Chapter 1 A Slap in the Face

'Bang!'

A loud crash echoed from the main room.

The guards standing watch outside the door were startled. Just as they were about to go in and investigate, the door was suddenly pushed open from the inside, and a snow-white figure floated out.

"Hmph, Jiang Chen, you rogue, you still want to take advantage of me? With your skills, maybe in your next life!"

Leaping like a butterfly to the center of the courtyard, Yang Muxi smiled mischievously, mocking Jiang Chen, who was hopping mad in the main room.

This lecherous fellow, not only did he temporarily assign her a task, but he also wanted to take the opportunity to take advantage of her. What a beautiful dream, he deserved to be kicked!

Looking at Jiang Chen in front of her, who was trying to suppress the pain and pretending to be nonchalant as he walked over, Yang Muxi's anger completely dissipated.

With a smile in her eyes, she said, "Where's Jiang Mu? Call him over."

"Time waits for no one. Let's skip those formalities. I'm going to take him away now."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen glanced at her helplessly, not bothering to argue about her earlier offense, and said good-naturedly, "He's right outside the door. Let's go, we'll go together."

Yang Muxi raised her eyebrows. "This guy has quite the attitude, not even waiting inside, making you, the emperor, personally pick him up?"

"Making me lower myself?"

"He doesn't have the qualifications… never mind, you'll understand when you see him. But first, you promised to take this kid, you can't go back on your word!"

At this point, Jiang Chen's expression became strange, his eyes showing contempt mixed with frustration and a reluctance to look directly, as if Jiang Mu outside was making him lose face.

Yang Muxi couldn't help but wonder, "Jiang Chen is a liar with a thick skin. For him to show such an expression, this Jiang Mu must be even more shameless than him, right?"

As she pondered, the two had already walked side by side to the main gate.

The originally empty street was completely blocked by a plain carriage, tall enough for two people, and the narrow space left around it was occupied by guards dressed as servants.

The tight security was so strict that even a mosquito couldn't fly in.

Yang Muxi frowned. "Jiang Chen, what are you doing?"

"There are other residents in the alley. You're blocking it so tightly, how are they supposed to get out?"

Jiang Chen coughed a few times, embarrassed. He knew this was inconsiderate, but the situation was special. For the sake of the imperial family and Duke Dingguo's reputation, he could only inconvenience the neighbors for now.

"Well, Muxi, I have no choice. You'll understand when you see it."

As he spoke, Jiang Chen raised his hand forward, and the guards blocking the carriage immediately stepped aside, revealing Jiang Mu, who was hugging the wheel in the very center.

He was disheveled, his sleeves rolled up, disregarding the dirt as he circled the carriage wheel with his arms, a look of grim determination on his face, completely lacking the demeanor of a noble young master.

He even threatened, "I'm warning you, don't come any closer! This county prince would rather die than take a step into this courtyard!"

"You guys are up to no good, saying you've invited a teacher to instruct me, but it's all lies!"

"You just want to harm me, and I will never let you succeed!"

As he spoke, he glared around fiercely, looking like a commoner trying to avoid a conspiracy, which, combined with his act of hugging the wheel, was utterly ridiculous.

The surrounding guards lowered their heads, averting their gaze, afraid of accidentally laughing and being accused of disrespecting the imperial family.

At the main gate, Yang Muxi watched the farcical scene unfolding before her, veins popping on her forehead.

She took a deep breath and questioned, "Jiang Chen, the person you want me to take in, it wouldn't happen to be this guy, would it?"

"Don't say anything yet. Think carefully about your answer, or my sword won't be so merciful!"

Jiang Chen's mouth twitched, and he rubbed his forehead. "Muxi, didn't we discuss this earlier? You can't go back on your word."

"Besides, although this kid is a bit of a good-for-nothing, he's still quite obedient. These little problems can be corrected with a little discipline… For the sake of Duke Dingguo and me, please put in a little effort and turn this rotten wood into something useful."

Hearing this, Yang Muxi glared at him fiercely. "You make it sound so easy. Instead of having me train this waste into something useful, you might as well send me another hundred Imperial City Guards reserves!"

"At least those guys wouldn't be hugging wheels and wailing, embarrassing me!"

Jiang Chen was also very embarrassed at this moment. Seeing Yang Muxi's disdain, he didn't dare to persuade her further, so he turned to Jiang Mu beside the carriage and said sternly, "Get up!"

"A grown man, crying and sniveling, what kind of behavior is that? You've completely disgraced the imperial family!"

Jiang Mu trembled at the scolding, looked up at Jiang Chen, and pleaded, "Your Majesty, I can't afford the teacher you found for me!"

"This woman named Yang Muxi is ruthless. She has crippled many aristocratic sons, and some have even been turned into eunuchs… If you hand me over to her, wouldn't that be throwing a lamb to the wolves?"

"If she, if she also turns me into a eunuch, I might as well just die!"

Jiang Chen hadn't expected this. If it were true, then Jiang Mu's behavior would not be completely unreasonable.

However, turning people into eunuchs, this girl's methods were truly ruthless!

As if sensing Jiang Chen's subtle gaze, Yang Muxi snorted coldly, "Rapists who violate women and then beat them afterwards, aren't they supposed to be punished severely?"

"If judged according to the laws of Great Wei, they wouldn't even be able to keep their dog lives. In comparison, I've only crippled their lower bodies, which is already very merciful!"

As she spoke, Yang Muxi strode toward the carriage and looked down at Jiang Mu. "Since you've heard of my reputation, then be honest and obedient, and don't provoke me."

"Just now, Jiang Chen, this bastard, has officially handed you over to me, which means that from today onwards, you will be under my command!"

"If you don't want to be beaten to death, then get rid of those petty thoughts and be an honest person!"

Looking down at the shocked Jiang Mu, Yang Muxi said coldly, "Now, let go of the wheel and stand up."

"Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences!"

Jiang Mu trembled at the cold look in her eyes and looked to Jiang Chen for help. "Your, Your Majesty, aren't you going to control this woman? Didn't you promise my grandfather that you would take good care of me?!"

"This woman is so arrogant in front of you, what will happen to me when you leave?"

Before he could finish speaking, a white streak suddenly lashed out like a dragon, striking Jiang Mu's face hard, sending him flying three feet away into the corner of the alley.

"I said, be honest and obedient."

"This palm is just a warning. If you do it again, the punishment won't be so light."

Looking at Jiang Mu, who was half-paralyzed on the ground, covered in sweat from the pain, Yang Muxi warned with a stern expression.

"Jiang Mu, I'll remind you one last time, the background and power you're so proud of mean nothing to me!"

"In my eyes, you spoiled young masters are nothing more than bloodsuckers clinging to others, useless except for causing trouble everywhere."

"So, get rid of your ridiculous sense of superiority, or you'll only get beaten more in the future!"