Chapter 36：Unfortunate Soul

Fu Yanqing was reading a report inside his room. A pile of documents were on top the mahogany table.

Si Yao was standing stiffly while grinding ink like a loyal slave even though he was a shadow guard. His heart was inwardly aching at how he was suddenly reduced to doing minuscule tasks and errands but he comforted himself by saying that if it was for His Highness, anything would be considered an honor.

Fu Yanqing was waiting for lunch so he could join his little woman and tell a decent excuse. He was oblivious and uncaring of what his shadow guard felt at the moment.

His hand used the brush to write elegant letters in the paper and even the way he dipped his brush was done with grace and dignity. Not a trace of sploshed ink was seen on the paper and all the characters written were legible and neat that it reflected how equally elegant the writer was.

This nice atmosphere of reading and writing would have continued until it was time for the anticipated lunch but it was soon disturbed by a knock on the door.

It was no other than Si Chong who kneeled and bowed as soon as he was given permission to enter.

"Your Highness, this subordinate has something to report. The young lady just now received a wealthy young master as a visitor. He has a bodyguard skilled in martial arts. There were also boxes and chests filled with gifts for the young lady. They appear to know each other very well. When I left, the lady was checking the young master's pulse and touching his wrist.." Si Chong said as clearly and quickly as possible but his words were halted by a small yet definite sound.

Snap.

Si Yao froze, his hands temporarily stopped grinding ink. Yet another priceless antique brush worth more than 20,000 taels of silver was destroyed in a split second.

The perfectly written letters from earlier was now tarnished by a few dark stains, its beauty disappearing in an instant, fleeting and short lived.

The calm atmosphere from earlier dropped and was replaced by a chill that made both brothers feel as if they were being suffocated. The internal force their Highness suddenly released made them drop on their knees. Their limbs trembled but they kept their heads down, in fear of angering this great Buddha even further.

Fu Yanqing slowly stood up. His face was almost black like thunder as he calmly walked out of the door, the documents and letters long forgotten as if they never mattered. The two brothers forced themselves to recover from the aftershock and stood up in shaky legs to follow him.

Fu Yanqing did not stop as he said, "Get Court Lady Choi."

Fu Yanqing strode towards the direction of his destination, a spiral of negative emotions brewing inside him that even his two shadow guards kept a safe distance from him, not wanting to be on the receiving end of his anger.

Not long after, Court Lady Choi who was in the kitchen, joined them. The older woman was surprised to see the blackened face of Fu Yanqing.

It was very rare for His Highness to show anger in his face but this seemed worse than usual. Court Lady Choi did not dare ask any question and silently prayed for the unfortunate soul who offended Prince Jing. Instead, she followed after without a word.

Not long after, they could hear people shouting inside the waiting room. There were two female voices and one male voice.

It went on for a few seconds before the sound of crying dispersed every other sound. It was so quiet that you could even hear the sound of a pin dropping.

What they didn't expect was to hear a male voice speaking in a comforting manner and the words that followed, signaling the descent of a beast.

"Yan'er, don't be sad. If that b ▪ s t ▪ r d doesn't want to take responsibility for you then I will. Come with me to the capital. I will ask grandfather and my father for permission to marry you as my wife. I will take care of you."

Si Yao and Si Chong sneakily glanced at their Highness' face before instantly regretting their decision. The cold Prince Jing of the capital was back.

Based on the blackened face of their Highness, someone was going to die today. The two brothers inwardly prayed for the unfortunate soul. Likewise, Court Lady Choi said another prayer to herself.

No matter what, it could be anyone else but they must absolutely not offend or antagonize Prince Jing at this moment or they must lose their heads!

After only a few seconds of holding back, Fu Yanqing couldn't take it anymore and he opened the screen door himself and walked in.

His expression did not look good as his eyes narrowed at everyone in the room before landing on the person who was crying and a youth sitting way too close to said person.

His fists clenched tightly and his body shook as if he was about to explode.

Luo Qi stood up and his expression became serious after seeing another man in the room. This new arrival was emitting a deadly aura that could make any person hesitate and feel fear.

Luo Qi was just as surprised as everyone when this man showed up with obvious hostility but judging from this man's attire, his identity was not simple either.

Fu Yanqing raised his chin. "You dare covet this prince's woman?"

The question was said through gritted teeth and spoken with great malice. His aura as a war hero who fought in the battlefields surrounded Fu Yanqing, further intimidating everyone and inciting fears in their heart.

Luo Qi was stunned. This man addressed himself as 'this prince'. Luo Qi's brows wrinkled in confusion but he was cautious enough to consider the other party's identity so he spoke back in a courteous manner despite the nervousness permeating his bones. There was no confirmation just yet. He might be a person impersonating a royal member just to scare him away.

"This gentleman, I am Luo Qi and I was saved by Yan'er before. I am wondering what this gentleman means by asking that question?"

Jae Ha sighed with relief.

His Highness was finally here to teach the cheap man a lesson. It would be a cruel punishment considering he made the lady cry and indirectly said that the lady was frivolous and a shrew.

But this cheap young master was really dense! How could he doubt the prince's identity by referring to the prince as 'this gentleman'?!

Zhao Yan lifted her head up, her watery eyes and tear stained face evoked pity from all that looked at her. Her cheeks were red from crying that one couldn't help but feel sadness for seeing such an aggrieved and wronged expression in her innocent face.

"Yanyan.." Fu Yanqing moved towards her and ignored Luo Qi as if he was air. He raised his hand and wiped a stray tear on Zhao Yan's face using his thumb.

"Do you want me to kill him?" He offered, softening his voice and expression.

It seemed like the obvious way to appease her since he usually got rid of his frustrations by simply eliminating the source of it. Fu Yanqing was sure that it would work for his woman as well.

Luo Hanting immediately raised his sword but two blades were positioned on his neck within the blink of an eye. Luo Qi's eyes widened as he took a step backwards out of surprise before feeling something cold and sharp against his neck.

Jae Ha coldly looked at him while a dagger hovered over his neck.

Zhao Yan gasped. "Don't... Don't kill them. Your Highness, just please send them away... This is no big deal."

Fu Yanqing smiled a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "No big deal? They made you cry. That is enough reason for me to kill them."

"D...Don't!" Zhao Yan grasped his sleeve. "Your Highness, he is the only grandson of Grand Tutor Luo Huang. My grandfather and the Grand Tutor used to be friends. I don't want to disappoint my grandfather by being the reason that his friend's only grandson was killed. Please spare him!" She pleaded.

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