Chapter 5: The Prince is a Woman 5

They hadn't taken two steps before they were completely surrounded by the guards of the Prince Ning estate.

The shopkeeper leading the group, who had been about to leave, turned ashen-faced. With a look of fury, he roared as if he had suffered some monumental injustice: "Is the Heir Apparent resorting to force just because he’s dissatisfied? If word of this gets out today, I’m afraid no one will dare to work for the Prince Ning estate ever again."

A-Zhen stood up. "Speaking so loudly is a good way to end up in jail."

"Send them to the authorities." A-Zhen waved her hand and simultaneously instructed Qingzhu, "Get the people we selected earlier to step in as soon as possible. Is that a problem?"

Qingzhu hurriedly replied, "Heir Apparent, they are all prepared."

Seeing that A-Zhen was actually serious, the shopkeepers below began to panic. Some were so frightened they immediately kowtowed to beg for mercy, while others stubbornly stiffened their necks, clearly relying on some sort of backing.

"It’s too late. You were the ones who broke faith first." A-Zhen’s eyes held a faint smile; she remained unmoved by their pleas.

All the shopkeepers were thus escorted to the magistrate’s office.

Even if some of those with backing were eventually rescued, they would still have to cough up every last cent they had embezzled.

Her evidence was, after all, quite comprehensive.

They were useless things now; would anyone really go to great lengths to fish them out?

As for those who went to take over the shops, that went back to when she was auditing the accounts a while ago. She had summoned those guards she had whipped into shape, gathered their family members into the estate, and was always able to select a few to undergo emergency training. She had her own methods for training a qualified shopkeeper; at the very least, it was sufficient for the short term.

The aftermath was exactly as A-Zhen had anticipated: after the shopkeepers spat out the embezzled silver, they were thrown into prison, each one filled with regret. The evidence she provided was too thorough, and for the time being, many who were watching the Prince Ning estate dared not intervene.

Now that they saw A-Zhen acting so decisively, they were even more afraid to move.

Some conspirators were even speculating whether Prince Ning was truly mad or just pretending, suspecting that the Prince’s shadow lay behind all of this. For this reason, some of Prince Ning’s factions came over to probe, though they didn't manage to find out anything.

However, after leaving the Prince Ning estate, they were certain of one thing: the Heir Apparent of Prince Ning was not a simple person.

So, this was the "silent dog that bites"?

The capital had been buzzing with talk about the events at the Prince Ning estate, but it couldn't affect Ning Zhen.

"Your Majesty, it seems the Heir Apparent of Prince Ning is truly not simple. He has taken control of the Prince Ning estate’s industries in such a short time," Hou Rongfa said. "It’s just that he doesn't seem to have had much contact with Prince Ning’s factions. I don't know if he really hasn't had contact, or if he has shifted to secret dealings. Regardless, this person is deep and calculating; we cannot let him gain momentum, otherwise..."

Hou Rongfa’s voice grew quieter because he noticed the Emperor was distracted again.

Ever since returning from the Pingshan hunting grounds, the Emperor would drift off from time to time. He was curious, but didn't dare ask.

After a long while, Ye Ji regained his focus and recalled what Hou Rongfa had said: "As long as that person does not rebel, there is no need to pay him any mind." He added, "It won't be too late to kill him once he has gained momentum; that would be more interesting."

Hou Rongfa looked honest: Very well.

The current Emperor was no longer the one who had been constrained everywhere when he first ascended the throne. A mere Heir Apparent of Prince Ning couldn't turn the world upside down. Since the Emperor had finally found some amusement, he would let him be.

"What has that person been doing lately?" Ye Ji still couldn't help but ask.

He knew he shouldn't, but whenever those eyes appeared in his mind, he couldn't help but care. It was like being poisoned; the more he tried not to think about it, the more he did. Ye Ji clenched his fists and closed his eyes. Although he had no intention of appointing an Empress or taking concubines, he shouldn't have a penchant for men, should he?

How could he be so perverse? After seeing him once, he couldn't sleep, and he even fantasized about holding him in his arms every day, just to get a good look at those beautiful eyes.

He was truly mad.

If that person were a woman, he would certainly not hesitate to keep him by his side to watch at all times.

"Since taking control of the Prince Ning estate, there hasn't been much movement. However, news came early this morning that the Heir Apparent went to visit his second elder sister. I don't know if he has returned to the estate yet." Hou Rongfa vaguely sensed that his Emperor was acting strangely. Having served him for so many years, he couldn't help but notice, though he didn't dare to think in that direction.

Ye Ji gave a hum, controlling himself not to overthink. He decided that if he kept busy, he could forget many things, including people.

Hurried footsteps approached; it was the messenger eunuch.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Marquis Angui requests an audience."

As soon as Marquis Angui, Jiang Changtong, saw Ye Ji, he fell to his knees with a thud, wailing and sobbing about his grievances.

After listening for a while, Ye Ji finally understood what was going on—it actually had to do with that person.

Even though he had been so restrained and tried not to think about him, that person’s name had to ring in his ears again.

It was torture.

He was truly afraid that one day he wouldn't be able to control himself and would drag the person into the palace.

That would surely frighten him, wouldn't it?

Ye Ji quickly regained his composure, his face dark. That person was bold enough; how could he be frightened? Yet, once this thought arose, he couldn't help but dwell on it. He wanted to capture him, but was afraid of scaring him.

Jiang Changtong felt the cold air radiating from the person above. Despite being scared to death, he was secretly delighted. The Emperor had always been at odds with Prince Ning and had long found him an eyesore. Prince Ning was mad; wouldn't dealing with a mere Heir Apparent be easy? Now that the brat had come to his Marquis estate to throw a tantrum and even beat his third son, wasn't this the perfect excuse for the Emperor to deal with the Prince Ning estate?

Let’s see if he doesn't finish that brat off.

Ye Ji basically understood the sequence of events.

It turned out that the person had beaten the Marquis estate’s third young master, Jiang Weiming. Jiang Weiming was covered in injuries; it was said his ribs were broken, and he had basically lost half his life. Furthermore, that person had brought Ning Yumei back to the Prince Ning estate.

This Ning Yumei was Prince Ning’s second daughter.

Of course, Jiang Changtong claimed the person was being unreasonable, but he didn't believe it.

If that person took action, there must have been a reason. The problem likely lay with Ning Yumei.

Ye Ji’s cold eyes swept over the pitiful-looking Jiang Changtong below. The Marquis estate must have done something bad to provoke him.

"Summon the Heir Apparent of Prince Ning," Ye Ji said expressionlessly.

Jiang Changtong’s heart leaped with joy; it seemed the Emperor was going to stand up for him. He wasn't afraid of the Emperor learning the reason. His third son beating a Ning woman was merely a matter between husband and wife; a husband was heaven, and the maternal family couldn't interfere. Even the Emperor wouldn't have anything to say, let alone a useless woman from the inner chambers—the Emperor wouldn't care.

That detestable brat from the Prince Ning estate was so arrogant that he dared to go to the Marquis estate to beat people and snatch them away. He would make him regret it.

Jiang Changtong, whose mind was filled with various schemes, did not notice the uncontrollable, gleeful glint in the eyes of the person above, as if he were looking forward to something.

"Heir Ning, do you have anything to say regarding Marquis Angui’s accusation that you beat people and snatched someone at his estate?" Ye Ji asked calmly, while observing the expression of the person below.

He wondered if this person was panicking.

Feeling his heart pounding violently, Ye Ji kept a straight face to maintain his composure, appearing even more unfathomable on the surface.

He was panicking.