Chapter 93

Hong Yucheng glared fiercely at the second floor. *Who the hell is so eager for a death wish that they're enjoying my misfortune?*

But after scanning the area, he couldn't pinpoint the speaker. His rage, therefore, found its target in Fan Jianhui. He fixed him with a furious stare and snapped, "Has a donkey kicked your brain? What gives you the right to meddle in my affairs?"

Though both their families held official positions at court, Fan Jianhui's family's influence paled in comparison to his own. Thus, he never imagined that Fan Jianhui, usually so deferential, would dare to humiliate him in front of so many people.

Meng Shuping once again poked his head out. [“Huh? Is he saying Master Fan has lost his marbles and should go get his head checked instead of meddling in other people’s business?”]

[“Not to defend him or anything, but why resort to personal attacks? Master Fan was actually quite polite this time—way politer than how he treats me. Is Hong Yucheng really being this ungrateful? Does he think he’s something special?”]

Fan Jianhui, who hadn't been *that* angry before: "..."

*Hong Yucheng, I tried to save your face out of past acquaintance, but you just don’t know when to quit, do you?*

And this was the third time—the third time someone called him stupid. *Meng Shuping saying it in his mind was one thing, but what right did Hong Yucheng, with that brain of his, have to call me dumb?*

Unable to contain his anger, Fan Jianhui retorted, "You’re the crazy one! Calling me stupid? You’re the stupid one! And you call yourself General Hong’s son? A grown man who can’t even recite the *Three Character Classic*—did your father unleash you just to bite people?"

Meng Shuping couldn’t help but marvel, [“Wow! He really isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, no wonder Fan Jianhui dares to trade insults with him. They’re just two amateurs duking it out!”]

[“Wait, no—it’s more like two dogs going at it. Fan Jianhui just called him a dog!”]

Fan Jianhui: "..." *You’re the amateur!*

Hong Yucheng clenched his fists. *This Fan Jianhui—not only did he call me stupid, but he also called me a dog?* Livid, he snarled, "Hmph! Don’t think you’re so clever just because you can write a couple of pretentious poems. Weren’t you the one who face-planted while practicing horse stance?"

Meng Shuping burst out laughing, [“Oh ho! So Fan Jianhui had the nerve to laugh at me last time—looks like his athletic skills aren’t that great either!”]

Realizing that Meng Shuping had witnessed his embarrassment, Fan Jianhui flushed red with humiliation. Furious, he shot back, "Well, at least I’m better than you, who got chased by a dog and fell into a manure pit!"

Meng Shuping’s eyes widened in surprise, [“Whoa! I never thought someone so arrogant could have such an embarrassing moment. Hahaha, keep it coming—say more!”]

Hong Yucheng shook with rage. *This Fan Jianhui—since he showed no respect, he shouldn’t blame me for what comes next.* Gnashing his teeth, he hissed, "Don’t think I don’t know—you were still breastfeeding at several years old!"

Meng Shuping gasped, "Whoa!"

[“Fight! Fight harder! Let me see what other secrets you’ve been hiding!”]

The other patrons in the tavern: "Whoa, whoa!"

They had expected a physical fight, but instead, it turned into a war of words. Not that they were complaining—they were loving it!

Fan Jianhui’s expression darkened. He had tried to give Hong Yucheng face, but since Hong Yucheng didn’t appreciate it, he had no reason to hold back. He snorted, "Well, at least I’m not the one who wet the bed until I was ten!"

"Pfft—" The onlookers couldn’t hold back their laughter. They glanced oddly at Hong Yucheng—knowing such an embarrassing story made the young master seem less intimidating, and way funnier!

Hong Yucheng’s eyebrows shot up, "Fan Jianhui, are you deliberately trying to pick a fight with me?"

Meng Shuping cheered, [“Fight! Fight!”]

Fan Jianhui scowled, "Weren’t you the one who started it?"

Meng Shuping continued, [“Fight! Fight!”]

Hong Yucheng glared at him, both angry and sarcastic, "Hmph, they were right to call you stupid—what good does opposing me do for you?"

*All it did was give everyone else a show!*

*If it weren’t for the fact that Fan Jianhui’s companions also had some influence, and I didn’t want to make too many enemies at once, I would’ve punched him already!*

Meng Shuping sounded disappointed, [“Huh? No fight after all? Looks like Hong Yucheng has some brains after all—not many, but some!”]

Hong Yucheng shook with anger. *Was I supposed to keep arguing and give this guy more amusement?*

Fan Jianhui lifted his chin, declaring righteously, "Do you think I stopped you for some personal gain? I simply can’t stand your bullying and oppression of ordinary people! If you’re sick, stay home and get treated—what are you doing here causing a scene?"

*If I didn’t make a bold stand against Hong Yucheng, how could I leave an impression on the Emperor? Sorry, but Hong Yucheng had brought this upon himself!*

Meng Shuping chimed in mentally, [“He’s just bored and thinks the world revolves around him! What, does he expect everyone to be his dad and coddle him?”]

"Hahaha!" Seeing the two young masters go at it, others also mustered the courage to jeer, "Yeah, yeah, he has the nerve to call others meddlers? This tavern can put on whatever show it wants—what’s it to him?"

"He’s just here to show off, right? I’ve seen plenty of young masters like him—they’re just looking for an excuse to pick a fight. Us common folks can’t afford to provoke them, so we have no choice but to avoid them!"

"I think there’s something wrong with his head—he’s sick in the head!" One person pointed at his own head, sighing dramatically.

Hong Yucheng’s face flushed red with public humiliation. He glared venomously at Fan Jianhui, "Fan Jianhui! Looks like you’re asking for a beating! Do you know the consequences of insulting me like this?"

He had intended this as a threat—after all, both their fathers served in the court. Offending him wouldn’t just lead to a simple beating; he would complain to his father and have Fan Jianhui’s father dismissed from his post!

*By then, even if Fan Jianhui kneeled and begged for mercy, I wouldn’t let them off easily!*

But no sooner had he spoken than that annoying voice rang out again, [“Consequences for insulting him?”]

[“Feeling great after insulting him—does that count? Hahaha, it makes me want to curse at him too. Ah, what a pity—if there weren’t so many people here, I’d definitely give him a piece of my mind.”]

Jiang Cihe chuckled—that comment hit the nail on the head.

Hearing that familiar voice again, Hong Yucheng burned with shame and anger. He furiously scanned the crowd—*just which bastard was undermining me? Did they have a death wish?*

Fan Jianhui laughed heartily, "So what if I insult you, Hong Yucheng? Come on, hit me if you dare! You’re in the wrong, and you think you can silence people? Let me tell you today—as long as I’m here, you won’t bully any ordinary folks!"

*Under normal circumstances, I might have been more cautious, but with the Emperor and the Prince both present, what did I have to fear? If anything, I was worried I hadn’t done enough to leave a strong, positive impression!*

*As for Hong Yucheng seeking revenge later—my family isn’t some pushover that Hong Yucheng could manipulate. Besides, Hong Yucheng had no idea the Emperor was here. With the Emperor around, how could he let any harm come to me?*

Fan Jianhui’s companions gasped—*what had gotten into Young Master Fan today? He wasn’t usually this fired up. Had the performance earlier excited him too much?*

Meng Shuping was also surprised, [“Wow, I never thought Master Fan, who usually acts so annoyingly, could be so righteous when it counts!”]

[“Wait, Hong Yucheng? He’s not stopping the play just because the bully in the show is also surnamed Hong, is he? No way, no way—is he really that brain-dead?”]

Hong Yucheng could no longer contain his fury. Fuming, he turned to the men he had brought, "What are you all standing around for? Attack!"

Fan Jianhui also waved his hand, "You think I’m scared? Bring it on! Brothers, let’s go! Someone upstairs is watching us!"

The others had initially hesitated—after all, Hong Yucheng had brought quite a few men, and their own martial skills were average. They didn’t want to end up on the receiving end of a one-sided beating.

But hearing Fan Jianhui’s words, they immediately rolled up their sleeves. *Prince Zhao was watching! Even if we couldn’t leave a good impression, we couldn’t afford to seem cowardly!*

"Brother Fan, don’t worry—we’ll support you!"

"This kind of bullying—even if Brother Fan hadn’t spoken up, I wouldn’t have stood for it! So arrogant! Too arrogant!"

"In broad daylight, right under the Emperor’s nose! How can we stand by and allow such wrongdoing?"

Meng Shuping’s eyes sparkled with excitement, [“Whoa, they’re fighting!”]

[“Tsk tsk tsk, why is that Hong guy all talk and no action? And he's a general's son—could he be a weakling? What an embarrassment to his father!”]

Hong Yucheng balled his fists and threw a punch at Fan Jianhui. *Who was calling me a weakling? No matter how incompetent I might be, I was still the son of a military family—beating up Fan Jianhui shouldn’t be a problem!*

Fan Jianhui was caught off guard. *Hong Yucheng, you launched a sucker punch! How shameless! And you call yourself a general’s son, resorting to cheap shots?*

*And then there was Meng Shuping, egging him on for no reason—as if the fight wasn’t chaotic enough already! But if Hong Yucheng thought his training would give him the upper hand, he was mistaken. Just wait for my secret move!*

Meng Shuping widened his eyes. [“Yikes… he actually went for a low blow! I can’t even watch!”]

[“Ooh, ooh, and what’s this hair-pulling and scratching style? A barrage of wild punches to overwhelm a pro? You scholars really get creative when throwing hands, huh?”]

[“Whoa, whoa, the onlookers are shady too—taking every chance to land a sneaky punch. If you didn’t know better, you’d think it was Fan Jianhui’s crew doing it!”]

Hong Yucheng: "…"

*No wonder I kept getting hit out of nowhere—turns out others were joining in!* Furious, he swung wildly again, fighting recklessly.

Just as the brawl reached its peak, someone suddenly shouted, "The authorities are here!"

Instantly, the bystanders who’d been throwing extra punches quickly backed away, leaving only Hong Yucheng, Fan Jianhui, and the others behind. Meng Shuping asked in surprise, "Who called the authorities?"

Jiang Cihe glanced at him. "Me."

Meng Shuping nodded. "Oh, oh."

He looked down and saw that it was the Military Hall Department who had arrived. They immediately surrounded Hong Yucheng, Fan Jianhui, and the others. "Arrest them!"

Hong Yucheng was worn out from the fight, so he was pinned easily. In pain and fury, he yelled, "What are you doing? Do you know who I am?"

Meng Shuping asked curiously, [“I actually don’t know. Go on, tell us—spill the tea.”]

Hong Yucheng immediately shut his mouth. *Not a chance!*