The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 998 - 998 473 Outrageous Bullying (Third Watch)

Chapter 998: 473 Outrageous Bullying (Third Watch) Chapter 998: 473 Outrageous Bullying (Third Watch) Liao Quan turned his head to look at Xiao Hen and asked, “Liulang, should we yield?”

In terms of official rank, Xiao Hen was now a Fifth-rank Reader, but the other party was the Prince of An County, whose birth status was not to be provoked.

“No yield,” Xiao Hen said, “If anyone should yield, it is he who should yield to me.”

“Ha, what an audacious tone!”

The carriage of the Prince of An County arrived opposite Xiao Hen’s carriage, but the voice that came from inside was not that of the prince, but of Grand Tutor Zhuang.

Someone in the crowd recognized the trick and shouted, “It’s the Grand Tutor!”

Nobody expected that Grand Tutor Zhuang would actually be sitting in the carriage of the Prince of An County!

The officials who had made way for the prince secretly congratulated themselves for not being pretentious and having made way respectfully, or else they would be the ones getting slapped in the face by Grand Tutor Zhuang now.

Who is this young man? His voice sounds awfully young, probably hot-blooded and ignorant, likely to have kicked an iron board!

Others may not recognize Xiao Hen’s voice, but how could Grand Tutor Zhuang not?

Opposing him at every turn, stealing the empress dowager’s affection, causing her to become estranged and cold towards the Zhuang family – all the work of this meddler named Xiao Liulang!

Grand Tutor Zhuang had been warned by the Empress Dowager not to make things difficult for Xiao Liulang, but surely acting within the rules is not the same as making things difficult for him, is it?

Grand Tutor Zhuang simply instructed his coachman to draw back the curtains, and while seated in his spacious carriage, the commoners could peek through their respective angles to glimpse the luxurious interior of the Zhuang family’s carriage.

It appeared to conform to the regulations without being ostentatious, but who would have thought that a simple armrest table could be made of expensive golden Phoebe wood?

The curtains were drawn only halfway, coincidentally revealing the figure of Grand Tutor Zhuang, and beside him, a pair of immaculately clean official boots, presumably belonging to his eldest grandson, the Prince of An County.

Grand Tutor Zhuang sneered as he looked towards the opposite carriage, “Isn’t this Reader Xiao? Does Reader Xiao stand in the way here without moving, expecting this official to make way for you? Since when did Hanlin Academy officials become so arrogant? To think that even the current Grand Tutor must yield to a mere Reader?”

These words truly left no face for Xiao Liulang. No matter how outstanding Xiao Liulang was, no matter that he was the newly appointed top scholar personally selected by the emperor, he was still but a lowly official from Hanlin Academy. How could he compare to Grand Tutor Zhuang, who was already a First-rank senior official in the court?

Blocking Grand Tutor Zhuang’s path, was he not bringing shame upon himself?

However, Grand Tutor Zhuang’s attack was not merely the words he had just spoken. He promptly continued, “Surely you’re not assuming, on account of having someone in the palace back you, that you can disregard this official?”

Who was backing him in the palace?

Grand Tutor Zhuang did not specify the Empress Dowager, so naturally, everyone assumed it was the current Emperor.

The Emperor indeed had an unconventional approach to recruiting talent, yet here he was, young and already arrogant with favor, clearly unable to shoulder the Emperor’s patronage.

“A country bumpkin, hasn’t seen much of the world.”

“No wonder, he probably doesn’t realize how unpredictable the Emperor’s heart is. Without the Emperor’s favor, he is nothing.”

“So quickly elated by favor, does he really think he’s on the same level as the Prince of An County, with such impressive capital?”

“But the Prince of An County isn’t arrogant at all! The Prince is modest and courteous, measured in advance and retreat, never overstepping his status. That’s what you call a true nobleman!”

“How does the saying go? A full bucket doesn’t make noise, but a half bucket swishes back and forth!”

“Hahaha!”

The crowd was amused by the banter of an old man.

People probably have a strange psychology, enjoying watching someone fall from a high place and relishing that sense of judgment.

Everyone was waiting to see Xiao Liulang’s embarrassment, but what no one expected was that a handsome man dressed in purple would casually walk from the back of the crowd.

He carried a powerful aura with him, and the crowded mass almost instinctively opened a path for him.

Upon seeing this person, Grand Tutor Zhuang’s face stiffened, “Marquis Xuanping?”

Marquis Xuanping stopped beside Xiao Hen’s carriage and looked at Grand Tutor Zhuang with a smirk, “Yo, isn’t this Grand Tutor Zhuang? What a coincidence, are you also going to the morning court session?”

What time is it now for morning court?

The court session had long adjourned, okay!

No, he used the word ‘also.’

Marquis Xuanping, are you so shameless? Acting as if you were going to court today!

Grand Tutor Zhuang snorted coldly, “Marquis Xuanping has not attended court for a long time, I’m afraid you’ve even forgotten the time for morning court.”

Marquis Xuanping chuckled, “That’s true. The Emperor is merciful and considers my lingering injury, sparing me the distress of attending court.”

Nonsense about lingering injuries!

You Marquis Xuanping have never properly attended a single day in court, okay!

Of course, the Emperor had indeed said those words, but not out of genuine concern for Marquis Xuanping; rather, the Emperor feared Marquis Xuanping would disgrace the officials of Zhan Country, so he devised an excuse for him.

“Is there a seat?” Marquis Xuanping casually asked Liao Quan.

“Ah, there is.”

“There isn’t.”

Liao Quan and Xiao Hen spoke at the same time, the second was said by Xiao Hen.

Everyone’s eyes widened simultaneously.

Had they heard it wrong? The official from Hanlin Academy actually rejected Xuanping Marquis in public—he must be wishing for Xuanping Marquis to beat him to death!

Zhuang Grand Tutor also chuckled.

“Sure, sounds great!”

Xuanping Marquis completely ignored Xiao Hen’s rejection, smiling as he climbed into Xiao Hen’s carriage with a natural grace, flowing like a stream!

Xiao Hen: “…”

Zhuang Grand Tutor: “…”

Everyone: “…”

Once he sat down, he acted as if he was completely unaware that Xiao Hen’s carriage was blocking Zhuang Grand Tutor’s way.

When it came to official ranks, he was a First-rank military marquis, while Zhuang Grand Tutor was among the Three Ducal Ministers, also holding a First-rank position.

Regarding status, he was the current Imperial Uncle by marriage, and Zhuang Grand Tutor was his predecessor.

In terms of power, he held military authority, while Zhuang Grand Tutor secretly controlled substantial political power.

If it came to family background, the Xiao family was far from matching the depth of the century-long aristocratic Zhuang Clan, but Xuanping Marquis also had another identity—he was the current regal Son-in-law.

A regal Son-in-law with actual power.

Traditionally, those who married princesses were never allowed to enter the palace to serve as officials, yet Xuanping Marquis was the first.

Xuanping Marquis didn’t care what others thought or said, he just arrogantly took his seat, leisurely regarding Zhuang Grand Tutor across from him, his eyes all but explicitly saying—I’m not going to make way for you, we might as well both stay put!

Xuanping Marquis was just that domineering! That shameless!

Zhuang Grand Tutor was so annoyed his teeth itched.

Xuanping Marquis leaned lazily against the carriage wall, raised an eyebrow, and said, “I’m not worried about being late, but I wonder if Zhuang Grand Tutor and your grandson are also unconcerned about it?”

What a joke, how could they be late on the first day that Prince An joined the cabinet!

Zhuang Grand Tutor’s head ached with rage. Xuanping Marquis was probably here just to spite him! How could there be someone as shameless and annoying as Xuanping Marquis in this world!

However, his anger didn’t last long before a thought struck him, and his expression relaxed, “If we’re late, doesn’t that mean Xiao Tutor will be late as well?”

If he wasn’t mistaken, it was also Xiao Liulang’s first day of promotion!

Wasn’t Xuanping Marquis trying to stand up for Xiao Liulang?

Alright then, have him be late and receive demerits, and see if he still appreciates your help!

Xuanping Marquis’s handsome face indeed darkened.

Dammit!

He had forgotten about that!

Narrowing his eyes, he glanced at Zhuang the sly fox across from him, then at Xiao Hen who stood expressionless beside him, and edged over to coax like one might a child, saying gently, “Don’t worry, I won’t let you be late.”

As he finished speaking, he straightened up, his voice cooling as he stated, “Chang Jing, move the obstacle.”

Chang Jing zipped to the front of the Zhuang family’s carriage, and before the Zhuang family’s guards could react, Chang Jing had already lifted the entire carriage!

“Handle with care, be polite,” Xuanping Marquis reminded.

“Oh.” Chang Jing indeed very gently set the carriage aside.

Zhuang Grand Tutor was about to explode with fury, swearing internally.

You fucking moved my carriage in the street, and you speak of politeness!

Where do you get the audacity to say such things!

Zhuang Grand Tutor trembled with fury, “Xuanping Marquis! Don’t you push people too far!”

Having his carriage moved by Xuanping Marquis’s subordinate in public, how would he save face? Where would the Zhuang family’s face go?

Xuanping Marquis was originally planning to leave, but Zhuang Grand Tutor’s outburst suddenly made him pull back the curtain to signal Liao Quan to stop the carriage.

Liao Quan dared not disobey, and obediently brought the carriage to a halt.

Xuanping Marquis got off the carriage nonchalantly and approached Zhuang Grand Tutor’s carriage.

Prince An harbored a sudden ominous premonition in his heart, trying to discourage his grandfather, but it was too late.

Xuanping Marquis shattered the carriage with one palm, the walls splintered, clattering to the ground, exposing Prince An and Zhuang Grand Tutor to everyone’s eyes without any warning.

The carriage was destroyed, leaving only a long bench, and sitting on the bench, they resembled people who had just been stripped of their clothes, their entire faces blushing with embarrassment.

Xuanping Marquis looked at Zhuang Grand Tutor, hooking his lip corners provocatively, “This is really pushing too far.”

Zhuang Grand Tutor: “…!!”