“The Princess has calculated everyone’s hearts perfectly,” Tianyuan took the opportunity to praise. These days, praising the Princess brought more joy to His Highness the Crown Prince than praising him directly.

“No, she calculated my heart,” Xiao Huayong gazed at the gray-covered sky, his mood exceptionally bright. “She knew that with just one push from her, I could follow her pace.”

His unique eyes, showing only black, white, and gray, were particularly deep, concentrating silvery radiance. The smile on his lips spread upward with the light, seeping into his eyes, the beauty mark at the corner of his eye exuding charm.

She had guessed that once Dong Biquan knew of this matter, he wouldn’t dare make it public, wouldn’t dare let political enemies know, and wouldn’t dare easily confess to His Majesty. Even if he gathered the courage to go, he would ensure Dong Biquan couldn’t speak a word.

Thus, under the guidance of those with ulterior motives, he took a risky path, attempting to muddle through, completely unaware he had already stepped one foot into death’s door.

“As for Imperial Inspector Zhao…” This time they had sacrificed the Imperial Inspector.

“His Majesty is merely venting his anger at this juncture. He hadn’t committed any major error – he should stay away right now. Once this matter is settled, His Majesty will remember his forthright loyalty and sincere service. When he’s recalled, he’ll be trusted even more.”

How much effort had he spent to place a trusted person among the Imperial Inspectors? How could he easily waste such an asset?

Zhao Zhenghao confessing to some minor indiscretions in matters of romance at this time – His Majesty would be angry at his unworthiness, but after calming down, would appreciate his genuine nature, his vulnerabilities, and his loyalty to the throne.

When Dong Biquan investigated why His Majesty was so enraged with Zhao Zhenghao, discovering it was merely because Zhao had used his position as Imperial Inspector to pursue a courtesan out of jealousy, he would be even more afraid to tell His Majesty about the Ministry of Revenue’s deficit. He would fear immediate execution.

Death either way – why not gamble on the path that might offer some hope of survival?

“The Princess has truly been a great help. We originally thought it would take longer to trap Dong Biquan,” Tianyuan was experiencing firsthand, for the first time, Shen Xihe’s capabilities matching those of His Highness. “The Princess favors Your Highness.”

Hearing this, Xiao Huayong smiled without speaking, watching the straight maple trees dropping their leaves, the smile in his eyes deep and unfading.

Though he spoke of Shen Xihe’s special treatment of him, his mind remained clear. She had helped him this time for three reasons: first, she wanted to move against the Minister of Revenue herself; second, to help Bu Shulin, or perhaps to gain something from Bu Shulin in exchange.

Third, she was using her wisdom to tell him that she could read his methods, and with just one casual move, could either perfect his plans or make them fail completely.

“She knows where we’ve hidden the autumn grain,” Xiao Huayong laughed softly, his unique laugh conveying captivating pleasure.

Whether to help him kick Dong Biquan into the trap, or turn around and help Dong Biquan break his scheme – it all hung on her whim.

Tianyuan couldn’t laugh anymore, muttering: “The Princess truly inspires fear…”

“Fear?” Xiao Huayong’s smile deepened as he shook his head gently. “Her beauty grows more enchanting the more one looks.”

Never had a woman given him so many pleasant surprises. Just when he thought he had seen all of her, she would reveal more facets, leaving him endlessly appreciating, hopelessly enchanted, unable to extricate himself.

Xiao Huayong knew his feelings for her had progressed from surprise and amazement to curiosity and interest, then to admiration and praise, and finally to fascination and infatuation.

“Just like agarwood… fragrant even unlit,” Xiao Huayong said softly. “Rich and intense fragrance that lingers endlessly.”

Regular agarwood was cool and clear, ordinary kinds only surrounding the nose, better ones penetrating the nasal cavity, and superior ones reaching the throat. But only dugala agarwood could penetrate both the nasal cavity and throat, reaching the deepest part of one’s chest, bringing a soul-shaking impact.

Xiao Huayong pressed his palm against his heart: “Dugala’s fragrance has sweetness within bitterness, bitterness within sweetness, just like…”

Bitter or sweet, as long as it came from her, he willingly embraced it all: “Bitterness becomes medicine, sweetness becomes preserved fruit.”

Tianyuan: …

Your Highness, you might as well just say directly that everything about the Princess is wonderful. Speaking so poetically makes me uncomfortable.

Tianyuan, only daring to complain internally, tactfully lowered his head.

That night, two dangerous criminals escaped from the Court of Justice. Fortunately, the guards discovered it quickly, and with the timely arrival of the Palace Guard patrol, they were cornered. However, these two fought desperately, aided by pre-arranged accomplices.

The Palace Guard pursued them throughout the city, alarming many civilians. Finally, they infiltrated the Minister of Revenue’s mansion, even taking his wife hostage. The Palace Guard and Court of Justice personnel engaged in several battles of wit and courage before capturing them.

During the fight, they discovered an old courtyard in the Minister’s mansion filled with grain, shocking everyone. A rough estimate showed six or seven shi of grain, but most shocking was that the grain sacks bore the tax grain seal!

When Shen Xihe woke the next morning, she heard Biyu report: “The Minister of Revenue has been imprisoned.”

“As he should be,” Shen Xihe wasn’t surprised at all.

“Last night, because of escaped prisoners from the Court of Justice…” Although Shen Xihe knew everything, Biyu still detailed the information she had gathered.

“Meticulous and thorough, completely concealing any trace of deliberate framing,” Shen Xihe offered slight praise.

“The remaining grain from the estate has also been found. Minister Dong protests his innocence, but a grain merchant from Jiangnan has presented evidence of Minister Dong trying to sell grain to him. Minister Dong has no way to defend himself.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince is skilled at switching things around – he can even force ‘buying’ to become ‘selling,'” Shen Xihe knew the inside story. It was all Xiao Huayong’s doing, and she had helped him secure this ironclad evidence.

Dong Biquan had adopted the plan to supplement military provisions and would buy grain. His available funds were limited, but with many people having made mistakes, they could pool money together to first pay off the more troublesome ones – actually a good plan.

Unfortunately, he didn’t know that from the autumn grain theft – no, from the moment the military provisions were tampered with – it had all been a trap.

As long as Xiao Huayong could transform evidence of buying grain into evidence of selling grain, Dong Biquan had no way out. He hadn’t stolen the grain – where would he get so much grain to sell?

“Today at court, the entire assembly denounced the Ministry of Revenue, demanding an investigation and severe punishment for Minister Dong,” Biyu continued.

These were all developments Mo Yuan had collected early in the morning.

“You say the entire assembly?” Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow.

“Yes,” Biyu nodded.

Shen Xihe looked at the sun outside. She now took bone-melting pills every other night, inevitably rising late the next day. Today was no exception – it was already late morning. “Did His Majesty faint?”

Biyu started: “His Majesty fainted from anger…”

Shen Xihe’s lips curved: “I still underestimated his… shamelessness!”

The position of Minister of Revenue alone couldn’t satisfy him – he had to transform from villain to hero.