Chapter 171: Refuge

Words : 1367 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Although the Capital City is large, it’s as difficult as climbing to the heavens to evade the searches of Prince NanAn Mansion, Marquis Jingguo Mansion, Beining Marquis Mansion, and Duke Dingguo Mansion. However, if they hide in Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, even if their parents knew, they wouldn’t dare go to Dongxiang Marquis Mansion to demand them. Dongxiang Marquis Mansion is definitely the best place to hide in the Capital City. The four of them stopped their horses in front of the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion gate. Noticing their arrival, Commander Tie slightly frowned and stepped forward, saying, "Why have you come, my Prince?" "We came to stay at Dongxiang Marquis Mansion for a few days," said Prince NanAn. "..." The four dismounted from their horses. Commander Tie looked a bit troubled. The Emperor ordered them to surround Dongxiang Marquis Mansion but didn’t mention allowing visits, let alone overnight stays. Until Prince NanAn and his group swaggered inside. Commander Tie still hadn’t thought of what to say. He frowned and said, "You guard Dongxiang Marquis Mansion well, I’ll go to the palace." The gates of Dongxiang Marquis Mansion were wide open. But after Prince NanAn and the others entered, they went down the steps without seeing a single person. Why are the gates so casually open? "Is anyone here?" the Heir of Marquis Beining asked. Behind them, the guarding guards had black lines across their faces. Does the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion really see them as mere doormen?! Prince NanAn rubbed his forehead and said to Chu Shun, "Which way shall we go?" Over there, a dog swiftly ran over and barked at them. The Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo smirked and said, "If I tell others the first thing I saw in Dongxiang Marquis Mansion was a dog, no one would believe me." "Little Black! Stop barking!" came the voice of Young Master Su. "..." Little Black? This white dog is called Little Black? Sure enough, it’s a dog from Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, even the name is worlds apart from other dogs. Young Master Su ran over, looking at them, and said, "Why are you here?" The Heir of Marquis Beining laughed, "Doesn’t Dongxiang Marquis Mansion have any gatekeepers?" "Isn’t there a bunch of people outside?" Young Master Su said. "..." Can those guards really be counted? Prince NanAn asked, "Is your elder brother here?" "He’s in the training ground getting beaten up," Young Master Su said. "..." "I’ll take you there." Young Master Su led them to the training ground. At the courtyard entrance, Young Master Su stopped and said, "You can go in." "Aren’t you going in?" Chu Shun asked. Young Master Su shook his head, "I’m still young, seeing such bloody scenes every day, I can’t handle it. I’ll just escort you here." Chu Shun, "..." "Little Black, let’s go." Young Master Su ran ahead, and Little Black followed behind. Gazing at the training ground’s main gate, listening to the shouts coming from inside. Prince NanAn felt a chill in his heart. "How bloody is it inside?" he asked unsteadily. "Why don’t you go in and see for yourself?" the Heir of Marquis Beining replied. "Why don’t you go in first?" Prince NanAn suggested. "..." "We’re all brothers, let’s go in together," the Heir of Marquis Beining said. The group steadied their nerves and stepped inside. The scene was similar to when Xie Jingchen came last time, only this time Su Chong was the one on stage competing. He was up against three. At a disadvantage. He kicked, barely dodging, and as he shifted his position, a man’s fist swung over with lightning speed, making the onlookers sweat for Su Chong. After all, even two fists can’t fend off six hands. After half a quarter-hour, Su Chong was kicked down by one of the men. "Make way!" The crowd scattered. Su Chong lay sprawled out on the ground, as if the earth beneath him trembled. Chu Shun, "...!!!" Prince NanAn, "...!!!" The Heir of Marquis Beining, "...!!!" The Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo, "...!!!" The four were dumbfounded. Su Chong lay on the ground, unable to move for quite a while. More importantly, no one helped him up, everyone just dispersed. Prince NanAn walked over, intending to help Su Chong up, but Su Chong quickly said, "Don’t help me." Prince NanAn laughed, "If I don’t help you, how will you get up?" "If you help me, you’ll be in trouble," Su Chong said with difficulty. "Just helping you up, how bad could it be?" Prince NanAn said carelessly. He helped Su Chong up. Just as his hand touched Su Chong, Chu Shun shouted, "Careful!" Prince NanAn had yet to react when his shoulder was grabbed, and with a strong lift, he was tossed onto the competition stage. Prince NanAn managed to react quickly, flipping in the air and barely stabilizing on his feet. Su Chong got up from the ground, pain causing him to grimace, he said, "His martial arts are average, don’t be too harsh." Prince NanAn was furious. Furious at Su Chong, as no one had ever so bluntly said his martial arts were average before, his noble pride was bruised. There were three men on the competition stage. Upon hearing Su Chong’s words, two retreated, leaving one to spar with Prince NanAn. However, just this one. In just a few sips of tea’s time, he sent Prince NanAn to Su Chong’s feet. Prince NanAn, "..." Prince NanAn lay on the ground. His regret was immeasurable. Why did he come to Dongxiang Marquis Mansion? Getting beaten at home would be ten times lighter than this... He just proved with his strength that his martial arts are average. Chu Shun looked to Su Chong, "Can we help him?" "Of course," Su Chong said. The Heir of Marquis Beining and the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo went over to help Prince NanAn up. But just as they were getting up. They were thrown onto the competition stage too. Even Chu Shun wasn’t spared. Three against three. Su Chong was somewhat happy, having company in getting beaten felt rather good. "Brew four more portions of my bone-strengthening medicine," Su Chong said. "Yes." Imperial Study. The Emperor had just returned from taking a stroll in the Imperial Garden. As soon as he sat down, a little eunuch came to report, "Your Majesty, Commander Tie has returned." Why has he returned? Could something have happened at Dongxiang Marquis Mansion? "Let him in." Commander Tie stepped in. Before he could pay his respects, the Emperor asked, "Has something happened at Dongxiang Marquis Mansion?" From that question, it was clear the Emperor was very concerned about the safety of Dongxiang Marquis. It was wise of him to come to the palace. "Nothing happened, but Prince NanAn, the Heir of Marquis Jingguo, the Heir of Marquis Beining, and the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion have gone into Dongxiang Marquis Mansion," Commander Tie reported. "Why on earth did they go to Dongxiang Marquis Mansion?" Eunuch Fu wondered. "It’s not for nothing," Commander Tie explained that on his way back, he happened to run into Prince NanAn, saying, "Prince NanAn, the Heir of Marquis Jingguo and the Heir of Marquis Beining, along with the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, opened an ice shop opposite Duke Chong’s Mansion. Prince NanAn openly declared his intention to avoid a beating at home, so they hid in Dongxiang Marquis Mansion." The Emperor remarked with amusement, "They think Dongxiang Marquis Mansion is a hiding place from trouble." Eunuch Fu chuckled and added, "If they can hide in Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, it seems they have a good relationship with the Young Master of Dongxiang Marquis Mansion." The more allies Dongxiang Marquis Mansion has, the more hope there is. The Emperor’s expression showed a subtle change in thought. Eunuch Fu laughed, "Earlier, your Majesty suggested buying the coal from the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion. If she has that kind of ice, should we buy it from them too?" The Emperor gave Eunuch Fu a sidelong glance, "Ice is different from coal, and if Duke Chong’s shop has to close, whom else are we going to buy it from if not her?" """

Chapter 171: Refuge

Comments (0)