"What?"

The servant's mind short-circuited. Being ordered to strike the Prince’s face? That was insubordination of the highest order! A single slap might cost him his life. But to refuse the order might cost him his life right now!

Sigh, why was I so unlucky? Why pick me out of everyone?

After a brief deliberation, he decided to follow Zhong Shenxiu's order for the moment. The Prince was likely irrational; perhaps he wouldn't remember being struck.

Just as the servant prepared to move, Zhong Shenxiu snapped, "Wait!"

The servant felt a surge of relief; not having to strike the Prince was the best possible outcome. However, as he swelled with pride, Zhong Shenxiu flicked a finger into the void. A beam of light flashed across Aixiao's face, instantly healing the injury! Aixiao himself snapped back to his senses, staring at Zhong Shenxiu with eyes full of terror and disbelief.

Zhong Shenxiu ignored him and addressed the idly standing servant. "You may begin."

"Uh!"

The servant's expression became even more vacant.

Five minutes later, not just that one servant, but every single person present had slapped Aixiao ten times. And not one person dared to hold back; they used the full force they usually reserved for striking their own servants.

Aixiao’s cheeks were now visibly red and swollen, though still far less damaged than from the single blow Zhong Shenxiu had landed earlier.

"What is your name?" Zhong Shenxiu finally asked Aixiao again.

This time, Aixiao had learned his lesson. He answered immediately, his demeanor betraying a fear that a slow response might earn him another beating.

"Why did you stop me?" Zhong Shenxiu asked again.

Aixiao felt bitterness welling up inside. If I had known you were this formidable, this terrifying, I'd be a fool to have stopped you!

Despite his thoughts, he dared not hide anything, having deeply experienced the horror of Zhong Shenxiu. If he performed poorly, this little demon might very well kill him. Furthermore, he still couldn't fathom Zhong Shenxiu's capabilities, so the very thought of resistance was extinguished.

After hearing Aixiao's account, Zhong Shenxiu smiled again. He hadn't expected their motive for approaching him was merely revenge, and he immediately guessed that the person who injured Aixiao’s sister must have been Robin’s handiwork.

Robin rarely acted; these people must have done something truly egregious! Thinking this, a strange glint flashed in Zhong Shenxiu's eyes. He was already scheming something unknown.

Seeing Zhong Shenxiu remain silent, Aixiao dared not interject or move, suffering an utterly humiliating experience for a Prince. "Hey, kid," Zhong Shenxiu suddenly asked, making his intentions even more inscrutable, "do you want me to let you go?"

Hearing the question, Aixiao nodded eagerly, nearly dropping to his knees to thank Zhong Shenxiu for sparing his life.

But what Zhong Shenxiu said next made him freeze, his face instantly reverting to an imbecilic blankness.

"Take me to your 'Nanyu Palace' to have a look. My consultation fee is very steep," Zhong Shenxiu stated plainly, though those who knew him could detect the excitement beneath the surface.

Aixiao could only wonder: Why does he want to go to 'Nanyu Palace'? Does he have some scheme in mind?

Inside Nanyu Palace.

Brenda returned and immediately flew into a destructive rage, smashing porcelain bowls and teacups. In moments, the floor was littered with shards.

She was furious. Not only had her trip to 'Dongyue Palace' failed to secure justice for her daughter, but she had also lost several capable subordinates and accumulated a belly full of repressed anger!

The thought of that slut, Paige, made her teeth ache with hatred. She couldn't believe how much Paige had changed in just a few years. If this continued, it wouldn't be long before Paige started bullying her directly. I truly underestimated her!

But she would absolutely not let today's events slide!

After a period of silence, Brenda finally calmed down. Revenge against 'Dongyue Palace' required long-term strategy, but the most urgent matter now was to check on her daughter.

Caroline lay sprawled on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought.

"Palace Mistress arrives!" a long, resonant voice announced from outside.

Hearing her mother arrive, Caroline startled awake, trying to sit up, but the movement pulled at her wounds, causing tears to stream down her face again from the pain.

"Daughter, Mother has come to see you!" As she spoke, Brenda was already at the bedside. Seeing Caroline's state, her brow furrowed, and she angrily roared at the maids nearby, "You useless dogs, how have you been looking after the Princess?"

The recently suppressed anger threatened to erupt again.

The maids turned pale with fright, quickly kneeling and proclaiming, "This servant deserves death!"

Just as Brenda was about to order the maids dragged out for a severe beating, Caroline's weak but clear voice cut through. "Mother..."

"Daughter, are you in pain anywhere?" Brenda rushed closer, realizing how inept her question was; in Caroline's current state, every minute must be painful!

"Mother, did you really go to 'Dongyue Palace'?" Caroline asked instead.

Brenda’s expression immediately darkened. The events at 'Dongyue Palace' were the last thing she wanted to discuss. But since her daughter asked, she nodded and said, "Mother just went, but I didn't expect 'Dongyue Palace' to be prepared. I failed to bring that culprit back for you."

She paused briefly, then continued, "But daughter, rest assured, Mother will not let this go. I will make them—"

Her words were cut short by Caroline. "Mother, did you see Second Brother?"

"Your brother?" Brenda was momentarily stunned before asking, "What about Aixiao?"

Caroline struggled to shift her body so she could speak more clearly, asking with concern, "Mother, Second Brother visited just now. He said he was going to 'Dongyue Palace' to vent my anger for me, and then he left! I’m worried about him!"

"What?" Brenda's eyes widened, and she stood frozen for a full ten seconds. Then, she abruptly turned and shouted toward the door, "Someone!"

Soon, two guards rushed in, kneeling on one knee, respectfully awaiting orders. "Palace Mistress, command us!"

"Go find out where Aixiao went! Report back immediately if you get any news!"

"Yes!"

The two guards left after receiving their orders, while Brenda remained standing, lost in thought. She was already flustered enough; the last thing she needed was Aixiao causing further trouble. If he had truly gone to 'Dongyue Palace,' she would have to swallow her pride and make another trip, inevitably returning even more irritated!

As she pondered, a guard's announcement sounded from outside. "Report!"

"Come in and speak!" Brenda reluctantly pulled her thoughts back and stared toward the doorway.

"Reporting to the Palace Mistress, the Prince has already returned!" the guard stated respectfully.

"Oh?" Brenda was quite surprised. "Where is he now?"

"Reporting to the Palace Mistress, the Prince is currently in the Scripture Depository."

"The Scripture Depository? What is he doing there?" Brenda was extremely confused. That place contained nothing but books. Why would her son, who never cared for reading, suddenly develop an interest in the Depository?

"Reporting to the Palace Mistress, this subordinate does not know!"

"Good, you may go," Brenda instructed, then fell back into deep thought. Since Aixiao was back, it meant he hadn't gone to 'Dongyue Palace.' But why would he go to the Scripture Depository?

"Mother, has Second Brother returned?" Caroline on the bed asked after hearing the exchange.

"Rest assured, your Second Brother did not—" Brenda's sentence was interrupted by another guard's announcement.

"Report!"

Brenda frowned. What now? Can't anyone give me a moment of peace?

Despite her internal frustration, she managed to say, "Come in and report!"

"This subordinate greets the Palace Mistress!" The guard who entered bowed to Brenda.

"What is it?" Brenda asked, forcibly suppressing her rising temper.

"Reporting to the Palace Mistress, the Prince just visited the 'Scripture Depository' and, for unknown reasons, has moved out all the books!"

"What!?" Brenda roared, nearly falling off her chair.

The guard, startled, dared not say another word, standing silently.

"Where is Aixiao now?" Brenda asked with a dark expression.

"Reporting to the Palace Mistress, the Prince has gone to the 'Hundred Treasures Pavilion'!" the guard answered, trembling.

"The 'Hundred Treasures Pavilion'? Didn't I issue a decree forbidding anyone from approaching that place? What is he doing there?" Brenda’s face grew increasingly grim.

The so-called 'Hundred Treasures Pavilion' was where the rarest treasures were kept. Brenda had long ago issued an edict that no one was allowed near it without her explicit command!

"This subordinate does not know!" the guard hastily replied, avoiding eye contact with Brenda.

"Go immediately and summon Aixiao to me!" Brenda ordered. She needed to ask Aixiao herself what in the world was going on and why he dared to act so brazenly!

The guard dared not delay and hurried out.

"Mother, what happened?" Caroline inquired.

"Nothing, you rest well," Brenda replied verbally, but her mind churned ceaselessly.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a guard reported again.

"Where is Aixiao?" Brenda sat in her chair, looking down at the kneeling guard. It seemed she was preparing for a triple interrogation.

"Reporting to the Palace Mistress, the Prince did not come."

"What?" Brenda was utterly shocked. But what followed was even more astounding!

"Why didn't he come?" Brenda asked again, forcefully controlling her rising fury.

"Reporting to the Palace Mistress, the Prince is currently busy moving the treasures from the 'Hundred Treasures Pavilion'!"

"What??" Brenda shot up from her chair with a whoosh, her face turning green with rage!