Emperor Tai’an’s words made Qin Yunchuan’s heart sink.

He knew the Emperor was very displeased.

“It’s all due to this subject’s failure in discipline. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.” Qin Yunchuan knelt down to plead guilty.

Emperor Tai’an did not immediately let Qin Yunchuan rise, saying in a heavy voice, “First there was Wen Rugui wanting to abandon his wife and daughter, then the Heir of Marquis Pingjia appearing naked with a man causing trouble, and now there’s the matter with your nephew. Minister Qin, have you considered what kind of impact this has on the capital’s moral atmosphere?”

One after another—were they trying to corrupt the simple common people of the capital?

Emperor Tai’an grew angry just thinking about it.

“Moreover, you are the Crown Prince’s Junior Preceptor, shouldering the responsibility of instructing the Crown Prince. Now everyone in the capital is hotly discussing your nephew’s relationship with the Heir of Marquis Pingjia. This is also harmful to the Crown Prince.”

Emperor Tai’an didn’t care that Qin Wenyuan had been harassed by loafers. What he cared about was the rumors between Qin Wenyuan and the Heir of Marquis Pingjia.

Whether true or false, with such rumors circulating, given Qin Yunchuan’s relationship with the Crown Prince, what if someone started associating his nephew with the Crown Prince?

This was what angered Emperor Tai’an.

“This subject is guilty!” Qin Yunchuan pressed his forehead to the ground, his heart ice-cold.

Emperor Tai’an rubbed the white jade paperweight, looking down at Qin Yunchuan for a moment from his superior position, then said indifferently, “Minister Qin, rise. I know this isn’t easy for you either. Let your nephew rest well at home, away from these rumors and turmoil.”

Qin Yunchuan’s whole body trembled as he said in a shaking voice, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s mercy.”

He knew perfectly well that unless his nephew achieved some great merit, his future prospects were finished.

Qin Yunchuan returned to the estate with a heavy heart and conveyed the Emperor’s intention to Qin Wenyuan.

Qin Wenyuan couldn’t withstand this blow at all.

“Second Uncle is saying… I no longer need to go observe government at the Six Ministries, but should just stay home recuperating?”

“This is His Majesty’s intention.”

“Second Uncle—” Qin Wenyuan’s tears flowed freely. For the first time, he felt regret.

“You should study diligently and not neglect your coursework.” Qin Yunchuan patted his nephew’s shoulder. “If you can become more stable and improve after this lesson, it may not be a bad thing.”

Qin Wenyuan collapsed into a chair in a daze, not even noticing when his uncle left.

It was over. His future prospects were ruined!

If only he had known—

Regret surged over him like a tidal wave, drowning him. Only now did he realize that being the Crown Prince’s Junior Preceptor’s nephew did not make him invincible.

Qin Yunchuan returned to his study and sat quietly for a while before rising to retrieve a locked box from a hidden compartment.

He felt between several books for a key, opened the box—inside were several letters.

He took out the letters and gently opened them to read, the corners of his mouth curving upward.

Give him a little more time. As long as he could find the True Man Mingxin, that would be a great achievement.

The disappearance of Emperor Pingle during the chaos had always been a thorn in the Emperor’s heart. And among those who disappeared along with Emperor Pingle, the True Man Mingxin was undoubtedly an extremely important figure.

He had exchanged many letters with the True Man Mingxin but still hadn’t figured out where the man was hiding. He had to admit the other party’s capabilities.

But it didn’t matter. As long as the True Man Mingxin was in the capital, with letters as bait, he would find the man sooner or later.

Qin Yunchuan silently collected and hid the letters away, exhaling a breath of foul air.

The news that Emperor Tai’an had reprimanded Qin Yunchuan quickly spread quietly among the officials and nobles.

The first thing these people did after learning of it was to summon their descendants for a stern talking-to.

For descendants who were relatively obedient and proper, they received earnest admonishments. For descendants who were already unreliable, they first received a beating, then the earnest admonishments.

The message was all the same: no causing trouble outside, especially in matters between men—this was the key point.

Unlike the noble young masters who began conducting themselves with their tails between their legs, the Crown Prince actually felt more relaxed.

Recently he didn’t need to worry about Junior Preceptor Qin managing this and managing that.

How could he have the face to manage him when his own nephew wasn’t even properly managed?

Whenever the Crown Prince had free time, he ran to the streets, wandering intentionally or unintentionally around the General’s estate.

That fleeting glimpse that day—he had been unable to forget that young lady.

Later he inquired and learned clearly that she was the younger daughter of the Vice Minister of War Wen Rugui, now the Second Miss of the Lin family at the General’s estate.

Lin Hao—the Crown Prince murmured these two characters softly, unable to help smiling.

What a good name indeed.

The eunuch Wang Gui understood the Crown Prince’s thoughts best. Catching sight of Lin Hao and Lin Chan coming out from the side gate of the General’s estate, he hurriedly reminded the Crown Prince, “Your Highness, look over there.”

The Crown Prince looked over and saw two young ladies of similar height walking shoulder to shoulder from the General’s estate.

One wore a lilac-colored jacket, the other a smoke-green skirt and shirt. From a distance, one could tell they were a pair of sisters.

The Crown Prince’s gaze followed the two until they entered Prince Jing’s estate.

The Crown Prince thought for a moment, then lifted his foot and walked toward Prince Jing’s estate.

When the gatekeeper of Prince Jing’s estate saw the Crown Prince arrive, he was greatly shocked.

“Is your heir at home?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, the heir has not gone out today.”

The Crown Prince smiled. “That’s perfect then. I’ve come to play chess with him. Lead the way.”

Immediately, a servant from the prince’s estate led the Crown Prince to Qi Shuo’s residence.

“The heir went to stroll in the garden?” Hearing the response from the servants in Qi Shuo’s courtyard, the Crown Prince was perfectly satisfied.

On such fine weather, surely his cousin would also be entertaining the two Miss Lins in the garden.

The Crown Prince walked leisurely toward the garden.

The Crown Prince was quite familiar with Prince Jing’s estate—after all, it was his own uncle’s home.

Especially during the year when the princes entered the capital, to show appeasement, under his father Emperor’s instruction, he had frequently visited the various princely estates.

At this moment, Qi Qiong was hosting Lin Hao and Lin Chan for tea in the garden pavilion, with Sun Xiuhua also in attendance.

“Ahao, you haven’t finished the story from that day. Continue it quickly, or else I keep thinking about it.” Qi Qiong held her teacup, assuming the posture of a story listener.

The day after Qixi, when she invited the Lin sisters as guests, Qi Qiong had originally wanted to help her poor elder brother by creating some opportunities for them to spend time together. She hadn’t expected Lin Hao to be such a good storyteller that the young county princess became entranced and forgot all about Big Brother.

Qi Qiong had now come to terms with it—her brother would have his own good fortune. She should just focus on listening to stories.

“That day I mentioned that Miss Wang opened a small eatery specializing in braised pig head meat…”

Qi Qiong listened with rapt attention, unconsciously swallowing her saliva.

She didn’t know why, but although the foods Miss Wang made in the story were all common fare, she very much wanted to eat them.

She suspected Lin Hao knew how to make them, otherwise how could she describe them so enticingly?

“County Princess—” The maid standing behind her called out softly.

Qi Qiong reluctantly divided her attention to the maid.

“The Crown Prince…”

Qi Qiong looked toward outside the pavilion and saw the Crown Prince in splendid robes walking this way.

Why had the Crown Prince suddenly come?

Qi Qiong was secretly shocked and stood up to greet him.

“Your Highness.”

“Cousin, no need for formalities.” The Crown Prince revealed a carefree smile and looked into the pavilion. “You’re entertaining guests?”

Lin Chan pulled Lin Hao along as they curtsied.

Sun Xiuhua was clearly flustered by the Crown Prince’s status, stammering out “Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

That Princess Consort Jing had once been loved at first sight by Prince Jing, who insisted on marrying her—her beauty went without saying. Sun Xiuhua’s mother and Princess Consort Jing were twin sisters. The daughter resembled her mother, and Sun Xiuhua was also a rare beauty.

The Crown Prince’s gaze swept across her face and landed on Lin Hao as he smiled. “I encountered this young lady the other day. I didn’t expect her to be my cousin’s friend.”