The new emperor's first decree upon ascending the throne was to forcibly take his cousin as his

Hanzhou.

Xie Chengyan frowned as he looked at the account books of Hanzhou for several days.

"But is there a problem with the ledgers?" Cao Shen asked.

Xie Chengyan shook his head, "No problem."

"Then why...?"

The man's cold gaze deepened, and he chuckled lightly: "For such a vast Han Prefecture, the accounts are kept spotless, without a single mistake, not even a single alteration."

Cao Shen was surprised; even the accounts of the Crown Prince's palace couldn't be this clean.

Every single stroke and line seemed meticulously planned, executed flawlessly.

It's as if they knew in advance that they were coming and prepared all this.

"It seems there's something wrong with this prefect of Hanzhou."

Cao Shen was sent to the Crown Prince's side by the late emperor, and he had become quite knowledgeable about politics over the years, so he suddenly felt puzzled.

"Our departure from the capital was sudden. His Majesty had just issued the decree when His Highness set off without mentioning the purpose of our trip to anyone else. Did the Prefect of Hanzhou know we were coming, by presenting these account books?"

Furthermore, nothing is perfect. Even if His Highness the Crown Prince were to look at such an account book without any flaws, anyone who could read it would know there was a problem. Wouldn't they be afraid of seeing through it?

Xie Chengyan snorted coldly, "It seems things are more interesting than I imagined."

Only people in the imperial court knew they had left the capital. They had initially thought it was just a matter of lost tax money, but it seems the matter is not so simple.

"Send out the Imperial Guards who are lurking in Hanzhou to investigate all the county magistrates and officials under Hanzhou's jurisdiction, and look into those who have dealings with the prefect of Hanzhou."

"Yes."

Just as Cao Shen stepped down, there was a knock at the door. Lu Shao pushed the door open and came in. "Your Highness, we've found that band of mountain bandits from last time. They're in Dongyang Mountain outside Hanzhou. The local people have suffered from them for a long time. Several villages have been emptied out because of the disturbances. Yesterday, the band of mountain bandits came down the mountain again and robbed a nearby county clean."

Xie Chengyan pursed his lips, his eyes darkening further. "Have you found out where these bandits are hiding?"

"No, but as long as Your Highness allows me to lead troops up the mountain, I am confident that I can wipe out this band of bandits."

"I'll give you five days."

Lu Shao grinned. "Three days will be enough."

He was initially confident, but three days later, the Imperial Guards rushed to report that Lu Shao was injured.

Upon hearing this, Prefect Yu rushed over and immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness, saying, "It is my fault for mismanagement; please punish me, Your Highness."

"Prefect Yu, you're quite well-informed. Commander Lu was just injured, and you've already arrived. Did you already know?"

It was clearly a casual remark, yet Prefect Yu felt a chill run down his spine.

"I just heard the news and rushed here without stopping. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

"You knew about the bandits outside Hanzhou City beforehand?"

Prefect Yu lowered his head and remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "I dare not deceive Your Highness. These bandits have been entrenched here ever since I took office as the Prefect of Hanzhou."

Prefect Yu has been serving as the prefect of Hanzhou for ten years, which means that this band of mountain bandits has been in Hanzhou for at least ten years.

"So, you have been in office in Hanzhou for ten years and have not been able to eliminate the mountain bandits. Now, this group of mountain bandits has even entered the county government office."

Xie Chengyan had a smile on his lips, but his phoenix eyes were as cold as snow.

"Yu Chengzhi, if I remember correctly, you were promoted by Prime Minister Ruan, weren't you?"

"Yes, exactly."

"Your mentor is now second only to the emperor in the capital. As his student, your actions..."

"Your Highness!" Before he could finish speaking, Prefect Yu suddenly spoke up, "Your Highness, please understand that since I came to Hanzhou, I have had no contact with my mentor. My mentor is unaware of everything that is happening in Hanzhou. Please understand, Your Highness."

Upon hearing this, Xie Chengyan's eyes darkened, and the smile on his lips disappeared.

"In that case, Prefect Yu may return."

Yu Chengzhi was taken aback, as if he hadn't expected the Crown Prince to let him off so easily.

"What, do I have to personally escort you out?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not, I dare not. I will take my leave now."

"Keep an eye on him. Detain anyone who comes out of the prefect's residence."

"Yes."

Cao Shen, who was standing beside him, suddenly broke out in a cold sweat and quietly looked at the prince's expression.

The Ruan family now wields considerable power in the court. If Your Highness marries Miss Ruan in the future, you will have a powerful maternal relative.

Before ascending the throne, these were all helpful, but after ascending the throne, they all become threats.

How can I allow others to sleep peacefully beside my bed?

I can't help but worry, what will become of His Highness and Miss Ruan?

How could Xie Chengyan not understand?

Yu Chengzhi's words sounded like he was trying to distance himself from Prime Minister Ruan, but in fact, every word he uttered was trying to implicate the Ruan family.

With account books in front and bandits behind, it turns out they were all after the Ruan family.

Xie Chengyan didn't have many thoughts about the Ruan family, but Niannian was a member of the Ruan family, and if something happened to the Ruan family, Niannian would be heartbroken.

Although he couldn't stand the Ruan family spending all their time with Niannian, and he hated the close relationship between Ruan Zhaolin and Niannian, he wanted Niannian to have only him in her heart and eyes. But he couldn't do anything that would hurt Niannian.

He could tolerate just the Ruan family.

"Give the order: we will enter Dongyang Mountain tomorrow."

*

Kyoto at this time.

The rumors in Kyoto had been circulating for almost half a month, but they finally began to subside.

Ruan Xianrong sent someone to the General's Mansion today.

Yinque knocked on the door of the general's mansion with a rather arrogant air.

"Where is your general? I need to see him."

Upon recognizing the people from the Prime Minister's residence, the general's staff quickly went to inform them and soon invited them inside.

However, the person who came was not Shen Qinglian, but Shen Qinghe.

As soon as Shen Qinghe entered, he asked, "Yinque? Did Arong send you? Are you here to see me?"

Yinque bowed. "Indeed, but I'm here to see General Shen. Is he at his residence?"

"Yes, what does Ah Rong want with my older brother?"

Yinque's face darkened. "Let him out. My young lady has given him a message."

As soon as Shen Qinglian returned to the manor, her younger brother summoned her. Upon entering, Yinque got straight to the point: "Young General Shen, my young lady said that the spear is coated with a deadly poison. Using it for too long could be fatal. Since you are so worried, you should return it."

Shen Qinglian was taken aback. Yinque added, "The things my young lady gives away are always the best. You may not care, but plenty of others will. Don't blame my young lady if something really goes wrong!"

Yinque knew that her young lady did not get along with General Shen, but why should she give him such a good gun when she was so ungrateful?

Shen Qinglian was surprised that Ruan Xianrong could actually take back what she had given away. She frowned, her expression a mixture of embarrassment and anger.

Silver Sparrow snorted coldly. Her young lady had kindly given him the gun, but she didn't appreciate his kindness. It was better to take it back.

Shen Qinglian remained silent for a moment, then summoned his deputy and asked him to bring the long spear.

Silver Sparrow had it packed into a box and taken back.

Before leaving, he warned, "Young General Shen, although you hold the title of general, you have no actual military achievements. My young lady is the daughter of the Prime Minister. How dare you speak so disrespectfully?"