Chapter 10 Seizure of Property

The group escorted out by the gray-clad guards included not only Desheng but also a chief steward from the Uya family.

They shone like thousand-watt lightbulbs, radiating the dazzling glow of ill-gotten wealth. Hong Yan could hardly bear to look at them, as if he could smell the blood and tears hidden behind their corruption. The reluctance and resentment he had felt earlier, forced by the system, vanished in an instant.

Compared to them, the ledgers lying in the courtyard and the trembling stewards kneeling behind seemed insignificant.

The moment Hong Yan exposed these black sheep, the system suddenly fell silent, the hallucinations disappearing without a trace, as if it had absorbed enough energy and retreated contentedly.

Hong Yan glanced at the four men groaning on the ground—

Each had embezzled between one hundred thousand to two hundred fifty thousand taels, hoarding countless silk fabrics, jewels, and hairpins. Their bellies were swollen from gluttony, their hands stained with untold lives.

What’s more, even his Father had to hide banknotes secretly. If the Crown Prince of the nation lived like this, how dare these despicable servants flaunt their wealth?

In his previous life, Hong Yan’s nature could be generously described as self-interested. Having clawed his way up from the dirt and witnessed the darkest sides of humanity, his every move after transmigrating—whether currying favor or studying—was driven by stark pragmatism.

As for corrupt officials, what dynasty didn’t have them?

If their corruption didn’t affect him, he wouldn’t interfere. Though the system had entangled him with Fourth Prince Yinzhen as “bosom friends,” all that talk about purifying the bureaucracy and restoring peace to the realm was just lip service. Deep down, he couldn’t care less.

Previously, he had been reluctantly driven by the system. But now, as he stared at these men, Hong Yan pressed his lips tightly, genuine disgust rising within him.

They deserved to die!

The moment this thought formed, an invisible upheaval occurred—the summoning sensation vanished instantly, and Hong Yan’s phoenix eyes cleared.

When he looked at the four again, the details of their embezzlement remained clearly visible, but the earlier craving was gone. In short, he had snapped out of that inexplicable fervor.

Even the long-dormant system resurfaced, its mechanical voice ringing in his mind: “[Good at Confiscating Homes], Monthly Ability upgrade complete. Newbie guidance concluded. Wishing the host a pleasant experience.”

Hong Yan: “……?”

This damned thing could level up??

In the courtyard, Hong Yan’s abrupt actions had stunned everyone.

Take Desheng, for instance—before he could react, he was grabbed and thrown heavily to the ground, howling like a slaughtered pig. The Imperial Household Department staff collectively took a step back before dropping to their knees, trembling like sieves in terror.

The Crown Prince forgot his sulking. He glanced at the gray-clad attendants and asked in surprise, “Yuanbao, what are you—?”

Having his job snatched by Hong Yan, Yinreng felt no displeasure. After all, once his anger passed, he remained a doting father.

Yinzhen wasn’t upset either, filled as he was with trust for his bosom friend. He studied his nephew intently, forming rough guesses about the gray-clad men’s origins, then shot Desheng an inscrutable look.

Though the system had leveled up, it left its host to face this awkward situation alone. Hong Yan stiffened momentarily before looking up at his Father and Fourth Uncle, scrambling for an explanation with utmost sincerity: “…These stewards reek. They’re bad people.”

Faced with this laughable reasoning, the Crown Prince didn’t laugh. Neither did Fourth Prince.

It is said that young children can clearly discern the nature of good and evil in people. Thinking of this, the Crown Prince’s expression turned solemn. He clasped his hands behind his back and gave Fourth Prince a meaningful glance.

Yinzhen gave a slight nod and stepped forward, about to speak—

The three men, excluding Desheng, paled dramatically as if sensing imminent disaster. They scrambled to their feet, their wailing abruptly ceasing.

Bulging Eyes began kowtowing frantically, tears and snot streaming down his face as he cried, “Your Highness, the Crown Prince, and Fourth Prince, this is a grave injustice! As a member of the Uya clan, I have devoted myself tirelessly to the Department of Extensive Storage and have even earned praise from Noble Consort and De Fei Niangniang. How could I possibly be the villain this little… little lord speaks of? This is a wrongful accusation!”

Having suddenly learned of the impending investigation, they had prepared countless ways to respond. Yet, out of nowhere, this little brat had appeared, acting so unreasonably.

Bulging Eyes seethed with hatred and fury. As a distant uncle of Consort De, though from a collateral branch, he held considerable influence within the Uya clan. When had he ever suffered such humiliation?

For a moment, the courtyard was filled with chaotic noise—some pleading innocence, others begging for mercy. Only Desheng, after regaining his composure, felt a mix of shame and irritation. He stole a glance at Yinzhen but remained silent, kneeling in place, unable to conceal the faint arrogance on his face.

Many in the Department of Extensive Storage knew his background, including Lingpu, the head of the Imperial Household Department.

Lingpu watched the scene with silent regret. The Crown Prince and the young lord likely had no idea that this gambling-addicted fool was Consort De’s own elder brother—Fourth Prince’s maternal uncle! A minor reprimand might be possible, but severe punishment was out of the question.

The Crown Prince, his head throbbing from their clamor, abruptly darkened his expression. Seeing this, Lingpu stiffened and immediately bellowed, “How dare you! What ‘little lord’? This is His Majesty’s eldest imperial grandson! Are you defying the young master’s will?”

In the palace, imperial princes were addressed as “Your Highness,” while imperial grandsons could be called “young master.” At these words, the crowd gasped, and Bulging Eyes trembled violently.

He hastily kowtowed again, no longer daring to curse the boy inwardly, and cried out, “Your Highness, the imperial grandson, spare me!”

“Young master, spare me! This servant would never dare neglect his duties…”

These wretched servants were all but demanding evidence—without it, they claimed they were loyal subjects wrongfully accused.

In the past, the Crown Prince would have thrown them into prison without a second thought. But now, countless eyes were watching, and there were too many considerations. Moreover, with the involvement of Fourth Prince’s maternal family, the Uya clan, and even palace consorts, without concrete evidence, he truly couldn’t act against them.

Only by uncovering the embezzled or hidden silver—its amount and whereabouts—could they be properly charged.

“Silence!” the Crown Prince snapped, his voice icy. His gaze shifted to the wooden chest filled with account books, and with a wave of his hand—under Bulging Eyes’ gleeful stare—he ordered, “Summon the auditors. Investigate the Department of Extensive Storage’s expenditures over the years. Check for discrepancies or concealed reports.”

Fourth Prince’s brow furrowed deeper. Judging by the relieved expressions of the servants, he knew these account books were undoubtedly falsified—and so skillfully that the fraud would be nearly impossible to uncover.

Though the Crown Prince had dispatched skilled accountants from the Household Administration, the affairs of the Department of Extensive Storage were exceedingly complex. How long would it take to uncover the truth?

And then there was Desheng. Recalling the “principle” the Emperor had spoken of, Yinzhen’s expression darkened. Noticing the smugness on Desheng’s face, a trace of ruthlessness flickered at the corners of his eyes.

Suddenly, a small hand tugged at his sleeve. Yinzhen looked down to see Hong Yan whispering, “Fourth Uncle, don’t worry.”

For some inexplicable reason, Yinzhen’s mood began to lift. He gave a soft hum in response, rubbing the tender tip of his nephew’s ear. When he raised his head again, his expression had returned to its usual calm and icy composure.

“Father, let’s not rush to check the accounts just yet,” Hong Yan spoke up, his voice soft and sweet.

He sidled up to the Crown Prince and cast a light glance at the four kneeling men, his round face the picture of innocence. “Why not just ask where they live and investigate step by step? I bet some might have hidden silver in their outhouses, others might keep seven or eight pretty girls, some might have secret doors for stashing stolen goods—and maybe even someone who stole a nine-tailed phoenix hairpin.”

At the mention of “hidden silver in outhouses,” the man with bulging eyes shuddered.

At “pretty girls,” the ugliest one widened his eyes.

At “secret doors,” the man with slanted eyebrows’ pupils contracted.

At “nine-tailed phoenix hairpin,” Desheng broke out in a cold sweat down his spine.

Using such an innocent tone to deliver these bloodless yet lethal “truths” made Lingpu’s heart tremble. He stared at Hong Yan in shock and awe—this little lord—!

The officials from the Department of Extensive Storage trembled like quails, keeping their mouths tightly shut.

The Fourth Prince had initially remained composed, but at the mention of the phoenix hairpin, his fists clenched tightly. Desheng frantically signaled to him, but he pretended not to see, his lips pressed into a tight, unyielding line without the slightest curve.

The Crown Prince’s phoenix-like eyes swept sharply across the courtyard before he took Hong Yan’s hand and said slowly, “Tie up these worthless dogs and prepare the sedan chairs—we leave the palace at once!”

At noon, in the Palace of Eternal Harmony.

The Imperial Household Department had delivered a plate of red berries that morning. After lunch, Consort De invited Imperial Concubine Zhangjia from the side palace to share them.

Imperial Concubine Zhangjia had borne two daughters and a son, with the Thirteenth Prince Yinxiang raised under Consort De’s care. Though nominally under her supervision, Consort De’s own Fourteenth Prince was around the same age, leaving her with endless worries. Thus, she only inquired occasionally about Yinxiang, offering brief care, leaving him mostly under his birth mother’s watch. As a result, Yinxiang was deeply attached to Zhangjiashi.

Imperial Concubine Zhangjia was gentle and graceful. Upon entering the main hall, she curtsied and said gratefully, “Your Highness always remembers me.”

“Why stand on ceremony between us?” Consort De smiled warmly and beckoned her over. “Come sit.”

After eating a few berries and chatting for a while, a palace maid peeked anxiously from behind the curtains, clearly distressed.

Recognizing her as a senior maid, Imperial Concubine Zhangjia glanced over and tactfully rose to take her leave. Consort De acknowledged her departure politely, but once Zhangjiashi had left, her smile faded slightly as she asked, “What is it?”

“Your Highness,” Lüwu, the senior maid, was usually composed but now looked panicked. “Uncle—Uncle’s home has been raided—”

Consort De froze before abruptly standing up. “What did you say?”

Lüwu took a deep breath, still unable to hide her alarm. “Uncle Desheng’s home has been raided. They say the one leading it was… the Fourth Prince!”

Author’s Note:

Hong Yan: My father has to hide money secretly—why should they get to flaunt theirs?

Yinzhen: Yuanbao is always right.