Even the crown prince is getting a marriage of convenience? Why are you in such a hurry to stop bein

Xiao Lie glanced at it a few times and got a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Some of what's said in this manual is true, while some is misleading. It's a small, unknown shop that's charging exorbitant prices and being lavishly praised—it's obviously suspicious.

If these are indeed shops that have collaborated with the palace in previous years, then it can only mean that there are quite a few shady characters involved.

Xiao Lie showed no emotion on his face, but he patiently saw the eunuch off and then turned to distribute the palace servants in the procurement department to continue their work. As for the manual, he asked Sixteen to carefully investigate how much of it was true and how much was false.

The procurement office, through its various transactions within the palace, could earn a considerable income from commissions and kickbacks alone—it was a lucrative position. The princesses and empresses in the palace had probably long coveted this lucrative business and were secretly sharing in the spoils.

But if he does his job diligently, it might ruin the princesses' plans, and he'd likely incur their jealousy. However, if he doesn't do his job diligently and some substandard goods slip in, he'll be the first to be caught and held accountable. Those who secretly share the spoils can remain aloof, as if it's none of their business.

Xiao Lie couldn't help but sneer.

The emperor may have given him benefits, but he was also putting a problem in his way. It just so happened to be the Empress Dowager's birthday, which was of utmost importance. It's hard to say that the emperor's promotion of him to this position at this critical juncture was not intentional. If something really went wrong with him, the emperor would probably use the pretext of "disrespecting the Empress Dowager" to punish him severely.

Xiao Lie paced back and forth, feeling that it would be more appropriate to mention this matter.

He summoned the palace servants from the procurement office, and with a sly smile, the servants, whose unfathomable expression terrified them. The more they thought about it, the more frightened they became, fearing that the new official would discover their tricks and punish them.

His voice was gentler than ever before.

"You are all veterans of the Inner Court, so you naturally understand that doing good for our master is the most important thing. If we do it wrong, I, Xiao, will be punished, and you will lose your heads. So you should all know what you should and shouldn't do."

"In the past, I, Xiao, did not concern myself with official affairs, and I would pretend not to see what tricks you played. But now that things have come to this critical moment, if some people are still cheating and shirking their responsibilities, disregarding the safety of everyone and seeking personal gain, then don't blame me for being ruthless and merciless."

Everyone shuddered and responded in unison.

Xiao Lie waved his hand, dismissing them. However, a little eunuch glanced around and took the opportunity to get close to Xiao Lie.

Looking at the gleaming silver ingot before him, Xiao Lie raised an eyebrow slightly, as if asking him what he meant.

The young eunuch chuckled, "I know this is nothing to Your Highness, but please accept this small token of my appreciation."

Xiao Lie weighed it in his hand and found it to be quite heavy; the little eunuch hadn't tried to fool him.

"You're willing to give me such a large ingot of silver as a token of your respect?"

"I'm reluctant to part with you. In the future, I will still work under you. If you can give me some convenience, I will receive a steady stream of benefits."

Finally, the little eunuch lowered his voice again.

"My lord, I understand the greatest benefit of this procurement office is that it should be in your hands. You get the meat, and we can only get the soup. I wonder if you would agree... hehe..."

The young eunuch rubbed his hands together, seemingly wanting to say something but stopping himself. He appeared not to have said anything, but in reality, he had said everything he needed to say.

Xiao Lie's eyes darkened slightly, as if scrutinizing him.

"I just warned you, and you dare to defy me now? Aren't you afraid of dying?"

What's there to be afraid of about death? He'd heard of this prince's reputation in the palace; he was nothing more than a playboy who indulged in eating, drinking, and merrymaking. He only got this position because he'd recently done a few good things and because Commander Xiao had rendered meritorious service.

But people can't change their nature overnight. Can someone who has been lying in a brocade and gentle land for too long really stand up all at once?

He didn't believe it. On the contrary, he thought that the young master would return to his original state in a few days. But what about eating, drinking and having fun? It all costs money.

Xiao Chunzi was initially hesitant to establish a relationship with the Crown Prince, but after hearing the Crown Prince's admonition, he made up his mind.

The prince only told them to keep their hands clean for a while and not to covet things they shouldn't, but he didn't say what to do on ordinary days. Doesn't that mean he condoned their usual behavior?

So it's not that the prince isn't greedy, but that he doesn't dare to be greedy at this critical juncture.

Having figured all this out, Xiaochunzi's mind naturally settled down.

He bowed with a smile, not pointing out the truth, and simply said...

"Of course I'm afraid, but what if I'm blessed with good fortune and really do get lucky?"

Xiao Lie put the silver back into his sleeve and nodded. "You're quite clever, kid."

He led the man to a side room and slowly began, "Tell me, who is your master?"

Xiaochunzi was stunned, stammered, "N-no one?"

Xiao Lie gave him a cold look. "If you didn't have anyone backing you, would you have such audacity? Would you be so generous? You said earlier that a steady stream of benefits would be delivered to me. Could a mere eunuch like you really manage to do something like that?"

Xiao Lie narrowed his eyes slightly, as if scrutinizing me. "Or are you trying to deceive me?"

The young eunuch was startled and immediately knelt down, "No, no, I'll tell you right away, I have Consort Shu behind me..."

Xiao Chunzi's eyes darted around, hesitant to look up. He had indeed followed Consort Shu's orders to make contact, but it was just contact; he hadn't expected to be implicated so quickly by the powerful figure behind the scenes. If Consort Shu found out, she would surely give him a good beating.

His face turned slightly pale, and he immediately lowered his head and pleaded.

"My lord, this matter is not something to be discussed with outsiders. Please keep it a secret."

Xiao Lie nodded, not at all surprised. The only influential concubines in the palace right now were Consort Shu and Consort Xian. Since he had fallen out with Prince Kang, Consort Xian's people naturally wouldn't dare to show their faces. The only ones who would have the confidence to come to him now were Consort Shu's people.

Xiao Lie slowly stroked the teacup. "Easy, but I kept it a secret for you. How will you repay me?"

Xiao Chunzi was taken aback, not understanding his meaning. They were not on the same boat, and exposing Consort Shu would not benefit the Crown Prince. Since he had said so, shouldn't the Crown Prince agree?

He stammered, "What reward does Your Excellency desire?"

Xiao Lie tapped his knuckles lightly on the table twice. "Explain clearly who works in this procurement department."

Xiao Chunzi hesitated, and Xiao Lie added another sentence.

"If I know nothing, how can I pave the way for you? What if one day the procurement office is accidentally leaked by someone from another palace, and the investigation leads back to Consort Shu...?"

The Consort Shu will surely skin him alive.

Xiaochunzi was startled, sweat beading on her forehead, and quickly told the news.

"I only know a little bit, but I know that Ruyi works for Consort Xian. Last month, I even saw him secretly go to Chaohua Palace. And that..."