Chapter Two: I Never Let Revenge Wait Until Tomorrow!

As the local boss of Heigouzi County, Xue Yuan’s desire for revenge surged uncontrollably within him like an unrelenting torrent. Yet, he was fully aware that the entire mansion was under Qian Zhongxian’s control, and he had to keep up the act of being a fool; otherwise, the emperor would have him executed without hesitation.

Thus, exacting vengeance required careful maneuvering.

But for someone like him, who had clawed his way up from the bottom, what intricate schemes and cunning tricks were beyond his grasp?

With that thought, he immediately held up six fingers on his left hand and seven on his right, crying out in mock terror, “I-I won’t do it anymore! Please don’t stab my hands, I’m scared!”

No rush—first, solidify the image of a fool!

His ridiculous act nearly made Chu Qiuer, Qian Zhongxian, and even the guards burst into laughter.

The guards quickly dragged him out of the door, bypassing an ornate covered corridor, and arrived at a courtyard blooming with flowers.

At this moment, Xue Yuan realized he was only about twenty meters from the main gate of the prince’s mansion.

Without hesitation, he stopped and elbowed the guard on his right, then kicked the guard on his left with all his might.

Despite the original owner’s foolishness, his limbs were strong and powerful—truly the build of a brute.

Moreover, the guards, accustomed to his usual submission, never expected resistance, allowing him to break free smoothly.

Xue Yuan immediately sprinted toward the main gate!

Qian Zhongxian’s face darkened with fury. “What are you standing there for? Stop him immediately!”

Chu Qiuer shouted, “Catch him! That madman—teach him a proper lesson this time!”

Two guards hurried after him, and two more stationed at the gate moved to encircle Xue Yuan.

Without hesitation, Xue Yuan charged headlong at one of the guards coming straight at him.

With a loud “bang,” the guard was instantly knocked to the ground.

“I’ve heard the late emperor was as strong as an ox—sure enough, the tiger doesn’t fall far from the tree!” Xue Yuan thought. The fool had inherited some fine genes; perhaps he might achieve something in martial arts someday.

In that manner, Xue Yuan successfully burst out of the prince’s mansion!

The Ning Prince’s residence was located in the very heart of Ning’an City, the most prosperous district.

It was mid-morning, and the streets were bustling with people.

As Xue Yuan emerged, the prince’s guards surged out after him, with Qian Zhongxian close behind.

One young guard was fastest and caught hold of Xue Yuan’s clothes.

Xue Yuan grinned: “Young man, if that’s how you want it, then I’ll just lie down!”

He bent his knees, fell with a thud, and began wildly kicking his legs as if electrocuted, braying like a donkey.

“Ah! Don’t hit me, don’t stab my hands! I swear I won’t steal anymore, never again!”

His shout exploded through the street.

“Isn’t that the foolish prince?”

“What’s going on? The guards are catching the prince? Is this still our Great Qian Empire?”

“Did he say he was stealing? Eating the prince’s own food is stealing now?”

Among the crowd, several foreign merchants leading camels laughed heartily.

“In your Great Qian Empire, servants dare to strike the prince? Hahaha, how amusing!”

“In our Yue Rou Kingdom, that’s a capital offense!”

Within moments, a crowd gathered, nearly blocking the entire street.

Qian Zhongxian’s fierce expression suddenly melted into a look of grievance.

He stepped forward to help Xue Yuan up, saying, “Your Highness, you’re talking nonsense again! As steward, I cherish and care for you more than anyone. How could I possibly strike you? Besides, whatever you wanted to eat, I always got it for you—how could you be stealing?”

Hearing this, Xue Yuan knew everything was going exactly as he had anticipated.

Though the emperor indulged Qian Zhongxian, he would never tolerate him using force against a prince in public. Such news would disgrace the royal family, unacceptable to both the emperor and the other princes.

A faint smile crept across Xue Yuan’s face.

“Since that’s the case, don’t blame me if I don’t hold back later!”

Just then, an elderly servant with graying temples and a trustworthy appearance hurried over.

Looking at Xue Yuan, he scolded gently, “Oh dear, Your Highness, why are you speaking nonsense again? I am your loyal servant, as everyone knows. Honestly, Steward Qian has been diligent and devoted to the mansion. Your words are truly disheartening to him!”

The crowd stirred; many recognized him as the prince’s close servant, so his words carried weight.

Xue Yuan recalled this old man was called Zhong Bo, who had raised him since childhood; the original owner regarded him like a father.

Zhong Bo had been kind to him before, but since Qian Zhongxian told him that the prince must be disciplined or else it would harm him, Zhong Bo had obediently followed orders.

The original owner had once tearfully complained to this only “relative” about Qian Zhongxian’s beatings. Zhong Bo wept with him but later told him that Qian was acting for his own good—that without rules, the prince would be destroyed.

The very next day, Zhong Bo reported everything to Qian Zhongxian, causing the original owner to be beaten again. Afterwards, Zhong Bo wiped his tears and treated the wounds, asking if the pain was bearable.

Xue Yuan thought this old man deserved more blame than Qian Zhongxian—while Qian was simply evil, Zhong Bo was both foolish and wicked.

But no rush—one step at a time.

He grabbed Qian Zhongxian, tilted his large head, and asked innocently, “Am I... really the prince?”

Yes, with a slight stutter to make the act more convincing.

Qian Zhongxian suppressed a smile and said without hesitation, “Yes.”

Xue Yuan pouted, stamped his foot, and said, “Then why don’t you kneel and kowtow to me?”

Qian Zhongxian’s face instantly darkened. To a proud and arrogant man like him, kowtowing to a fool was a crushing humiliation.

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