The mulberry leaf trade was highly volatile – a boatload bought for dozens of copper coins could sell for hundreds of gold pieces or a boatload purchased for dozens of gold pieces might sell for mere copper coins. This thrilling gamble captivated risk-loving merchants.

Qi Pei had visited Hangjiahu this year, initially just to gain experience and visit his father’s old friends. After learning about the enormous profits in mulberry leaves, he didn’t rashly get involved, though his father’s sworn brother did participate.

This sworn uncle hired several leaf boats. A “living immortal” had appeared who had accurately predicted leaf price fluctuations for the past two years. Many who followed his predictions had become wealthy, and this year he was even more revered. His predictions remained precise until he suddenly disappeared.

By then, countless merchants had stockpiled mulberry leaves, waiting for prices to rise further. Instead, news came of a silkworm disaster. With the poor harvest, silkworms wouldn’t need leaves, and prices plummeted from heaven to earth.

Many merchants had invested their entire fortunes. This news struck like lightning from a clear sky.

Qi Pei’s sworn uncle was among them. Though this was voluntary trading with willing participants, blame couldn’t be placed on others. As merchants watched in desperation as people burned mulberry leaves for fuel, a wealthy family in Wuzhen stepped forward. Claiming to represent major merchants and with support from local officials, they offered to buy the leaves at an extremely low price, supposedly to give the leaf speculators a lifeline.

Though it pained the merchants deeply, something was better than nothing.

When this occurred, Qi Pei had already sailed away, traveling three days by water to another region. He’d taken a basket of mulberry leaves gifted by his sworn uncle, only to find local silkworm farmers fighting over the leaves.

Upon investigation, Qi Pei sensed something suspicious. Though prices hadn’t crashed when he left, he’d seen many leaves seemingly concentrated in one area due to the “living immortal’s” influence. Yet this place, just three days’ journey away, seemed completely unaware of the situation.

He immediately had the two guards Shen Xihe had assigned him rush back day and night. They discovered that the local governor and unscrupulous merchants had orchestrated an enormous scheme planned three years.

They had created the “living immortal” using profits from the previous two years to attract investors and monopolize the leaves. Then they spread news of the silkworm disaster to force merchants to sell their expensive leaves at low prices, only to resell them at astronomical rates.

This scheme generated enormous wealth for its orchestrators. Qi Pei used Shen Xihe’s hundred gold pieces to try to stabilize prices and suppress price gouging.

He faced constant assassination attempts and became a hunted man throughout Hangjiahu. Local officials falsely accused him of being the schemer. He earned this money and wrote this letter to inform Shen Xihe of the situation’s severity.

Despite his intervention, which still yielded tenfold profits, one could imagine the enormous gains made by merchants who were exploiting both sides without his interference.

How many families were ruined by these massive profits?

What infuriated Shen Xihe most was that silk production was vital to national interests and people’s livelihoods. How much would this year’s harvest suffer from such sabotage?

Xiao Huayong’s face darkened after reading: “With the emperor far away, these people prey on commoners like local tyrants, not only manipulating the people but trampling on imperial authority and law!”

“Why hasn’t this been reported to court yet? Who’s protecting them to make them so bold?” Shen Xihe asked.

“The Jiangnan East Circuit Inspector is His Majesty’s confidant. As for Yuhang and Jiaxing…” Xiao Huayong’s brows furrowed. “The situation is complex, with multiple forces at work. Leave this to me.”

He left immediately and returned about half an hour later, appearing composed. He ordered some soft foods and her favorite summer drink, sour plum juice.

“Your Highness, is it resolved?” His previous concern seemed gone.

“I’ve given orders. Little Twelve will report this tomorrow at court.” There would be a court session before departure. “I’ve also sent word to protect your man.”

“Your Highness seems to favor Prince Yan.” Shen Xihe noticed Xiao Huayong frequently used Xiao Changgeng, who had also led the powder ball shooting plot against Munuha, Xiao Changtai, and Xiao Changzhen.

“When I become emperor, I can’t kill all my brothers. I must keep one or two to demonstrate my benevolence.” Xiao Huayong wasn’t afraid to show his true nature to Shen Xihe. “Little Twelve is clever and knows how to adapt. He’s somewhat capable.”

Having Xiao Changgeng expose this would inevitably lead to him being sent to investigate Yuhang – a test of his abilities.

This case was more complex than the rouge incident, where Xiao Changying had nearly lost his life amid various factions’ struggles. It remained to be seen if Xiao Changgeng could handle it – useless people weren’t needed.

“Prince Yan is still rather inexperienced. The Yuhang situation…” Shen Xihe was skeptical of Xiao Changgeng.

“His success depends on his ability. If he wants to climb higher, he must understand that capability must match ambition to survive.” Xiao Huayong didn’t care whether Xiao Changgeng succeeded – at this point, solving the case sooner or later wouldn’t change much.

“If Your Highness intends to keep Prince Yan till the end, why not protect him?” Shen Xihe asked, puzzled.

“Only by fighting alone, knowing he has no support, can one grow wings fastest and reveal their deepest instincts.” Xiao Huayong smiled. “If Little Twelve can’t overcome this challenge, he’s not worth my effort.”

“Without Prince Yan, who else would Your Highness keep to show benevolence?” Shen Xihe wondered.

Second Prince Zhao, Xiao Changmin, was restless. Third Prince Xiao Changzhen had the ambitious Li Yanyan behind him. Fifth Prince Xin, Xiao Changqing, and Ninth Prince Lie, Xiao Changying, might harbor thoughts of seizing power. The Eighth Prince wasn’t worth mentioning. Surely not three-year-old Xiao Changhong?

Xiao Huayong chuckled softly: “How about Sixth?”

Shen Xihe was startled – he meant Sixth Prince Xiao Changyu: “Your Highness…”

“You’re right, Youyou. I’ve kept them under surveillance. If I don’t need them, so be it. If I do, they’ll have to return and serve me obediently.” Xiao Huayong’s smile was as unfathomable as his silver eyes, deep as the ocean.

He controlled everyone within his grasp so thoroughly they couldn’t escape.

Though not emperor, he was like one.