"The Junzhu has calculated all human hearts." Seizing the opportunity to praise her, Tianyuan knew that complimenting the Junzhu now pleased the Crown Prince more than praising His Highness himself.
"No, she has calculated my heart." Xiao Huayong gazed at the gloomy, overcast sky, yet his mood was exceptionally bright. "She knows that with just a little push from her, I can keep pace with her steps."
His eyes, which could only perceive shades of black, white, and gray, appeared profoundly deep, gathering a sharp, silvery radiance. The smile at the corners of his lips spread upward with the light, seeping into the depths of his eyes, while the mole at the outer corner of his eye exuded endless charm.
She had guessed that Dong Biquan, upon learning of this matter, would not dare to publicize it, nor let his political rivals know, nor easily confess to Your Majesty. Even if he mustered the courage to go, Xiao Huayong would ensure Dong Biquan could not utter a word.
Thus, under the guidance of those with ulterior motives, Dong would take a reckless risk, attempting to muddle through, completely unaware that he had already stepped one foot into the gates of hell.
"As for Embroidered Uniform Envoy Zhao..." This time, it was at the cost of Embroidered Uniform Envoy Zhao.
"Your Majesty is merely venting his anger at this critical moment. He originally committed no major fault. Having him avoid this period is for the best. Once this matter is concluded, Your Majesty will recall his frankness, integrity, and sincere devotion to his sovereign. When summoned back, he will be even more heavily relied upon."
How much effort had he expended to place a trusted aide among the Embroidered Uniform Envoys? How could he allow such a loss so easily?
At this moment, if Zhao Zhenghao were to confess some minor indiscretions involving romantic affairs, Your Majesty would be angered, considering him unfit for important duties. But after calming down, he would come to see Zhao as genuine, with vulnerabilities, yet loyal to his ruler.
When Dong Biquan inquired and learned why Zhao Zhenghao had provoked Your Majesty's wrath—merely because Zhao had used his position as an Embroidered Uniform Envoy to vie for a courtesan's favor out of jealousy—he would become even more afraid to confess the deficit in the Ministry of Revenue to Your Majesty, fearing immediate execution.
Faced with certain death either way, taking it slow might still offer a path to survival. Why not gamble on it?
"The Junzhu has truly been of great help. I originally thought it would take more days to ensnare Dong Biquan." This was the first time Tianyuan personally experienced Shen Xihe's methods, which were on par with the Crown Prince's. "It shows that the Junzhu is aligned with Your Highness."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Huayong smiled without speaking, his gaze fixed on the straight ginkgo tree shedding its leaves, the amusement in his eyes too dense to disperse.
Though he claimed Shen Xihe treated him differently, in his heart, he was clearly aware that her assistance this time had three reasons: first, she herself wanted to target the Minister of Revenue; second, to help Bu Shulin—or perhaps to exchange this favor for benefits from Bu Shulin.
Third, she was using her wisdom to tell him that she could decipher his tactics and, with a single stroke, either perfect his scheme or bring about its complete failure.
"She knows where we've hidden the autumn grain." Xiao Huayong chuckled softly, his unique laughter brimming with captivating delight.
Whether to help him push Dong Biquan into the net or turn around and assist Dong in dismantling his plot—it all rested on her whim.
Tianyuan could no longer smile, muttering under his breath, "The Junzhu... she truly inspires fear..."
"Fear?" Xiao Huayong's smile deepened, and he gently shook his head. "Her beauty—the more one sees, the more it brings joy."
Never before had a woman given him so many surprises, making him believe he had seen all of her, only for her to reveal even more grace, leaving him eternally admiring, endlessly captivated, and unable to extricate himself.
Xiao Huayong clearly knew that his feelings for her had evolved from surprise and astonishment to curiosity and amusement, then to appreciation and praise, and finally to awe and infatuation."Like Duojialuo... fragrant even unlit," Xiao Huayong murmured softly. "Its aroma is rich and intense, lingering persistently."
Agarwood carries a cool fragrance. Ordinary agarwood merely lingers around the nostrils, slightly better varieties penetrate the nasal cavity, and superior ones can reach the throat. Only Duojialuo, when ignited, can permeate through the nasal cavity and throat, reaching the deepest part of the chest, delivering a shock that stirs the soul.
Xiao Huayong pressed his palm against his chest: "The scent of Duojialuo is bitter with a hint of sweetness, sweet with a trace of bitterness, much like..."
Bitterness and sweetness—as long as they come from her, he willingly embraces them all: "Bitterness becomes healing medicine, sweetness turns into candied delight."
Tianyuan:...
Your Highness, you could just say the lady is perfect in every way. Speaking so poetically makes me feel utterly uncomfortable.
Tianyuan, who only dared to grumble inwardly, wisely lowered his head.
That very night, two vicious fugitives escaped from the prison of the Dali Temple. Fortunately, the guards discovered it in time, and the patrolling Golden Guard arrived promptly, managing to corner them. However, the two resisted desperately and had accomplices who had long plotted to assist them.
This led to a city-wide pursuit by the Golden Guard, alarming many civilians. Eventually, the fugitives infiltrated the residence of the Minister of Revenue and took the minister's wife hostage. After several rounds of wits and bravery from the Golden Guard and Dali Temple officials, they were finally apprehended.
During the struggle, they stumbled upon a dilapidated courtyard within the minister's estate, filled to the brim with grain, astonishing everyone. A rough estimate suggested six to seven dan. Most shockingly, the grain sacks bore the official tax grain seal!
Shen Xihe woke up the next morning to Biyu reporting: "The Minister of Revenue has been imprisoned."
"He deserves it," Shen Xihe replied, entirely unsurprised.
"Last night, it was because fugitives escaped from the Dali Temple..." Although Shen Xihe already knew everything, Biyu still detailed the process she had investigated.
"Meticulous and thorough, completely unrecognizable like a deliberate frame-up," Shen Xihe remarked with slight admiration.
"The surplus grain from the estate has also been uncovered. Minister Dong is pleading innocence, but a grain merchant from Jiangnan presented evidence that Minister Dong intended to sell him the grain. Minister Dong has no way to defend himself."
"The Crown Prince is adept at substituting one thing for another—he can even twist a purchase into a sale," Shen Xihe knew the trickery involved, all orchestrated by Xiao Huayong, and she had helped him secure this irrefutable evidence.
Once Dong Biquan adopted the policy of subsidizing military provisions, he would need to purchase grain. With limited funds at his disposal, but many officials involved in the wrongdoing, pooling resources could still gather enough to buy grain and placate the difficult ones—a sound strategy, in theory.
Little did he know that from the moment the autumn grain was stolen—no, from the moment the military provisions were tampered with—it was all a trap.
As long as Xiao Huayong could turn the evidence of his grain purchases into proof of sales, Dong Biquan would have no way out. He hadn't stolen the grain—where did he get so much grain to sell?
"During the grand court assembly today, the entire court condemned the Ministry of Revenue, demanding a thorough investigation and severe punishment for Minister Dong," Biyu added.
All this information was gathered by Mo Yuan early in the morning regarding the developments.
"You said the entire court?" Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," Biyu nodded.
Shen Xihe glanced at the sun outside. She now took the Bone Shedding Pill every other night, inevitably waking up late the next day. Today was no exception—the sun was already high in the sky. "Has His Majesty fainted?"
Biyu was taken aback: "His Majesty was so angry he fainted..."
A faint smile curled at Shen Xihe's lips: "I've finally underestimated his... shamelessness!"The position of Minister of Revenue alone could not satisfy him; he also had to transform from a villain into a good man.
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