Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 350 - 333: Buy a House!

Chapter 350: Chapter 333: Buy a House!

Emperor Kaihuang grew increasingly disappointed as he looked at the Crown Prince. The Empress beside him could also tell that Emperor Kaihuang’s mood was very sour at the moment.

"You child, can’t you do something to make your father happy? Get out of here!"

Seeing the look in his mother’s eyes, the Crown Prince knew he had better leave immediately.

But suddenly the Crown Prince thought of something, immediately kowtowed towards Emperor Kaihuang and the Empress, and said, "Your son indeed has a piece of good news that will cheer both my father and mother."

Upon hearing this, a wave of relief washed over the Empress’s heart.

After all, he was her son, and she lamented, hoping for his betterment though he was not yet ironclad.

Now that her child had good news, the Empress immediately nodded, her face bright with joy, and said, "Then why not share it with your father and make both your father and myself happy?"

"The Crown Prince’s concubine is pregnant!"

The Crown Prince said this happily, knowing that if the Crown Prince’s concubine were to birth a son, he would be the future Imperial Grandson — the successor of the next generation in Great Sui!

However, as soon as these words were spoken, not only did Emperor Kaihuang’s face show no sign of joy, but the Empress, who was originally smiling, also began to look increasingly ugly.

"Get out!"

The Empress wished she could rush over and kick this disobedient child, but fortunately, Emperor Kaihuang stopped her.

The Crown Prince ran out of the garden, his face crestfallen, and just happened to see the Zheng Family Head, who was still outside. He straightened his clothes, acting as if nothing had happened.

The Zheng Family Head felt somewhat helpless, thinking that if Emperor Kaihuang hadn’t disdained the Zheng Family, he wouldn’t have to support this useless Crown Prince.

But after all, the entire Zheng Family had sided with the Crown Prince, and he had no choice but to help him.

"Crown Prince, I have something to say."

The Crown Prince nodded solemnly.

"Your Highness, you’re being foolish! Emperor Kaihuang and the Empress, deeply in love, swore to be monogamous from the beginning, despite Emperor Kaihuang ascending the throne later, he did not rely on his imperial power to take any other concubines. Thus, the most abhorrent thing to Emperor Kaihuang, especially to the Empress, is a man having multiple wives and concubines!"

The Crown Prince gave a bitter smile and shook his head, feeling extremely vexed.

The Emperor is your husband, and if you do not wish to, just let it be. I am his son, not your husband, whom I marry is my choice, what’s wrong with that!

"Crown Prince, think about it, originally your association with Concubine Yun was disliked by His Majesty and the Empress. Now, with Concubine Yun having borne an heir, if it is a son, then the son born to the Crown Prince’s concubine, though legitimate, would not be the eldest. Isn’t this waiting to stir up conflict! Crown Prince, you... are being foolish!"

At this moment, the Crown Prince realized that the good news he saw was actually a great hidden danger.

He could dislike the Crown Princess Consort, he could neglect her, but he absolutely couldn’t let other concubines give birth to a son before her; no wonder his mother was so furious just now.

Just then, King Jin, Yang Quan, with the Princess Consort of Jin, passed by this place. Seeing the Crown Prince, King Jin and his wife quickly greeted him.

The Crown Prince glanced at his younger brother, King Jin. His mother had missed King Jin a while ago and had him come back from the south to stay in the Capital for a while. Considering the time, he would probably have to return soon.

"Younger brother, sister-in-law, father and mother are a bit unhappy, be cautious if you are going to visit them."

King Jin, Yang Quan, immediately bowed to the Crown Prince in gratitude.

Soon after, King Jin and his wife entered the garden, while the Crown Prince also prepared to leave.

But no sooner had the Crown Prince stepped out than he heard the sound of cheerful laughter from a family of four inside the garden.

At that moment, the Crown Prince began to doubt whether he was truly their own.

Meanwhile, Zhang San had waited for a while at Phoenix Mountain and had eaten something since no one came looking for him.

Obviously, it was safe, he was all right now.

Thus, Zhang San rode back to the Capital, heading directly to the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture’s Government Office to find Shen Erxian.

Shen Erxian had just finished listening to the report brought back by Wang Gang when he saw Zhang San come in.

"You all may leave,"

Shen Erxian waved his hand, and only he and Zhang San were left in the room.

"Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture, have you found the identities of those eight corpses?"

Shen Erxian glanced at Zhang San, who had started to rummage for food as soon as he entered, and said coldly, "My name is Shen Erxian, do you really think I am some kind of immortal? Seeing a person and divining their identity just like that? Wait for it; it’s not that fast! Moreover, the bodies of the eight people are somewhat decomposed, making the investigation not so straightforward."

Zhang San nodded helplessly, having to admit that modern technology was indeed more convenient where a simple facial comparison would suffice for investigations.

"Then I’ll be leaving now. If you have any news, notify me immediately!"

Shen Erxian glanced at Zhang San again and asked, "Where are you staying?"

"For those of us who return to the Capital from outside, there’s a designated place. You can just ask someone from the Town Martial Office and they will be able to find me."

Shen Erxian looked at Zhang San, motioned him to come closer, then whispered, "I think Emperor Kaihuang still has high hopes for you. There aren’t many in the Town Martial Office who are better at investigating cases than you! And yet, such an important case as the Floating Corpse Case has been handed over to you. Think about it, might it be possible that after this case is concluded, you would become an official at the capital?"

Zhang San pondered carefully and it indeed seemed very likely and plausible.

"My advice is, if the case isn’t progressing smoothly, you should take some time to look around the Capital for a decent mansion to buy. That way, whether someone is coming to find you, or you have matters you don’t wish others to know about, it will be much more convenient."

Upon reflection, Zhang San found this to be true.

"Thank you for the advice."

After sending Zhang San away from the Government Office of the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture, Shen Erxian immediately ran back to the Shen Family and reported today’s events on Shouyang Mountain to his elder brother, Shen Qi.

Shen Family Head, Shen Qi, couldn’t help but laugh and said, "This Zhang San, he is quite extraordinary!"

"Those who knowingly walk into a trap are fools, but whoever walks in and still can walk out is a wise man!"

"Today’s incident, everyone was killed by the arrows of the Baili Family, except Wen Rulie who died by the arrow of Zheng Poyue—where’s the evidence that accuses Zhang San of murder?"

"Moreover, the Baili Family wants to join the Town Martial Office, but now they want to kill Zhang San. Not only was Zhang San able to fight back with his archery skills and take his revenge, he even took the chance to strike at the Baili Family."

"Brilliant, truly brilliant!"

Just then, Shen Bao, who was about to go out, happened to pass by the courtyard where his grandfather and uncle were discussing matters and was called over by Shen Qi.

"Shen Bao, going out to play again?"

"Hehe! Zhang San sent me a message to go out for a drink."

Shen Qi smiled and said, "This friend Zhang San of yours is really a good person; you must get closer to him, understand?"

"So, could you sponsor today’s drink money, uncle?"

Shen Erxian glared at him, scaring Shen Bao into quickly retracting his hand.

"By the way, how does your relationship with this Zhang San compare to Shang Bufa, Shen Zhongdian?"

"Zhang San and us, we’re all equally good! Uncle, you don’t know, but back then all three of us agreed that we didn’t like Han Yanqiu. Without a word, Zhang San took us to beat up Han Yanqiu. However, we wore sacks over our heads at that time, leaving no evidence."

Shen Qi and Shen Erxian were stunned, never expecting that Shen Bao had been involved in the incident where Han Yanqiu was beaten, a matter that had implicated the Shen Family before.

"Zhang San participated in the beating too?"

"Zhang San was indeed loyal! He told us to hit and claim it was under his name! But at that time while we were hitting, Zhang San was standing back maintaining Feng Chengying, so he didn’t participate physically. Uncle, you don’t know, sometimes when we drink, we bring out that Feng Chengying to admire—it really is a wonderful memory!"

Shen Qi and Shen Erxian exchanged glances, both of their faces turning pale.

This darn thing is not just a wonderful memory; it’s outright criminal evidence of you three beating someone!

"Well... Shen Bao, listen to your uncle for a moment, that Zhang San, he’s not really reliable. You must be extra careful when you’re with him, understand?"