Call Me Daddy

“Young Master!”

The remaining dozens of guards were more or less injured, but they still stubbornly held on, vigilantly watching their surroundings.

Tang Shengzong’s true identity was the seventh son of the Emperor. Over the years, the old Emperor’s health had deteriorated rapidly. Perhaps sensing his body’s swift decline, Emperor Shangqing, who had once been considered a competent ruler, had become increasingly autocratic and unyielding, unable to tolerate any dissenting opinions. He favored sycophants, leading to a dark and corrupt political environment.

Tang Shengzong wasn’t particularly prominent among the princes. Ahead of him was the eldest concubine born son, Prince Nan, Tang Shengjue; the legitimate eldest son born of the Empress, Tang Shengxi, who was appointed Crown Prince at birth; and the Ninth Prince, Tang Shengsi, born of the most favored imperial consort.

These three were the strongest contenders for the throne.

However, in the past 2 years, the Crown Prince’s health had deteriorated significantly. Moreover, not long ago, the Crown Prince’s only imperial son had died of illness, leaving him without an heir, which was also a significant taboo. During that period, many who originally belonged to the Crown Prince’s faction had been drawn to the factions of the Eldest Prince and the Ninth Prince.

Apart from these three princes, Emperor Shangqing had seven other grown sons. The Seventh Prince, Tang Shengzong, was born of Lady Shuyi, who came from an unremarkable family. The Seventh Prince’s wife was merely the daughter of a third-rank official. While there were some useful elders in his clan, those people might not necessarily support him.

Even so, a prince was still a prince. If the Seventh Prince was assassinated outside, all of his guards would be executed to atone for his death, and even their families could be implicated.

The guards who served the princes weren’t ordinary people. Looking at their own injuries and then at the sturdy fool carrying a half-mutilated boar bristling with blades, completely unscathed, they couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

They had always prided themselves on their skills, but without this suddenly appearing fool, their survival would have been in question.

“This place is not safe for long. Young Master; we should leave quickly!”

One of them, clutching his arm wound, whispered in the Seventh Prince’s ear.

Who knew if those attackers would gather more men? If the enemy force was too large, even this seemingly invincible brute might not be able to hold them off.

Tang Shengzong clearly understood this reasoning as well.

“Brother, I’m a distant relative of the County Magistrate of Fengyang. Thank you for saving us from those bandits. How about this, come with us to the city, and I’ll reward you handsomely.”

He looked at Su Aobai, who was putting the boar back on the cart. Having this person accompany them would ensure greater safety.

The County Magistrate of Fengyang was a close relative of one of Tang Shengzong’s favored concubines, even within five degrees of kinship, making them somewhat related.

“No need to thank me. Since you’re a relative of the Magistrate, could you please inform him later that there are bandits here? Ask the Magistrate to send people to eliminate them. Otherwise, it’s not safe for us country folks, we can’t even sleep soundly.”

Su Aobai patted his chest, still feeling lingering fear as he spoke.

Others thought: …It should be those clueless assassins who feel unsafe after facing you.

“As for me, it’s convenient since I’m heading to the county to sell this half boar,” Su Aobai said heartily. “Those of you who are seriously injured, get on the cart. I’ll push you over. Don’t be shy; I’m very strong.”

Some of those seriously injured wouldn’t survive the journey back on foot. Most of these people came from official families and had connections.

The guards wanted Tang Shengzong to sit on the cart, but he refused.

“Let the seriously injured guards sit on the cart. I’m fine.”

Tang Shengzong had developed his own power despite his weak maternal and marital family backgrounds. Naturally, he had his unique ways of dealing with people. For instance, by giving the cart to the seriously injured guards and walking himself, he earned the gratitude of the guards, who were raised with feudal values, making them feel they had chosen a kind and benevolent master.

***

In the end, a few seriously injured guards sat on the cart, the half boar pushed to a corner. The lightly injured guards carried the bodies of their fallen comrades.

Of course, before leaving, they thoroughly checked the assassins’ bodies.

There were no items or marks to identify them. These assassins were death soldiers; some hadn’t died from their wounds but had bitten into poison hidden in their molars after being abandoned by their companions.

But who would go to such great lengths to send people a thousand miles from the capital to Fengyang County to kill him?

It could only be his brothers.

On the way to the county, Tang Shengzong kept probing, trying to learn Su Aobai’s background. Su Aobai was very cooperative, answering every question with an innocent, simple-minded demeanor.

A deeply calculating prince like Tang Shengzong wouldn’t believe everything Su Aobai said and would certainly investigate him later.

No one in the imperial family wasn’t deeply suspicious. Perhaps, he even thought Su Aobai’s sudden appearance was a deliberate arrangement by another faction.

Fortunately, Su Youniu’s identity and background were entirely innocent. No matter who Tang Shengzong sent to investigate, they would find no issues.

The group, mostly injured and carrying several corpses, was stopped by gate guards before entering the city. One of Tang Shengzong’s guards handed a token to the gate captain. Shortly after, the County Magistrate, accompanied by his subordinates, hurriedly ran to the city gate, only to be stopped by Tang Shengzong before they could salute.

At the city gate, with so many people around, many were watching. Tang Shengzong didn’t want to reveal his identity as a prince.

Tang Shengzong was far from idle. He had to contact his other associates and investigate the whereabouts of the missing assassins. Therefore, once they arrived at the County Magistrate’s residence, the group separated from Su Aobai.

The County Magistrate, seemingly following instructions, summoned his steward and bought the half-dismembered boar from Su Aobai. In addition, he gave Su Aobai a banknote for 500 taels of silver.

Compared to the prince’s life, this sum of money was nothing, but for an ordinary farmer, it was enough to last a lifetime if saved. Receiving more could even be a disaster for him.

Besides, having saved a prince, it was expected that there would be additional benefits.

The County Magistrate inquired a few things from Tang Shengzong’s guards and learned some information that he was qualified to know. It was said that the farmer had helped them a lot, and the Seventh Prince intended to promote him.

The County Magistrate was polite when dealing with Su Aobai, and who knew how the Seventh Prince would promote him? Being noticed by such a high-ranking person, even if he was just a farmer now, it was possible he might become an official in the future.

Su Aobai showed no interest in probing Tang Shengzong or currying favor with the County Magistrate. He happily accepted the 500 taels of silver and left the Magistrate’s residence, pushing his blood-stained cart.

The guard left behind to observe his behavior was both amused and bewildered. He wondered whether to commend Su Aobai for knowing when to stop or be frustrated by his apparent lack of curiosity about the significant person he had saved, being content with just 500 taels of silver.

However, he knew that his master would likely be pleased with Su Aobai’s contentment.

Knowing how to be satisfied was a virtue that many people lacked.

***

With silver in hand, Su Aobai naturally spent it more lavishly.

He first went to a pastry shop in the county town and bought a pile of pastries and candied fruits. He then visited a shop selling cosmetics for women, purchasing face creams, body lotions, hair ribbons, silk flowers, and young girls’ clothing and fabric.

He bought a large quantity of anything that a young girl might need. He also made sure to buy all the candied hawthorns from an elderly vendor, including the large staff they were displayed on.

The silver was truly valuable. Despite buying so many things, he only spent a little over 8 taels.

In addition to these purchases, he bought several bottles of wine, as he planned to host a feast in the evening.

When he returned to the village in the late afternoon, the aroma of pork stew wafted from his home. The village chief’s wife had made thorough preparations, borrowing tables, chairs, and utensils. The courtyard couldn’t accommodate all of them, so additional tables were set up in the empty space by the door, ready for the feast.