Xie Shi’an walked in a daze to the entrance of Prince Gongxi’s mansion.

Back when he was locked in the dungeon, it was Prince Gongxi who had saved his life.

When he came out of the dungeon and went to seek an audience with Prince Gongxi again, Prince Gongxi refused to see him.

He vaguely guessed that probably the suggestion he had proposed had encountered problems during execution and implementation, so Prince Gongxi had abandoned him.

However, now Prince Gongxi had been punished by the Emperor with house confinement for reflection, and wasn’t even allowed to participate in the New Year’s Eve banquet. This was his most down-and-out time, also the time when he had the least to do, so he would probably be willing to spare some time to see him.

He walked to the main gate and explained his purpose.

The Emperor had only forbidden Prince Gongxi from leaving the prince’s mansion, but hadn’t prohibited outsiders from calling.

However, to avoid suspicion, the vast majority of people wouldn’t come to meet with Prince Gongxi at this time.

Therefore, Xie Shi’an became the only person to call during this period, aside from Consort Hui.

Naturally, he was allowed to enter.

Walking through the main gate of Prince Gongxi’s mansion, Xie Shi’an followed to the study.

Prince Gongxi was painting. Hearing the sound of someone entering, only then did he put down his brush, raise his head, glance at Xie Shi’an, and immediately sneer: “Looking so wretched—you’ve reached a dead end, so you’ve come to find this prince?”

Xie Shi’an pressed his lips together and said, “When this commoner first reached a dead end, I was fortunate to receive the Prince’s rescue, which allowed me to barely survive, yet I’ve never been able to repay you.”

“Oh?” Prince Gongxi had nothing but idle time anyway. Leaning back in his chair, he said leisurely, “So you’re saying Young Master Xie has come to repay this prince?”

Xie Shi’an lowered his head: “The grace of saving my life cannot be repaid, so I can only do my utmost to assist the Prince in ascending to that highest position.”

“Insolent!” Prince Gongxi’s face suddenly turned cold. “You, a mere commoner, dare to presumptuously discuss court affairs. This prince thinks you’re tired of living!”

“Although the Prince is trapped in this small space, you should also know that the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yun family, Yun Chu, is about to marry into Prince Pingxi’s mansion and become Princess Pingxi.” Xie Shi’an raised his head. “And I am the eldest son that the Yun family’s eldest daughter once valued most. Even now, in private, I still call her Mother. Because she cannot bear children, she also treats me as her own. Why not let me become an informant the Prince plants by Prince Pingxi’s side?”

A cold gleam rose at the corner of Prince Gongxi’s eyes.

At this time, the New Year’s greetings in the palace had ended. Chu Yi brought the two children out of the palace. After he sent the two children back, he summoned a group of advisors to discuss matters.

You must understand, this was the first day of the new year. Everyone, as long as nothing unexpected happened, should be visiting relatives and friends and drinking heavily. Suddenly receiving Prince Pingxi’s summons, those officials who had been drinking were shocked. They hurriedly drank several large bowls of sobering soup, patted their own faces, and quickly took carriages to Chu Yi’s current residence.

One official after another met at the gate of the residence, each one with a worried and distressed expression.

“Why would the Prince suddenly summon us during the New Year celebration?”

“It must be some important matter. Otherwise, the Prince wouldn’t specifically have us come at this time.”

“Could it be that bandits have gathered outside the capital? That would indeed be a matter of great importance.”

The group of court officials discussed among themselves as they stepped through the courtyard gate.

They saw Steward Cheng smiling broadly: “The Prince knows that all of you have worked hard this year and has specially prepared New Year gifts for everyone. Distinguished officials, please come this way.”

Hearing these words, the hearts that everyone present had held high immediately fell back into their stomachs.

So it was to have them come receive New Year gifts. The Prince was being too considerate—it made them feel rather embarrassed.

When they saw the New Year gifts, these officials were all shocked.

Each person received two jars of excellent Daughter’s Red wine, two fresh large live fish, an entire leg of lamb, and a large basket of fresh green vegetables… In the depths of winter, these things were as rare as rare could be, yet the Prince had actually prepared so many for them, these people… Looking across the entire capital, there wasn’t any other household that had prepared such generous New Year gifts for their advisors… No, it should be said that other households didn’t even have New Year gifts at all.

The Prince treated them really too generously.

They must be loyal to the Prince, work themselves to death for the Prince, and never betray him…

Steward Cheng smiled and said, “Since you’re all already here, why don’t you distinguished officials sit with our Prince for a while.”

Everyone indeed wanted to thank the Prince in person, so they followed into the main hall.

Charcoal fires burned inside, making it very warm. The chairs had long been prepared, and steaming hot tea had been served at every seat.

“No need for formalities. Everyone sit.”

Before the crowd could bow, Chu Yi had already spoken.

These officials felt extremely comforted in their hearts. Every time they entered the palace to perform obeisances, those important personages always waited until after they had completed their bows before saying “no need for excessive courtesy.” It was somewhat hypocritical, but they didn’t dare speak plainly about it…

Official Zhou, who held the highest rank, cupped his hands: “Thank you, Prince, for specially preparing New Year gifts for us. We here respectfully wish the Prince a happy new…”

Chu Yi’s lips curved into an arc: “The marriage isn’t yet settled. There’s no need to be so hasty with congratulations.”

Official Zhou: “…”

He was only wishing him a happy new year, not congratulating him on his wedding.

“Since you’ve brought up this matter, perfect.” Chu Yi drank a sip of tea, then continued, “Let’s chat about the marriage.”

Everyone: “…”

This was just like last time—summoning them to discuss matters in the middle of the night, then in the end asking them how they had married their current wives.

Only now did they vaguely realize that from that time on, the Prince had already been plotting to marry the Yun family’s eldest daughter.

As the Prince’s advisors, they actually didn’t approve of this marriage. After all, not only would it provide no assistance whatsoever to the Prince, but he would also be mocked by others.

Before any of them could open their mouths.

Chu Yi said, “Before you all got married, what betrothal gifts did you prepare for the bride’s family?”

Everyone understood.

He had made up his mind to marry the Yun family’s eldest daughter.

In that case, words of opposition need not be spoken.

Furthermore, having accepted favors from others made one’s hands short—they had received so many New Year gifts from the Prince, so naturally they had to think of ways to offer counsel and strategies.

“In response to the Prince, when this old subject married over twenty years ago, my family was impoverished, so I personally set traps and caught a deer, using the deer hide as betrothal gifts to marry my virtuous wife.”

“This humble subject’s marriage was arranged by my parents, and the betrothal gifts were also prepared by my mother—they were cloth, gold, silver, and such.”

“Actually, the betrothal gifts mainly demonstrate the groom’s sincerity, letting the bride’s family feel that she is valued…”

Everyone expressed their opinions one after another.

After chatting for nearly two hours, they finally adjourned.

The various officials picked up their New Year gifts and prepared to leave. At this time, Chengxu came over with a grinning smile: “Distinguished officials, please wait.”

Several officials turned back: “What instruction does Official Cheng have?”

“It’s like this…” Chengxu scratched his head. “I impulsively embraced a woman before, and afterward she would no longer acknowledge me. I… what should I do?”

Official Zhou’s gossiping heart blazed fiercely. He set down his New Year gifts and asked carefully: “Why did Official Cheng embrace that woman? When you embraced her, what was her reaction? Did you apologize afterward? Did she say anything…”

Beside him, over a dozen pairs of ears perked up in unison.

Chengxu coughed.

Wasn’t this much more useful than asking those people in the military camp?

Those people in the military camp still required spending money at Desheng Tower before they could get any information.

But the Prince’s advisors were all clever. Taking this opportunity to ask them a few questions was such a good deal.