Chapter 987: Running into Acquaintances
Editor: Henyee Translations

The steward staggered slightly, cursing his unfilial son in his heart, “It’s his fortune to serve the Second Prince so closely, please treat him well.”

Li Hongtang sneered, “My dogs are always well cared for, but I hope you don’t regret this later.”

The steward bowed and fell silent.

At that moment, the king awoke, “Cough, cough, cough… Steward, bring me some water.”

The steward quickly went to fetch water, but Li Hongtang snatched it from him, “Father, please drink this.”

The King glanced at the steward and then took the water from Li Hongtang’s hand, “Has the person who knocked me out been found?”

“They got away,” Li Hongtang indirectly blamed the steward, “Father, we should recall Lu Ziming. If he were here, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Shut up!” The King snapped, aware of Li Hongtang’s ambitions but also aware of his incompetence to hold the king’s position or win the people’s support.

Li Hongtang looked aggrieved, “What did I do wrong now, Father?”

“Leave, I want to rest,” the King dismissed him, tired of seeing his power-hungry second son.

Li Hongtang stormed out, shooting a fierce glare at the steward, warning him silently about speaking out of turn.

Once he was gone, the King’s expression immediately darkened, “Who hit me?”

The steward reported honestly, “Unknown, but extremely skilled in martial arts. All our men failed to catch him, and he even caused a huge commotion in the mansion, letting many servants escape.”

“Servants escaped?” The King was surprised that so many wished to flee his service, “Anything else?”

The steward shook his head, “No more.”

“What about my sons, any news?” the King asked, his tone tinged with sadness as he thought about his deceased eldest son and the misfortunes that seemed to befall his family.

At that moment, Li Hongyu entered, “Father, I heard about the attack, has the culprit been caught?”

Li Hongyu, the ninth prince, usually stayed away from the toxic royal court and had been summoned back only recently due to the unexplained death of Li Hongjin.

“Do you even care to see me?” the King chided him.

Li Hongyu was amicable, “Father, you know I’m uncomfortable at the court. I live quite far from here and received the news late. I’ll come sooner next time.”

The King was infuriated, “Don’t bother coming next time.”

“Alright, Father, I’ll leave then,” Li Hongyu left promptly, not hesitating in the face of his father’s ire.

The King coughed loudly from agitation, “See, this is what happens when children are not disciplined. How can we continue like this?”

The steward tried to reassure him, “My lord, the ninth prince is grown now; there’s no need for excessive worry.”

The King waved him off, changing the subject, “I suspect they were after someone in the dungeon. Increase the guards there; we can’t let anyone break them out.”

“Yes, my lord,” the steward bowed and immediately went to make arrangements.

The King rubbed his temples, exhausted by the relentless troubles.

…

The next morning, Shang Zixing found Chu Tang, “What do we do next?”

Chu Tang replied as they went downstairs, “Let’s have breakfast first, then discuss.”

“Aren’t you worried?” Shang Zixing was anxious, feeling indebted to Jiang Zhaoyong, whom he wanted to rescue immediately.

“What’s there to worry about? Do you think skipping breakfast will help us rescue him?” Chu Tang sat down and ordered dumplings, soy milk, and fried eggs.

After ordering, the siblings approached Chu Tang, “We’re sorry, master, for not getting up earlier.”

Chu Tang dismissed their concerns, “Go home after breakfast. I don’t really need attendants; yesterday’s words were just a temporary measure.”

Shocked, the siblings knelt, “Master, we were wrong to be late today. Please don’t send us away.”

“I’m not sending you away; I genuinely don’t need attendants,” Chu Tang helped them up. “Stop kneeling so often; it’s not good.”

“We’ll listen to you, master…” they started.

“Didn’t you just say you’d listen? Why question now?” Chu Tang countered.

The siblings hung their heads, unsure of how to respond.

As they began their meal, a familiar voice rang out, surprising Chu Tang, “How did you end up in Shu City?”

Li Hongyu approached, taking a seat next to Chu Tang, “Long time no see.”

“It hasn’t been long, just over half a month,” Chu Tang replied, noticing Li Hongyu’s casual demeanor. “What brings you here as well?”

“My father called me back,” Li Hongyu ordered the same breakfast as Chu Tang, signaling the waiter to hurry, “Make it quick, don’t delay my matters.”

“Right away, sir,” the waiter nodded and quickly set to work.

As they ate, Chu Tang asked, “Aren’t you usually avoiding your father? What did he want this time?”

“Probably thought I might die out there,” Li Hongyu said nonchalantly, as if talking about someone else.

Shang Zixing observed the interaction, puzzled by their apparent familiarity and ease with each other.

“Do you have a poor relationship with your father?” Chu Tang noticed Li Hongyu’s reluctant attitude and inquired.

Li Hongyu responded with a rhetorical question, “If it were good, would I need to make a living outside? Anyway, let’s not talk about him. What about you? What brings you to Shu City?”

“I’m here for some business I mentioned before,” Chu Tang replied calmly.

“Need any help? I have some contacts here,” Li Hongyu offered generously.

“No need, I can handle it. Just take care of yourself,” Chu Tang declined, preferring not to entangle Li Hongyu in his affairs, especially since he might have to confront the royal court later.