The number one rebel of the Great Wu

"It seems that what Xiao Gengzi said was indeed true!"

Seeing Zhao Heng's reaction, Xiao Lie's face grew even more gloomy.

"Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me!"

Given the circumstances, how could Zhao Heng not understand!

He was puzzled, because he had clearly received a message from the prison yesterday.

It is said that Chen Changgeng wrote a rebellious poem and was arrested and secretly executed.

Zhao Heng was still not at ease, so he went to the prison himself to check on things.

When he saw that seditious poem, he felt relieved.

How could he have imagined that it was Crown Princess Shen Qingci who personally led people to take Chen Changgeng away and even changed his appearance to enter the Crown Prince's residence!

"Spare my life? You lowly commoner, did you consider the consequences before you deceived this prince!"

Xiao Lie asked angrily!

Zhao Heng opened his mouth, but was immediately speechless!

"Little Gengzi, I have already found this person for you."

"How do you want to handle this?"

Crown Prince Xiao Lie glared at Zhao Heng, snorted, and then turned to ask Zhao Heng a question.

Chen Changgeng bowed and clasped his hands in greeting, giving a sly smile.

"Didn't Lord Zhao wish to enter your household and serve you?"

"Why not grant his request? Let him be like me, stripped of his official rank, castrated, and enter the palace as a lowly eunuch."

"At that time, this servant will properly discipline him!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lie was immediately displeased.

"You scoundrel! How could you let the Crown Prince employ such a treacherous person?!"

"What are their true intentions?!"

As soon as he uttered the curse, Xiao Lie realized his mistake and burst into laughter.

"Good, good, good! You little Gengzi, you're something else!"

"You are truly wicked! Zhao Heng's wickedness is not even a fraction as great as yours!"

Given the limited medical technology in ancient times, the mortality rate for major surgeries like castration was as high as 50%.

Zhao Heng was a scholar with a weak constitution, but he survived thanks to his great fortune-telling skills.

After entering the mansion, he fell into Chen Changgeng's hands, which basically meant certain death!

Zhao Heng caused Chen Changgeng's family to be destroyed and his life ruined, so how could he simply be beheaded as an excuse!

"Your Highness, you have misunderstood me."

"My only concern is that if you rashly kill Zhao Heng, causing panic among the talented people of the land, who will dare to serve under you in the future?"

"By merely stripping him of his official title and keeping him under observation in your residence, wouldn't that better demonstrate your appreciation for talent and your virtue?"

"Haha, good, good, good!"

"I, the Crown Prince, have wronged you!"

Xiao Lie was so amused that he couldn't stop smiling, and he reached out and patted Chen Changgeng's shoulder hard.

"Then we'll do as you say! Men, drag Zhao Heng out!"

"First strip him of his official rank, then send him to the castration chamber for castration!"

"what!"

Zhao Heng screamed in terror and despair, his eyes filled with regret!

He lost his academic achievements, his official career was ruined, and he couldn't even be a man anymore!

And all of this was because he had offended the little eunuch in front of him!

Chen Changgeng gave a sinister smile and made a snapping motion with his hand.

Zhao Heng suddenly felt a chill in his crotch, his vision went black, and he fainted from fright!

……

Not long after returning to the janitor's quarters, Xiang'er brought the doctor.

When the doctor finished the examination, Xiang'er's complexion had improved considerably.

Besides some superficial injuries, Xiaoqin also has several fractures in her arms and legs. Fortunately, Xiaoqin is young and will recover after about a week of bed rest.

As servants in the Crown Prince's residence, such things were commonplace; if it was just a fracture, one could only say they were lucky.

Here, your money.

Xiang'er took out a heavy bag of silver and stuffed it into Chen Changgeng's hand. Although she pouted, her eyes were full of gratitude.

Chen Changgeng opened the bag and saw that it contained ten-tael silver notes and loose silver, totaling more than ninety taels.

"Medical treatment in the capital is this cheap?"

Chen Changgeng was somewhat surprised.

"I don't need you to pay for my sister's medical treatment."

"Consider those few taels of silver a loan; I'll pay you back once I receive my salary."

Xiang'er said proudly.

Chen Changgeng smiled, his eyes darting around furtively.

He quickly grabbed Xiang'er's smooth little hand.

"Why are you suddenly being so formal, Sister Xiang'er? You weren't like this in the woodshed just now."

Xiang'er blushed instantly, and with a gentle flick of her hand, she gave up when she saw that Chen Changgeng was holding on tightly.

She let him lead her like that.

"Don't talk nonsense, or I'll beat you up!"

"I bet Sister Xiang'er will be very reluctant to part with her!"

Chen Changgeng smiled faintly, and his hand movements became bolder.

He gently held Xiang'er's small hand while lightly stroking her palm, making her feel itchy inside.

"It's too dangerous for Consort Ling. Why don't you go and ask Her Highness the Crown Princess to transfer her elsewhere?"

"She can stay with me for now, but if she goes back to Consort Ling's place, she won't have a good life."

After Chen Changgeng returned, he asked Xiaoqin about it.

At that time, Crown Prince Xiao Lie was having fun at Consort Ling's place, and Shen Qingci sent someone to urge the Crown Prince.

Those eunuchs knew the prince's temperament, so they dared not knock on the door.

They then took advantage of Xiaoqin, a young woman, and instigated her to go and summon the Crown Prince.

The result is obvious.

Not only that, but Lingfei also beat and scolded Xiaoqin on a regular basis, often leaving her covered in bruises, which was extremely pitiful.

"How could I not want that? I've already asked for it."

"But Xiaoqin was specifically requested by Consort Ling to stay there, and since the Crown Prince saw that Consort Ling liked her, he naturally let her be."

"Your Highness, there's nothing we can do."

As she spoke, Xiang'er lowered her head, her eyes red-rimmed.

Chen Changgeng already knew that Consort Ling was the most favored woman in the Crown Prince's residence.

I heard that she was a courtesan whom the Crown Prince had recently redeemed from the Red Yao Courtyard in the capital. She was exceptionally skilled at winning the Crown Prince's favor.

Within the Crown Prince's residence, there are seven exceptionally talented and beautiful Crown Princesses, but Consort Ling is not among them.

The title "Consort Ling" was merely a designation used within the household. Even with great skill, a mere courtesan could never truly be granted the title of consort.

"Interesting. It seems I'll have to meet this Consort Ling sooner or later."

Chen Changgeng stroked his chin, his mind already clear.

Xiaoqin was nothing more than a pawn used by Consort Ling to defeat Shen Qingci through their connections.

As long as Xiaoqin is constantly abused, Xiang'er will eventually lose her temper and want to avenge her sister.

At that time, Consort Ling will be able to get leverage against Shen Qingci!

"Xiang'er, go and investigate the identity of this Consort Ling."

"In my opinion, she's probably not just a simple courtesan..."

The night was deep.

Soon after dark, the entire Crown Prince's residence fell silent.

Apart from a few palace maids and eunuchs walking around the palace, there was only the occasional sound of the night watchman's drum.

After midnight.

Chen Changgeng blew out the candles in the room, carefully arranged his bed, and then crawled under the bed.

Chen Changgeng still remembered the three times the Third Prince knocked on his door at the Imperial Study during the day.

If I were to actually go out and meet him at the side door, even if I refused, I would inevitably be harassed by him in the future.

But if he didn't see her, he felt vaguely uneasy.

To ensure his safety, he had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure.

Meanwhile, outside the side gate of the Crown Prince's residence, a carriage sat quietly in the shadows at the corner.

A moment later, the carriage curtain was lifted.

The Third Prince's slightly impatient voice rang out.

"Hasn't he/she arrived yet?"

One of the people waiting beside the carriage quickly shook his head.

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences. Tell Ziyuan to do it!"

"yes!"