Chapter 13: Brother-in-law

Xiao Rui’s demand was simple. Whoever caught Gao Quan, whoever hit him, they had to come and slap their own faces until they bled.

If Xiao Rui could vent his anger, he would not pursue the matter further.

Cao Wan’s face was ashen.

Having the servants slap themselves was no different from slapping her own face.

“Little Seven, it was indeed the fault of the servants in the mansion. How about this? Prince Duan’s Mansion will provide additional medical expenses so your servant can receive proper treatment, and the extra money can be saved.” Cao Wan asked.

Xiao Rui gave a cold laugh and said, “Let’s not talk about Gao Quan’s medical expenses for now. Sister-in-law, you said it was a misunderstanding. Yet those lackeys beat my man without investigating the situation. Isn’t that slapping my face? This prince’s face was slapped resoundingly by a few lowly commoners. Should Prince Duan’s Mansion also pay for medical treatment?”

Cao Wan understood clearly now. If Xiao Rui was not allowed to vent his anger, this matter could not be resolved. It was all because the timing of His Majesty’s reward was too coincidental, and this kid actually took advantage of it. She believed that searching his room would definitely not turn up the items His Majesty had rewarded.

“Wang Feng, bring all those involved!” Cao Wan shouted through gritted teeth.

Manager Wang was so frightened that sweat poured from his forehead. He could only summon the three guards who caught Gao Quan and the three servants who beat him. The six of them stood trembling in a row.

“And you!” Unexpectedly, Xiao Rui pointed a finger at Manager Wang.

Wang Feng looked pitifully at Cao Wan.

Cao Wan narrowed her eyes. Wang Feng felt bitter in his heart but walked over.

“Are you waiting for me to do it myself?” Xiao Rui barked.

The seven of them shuddered and hurriedly raised their hands, starting to slap their own faces.

Slap slap…

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands…

If your face feels itchy, slap slap slap…

The seven people slapped their own faces until the corners of their mouths bled before stopping.

“Xiao Rui, are you satisfied?” Cao Wan asked coldly.

“Sister-in-law took care of me, so of course I am satisfied.” Xiao Rui regained his smile and asked, “Then, we should discuss the medical expenses and the loss of the imperial reward, right!”

“…”

Cao Wan immediately widened her eyes.

…

Xiao Rui and Gao Quan left Prince Duan’s Mansion.

“Your Highness, this humble one has shamed you.” Gao Quan said guiltily.

Xiao Rui stuffed a stack of Silver Banknotes into Gao Quan’s hand and said with a self-deprecating laugh, “Getting beaten up and receiving twenty thousand taels in medical expenses is worth it. Keep it safe.”

“This humble one dare not.” Gao Quan said hurriedly.

Xiao Rui said, “The money isn’t for you. It’s for you to first find a house. It doesn’t need to be big, a two-courtyard house will do. We can’t stay at Prince Duan’s Mansion anymore, and I won’t go to the Inner Court Administration to ask for a residence either. I can’t bear that humiliation.”

“Your Highness, rest assured. I will go immediately and will definitely find a good house.” Gao Quan immediately became full of motivation and said urgently.

“You go ahead. I will go find Little Nine. After you buy it, come pick me up.” Xiao Rui said.

“Will the Ninth Highness be at his mansion? Isn’t it a regular school day today?” Gao Quan asked.

“Him?” Xiao Rui snorted, “He’s definitely hiding at home, slacking off.”

Afterwards, the two separated. Gao Quan quickly went to arrange for the property, while Xiao Rui walked to Xiao Yan’s mansion.

Xiao Yan’s mansion was just four streets away. It was a four-courtyard house. He had not yet established his own official residence and did not dare to buy too large a mansion. Otherwise, given his maternal grandfather’s family status, a mansion the size of Prince Duan’s Mansion would be no problem.

Stopping in front of the mansion, Xiao Rui saw that there was no plaque on the gate. The entire mansion was simple and low-key, which suited Xiao Rui’s taste very much.

Knocking on the door, an old man opened it and asked, “Young master, may I ask who you are?”

Xiao Rui said, “Is Xiao Yan at home? I am his Seventh Brother.”

The old man hurriedly opened the door respectfully and said, “So it is the Seventh Highness gracing us with your presence!” Then, he turned and shouted to the servants in the courtyard, “Quickly go inform His Highness, the Seventh Highness is here.”

Xiao Rui smiled and nodded, but did not enter the mansion.

Very soon, Xiao Yan hurried over.

“Seventh Brother, why are you here?” Xiao Yan asked, looking pleasantly surprised.

Xiao Rui looked at his disheveled clothes, stroked his chin and said, “Did I come at a bad time? Are you perhaps enjoying some female company? I wouldn’t want to disturb your refined pleasure.”

Xiao Yan turned and pointed at the servants in the courtyard, saying indignantly, “Seventh Brother, look, are there any women? Is there a single female? They’re all grown men.”

“So that’s your preference.” Xiao Rui turned to leave.

Xiao Yan grabbed Xiao Rui’s arm and pleaded, “Seventh Brother, stop teasing me.”

Xiao Rui smiled and turned back, then was pulled into the mansion by him.

They sat down in the hall in the front courtyard. Xiao Yan ordered tea and snacks, brought out all his treasured delicious foods, and said, “Seventh Brother is actively seeking me out to play for the first time. I’m so happy. Here’s a flying kiss for Seventh Brother.”

Xiao Rui almost choked on his water. Hearing that Xiao Yan was mocking him, he said, “I have failed in my duty as an elder brother. In that case, I will report to Father Emperor. From now on, at the first crow of the rooster at dawn, I will wake you up to do morning training with me.”

“Don’t, don’t…” Xiao Yan immediately pleaded, “Little brother knows he was wrong.”

You little rascal~

Xiao Rui gave him a “disdainful” look and then said, “Every time Father Emperor checks our studies, you ask for sick leave the next day. I’ve caught you red-handed this time.”

“I didn’t ask for sick leave this time.” Xiao Yan said proudly, “I simply overslept and didn’t ask for it at all.”

Only then did Xiao Rui understand. No wonder his clothes were disheveled; he had just woken up, and it was almost noon already.

“Seventh Brother, stay for lunch. After eating, accompany me to go hunting.” Xiao Yan asked.

“Hunting?” Xiao Rui’s eyes lit up. After practicing riding and archery for so long, he really lacked practical experience. “Where to go hunting?”

“The Western Suburbs hunting grounds. It’s quiet there.” Xiao Yan replied, “Also, Loyal and Brave Marquis’s son Zhang Lianchuan, and Ever-Victorious Marquis’s son Tian Boguang. I invited them too.”

The young marquises of two second-realm military marquis families. Xiao Yan had quietly drawn them to his side.

“Little Nine, if Fourth Brother found out about your tactics, I wonder what he would think.” Xiao Rui sighed.

Xiao Yan blinked, looking clueless, “Seventh Brother, what are you talking about?”

Xiao Rui said, “Your relationship with the two young marquises, could it affect Loyal and Brave Marquis and Ever-Victorious Marquis?”

Only then did Xiao Yan understand. He snorted and said, “What does it matter to him who I make friends with? He can think whatever he wants.”

Xiao Rui said enviously, “When will I have the courage like Little Nine?”

“Hehe, you’re just pretending. You’re the real troublemaker.” Xiao Yan gave him a sidelong glance.

This time it was Xiao Rui’s turn to be puzzled.

What handle did Xiao Yan have on him?

It shouldn’t be. He was so good at hiding… ahem… he was originally very well-behaved, honest, obedient, and submissive…

Come on, use positive adjectives to praise yourself to your heart’s content.

After lunch.

Xiao Rui and Xiao Yan rode horses, bringing five guards to the western Taiping Gate. Zhang Lianchuan and Tian Boguang were already waiting in front of the city gate.

It was Xiao Rui’s first time meeting the two young marquises. Zhang Lianchuan closely resembled Zhang Jinfu in both appearance and spirit, looking every bit the image of a robust and bold youth.

Compared to him, Tian Boguang was more like a scholar and lacked the majestic bearing of Ever-Victorious Marquis, probably taking after his mother’s gentleness. It was just this name that made Xiao Rui’s imagination run wild.

If he were to write “The Smiling, Proud Wanderer,” he wondered if Ever-Victorious Marquis would come after him with a knife?

“Seventh Highness!” Tian Boguang recognized Xiao Rui and made a fist-palm salute.

The most impressive was Zhang Lianchuan. With a face full of chrysanthemum-like smiles, he suddenly called out, “Brother-in-law!”

Damn!

Xiao Rui nearly fell off his horse.