The Crown Prince’s heart was filled with hatred, but he dared not show it on his face. Facing Emperor Tai’an’s fury, he obediently admitted his mistake. “Your son was wrong. It won’t happen again in the future.”

The Crown Prince’s prompt admission of fault somewhat reduced Emperor Tai’an’s anger.

This was the son he had once held on his knee and taught to write character by character. His disappointment stemmed precisely from having placed high hopes on him.

Emperor Tai’an’s tone lost some of its coldness and gained earnest meaning. “You are the Crown Prince. You cannot act too willfully, otherwise how will you earn the subjects’ trust in the future?”

“Your son understands.”

Emperor Tai’an glanced at the Crown Prince’s left arm and sighed inwardly. “Rest well and recover. Recovery takes time. Don’t let this disturb your mental state.”

The Crown Prince obediently agreed. Once Emperor Tai’an left, he breathed a huge sigh of relief.

He knew it—as long as his attitude in admitting mistakes was good, Father Emperor wouldn’t hold it against him.

This incident had taught him a lesson. In the future he must be more thorough in his actions and not leave behind any future troubles.

Having grasped Emperor Tai’an’s meaning, under Jinlin Guard Commander Cheng Maoming’s arrangements, the Crown Prince’s assassination incident soon had an explanation: The former dynasty’s State Preceptor harbored treasonous intent and had arranged for someone to do it.

This explanation quickly spread. Even Daoist Mingxin in the Eastern Palace heard of it.

Daoist Mingxin, skilled at strategizing, showed no emotion on his face, but in his heart he rarely felt a few threads of bewilderment: He had arranged for someone to do it? How did he not know this?

Something was wrong with this matter.

As Emperor Pingle’s most relied-upon person, Daoist Mingxin knew all too clearly how many people were arranged in the capital, which officials had been won over, and what plans existed.

This did not include assassinating the Crown Prince.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to, but rather they hadn’t yet found a suitable opportunity.

Emperor Tai’an only had two sons. One could imagine his concern for the Crown Prince’s safety. That the performing youth had managed to injure the Crown Prince could be considered a miracle.

They weren’t their people, yet the matter was being pinned on them. This was interesting.

Who would pin blame on others? Naturally opposing parties.

Opposing parties—Daoist Mingxin stroked his beard.

Wasn’t their opposing party the current Emperor?

The correspondence between him and Qin Yunchuan had been stolen, and immediately after, Qin Yunchuan met with misfortune. Yet nominally it was retirement, showing that Emperor Tai’an didn’t want people to know Emperor Pingle’s people were still active, for the sake of stability.

But now Emperor Tai’an was actively pinning blame on them. This indicated he wanted to cover up something even more disadvantageous.

What was more disadvantageous to Emperor Tai’an would be advantageous to them.

What was Emperor Tai’an trying to cover up?

Daoist Mingxin’s mouth corner stretched, and he gasped in pain. Coming back to his senses, he discovered a strand of beard between two fingers.

He rushed to the mirror and looked at his sparse beard with great distress.

It was going to fall out completely!

What puzzled Daoist Mingxin, Qi Shuo happened to know the answer to.

Wanting to hide shame for the Crown Prince? Truly a loving father.

He naturally arranged to meet with Lin Hao.

Between the two of them was a small copper pot with boiling water, inside which rolled thin slices of lamb and tender vegetable hearts.

“This establishment’s specialty is high-quality lamb, sliced thin as cicada wings. Once dipped in the pot, it’s ready to eat.” Qi Shuo used the serving chopsticks to place cooked meat slices into the porcelain dish before Lin Hao, speaking of business in a casual conversational tone. “The rumors spreading outside—has Second Miss Lin heard of them?”

“Is Your Lordship referring to Xiao Feng’s origins?” Lin Hao thought of those rumors, a mocking smile appearing at her lips. “They certainly know how to pull up a cover.”

Qi Shuo couldn’t help but laugh.

“Why does Your Lordship laugh?”

“Nothing, just that we thought alike.”

“Does Your Lordship have any plans?” Lin Hao’s body leaned forward slightly, her eyes inadvertently revealing some anticipation.

Prince Jing’s Heir had used the Jinlin Guard’s hand to lightly and skillfully place the truth of the Crown Prince’s assassination before the Emperor. His ability to handle matters was quite reliable.

The anticipation in the young lady’s eyes made Qi Shuo’s mood pleasant, though his face showed nothing. “Since it’s a cover that’s been pulled up, just tear it down. The capital’s common people are famously tolerant of all kinds of rumors.”

Lin Hao understood Qi Shuo’s meaning. He was going to use public opinion to spread the truth.

“Then Your Lordship must be careful when handling this matter. Don’t let anyone catch you by the tail.”

“Thank you for Second Miss Lin’s reminder. I will be careful.”

Lin Hao felt she should also contribute, otherwise why would Prince Jing’s Heir bother discussing it with her?

She had no manpower, but she did have some silver.

“Your Lordship arranging people to handle things—it must cost quite a bit, right?”

Qi Shuo’s chopsticks reaching for lamb slices paused.

Was Second Miss Lin worried he didn’t have money?

“There are some expenses.” Unable to figure out Lin Hao’s thoughts for the moment, Qi Shuo answered vaguely.

Lin Hao quickly calculated the expenses for sheltering the beggar children and made her decision. “I can’t help with much, but I’ll bear part of the expenses. Consider it cooperating with Your Lordship.”

“Cooperation?” Qi Shuo found this term quite pleasing to the ear.

Lin Hao’s attitude was candid. “Both Your Lordship and I dislike the Crown Prince. Your Lordship is willing to share plans with me—I can’t just be a listener.”

She didn’t know Prince Jing’s Heir’s reasons for firmly opposing the Crown Prince, but since their goals aligned and he was trustworthy, she naturally needed to show some sincerity.

In many matters, Prince Jing’s Heir was more conveniently positioned than her. This cooperation wasn’t a loss.

“Then let’s cooperate.” Qi Shuo’s lips curved in a smile as he asked seriously, “I wonder how much Second Miss Lin is prepared to contribute?”

“Two hundred taels of silver.” Lin Hao said reluctantly.

Although she had long-term plans for those beggar children, waiting for them to grow up and repay the money was years away. Right now that residence sheltering beggar children was like a huge gold-devouring beast to her.

Miss Lin, who had been clothed in silk and fed delicacies since childhood and never worried about money, finally discovered the importance of silver.

Qi Shuo looked deeply at Lin Hao.

He didn’t know if it was his imagination, but even Second Miss Lin’s hair seemed to exude reluctance.

Since that was the case—

“That’s probably not enough.”

“Not enough?” Lin Hao was startled, somewhat incredulous. “Spreading gossip… costs that much money?”

She truly had no experience in this area.

Qi Shuo nodded seriously. “Very expensive.”

Lin Hao hesitated, for the first time lacking confidence regarding money. “Then… how much is needed?”

“Does Second Miss Lin need to increase revenue?” Qi Shuo suddenly changed the topic.

Lin Hao digested the new topic briefly and became interested. “How to increase revenue?”

“I’m planning to open a small restaurant with affordable prices. Second Miss Lin could invest some silver, and we’ll split the profits.”

“Since prices are affordable, there won’t be much profit, right?” Lin Hao wasn’t a coy person. Since she was interested, she immediately began analyzing.

Qi Shuo was silent for a moment.

Who would have thought—Second Miss Lin had the potential to be a shrewd merchant.

“The advantage is in high volume with small margins. More importantly, this type of restaurant comes into contact with many and varied people, convenient for obtaining information.”

Lin Hao was persuaded. “Then how much investment is needed?”

“One hundred taels will suffice.”

Lin Hao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright, I’ll invest.”

This was even less than spreading gossip.

Thinking of this, Lin Hao brought the topic back. “How much will arranging that matter cost?”

Qi Shuo smiled. “I was joking. I can’t let you contribute alone. If there’s a shortfall, I’ll make it up.”

Lin Hao didn’t insist on saving face, and they happily reached a cooperation.

After the meal, Lin Hao decided to visit the residence sheltering beggar children, while Qi Shuo returned to the prince’s manor.