Zheng Wei walked up to Shen Xiaoyan with a bright smile.
Over the past few years, with the combined efforts of various parties, Zheng Wei's appearance had matured day by day.
He was no longer just a handsome man with a gentle demeanor. Tempered by time, his presence now exuded a sense of steady gravitas.
Under this aura, Zheng Wei appeared even more captivating.
Those watching the spectacle as he interacted with Shen Xiaoyan began to whisper amongst themselves.
It was as if they had never seen anyone like him appear in the Imperial Capital, nor had they ever heard of such a person.
However, someone with such a commanding presence could not possibly be an ordinary, unknown individual.
For a time, everyone was intensely curious about Zheng Wei's identity.
What was even more significant was that he had just addressed the woman in red as "Madam."
Judging by their appearances and temperaments, the two were a perfect match.
Such a pair of paragons truly shouldn't be unknown or unguessable!
Especially considering that Zheng Wei had just soundly beaten the legitimate son of Prince Duan.
Prince Duan sat by, watching his legitimate son being beaten, yet he uttered not a single word.
This further fueled the curiosity of the onlookers.
And then there were the people beside Zheng Wei, each one a handsome man or beautiful woman.
Such an entourage, coupled with Prince Duan's attitude, inevitably led people to suspect that they might be descendants of some reclusive family.
"Excellent, excellent, excellent!"
Just then, Zheng Xiang suddenly stood up, clapping his hands, his face beaming with joy, and his tone filled with admiration. This caused everyone to wonder what was going on.
Some in the crowd secretly thought, "Has Prince Duan been angered to the point of foolishness?"
Everyone's attention shifted to Zheng Xiang. They then saw Zheng Wei walking to Zheng Xiang's side, his face full of comfort as he looked at him.
"Wei'er, you have truly surprised your father. I never imagined that without growing up by my side and lacking my guidance, you would still be so outstanding."
"On the other hand, your less capable younger brother, whom I've spent so much effort nurturing, still can't compare to you. It seems this is a matter of innate talent."
After speaking, Zheng Xiang turned his head and looked with disappointment at Jiang Run, who was still lying on the sparring ground.
When he turned back again, his expression was once more one of comfort. "Indeed, your father is immensely pleased. To have such an excellent son is more than enough for me. When you take over Prince Duan's manor in the future, I will finally be at ease."
As Zheng Xiang spoke one sentence after another, the expressions on the faces of the surrounding onlookers grew more and more exaggerated, until finally, their mouths were open wide enough to fit an egg.
What was happening?
Jiang Run was this man's younger brother?
This meant that he was Zheng Xiang's illegitimate eldest son!
Judging by Zheng Xiang's words just now, he was clearly very pleased with Zheng Wei, even intending to pass on the title of Prince to him in the future.
Then what about Zheng Fan?
Was his legitimate son going to be made a laughingstock?
Indeed, a long time had passed since Zheng Xiang finished speaking, but there was no response from the man.
Everyone present remained silent, and the scene was utterly quiet.
Only after a considerable pause did Shen Xiaoyan speak, "My husband did well, it's just... a little slow!"
Zheng Wei raised an eyebrow. "Slow?"
Didn't she want him to beat up Jiang Run?
Besides, when had he ever shown mercy to an enemy?
"I mean, why didn't you just start fighting as soon as you stepped forward? Why did you delay for so long?" Shen Xiaoyan laughed.
Zheng Wei also chuckled at this. "I needed to warm up a bit!"
"If I don't give him a chance to see how far out of his depth he is, he'll think I'm deliberately bullying him."
Shen Xiaoyan raised an eyebrow: Wasn't that exactly what was happening?
Still, Shen Xiaoyan nodded in agreement, "You're right. We can't bully the younger with the elder's status. Regardless, he was still called 'Big Brother' by his own father a few times."
Shen Xiaoyan's words elicited a ripple of light laughter from the crowd.
To be called 'Big Brother,' and to require his own father's assistance for it.
Furthermore, if what Zheng Xiang said earlier was true, and they were brothers, why would they be fighting?
And in such a place?
Zheng Wei might be new to the Imperial Capital, but Jiang Run couldn't possibly not know.
Shouldn't family matters be resolved behind closed doors?
Such open brawling in full view would only become fodder for gossip.
Zheng Xiang's face instantly turned ashen, as if he had constipation, due to Shen Xiaoyan's words.
At the same time, he couldn't help but wonder, why were Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei targeting him like this?
Even if they didn't believe his words, to have such audacity in the face of a Prince?
Or had Zheng Wei remembered past events and recognized him?
Was everything happening now a deliberate act by Zheng Wei and Shen Xiaoyan to humiliate him?
Thinking this, Zheng Xiang's gaze towards Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei became sharp.
Both Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei noticed the change in Zheng Xiang's gaze. They exchanged a look, a sense of alert rising simultaneously within them.
It seemed they had reached Zheng Xiang's limit.
"My husband, hurry and help Young Master Zheng up. Sparring is sparring, but you were too heavy-handed. Young Master Zheng is pampered and delicate, unlike you, who are tough and sturdy." Shen Xiaoyan said, casting a reproachful glance at Zheng Wei.
After speaking, she turned to Zheng Xiang again, "Prince Duan, please don't blame him. He used to spar with the Grand Tutor's fifth son and others. They were all tough individuals, and he lost all sense of proportion when fighting."
Zheng Xiang's eyes flickered at these words. Did this mean that Zheng Fan was more delicate than the Grand Tutor and the Fifth Prince?
Was she deliberately trying to frame him?
Regardless of his thoughts, Zheng Xiang chuckled, "What are you saying? Although Zheng Fan was raised by my side, he's not a woman, so how could he be spoiled? He can endure this minor injury."
After speaking, Zheng Xiang turned around and looked at the servants who were still standing there frozen. He said sternly, "Why are you all standing around like statues? The young master is tired, don't you know to step forward and help him up? Do you expect this King to do it himself?"
Hearing Zheng Xiang's words, the servants immediately rushed towards Zheng Fan.
When Zheng Fan was helped up by the servants, everyone saw that his face was pale, he was covered in sweat, and he didn't even have the strength to walk on his own.
Seeing this, everyone was somewhat stunned.
Although he had been one-sidedly beaten by Zheng Wei earlier, it was only with a thin branch.
Even if a grown man were whipped, he wouldn't become like this.
For a moment, everyone began to doubt what they had heard before.
They had heard that Zheng Fan was accomplished in both literary and martial arts, and that his martial arts were formidable.
Now, it seemed, he was nothing of the sort.
Sensing the contempt and disdain in the surrounding gazes, Zheng Fan gritted his teeth inwardly.
He had unspeakable grievances but had to maintain a magnanimous facade.
With this in mind, his gaze towards Zheng Wei changed.
However, to avoid being noticed by others, the killing intent in his eyes vanished within a single second.
But no matter how fast the change, it couldn't escape Zheng Wei's eyes.
The corners of his lips curled up slightly, and Zheng Wei revealed a knowing smile.
It seemed this Zheng Fan had come to hate him.
However, he had no regrets about teaching him a lesson just now.
If Zheng Xiang was determined to acknowledge him and obtain what he possessed, he would treat him even better in the future. As this continued, Zheng Fan would eventually resent him.
Since that was the case, and it was inevitable, what was there to be afraid of?
Zheng Xiang also couldn't help but feel curious watching Zheng Fan like this.
Others might not know Zheng Fan's capabilities, but as his father, he did.
Even though he was still young and not yet a master, he certainly wouldn't end up like this after just one beating.
Perhaps Zheng Wei had secretly used some underhanded trick when everyone wasn't looking.
However...
"You all take the young master back first," Zheng Xiang instructed the servants.
After speaking, he looked at Zheng Caiying, who was standing there, "You go back with him and take good care of your brother."
Zheng Caiying stood up and obediently replied, "Yes."