The reality, as Princess Lingmeng had predicted, unfolded just as expected: the three Princes, unwilling to yield to one another, charged forward in three distinct lines, creating a headlong rush! Had the street not been wide enough, the common dwellings might well have been crushed by their passage. What was the meaning behind Father Emperor’s decree?

Did he think their usual internal squabbles were not fierce enough? Was he forcing them to openly contest in front of everyone, thus exposing their weaknesses and causing them public humiliation? Given the current attitude of her three Imperial elder brothers, this outcome was not entirely impossible.

However, the scene Princess Lingmeng envisioned was destined never to materialize! Because the carriages of the three Princes became hopelessly jammed, speeding forward in such a way that no one could lag behind. While the street housing Shengbaotang and Guizutang was certainly broad, it had its limits.

The tightly packed procession of the three Princes’ carriages inevitably collided head-on with another set of vehicles. That was not the most fortuitous event; what was truly coincidental was that the other party involved in the crash happened to be the retinue of Prince Pingdeng! Four out of five imperial carriages were now crammed together in a collision; it would have been difficult not to have something happen!

Was this intentional? Or purely accidental? This result left Princess Lingmeng feeling dizzy.

The only solace was that Prince Pingdeng’s residence was also royalty, considered kin. If her three brothers could just show a little restraint, she believed the matter wouldn't be too difficult to resolve! Several white-clad youths responsible for hosting duties streamed out from Guizutang, stunned silent by the scene before them.

The street hosting Shengbaotang and Guizutang was arguably the most prime location in Tianxiang City, boasted the widest thoroughfare, and had never experienced such a pile-up. A street wide enough to accommodate three luxury carriages passing abreast should have made crowding nearly impossible. Furthermore, because Shengbaotang resided on this street, situations never escalated here.

Anyone qualified to come to this area knew Shengbaotang’s background; nobody was foolish enough to cause trouble under the Emperor’s nose. But now… Prince Pingdeng’s sedan chair stopped first. Two maids in plain attire lifted the curtain, helping down a small child—the heir to Prince Pingdeng, the charming young boy Yang Mo, whom Jun Moxie often teasingly referred to as 'little girl.' Princess Lingmeng's carriage instinctively pulled aside.

Prince Pingdeng represented her only Yang family elder besides her father; even with the Emperor present in her carriage, a degree of deference was expected. Moreover, she genuinely favored this younger cousin. In the grand scheme of things, Prince Pingdeng’s estate was also one of the silent partners behind Guizutang, so courtesy dictated they should yield the way.

Yet, the convoy of the three Princes behind continued to push forward without yielding an inch, maintaining their single-file formation. If this trend continued until the main entrance, the ensuing chaos would be truly significant! Within Princess Lingmeng’s entourage, a figure cloaked in black robes watched the three Princes’ convoy with icy intensity, scrutinizing every movement of every carriage.

Silent, but his gaze was sharp as blades and arrows. Jun Moxie had already received the report. Faced with this awkward predicament, he was boiling with agitation and rushed out.

Jun Dashao cursed inwardly: Damn it all, just because the three of you weren't assigned ranks, you have to start causing trouble here for me! I should have just sent one invitation to avoid this headache! Blast it!

If a true brawl broke out here, at this critical juncture, wouldn’t the entire auction he painstakingly organized turn into a laughingstock? You rascals, just wait until I have time; I’ll make you regret this! Fatty Tang and Song Shang, being the main hosts of the auction, could not emerge; besides, their presence might not resolve the issue.

These three individuals held ranks too elevated. Direct confrontation using force was absolutely out of the question. Third Master Jun Wuyi could handle it, but if Jun Wuyi appeared, he would be immediately embroiled in the Princes’ rivalry.

Favoring any one side would be problematic, making his involvement unsuitable. As for other candidates? General Dugu Wudi could certainly suffice.

One shout from him would likely settle the matter; in the General’s eyes, the three Princes might be untouchable, but they were nothing to this great warrior. However, he was a guest; using external influence to solve internal family matters sounded good but looked bad. Moreover, if they resolved the issue using General Dugu’s prestige, how would the ten-thousand-tael gambling pot be settled?

Even if Jun Dashao, the gambling sage, won, how could he ask the General for the stakes after the man had just solved his major problem? Thus, General Dugu was also unsuitable! After weighing all options, it seemed only Jun Moxie himself could step in.

Although Jun Moxie’s status paled in comparison to the Princes, his reputation as the foremost scoundrel, coupled with his endless repertoire of rogue tactics, was undoubtedly highly effective in handling such matters. Upon receiving the report, both Jun Wuyi and Tang Yuan instinctively looked toward Jun Dashao, who was currently being held captive by Dugu Xiaoyi. "Moxie, solving this will require some rather roguish, underhanded methods.

You are the most suitable one for the job!" Jun Wuyi stated. What kind of talk was that? Why was he the most suitable one precisely when scoundrel tactics were needed?!

Jun Dashao felt deeply aggrieved! "Boss, as the saying goes, only a scoundrel can subdue a scoundrel. You appearing is the best option," Tang Yuan flattered.

This flattery only stoked Jun Dashao’s ire. What was this about needing a scoundrel to tame a scoundrel? How was he a scoundrel?!

These two seemingly complimentary yet subtly critical remarks made Jun Dashao feel like cursing his ancestors. What kind of statement was that? Did he truly resemble a villain so much?

Utter nonsense! However, for a matter of this magnitude, only this peerless figure could resolve it effortlessly! By the time Jun Dashao arrived at the scene, a commotion had already erupted.

The reason was simple: as Jun Moxie stepped out, he coincidentally ran straight into Xiao Han, Mu Xuetong, the little girl Han Yanyao, and the Murong family entourage. Mu Xuetong nodded with a gentle smile. Xiao Han snorted, deliberately holding his head high in feigned arrogance, pointedly ignoring Jun Dashao.

Only Han Yanyao lunged forward, grabbing the lapel of Jun Moxie’s robe, pouting and glaring: "Hey, you Jun family brat, hurry up and call me 'Little Auntie,' and Little Auntie will give you perks!" Jun Moxie, already in a foul mood, rolled his eyes: "I say, why are you such an ill-mannered girl? Your sister hasn’t even married my Third Uncle yet! Even if she did, what does it have to do with you being an aunt?

Look at you—all bony and flat, nothing in the front, nothing in the back, baby hair hasn't fallen out, and you still smell of milk, yet you're dreaming of seniority! Are your teeth fully grown yet? Wait until you can confirm you possess all the attributes I just listed, then come pretend to be an elder!" Jun Moxie's words were purely provocative, baseless nonsense.

Girls matured earlier than boys. Although Han Yanyao was barely fifteen and a half, her figure was already showing promise; compared to Dugu Xiaoyi, she was by no means inferior, certainly not the 'flat figure' Jun Dashao described. "You...

you..." Han Yanyao, stung by the nonsensical mockery from the great rogue, flushed crimson with shame and fury. She stomped her small feet twice, her delicate face turning beet red. Suddenly, a thought sparked in her eyes: "I don't care!

You look like you're in a hurry. If you don't call me 'Little Auntie,' I won't let you pass. You figure it out!

I'm not in a rush!" Saying this, she tightened her grip on his lapel. Among the high-ranking Silver City visitors, she was undoubtedly the youngest. No matter how noble her status, everyone she met had to be addressed as an elder—Uncle-Master, Uncle-Sir, Grand-Uncle, Ancestral-Master, or at the very least, a peer, meaning she still had to call them Senior Brother or Senior Sister.

Since arriving in Tianxiang City, she had taken a keen interest in this brat, Jun Dashao, who was clearly a bit older than her. Learning that this Jun brat was actually her true junior descendant when calculated through his sister's future husband, was a windfall greater than finding a huge ingot of gold on the street! How could she let this chance slip?

She was determined to secure the honor of being called 'Little Auntie!' "Oh dear..." Jun Moxie heard the noise outside growing louder and stamped his foot irritably: "Fine, fine, I yield to you! I’ll call you, okay! ...

Little... Piglet, is 'Little Pig' okay?" His voice was muffled and extremely quick. Little Han girl didn't catch the trick and assumed he was genuinely calling her Little Auntie.

Proudly, she lifted her chin, puffed out her small chest, released her hand, and waved him off: "Good boy, off you go. If you have any trouble later, just use Little Auntie's name; Little Auntie will cover for you." Jun Moxie vanished as if granted imperial amnesty. "Hmm...

the way he said 'Little Auntie' just now... it didn't sound quite right," Han Yanyao suddenly realized. "He called you 'Little Piggy'; he never called you Little Auntie," Murong Qianjun, who was already antagonistic toward Jun Moxie regarding Princess Lingmeng and keen to impress the beauty before him, seized the chance to kick him while he was down.

Han Yanyao pouted. She turned back fiercely toward Jun Moxie's retreating figure and clenched her small fists. "Go to hell!" Xiao Han and Mu Xuetong simultaneously glared and spat out: "Shut up!" The two had grown up together in Silver City, yet they had been rivals almost since infancy.

This was seemingly the first time in their lives they had spoken in unison. After speaking, they glanced at each other, each snorted, and then both turned away simultaneously. Murong Qianjun immediately became silent and fearful.

Xiao Han clearly despised this trashy brat from the Murong family. His expression alone revealed his intentions. Furthermore, Han Yanyao was the object of his nephew's affections and an approved future daughter-in-law for the Xiao family.

If she were poached under his nose, he would have no face to return home. Besides, this mere Murong family scion actually dared to covet the swan? Utterly overestimating himself!

As for Mu Xuetong, she looked down upon the character of those who kick others when they are down and naturally offered Murong Qianjun no pleasantries either. When Jun Moxie exited, the three Princes were already arguing with Prince Pingdeng’s heir, Yang Mo. The pretty little boy Yang Mo, having interacted with Jun Moxie several times, quite liked this slightly roguish, hooligan-esque older brother full of rascal energy.

Upon exiting his sedan chair, he eagerly rushed towards Guizutang; he knew this place like the back of his hand, having visited several times before. The First and Second Princes remained seated in their carriages, maintaining an air of non-existent 'deep contemplation'! The Third Prince, however, seemed distinctly displeased.

He had already been squeezed by the eldest and second brothers, nearly unable to move, but the Third Prince’s faction had always been the weakest among the three. This time, he was unluckily caught in the middle. Unwilling to be outdone, he managed a forceful push but still suffered a significant disadvantage, leaving him extremely frustrated.

Now, seeing Yang Mo, a mere heir, attempt to enter before the three of them—where was the dignity of the Imperial Family? He was completely making assumptions, failing to recall that Prince Pingdeng’s estate was one of the shareholders of Guizutang! "Oh, isn't this Cousin Momo?

Why, seeing your Elder Cousins and Sisters here, you don't even offer a greeting? How is it that the older you get, the less polite you become? You are a descendant of the Imperial Family; how can you run about so rudely?

Where are the servants of Prince Pingdeng’s estate? Don't they know how to serve their masters?" The Third Prince, somewhat slender with a pale face, stepped out of his carriage. His voice held a slightly effeminate tone as he loudly cataloged faults, from highest to lowest, missing no one.

"C-Cousin Third Prince... hello." Yang Mo glanced timidly at him. Little Yang Mo harbored an indescribable aversion to these three Imperial 'Cousins.' "What 'Third Prince'!

The First and Second Princes are right there, yet you say nothing and show no courtesy, acting so arrogantly? Have you never learned etiquette? Hmm?" The Third Prince stared down at Yang Mo with overbearing pride, his eyes channeling all his accumulated frustration and finding malicious glee in it.

He wasn't truly targeting Yang Mo; he was merely finding a sufficiently high-ranking punching bag to vent his frustrations. Although Yang Mo was young, his status was exceptionally high—a soft, easy target. Prince Pingdeng, though powerful, was detached from worldly affairs and rarely concerned himself with court politics, giving him minimal influence.

Therefore, the Third Prince felt no restraint in deliberately humiliating little Yang Mo, caring not that the child shared the Yang surname and was his royal kinsman. In Princess Lingmeng's convoy, the eyes of the cloaked figure grew increasingly grim. Yang Mo was just a child barely over ten; how could he withstand such harsh, sharp rebukes?

Furthermore, he was entirely blameless in the situation. Feeling deeply wronged, his eyes welled up with tears, his lips trembling, on the verge of crying. "Third Brother, enough.

Momo is still a child! Why are you frightening him?" Princess Lingmeng could not bear it and spoke up, about to step out and comfort him, but she was subtly restrained by the figure in black behind her. "A child?

Does being a child mean one can disregard etiquette? We are descendants of the Imperial House, the most noble bloodline! How can we be compared to ordinary children?

I am educating him, teaching him what courtesy means, so he learns to be orderly in his actions and not disgrace the Imperial prestige!" The Third Prince curled his lip into a cold sneer, clearly showing no respect or consideration for his full-blooded sister. "Oh my, oh my... aren't these the three Imperial Princes?

Such lofty rules, such tempers! Why are you all blocking the entrance and refusing to come in? Doesn't this show a profound lack of respect for my Jun family, the Tang family, and Prince Pingdeng?" A voice dripping with affected insincerity chimed in.

Jun Moxie sauntered over, squinting and skewing his eyebrows, taking exaggerated, rocking steps—one foot forward, one back, twisting his hips to strike a precariously tilted, almost falling stance. With a swish, he unfurled a folding fan inlaid with gold filigree. It was late autumn now; the summer heat was gone, and a slight chill had set in.

But Jun Dashao still fanned himself languidly, displaying an air of absolute nonchalance that made people instinctively want to beat him up. "Third Highness, I am merely disciplining my relatives. This matter does not concern you!" The Third Prince held utter contempt for this known rake, viewing him as nothing more than a parasite living off his elders, utterly devoid of ability.

"How can it not concern me? Third Highness, you are intercepting the third major owner of our Guizutang, lecturing him incessantly, and directly preventing our auction from starting normally! How can you say it doesn't concern me?

Is there such a principle under heaven?" Jun Dashao showed him no quarter. In Jun Dashao’s eyes, this man was also a waste who relied on his ancestors to live comfortably while harboring boundless ambition, completely lacking in personal merit! Jun Moxie struck a pose of noble ambition, puffing out his chest, swaying slightly as if unable to keep balance, before continuing: "On a small scale, this concerns the dazzling silver and gleaming gold of our Guizutang.

But on a grand scale, the money we earn must pay state taxes! By obstructing our earnings, you obstruct national revenue! Obstructing national revenue is a major issue affecting the national economy and people's livelihood!

Third Highness, are you planning a rebellion?!" Jun Moxie gesticulated wildly, spittle flying, weaving and winding until, in an instant, he had slapped an entirely fabricated, colossal label onto the Third Prince. The Third Prince trembled with rage: "Jun Moxie, what nonsense are you spouting? Who are you calling a rebel?!" Jun Moxie squinted sideways: "Third Highness, what has our Tianxiang Empire ever done to wrong you?

The entire nation's people support you with fine silks and rich food, with glory and wealth; they support your noble title and your high position! And yet, you want to rebel! You...

you... why? Do you have no humanity left?" Jun Moxie continued with feigned grief: "Born into the Imperial House, you are the dignified Third Prince, yet you are not satisfied?

Must you resort to fratricide until you grasp the Supreme Seat? Surely the Imperial Family is not entirely devoid of kinship..." The Third Prince was utterly dumbfounded. This fellow was speaking volubly, his face a mask of deep resentment, grievance, and bitter indignation.

In his telling, the Prince had instantly transformed into such a vicious traitor. If he were allowed to continue, who knew what other accusations would surface? It seemed the only solution was for the Prince to die to thank the heavens.

How can he speak so recklessly without any restraint?! He’s a spoiled wastrel who lacks education and doesn't know to be discreet; he can’t assume everyone is the same as him! Seeing that he was about to shamelessly continue his tirade, which would only lead to greater disgrace—if malicious parties overheard and reported it to the Emperor...

He lunged forward with a sudden burst of speed, clamping his hands firmly over Jun Moxie's mouth, his voice laced with pleading: "Jun Dashao, you, you, stop talking! You... you want me dead, I was wrong, okay, I apologize profusely..." Jun Moxie grunted a few times, muffled by the hands, then finally calmed down.

With a triumphant harrumph, his expression instantly brightened into glorious sunshine: "Ah! It is a rare honor for the three Highnesses and Princess Lingmeng to personally grace our humble hall! Hahahaha!

Guizutang shines brightly with your presence, and I myself am overwhelmed by the favor! Please, please, come in quickly!" He then turned and roared: "Dammit, what are you all doing standing around? The three Highnesses have waited so long and have yet to be ushered in!

This truly infuriates me! Can anyone bear the guilt of neglecting the Highnesses? Guards!

Quickly escort the Princes and the Princess to the hall!" What? Escort the Princes and Princess to the hall? Everyone’s expression grew bizarre.

What establishment dared to require Princes and Princesses to go to the 'hall'? This must be the only place in the world! This trip was certainly worthwhile!

What an eye-opener! Among the four retinues, many were watching Jun Dashao’s actions closely. For example...

"Well?" the First Prince asked those around him, his expression somewhat grim. "It is truly hard to say!" A man with a goatee mused. "This Third Master Jun is undeniably arrogant, fitting the rumors perfectly—an ignorant, lawless, and somewhat immature fellow.

However, the way he handled today's situation was very clever in its outcome. He is inscrutable. If Your Highness deems it necessary, he should be placed under scrutiny for further observation." Several others nodded in agreement.

"Hmm, this fellow gave me a surprise today. I thought he wouldn't manage it and was happy to watch the joke unfold, but this current act is even more entertaining to me," the First Prince nodded, then smiled. "But then again, these kinds of rogue and rascal tactics have always been the most troublesome.

Regarding careful observation... do you truly think it’s worth the effort? Haha..." The group chuckled together.

"It's the same old rogue behavior, utterly revolting!" The Second Prince watched Jun Moxie from a distance, making no effort to conceal the disgust in his eyes.

Cheng Dechao’s teeth were practically grinding. "A scumbag like this pollutes the world! A descendant of the Jun family reduced to such a state—how can he possibly face the heavens and earth? If I were him, I would have ended my life long ago for a clean slate!" Simultaneously, a cold glint flashed in his eyes: Jun Moxie, my men are already here. Let’s see how much longer you can swagger! I will repay last time's humiliation twofold!

Just wait for death!

Nearby, the white-bearded Fang Bowen wore a look of deep contemplation. He slowly remarked, "Today’s events are very strange!" After a moment of thought, he shook his head. "Strangely so!"

Over by Princess Lingmeng, the cloaked figure behind her eyes flickered. He leaned in and murmured, "Is this the rumored Third Young Master of the Jun family? Jun Moxie? He looks quite different from how he was as a child a few years ago. An interesting young man, indeed."