System: 【The money is hidden in the capital.】

Everyone: ???

So bold?! What kind of place could conceal such a massive amount of silver?

System: 【It’s hidden in the private storerooms of Da Xia officials who had entanglements with the gigolos.】

The officials: !!!

They could hardly believe their ears. Not only did he seduce their wives, but he also stored the stolen silver in their residences? This wasn’t just theft—it was an insult to their dignity!

The Emperor and the Crown Prince were momentarily stunned as well.

Neither had expected the Second Prince to devise such a cruel yet self-serving scheme.

Frankly, if it weren’t for the revelation through the inner thoughts, even if someone traced the mastermind back to the Second Prince, it wouldn’t matter.

Since no stolen silver was directly in his possession, there would be no concrete evidence to convict him. Worse yet, the Second Prince could use the hidden silver to threaten those officials, forcing them to defend him. Otherwise, he could expose their private stashes and implicate them as accomplices.

Yuan Ruan’s little face froze in shock:

【No wonder the Second Prince could succeed my big nephew and become the next emperor! Cunning and ruthless—he lacks nothing.】

The Second Prince: !!!

What?! He was supposed to become emperor?!

But his face soon darkened, and his sharp gaze swept over Yuan Ruan and the Crown Prince. Damn it, not yet… No, there was still a chance. He still had cards to play.

The officials: !!!

Heavens above! Was such a villain really going to inherit the throne? How miserable their lives would have been! Who knows—this could have led to the complete extinction of Da Xia!

Suddenly, the Minister of War trembled violently. He glanced at Yuan Ruan, then at the Second Prince.

Finally, he shut his eyes tightly and gritted his teeth. “Your Majesty, I’ve read the Crown Prince’s intelligence as well, so there’s one more thing I must ask the Second Prince to clarify. When exactly did he send people to my residence?!”

Everyone froze for a moment. Then, someone quickly realized and exclaimed, “The children! Didn’t the Minister of War recently celebrate the birth of twins, a boy and a girl?!”

The Minister of Revenue glanced at the Minister of War with pity, though he didn’t have time to dwell on sympathizing.

Because Yuan Ruan had also curiously asked the system:

【Yeah! System, how long has this plan been going on?】

System: 【About seven or eight years.】

“Seven years and nine months,” came the Second Prince’s cold voice.

Not only did the Minister of War break down at this, but the entire court exploded into chaos.

Seven to eight years?!

Over such a long period, which aristocratic family in the capital wouldn’t have added one or two newborns? Especially among this group of young officials. If they didn’t produce a child every four years, their elderly family matriarchs would likely start pressing them to take concubines!

The Minister of Rites and the Minister of War both charged at the Second Prince. Meanwhile, Second Uncle simply plopped down on the Second Prince’s waist to prevent him from getting up.

The Crown Prince hesitated for a moment, considering whether to help, but ultimately decided against it. He turned to his father, only to find the Emperor deeply engrossed in studying the carved dragon on a nearby pillar.

Yuan Ruan sighed softly:

【This scandal is sure to become a massive embarrassment for Da Xia on the international stage.】

Everyone: ???

Why would this become a scandal for Da Xia abroad?

The Minister of War was the first to roar, “If anyone dares leak what happened today…” He mimed a gesture of strangling someone.

The other officials nodded in agreement. Who would broadcast such an affair, tarnishing their own reputation? They were determined to nip it in the bud.

System: 【With so many people involved, they’ll keep it secret together. No one will spread it.】

Yuan Ruan: 【But when their children grow up and start getting married, how will they choose their partners? When selecting husbands or wives, how can they trust each other? What if they accidentally pick someone with the same father?! This will definitely get out.】

The officials: !!!

The same father?!

The phrase struck them like a bolt of lightning, leaving them utterly stunned.

The Minister of Rites roared, “So many years! You’re trying to destroy my bloodline!”

Hearing this, the Second Prince finally understood why the officials were so enraged. He hurriedly explained, “No! I made sure they followed the rules and wore sheepskin condoms!”

System: 【Exactly! The Second Prince is a clever man. He knew that if he disrupted the officials’ bloodlines on such a large scale, he’d be overthrown even if he ascended the throne. Therefore, the gigolos all wore sheepskin condoms during their liaisons. They even tricked the women into drinking specially brewed ‘honey water,’ which was actually a contraceptive tea.】

The moment the inner voice concluded, the fists aimed at the Second Prince froze mid-air.

The Second Prince exhaled heavily and glared at the people above him. “What are you staring at?! I had everything under control!”

“Spit! You’re still trying to justify yourself?!” Second Uncle scolded before smacking the Second Prince on the head twice more.

The others also swarmed in, and chaos erupted once again.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince stood with their hands clasped behind their backs, now examining the cobwebs on the walls after finishing with the pillar carvings.

Yuan Ruan wasn’t particularly interested in the Second Prince getting beaten up. Her attention was entirely on the system panel:

【System, how about it? Did I complete my national fortune mission?!】

System: 【Hehe, you’re at 95% completion. I believe the money is hidden with the Second Prince. Just wait; it’ll be resolved soon.】

Everyone: !!!

The Second Prince felt an ominous chill. Wait… what’s a national fortune mission?

How does this have anything to do with him?

Yuan Ruan: 【Yay! Brother, Big Nephew, go, go, go!】

Her chubby little face lit up with excitement. Clinging to the Emperor’s arms, she kept tugging at his hair and babbling while pointing at the Second Prince.

The Emperor and Crown Prince finally turned their attention to the Second Prince, their gazes dark and intense.

The Second Prince, who had been unfazed while being beaten, suddenly shuddered.

He hastily knelt. “Father, Brother, I was foolish. I—I’ll atone for my sins through meritorious deeds!”

The Crown Prince hesitated, glancing at his father.

But the Emperor’s expression was cold as he said, “It’s too late. Even if the pillars of Da Xia forgive you, I cannot forgive a pest who disregards the country’s interests and harms its foundation!”

As his words fell, the officials, who had been worried the Second Prince might escape punishment due to his royal status, felt their blood boil. Their faces flushed red, and their eyes brimmed with tears.

“Your Majesty!” The Minister of War knelt abruptly. “I will serve you until my dying breath!”

The Minister of Revenue, initially moved, rolled his eyes at the Minister of War before kneeling gracefully. “Your Majesty, as you have treated me with honor, I shall repay you with loyalty.”

The Minister of Rites also kowtowed. “A scholar dies for his confidant! I am willing to give my life for Your Majesty!”

…

The Second Prince, knowing how ruthless his father could be, was terrified. Suddenly, the system’s mention of the national fortune mission and the hidden silver crossed his mind.

Gritting his teeth, he pulled out a red dudou (a traditional undergarment) from his robe and raised it high. “Father! I will atone for my sins with this!”

Everyone: …

Some of the older officials turned red with anger, pointing at the Second Prince. “Shameful! Absolutely shameful!”

The Emperor’s face darkened. He didn’t even want to hear another word. With a wave of his hand, the guards stationed outside quickly rushed in. They hesitated briefly at the sight of the Second Prince holding up a dudou but soon restrained him.

“W-wait…”

The Second Prince anxiously tried to explain, “The map to the hidden silver is on this dudou! It’s an account book!”

Everyone: !!!

At that moment, the system’s inner voice rang out:

System: 【Ahhhh! Ah Ruan! The national fortune side mission: Exposing the master conspirator and recovering the stolen funds meant for building the Nation Preceptor’s mansion (Completed). Reward: National Fortune +3. It’s done! Your new divine power is coming!】

The Emperor, who had been about to order the Second Prince dragged away, froze.

Everyone’s attention snapped to Yuan Ruan, their eyes blazing with anticipation.

It’s done?

What divine power will it be?