Chapter 81: True Colors

"How bold! To not dismount upon seeing His Highness Yan Wang, Prefect Yuan, you are acting far too arrogant!"

Just as Zhao Xu was pondering, Chang Wei roared, his voice like a thunderclap.

He could naturally see that Yuan Li's intentions were not good.

Seeing him be so rude, anger rose in his heart.

Before Yuan Li could speak, a tall cavalry commander spurred his horse forward and shouted, "Who are you to dare show disrespect to Prefect Yuan? Are you looking for death?"

Seeing this, Yuan Li did not rebuke the cavalry commander, but instead revealed a look of slight smugness.

"I think you are the one looking for death!" Chang Wei glanced at the cavalry commander without a hint of fear; the two glared at each other, looking as if they would start a fight at the slightest disagreement.

Zhao Xu sneered inwardly; there was no doubt now, Yuan Li had come this time specifically to pick a fight.

And the only thing that could make Yuan Li this furious recently was that incident at Qingfeng Pass.

"Prefect Yuan, if you have come to Yan Commandery as a guest, I welcome you, but if you think you can slight me because your Yuan Family is powerful in Yanzhou, you are mistaken." Zhao Xu spoke quite gently at first, but his tone suddenly deepened at the end.

His voice fell.

Suddenly, a sound of rhythmic footsteps arose.

The footsteps went from light to heavy, gradually sounding like muffled thunder.

The Prince's Personal Army soldiers surged out from every street and alley like a silver torrent of metal, coming to a halt behind Zhao Xu.

Yuan Li was startled.

These soldiers of Yan Wang were each wearing fine armor, a stark contrast to the crude equipment they had when he last visited.

Recalling that Yan Wang's army had wiped out all the Northern Di ambushers and the bandits of Qingfeng Stronghold, their combat strength seemed formidable, and he dared not underestimate them further.

"Hahaha..." Yuan Li laughed, then dismounted and said to Zhao Xu, "I came in such a rush that I momentarily forgot my manners; I hope Your Highness will not blame me."

Seeing Yuan Li dismount, the cavalry commander retreated back into the ranks, though he still cast a provocative look at Chang Wei.

Chang Wei naturally did not show any weakness.

"Since Prefect Yuan has said so, there is no need for me to hold it against you." Zhao Xu said flatly.

Yuan Li had made it clear he wanted to intimidate him, but he had no intention of just taking it.

This Great Song empire belonged to the Zhao family, not the Yuan family.

"Hahaha..." Yuan Li laughed again, though a trace of ferocity flashed in the depths of his eyes from time to time.

He said, "Many thanks for Your Highness's magnanimity. Since that is the case, please allow this official to enter the city to investigate the case."

"Investigate a case? What case?" Zhao Xu remained unmoved; he wanted to see what tricks Yuan Li was playing.

Yuan Li narrowed his eyes slightly; he felt he had misjudged Yan Wang.

When he came last time, Yan Wang's attitude was gentle, and he had assumed he was a soft touch.

Today he finally understood that this Yan Wang was a tough nut to crack.

But regardless, since he had come to Yan Commandery, how could he return empty-handed?

"This official has discovered that Tianxiang Lou in Yancheng is involved in this case, and I must take all the personnel there to Fanyang. I hope Your Highness will not obstruct me; after all, as the Prefect of Yanzhou, this is my duty," Yuan Li said.

"Tianxiang Lou?" Zhao Xu's gaze swept across Yuan Li's face.

This incident at Qingfeng Pass was originally someone using Tianxiang Lou to set him up.

Xu E had also made it clear that the informant in Qingfeng Stronghold had been exposed.

Now that Yuan Li was explicitly demanding to seize Tianxiang Lou, it was clear someone wanted to deal with it.

And this person was either from the Yuan Family, the Zhang Family, or the Northern Di.

But whoever it was, he would not let them have their way.

"What a coincidence, I am also investigating this matter. I captured quite a few prisoners this time, and their testimonies are actually very interesting; some concern the Zhang Family, some concern the Northern Di, and some concern..." Zhao Xu said, half-truthfully.

Yuan Li's face grew increasingly ugly, and he asked in alarm, "Concern what?"

"Ha, why is Prefect Yuan so nervous?" Zhao Xu laughed.

Yuan Li realized his loss of composure and looked embarrassed.

"Since Your Highness is investigating, this official is relieved. I only hope Your Highness will not listen to slanderous words."

"That goes without saying, so I also ask Prefect Yuan not to listen to slanderous words recklessly. I still trust Tianxiang Lou," Zhao Xu said with his hands behind his back.

Yuan Li understood now; Yan Wang was protecting Tianxiang Lou.

If he seized Tianxiang Lou without solid evidence, he feared Yan Wang would use these unsubstantiated testimonies to embarrass him in return.

"Hahaha, since Your Highness is investigating, this official is relieved," Yuan Li forced a laugh, "This official will not disturb you any further."

Having said that, he bowed, mounted his horse, and led his troops away.

Perhaps it was because he had pent-up frustration with nowhere to vent.

He led the cavalry not to return along the main road immediately, but instead circled the city, clearly intending to show off his power.

Zhao Xu climbed the city wall, watching the cavalry moving like the wind with some envy, and some gravity.

It was no wonder that as soon as he reached out to Zhao Heng, Zhao Heng responded actively.

Even if he indulged in pleasure, this Emperor was not without a brain.

The Yanzhou Yuan Family had grown to this point, and there was no one left to check them.

With Yanzhou being such a vital region, the Imperial Court would no longer be able to control it.

When that time came, the safety of the Great Song would be held in the hands of the Yuan Family.

This was something no Emperor could tolerate.

"Your Highness, this Yuan Li is too arrogant." Chang Wei's anger had not yet subsided.

"With strong troops and sturdy horses, he naturally has the capital to be arrogant," Zhao Xu said.

Xu Lie was somewhat worried, "Your Highness has offended him; I fear he will target Your Highness everywhere from now on."

Zhao Xu smiled, "You are wrong. If a newly born tiger cub is at your door, you would not have any worries, but if an adult tiger is there, it is a different story."

"It is because Your Highness is becoming stronger and stronger, and can no longer be concealed," Chang Wei said bluntly.

After all, more than twenty thousand well-equipped Personal Guard Army soldiers could not be hidden.

The businesses of the Yan Prince Mansion were growing larger and larger, and could not be hidden either.

Xu Lie nodded silently; the Yan Wang was indeed no longer the weak and insane Imperial Prince he once was.

"Lead the troops back to the camp; in a few more days, I expect every soldier in the Personal Army will have a set of Armor," Zhao Xu said.

Chang Wei was delighted to hear this; this was their source of confidence.

Zhang Family Fort.

Zhang Kang waited at the entrance of the Fortress.

After sending a secret letter to the Yuan Family, he had returned from the city to the rural Fortress.

Just a moment ago, a Cavalryman came to report that Yuan Li was coming.

After waiting for a while, he saw dust rising from the road in the distance.

Before long, a dark mass of Cavalry arrived.

Among them, the leader was Yuan Li.

"Father-in..."

"Useless trash!" Upon reaching Zhang Kang, Yuan Li did not wait for Zhang Kang to speak, raising his whip and lashing down.

Zhang Kang let out a miserable cry and covered his face, fresh blood flowing from between his fingers.

Yuan Li's anger had not yet subsided; he pointed his whip and cursed, "This is a lesson for you. If there is another such stupid mistake in the future, you will no longer be a son-in-law of my Yuan Family."

"Yes, yes, Father-in-law." Zhang Kang hated him intensely in his heart.

The whipping from Tuoba Lie had already left him feeling stifled, and he had not expected Yuan Li to humiliate him in front of everyone.

Yet he dared not show anger, remaining submissive and timid.

"Yanzhou is the exclusive domain of my Yuan Family; how can we allow that brat, the Yan Wang, to sleep soundly here? You must remember, there can be no mistakes regarding the Autumn Hunt, otherwise, your head will roll."

Having said this, Yuan Li did not even dismount, leading his troops away directly.

Zhang Kang felt bitter in his heart; the Yan Wang, it was the Yan Wang again.

Seeing Yuan Li like this, he feared that he had not gained any advantage at the hands of the Yan Wang.