The number one rebel of the Great Wu

The situation at the Crown Prince's residence is indeed unique.

Crown Prince Xiao Lie spent most of his time in the military camp after he came of age. Lin Dequan came out of the palace with him and was deeply trusted by him.

The Crown Prince's residence had always been managed by him, so Crown Prince Xiao Lie had not interfered.

Within the Crown Prince's residence, none of the Crown Princesses, including Shen Qingci, who wielded the most real power, were of one mind with Xiao Lie.

Therefore, no one thought about vying for favor, and naturally no one would try to reach out to Lin Dequan.

Those individuals had special identities and each had their own secret stash of money.

In this way, the entire Crown Prince's residence became a one-man show by Lin Dequan.

This left Lin Dequan with a great deal of room to abuse his power for personal gain.

It seems that Lin Dequan had harbored ulterior motives ever since the Crown Prince left the palace.

He knew that his position as crown prince was precarious and had long since begun planning his future.

"Do either of you know anything else about this matter?"

Chen Changgeng turned to look at Xiao Xizi and Xiao Fuzi.

The two men had been in the mansion for a relatively long time, but they were not Lin Dequan's direct subordinates.

So, I didn't have high hopes.

Sure enough, the two looked at each other and shook their heads.

Just as Chen Changgeng turned around, Xiao Xizi suddenly spoke again.

"Steward Chen, I have heard some things about it."

"Before this imperial estate was sold, it always provided the manor with grain, vegetables and meat."

"When Steward Lin was still here, several of his relatives came to the Crown Prince's residence, wanting to beg for a meal."

"But Steward Lin rejected them all. At the time, many people were saying that Steward Lin was truly impartial and incorruptible."

"Looking at this today, it seems that those relatives have all been arranged to go elsewhere by Steward Lin."

"This Wu Eryong must be the one who arranged for him to go to the imperial estate."

"That's right, that makes sense."

Chen Changgeng nodded.

Although the imperial estate fell into Lin Dequan's hands, it was inconvenient for him to manage it personally.

Therefore, it is necessary to entrust the task to a trustworthy person.

This person must also be very familiar with the Imperial Estate, so they must be placed in advance to understand all aspects of its operation.

This farmer, Wu Eryong, must have taken out five thousand taels of silver to buy the imperial estate, and it's not hard to imagine who was behind him.

"Even so, how can we reclaim the imperial estate?"

"After all, even though the price is a bit low, it's still a reasonable and legal transaction."

"We can't exactly rob them, can we?"

Unlike Xiao Xizi and Xiao Fuzi, Geng Liang had only recently entered the Crown Prince's residence.

They still have the simple, ordinary mindset of common people.

"There are plenty of solutions."

"Geng Liang, take a few guards and go to the imperial estate outside the city to gather information."

"Let's see what the situation is like at the Imperial Estate now."

"Xiao Xizi, you come with me and see if there are any familiar faces over there that you can bribe to do something."

"I'll go pay a visit to the Crown Prince first."

The men accepted the order and immediately went off to their respective posts.

……

The Crown Prince's Residence.

Xiao Lie had just received a secret report that Shen Qingci had dismissed Lin Dequan, and that Chen Changgeng was now the chief steward of the mansion.

Although this action undoubtedly challenged Xiao Lie's authority.

However, he chose to stay home and not go out, while Lin Dequan insisted on going looking for trouble with Chen Changgeng.

Even if Xiao Lie had objections, he could only suppress them for the time being.

After all, he had known this ever since he gained sentience.

If he truly wanted to make a comeback, Chen Changgeng was an indispensable pawn.

Shen Qingci was also his greatest reliance.

"The Crown Prince?"

Chen Changgeng arrived at the door and called out softly.

Xiao Lie raised his head slightly and stopped writing with his brush.

"Come in."

Chen Changgeng walked in respectfully and immediately saw that Xiao Lie was actually painting.

The painting he had painted was the very one that Xiao Jingtian had given him, which he had torn up before in order to secretly report to the emperor.

This move is extremely skillful.

Although Chen Changgeng was unaware of the true reason, he felt that the sun had risen in the west today, and the crown prince had learned to keep a low profile.

So I went up and took a look. I saw that the brushstrokes were quite charming, the mountains were majestic, and the clouds and mist were misty. It really did have a certain feel to it.

"This painting..."

"This painting is called 'Green Mountains After the Rain'."

"It was made by my father himself and bestowed upon me."

Xiao Lie picked up his brush again, added some ink, and began to sketch again.

Then he said softly.

"My father bestowed this painting upon me, and I was overjoyed."

"I watch it with my arms almost all day and night, and I wish I could even sleep with it in my arms."

"Over the years, after watching it so many times, every single detail has been etched into my bones."

"I remember exactly how many people were there and how many birds were here."

Chen Changgeng was secretly startled. He turned his head and noticed a piece of painting that had been pieced together again in the distance.

This is the original work of the painting "Green Mountains After the Rain".

After just a few quick glances, apart from Xiao Lie's slightly immature brushstrokes, the rest of the details are almost identical.

hiss……

Chen Changgeng gasped in shock.

Because this pieced-together image is still missing a corner.

The shape of the missing corner is exactly the same as the shape of the paper that Xiao Lie used to write the secret memorial that day.

Holy crap...

Originally, Chen Changgeng did not believe that Crown Prince Xiao Lie could become so intelligent after his sudden enlightenment.

But seeing this scene, Chen Changgeng was completely shocked.

At that time, he tore up the painting of green mountains after the rain and used it to write a secret memorial to Xiao Jingtian.

Although it was a coincidence, it precisely proves the urgency and formality of the matter.

Now that we know the origin of the painting "Green Mountains After the Rain," imagine yourself in Xiao Jingtian's position.

If at the time, this secret report had been written on an ordinary piece of paper.

Xiao Jingtian might not immediately gain his trust!

Now, Xiao Lie personally repainted the Spring Mountains after the Rain by hand, demonstrating both his filial piety and his love for his father.

Chen Changgeng didn't even dare to imagine what Xiao Jingtian would think if he saw this painting delivered to his hands!

"It's a pity that even the most skillful imitation of the Emperor's handwriting is impossible."

"This painting is always missing one thing."

Chen Changgeng's hand trembled, and he already knew the answer in his heart.

"What is it?"

"The Emperor's Seal".

Xiao Lie answered with a smile.

Upon hearing that it was indeed this, cold sweat began to break out on Chen Changgeng's back.

"Your Highness, do you intend to send this painting to the palace and have the Emperor affix his seal to it again?"

Xiao Lie paused, glancing at Chen Changgeng.

Then came a hearty laugh.

"You're so smart."

What the hell!

The storm raged within Chen Changgeng's heart.

He knew all too well what this meant.

Who is he? He is the Crown Prince. Who is his father? His father is the Emperor.

The two were of the same lineage and painted the same picture together, but in the end, they were only missing a seal to represent their identities.

Xiao Lie personally handed it over, and as long as Xiao Jingtian accepted it, he would affix his official seal.

That means...

"What do you want from me?"

Xiao Lie spoke in a flat tone.

"Well, I would like to borrow something from Your Highness."

"It can also prove your identity; it's extremely valuable and absolutely unique in the world!"