Chapter 458: Chapter 455: That Fool’s Money Is Just Too Easy to Cheat

The street was bustling, and the vendors’ shouts echoed continuously.

Fu Meng, being large, couldn’t fit into the carriage, so it followed leisurely behind.

It just wasn’t well-behaved.

Passing by a shop selling dried meat, it took a stroll inside, and when it came out, the small pouch on its neck was filled with food again.

It found stones on the ground to be an eyesore and kicked them away without hesitation.

Encountering a heated argument, Fu Meng, feeling it was its duty, went over to mediate the dispute, and somehow procured a hoe to hand over to one of them.

What’s the use of arguing?

Get into a fight.

Hit him on the head.

In the Wei Family Army, there was nothing that couldn’t be solved with fists!

Shunzi cursed as he tirelessly cleaned up the mess.

At this moment, Wei Zhao, who was resting with his eyes closed inside the carriage, reacted.

He tapped lightly on his knee with his fingers, the sandalwood thumb ring striking the brocade’s hidden pattern, a sound again and again, like measuring the moment light pierces through a crack in a stone.

Xiao Huaian glanced at Wei Zhao, then at Yu Tingwan, who silently lifted the curtain to look outside.

The atmosphere in the carriage was so strange that he was uneasy.

He tried to break the silence, struggling to find a topic.

"Bao Pu is still confined in the Imperial Palace. Although he cannot come and go freely, he is well-fed and treated. I’ve heard that Madam wishes to see him?"

Speaking of business, Yu Tingwan adopted a serious attitude.

"Yes, there are some matters I wish to ask for his help."

Asking a Daoist for help?

Xiao Huaian wisely refrained from asking more.

"I’m afraid it won’t be easy to arrange in a short time."

Yu Tingwan: "No worries, I’m not in a hurry."

That’s good then.

Xiao Huaian couldn’t understand how a dog like Wei Zhao could have a wife.

A dead pig isn’t afraid of boiling water.

Even he knew that the longer you drag things out with a woman, the harder they are to appease.

Although he was trampled upon, at least Shen Zhiyi showed her anger on her face and would throw a tantrum at him.

But what about Wei Zhao?

Madam didn’t even look like she wanted to deal with him.

It was like... holding back for something big.

Xiao Huaian continued to look for a topic: "He Xuran is investigating Ying Fuyan’s cause of death. You should know the Dog Emperor has long had a backup plan, and he’ll find nothing in the end."

Pointless effort.

Wei Zhao’s fingertips hovered half an inch above his knee, lingering as if waiting for something, and said faintly, "I met the Grand Tutor early on; at the necessary time, he will act."

The carriage just happened to pass a street corner.

Everything seemed calm and peaceful.

But suddenly, the clatter of hooves erupted, and in the blink of an eye, a Wu Su horse with its mane flying dashed out diagonally.

Wei Zhao’s hand fell, the tapping sound stopped abruptly.

Rong Di’s arm muscles were knotted, gripping the reins tightly, sinking deeply into the skin. The horse’s forelegs soared into the air, nostrils flaring, a long neigh.

"Whoa—!"

The roadside vendor’s basket was knocked over by the gust of wind, fresh fruits rolling all over, accompanied by a chorus of exclamations.

The carriage came to a sudden halt, Yu Tingwan’s body lunged forward, but someone quickly caught her and pulled her back.

Yu Tingwan sat up straight again, her voice gentle, "Thank you."

Wei Zhao: "You’re welcome."

Xiao Huaian: ???

Knowing you two are married, one might think you were just carpooling.

So strange.

However...

Reflecting on Wei Zhao’s previous reaction, it was as if he anticipated this situation.

Xiao Huaian kept his suspicions to himself, refraining from further observation.

"I’ll go check it out."

As he spoke, he had already exited the carriage.

Over there, Wu Su had been subdued by a group of people.

Ying Yin didn’t look too well, tidying up his disheveled clothes.

Jia was helped back.

"Are you alright?"

Don’t think he didn’t know! This guy deliberately tampered with the horse, making it lose control, just waiting for Wei Zhao here!

Jia sized up Ying Yin, having personally witnessed Ying Yin being thrown off the horse.

The confidant had timely cushioned the fall, leaving only a minor abrasion on Ying Yin’s hand.

Ying Yin wiped the blood with a handkerchief: "It’s nothing."

Jia tenderly held Ying Yin’s hand.

"How can it be nothing?"

"You are precious and have bled!"

Ying Yin knew he cared, feeling gratified for the amount of silver spent.

He tidied his wrinkled clothes and turned to instruct the servants training the horse.

"How could such a fierce horse be presented to the Holy Emperor? Take it away for proper training!"

"Yes."

Xiao Huaian fanned himself with the fan he took from Shen Zhiyi, leaning against the carriage without intending to greet him.

Finding it unbearable, Ying Fuyan was truly shameless.

Ying Yin helped the old man pick up the fallen fruits, unbothered by the dirt.

"What should we do about this?"

The elderly man, seeing him dressed richly, dared not complain for fear of offending, but many fruits were damaged.

He was on the verge of tears.

"What should we do about this? These cherries are precious, with a short shelf life. The family had a hard time getting a batch ripe, and the old man thought of coming to the Capital to sell them at a good price, saving up for the grandson’s tuition."

In their hurry, they traveled day and night.

"No need for worry, old man."

Ying Yin directly handed over a silver note.

"It’s just as well, my wife loves cherries; I’ll buy all these baskets."

With that, he picked one, wiped it with a cloth, and tasted it.

The flavor was good.

The appearance was good too.

He had his men take them: "Send them back to the mansion first."

The Fifth Princess Consort was good at handling matters.

She would certainly pick out the squashed ones and send the best to the Imperial Palace.

Cherries, precious to commoners, were ordinary to the Royal Family.

Yet, look at these plump and juicy ones; it’s the fruit of a year’s hard work for farmers.

How was there a bountiful harvest? Naturally, it was good weather, allowing the people to live in peace and work happily.

This significance was extraordinary.

A few should be sent to Father, Mother, and the Empress Dowager.

It’s also a gesture of filial piety from the children.

The old man wiped his tears, turning sorrow into joy.

"This... it doesn’t cost that much."

"Take the extra as a little compensation for the fright."

Ying Yin’s demeanor was gentle, "I also offer my apologies. Were you injured? Shall I have someone accompany you to a clinic?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

The old man, with a hunched back, shook his head quickly, "No, no."

Even if there were scrapes, for a farmer, it was nothing serious.

"That’s good."

Ying Yin went on to ask the other people nearby, comforting them one by one, earning great praise. Only then did he walk over to Xiao Huaian with a smile.

The old man watched him leave, then looked at the silver note in his hand, finding it exceedingly unreal.

Not to mention the grandson’s tuition, it was enough for the family’s expenses for the whole year.

He couldn’t help but ask those beside him, "Who is that young master?"

"Are you from out of town? That’s the Fifth Prince."

The old man was shocked, "Prince... Prince!"

"Why make a fuss? The Fifth Prince has always been approachable. Except for his uncle embezzling relief grain, causing starvation, there’s nothing else you can fault him for."

"Yes, and he even has Dragon Energy. Previously, he risked his life to save the Holy Emperor."

The crowd’s praise for him was endless.

Ying Yin, seemingly oblivious, approached the Duke Shun Mansion’s carriage and stopped.

His left hand was behind his back, the brocade python robe adorned with hidden silver cloud patterns, exuding an imposing and graceful presence.

Xiao Huaian: "In these street marketplaces, except for emergency military matters, official duties, rescue and relief, and royal processions, it’s not allowed to gallop recklessly."

"I thought it was some animal with no sense, how did it turn out to be the Fifth Prince’s horse?"

Ying Yin’s face turned cold.

Ying Fuyan, who was being supported over, exclaimed, "How dare you! Why is the Princely Heir disrespectful to our Fifth Prince?"

Xiao Huaian: ...

The last time he saw Ying Fuyan, he spoke emphatically.

—"That fool’s money is really too easy to cheat."