Chapter 48: You Unfilial Son!

Shengjing

The continuous, torrential rain and wind battered the row of earthen houses on the corner, tearing them apart.

The wind howled past, and broken, incomplete tiles clattered and shattered all over the ground.

Many able-bodied young men waded through the water, carrying the elderly and children on their backs. Amidst the shouts and calls, long queues began to form one after another.

Zhu Yan held a green bamboo umbrella, leaning it forward as much as possible. However, the rain was so heavy that despite his utmost efforts, the water still soaked half of his master's sleeve.

The pitter-patter of raindrops trickled down his long hair.

Zhu Yan carefully shifted his steps, trying his best to shield his master from more of the rain.

The sky was dark and heavy, without a single glimmer of light. His master stood there silently, providing an invisible sense of reassurance to those around him.

The evacuation lines proceeded in an orderly fashion. Many residents boarded mule carts and ox carts; though they huddled together shivering while clutching their bundles, there was a flicker of hope in their eyes.

"Master." Liu Huo rushed over and bowed with his hands clasped, "The last two batches will be moved by this afternoon or evening, and then we'll be nearly finished."

"Mhm." The man responded with an indifferent gaze. "Proceed according to the plan."

Suddenly, cries of alarm erupted from ahead—the sound of roofs being torn away by the gale and bricks and tiles crashing down.

The mule and ox cart convoys began to move slowly, wading through the floodwaters toward the city gates.

"Your Highness."

"Your Highness—" A guard came running, half-dragging a soaked, pathetic-looking old eunuch. "Eunuch Wang has brought a message from His Majesty. He requests that you enter the palace immediately to see him."

"No time. Tell him to wait."

Eunuch Wang opened his mouth wide, gasping for breath and attempting to speak, only to see the willful lord turn and walk away, not even deigning to offer an explanation.

"No, but, you—?" Eunuch Wang hurried after him, shouting while waving his sodden whisk, "Your Highness..."

The Prince ignored him; the only response he received was a cold, indifferent back.

By the time Eunuch Wang chased further, he saw the man had already mounted his horse and, accompanied by several close attendants, departed into the wind and rain.

Amidst the heavy wind and rain and the hazy mist, Eunuch Wang watched that straight, jade-like silhouette vanish before his eyes, unable to help but stomp his feet and sigh in frustration.

"The Prince is returning to the palace! Open the palace gates immediately!"

The gate guards dared not delay, rushing forward to push open the two vermilion palace gates.

The creaking sound was gradually swallowed by the curtain of rain.

Without pausing for a moment, Xiao Jinzhi led his men, galloping straight toward the inner court treasury.

Zhu Yan wiped the rain from his face and followed closely in his Prince's wake.

When the group reached the treasury gates, Xiao Jinzhi leaped off his horse, tossed the reins directly into Liu Huo's hands, and strode up the steps.

"Is the Crown Prince...?" The commander of the guards protecting the royal treasury froze in confusion and hurriedly stepped out into the rain to meet him.

The corners of Xiao Jinzhi's lips curled slightly.

In the dark night, the commander saw only the Prince giving him an ambiguous smile.

An unexpected chill surged through his heart.

Before the commander could react, several of the Prince's attendants swarmed forward, grabbed his arms, and dragged him aside.

"Your... Your Highness? Your Highness?" Without presenting a token or an imperial decree, how could the Crown Prince barge directly into the treasury?

"Commander Wei, I will give you two choices. One: take all your brothers and leave the capital with us."

"Two: stay here right now and let all your brothers leave their lives behind."

Xiao Jinzhi brushed off his wet sleeves, casually picked up an oil lamp, and stepped slowly through the gates of the imperial treasury.

This was the largest treasury in the palace. It contained countless rare treasures and exotic items presented by surrounding small nations.

Jewelry, jade, silks, and fabrics alone were organized into hundreds of chests.

Though most were merely items for appreciation—useless junk for practical purposes—but...

She would surely be very happy.

Xiao Jinzhi raised his hand, and a transparent, round bead appeared in his palm.

If Xin Nianruo were here, she would certainly be shocked.

This Spatial Condensation Bead was many times larger than the small ones she was currently making, and even under the reflection of the various glittering treasures in the treasury, it still radiated a brilliant luster, not losing an ounce of its splendor.

With a gentle shake of his hand, the thousands of chests before him vanished instantly, leaving the space completely empty.

Xiao Jinzhi walked slowly up to the second and third floors, sweeping away row after row of storage shelves.

Whether large or small, as long as it was something stored in the treasury, it was a masterpiece.

Ornaments, treasures, curios, calligraphy, paintings, ancient texts, ritual vessels—whatever it was, he would simply take it all.

These were the "toll" for the road. With these, the little girl would surely be able to smile and lead anyone anywhere.

Xiao Jinzhi emerged from the empty treasury with a smile playing on his lips.

The sudden change in weather meant time was tight; he had to finish cleaning up everything here and leave the capital as quickly as possible.

"Your Highness." Liu Huo ran up to him and bowed, "The items you had us prepare a few days ago are all ready. Should we go check them now? Or..."

"Let's go."

"Your Highness! Your Highness!" As the group hurried through the rain, they reached the gates of the Eastern Palace, where several young eunuchs came crawling and stumbling toward them, kneeling on the ground.

"Your Highness," a young eunuch cried, "His Majesty has issued an urgent summons!"

The Prince had left the palace early this morning, and when the Emperor's messengers found nothing, he had become displeased.

Then, not long after, the sky turned dark and a torrential downpour fell, like a natural disaster descending upon the world.

The Emperor was pacing frantically in the palace, yet the Prince was still here, taking his sweet time...

"What is there to be rushed about in this state?" The Prince sneered lightly, stepping around the kneeling eunuchs. "Wait."

The young eunuchs looked at each other in confusion.

Wait for what?

On Xiao Jinzhi's side, escorted by Liu Huo and Zhu Yan, he entered the Eastern Palace treasury with measured steps.

The treasury at the Eastern Palace was one he had previously instructed to be stocked with plenty of fruits, vegetables, poultry, meat, and eggs.

In addition to food, there were many rolls of silk and linen. A large amount of brand-new clothing, trousers, shoes, socks, and leg warmers for men, women, and children had also been made.

The contents of two full treasuries were all pulled into the Spatial Condensation Bead.

The Crown Prince was satisfied. He held the bead and gave it a slight shake, a smile spreading across his lips.

"How is the preparation for the other items?"

Eunuch Ai, his personal attendant, followed closely behind the man with small, hurried steps. He let out an "oh!" and exclaimed, "Your Highness, we have all done as you commanded. These past few days, we have dismantled everything that could be dismantled in the Fengyi Palace and the Eastern Palace, and burned everything that couldn't be taken."

"In total, we have loaded over two hundred carts of goods!"

Hearing this, the Prince was even more satisfied. His thin lips pressed together, and his eyes twinkled with laughter. "Go with Auntie. Take everything and set off with them."

Hah, he wouldn't leave a single scrap of his mother's old belongings to that dog of an Emperor!

Eunuch Ai hesitated, "Your Highness, where is this servant supposed to go?"

"Don't ask questions, just follow..." Before the Prince could finish, a series of loud thuds echoed from outside.

Liu Huo rushed in. "Your Highness, Commander Hong has arrived."

Commander Hong Feng of the Imperial Guard had personally brought men to invite the Prince to the Mingqian Hall.

The Emperor waited and waited, finally receiving this damn son. He raised a wine cup and hurled it at him. "You rebellious child!"

(End of Chapter)