So what if I struck a prince?

Although Zhang Ling had never met his parents, he knew of their deeds. He felt no resentment for their neglect, as they were figures worthy of respect throughout the entire State of Chen. Any child would find such humiliating slander unbearable.

Chen Zuliang, whining in pain, still managed to retort, "Pah! If you dare to lay a hand on me again, I will have your whole family killed."

Zhang Ling released his grip and proceeded to give Chen Zuliang a thorough thrashing, finishing by stepping on his head and shouting once more, "Apologize!"

Bruised and battered, Chen Zuliang slurred, "Imperial Sister, save me!"

Princess Peijin pleaded, "Young master, it is true that Zuliang’s words were disrespectful first. Since you have already taught him a lesson, I beg you to spare him. I will explain everything to my father the King later; you shall not be held to account."

Zhang Ling glanced at Chen Yueying, who had nearly become his match, and said with disdain, "You say stop, so I stop? Do I have no face to maintain? If he does not kowtow and apologize today, I will cripple him, no matter what anyone says."

Seeing that her persuasion was futile, Princess Peijin turned to Chen Zuliang and said, "Zuliang, no matter what, you should not have insulted a man’s elders. Apologize at once."

Chen Zuliang whined, "Imperial Sister, why are you siding with an outsider? He is just a commoner; what are you afraid of?"

Princess Peijin shook her head and sighed, lamenting that while her second brother was refined and learned, and her eldest brother was a warrior skilled in strategy, she was cursed with such a foolish younger brother.

Princess Peijin had realized from Zhang Ling’s earlier remarks that his identity was not simple; he spoke of princes with ease and showed no fear of the Emperor. Quick-witted as she was, she immediately deduced the truth and asked, "Are you a disciple of the Chengdao Academy?"

Zhang Ling was slightly surprised. Beating a prince was troublesome, and in such situations, he always denied everything. "Princess Peijin, why would you say that? I am merely a petty thief who broke into the palace. I am certainly not worthy of being an academy disciple."

Her suspicion only deepened at his denial. She looked down at Chen Zuliang and smiled with her beautiful eyes, "Zuliang, you heard him. This young master is a trespasser in the palace. If discovered, it is a grave crime. Since he dared to come here alone, he clearly fears not even my father, so why would he listen to me? You had best bow your head and apologize."

Zhang Ling saw the indifferent expression on Princess Peijin’s face and let out a knowing smile. He looked down at Chen Zuliang and threatened, "This is tricky. Now that you know I’ve broken into the palace, if I let you go to report me, I’ll be finished. No, it seems I must silence you to be safe."

Zhang Ling reached out a hand, and Chen Zuliang, terrified, hurriedly kowtowed and apologized.

Never having suffered such humiliation or threats, Chen Zuliang was reduced to tears by Zhang Ling’s gestures.

Zhang Ling gave him two more kicks before drawing back his foot. He leaned over to help Chen Zuliang up, wearing a mocking grin. As soon as Chen Zuliang looked up, he scrambled away in terror until he was two zhang away, his body tense. He cautiously walked over to pull his sister away, a sight that made Princess Peijin chuckle. Confused, Chen Zuliang asked, "Imperial Sister, what are you laughing at?"

Princess Peijin restrained her laughter and said to the young man, "I see you have remarkable skills. Why not serve as my bodyguard? That way, you wouldn’t have to run anymore. What do you think?"

Zhang Ling replied expressionlessly, "No interest. If you have nothing else, I’ll be going."

As Zhang Ling turned to leave, Princess Peijin called out, "Wait, young master! May I ask your name?"

Zhang Ling chuckled, "Do you take me for a fool? If I leave my name for you to investigate, I’ll be dragged into a legal mess."

Zhang Ling turned to walk away, but in that fleeting moment, he caught a glimpse of someone he recognized in the vast palace: Zhao Weizhong, the Grand Eunuch of the Inner Court.

Seeing the old eunuch, Chen Zuliang was overjoyed and, emboldened by the authority of others, blustered, "Eunuch Zhao! This man has broken into the palace—seize him!"

Zhang Ling turned back and glared at him fiercely, but with the "tiger" now present, Chen Zuliang took a step forward, emboldened. Zhang Ling looked helplessly at the old eunuch, silently mouthing words. Whether Zhao Weizhong understood was unclear, but he bypassed Zhang Ling, walked toward the princess, and bowed, "This old servant pays respects to the Third Princess."

Princess Peijin whispered, "Eunuch, there is no need for such formalities."

Chen Zuliang hurriedly urged Zhao Weizhong to attack Zhang Ling, but instead, the old eunuch slapped him across his already miserable face. Zhao Weizhong scolded, "The Crown Prince has already begun the court session, yet you are still wandering here. You deserve the blow."

Clutching his face, Chen Zuliang stammered, "Zhao Weizhong, you..."

Zhao Weizhong spoke slowly, "It is the Emperor’s will that you go to the Jin'an Hall immediately."

Chen Zuliang dared not delay; he tidied his attire and ran off.

Zhao Weizhong walked to Zhang Ling’s side and said, "Follow me."

Zhang Ling followed the old eunuch without a word. When no one was looking, he peeled off his prosthetic mask and tucked it away, fawning, "Eunuch Zhao, I must trouble you with this."

Looking at the young man’s true face, Zhao Weizhong smiled, "It is no matter. He is merely a useless prince; I can handle it."

Zhang Ling pulled a fifty-tael silver note from his sleeve and handed it over with a grin, "Thank you, Eunuch."

Though Zhao Weizhong cared little for such a small sum, he accepted it with a nod and warned, "Although the Emperor grants the Academy special privileges, I must remind you, young master: while the Emperor may not mind if you are informal in private, in the court, you would do well to kneel when required."

Zhang Ling laughed, "I understand. Kneeling won’t cost me a fortune, after all."

As they neared Jin'an Hall, the old eunuch stopped talking. Officials were arranged by civil and military rank, extending outward from the hall. Only those of the fourth rank and above were permitted inside the court. Others stood closer or further based on their rank, while the minor officials stood wherever they could manage. Some, accustomed to being far from the hall, habitually arrived late to rest a bit longer. When bringing special guests to court, Zhao Weizhong always spotted these slackers at the very back of the line. They would lower their heads in shame, fearing the eunuch would report them and cost them their meager positions. Yet, they remained incorrigible, and Zhao Weizhong, finding them insignificant, could not be bothered to care.

As they moved toward the interior of Jin'an Hall, the officials' robes became more exquisite, and the tablets they held in their hands changed from bamboo to ivory or white jade. Just past the Imperial Way, where the two types of tablets met, Zhang Ling caught sight of Ren Pingsheng standing at the foot of the stairs. Their eyes met for a fleeting second before they passed each other.