CHAPTER 153: CHAPTER 94: THE SHARP-TONGUED TAOTIE!

Three days later, at the Crown Prince’s Mansion.

As a red gold halo lit up, Zhao Yi appeared in the main hall.

Prince Zhi had returned together with him.

The Zhao ancestors in the Golden Hall had just awakened and directly bestowed enlightenment upon Zhao Yi. Now they were very weak and needed a period of rest.

Prince Zhi had finally regained clarity, taking advantage of this time to handle some personal matters.

As soon as the two appeared, the servants at the Crown Prince’s Mansion immediately noticed them.

Huang Ying, Linglong, Qing Feng, and others heard the news and quickly approached.

Seeing Zhao Yi, several women simultaneously lit up.

Zhao Yi looked even more beautiful.

In three days, Zhao Yi’s figure had reached near perfection.

Even the most perfectly muscled and boned Akhal-Teke Horse seemed unimpressive next to him.

Huang Ying briskly walked to Zhao Yi’s side, looking him up and down, her eyes gleaming with amazement.

"Master, you look so good today!" she exclaimed in admiration.

Zhao Yi glanced sideways at her, saying emotionlessly, "Are you implying I didn’t look good before?"

Huang Ying hurriedly shook her head, "You always look good, every day."

Zhao Yi disinclined to bother with her, turned and asked Prince Zhi, "Uncle, what are your plans next?"

Prince Zhi was somewhat embarrassed, looking slightly ashamed.

"I committed a wrong in my youth when I was not clear-headed, and later my mind became increasingly muddled, so I had to ask my royal brother to look after that woman."

"Now that I have regained some clarity, I can finally make amends."

"Although I know nothing can ever completely compensate for the harm I caused her back then, I still plan to find her and see if I can make some reparations."

Zhao Yi nodded, paying little mind.

Such affairs were too common among the Zhao clan, and Zhao Yi had long since become used to them.

Prince Zhi was rather fortunate, at least he could still compensate. Others might never have the opportunity to make amends in their entire lives.

Prince Zhi was a man of action.

Once he made a decision, he did not hesitate, leaving directly via the Dragon Domain.

Zhao Yi watched enviously.

This Dragon Domain was so convenient, just like a teleportation array, much more advanced than riding a horse carriage.

With Prince Zhi gone, the atmosphere at the Crown Prince’s Mansion suddenly relaxed.

Little Poison approached, touching Zhao Yi’s hands and arms, her eyes filled with wonder.

"Master, your skin is really nice, cold and smooth, even silk pales in comparison!"

The other women, seeing Little Poison enjoying the touch, watched enviously, itching to try themselves.

Zhao Yi withdrew his hand, glaring at them irritably, warning, "You can look, but don’t touch, or don’t blame me for getting angry!"

Upon hearing this, the women looked at each other in disappointment.

Zhao Yi paid them no mind, asking Linglong, "Did anything happen in the three days I was gone?"

At the mention of serious affairs by Zhao Yi, the women immediately became earnest.

Linglong said, "Everything at the mansion is well, except Mr. Black Stripe wants to return to West Mountain these days. With you not here, I didn’t allow anyone to escort him."

"Black Stripe wants to return?"

Zhao Yi turned to Little Poison, "Are your friends uncomfortable staying at the mansion?"

Little Poison clearly hearing of this for the first time, shook her head in confusion, "I’ve been busy with alchemy at home these two days, and haven’t gone to the back mountain. I’ll go ask it now."

Saying this, she quickly headed towards the back mountain.

Zhao Yi withdrew his gaze and asked, "Anything else?"

Linglong said, "In the past two days, the opposition to pardoning the Heaven-Facing Sect has become increasingly severe on the imperial court, and there’s a tendency for it to spread among the people. Many elderly magnates are supporting the aristocratic families, resisting the court’s pardon of remnants like the Heaven-Facing Sect."

Upon hearing this, Huang Ying queried strangely, "Master, though I’m not in court, I know that the Empress has long commanded the imperial court with ease. Are those aristocratic families and magnates insane, daring to oppose the Empress?"

Zhao Yi asked Linglong, "What do you think?"

Linglong responded without hesitation, "The aristocratic families and magnates are not opposing the Empress, but the Crown Prince. Pardoning the Heaven-Facing Sect is the first political affair the Crown Prince has participated in, and if they manage to reject the Crown Prince’s decree, it will certainly cause significant damage to his reputation! Thus, the aristocratic families and magnates can seize the opportunity to encroach upon powers originally belonging to the royal family."

Huang Ying’s face darkened, "Despicable! Such rebellion deserves execution!"

She added fiercely, "Master, why not let me lead people to slaughter them all? Hard to find three-legged frogs in Shengjing City, but there’s an abundance of two-legged officials!"

Beside her, Qing Feng remained silent, but Zhao Yi saw her suddenly clutching the sword in her arms, realizing her thoughts aligned with Huang Ying’s!

Zhao Yi raised his hand to interrupt Huang Ying, stopping the two women, "We won’t intervene in this matter; let Mother handle it."

Then he asked Linglong, "How are the preparations for the Cultivation Conference?"

Linglong replied, "Everything is ready, we can set out anytime."

Zhao Yi nodded, "Then let’s depart early tomorrow morning."

Miaoyin Zhenren didn’t wait for him at the Crown Prince’s Mansion, evidently busy with serious matters.

In Shengjing City, what counts as serious matters now is likely the debates on the imperial court.

Zhao Yi estimated the Empress had already laid a trap, waiting for him to leave Shengjing City, then commence a slaughter.

Zhao Yi shook his head.

After giving birth to Xiao Jiu, the Empress had restrained her temper a lot, not as volatile as in earlier years, and many have forgotten her ruthless methods back then.

Those aristocrats are really dull-witted.

Having experienced just a few years of good times, they couldn’t wait to court death again.

Since they wish to die, Zhao Yi will fulfill their desire.

Upon hearing Zhao Yi is going out, Huang Ying and Qing Feng immediately stood on either side of him, saying nothing, just staring directly at Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi looked at Qing Feng. During the time of recovery, Qing Feng had lost quite a bit of weight, but seemed to be in good spirits, indicating the injuries should be healed.

"Recovered?" Zhao Yi asked.

Qing Feng nodded: "Recovered."

Zhao Yi laughed: "Alright, this time we’re all going out, no one stays to watch the house. Haven’t taken you out to play for a long time, so let’s take this chance for a trip."

At these words, Huang Ying and Qing Feng’s eyes brightened simultaneously.

"Thank you, Master!"

Seeing Zhao Yi had made a decision, Linglong bowed: "Your Highness, I’ll go prepare right away!"

Zhao Yi nodded.

At this moment, the little poison dart rushed in from outside the door.

Seeing Zhao Yi, she said breathlessly: "Master, Black Stripe says his Seven-Star Begonia at home is ripe, and he wants to go back for medicinal herbs. Also, Yellow Hair said he wants to go back too. He said he left too hastily last time and didn’t get to bring his wine."

Hmm?

Zhao Yi’s eyes lit up.

Seven-Star Begonia and Monkey Wine are both good things!

He thought for a moment, then said to Linglong: "Since that’s the case, let’s change the route, and first go to West Mountain to take Black Stripe and Yellow Hair home to get their things."

Linglong agreed promptly and turned to prepare.

An uneventful night.

The next morning, just as they were about to head out, something happened!

The Taotie had somehow heard of Zhao Yi’s plan for a long trip and was already waiting by the carriage early in the morning.

Taotie is an Ancient Divine Beast, and its fierce presence is not something ordinary war beasts can withstand.

Just a little hint of its power had scared Zhao Yi’s dedicated battle creatures pulling the carriage to death.

By the time the driver came to drive the carriage, the bodies of those war beasts were already cold.

Though Zhao Yi was not happy, the itinerary was arranged and couldn’t be changed. In the end, he had no choice but to use Taotie to pull the carriage.

Before heading out, Zhao Yi repeatedly warned and commanded Taotie not to cause trouble.

Taotie agreed on the spot, sounding agreeable.

But as soon as they left, Taotie immediately showed its true colors!

"The Crown Prince arrives, why aren’t you hurriedly making way!"

"Hey, fat woman over there, why are you throwing buns at my head? These buns are sour and hard, you trying to kill me?"

"Damn you with the beard, your stinky meat is suffocating me!"

"Pah, this liquor tastes weaker than urine, is this meant for drinking? I’d rather drink urine directly!"

"Who’s throwing scrap fabric on the street? It’s hurting my feet!"

Taotie cursed all the way, leaving everyone stunned along his path.

Then, with a loud boom, the crowd exploded!

The strange beasts from the Crown Prince’s Mansion often came out, and many were accustomed to feeding them.

Seeing Taotie, these folks tried to have fun as usual.

Little did they expect that Taotie was entirely different from past beasts.

Not only did it not bow and thank them, but it also insulted the food as worthless.

Some among the audience recognized it as the Divine Beast Taotie.

Taotie is a Divine Beast, a rank higher than auspicious creatures.

If a Divine Beast says those things are worthless, then they must truly be worthless!

For a moment, merchants wanting to advertise on Taotie were all dumbfounded.

Madam Cao still had a bun in her hand, and upon hearing Taotie say her buns were sour and hard, her face turned green then white.

Old Wang, the butcher, was no better off than Madam Cao.

Taotie said his meat was stinky.

It was a disaster!

It equated to ruining his shop’s reputation!

"Beauty Lotus Flower," who sold liquor, and Xu Ji, who sold fabric, were also dumbfounded.

Beauty Lotus Flower’s face turned red, clearly angered by Taotie’s remark her liquor tasted weaker than urine.

She knew her alcohol was watered down, but the criticism was too harsh!

The Xu Ji boss was troubled, though his damage was the least.

Clothing fabrics aren’t the same as buns and meat. Those are eaten daily; being publicly insulted by Taotie directly wrecked their business.

A fabric shop is visited once a year at best, and by then this matter is forgotten.

The Xu Ji boss glanced at the three of them, showing a relieved expression.

He instructed his underlings a couple of words and hurried to take away the fabrics.

In the carriage.

Zhao Yi also realized for the first time that Taotie’s personality was so nasty.

He turned and asked the little poison dart beside him: "With whom has that blockhead been hanging around these past days?"

The little poison dart shook her head: "It just eats on its own, rarely interacting with others."

"That’s strange then!" Zhao Yi shook his head.

This thing was initially quite simple; suddenly, its tongue turned so sharp.

Could it be it has grown up and its true nature restored?

But I’ve only heard Taotie’s clan is gluttonous, never heard they’re sharp-tongued?

PS: Please collect and continue reading.