. He hasn’t been idle these past few years, often traveling north and south, which is why he’s here.”

While Zhao Mian spoke, Sun and the others had arrived directly below them. If they wanted to ambush, the place they were standing was undoubtedly an excellent location.

“You say you’re a Xia Xia person, so I’ll give you a chance.” Zhao Mian said with a slight smile, “I’ll help you kill him and avenge your Banner Guard General, how does that sound?”

Li Er remained silent, his expression gloomy and wary.

Between the two of them, only the sound of the wind remained.

Zhao Mian had said all he needed to say and didn’t urge Li Er to answer, displaying a rare show of patience.

He could feel the extremely low energy emanating from Li Er, almost to the point of suppressed rage.

Zhao Mian felt like laughing.

What did Li Er have to be angry about? He was so eloquent when teaching him earlier, how did he become mute now?

Li Er was silent for a long while before suddenly laughing. He looked down at Sun and the others, speaking to Zhao Mian: “You’re playing a transparent scheme with me again. Do you enjoy being openly malicious so much?”

Zhao Mian didn’t deny it: “Dealing with someone like you, a transparent scheme is more effective than a hidden one.”

Li Er’s voice was much colder than usual, almost like a different person: “You know what kind of person I am, why do you keep testing me? Is it interesting?”

Zhao Mian nodded with pleasure: “Yes, it’s interesting. Watching you slap yourself in the face is more entertaining than watching you kneel. You know,” the young man smiled slightly, his words like knives, “the look on your face now is no better than mine was back in the reeds.”

Li Er nodded: “Alright.”

Applying what he had learned and practicing diligently, he couldn’t help but applaud Zhao Mian’s clever scheme in broad daylight.

What Zhao Mian wanted wasn’t just him revealing his identity first, but to tell him that as long as this young master was willing, he could do whatever he wanted to Sun Zuo and his companions.

Using the guise of helping someone to threaten them, truly beautiful.

“But there’s one thing,” Li Er said, “I can accept a transparent scheme, but you need to be mindful about the number of times.”

Zhao Mian remained unmoved: “Lying to me is not acceptable, not even once.”

The two of them stood side by side, their eyes didn’t meet, but their long hair was stirred up by the rustling autumn wind, unwillingly twisting and tangling behind them.

Zhao Mian said without looking at him: “Do you know what you should do now?”

“I know.”

Li Er turned around, slowly raised his hand in front of Zhao Mian, lowered his eyes, and gave a casual but impeccably graceful bow. “Wei Zhenfeng of Beiyuan, Fuxue Tower pays his respects.