Chapter 8 Debut

Prince Yuanbao’s confidant?

“…” Yinzhen wondered if he had misheard.

The words carried an unmistakable hint of jealousy. When the Fourth Prince regained his composure, his ears slowly burned red. How did the Emperor know about this “confidant” matter?

Fortunately, the mention of Wuya Desheng’s name pulled him back from his embarrassment.

Yinzhen barely managed to rein in his wandering thoughts. His eyes sharpened as he bowed deeply. “Desheng acted recklessly and is unworthy of his post. It was my fault for failing to report his misconduct—a grave mistake. I beg for Your Majesty’s forgiveness!”

His reply was rigid and formal, yet his expression held quiet determination. The Emperor studied him for a long moment before finally revealing a faint smile. “Enough. Rise.”

Yinzhen kowtowed in gratitude, only then realizing his back was drenched in cold sweat.

“Fourth,” the Emperor said, gazing at his son with the same distant, instructive look he had used when Yinzhen was a child. “Family and country come first, before personal ties. Occasional leniency is natural—after all, fish cannot survive in water too clear. But once that line is crossed, chaos follows. Whether in court or the inner palace, those who uphold boundaries deserve praise, while those who overstep must be punished. That is my principle.”

The Emperor saw everything with crystal clarity. Though Yinzhen appeared cold, he was in fact deeply sentimental.

Just as he could never truly sever ties with Consort De, nor with the Fourteenth Prince. He was better at acting than speaking—like last summer’s ice or winter’s charcoal, both rationed by the Imperial Household Department. Despite having his own consort and heir, Yinzhen had quietly shared his allotment with the Fourteenth.

The Fourteenth had never mentioned it, and Consort De remained oblivious. The Emperor met Yinzhen’s eyes, his tone gentle yet probing. “Do you agree with this principle?”

The Fourth Prince shuddered, his eyes stinging faintly.

The Emperor’s gaze seemed to pierce through him, as if understanding his aspirations and his grievances. How many years had it been since he last heard such words?

Only when Empress Xiaogong was still alive.

Clasping his hands, he murmured, “I understand, Father.”

When he looked up again, his eyes shone with unwavering resolve. The Emperor nodded in approval before abruptly shifting topics. “Yuanbao shares your ambitions.”

Suddenly, Yinzhen had a very bad feeling.

The Emperor sighed. “That boy told me, ‘Since Father and Fourth Uncle are fixing the National Treasury, I want to see it for myself.'”

The moment the words left the Emperor’s lips, Yinzhen felt the world spin. He blurted out, “Father, I was only joking! You mustn’t—”

“What could I do? How could I refuse?” The Emperor chuckled, cutting him off. “After all, you’re his dear confidant.”

The Fourth Prince was thoroughly speechless.

Li Dequan discreetly wiped his brow—though there was no sweat—as the Emperor continued, “Very well. I entrust Yuanbao to you. Take him with you on duty tomorrow.”

With a snort, he added, “A five-year-old spouting grand claims about ‘restoring peace to the realm.’ Daring enough to charge into a Dragon Pool Tiger Lair—who on earth does he take after?”

Yinzhen’s expression cycled through shades of disbelief. He studied the Emperor’s proud face, lips parting and closing before he finally managed a stiff, reluctant nod.

The Emperor waved him off. Yinzhen bowed mechanically and trudged away, his steps heavy.

Returning to his study, he spent the entire evening coming to terms with reality, finally convincing himself by midnight. Though Hong Yan was young, he was exceptionally bright—there was no way he would cause trouble. Moreover, with his protection, no matter what, those open attacks and hidden arrows would never harm his nephew…

Before falling asleep, Yinzhen kept turning things over in his mind, feeling as though he had overlooked something.

What could it be?

When Hong Yan returned from the Hall of Heavenly Purity, he inexplicably received a cold glare from his father.

The Crown Prince sat beside the Crown Princess, gazing at him with a sour tone, “My son only has eyes for Yinzhen and has long forgotten his own father somewhere beyond the clouds.”

Recalling He Zhuer’s words, the Crown Prince couldn’t suppress his irritation. Not daring to talk back, Hong Yan obediently admitted his mistake and then eagerly handed his father a cup of tea, “Father, please don’t be angry. I promise, you’re the one I care about most!”

The Crown Princess burst into laughter, while the Crown Prince skeptically took the teacup, sensing something was off.

Before he could figure it out, he was soothed by Hong Yan’s endless flattery—words like “Father is the most handsome among the brothers,” “Father is majestic and the most beloved heir apparent,” and “Father is the best father in the world”…

In an instant, the Crown Prince’s anger melted away, and even his worries about tomorrow’s duties vanished!

That night, he drifted into sleep with a smile.

The next day.

During the morning court session, the Emperor casually mentioned the new assignments given to the imperial princes. In an instant, the court erupted into chaos.

Such a spectacle—even the conferring of noble titles hadn’t been this lively. Courtiers took turns submitting memorials, arguing back and forth like a bustling marketplace. The censors were divided, with more opposing than supporting.

Veteran ministers like Mingzhu, Suo’etu, and Tong Guowei remained silent on the surface, inwardly acknowledging the thorniness of the situation.

Once the courtiers had argued enough, the Emperor raised his hand to quiet them and sighed heavily. “Let it be known to all my ministers that the National Treasury is strained—this is no exaggeration. Moreover, the Imperial Household Department’s salaries are delayed. Yesterday, even my imperial mother suggested reducing the Empress Dowager’s Imperial Cuisine to five dishes, cutting expenses from the top down. As for fine silks and brocades, they are no longer suitable for wear.”

“How can my imperial mother, with her noble status, endure this? How ashamed I am!” The Emperor’s hawk-like eyes sharpened as he raised his voice. “If the National Treasury lacks funds, let us draw from the Imperial Treasury—first to meet the needs of the inner palace, then to pay the salaries of the capital officials. What say you?”

At these words, everyone’s expressions changed.

The court fell to its knees in unison. “Your Majesty, we are incompetent!”

The saying “When the ruler is humiliated, the ministers should die” was no empty phrase. With the Emperor speaking to this extent, if they continued to oppose, history would surely record their names—as objects of scorn!

“I also hope my ministers will understand my plight,” the Emperor said, his expression softening as he looked at the sea of bowed heads. “Do not hinder the imperial princes.”

“Court is dismissed.”

Even after the imperial yellow figure had vanished, the ministers remained kneeling. After a long while, they slowly rose one by one.

Countless eyes turned toward the left front, where the imperial princes stood—some contemplative, some calculating, others filled with fear and wariness. The Crown Prince, wearing a faint smile, calmly departed first. Seeing this, Suo’etu excused himself from his colleagues and hurried after him.

Only then did the courtiers gradually disperse.

Da Age walked alongside Mingzhu, the two conversing in low voices.

“The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War—why did His Highness the Lord Prince specifically choose these two?” Mingzhu rubbed his temples, his expression grave. “Neither is easy to deal with.”

The Ministry of Revenue managed household registrations and ledgers, while the Ministry of War oversaw military registrations and provisions. The waters ran deep, but the real challenge lay in striking the right balance. Dig too deep, and one might not escape unscathed; dig too shallow, and it would only invite the Emperor’s displeasure.

Da Age snorted. “Do you think I don’t know that? The Third Prince and his faction are shrewd, but what choice do we have? Besides, the Crown Prince’s Imperial Household Department is no less formidable. Soon enough, he and the Fourth Prince will come knocking on your door for repayment.”

Mingzhu fell into thought and then remained silent.

Who among them hadn’t borrowed a sum or two from the National Treasury? Borrowing was easy, but collecting debts was hard—especially from the imperial clan’s princes and commandery princes. If they offended them thoroughly, would the Crown Prince’s position remain as stable as Mount Tai?

After a brief consideration, Mingzhu immediately felt more at ease.

Meanwhile, Suo’etu was preoccupied with worries, temporarily setting aside concerns about his own treasury, his thoughts aligning with his longtime rival’s: “His Highness the Crown Prince’s methods must be tempered with gentleness.”

He then lowered his voice. “The difficulty lies in debt collection… but the Imperial Household Department is manageable. Lingpu is the Crown Prince’s milk-brother. Though he usually doesn’t handle practical affairs, his influence is sufficient to provide you with many conveniences.”

Suo’etu’s scheming demeanor resembled that of a dubious strategist. The Crown Prince said nothing, merely glancing sideways at him.

Conveniences?

His 100,000 taels—gone.

That glance carried a chill, making Suo’etu uneasy. He instinctively fell silent, sensing something amiss.

As he pondered, the Crown Prince abruptly halted and turned to call out, “Fourth Brother, gather your things. We’re heading to the Department of Extensive Storage.”

The Department of Extensive Storage was the largest institution under the Imperial Household Department, with countless stewards managing supplies and financial transactions. The Fourth Prince, following behind, nodded and quickened his pace. Suddenly, he froze.

Yinzhen finally realized what had been nagging at him.

He hadn’t yet explained to his second brother that Hong Yan was accompanying him on official business!!

After the morning court session, the ministers walked together, the quicker ones already nearing the Qianqing Gate. A sharp-eyed official spotted a golden sedan parked nearby and was startled—who could this be?

Those who could approach the Qianqing Gate were certainly not imperial consorts. Moreover, golden ornaments were reserved for the imperial princes, with the sole exception being the Emperor’s eldest grandson, who had received special permission.

Judging by the sedan’s grandeur…

The ministers suppressed their speculations, exchanging glances, their eyes inadvertently drifting toward the Crown Prince.

At that moment, Suo’etu also noticed the sedan, a sense of familiarity washing over him.

“Your Highness,” he asked hesitantly, “this is…”

Just as the Fourth Prince was about to explain, he frowned and looked over, only to feel his vision darken.

Amid his wavering composure, a small, delicate hand lifted the sedan’s curtain, revealing a face as finely carved as jade. Phoenix eyes, round cheeks, deep dimples, and a tiny upturned lip—utterly charming and adorable.

Hong Yan’s eyes darted around until they landed on Yinzhen, and he beamed.

“Fourth Uncle,” he called sweetly, “with Hanmafa’s permission, I’ve come to assist you with official business.”

In an instant, deathly silence fell over the Qianqing Gate.

The eldest prince widened his eyes in shock, and Mingzhu’s wrist trembled, causing the string of beads to clatter to the ground. Tong Guowei’s long beard twitched up and down, his face momentarily blank; Suo’etu stood frozen in place, as if his soul had left his body, unable to even speak.

The Third Prince and the other imperial sons were stunned for a moment before cautiously glancing at the Crown Prince, then turning their gazes in unison toward the Fourth Prince.

Crown Prince: “…………”

Yinzhen: “…Second Brother, let me explain.”