This made Li Shimin anxious, and he wanted to trade one for one with me.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jinyong's face showed surprise. "Father, you guessed it?"

Zhao Shida waved for him to follow, and walked towards the study, saying as he went:

"If Cheng Dong'e isn't in Jizhou, where else could he go but to Chang'an?"

"He is Cheng Yaojin's nephew. Since we've come to the capital, we should naturally go and find Cheng Yaojin."

As Zhao Shida spoke, he gritted his teeth, "Looking back now, Cheng Yaoyin was truly a cunning fox. I underestimated him!"

"Cheng Yaoyin deliberately indulged his son, ruining my plans. He clearly doesn't want to be associated with me!"

"If it weren't for the dog watching over him, I would have made sure he couldn't stay in Jeju!"

Hearing his father's cursing, Zhao Jinyong immediately said:

“Father, Cheng Dong’e has disgraced our Zhao family. If we don’t settle accounts with him, what will happen to your reputation once news of what happened in Jizhou reaches the capital?”

Zhao Shida turned and glared at him, "What's the point of talking about face now!"

Do you know that Zhang Xingcheng has returned to Beijing?

Zhao Jinyong exclaimed in surprise, "Zhang Xingcheng is back in Beijing? How could he be back so quickly?"

When the family returned to the capital, they were very careful. To prevent the news from leaking out, Zhao Shida took his family and quietly left the mansion at night, hid in an inn for the night, and left Jizhou City just as dawn was breaking.

Despite being so careful, Zhang Xingcheng still managed to find out!

Zhao Shida cursed, "That dog has given birth to so many puppies and is watching our doorstep. Does he not know our every move? He even knows exactly what kind of chamber pot we use!"

Zhao Jinyong looked at his father and noticed that he was wearing casual clothes. He asked, "Dad, what are you going out to do dressed like that?"

Zhao Shida entered the study at this moment, and while changing his clothes, he said:

"What else can we do but find a way to survive for our family? If we continue to be watched by Zhang Xingcheng, what's the difference between that and going to jail!"

“Zhang Xingcheng is so petty. If I say something unlucky to him, he will remember it to this day. He’s like a mad dog, chasing after me relentlessly.”

"I originally wanted to use the Cheng family to get rid of this mad dog, but Cheng Yaoyin is not going to listen and actually rejected the marriage proposal from my Zhao family. I can only look for connections in the capital."

As he spoke, Zhao Shida had already changed into his court robes, preparing to enter the palace for the evening banquet. Suddenly, his eyes caught sight of the footprints on Zhao Jinyong's body. He frowned, pointed at the footprints, and asked:

"Why is there a footprint on you? Who kicked you?"

Zhao Jinyong deliberately didn't change his clothes, waiting for this moment, and immediately said with a mournful face:

“Cheng Dong’a kicked me. I ran into him at Leyun Tower today. I wanted to stand up for you, Father, but he kicked me instead.”

Zhao Shida frowned even more deeply and asked, "You didn't return it?"

Zhao Jinyong said, "I did want to return it, but Cheng Dong'e had three cousins ​​who stood up for him. I was all alone at the time, so I didn't dare."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shida couldn't help but slam his fist on the table and cursed, "The Cheng family has gone too far in bullying me!"

"I'm going to the palace soon. I'm going to settle these old scores and new grudges with Cheng Yaojin!"

Zhao Jinyong quickly said, "Father, you must be careful of Cheng Yaojin's third son, Cheng Jun. He's very difficult to deal with!"

Zhao Shida sneered, "Difficult to deal with? Is he as difficult to deal with as Zhang Xingcheng? He's just a kid. He's not even worth a hair on Zhang Xingcheng's butt."

"Alright, I'm going to the palace now. You'd better behave yourself these days. Zhang Xingcheng isn't just watching me, he's watching everyone in our family. He doesn't even spare the dogs kept by the servants. If you don't behave, you'll implicate me, understand?"

Zhao Jinyong opened his mouth, but seeing his father's nonchalant attitude, he figured it would be pointless to say anything, so he could only nod and say, "I understand, Dad, be careful on the road."

Zhao Shida nodded, "It's alright. Once we're in the palace, Zhang Xingcheng won't dare to act recklessly."

After saying this, he straightened his purple official robes, put on his black gauze hat, stepped out of the mansion in his official boots, took the reins, mounted his horse, and galloped towards the palace.

…………

The clouds on the horizon looked as if someone had set them on fire, making them exceptionally vibrant.

Beneath the clouds, in the Taiji Palace.

Civil and military officials entered Chengtian Gate one after another, heading towards Linde Hall.

"Brother Zhijie, have you heard? Zhao Shida has returned to the capital."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin looked at Yuchi Jingde beside him and asked curiously, "Zhao Shida? The one who said Zhang Xingcheng was unlucky?"

Yuchi Jingde laughed and said, "Yes, it's him. This guy cursed Zhang Xingcheng with something unlucky, and Zhang Xingcheng is still keeping a close eye on him."

Cheng Yaojin asked, "Zhao Shida is back, and Zhang Xingcheng is back too, right?"

"Hahahaha, Brother Zhijie, you guessed right. Zhao Shida arrived in the capital this morning, and Zhang Xingcheng arrived in the afternoon. I heard that Zhao Shida didn't even have lunch. After returning, he went around the streets and alleys looking for a way to get rid of Zhang Xingcheng."

Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde walked side by side, listening to his story with great interest. They noticed that the civil and military officials around them were all discussing the matter.

Clearly, the court is paying close attention to the affairs of Zhang Xingcheng and Zhao Shida.

That's true. There are many people in the court who dare to point fingers and insult the censors, but Zhao Shida is the first one to be chased by the censor for thousands of miles after insulting him.

Just then, a loud shout suddenly rang out from behind everyone.

"Master Cheng, please wait!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin turned around and looked back.

The civil and military officials also turned around and were surprised to find that it was Zhao Shida who had called out to Cheng Yaojin!

Why are they arguing...? Everyone stopped in their tracks, focused their attention, and pricked up their ears to watch.

To avoid making the two feel crowded, everyone stood a little further apart to give them space.

Cheng Yaojin had met Zhao Shida a few times and recognized him. He chuckled and said, "Oh, isn't this Governor Zhao? You've returned from Jizhou?"

Zhao Shida walked over with a cold face and said directly, "Master Cheng, you have to give me an explanation."

Cheng Yaojin was stunned. "What explanation do I need to give you?"

Zhao Shida stared at him and said, "Your nephew Cheng Dong'e brought a coffin to my residence in Jizhou City. Do you think you need to give me an explanation?"

"There's such a thing..." The civil and military officials watching couldn't help but prick up their ears and lean closer.

Cheng Yaojin frowned and said, "Why are you coming to me with the mess my nephew made? Go talk to my brother!"

Zhao Shida sneered, "Your brother said that after the incident, Cheng Dong'e ran away. Today, my son ran into Cheng Dong'e in Chang'an City, and also your three sons!"

Cheng Yaojin finally understood what was going on and decisively said, "I know nothing about what you're saying!"

Zhao Shida stared at him and said, "Your son didn't tell you anything?"

Cheng Yaojin retorted, "What did you say?"

Zhao Shida said, "Today at Leyun Tower, your nephew kicked my son!"

Cheng Yaojin glared at him and said, "You should be happy, it's a good thing your son didn't run into me, otherwise I would have kicked him to death!"