Just thinking about sneaking into the imperial harem later that night sent a thrill through Jiang Yuanwu.

Half an hour later, the two of them lay flat on a rooftop.

Jiang Yuanwu was confused.

“Yuanxi, aren’t we going to the palace?” Then why were they on the Chancellor’s mansion rooftop?

Jiang Yuanxi whispered, “Just dropping by for a visit.”

Jiang Yuanwu: “…”

Climbing onto someone’s roof counts as dropping by?

Besides, he was well aware that the Prime Minister’s wife had just offended their mother earlier that day. Knowing his little sister, she was definitely up to no good.

[Of course, we’re here to steal something.]

Jiang Yuanwu thought to himself: Knew it.

He tried to dissuade her. “Yuanxi, the Prime Minister’s mansion is heavily guarded. Let’s go back and make a proper plan before coming again, alright?”

He had heard long ago that the mansion was protected by eighteen elite guards, all highly skilled.

If it were just two or three opponents, he could manage.

But if all eighteen attacked at once, he wasn’t sure he could protect Yuanxi.

Before he could finish speaking, he saw his sister toss something dark off the roof.

In the dim light, he couldn’t see what it was.

Moments later, the mansion’s shadow guards began dropping like dumplings into boiling water, one after another.

Yuanxi tugged Jiang Yuanwu’s hand. “Brother, let’s go down.”

The mansion was quiet; the master and servants were all sound asleep.

With the shadow guards around, no one feared an intruder—unless that intruder had a death wish.

A small black snake slithered up Jiang Yuanxi’s arm.

Its entire body ached.

Moments ago, its master had thrown it from such a great height.

Now, its insides still hurt.

Yuanxi patted the snake. “Well done, Heihei. I’ll give you extra meat when we get back.”

The snake’s venom had a natural sedative effect. If controlled properly, it wouldn’t kill—just put people into a deep sleep.

Jiang Yuanwu couldn’t help but give his sister a mental thumbs-up.

Still my sister, after all.

They swaggered into the Prime Minister’s study. Along the way, they encountered maids and servants sleeping near the door. Without hesitation, they released the snake again.

Eventually, the siblings reached Sima Dao’s study. Jiang Yuanxi opened the door and slipped inside as if she were in her own home.

“Brother, turn the teacup.”

Following her finger, Jiang Yuanwu saw something resembling a teacup under the moonlight.

He reached out and turned it.

With a soft click, the bookshelf to the left split down the middle, revealing a narrow passage, just wide enough for one person.

Jiang Yuanwu lit a candle from the desk, shielding his sister behind him as they stepped inside.

The sight before him left him speechless.

Jiang Yuanxi had already climbed atop a mountain of gold and silver.

[We’re rich! Look at all this money!]

Jewels were piled high, glittering in the candlelight.

Not to mention the chests brimming with gold and silver.

Jiang Yuanwu finally understood why his sister had wanted to come here.

Jiang Yuanxi never acted without reason. Clearly, the Prime Minister had been embezzling vast sums over the years.

And this was likely just the tip of the iceberg.

Meanwhile, soldiers at the border were eating scraps to defend the nation, while corrupt officials lived in luxury.

Jiang Yuanwu clenched his fists, already planning how to discreetly transport the treasure out.

“Yuanxi, how about we take some first and come back for the rest tomorrow?”

If they called in reinforcements, they could empty this place in three days.

Jiang Yuanxi slid down from the pile of jewels.

She pulled out a piece of toilet paper from her sleeve and began scribbling with a charcoal pen.

Within moments, a talisman was complete.

Jiang Yuanxi tossed it into the air.

“Collect!”

A golden light flashed, and the treasure in the secret chamber began disappearing.

Jiang Yuanwu watched, mouth agape, stunned from start to finish.

Someone, please tell him—just how powerful was his little sister?!

So badass!

[It worked! Peach’s wish really came true!]

Jiang Yuanwu was baffled.

What wish?

He pushed the question aside for now and quickly led Jiang Yuanxi out of the Chancellor’s mansion.

..

In the palace, the emperor sat slumped on his dragon throne, five empty bowls lined up before him.

Yet, he still felt drowsy.

Seeing this, Chief Eunuch Cao Sheng called out, “Bring more soup!”

The emperor jolted awake at the shout.

Cao Sheng immediately lowered his head and backed away, terrified of angering the emperor.

Serving an emperor meant walking on a knife’s edge daily.

He had to keep the emperor awake without offending him—a nearly impossible task.

Thankfully, His Majesty didn’t seem displeased.

The emperor blinked. “Still not here?”

Cao Sheng responded, “Your Majesty, it’s on the way. However, the princess seems to have paid a visit to the Prime Minister’s mansion.”

The emperor frowned in suspicion.

Just then, the head of the palace guards rushed in.

“Your Majesty! Princess Xihe is heading straight for the national treasury!”

The Emperor’s drowsiness vanished.

“Hurry, bring my robes! We’re going to the treasury!”

If he delayed even a second, the treasury might be emptied!

He wasn’t worried about ordinary thieves, but Yuanxi was different.

That girl could command spirits—she definitely had other tricks up her sleeve.

She was also extremely greedy.

And the treasury was practically empty.

A group of ministers was still waiting for funds.

The Emperor felt utterly miserable.

..

An hour later, the emperor crouched behind a stone lion at the treasury gates.

“Are you sure they went in?”

Cao Sheng nodded. “The shadow guards have been watching. No one has come out.”

He swatted at mosquitoes while waiting alongside the emperor.

After another half-hour, the emperor grew impatient.

“Enough! Let’s go in and see!”

His guards stepped forward, pushing open the heavy treasury doors.

Inside—

Cao Sheng gasped.

The guards’ eyes widened in shock.

Somewhere, a blade clattered to the ground.

Only the emperor remained outwardly calm, though his clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil.

After a long silence, the emperor composed himself.

His face solemn, his tone heavy, he commanded, “This matter must not be leaked—under any circumstances.”

Cao Sheng nodded. “Your Majesty, how should we record the sudden influx of gold and silver?”

A fortune of this scale couldn’t be hidden from the court.

The emperor clasped his hands behind his back, his expression easing.

“Say that the heavens have blessed us. A divine maiden, moved by the suffering of the people, has gifted this wealth to the kingdom.”

Still, how had that little rascal transported all this treasure so stealthily? And how had she left undetected?

“Spread the word quickly,” the Emperor urged.

Cao Sheng smiled.

Princess Xihe truly was a lucky star for the kingdom.

But the emperor’s gaze darkened.

That sly old fox, Sima Dao—embezzling so much while pretending to be poor.

Let’s see how he explains himself at court.

..

At breakfast, the family noticed two empty seats.

Jiang Fengyuan frowned. “Where are Yuanwu and Yuanxi?”

Chun Zhi replied, “Miss and Second Young Master haven’t gotten up yet.”

Jiang Yuancheng raised an eyebrow. Yuanxi was lazy, sure—but Yuanwu sleeping in? That was odd.

Madam Chen was also suspicious. Her son was obsessed with training, never missing a morning session. Why today?

Just then, Jiang Yuanxi stumbled sleepily into the room, plopped onto a stool, and drowsily grabbed a meat bun.

Chun Tao gasped, “Madam, look—Miss has dark circles under her eyes!”

Madam Chen gently touched her daughter’s cheek. “So heavy…?”

Her cry startled Jiang Yuanxi awake.

Jiang Fengyuan scooped her up, heart aching.

“Tell Daddy—who bullied you? I’ll go beat them up!”

He assumed someone had hit her.

Jiang Yuanxi yawned, eyes misty with sleep, making her look even more pitiful.

Then, Jiang Yuanwu walked in, also sporting dark circles—though he looked much more energetic.

Jiang Yuansheng smirked. “Don’t tell me you two got into a fight?”

Jiang Yuanwu glanced at his sister and immediately buried his head in his food.

The family tried to hear Jiang Yuanxi’s thoughts—

[Meat buns, meat buns—ooh, duck legs! Too greasy for breakfast… must hide it for later…]