Chapter 4: Who Calls Who Grandfather?
Chapter 4: Who Calls Who Grandfather?
Xiao Rui and Zhang Ruoxi entered Cuiyun Tower. The four who had been beaten threatened Xiao Rui, telling him not to leave if he was a real man, then ran off to find reinforcements.
Look for reinforcements? Ha! Xiao Rui really wasn’t afraid of them finding any. Although he lived a low-key life, his status was right there. Sometimes, he just had to act boldly. Otherwise, everyone would think the Seventh Prince was easy to bully, damaging the imperial family’s dignity. Even his father, the Emperor, would look down on him.
“Let’s go inside,” Xiao Rui suggested.
Zhang Ruoxi was still stealing glances at Xiao Rui and quickly looked away, nodding.
Am I that handsome? So handsome even I didn’t realize it?
Woman, your strength is your good taste!
Xiao Rui felt quite pleased with himself.
The two went up to the second floor. They didn’t book a private room but took a seat near the window.
“What would you like to eat, guests?” the restaurant attendant asked.
Xiao Rui took the menu and said, “Stir-fried water bamboo shoots, roasted duck, fish head soup with goji berries and red dates, and Hui Nan Bei. Ruoxi, I don’t know your taste. Is there anything else you’d like?”
“Just these will do,” Zhang Ruoxi said with a smile.
“Alright,” the attendant quickly left.
Xiao Rui explained, “The stir-fried water bamboo shoots are light. Hui Nan Bei is made with northern mushrooms and southern ham—it’s savory and flavorful. I think you’ll like it. The roasted duck is this restaurant’s specialty, a must-try. You should sample it. And the fish soup stewed with goji berries and red dates is not only delicious but also nourishes yin and boosts energy. It has good dietary effects for women.”
Even such a simple explanation made Zhang Ruoxi feel his thoughtful care.
No helping it, he was just a good man! Xiao Rui thought proudly.
The dishes were served quickly, and the two chatted as they ate.
Unfortunately, they had only taken a few bites when the four they had chased off earlier rushed up to the second floor with a group of guards.
“Haha, kid, you actually didn’t run. Now, this young master will make you roll down the stairs yourself!” a young man arrogantly yelled.
The other three also rubbed their hands, ready for revenge.
“Let me handle this,” Zhang Ruoxi said.
Xiao Rui immediately refused, saying, “No, I was the one who hit them, so I’ll deal with it.”
Then, he looked at the arrogant young man and asked, “Who is your father?”
The proud young man said proudly, “My father is Ding Daquan, Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. I am Ding Jian. Scared now? Kneel down quickly, kowtow, and call me grandfather. If I’m in a good mood, I might spare your life.”
Xiao Rui paused, then put down his chopsticks and said, “Originally, I wanted to let this go, but it seems that’s not possible. You shouldn’t be called Ding Jian; you should be called ‘Mouthy’ instead.”
“Kid, you’re asking for it!” Ding Jian shouted angrily. He snatched a wooden stick from a guard behind him, ready to swing it at Xiao Rui a few times.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Rui directly threw out a token, hitting Ding Jian in the face. The token fell to the ground, with the side carved with dragon patterns facing up.
Ding Jian covered his face and glanced at the token. Suddenly, his whole body trembled.
“Do you know who I am?” Xiao Rui asked coldly.
Thud…
Ding Jian abruptly knelt down, picked up the token with both hands, and when he saw the golden “Xia” character on the back, he simply slumped to the floor. The people behind him also clearly saw the token’s appearance and broke into a cold sweat, kneeling on the ground one after another.
This was an Imperial Prince’s Token. No one dared to fake it.
Xiao Rui waved to the restaurant attendant and had him bring some writing materials, placing them in front of Ding Jian. He said, “Write. Write down everything you said and did. Didn’t you want me to call you grandfather? Didn’t you want me to roll down the stairs and even hit me? Write it all clearly and truthfully. Otherwise, I guarantee you won’t make it home today. Your father would wish he could skin you alive, you useless son. If there are any typos, I’ll have Second Miss Zhang give you a knife—each strike carefully avoiding your vital spots.”
Zhang Ruoxi’s cheeks turned slightly red.
Ding Jian picked up the brush, his hands shaking.
“Write!” Xiao Rui raised his voice, shouting sternly.
Ding Jian trembled and quickly wrote down his actions, then signed and fingerprint-stamped it. The other three and the group of guards all did the same.
Xiao Rui collected the papers and yelled, “Roll down now.”
“Yes, yes…” Ding Jian, terrified, took the lead and actually rolled down.
And he really rolled.
His mood disturbed, Xiao Rui didn’t feel like eating anymore. “Let’s go. I’ll take you back.”
Zhang Ruoxi stood up and couldn’t help but ask, “Why make them write that testimony?”
Xiao Rui smiled and said, “Ding Jian’s father is, after all, a Fourth Realm Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. If his son insults an Imperial Prince, even if it goes to my father, the Emperor, the punishment would just be confinement for reflection at most, with maybe a scolding for Ding Daquan’s failure to discipline his son. After it’s over, there’d be little impact. Ding Jian would go back to his old ways. But now, with this testimony, it’s like a shackle around him. His father, Ding Daquan, will also be frightened. If Ding Jian messes up someday, this testimony could be the last straw that breaks him. So, in his worry, he’ll also keep a tighter rein on Ding Jian.”
After understanding, Zhang Ruoxi hadn’t expected there to be so many layers to it.
“You’re really smart,” Zhang Ruoxi said.
Xiao Rui smiled and said, “It’s not that I’m smart, just that I think a bit more, so I find a different way. In comparison, if I hadn’t stopped you, would those few have been a match for the lady warrior?”
Hearing this, Zhang Ruoxi immediately beamed.
After seeing Zhang Ruoxi back to her residence, Xiao Rui didn’t go in to bother her. He was afraid of meeting Zhang Jinfu, who was eager for a son-in-law, so he took a carriage back.
Zhang Jinfu learned that his daughter had returned and hurried to ask, “How did it go? Did you two hit it off?”
Zhang Ruoxi was annoyed and snorted, “Dad, we’re not like a turtle looking at a mung bean—what ‘hit it off’ nonsense.”
Zhang Jinfu chuckled and said, “Your old man’s rough around the edges, but you know what I mean! If you don’t want to say, I’ll have your mother ask.”
Zhang Ruoxi sighed and said, “I don’t dislike him, okay?”
She definitely wouldn’t tell them her true feelings.
“Not disliking is good, not disliking is good. That means things might work out,” Zhang Jinfu said with an excited expression, asking, “Where did you two go?”
Zhang Ruoxi thought for a moment and briefly recounted what happened at Cuiyun Tower.
After hearing it, Zhang Jinfu’s smile gradually faded.
“What’s wrong, Dad?” Zhang Ruoxi asked, noticing his change in mood.
Zhang Jinfu snapped out of it, continued with a beaming smile, and said, “Nothing, you rest well. I’m leaving!”
“How strange,” Zhang Ruoxi muttered but didn’t think much more of it.
And when Xiao Rui returned to his residence, he was naturally questioned by Xiao Feng.
Xiao Rui said he had taken Zhang Ruoxi out for a meal and they had gotten along very well. Only then did Xiao Feng let him go without further questioning.
“Seventh brother, get along well with her,” Xiao Feng said with a wink. “Second Miss Zhang has a very hot figure. Seize the opportunity.”
Xiao Rui rolled his eyes and ignored him, returning to his room.
As soon as he sat down, Gao Quan, who attended to him personally, came over and handed him several sheets of paper, respectfully saying, “Your Highness, the homework is all done. Please look it over.”
Xiao Rui took them, checked them over, nodded, and smiled, saying, “Gao Quan, you’ve worked hard. It’s very well written.”
Gao Quan was twenty, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, full of energy. Hearing Xiao Rui’s praise, he happily said, “Serving Your Highness is this servant’s honor.”
Xiao Rui put down the papers and said seriously, “I’ve told you, when there are no outsiders, you don’t need to call yourself a servant. You didn’t sell yourself to me.”
“Yes!” Gao Quan felt deeply moved. He knew Xiao Rui wasn’t just being polite—it was sincere—but he didn’t want to overstep. Because Xiao Rui had saved his life, he vowed loyalty, even as a servant.
Xiao Rui didn’t bother persuading him further. Just thinking about having to attend class at Jiwen Hall tomorrow made his head ache again.
Should he take sick leave again?
But what excuse should he use?
So hard to come up with one…