The prince is more stable

Chapter 617 A loving father and a filial son
The one phrase a man of taste should always remember is "better to have nothing than something bad."

Experienced men know that "being driven by lust" is the cause, and "feeling hopeless about life" is the effect.

When emotions run high, even a sow seems beautiful and alluring, and one longs to kiss her.

However, after actually having sex with this sow, some men feel like they want to die. At this point, most men will develop a deep sense of world-weariness.

At this moment, Zhao Xiaoqian was sizing up the middle-aged couple in front of him, especially the woman.

After staring at it for a while, Zhao Xiaoqian's cheeks twitched violently a few times.

On one hand, there's the bond between father and son; on the other, there's the reputation of innocence he's built up over many years…

Weighing the pros and cons, what should we do?
After a long silence, Zhao Xiaoqian gritted his teeth and made a decision.

“Brother Grassland, I’m not the one having an affair with your wife. You’ve mistaken me for someone else.” Zhao Xiaoqian resolutely refused to take the blame.

Brother Grassland was taken aback, turned to look at his wife, and angrily said, "You shameless woman, tell me, was it him who was having an affair with you at home just now?"

In front of everyone, the woman was so ashamed and indignant that she refused to say a word and covered her face, crying incessantly.

Unable to get a reply from his wife, Brother Grassland glared at Zhao Xiaoqian and said, "Someone saw that person running here in a panic..."

After a pause, Brother Grassland carefully examined Zhao Xiaoqian's physique and muttered, "When I caught him in the act, I vaguely saw a plump, white ball of flesh dart out of the window. That pig-like figure certainly doesn't resemble you..."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled with relief: "That's right, it wasn't me to begin with."

Suddenly, from inside the side gate of the Prince's Mansion behind us, came a series of impatient scratching sounds, creaking and groaning, which were quite irritating.

Zhao Xiaoqian ignored him completely and continued to smile.

I'm so sorry, Father. I really can't take the blame for this. I can't bear the shame. I'm still young and have a long way to go...

Brother Grassland stared at Zhao Xiaoqian for a long while, then suddenly said, "That adulterer fled here and disappeared, but you're standing here... I know! That adulterer is your father! Isn't that right?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned for a long time, then said in a calm tone, "Brother, I'm afraid you've misunderstood again..."

“Actually… I’m an orphan,” Zhao Xiaoqian said in a heavy voice, “On a stormy night, I was abandoned by a graveyard outside the city. Later, a stray dog ​​took me in and raised me with love and care…”

"I can vouch for that stray dog. With its noble, upright, and unyielding character, it would be absolutely impossible for it to have an affair with your wife," Zhao Xiaoqian said with burning eyes and unwavering conviction.

Behind him, inside the tightly closed side door, the scratching at the door grew increasingly rapid and frantic.

Zhao Xiaoqian remained calm and ignored it.

Brother Grassland, still unwilling to give up, said, "If it's not you, then why are you standing here?"

Zhao Xiaoqian decisively took a few steps back: "I came in with the villagers to watch the excitement. I just stood a little in front. I can always back up."

Brother Grassland was furious. The young man in front of him was spouting nonsense, but he was definitely not an adulterer. Moreover, in this world, it is important to catch adulterers in the act. If you don't catch them in the act, you have nowhere to seek justice.

They were standing in front of the Chu King's mansion. No matter who the missing adulterer was, causing trouble in front of the mansion would surely lead to his death. There were so many imperial guards watching him intently outside the gate.

Brother Grassland had no choice. After all, he was just an ordinary citizen and couldn't afford to offend the powerful and wealthy. He could only stomp his foot in anger. When he turned around and saw his wife still crying, he couldn't help but feel angry.

If I can't afford to offend the Chu Prince's Mansion, surely I can afford to offend you?

He slapped her hard across the face, and the woman screamed in pain. The man from the grassland dragged her away, cursing and hitting her as they walked, reluctantly leaving.

The onlookers had enjoyed a good show, and now that the show was over, they all left with satisfied smiles.

Zhao Xiaoqian breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

That was close; I almost ruined my reputation.

If he really takes the blame for his father, the Crown Prince of Chu, the Prince of Hejian, and a pillar of the Song Dynasty who turned the tide, has such a bizarre aesthetic sense when it comes to women. If this gets out, wouldn't spoiled brats like Cai You in Bianjing be able to use this joke to control him for the rest of his life?

In the future, when the people of the Great Song Dynasty mention Zhao Xiaoqian's name, with his impressive titles such as Crown Prince and Prince of the County followed by the prefix "especially fond of mature and ugly women," how can Zhao Xiaoqian live in the world?
Fortunately, Zhao Xiaoqian cleverly resolved the crisis today.

Just as he was about to turn back to his residence, he saw that the Imperial Guards, including Chen Shou, outside the gate had strange expressions on their faces. They stood straight, but their cheeks were twisted like rags wrung out of dirty water. Zhao Xiaoqian's face darkened.

"What's with those expressions? I've helped my dad out of a huge mess, so applause is in order!"

Clap clap clap clap!
The applause lived up to expectations, being enthusiastic and full of emotion.

The side gate of the Prince's Mansion opened at this moment, and Zhao Hao stood inside with a gloomy expression, his dormant paternal love finally awakened.

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at Zhao Hao, then sighed and said, "Father, I don't object to you having affairs outside, after all, I'm no saint either..."

“But, Father, could you please raise your standards a little? That woman just now… If I were to take the blame for that, it would be so shameful that I would never be able to hold my head up high again.”

Zhao Hao sneered, "You know nothing! You little brat who hasn't even grown his first hair! When you reach my age, you'll know that a woman's looks are completely unimportant. What matters is her charm, her wildness, and being dominated by her!" Zhao Xiaoqian covered his ears in anguish, "Father, please stop! I'm seeing things! I'm disgusted..."

Zhao Hao beckoned to him with an unfriendly look: "Come here, you unfilial son. I'm asking you, are you an orphan? Were you raised by dogs?"

Zhao Xiaoqian raised an eyebrow: "If Father is not satisfied with my answer, the aggrieved party has not gone far. How about I send someone to call him back, and Father can negotiate with him personally?"

Zhao Hao's obese body trembled, and he forced a smile: "There's no need for that! Let's not talk about it anymore."

Zhao Xiaoqian said coldly, "Father, say thank you."

"……Thanks."

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed. "Dad, you really need to be more careful..."

The father and son stood outside the door talking for a long time before Zhao Hao seemed to suddenly realize that his son had returned to the capital. He immediately showed a look of great joy and surprise: "That's right! My dear son, why are you back? Come on, let's go home. Your father will give you a welcome-back feast!"

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed helplessly again.

Belated fatherly love is worth less than grass...

The Prince's Mansion, Yin'an Hall.

There were no other guests today. The father and son had a table full of food and wine in front of them. They poured each other wine and drank together, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Zhao Xiaoqian returned to Bianjing today. Upon entering the city, he immediately went to see Zhao Xu and Wei Jie. He looked exhausted, but still mustered his energy to chat with Zhao Hao.

"Father's tastes have changed recently? Didn't you only like widows before? Now you're starting to set your sights on married women?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked, puzzled.

Zhao Hao shook his head: "My son, you are mistaken. I like widows, but I don't only like widows. I usually don't refuse married women either. In fact, married women are more exciting. You will understand the wonderful taste in another 10 or 20 years."

Zhao Xiaoqian looked up at the beams of the Yin'an Hall for a long time before finally looking away.

You have to continue acknowledging the father you were born with, even if it's a human-shaped teddy bear...

"So, Father, you went too far today and almost got caught in bed with someone else?"

Zhao Hao gritted his teeth and shamelessly said with a face full of resentment, "It's all that husband's fault. He promised his wife he would be back in an hour, but he suddenly returned in less than half an hour. A man born into this world should not have any integrity. He is a man of his word. I don't know what kind of man he is!"

After saying this, Zhao Hao, panting heavily and with his face flushed, exclaimed, "I'm so angry I could die!"

Zhao Xiaoqian stared in disbelief: "…………"

Emotionally speaking, he should be on the side of his biological father, but... right now he really has no face to stand on his biological father's side.

This dad is so dirty.

The father and son drank a few more cups of wine. Zhao Xiaoqian frowned and suddenly said, "Something's not right. Father isn't such a careless person. Besides, Father travels with many attendants. Even if that woman's husband suddenly returned, you should have had plenty of time to escape. Why today..."

Turning his head to stare into Zhao Hao's eyes, he saw a cunning glint flash across Zhao Hao's eyes.

Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly realized, "Father did it on purpose? Why?"

Zhao Hao chuckled, poured his son a cup of wine, and said slowly, "Recently, the young prince passed away, and the atmosphere in the court is rather heavy. It seems that His Majesty's temperament has also..."

"I sense that the atmosphere is a bit off. Why don't I deliberately do something absurd and offer up some trivial handle for the censors to impeach? Hehe, I might just avoid a major disaster by taking a small hit."

Zhao Xiaoqian was speechless.

That brain of his... it really wasn't wasted.

Throughout history, there have been many clever people who have deliberately tarnished their reputations to protect themselves, sacrificing a little fame to save their lives. They use trivial matters to divert people's attention—a common tactic of cunning old foxes, but it is very effective.

"If I do not return to the capital today, how does Father intend to handle this matter?"

Zhao Hao said slowly and deliberately, "Of course, I should run home first, then rush out and argue with that woman's husband. The more heated the argument, the better. I'm not afraid of getting beaten up on my own turf."

"Such scandalous rumors are especially popular among the people, and they will surely spread throughout Bianjing in less than a day. The censors will naturally seize on me and make me the laughingstock of the court..."

Zhao Hao winked at him: "The emperor and his ministers in the court are all very shrewd. Who would be hostile or murderous to a wicked person who seduces a married woman? In the eyes of the emperor, someone like me is the most harmless. No storm in the court can affect me."

"Today I'm going to tell them, yes, I'm still the same scoundrel I was back then, without the slightest change..."

Zhao Xiaoqian took a deep breath, slowly sipped his wine, and said quietly, "Father, your fox tail is showing. Hide it quickly."

Zhao Hao subconsciously touched his buttocks, then chuckled and said, "It's alright, my son is no outsider."

The father and son raised their glasses, clinked them together, drank them down, and then smiled at each other.

(End of this chapter)