The prince is more stable

Chapter 918 Unexpected Conflict
Inside the swaying carriage, Zhao Xiaoqian and his son Zhao Hao sat together.

The carriage was very ordinary; it was a civilian carriage that Zheng Chunhe had temporarily borrowed. It was an inconspicuous blue-canopied carriage pulled by a single horse, and the interior decorations were also quite old.

Zhao Xiaoqian did not use the imperial carriage, and even changed his clothes into ordinary casual clothes.

Visiting a friend's house isn't about showing off; Zhao Xiaoqian doesn't like such grand gestures, and I believe Zhang Xiaoyi doesn't either.

Inside the carriage, Zhao Hao was babbling excitedly, repeatedly saying, "Fish, fish..."

It's obvious this kid likes to eat fish. Not bad, he's had good taste since he was little, just like his dad.

Zhao Xiaoqian spent the day with Zhao Hao, and the father and son became even closer.

Although he was Zhao Xiaoqian's eldest son, since his birth, Zhao Xiaoqian had been busy seizing the throne and sending his wife and children to Japan to avoid trouble. After Di Ying and the others returned to the capital, Zhao Xiaoqian was busy dealing with state affairs...

Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly realized that he hadn't really spent much time with his son, which was why Zhao Hao had never been able to get close to him.

Sitting in the carriage, Zhao Xiaoqian was shocked to realize this fact and immediately felt some regret.

With his rising status and increased workload, he unknowingly missed out on many opportunities.

This kind of missed opportunity might not seem wrong now; people just say they're "too busy" or "there's someone else to take care of the kids anyway."

But when his children grow up and he grows old, sitting alone by the courtyard reminiscing about his life, he, as their father, knows nothing about how his children grew up, what they experienced, or what they were thinking.

This may be the most regrettable thing in a man's life as he enters old age.

Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly realized his mistake and secretly rejoiced that everything was still in time.

Zhao Hao is just over a year old, and he can't afford to miss his son's growth any longer.

"Sang Biao! Do you like to eat fish?" Inside the carriage, Zhao Xiaoqian looked at his son with a loving fatherly expression.

Zhao Hao answered loudly, "I like it!"

"Besides fish, what else do you like to eat?"

"I like to eat candy!"

"Open your mouth and show Dad how many teeth you have."

Zhao Hao obediently opened his mouth wide.

Zhao Xiaoqian leaned closer to take a closer look, nodded, and patted the dog's head with even more affection: "Okay, from now on you're allowed to have candy once every three days."

Zhao Hao understood, but stubbornly shook his head: "I want candy!"

"You brat, your teeth are already cavities, and you're still eating candy. When you grow up and smile at people, well, what will you do? You'll have a mouthful of jagged canine teeth. You call yourself a prince? You'll look like a dog that's come to life. Are you really planning to make the title of 'my unworthy son' a reality?"

"...In short, from now on you're only allowed to eat candy once every three days. That's the rule," Zhao Xiaoqian said seriously.

Zhao Hao didn't care whether his father was the emperor or not. Upon hearing this, he kicked his arms and legs in displeasure and even let out a few loud howls.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't indulge him, and watched with a smile, arms crossed.

“Go ahead and cry, keep crying. No one will help you no matter how hard you shout. I am not only your father, but also the emperor of this land. Do you know what ‘a monarch’s word is law’ means? If you argue with your father, you’ll be rebelling.”

After howling a few times, Zhao Hao realized that this trick didn't seem to work in front of his own father, so he had no choice but to give up and sit in the carriage with a disgruntled expression.

"Although you should eat less sugar, you did a good job today and made your father proud. When we get back to the palace, I'll personally make you a small wooden sword. How about that?" Zhao Xiaoqian said with a smile.

Zhao Hao certainly made him proud on the training ground today. In front of 20,000 soldiers, this young boy, wielding a small tree branch, practiced diligently, move by move.

It is certain that Zhao Hao's actions caused the entire army's goodwill towards the imperial family and this young prince to rise sharply.

Zhao Hao didn't quite understand his father's words at first, but he understood the words "Little Sword" and immediately became excited. He sat next to Zhao Xiaoqian and continued to imitate the soldiers' drills, making "ah" and "ha" sounds all the time.

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed heartily.

This kid is interesting; he's got potential.

The carriage entered the city and arrived near the state bridge. Zhao Xiaoqian dismounted, and Zheng Chunhe, Chen Shou, and a group of imperial guards closely protected him from the front and back.

Zhao Xiaoqian frowned and ordered Chen Shou to leave only a few elite guards behind, while the rest of them left.

If it were a visit to the home of a high-ranking official or nobleman, that would be one thing, but Zhang Xiaoyi is just a commoner. Why is he putting on such a show at his house? He has nowhere else to show off.

Accompanied by Zheng Chunhe, Chen Shou, and a few Imperial Guards, Zhao Xiaoqian carried Zhao Hao in one arm and pushed open the door of Zhang Xiaoyi's house with the other.

That's right, too lazy to knock, I just pushed the door open.

His friendship with Xiao Yi allows him to do this.

Before he even stepped into the courtyard, Zhao Xiaoqian called out loudly, "Distinguished guests have arrived! Xiao Yi, tell your wife to go buy fish quickly, remember to buy mandarin fish, the biggest and fattest ones..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Xiaoqian's voice seemed to be cut off by an invisible hand.

There were people in Zhang Xiaoyi's courtyard, quite a few of them.

A dozen or so menacing-looking people were scattered in a crescent shape in the courtyard, surrounding Zhang Xiaoyi, his wife, and his blind mother. The scene was tense and on the verge of conflict.

When Chen Shou and the other squad leaders who were originally following behind saw that something was wrong, they immediately became nervous and quickly stepped forward to block Zhao Xiaoqian and his son behind them, their cold eyes fixed on the people in the courtyard.

Zheng Chunhe was also clever. He quietly took a few steps back, turned around and ran away to call for reinforcements. There were still nearly a hundred Imperial Guards standing guard around the carriage at the entrance of the alley.

Zhao Xiaoqian stood inside the threshold, calmly surveying the situation in the courtyard. He saw Zhang Xiaoyi standing in front of his mother and wife, confronting more than ten burly men. His face was covered in bruises, and one arm hung down, with blood trickling down his arm and onto the ground.

Upon seeing Zhao Xiaoqian and his entourage suddenly enter, the dozen or so burly men in the courtyard were immediately drawn to their presence. They noticed that Chen Shou and the other guards standing in front of Zhao Xiaoqian were imposing figures with unfriendly eyes, suggesting they were not to be trifled with. The leader of the group approached and slowly said, "We have a score to settle with Zhang Xiaoyi. This matter is none of your concern. Please leave."

Zhao Xiaoqian remained calm and composed, still holding his son. His gaze passed over Chen Shou and the others in front of him and looked at Zhang Xiaoyi, a smile playing on his lips.

"Got beaten up? Tsk tsk, that's terrible..."

Zhang Xiaoyi smiled too, a relaxed smile, knowing he was saved.

"Yes, I got beaten up, and I was badly injured."

Zhao Xiaoqian then laughed and asked, "Did your mother and wife get beaten up?"

"Luckily, you arrived just as they were about to make their move, before they could react."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled even more broadly: "That's good. Tell your wife to go buy some fish later... By the way, this is my son, Sangbiao. His full name is Zhao Hao. I brought him here for you to meet him."

“Sang Biao, call him Uncle Xiao Yi.”

Holding his father in his arms, Zhao Hao was not afraid of the tense scene before him at all, and shouted excitedly and very loudly.

"Xiao Yi... Uncle!"

Zhang Xiaoyi laughed loudly: "Hey! Okay, I'll have your aunt make you steamed fish later, it'll be delicious!"

"Fish, eat fish!" Sang Biao was even happier.

The dozen or so burly men in the courtyard had fierce looks on their faces, and their expressions grew increasingly hostile.

You guys... are actually chatting like gossips right in front of us?

Is this how you show no respect for the underworld?

The burly man at the head of the group stepped forward, staring at Zhao Xiaoqian with a sinister look in his eyes, and said coldly, "Sir, didn't you hear what I just said? We have a grudge against Zhang Xiaoyi. If you want to live, leave now!"

Zhao Xiaoqian's gaze finally fell on the big man. He looked him up and down and said, "Was it you who beat up Zhang Xiaoyi just now?"

"So what if I am? You want to avenge him?" the big man sneered.

The situation was clear: they had about ten men, while Zhao Xiaoqian only had three or five. It was a ten-on-five situation, so the advantage was on our side, which gave the Han the confidence to threaten him.

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed upon hearing this, and the Imperial Guards, including Chen Shou, in front of him also laughed.

Even Zhang Xiaoyi, who had been beaten up not far away, couldn't help but laugh out loud despite the pain.

This scene is just...it's impossible not to laugh.

These reckless fools probably don't realize who they've messed with.

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head. Today, he was visiting a friend and deliberately kept a low profile. He didn't make a show of it or wear a yellow robe. He even only brought a few guards with him.

Unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, God gave him a chance to show off.

"If you beat up Zhang Xiaoyi, you can't beat up me, okay?" Zhao Xiaoqian said seriously.

The dozen or so burly men burst into laughter.

"We won't beat you up, but leave now and we'll let you go."

No sooner had the burly man finished speaking than another burly man beside him suddenly said, "Since you want to live, why not leave some money to buy your life before you leave?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback. This group of people were really courting death... No, this wasn't a test anymore, but a voluntary leap into the gates of hell.

Chen Shou and the other Imperial Guards seemed to be taken aback by the big man's words. This time, none of them laughed; instead, they looked at the big man with pity.

Extorting the current emperor? You guys are really brave! This is probably the first case of its kind since the founding of the Song Dynasty.

After pondering for a long time, Zhao Xiaoqian asked seriously, "I don't want to leave, nor do I want to give you money. Is there any other option?"

The burly men's faces immediately darkened, their eyes flashing with murderous intent, and the group began to slowly approach Zhao Xiaoqian and his companions.

"I can see that you've made up your mind to help Zhang Xiaoyi. My friend, when you're out and about, don't get involved in other people's business. Didn't your parents teach you that?"

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed easily, "I really never taught him that. My father only taught me not to let go of any beautiful widows I meet."

Zhao Xiaoqian raised his hand and teased Zhao Hao's chubby chin, then suddenly said listlessly, "That's enough, this isn't fun. Chen Shou, they should lie down."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Shou and several other squad leaders leaped forward. Without even using their weapons, they easily beat more than ten burly men to the ground with a few punches and kicks.

Chen Shou and his gang were ruthless; after beating them to a pulp, they even dislocated their arm joints.

Before the dozen or so burly men could react, they were lying on the ground in a flash, screaming in agony.

Just as the burly men lay down, a flurry of footsteps sounded outside the door, and Zheng Chunhe led nearly a hundred Imperial Guards to surround them.

Zhang Xiaoyi's house was immediately filled with people. More than a hundred people were crammed into the small courtyard, and there was nowhere to stand.

Seeing this, the burly men who were screaming in agony felt their hearts sink to the bottom. They now realized that they had probably messed with the wrong person today, and their fate was not good.

Zhao Xiaoqian ignored them, carrying Zhao Hao as he walked straight to Zhang Xiaoyi. After examining his miserable state, he couldn't help but sigh and said, "What are you pretending for? If I give you an official position, who in Bianjing City would dare to mess with you?"

"He insisted on acting all high and mighty, like 'I'm poor and therefore I'm right,' and now look what happened, he got beaten up."

(End of this chapter)