Cultivation Quick Transmigration: The Believer Girl is Lacking Money and Morals

As the weather turns cooler, the temperature inside the house is far less warm than outside.

The Ministry of Works staff were working in the courtyard, basking in the sun.

Xiao Shiyan was sitting there looking at blueprints for a river construction project, while a vice minister of the Ministry of Works was giving a report next to him.

He was wearing an indigo robe today, which gave him a scholarly air, but his furrowed brows indicated that things were not going well.

"Your Highness, please take a look. According to the current construction plan, it will require the mobilization of 5,000 local people and will take two months to complete."

The Vice Minister of Works pointed to the area he had circled for Xiao Shiyan while explaining the current difficulties they faced:

"With the autumn harvest just around the corner, people are busy with the crops in the fields and simply can't spare so many people."

Xiao Shiyan grabbed the blueprints and looked them over. He then traced his finger across the riverbed and asked, "Is it feasible to build it in sections? We can start with the more important parts and fill in the rest after the autumn harvest."

"Segmentation..." Vice Minister Zhang pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up: "That's a good idea. We should repair the important parts first, and then proceed gradually."

The matter was settled just like that. Before the next blueprint could be produced, a clear voice came from outside: "Is Shi Yan in the backyard? I've come to have tea with you."

Everyone turned around and saw the Crown Prince, dressed in white casual clothes, walking in with his hands behind his back, followed by two guards.

Everyone hurriedly cupped their hands in greeting: "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Kneeling and bowing are not permitted in public.

"No need for formalities." The Crown Prince waved his hand casually, his gaze falling on Xiao Shiyan:

"What's wrong? Still busy with river works? Come on, accompany me to the East Palace for a while. I just got some Wuyi rock tea, let me have you try it."

Upon seeing the Crown Prince's attire, Xiao Shiyan knew he had come incognito and smiled, "Your Highness is in high spirits today."

"I'm so bored staying in the palace all day, I need to get some fresh air." The Crown Prince said, grabbing Xiao Shiyan's arm. "Come on, come on, we'll look at the blueprints tomorrow."

Helpless, Xiao Shiyan could only say to Minister Zhang, "Then let's proceed with the segmented plan as agreed earlier."

"Your humble servant understands."

Upon exiting the Ministry of Works, the Crown Prince's carriage was waiting outside.

The two got into the carriage, which slowly drove towards the East Palace.

The two grew up together. The Crown Prince is four years older than Xiao Shiyan, and is twenty-four years old this year.

Their relationship has always been very good; you could say they're even closer than blood brothers.

The emperor had three sons and two princesses.

The eldest son is His Highness the Crown Prince, the legitimate son of the Empress.

The second prince is 20 years old this year. He was born to a concubine, who was later promoted to the rank of consort. Unfortunately, her maternal family was not good enough.

The Third Prince is the son of Consort Shu, who is also the son of Liu Chenchen's aunt. He has the backing of the Minister's Mansion and is 19 years old this year.

Why did Consort Shu dote on Liu Qiongqiong so much since she was a child, and why did she eventually arrange the marriage between Liu Qiongqiong and the heir of Prince Xian? It was all to pave the way for her son.

Even if it doesn't bring the Crown Prince and the Prince of Xian into their camp, it would be good to create a rift between them and keep the Prince of Xian's family neutral.

Who would have thought that all her scheming would end up being for nothing, infuriating Consort Shu so much that she had already lost her temper several times in the palace.

The two princesses, the elder princess married into the Western Regions last year for a political alliance, and at the same time the Western Regions also sent their younger princess, who eventually entered the Third Prince's harem and became a concubine.

The little princess is 16 years old and unmarried. She is just waiting for the emperor to bestow a marriage upon her, and it is still uncertain who she will marry.

The carriage was spacious. The Crown Prince leaned back on the soft cushions, sizing up Xiao Shiyan, and suddenly laughed, "I heard that your new bride really angered Consort Shu a few days ago?"

Xiao Shiyan paused in his tea-serving gesture, then looked up at him: "Your Highness is certainly well-informed."

"How could I not know?" The Crown Prince smiled meaningfully: "Consort Shu smashed a set of Jun ware tea utensils in Yonghe Palace, making such a commotion that half the harem heard it. The Empress Dowager even asked about it, saying that your new wife is really bold."

Xiao Shiyan's expression remained unchanged: "I am still young and do not know the rules of the palace. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

"Please excuse my audacity?" The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow. "I think she deliberately tried to embarrass Consort Shu, didn't she? I heard she went directly to the Empress Dowager and even received a reward?"

"The Empress Dowager was kind and rewarded her with a set of jewelry."

The Crown Prince laughed heartily, tapping his palm lightly with his folding fan: "Good! Good, Liu Chenchen! This temperament suits my temperament perfectly. No wonder you've seemed more vibrant these days."

Xiao Shiyan smiled slightly, without denying it.

The carriage entered the East Palace, and the two alighted in front of the Wenhua Hall.

Tea had already been prepared inside the hall, and the aroma of tea wafted from the purple clay teapot.

The Crown Prince waved to silence those around him and personally picked up the teapot to pour Xiao Shiyan a cup.

Zi poured himself a cup of tea before picking it up: "Seriously, you just admit it like that? Has the Liu family given any explanation?"

Xiao Shiyan picked up his teacup and gently inhaled the aroma of the tea: "How clever is Minister Liu? He naturally knows what to do. As for Consort Shu, she's not stupid either, she just misjudged Liu Chenchen's personality."

I took a small sip, closed my eyes to savor it, and realized it was indeed a fine tea before putting it down.

"If Consort Shu is clever, that would be best; if she is restless..." The implication was clear, and both understood.

The Crown Prince nodded in agreement: "We don't need to worry too much about that old man Liu Wenyuan, but we still need to be careful with Consort Shu. After all, she is the birth mother of our third brother and is favored by the Emperor. She won't let it go so easily after Liu Chenchen humiliated her like this."

"Your subject understands." Xiao Shiyan put down his teacup. "But now that Chenchen has married into the Prince's Mansion, she is a member of the Xiao family. It is not up to others to discipline the people of the Prince's Mansion."

These words were spoken in a plain tone, but they were full of confidence.

The crown prince gave him a deep look, then suddenly laughed and said, "It seems you really care."

Xiao Shiyan didn't reply, but simply picked up his teacup and took another sip.

"Actually, this is fine too." The crown prince leaned back and stretched his arms.

"Originally, you chose Liu Qiongqiong, but she was close to Consort Shu, which put you in a difficult position. Now that you've chosen Liu Chenchen, there are far fewer entanglements."

As he spoke, he suddenly remembered something, a mischievous glint in his eyes: "Speaking of which, who is Liu Qiongqiong married now? The one from the Hanlin Academy? His name is Xu... Xu Jingming?"

"Yes." Xiao Shiyan nodded: "Last year's successful candidate in the imperial examinations was quite talented and is now working at the Hanlin Academy."

"What a pity." The Crown Prince shook his head. "The eldest daughter of the Liu family should have had a better future. But this is also her own fate."

Xiao Shiyan shook his head: "That's not necessarily true. Chenchen said he could be given some guidance, to see if he's smart enough."

This was unexpected by the Crown Prince: "I thought you were going to marry someone difficult to deal with; I was too narrow-minded."

Xiao Shiyan was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Chenchen... is different from ordinary women. She is bold yet meticulous, decisive in her actions, and although she may sometimes go a bit too far, she always knows her limits."

He couldn't let the Crown Prince leave a bad impression on Liu Chenchen.

As he said this, his eyes softened slightly.

The Crown Prince saw it all and understood.

The two chatted for a while about matters of state.

When the Crown Prince inquired about the progress of the Ministry of Works' inspection of the administration, Xiao Shiyan answered in detail. When he spoke about the management of river works, he was clear and insightful, and the Crown Prince listened with frequent nods of approval.

"You certainly have a talent for this," the Crown Prince praised. "After your probationary period is over, I will recommend you to the Emperor so that you can officially take up a position in the Ministry of Works."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Xiao Shiyan bowed.