It was detestable that he clearly understood, yet deliberately played along, deliberately trying to embarrass him?
Sima Han saw Zheng Xiang’s face darken and inwardly chuckled, but outwardly he said with utmost seriousness, "If Prince Duan had returned sooner, we wouldn't have had to stand outside the gate for half an hour."
Zheng Xiang looked at Sima Han in surprise. "What is the Fifth Prince talking about? Who would dare make the Fifth Prince and the Grand Tutor wait by the door for half an hour?"
Sima Han sneered and glanced back, "Naturally, it was Prince Duan's good son. Otherwise, would the servants in this mansion dare make such a decision?"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiang's face turned completely cold. Yi Zixie and Sima Han had no reason to lie.
For even if they lied now, after he carefully inquired with the servants and guards about what happened, he would know the truth.
At that time, even if he didn't expose them, it would be an embarrassment to them.
Therefore, hearing Sima Han's words, Zheng Xiang believed him without reservation.
Since that was the case, it was understandable why Zheng Fan was now hanging under the eaves. It was clearly a lesson taught by the three of them, who had grown impatient outside and decided to teach him a lesson upon entering.
As for Lian Qing, he knew what had happened without even thinking about it.
Lian Qing doted on Zheng Fan. Despite being very strict with Zheng Fan over the years, she still cherished him like the apple of her eye.
Seeing Zheng Fan suffer such humiliation, Lian Qing would undoubtedly be unable to restrain herself from making someone deal with the three of them, or worse, might even act herself.
As for the outcome, one could tell from the current situation that it was bound to be a complete defeat.
"Mother Consort, what does Father mean by this?"
Having waited for Zheng Xiang to save him for so long, Zheng Fan could only softly inquire of Lian Qing beside him.
Lian Qing had also heard the conversation between Zheng Xiang and Sima Han and understood why the three of them were treating Zheng Fan this way. She instantly felt a sense of disappointment.
She had painstakingly trained Zheng Fan for 20 years, yet it was all for naught?
Even for such a trivial matter, Zheng Fan could fall into a trap and end up being dealt with.
If he were to enter the court in the future, and in matters of state, then what would happen...
Could it be that Zheng Fan was truly unsuitable to inherit that position?
For the first time, Lian Qing doubted something she had firmly believed in.
Because of this internal questioning, Lian Qing didn't clearly hear what Zheng Fan had said and naturally didn't reply.
Zheng Fan waited for a long time and, not receiving a response from Lian Qing, felt a pang of disappointment.
Did this mean that even his Mother Consort was unwilling to bother with him?
Or perhaps, like his Father, his Mother Consort also felt that Zheng Wei was the one who should inherit his Father's position?
Upon thinking this, Zheng Fan's face became extremely sinister, and his gaze towards Zheng Wei was even more fierce.
Zheng Wei, as long as he, Zheng Fan, was around, he would absolutely not let you have an easy time.
Zheng Fan was staring intently at Zheng Wei, secretly vowing in his heart. But who would have thought that Zheng Wei, who had been sitting with his head bowed until now, suddenly looked up and stared blankly into Zheng Fan's eyes.
Zheng Fan was startled by this sudden change and instinctively let out a cry. After crying out, he realized how embarrassing it was.
Indeed, when he cautiously looked towards Zheng Xiang again, he saw Zheng Xiang frowning and looking at him with some disgust.
Seeing this, Zheng Fan felt an immense sorrow.
It seemed that his Father truly disdained him. Didn't he see how cold and stern his Father's gaze had become?
"Prince Duan, you have seen it all. In front of you, the eldest young master treats us all like this. When you are not here, hehe..."
Yi Zixie's words trailed off, leaving only a mocking laugh.
Zheng Xiang's face grew even more somber, his gaze towards Zheng Fan turning sinister.
This wayward son who was useless in achieving anything and only good at ruining things.
"He is young and ignorant. I ask for your forgiveness, Grand Tutor and Fifth Prince." Zheng Xiang clasped his hands and said with deep apology.
Yi Zixie smiled upon hearing this, "That is easily said. Regardless, for Prince Duan's sake, we will not fuss over him."
Zheng Xiang smiled at this. Regardless of Yi Zixie's true thoughts, at least he was willing to maintain appearances.
"Since that is the case, then please have my son and the Princess Consort brought down. After all, it does not look good."
After speaking, Zheng Xiang looked at Yi Zixie, awaiting a definite answer.
Yi Zixie smiled upon seeing this, "Prince Duan, you don't need to look at me like that. Since I said I wouldn't make a fuss, I naturally won't."
After speaking, Yi Zixie walked forward a few steps and stopped by the large vat to which the ropes were tied.
"Your Highness, be prepared to catch!"
Sima Han glanced reproachfully at Yi Zixie upon hearing this. "Your Highness is the God of War of Great Chu, how could he possibly not catch a person? You can safely let him down."
Yi Zixie nodded upon hearing this. "I was mistaken. Then I will let him down now."
With that, Yi Zixie waved his hand and cut one of the ropes.
Zheng Xiang, having noticed Yi Zixie's intention during their banter, had already flown forward and was waiting beneath the eaves where the two were hanging.
Seeing Lian Qing fall from above, he didn't hesitate. He leaped forward and caught Lian Qing in his arms.
After safely landing Lian Qing on the ground, Zheng Xiang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He quickly removed the ropes from Lian Qing and said to the servants standing behind, "What are you waiting for? Quickly escort the Princess Consort to change her clothes."
The maids and attendants were also frightened by the situation and felt their hearts return to their chests upon hearing Zheng Xiang's voice.
After Lian Qing was supported away by the servants, Zheng Xiang then said, "Grand Tutor, please let my son down as well."
To Zheng Xiang's surprise, Yi Zixie did not readily agree this time. Instead, he shook his head and said, "There's no rush. I still have something to ask the eldest young master."
Zheng Xiang fell silent, waiting for Yi Zixie to ask.
Zheng Xiang had now come to understand Yi Zixie's temperament. When he referred to himself as "this Grand Tutor," it usually meant that he would not allow others to refuse him.
If one absolutely had to refuse, it would only be possible by completely falling out with Yi Zixie.
Zheng Xiang naturally did not wish to offend Yi Zixie at this moment, so he remained silent, indicating his stance.
Furthermore, Zheng Xiang did not believe that the question Yi Zixie was about to ask would be overly difficult, and answering it would incur no loss. Thus, he looked up at Zheng Fan and said, "Run'er, no matter what Grand Tutor asks you, answer honestly. After answering, quickly go check on your Mother Consort."
This was Zheng Fan's way of telling Zheng Fan that he could only come down after answering the question.
Conversely, it implied that as long as he answered the question, he would definitely be brought down.
Zheng Fan, who had already felt disappointed in Zheng Xiang, was filled with renewed hope by the implicit assurance in these words.
Indeed, his Father still cared about him.
It was only because of the coercion from these three people that he had to appear somewhat indifferent.
If Zheng Wei and the other two knew his thoughts, they might burst into laughter.
His self-importance was truly excessive.
Yi Zixie looked at Zheng Fan nodding profusely and felt somewhat exasperated.
This person was truly difficult. Wouldn't it have been better to agree readily earlier? Did he really need to offend them like this?
However, regardless of anything else, he would ultimately get the answer he wanted, so Yi Zixie felt somewhat relieved.
Yi Zixie did not ask immediately but looked towards Zheng Wei.
Zheng Xiang, seeing this, shifted his attention to Zheng Wei, who had remained silent all along.
It had been Yi Zixie and Sima Han speaking, almost leading Zheng Xiang to believe that Zheng Wei was merely accompanying them and had no significant role.
However, seeing Yi Zixie's attitude now, it was clear that he had only been speaking on Zheng Wei's behalf, or rather, lending him support.
If Yi Zixie knew Zheng Xiang's thoughts, he would have earnestly explained: You are overthinking.
However, none of this mattered at the moment.
What mattered was what Zheng Wei wanted to ask Zheng Fan that warranted such a grand display.
Zheng Wei's gaze swept lightly over everyone before he looked at Zheng Fan, who was still swaying, and said, "Speak."
Just two simple words, but they didn't specify what he wanted him to speak about.
This left Zheng Xiang somewhat bewildered.
However, he quickly reacted.
From the looks of it, he had already asked before, but clearly, Zheng Fan had not given them the answer they wanted.
Therefore, they had been waiting for him to return.
He looked at Zheng Fan again and saw him gritting his teeth, appearing hesitant, clearly unwilling to speak.
Zheng Xiang frowned. "What is the question? Speak quickly."
Zheng Fan was startled by Zheng Xiang's reprimand.
He looked towards Zheng Xiang and saw his father's tightly knit brows and displeased expression.
Zheng Fan's heart sank. Was Zheng Xiang about to lose his temper?
At this point, Zheng Fan could no longer afford to hesitate or deliberately tease Zheng Wei and the others. "I will speak."
After speaking, Zheng Fan pondered for a moment before continuing, "At that time, that muddled old man stole my wine. I had him beaten, and later I still felt I hadn't had enough, so I sent people to search for him in the imperial capital, intending to teach him another lesson."
"But who knew that after searching for over ten days, I couldn't find any trace of him."
"Later, a servant accidentally met an old man who was very familiar with that old man. The old man said that every time the muddled old man got good wine, he would take it to visit an old friend. This would take anywhere from half a year to several months."