Chapter 9: Meeting Again, Sparks Flying

Seeing that he couldn't handle them alone, Tang Xin lunged forward as well, grabbing the hands of those few and biting down hard. Instantly, pig-like screams echoed through the streets and alleys, making anyone who heard them tremble.

"Ah... quick, let go! Let go! It hurts like hell! Ah..."

"I'll teach you to bully my sister! I'll beat you until you're a pig's head!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang..."

Tang Zihao swung his fists, raining down heavy blows. With the two siblings working in tandem—one throwing punches non-stop and the other biting down without letting go—the three of them couldn't gain the slightest advantage.

In the restaurant next door, on the second floor by the window, a middle-aged man witnessed the scene below. He couldn't help but blow his beard and stare in anger, then he hitched up his robes and hurried downstairs.

"Tang Zihao, Duan Wuzhi! It's you two again! Stop what you're doing this instant!"

Upon hearing that all-too-familiar voice, the group tangled together froze in unison. They stopped their movements and turned their heads timidly. At the sight of the middle-aged man—dressed in grey, sporting two thin mustaches, and wearing a stern, dignified expression—they realized it was none other than Master Guo, the person they feared most. They immediately let go and stood at attention.

"Ma-Master, wh-why are you here?"

"You two, what kind of decorum is this, brawling in the middle of the street? Is this how I usually teach you? Unless absolutely necessary, a gentleman uses his words, not his fists. To think you'd dare show off such meager skills to the public—do you know no shame? It’s a pity your fathers are both high-ranking officials in the same court; you two haven't learned a shred of their demeanor. It is truly..."

As he spoke, he caught a glimpse of the little girl in the pink dress staring at him with wide, rolling eyes. He glared back, sizing her up. The two of them, one large and one small, stood there staring each other down, neither speaking first, as if competing in patience.

Tang Zihao seized the moment and said, "Master, we still have things to buy, so we'll be going now." As soon as he finished, he grabbed Tang Xin and scurried away.

Just as the Master was becoming interested in who this little girl was, he saw Tang Zihao dragging her away. He couldn't help but glare and shout, "You little brat, get back here!"

The others, seeing this, took advantage of his momentary shock to scramble away. In a flash, they had all vanished without a trace.

"Brother Fatty, who is he? You all seem so afraid of him?" Tang Xin asked curiously. Was that middle-aged man really that terrifying?

At the mention of this, Tang Zihao wiped away cold sweat and said, "You don't know, but Master Guo has a massive background. He is a close friend of the current Emperor and the tutor to the princes. He taught us, too. If he were incompetent, we wouldn't be afraid, but the problem is he’s incredibly skilled in both literature and martial arts. Every year, he’s the one who oversees the martial power tests; it’s terrifying. Even Father has to bow his head and smile when he sees him. He’s the one we fear the most."

"Is he really that amazing?"

"Of course. You don't know this, but what he teaches us most often is that a gentleman uses his words, not his fists—yet if he ever starts a fight, he won't stop until the person is half-dead. Once, the Protector General's grandson talked back to him, and he beat him so badly the boy was bedridden for over three months. He wouldn't stop for anyone's pleas. The way he beats people is terrifying." As he spoke, as if remembering something, he added a warning: "Sister, if you meet him in the future, you must be well-behaved. Don't make him angry."

"Oh." She nodded, though she felt a spark of curiosity about Master Guo.

After visiting the weapon shop and instructing the owner to forge a set of silver needles, the two wandered around a bit more before heading home. Upon entering, they saw the servants bustling about. Curious, they found Bai Yan and, after asking, learned that today was the day they would publicly announce Tang Xin as their daughter.

"Xin'er, come, Mother will take you to your room to get ready. We'll dress you up beautifully for everyone to see." Bai Yan took her hand and walked toward the courtyard. Tang Zihao, seeing this, said excitedly, "Then I'm coming too."

"Master Guo will be here today. You had better behave and stay by your father's side."

Hearing this, Tang Zihao exclaimed, "What? Master Guo is coming too? Mother, is that true? Why did Father invite Master Guo? He knows he's the one I fear most..."

"Look at what you're saying, child. Master Guo coming is a sign of respect to us. That's enough, go find your father!" With that, she left with Tang Xin.

At noon, guests arrived one after another at the Prime Minister's mansion. The banquet tables in the front courtyard filled up as the guests took their seats. Maidservants moved back and forth pouring wine, and the sounds of chatter and laughter rose periodically.

"Hahaha, I truly wonder what kind of little girl could catch Brother Tang's eye to be adopted as his daughter. What a great blessing!"

"Indeed, in my opinion, Brother Tang gaining a daughter is a joyous occasion worth celebrating!"

Tang Zhengyu smiled and said, "Haha, this is a daughter sent to me by the heavens. She is clever and adorable; you will all see for yourselves in a moment."

Outside the mansion gates, a black-clad figure and a white-clad figure met. They exchanged a glance, and Di Shangmo smiled, "I didn't expect to run into the Third Prince here today. Please, Your Highness, after you." He gestured for him to enter first.

Mu Chenfeng swept a cold, indifferent gaze over him with his phoenix eyes before stepping inside. The steward in charge of receiving guests saw them and immediately announced in a loud voice, "The Third Prince and Young Master Di have arrived!"

The people inside all stood up, their eyes lighting up as they saw the two enter.

Both were exceptionally handsome—one gentle and elegant, the other cold and resolute. It was rumored that the Young Master of the World's First Manor had already reached the seventh rank of martial artist, possessing a strength of one hundred jin. At only twelve years old, such a rank was considered a genius among geniuses.

As for the Third Prince, Mu Chenfeng, he was only thirteen and the only prince among many to be granted a title and his own residence. People only knew he was brilliant, but his strength hadn't been tested in recent years, so no one knew his current level of cultivation.

"It is a great surprise and honor for Tang that the Third Prince and Young Master Di could accept my invitation. Please, take your seats." Tang Zhengyu was overjoyed to see them arrive together.

Di Shangmo smiled gently and said, "My father heard that Prime Minister Tang has gained a daughter today, so he sent me to represent him and offer a small gift as a token of his well-wishes." He waved his hand, signaling his attendant to present the gift.

"Master Di is truly thoughtful. Please thank him on my behalf, Young Master Di." He accepted the gift, handed it to a servant to be placed aside, and led them toward the seats of honor.

After Mu Chenfeng sat down, he also waved his hand and said, "Prime Minister Tang, this is a small token from me."

A guard in black stepped forward, presenting a gift with both hands. Tang Zhengyu thanked him with a smile. Just then, the steward's voice rang out from outside again.

"Master Guo has arrived!"

"Ah? Master Guo is actually here? Prime Minister Tang has such great influence to be able to invite Master Guo to attend."

"Indeed! Master Guo never attends ordinary banquets. I didn't expect him to come today. The Prime Minister's influence is truly immense!"

Hearing the whispers, the Right Prime Minister, Duan Guanhua, darkened his face. He let out a secret huff and drank his wine in silence.

"Master Guo, please, come in, come in." The Prime Minister stepped forward, beaming, and invited him to take a seat of honor.

Master Guo smiled and looked around. Seeing the Third Prince, he chuckled, "Chenfeng is here too!"

"Master." Mu Chenfeng stood up and bowed to him.

"Good, good, good. Everyone sit, sit." He smiled, his eyes crinkling, and turned to the Prime Minister: "Haha, Brother Tang, your invitation said you were introducing your newly adopted daughter to us all. I was curious—what kind of little girl could catch your eye? So I came to take a look. By the way, where is the child? Bring her out so we can all have a look!"