Volume One, Chapter 48: Meeting the Mother-in-Law!

The following day, news of Crown Prince Li Xuan and Crown Princess Xiao Ningxuang returning to the General's Manor for a family visit swept through the upper echelons of the capital like a gentle spring breeze.

To those watchful eyes fixed upon the East Palace, this was undoubtedly a strong political signal.

The Crown Prince had voluntarily relinquished power in the imperial court, behaving like a carefree prince, yet in the next breath, he demonstrated unprecedented intimacy with his greatest military backing—the Grand General's Manor. This alternating retreat and advance, blending the illusory with the real, left many smart-alecks temporarily unable to decipher his strategy.

The carriage rattled as it passed down Zhuque Avenue.

Li Xuan lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, gazing at the bustling street scene outside with an elusive smile playing at the corners of his lips. Beside him, Xiao Ningxuang had changed out of her military attire today into a plain, light-colored ruqun. Under the brilliant sunshine, her delicate and pretty face lost some of its usual sharpness, replaced by a softer expression.

She appeared somewhat absent-minded, her slender fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her dress.

"What are you thinking about?" Li Xuan's voice was very soft.

Xiao Ningxuang snapped back to her senses, shook her head, but did not look at him, keeping her gaze fixed out the window. "Nothing, just that I haven't seen my mother in a long time, and I'm somewhat... missing her."

Li Xuan did not puncture her little train of thought. She must have sensed the atmosphere of an impending storm, which was why she had proposed coming home.

He reached out, gently covering the back of her slightly cool hand without speaking.

Xiao Ningxuang's body stiffened slightly, yet she did not pull her hand away. His palm was warm and dry, carrying a reassuring strength.

Outside the gates of the General's Manor, Madam Xiao had been waiting for a long time. Seeing her daughter and the Crown Prince arrive together, the well-preserved noblewoman's face blossomed into a smile, though her eyes could not entirely conceal her affection and worry for her daughter.

"Ningxuang has grown a bit thin," Madam Xiao said, taking her daughter's hand and examining her closely. "Your Highness, our Ningxuang has a cold temperament and doesn't know how to take care of others. You must bear with her."

"You flatter us, Mother-in-law." Li Xuan cupped his hands in a bow, his posture modest and his smile warm. "Ningxuang is intelligent and insightful, managing the East Palace in perfect order; it is this subject's good fortune. Rather, it is I who have been busy with my studies lately and remiss in my companionship, feeling quite ashamed."

His words were flawless, elevating Xiao Ningxuang while maintaining proper etiquette, which made Madam Xiao's smile deepen even further.

During the family banquet, the atmosphere was harmonious.

Li Xuan made no mention of court affairs, chatting only about domestic matters with Madam Xiao. His delivery was witty and humorous, occasionally drawing genuine smiles from both Madam Xiao and Xiao Ningxuang.

Seeing the long-absent, heartfelt, and gentle smile on her daughter's face, the last shred of doubt in Madam Xiao's heart regarding this imperial son-in-law vanished like smoke in the wind.

In the afternoon, Xiao Ningxuang accompanied her mother to chat in the back courtyard, while Li Xuan sat alone in the study sipping tea.

Before long, the figure of Wang Fugui appeared quietly at the doorway.

"Your Highness, everything has been arranged."

Li Xuan took a sip of tea, not even lifting his eyelids. "Who is on duty at the Ministry of Revenue today?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, it is Vice Minister Zhou Ming. This person... is a man of the Third Prince." Wang Fugui lowered his voice considerably.

"Very well." Li Xuan put down the teacup and stood up. The relaxed and lazy disposition he wore earlier instantly vanished, replaced by a sharp glint in his eyes. "Change my robes. We are going to the Ministry of Revenue."

Wang Fugui was startled, his face full of incomprehension: "Your Highness, if you go to the Ministry of Revenue now, this... goes against propriety. You are no longer handling affairs."

"Who said this prince is going to manage affairs?" Li Xuan straightened his sleeves, a playful smile curling the corner of his mouth. "I am going to study. His Imperial Majesty told me to apply myself wholeheartedly to learning, and the Ministry of Revenue is the central hub for the nation's finances and grain. Is it wrong for me to go review some materials to clear up doubts for the Crown Prince's Preceptor?"

Wang Fugui suddenly understood, a look of deep admiration instantly surfacing on his face. His Highness wasn't going there to study at all; he was clearly going to beat the grass to startle the snake!

An hour later, the Crown Prince—who should have been "reflecting behind closed doors" in the East Palace—walked leisurely into the offices of the Ministry of Revenue amidst the astonished gazes of the officials.

He was dressed extremely plainly today in a cyan civilian robe, bringing no guards along except for the old steward Wang Fugui. In his hand, he held a copy of *Strategies for Governing the State*, looking like a junior coming to seek instruction, with a warm and irresistible smile plastered across his face.

Vice Minister of Revenue Zhou Ming was handling official business in the main hall when he heard of the Crown Prince's arrival, nearly falling backward out of his chair. He hurriedly rushed out to greet him, plastering a fake smile on his face while his heart hammered against his ribs. This crown prince had just severed his own arm in court a few days ago; why had he suddenly run over to his turf today?

"This humble official Zhou Ming pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince! Unaware of Your Highness's grand arrival, I failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me, please forgive me!" Zhou Ming bowed deeply, holding an extremely subservient posture.

"Minister Zhou need not be so formal." Li Xuan supported him with a gesture, smiling in a harmless manner. "This prince has come today to study. The Preceptor assigned coursework instructing me to research our Great Zhou's water transport and the supply of provisions for the border garrisons. I pondered over it, and among all the civil and military officials in the court, who could be more proficient in this matter than the esteemed lords of the Ministry of Revenue? Therefore, I have come specifically to seek guidance."

Upon hearing the four words "border garrison provisions," Zhou Ming's eyelids twitched violently, a bad omen striking his heart. The Third Prince's plan had only just begun; why had this hound caught the scent and tracked him down?

Steadying himself, he hurriedly said, "Your Highness's diligence in studying is truly the fortune of our Great Zhou. However... these military provision accounts are state secrets. According to regulations, without an imperial edict or a warrant from the Ministry of War, they cannot be reviewed. If Your Highness would look..."

As he spoke, he cautiously observed Li Xuan's expression, preparing himself for the Crown Prince's thunderous wrath. After all, this master's reputation in the capital recently was not great, and he loved flipping tables on a whim.

To his surprise, not only did Li Xuan not get angry, but he instead wore an "I see" expression, slapped his forehead, and said with some annoyance: "Ah, look at my memory! I was just thinking about studying and forgot the rules. What Minister Zhou says is true—rules are rules."

Zhou Ming relaxed internally, thinking he had managed to fool him past this hurdle.

Unexpectedly, Li Xuan changed the subject, sat down directly in a nearby chair, placed the *Strategies for Governing the State* on the table, and said cheerfully to the circle of minor officials of the Ministry of Revenue who were stretching their necks to watch the excitement: "Since the confidential accounts cannot be viewed, I won't make things difficult for Minister Zhou. I will just sit right here and watch how you all manage finances for the country; it can also be considered a form of study. Wang Fugui, go outside and buy some tea and pastries to distribute to all the lords of the Ministry of Revenue, and say it's my treat."

Zhou Ming's face turned green instantly.

What kind of nonsense was this? The Crown Prince was sitting in the main hall of his office and refusing to leave! If word of this got out, what would others think? Would they think Zhou Ming had slighted the Crown Prince, or that he had a guilty conscience and dared not let the Crown Prince see the ledgers?

For a moment, the entire office of the Ministry of Revenue fell dead silent, all gazes converging on Zhou Ming and the composed Crown Prince sitting before him.

Zhou Ming felt as though needles were pricking his back, fine beads of sweat oozing across his forehead.

He knew he had been placed on a fire and roasted.

Acting as if he hadn't noticed Zhou Ming's ugly complexion, Li Xuan opened his book on his own accord and muttered aloud: "'To govern a country well, ample food comes first'—the ancients truly did not deceive us. Minister Zhou, tell me, how long does it generally take for grain shipments dispatched from the capital to the northern border city of Jinyuan to arrive via the waterways?"

He asked so casually, just like a purely curious student.

Wiping his sweat, Zhou Ming braced himself and replied, "Reporting to Your Highness, if the waterways are clear and unobstructed, it takes approximately... twenty days to arrive."

"Oh, twenty days." Li Xuan nodded and asked again, "Along this journey, wouldn't there be some attrition? For instance, boats leaking or grain molding, things of that sort?"

"This... is unavoidable, unavoidable." Zhou Ming's heart had risen to his throat.

"Then how much attrition is generally considered normal?" Li Xuan continued to press, his face still maintaining that sincere, thirst-for-knowledge expression.

This question was like a blade stabbing straight into Zhou Ming's vital spot.

If he stated a high number, it would be equivalent to admitting the Ministry of Revenue's lax supervision; if he stated a low number, should an accident truly occur in the future, he would be guilty of deceiving the sovereign!

Stammering, Zhou Ming couldn't spit out a single word for a long time.

Li Xuan did not press him either, merely sighing, closing the book, and saying wistfully: "It seems governing a country is truly not easy. I originally thought that as long as the grain was loaded onto the boats, it could be delivered straight into the hands of the soldiers at the frontier. Alas, I was still too naive."

He stood up, cupped his hands toward Zhou Ming, and said, "Many thanks to Minister Zhou for clearing up my doubts today; I have benefited immensely. Since the accounts cannot be viewed, I shall not disturb everyone's official duties any longer. However, I have a somewhat presumptuous request: might I borrow the public dossiers regarding the northern border provisions to make a copy? That way, I can report back to the Preceptor and keep his elder self from saying I glossed over my assignments again."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ming nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.

Public dossiers! While those weren't core secrets, they still recorded the quantities, times, and routes of every grain dispatch! If he handed them over, and the Crown Prince took them back to deduce things using maps and calendars, he would still be able to find the flaws!

Could he refuse?

All the officials of the Ministry of Revenue were watching! The Crown Prince had lowered his posture so much, not uttering a single harsh word from beginning to end, simply wanting to copy "homework."

If he refused again, it would be equivalent to telling everyone clearly—I, Zhou Ming, have a guilty conscience!

"Of... of course you may!" Zhou Ming squeezed these words out through the gaps in his teeth. At that moment, he had only one thought: hurry up and send this plague god away.

"Many thanks, Minister Zhou!" Li Xuan smiled brilliantly, as if he were truly just a student who had received praise from his teacher.

Soon, a dossier concerning the dispatch of northern border provisions was delivered. Li Xuan stood on ceremony, having Wang Fugui spread out paper and brush right there in the main hall of the Ministry of Revenue, stroke by stroke, copying it out in front of everyone.

He wrote very slowly and carefully, as if carving a work of art.

Throughout the entire Ministry of Revenue, only the rustling sound of brush tips gliding across paper remained.

Standing aside, Zhou Ming felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, sweat already soaking his back. He knew that for every extra word the Crown Prince wrote, the blade hanging above his head dropped another fraction.

In this silent contest, he had already suffered a crushing defeat.