This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

Zheng Youqian's public attempt to win over the young swordsman wasn't necessarily a bad thing for Xiao Xingchen.

The Zheng family wields considerable power in Yong'an; they are a behemoth, so it's only natural that they would try to win over the young man.

Secondly, once inside the Zheng family's territory, any hidden surveillance can be eliminated. Since it was the Zheng family's invitation, they certainly wouldn't allow so many people to accompany Xiao Xingchen anymore.

Thirdly, Xiao Xingchen accomplished two major feats outside the city in a single day. Who knows how many people remembered him? Within the Zheng family, no one dared to harm him; this was a form of indirect protection for his safety.

It was precisely because of these reasons that Xiao Xingchen accepted Zheng Youqian's invitation, since she didn't want to be like a monkey, surrounded by onlookers wherever she went.

"The name 'Number One Pavilion Under Heaven' is too grandiose. If possible, let's change it."

As soon as they arrived at the entrance of the Number One Pavilion under Heaven with Zheng Youqian, Xiao Xingchen reminded them that while the Zheng family was powerful, they had unfortunately met a bad end in their previous life due to some taboo. The title "Number One under Heaven" wasn't something just anyone could use.

"Oh?"

Zheng Youqian paused, a thoughtful expression on his face, then nodded and said,

"Thank you, please come in."

The "Number One Pavilion Under Heaven" is naturally also a property of the Zheng family. However, the Zheng family is very shrewd in business. Everyone knows they are wealthy, but no one can say for sure what exactly their properties are. Take the "Number One Pavilion Under Heaven," for example. It is the premier restaurant in Yong'an, but no one knows that the Zheng family is the true owner behind it. According to Xiao Jianren's memories, the Martial Emperor seems to have been collecting a list of the Zheng family's properties, hoping to take advantage of the situation and reap the benefits.

Perhaps... He paused. The Zheng family had the potential to become his allies, and given the death of the Fourth Prince, since he possessed memories of that event, helping them should make winning their friendship much easier.

I am currently like a rootless duckweed, and since I have chosen to step into the grand scheme of things, I cannot be without allies.

"What's wrong?" Zheng Youqian asked, noticing that he had paused.

"Nothing, I was just thinking about something. Although business is business, for a businessman to become so wealthy that he could rival a country, aren't you afraid that Emperor Wu will wipe you out in one fell swoop?"

Xiao Xingchen wanted to gauge the Zheng family's attitude and also to find out their background. Such a fat sheep had never had a good ending in history.

"You're joking. The Zheng family does business all over the world, not just in Daqian. We don't participate in political struggles and have always remained neutral. Moreover, many powerful and influential people have invested in our businesses, and none of them will allow the Zheng family to fall."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Xiao Xingchen only asked one question before falling silent. From Zheng Youqian's words, it was clear that the Zheng family had never considered the possibility of future troubles. This meant that if the Martial Emperor were to act swiftly and decisively, he could instantly dismantle all of the Zheng family's plans.

No wonder Emperor Wu in his previous life was constantly collecting lists of businesses; he probably intended to take over everything with swift and decisive action.

Having thought all this through, he already had a plan in mind. He still had time to slowly lay the groundwork.

"Well, let's go. The Fourth Prince has been waiting for a long time. However, I may need to trouble Scholar Sword and this young lady to have some tea with me. The Fourth Prince wants to speak with you alone."

"can."

Xiao Xingchen's quick agreement surprised Zheng Youqian for a moment, before he smiled.

"Brother, you're so generous. I thought you'd hold a grudge against us for tricking you earlier."

"I mind? Who said I don't mind? I'll definitely settle the score with you for tricking me when I get the chance. But right now, I have something to say to the Fourth Prince."

Xiao Xingchen isn't the kind of person who doesn't mind being tricked; he just doesn't have the chance now. Once he does, let's see if he doesn't get his revenge.

Zheng Youqian was embarrassed. He gave a wry smile and gestured for the scholar and Daji to walk to the other side.

The Fourth Prince had been waiting for a long time. As soon as Xiao Xingchen entered the room, he was met with the Fourth Prince's constant scrutiny and muttering to himself.

Looking left, right, up, and down, he was puzzled. What was this guy doing?

"They do look alike, you know what? The double eyelids, and the nose too,"

"Fourth Prince, what are you doing?"

"Don't call me Fourth Prince, call me Fourth Brother. There's no need for us brothers to be so distant."

The Fourth Prince's address of "Fourth Brother" nearly made Xiao Xingchen lose his balance and fall to the ground. His face twitched. "Calling me Fourth Brother? What am I then? The Martial Emperor's son?" He couldn't let this go unpunished.

Although many people in his previous life believed that Xiao Jianren was Emperor Wu's son, otherwise how could he have received such favor? But he dared not. Emperor Wu was too cunning; to be his son would be a disadvantage.

Perhaps noticing Xiao Xingchen's confusion, the Fourth Prince stood up and helped him up, which startled Xiao Xingchen so much that he took a step back, wondering if the Fourth Prince had some peculiar hobby.

"Don't be afraid, I'm not going to eat you. We're brothers, why are you being so polite?"

Am I being polite?

"You're welcome. Let's get started. This is your first time in Yong'an, right? You should try the local cuisine. You've definitely never had anything like it before."

The enthusiasm was overwhelming, which made Xiao Xingchen's heart pound. What did she have that made the Fourth Prince so enthusiastic?

He asked directly,

"Your Highness, let's not beat around the bush. What brings you here?"

"Yes, yes, something's up, something's up. I wanted to ask you, how have you been all these years?"

The Fourth Prince looked concerned, his tone was attentive, and his eyes were sincere—especially those eyes, which made Xiao Xingchen feel a little uneasy.

"Huh? This doesn't seem to concern you, does it?"

"Unrelated? How could it be unrelated? I need to know how much suffering you've endured all these years so I can avenge you. It's not easy being a wanderer alone, brother, I understand. The world is not peaceful, and you've suffered so much while you were out there. Sigh, it's all my fault. If I had known about your background sooner, I would have definitely found you and brought you back."

"What, you know about my background?"

Xiao Xingchen jumped to his feet. The fourth prince of the family, who had been poisoned with the curse of life force, actually knew about his background? He asked incredulously.

Seeing this expression, the Fourth Prince became even more certain that this was Emperor Wu's cuckolded illegitimate son, and he quickly pulled him aside.

"Sit down quickly, don't rush. Don't worry, no one knows except me, not even that person."

He then cautiously pointed to the sky, implying that Emperor Wu was unaware of the situation.

"Then tell me, who are my parents?"

"Haha, look at you, testing me, aren't you? Don't worry, brother, the late Empress and my mother were sworn brothers, I won't reveal a single thing. Although you're just an illegitimate child, rest assured, you're my brother from now on. Anyone who bullies you will definitely not be forgiven."

“We may not have much else, but we have an excellent network of connections. We have money and people, so you should stay in Yong’an. By the way, I heard your wife is mute? Don’t worry, I’ll find the best doctors to treat her and make sure she’s cured.”

"puff",

Xiao Xingchen finally got a clue. This guy seems to think he is the late empress's illegitimate son?

He couldn't help but cover his face. What a clever person! How did they connect the dots? Just because he had paid homage to the late empress? This blunder has really blown up.