CHAPTER 178: CHAPTER 178: THE WAR KING WANTS TO BREAK UP THE LOVERS

Tang Peizhong was awakened by a fragrance.

When he got up, he found himself no longer in the water prison, and the wounds on his body had been bandaged.

He had bathed and changed into clean clothes.

His hair was groomed, and his beard was shaved.

He was curious about who had saved him.

The place he was at was so remote, no one would have thought of it, as that water prison had never been used before.

So, the person who saved him must have gone through a lot of effort.

He opened the door and went out, finding a short man busy in a small courtyard, while Tang Zan was assisting him.

Tang Zan’s gaze occasionally drifted to that bearded man, as if he couldn’t control it.

Knowing that the person who saved him was his son, Tang Peizhong sighed in relief.

But soon, he frowned involuntarily, thinking this man was quite ordinary, with a beard covering his cheeks.

His son was one of the four most handsome men in the capital; how could he use such... sticky eyes to look at such a man.

He felt both amused and curious, mixed with a sense of panic...

Among the playboys of the capital, some preferred men, and Zan’er had always shown disinterest in women, so could it be...

With this thought, Tang Peizhong’s expression became sour.

His steps were unsteady as he walked towards the two, and upon seeing the bearded man’s appearance, he gasped in surprise.

This person wasn’t ugly, but his face was full of beard, and his eyes drooped.

If he had a delicate appearance, Tang Peizhong could understand.

No! He couldn’t understand.

People know their children best; his son’s gaze was likely interested in this burly man.

Even though Pei Shu’er was someone involved with the Third Prince, weak, indecisive, uninspired, narrow-minded, lacking perception...

At least she was charming and lovely.

And a female.

Could this burly man be kissed at all?

Not to mention his face being pricked by the stubble.

He picked up a nearby stick and swung it at Tang Zan.

"You unfilial son, I will beat you to death."

Tang Zan instinctively raised his left hand to catch the stick, and upon seeing his father, he couldn’t help but rejoice.

"Father, you’re awake?"

Tang Peizhong firmly shook the stick away and swung it at Tang Zan again.

"Instead of learning well, you’ve learned this trash, I’ll beat you to death so you won’t disgrace us!"

Tang Zan was baffled, and Pei Shu’er was equally confused, remembering Tang Zan was still injured, and Tang Peizhong didn’t hold back; both could end up hurt.

She took a sip of Spiritual Spring Water and went over, grabbing the stick in Tang Peizhong’s hand.

Tang Peizhong was livid, glaring fiercely at Pei Shu’er.

"Oh, you two have become so inseparable that I’m the one who breaks you apart?"

As he spoke, he swung at Pei Shu’er after striking Tang Zan.

Tang Zan hurriedly blocked it: "Father, beat me if you wish, why beat her?"

Tang Peizhong was shaking with anger: "Oh, you are deeply attached, aren’t you? I must break you apart!"

Pei Shu’er was puzzled; did the War King get hurt mentally while in prison?

These words weren’t what a sane person should say.

He woke up and started hitting people, then wanted to separate them?

She and Tang Zan were not arranged by matchmakers, everything had been settled, could it be broken apart?

Moreover, Tang Peizhong had agreed before, and now, is this because he realized the original person wasn’t a good match?

Just then, Tang Peizhong angrily said: "If only it were with a woman, but it’s with a man, and still... How could I explain this to my ancestors."

He knew Tang Zan wouldn’t have feelings easily, but once he did, he was stuck with them, so he felt anxious.

If Tang Zan was just playing with this bearded man, he wouldn’t be so worried.

Pei Shu’er’s face twitched upon hearing Tang Peizhong’s words.

Yes.

It was her fault.

Blame her for her excellent makeup skills; she even took classes to learn.

Since she hadn’t spoken up, Tang Peizhong misunderstood.

Tang Zan struggled not to laugh, while a mischievous smile flashed in Pei Shu’er’s eyes.

Pei Shu’er coughed lightly: "Father, it’s me."

Tang Peizhong paused for a moment while holding the stick, then turned to look at the bearded person who spoke.

But the voice was Pei Shu’er’s, wasn’t it?

Seeing Pei Shu’er here shocked him more than his son falling for a bearded man, didn’t it?

He knew they had reached exile, how could this delicate young lady follow Tang Zan to the Capital from so far?

Not to mention risking herself to save him, it was surprising if she didn’t inform the Third Prince.

Tang Zan said: "Father, the reason you were saved this time is thanks to her. She followed me to the Capital in haste from two thousand miles away and planned everything to rescue you."

Pei Shu’er shook her head: "I know Tang Zan has been working hard too, or this wouldn’t have been so impressive, and the folk song and the evidence couldn’t have spread so widely."

If she was the spark, then Tang Zan was the wind that turned sparks into a prairie fire.

Tang Peizhong was shocked looking at Pei Shu’er; the naive young lady had saved him, pulling him out of such a predicament.

How much strategy was needed, he couldn’t imagine.

He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

He sighed in the end.

All things considered, maybe during this year, Pei Shu’er developed feelings for Zan’er and forgot about Yan Hengyin.

This was a good thing.

After all, who doesn’t have their past?

Just then, Tang Peizhong’s stomach growled, making him smile awkwardly.

Pei Shu’er smiled and arranged dinner, Tang Zan’s subordinates quickly set the food.

Only during dinner did Tang Peizhong voice his thoughts.

"At this moment, am I considered an escapee?"

Pei Shu’er nodded: "Kind of, and not really."

Tang Peizhong was puzzled, Tang Zan said: "The identities of Tang Peizhong and the War King can no longer be used."

"The War King at the Meridian Gate was already beheaded, the War King in the water prison just died, and no one noticed any discrepancies."

"So, the safest and most appropriate way is for you, Father, to assume a new identity."

Upon hearing this, Tang Peizhong was silent for a long time.

He sighed: "Then I will carry the reputation of embezzling military funds until death?"

Pei Shu’er comforted: "Dad, the Emperor hasn’t reinstated your name, but the people regard you as a hero. If you see how the people defend you, you will know you are still the honorable War King."

"Justice resides in people’s hearts; no one can tarnish your name."

Tang Peizhong sighed, his eyes filled with heavy emotions.

"So be it, the reputation or not, future generations will judge. It’s just that the Tang Family will suffer with me."