30: Chapter 30 The Princess of the Former Dynasty Has Arrived!
Zhao Zilong looked at Li Kai and said, "Li Kai, do you know that you have made a grave mistake?"
"What mistake?"
Li Kai asked with a huff.
Zhao Zilong said, "You did not ask Shopkeeper Lin what the cultivation level of the Princess of the Former Dynasty was."
"Does the Banner Master not know?"
Li Kai continued to huff, while involuntarily looking at the three men: Zhang Da, Zhou Jie, and Wu Chuan.
The meaning was clear: Look, Zhao Zilong really does not know.
He had not wronged Zhao Zilong; Zhao Zilong simply wanted to claim all the credit for himself.
Zhao Zilong noticed that Li Kai's attitude toward him had changed, seeming dissatisfied. He did not know the reason, but he did not pay much attention to it either. He said, "The strength of that Princess of the Former Dynasty is formidable. The night before last, she snuck into my home, and I did not even notice. Moreover, when she left, she was like a ghost. I estimate that this woman is at least a Fifth-Rank Martial Artist, perhaps a Sixth-Rank Martial Artist, or even higher."
"Look, see this? This is the wound that woman left on my neck."
Zhao Zilong lifted his neck, where there was a scar.
"Li Kai, I am not targeting you intentionally. I am reminding you that in the future, when interrogating people from the former dynasty, you must clearly ask about their cultivation and strength. Otherwise, something major could happen."
Zhao Zilong looked solemn.
"The Banner Master is right to reprimand me; I will remember this."
Hearing Zhao Zilong's words, Li Kai's expression shifted. So, Zhao Zilong really did know about the Princess of the Former Dynasty's cultivation. Although he was not entirely certain, Zhao Zilong knew she was a powerhouse and that they could not deal with her. That was why he warned them not to act—he was protecting them.
He had truly misunderstood Zhao Zilong.
Zhang Da, Zhou Jie, and Wu Chuan could not help but lower their heads, filled with shame.
After confirming the strength of the Princess of the Former Dynasty with Lin An, Zhao Zilong left again.
He headed toward the Princesss Residence.
"Li Kai, calling you a piece of work was spot on. The Banner Master really did know the woman's strength; he was truly worried about us, which is why he did not let us act, not because he wanted to take the credit for himself."
Zhang Da huffed coldly; the more he looked at Li Kai, the more irritated he became.
"Li Kai, listen well. Whatever you want to do in the future, do it yourself. Do not drag me into it. Although you saved me once, that favor has long been repaid. My brotherly bond with you is at an end. From now on, you are you, and I am me. Also, if you dare to step near my door again, I will break your dog legs. Hmph."
With one final huff, Zhang Da left in a rage.
Zhou Jie said, "Li Kai, use your brain when you speak and act in the future. Do not bite people like a mad dog. Even though we can be bastards at times, we still need to distinguish between good and bad, and certainly do not go around wrongly accusing people who actually care about us. It is not right."
Having said that, Zhou Jie also left.
Li Kai looked at Wu Chuan, and Wu Chuan felt somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze.
He said, "Li Kai, what are you looking at me for? I did not say anything."
Li Kai said, "Do you not intend to say anything?"
"If I say something, can you guarantee you will not start a fight?"
"Get lost!"
Wu Chuan was afraid of Li Kai, so after being scolded, he hurriedly left.
"Have I, Li Kai, been ostracized?"
Li Kai suddenly felt a sense of sadness.
In the past, he had a group of brothers who all revolved around him.
Although Cao Yun was the Banner Master back then, the brothers all looked to him for direction, but now, everyone had actually started to despise him.
Especially Zhang Da, who used to be his good brother; now he was full of anger toward him.
"Could it really be that I was wrong?" Li Kai muttered to himself.
"Zhang Da, I did indeed do something to wrong you. That day, I lost control and wanted to do something to your wife, but I only kissed her a few times. In the end, your wife kicked me in the crotch, and I left."
However, Li Kai also knew that since he had done such a thing, explaining would be useless.
"Zhao Zilong, is your heart truly that generous? Have you really let go of past grudges?"
Li Kai kept muttering.
---
By the time Zhao Zilong arrived at the Princesss Residence, the sky had grown slightly dark.
Because winter was approaching, the days were short.
Entering the Princesss Residence and arriving at the dining hall, the four of them—Princess Zhu Yunxi, Cai Wenjing, Caiwei, and Zhao Xiaotian—were busy, having already prepared everything that was needed.
The pot was already set up, surrounded by beef, mutton, and washed vegetables.
"Zhao Zilong, is the matter handled?"
Seeing Zhao Zilong enter, Cai Wenjing asked very casually, as if they were friends.
"Mr. Zhao, sit down quickly; it will be ready to eat in a moment."
Princess Zhu Yunxi did not put on any airs of a princess and said very amiably.
Caiwei said with a smile on her face, "Mr. Zhao, I heard from little brother Xiaotian that you invented this hotpot and that the taste is exceptionally good. I must have a good taste of it in a moment to see if Xiaotian was bragging for you."
Zhao Zilong smiled faintly and said, "Just do not eat until you are stuffed."
Zhao Xiaotian said, "Sister Caiwei, it is so fragrant, really. I would not lie to you."
Zhao Zilong sat down, and Cai Wenjing asked, "How is the situation?"
Zhao Zilong said, "Very smoothly. Today, I caught two people from the former dynasty, and both have already confessed."
Zhao Zilong recounted the matter, and Cai Wenjing looked surprised. She had not expected Zhao Zilong to have caught two people from the former dynasty; the speed was truly fast.
It was almost catching up to their Director.
Princess Zhu Yunxi and Caiwei were as well.
Zhao Xiaotian was putting meat and vegetables into the pot, looking as if it had nothing to do with him, but there was a subtle smile at the corner of his mouth, happy for Zhao Zilong.
...
"I did not expect the Princess of the Former Dynasty to be so beautiful. Zhao Zilong, your painting skills are quite something."
Looking at the woman in the portrait, Cai Wenjing was very surprised.
It was lifelike, as if the real person had come to life.
After looking at it, she handed it to Princess Zhu Yunxi. When Princess Zhu Yunxi saw the portrait, she was also stunned by Zhao Zilong's painting skills.
"I did not expect Mr. Zhao to not only understand military strategy and poetry but also have such extraordinary painting skills. Yunxi is full of admiration."
A strange light flashed in Princess Zhu Yunxi's eyes. A thought suddenly popped into her head: she wanted to ask Zhao Zilong to paint a portrait of her.
"Mr. Zhao's painting skills are indeed impressive. However, I must say that this Princess of the Former Dynasty is really quite beautiful; she is comparable to my Princess and Miss Wenjing."
Caiwei was also surprised as she looked at the portrait.
Being praised by the three women, Zhao Zilong felt a bit embarrassed and smiled humbly.
Cai Wenjing asked, "Zhao Zilong, have you sent people to start searching for this Princess of the Former Dynasty?"
Zhao Zilong said, "The opponent is a Sixth-Rank Martial Artist. If the few men under my command go to look for her, I fear it will not be enough for her to kill."
"You want me to help?" Cai Wenjing smiled faintly.
Zhao Zilong said, "In our Qingyang County Fuzheng Division, only you, Deputy Director Cai, can deal with this Princess of the Former Dynasty."
Cai Wenjing said, "I can take action, but how to find her still depends on you."
Zhao Zilong said, "I will figure out a way, but I am afraid it will take some time."
Cai Wenjing said, "Now that we know what she looks like, it is much easier to handle. Besides, did you not say that she will not leave until she completes her mission? It is she who is anxious now, not us. We can just wait slowly."
Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "Mr. Zhao, I will be staying in Qingyang County for some time and will not be leaving. Will this be helpful for you to catch that Princess of the Former Dynasty?"
Zhao Zilong nodded, then hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping.
Princess Zhu Yunxi asked, "Does Mr. Zhao have something to say?"
Zhao Zilong said, "Princess, your subject dares to ask you one thing: if I have a need here, and I require you to leave the Princesss Residence, would you be willing to cooperate?"
Zhao Zilong was now a Junior Banner Master, Ninth-Rank, so he could refer to himself as "your subject."
Cai Wenjing frowned slightly.
Caiwei was also somewhat displeased.
Knowing that an assassin was watching, to leave the residence now, was this not putting the Princess in danger?
Unexpectedly, Princess Zhu Yunxi said with a serious expression, "As long as Mr. Zhao makes proper arrangements, Yunxi will naturally cooperate."
"Your subject thanks you, Princess."
Zhao Zilong had not expected Princess Zhu Yunxi to agree.
The meat in the hotpot was cooked, and everyone started using their chopsticks. They all ate with great relish, and laughter continued.
Moreover, they all drank some wine.
Zhao Xiaotian even drank too much and ended up staying overnight at the Princesss Residence.
Zhao Zilong and Cai Wenjing returned to Zhao Zilong's home.
"Deputy Director Cai, actually, you do not need to come over to protect me. I will not be in any danger."
Zhao Zilong had drunk quite a bit, but he was not drunk; he was still quite sober.
After all, before delivering food, he had been a sales manager. His tolerance for alcohol was very good.
However, because of one drinking session, he could not stand a customer's terrible attitude toward a waitress, so he stood up and said a few words. This caused the customer to be dissatisfied and complain about him, leading to him being fired, which was why he started delivering food.
He had not expected that after transmigrating, his alcohol tolerance would still be maintained.
Cai Wenjing was very happy today, so she drank quite a bit.
She had not expected Zhao Zilong's performance today to exceed her expectations.
In this way, Zhao Zilong could be considered to have established a firm footing in the Fuzheng Division.
Moreover, having achieved merits, it would be easier for her to find opportunities to promote Zhao Zilong in the future.
This way, her team in the Fuzheng Division would grow stronger.
"Zhao Zilong, can we be considered friends?"
Cai Wenjing's face was flushed red, looking intoxicated. She was swaying slightly as she walked, and Zhao Zilong had to steady her from time to time.
Zhao Zilong said, "If Deputy Director Cai does not think that I am climbing above my station, then we are naturally friends."
"That is good. In the future, in private, you do not need to call me Deputy Director."
"Then what should I call you?"
"Just call me Wenjing."
Zhao Zilong was stunned, but then he smiled faintly: "Alright, in the future, in private, I will call you Wenjing. You do not need to call me Zhao Zilong in private anymore either."
"What should I call you?"
Cai Wenjing looked at Zhao Zilong with somewhat blurry eyes.
Zhao Zilong said, "Call me Fourth Brother."
"Alright, in private, I will call you Fourth Brother from now on."
Zhao Zilong had intended to take advantage of Cai Wenjing being drunk to tease her, but he had not expected her to actually agree, which he found somewhat amusing.
He said, "Then call me Fourth Brother and let me hear it."
"Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother..."
"Hahaha..."
Zhao Zilong laughed triumphantly and happily, supporting Cai Wenjing as they walked home.
Arriving home, he helped Cai Wenjing onto the bed, and she fell asleep as soon as she lay down. After covering Cai Wenjing with the quilt, Zhao Zilong went to Zhao Xiaotian's room.
As a result, just as he reached the doorway of the room, Zhao Zilong froze.
He saw someone sitting on Zhao Xiaotian's bed.
To be precise, it was a woman wearing a black night-traveling outfit, with a black cloth covering her face.
Her eyes were cold and sharp, yet extremely clear.
Moreover, these eyes were so familiar.
It was actually the Princess of the Former Dynasty!
In an instant, a chill ran down Zhao Zilong's spine, and all his drunkenness vanished.