The Frontier Prince: Starting From Scratch - Chapter 14 - Conflict

“Your Highness, this is the most famous Tianxiang Pavilion in Yan City.”

The group stopped in front of a towering three-story building by the lake. Dong An stepped forward to lead Zhao Xu inside.

Glancing at the second floor, where numerous women dressed in garish colors were gathered, Zhao Xu immediately understood the nature of Tianxiang Pavilion. Though it was typical for men to indulge in such places, his visit was more about playing along with the social scene. Besides, compared to Feng’er and Luan’er, these women were merely ordinary and unremarkable.

Upon entering, Dong An was quickly approached by a woman who resembled a procuress. After exchanging a few words, the procuress appeared surprised. She swayed over to Zhao Xu, bowed with a smile, and said, “This humble servant greets Prince Yan. Your presence today truly graces Tianxiang Pavilion.”

With a gesture inviting them in, she continued, “I have prepared a room for Your Highness. Please, follow me.”

Zhao Xu nodded slightly and, accompanied by Dong An and the others, ascended to the third floor, settling into a room overlooking the street.

“Your Highness, would you like to have a few courtesans accompany you?” Dong An thought it was a rare occasion for Zhao Xu to join them, and he wanted to ensure everything was perfect. To him, whether officials or regional magnates, anyone with some silver enjoyed such company, and Zhao Xu was no exception.

“Sure,” Zhao Xu replied, embracing the local customs. Since he was in ancient times, he might as well experience the culture without pretending to be pure.

Yang He chuckled, “Since Your Highness graces us today, let’s invite the best courtesans Tianxiang Pavilion has to offer.”

Lu Chang nodded in agreement.

“Indeed,” Dong An smiled knowingly.

The three discussed briefly and sent a servant to fetch the courtesans.

Soon, a woman with a charming face entered the room, carrying a pipa, and began to play and sing to liven up the atmosphere.

With the wine flowing, the three exchanged toasts, occasionally offering Zhao Xu a drink. Besides chatting about romantic tales, they shared some interesting stories about Yan Prefecture with Zhao Xu.

After a few drinks, Zhao Xu became more familiar with them, occasionally initiating conversations himself.

The atmosphere was lively.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted, followed by a woman’s piercing scream.

The four turned their heads toward the door.

Across the corridor, a young master in blue emerged from a room, dragging a woman to the railing.

“Zhang Rang! When did he return?” Dong An and the others turned pale at the sight of the young master.

Yang He explained, “Your Highness, he is Zhang Qian’s eldest son, Zhang Rang, known for his lawlessness in Yan Prefecture. He went to Fanyang Prefecture with his uncle recently, but it seems he’s back.”

As he spoke, Zhang Rang lifted the woman, ready to throw her over.

Zhao Xu, coming from modern times and being Prince Yan, couldn’t stand by as someone committed murder in front of him. Otherwise, his reputation and Prince Yan’s Mansion would become a laughingstock, ridiculed by the people.

Standing up, he shouted, “Stop!”

Hearing the command, Zhang Rang turned his head.

He first glanced at Zhao Xu, then at Dong An and the others.

“Oh, it’s you three. How bold of you to interfere with my affairs.” Zhang Rang dropped the woman to the ground, feigning surprise.

Zhao Xu’s arrival at Tianxiang Pavilion had already been reported to Zhang Rang by his servant.

Dong An and the others seemed intimidated by Zhang Rang, their expressions uneasy. However, remembering they were with Zhao Xu today, their courage was bolstered.

Yang He stepped forward and shouted, “Zhang Rang, you stand before Prince Yan. Show some respect.”

“Prince Yan?” Zhang Rang feigned surprise.

He gave Zhao Xu a once-over, then reluctantly offered a shallow bow. “Zhang Rang greets Your Highness.”

Kicking the trembling woman at his feet, he said, “Your Highness, I’ve already purchased her from the procuress with silver. According to the laws of the Dasong Dynasty, a maid’s life and death are at the discretion of her master. Surely, Your Highness need not interfere.”

“Nonsense.” The woman lifted her head upon hearing this. “Prince Yan, please save me! I overheard while singing…”

“Wretched slave!” Zhang Rang’s expression twisted before she could finish, and he viciously kicked her in the stomach.

The woman let out a scream, curling up in pain, unable to speak.

At this moment, the procuress arrived on the third floor, having heard the commotion.

Zhang Rang turned to her and demanded, “Procuress, tell them, didn’t I buy her?”

The procuress, upon seeing Zhang Rang, turned pale and nodded fearfully, not daring to breathe loudly.

Zhao Xu frowned. Zhang Rang’s fair complexion and scholarly appearance belied his violent nature.

Clearly accustomed to having his way since childhood, he was shockingly cruel.

It was evident that Zhang Rang was intentionally causing harm, and the procuress, intimidated by his power, had no choice but to comply.

“In that case, produce the contract,” Zhao Xu said calmly.

He was simmering with anger inside.

He was well aware of the collusion between the Zhang Family and Zhang Han.

The Zhang Family would be eradicated, he vowed.

Yet, his personal guard was not yet fully formed, lacking both training and equipment.

He wasn’t ready to take down the three families.

But that didn’t mean he would let them trample over him.

After all, even if his personal guard wielded only wooden sticks, they were still his soldiers, his strength.

“You…”

Zhang Rang was at a loss for words, his face flushed with anger.

In Yan Prefecture, the Zhang Family was like the heavens, and no one dared to challenge him.

As his father had said, this Prince Yan was indeed a thorn in their side.

He couldn’t be allowed to remain!

However, knowing Zhao Xu would be a corpse by tonight, Zhang Rang felt a sudden sense of relief.

Glancing at the woman at his feet, his heart skipped a beat.

He had let slip a secret while drinking with guests.

This woman, singing in the room, must have overheard.

The matter was grave; if it got out, not only would the Zhang Family suffer, but it would also implicate the sixth prince of the current dynasty.

So his guest, disregarding Prince Yan’s presence, insisted on silencing the woman to prevent complications.

With this in mind, Zhang Rang steeled himself.

Today, even with Zhao Xu present, he would kill the woman.

He suddenly covered her mouth.

Without giving Zhao Xu a chance to react, Zhang Rang hurled the woman down.

With a thud, she hit the stone floor of Tianxiang Pavilion heavily.

Her blood slowly stained her green dress red.

“You insolent scoundrel!” Xu Lie exclaimed, accompanied by twelve guards to protect Zhao Xu.

Zhang Rang’s actions were a blatant affront to Prince Yan’s Mansion.

The senseless murder further fueled his rage.

Zhao Xu sneered repeatedly, gazing at Zhang Rang, who remained indifferent. He commanded, “Xu Lie, seize this madman for me.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Xu Lie replied, stepping forward and twisting Zhang Rang’s arm.

Seeing this, Zhang Rang’s servants drew their swords from their waists.

“Shing.” The guards beside Zhao Xu also unsheathed their swords.

Dong An was so frightened that sweat beads appeared on his forehead.

He first addressed Zhang Rang, “Are you attempting a rebellion?”

Then he advised Zhao Xu, “Your Highness, it’s just a courtesan, there’s no need to be angry.”

At this moment, Zhang Rang signaled his servants to stand down and said with a smile, “Since Your Highness wishes to apprehend me, I shall accompany Your Highness.”

To him, Zhao Xu would be dead by tonight, and at most, he would spend a night in jail.

Direct conflict now would be disadvantageous for him.

The guards around Zhao Xu appeared to be skilled fighters.

His servants might not be a match for them.

“Take him away!”

Zhang Rang’s fearless demeanor further infuriated Zhao Xu.

He wouldn’t allow the Zhang Family to continue their tyranny in Yan Prefecture.

With this incident, the banquet lost its appeal.

The group descended the stairs.

Zhao Xu approached to check the woman’s condition.

He touched her nose with his finger; she was no longer breathing.

With a slight sigh, he rose and left, as the onlookers, courtesans, and guests hurriedly cleared a path.

A courtesan, seemingly bumped by someone, staggered towards Zhao Xu, brushed against him, and quickly left.

Zhao Xu frowned, glancing at the departing courtesan.

Retracting his gaze, he suddenly noticed a slip of paper tucked into his belt.

Without showing any emotion, he proceeded towards the Prince’s Mansion under the guards’ protection.

Once the crowd dispersed.

A middle-aged scholar emerged from Zhang Rang’s room.

“Who would have thought the ninth prince truly recovered,” the scholar mused, gently waving a paper fan.

An old servant stood behind the scholar, looking in the direction Zhao Xu had left, and chuckled, “It might have been better if he remained mad and foolish; perhaps he could have kept his life. But now, tsk tsk…”