chapter 53

Chapter 53: The Bully's Assault

Prince Yun's heir's words left Shen He baffled.

When and where had they met?

Why couldn't he recall any memory of such an encounter?

It was incredibly awkward, akin to running into a grade school classmate who reminisces old times, while you struggle to even remember their name.

He wished he could hop on the next train and flee the scene.

Shen He rummaged through his memories for a short while, confirming that he couldn't recognize the person before him.

He quickly gave up the struggle, starting to recall the original plot in his mind.

Very well, it seems like this person doesn't appear in the original story. Even if they do, they are probably just a minor, insignificant character, unlikely to influence the protagonist much.

So, there's no big issue.

When Shen He meets someone unfamiliar, his social guideline primarily hinges on one principle: whether or not they are antagonistic towards the protagonist.

If they are, he'd definitely keep his distance.

He has no desire whatsoever to get involved with factions opposing the protagonist.

As for the rest, he’d observe first. If the person seems decent, then befriending them wouldn't be bad.

All these thoughts ran through Shen He's mind, yet his expression remained unchanged.

The entire room, including Jiang Zhitong and the others, were all gazing at Shen He.

Prince Yun was the first to break into a smile, though it looked a bit peculiar.

Upon seeing that smile, Shen He felt an unease in his heart. While he thought this person probably wasn't an enemy of the protagonist and he could attempt to socialize, something about the man's demeanor unsettled him.

Nevermind. He's already here, so it would be inappropriate to leave immediately.

He'll stay for now and avoid these people in the future.

There's something off.

Prince Yun remarked, “Young Master Shen might not remember me, but that's alright. After today, we'll be acquainted, even friends. Please, take a seat, Shen. There's no need to be formal. Jiang Zhitong and the others are your fellow students. As for those you might not recognize, allow me to introduce them to you.”

Jiang Zhitong nudged Shen He towards the seat at the uppermost left, only secondary to Prince Yun's primary position.

Jiang Zhitong settled to Shen He's right, and the others found their seats with familiar ease.

Before Prince Yun could introduce them, several young nobles who had been in the private room grinned and announced their own affiliations.

Shen He had no interest in forming deep connections with them. He listened to their introductions but didn't burden himself with remembering all their names and faces.

As everyone gathered, shadows flickered behind a screen opposite Prince Yun.

Only then did Shen He realize there were others behind it.

The sound of a zither emanated from behind the screen.

Not only Prince Yun but others also had maidservants and attendants with them. Some were guarding outside, while a few were serving closely inside.

Shen He had only brought along a young eunuch and no additional attendants. Prince Yun gestured, and one of his maidservants stepped forward to pour wine for Shen He.

Shen He was well aware that during gatherings of the elite, they often indulged in music, dance, and revelry, with wine and entertainment going hand in hand.

Yet, having spent over a decade by Qi Zhuoyun's side, he had seldom witnessed such a spectacle, except during palace banquets. He wasn't fond of it, and it seemed that Qi Zhuoyun and their group never indulged in such pleasures either.

Confronted with such a scene suddenly, Shen He was momentarily taken aback.

Regaining his composure, he noticed the maidservant approaching with a wine glass towards his lips. He leaned back and avoided it, saying, "No need."

The young eunuch accompanying him swiftly took the wine glass from the maidservant's hand, whispering, "Miss, you should attend to the Prince. The young master has me by his side."

The maidservant, her wine glass snatched away, bit her lip and glanced at Prince Yun. Meeting his eyes, she reluctantly turned to Shen He with a pitiable look, "Young Master, His Highness instructed me to serve you..."

The young maidservant wasn't very old, and Shen He was instantly reminded of Lianqiao and Heling.

When he was first brought back to the Eastern Palace, barely a toddler, they, alongside his nanny, had cared for him daily. At that time, they seemed to be about the same age as this maidservant.

Shen He cast a brief glance at Prince Yun, feeling increasingly irritated and regretting his oversight in attending this gathering.

He should have turned around and left at the entrance upon spotting unfamiliar faces.

In a hushed tone, Shen He instructed, "You can stand behind me, but you don't need to attend to me. I don't drink."

He hadn't even reached eighteen yet. Why should he drink?

If he did, he'd be reprimanded by his guardian upon returning home.

The maidservant tried to say something else, but Shen He rested his chin on his hand, reclining in the chair with evident disinterest.

The young eunuch bowed slightly, lowering his voice to ask, "Would the young master like some tea?"

Shen He shook his head, "If I drink it, I won't be able to sleep tonight."

He felt hot, and although several ice basins were placed around the private room, the combination of numerous bodies and their youthful warmth made it uncomfortable.

Shen He's seat wasn't near the window opposite him, so he received little of the cool lake breeze.

His discomfort grew, but he suppressed his minor grievances to avoid dampening the mood of the gathering.

The maidservant noted Shen He's and the young eunuch's aloofness, which distinctly set them apart from the others in the room. Biting her lip, she remained silent and positioned herself behind Shen He.

She kept her gaze lowered, not daring to look in Prince Yun's direction.

Shortly after their arrival, a steady stream of dishes began to flow into the room, delivered by the waitstaff below.

Shen He's interest was finally piqued. After waiting for Prince Yun to begin, he started selecting dishes that appealed to him.

He had rarely sampled the dishes from Linjiang Pavilion and was curious how the chef's skills compared to those at Yunjian Tower.

After trying a few dishes, Shen He found them quite delectable. His spirits lifted, and his previous air of indifference faded.

Jiang Zhitong, with a playful grin, asked, "Shen He, you usually hang out with your cousin and the young prince. How come they never brought you to Linjiang Pavilion? The food here is excellent, prepared by a chef specially invited from outside the capital."

After swallowing his bite, Shen He replied to Jiang Zhitong, "I'll come with them next time."

The delightful food had significantly improved Shen He's mood. Jiang Zhitong discreetly observed him for a moment, exchanging glances with others.

While everyone else sipped their wine and occasionally reached for a dish, only Shen He seemed genuinely focused on the meal.

Prince Yun watched him for a while before letting out a barely audible chuckle.

Scanning those beside him, he subtly signaled for the musicians behind the screen to stop playing.

Shen He noticed but chose to ignore it.

After finishing his meal, Shen He stood up, saying, "Prince Yun, night approaches, and the palace gates will be locked soon. Thank you for the delightful meal. I must take my leave now. Hopefully, we can gather again in the future."

In his mind, Shen He estimated that he'd spent at least 30 to 40 minutes here, so leaving now wouldn't be considered rude.

Unsure of what other activities lay ahead and having little interest in the frivolities of young nobles, Shen He felt it best to leave early.

He believed he had been courteous enough, not spoiling the party's mood, and could depart amicably.

However, Prince Yun seemed to think otherwise.

Prince Yun's tone chilled as he remarked, with a hint of anger meant to intimidate, "Young Master Shen, having only spent a brief moment with us, you're already eager to leave? Having spent so much time with the young prince, do you look down upon the likes of us?"

He continued, "Although I haven't resided in the palace, I am well-aware of when the gates close. If you wish to deceive, Young Master Shen, perhaps you should find a more convincing excuse."

His tone was icy. Switching from addressing himself as "I" to "This Prince," he aimed to highlight their status difference.

Before Shen He could reply, Prince Yun clapped lightly, signaling, "Did I not hear that Young Master Shen finds this dull and wishes to leave? Why not bring them in and offer Shen He some entertainment?"

The room's doors opened, and it seemed the individuals outside had been waiting for the signal. At the sound of the clap, they streamed in.

Both men and women entered, about eight or nine in total. Even though the room was spacious, it felt crowded as they streamed in.

The surplus servants retreated, either standing guard at the door or descending to wait by their masters' carriages.

Their attire was no different from that of moderately affluent young masters and mistresses – properly buttoned collars and impeccable manners.

But appearing in such a setting, even if Shen He were naive, he'd know something was amiss.

The smile on Shen He's face faded, his baby-faced cheeks tensing up.

Participating in illicit activities? That's illegal!

How audacious!

Shen He was aware of such shady endeavors, but confronting it head-on was a first for him!

What audacity! Fully aware that he's the male lead's right-hand man, and that the male lead is the future emperor!

How is this any different from committing a crime in front of the future emperor?

Shen He kept a straight face, turning to the young eunuch beside him, "Go and inform the authorities."

Everyone else in the room: "…?"

The eunuch, upon hearing Shen He's command, showed a look of astonishment.

Despite his surprise, he obediently and hastily made his way out, disappearing in a flash as he descended the stairs.

In the room, two men, previously persuaded by Prince Yun, were unbuckling their belts.

Shen He fixed them with a stern gaze: "Buckle up! What do you think you're doing?"

“……”

The room became eerily silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Prince Yun intended to keep Shen He by his side, especially after Shen He suggested leaving first. He had no plans to let Shen He get away.

Shen He was raised by the crown prince. Few in the capital didn’t know of him.

The crown prince held this young lord from the Duke’s mansion in high regard. With powerful backers like Consort Liu Xuan, Shen He's status was comparable to Prince Yun's.

Though, on the surface, he appeared a rank below.

Prince Yun had intended to intimidate Shen He into staying, never expecting Shen He would have the gall to send someone to inform the authorities.

Not just Prince Yun, everyone else snapped back to reality. Jiang Zhi turned pale, barking at his servant, "Why are you still here? Go stop him and bring him back!"

The few people inside the room suddenly gave chase as a group.

Those guarding the door were momentarily dazed, caught off-guard by the eunuch's swift exit.

After hearing the reprimands from inside, they finally snapped to their senses, with half of them pursuing the eunuch.

The rest closed the room's door to prevent any prying eyes.

As Shen He mentioned, it was getting late outside.

The slanting sunlight illuminated the lake. The large window in the fifth-floor room faced the lake, offering a view of its shimmering golden waves.

The reflected light from the waves lit up the room, casting vivid shadows on everyone's faces.

Prince Yun, pale-faced, seemed to gain some color under this light. His face looked slightly flushed as he glared at Shen He, unable to contain his anger: "Shen He! You dare! Call your man back!"

Shen He retorted, "It's you who has the audacity! You dare to go against our dynasty's laws! If you have the courage to act, why shouldn't I have the courage to report?"

Shen He was growing irritated, not bothering with niceties anymore.

These people acted high and mighty, using their titles to intimidate him. Why should he show them respect?

Shen He thought, "Do these kids really think they can intimidate me?"

He'd even dared to stand up to the fifth prince, the emperor's own son, let alone Prince Yun, whose status would diminish in a few generations. He wouldn't hold back!

Prince Yun's face grew even redder. He wasn't a calm person and had always had a degree of disdain for Shen He.

Having seen Shen He during palace banquets since childhood, he'd encountered him numerous times. Every time, Shen He was either behind the crown prince or in his embrace, appearing more privileged than the actual royalty.

Today, the fact that he didn't even recognize him added to Prince Yun's annoyance.

At this point, his annoyance had turned into full-blown rage. He wanted nothing more than to see Shen He beg for mercy!

He shouted:

"Fine, you're so bold! Let's see if you can leave Linjiang Pavilion unscathed today! When the officials arrive, without evidence, they'll see it as you causing trouble. Everyone present will be witnesses! I look forward to seeing you taste the prison life!"

He furiously smashed his wine glass to the ground. The shattered pieces flew, scratching Shen He's chin, leaving a wound as long as a pinky finger.

The two guards behind Prince Yun even dared to step forward, trying to grab Shen He.

Shen He was furious!

He had never been treated this way in his life!

Rolling up his sleeves, Shen He lunged forward, aiming a punch straight at Prince Yun's face.

Chaos erupted in an instant.

Everyone was taken aback, unable to react in time.

By the time he realized, Shen He had already grabbed the collar of Prince Yun, using his stature, which was half a head shorter, to pin him down, rendering the prince unable to move.

Shen He was now atop Prince Yun, landing several blows. The prince was left dazed, unable to defend himself, only managing a startled cry: "Ah!"

With all his weight and strength, Shen He pressed down on Prince Yun, throwing punches while simultaneously wincing internally, thinking, "Damn, my knuckles hurt!"

How can the prince's face be this hard?

The private room echoed with screams; the summoned group had never witnessed such a scene.

Jiang Zhitong and his party were taken aback. Springing into action, Jiang tried to pull Shen He off, while the prince's guards attempted to intervene.

Jiang Zhitong urgently instructed the group, "What are you waiting for? Get out and keep your mouths shut. Not a word of this incident is to be spoken!"

Shen He strained to hear, as he was being yanked off the prince. Stubbornly, he clung to the prince's robe, pulling both of them backward. They landed on shards, and two porcelain pieces pierced the prince's back, making him scream in agony, "Stop it! Shen He, release me now!"

But why would Shen He listen? He clung on, seemingly ready to drag the prince along if he was forcibly separated.

Seizing an opportunity, despite the pain in his hand, Shen He landed another punch.

The blow made Prince Yun's nose throb and his vision blur. He felt as if Shen He's forceful punch had broken his nose.

Shen He yelled, "No one leaves! Everyone stays put!"

He addressed the witnesses trying to escape, then turned, looking fierce, like a dog ready to bite, glaring at the guards and Jiang Zhitong, "Try touching me and see what happens!"

Jiang Zhitong froze, fearing that one more tug would result in Shen He biting his hand.

Shen He's eyes widened, emanating an aura of menace.

Prince Yun, in immense pain as if his nose was broken, cupped his face and tried to shove Shen He off, shouting, "What are you all waiting for? He dared to attack a royal family member! Arrest him now! I want to see who'd dare defend him!"

Prince Yun was positively livid!

Jiang Zhitong exchanged glances with his group, thinking that there were many who could pull Shen He out of this mess.

While Shen He dared to challenge Prince Yun and disregarded his threats, they certainly didn't have the same courage.

They didn't dare confront Shen He directly but tried to separate the two with force.

As they were in the midst of a chaotic struggle, the door to the private room burst open.

Several individuals barged in.

Among them were two guards from the Eastern Palace, who were responsible for protecting and also assisted Shen He with driving the carriage.

Before the young eunuch had fled, he hadn't forgotten to inform them to rush upstairs and watch over the young master, fearing Shen He might be at a disadvantage.

Who would have expected that Shen He, with his tenacity and audacity, could hold his own against the combined efforts of a dozen individuals?

Apart from the two guards, a stranger entered along with a young face very familiar to Shen He.

It was unmistakably Shen Yan.

After storming into the room, Shen Yan's eyes turned pitch black, and his face instantly grew cold. With one swift kick, he knocked away Prince Yun's guard and lifted Shen He off the prince.

Shen He looked disheveled, but on seeing his own people, he showed no sign of distress, instead becoming even more arrogant, "Brother! They attacked me!"

Those trying to restrain Shen He, without much success, were left speechless.