Chapter 48 Reporting to the authorities?

"I contacted the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture."

"Fourth Prince!" Longkodo exclaimed in surprise, looking at Yinzhen in disbelief. Report to the authorities?! Is that something that can be said?

“The commotion at Baohelou can’t be kept from Father Emperor,” Yinzhen said, sitting at the table. He picked up a piece of mutton with his chopsticks and put it in his bowl. “A Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, Longkodo, you are truly skilled.”

“…” Longkodo was speechless. Yes, the others either didn’t understand or dared not speak because of his power. But the Fourth Prince Yinzhen couldn’t possibly be unaware of it, and with his temper, he wouldn’t be afraid to report it.

"Today I will only report your crime of intercepting tribute, which is an act of usurpation. Go and explain yourself to Father Emperor..."

Hearing Yinzhen's words, Longkodo closed his eyes with a wry smile. Was overstepping his bounds a minor crime? Intercepting tribute could hardly be explained away with just the word "overstepping"...

As if knowing what he was thinking, Yinzhen added calmly, "In any case, it's better than the crime of defiling the harem. I'll keep this one a secret for you, but within seven days, I want to hear the news of your favorite concubine, Li Si'er's, death."

“Fourth Prince…” Longkodo couldn’t help but struggle. He knew that Yinzhen wasn’t hiding it for his sake. It was only because Lady Uya was his birth mother, and making a scene wouldn’t be good for him either. So he couldn’t help but test the waters, “Fourth Prince knows nothing…”

“Longkodo,” Yinzhen put down his chopsticks and stared at him coldly, “either end Li Si’er’s life or bury your entire Tongjia clan. The choice is yours. The Wuya clan is no longer a handle for me.”

Longkodo's heart sank. Yes, Yinzhen had already changed the imperial genealogy. But he had never been close to Lady Tongjia; they were practically unrelated. The more he thought about it, the more he felt Yinzhen was cunning, and he suspected that he had this idea all along and had deliberately found a way to get the emperor to change the imperial genealogy...

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he was of his guess; the more he thought about it, the more afraid he became of Yinzhen. Longkodo finally understood why his father always maintained a sense of awe towards the Emperor and the princes. He really couldn't outmaneuver someone like that...

Suddenly realizing the extent to which her arrogance and pride had dragged down the Tongjia clan, she regretted it too late. Now, she could only hope that the Emperor would forgive the Tongjia clan for the sake of Empress Xiaokangzhang and Empress Xiaoyiren…

When Qian Jinxi, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, arrived in a hurry with his men, he saw this strange scene. In the private room, the Fourth Prince Yinzhen was sitting at the dining table drinking tea, while the First-Class Guard Longkodo was kneeling on the ground with his head down, looking disheveled, and there were porcelain shards scattered around.

This... This puzzled Qian Jinxi, the highest-ranking official of Shuntian Prefecture who had rushed over after receiving news of the prince's attack. It seemed that the victim was more like Longkodo.

"Qian Jinxi has met the Fourth Prince. This is..."

“I have committed a crime. Lord Qian, please report it as normal and escort me to see the Emperor.”

Looking at Longkodo kneeling on the spot, sincerely admitting his mistake, Qian Jinxi felt that he was still half asleep. Who would believe that the unruly Third Master Tong was so humble and took the initiative to admit his mistake?

They kept calling him a "criminal official" and even offered to be "escorted." Could it be that they coveted his position as the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture and were deliberately trying to sabotage him?

Longkodo, who had been terrorizing the capital, confessed his crimes. People thought he was incredibly bold for daring to joke about Master Tong. So even though Longkodo had spoken, Qian Jinxi didn't dare to move. He glanced at Longkodo with considerable apprehension and suspicion, then turned to the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, awaiting instructions.

"Lord Qian, have Baohelou sealed off. Bring this 'Manchu Han Imperial Feast' with you, and come with us to the palace to meet the Emperor."

Facing the Fourth Prince's cold gaze, Qian Jinxi was sweating profusely. Well, the Baohelou incident had come to light.

Actually, he had heard some rumors about Baohe Tower before this. But because Longkodo was behind it, he turned a blind eye and ignored it. Who knew that he would run into the Fourth Prince so coincidentally.

Longkodo, you run a restaurant, and one of this kind at that. Don't you know who can and can't enter? Yet you still let in a prince, the most impartial and incorruptible Fourth Prince Yinzhen.

Unfortunately, now was not the time to blame Longkodo. Qian Jinxi couldn't help but feel afraid. In truth, he had also failed in his duty; failing to report what he knew was a crime. But in the capital, if a brick fell, three members of the imperial family and nobility would be at risk. Even as the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, he couldn't afford to offend them.

Would the Emperor spare him after seeing how diligently he had worked for so many years?

Torn between conflicting emotions, Qian Jinxi could only obediently agree. He couldn't afford to offend a prince, and the more he thought about it, the more heartbroken he felt. How difficult it must have been for a Han Chinese to become an official…

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty, I will immediately order someone to do it..."

The Baohe Tower incident caused quite a stir, even involving the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture. Everyone from various factions, well-informed, knew about it, and Emperor Kangxi received the news immediately.

Everyone looked on and wondered, "Why is it that the Fourth Prince is involved again? What kind of accident-prone person is he? Why does he always seem to be involved in trouble?"

Wait, there's Longkodo too? Could it be that the Fourth Prince has finally made contact with the Tongjia clan?

Of the three main characters, Qian Jinxi was blatantly ignored, leaving one wondering whether he should laugh or cry.

Regardless, just looking at the Fourth Prince Yinzhen and Tongjia Longkodo, everyone could sense the impending trouble and couldn't help but pay attention.

Meanwhile, the Qianqing Palace, having received the report from the Shuntian Prefecture, was already waiting for the group to enter the palace. At the same time, the First Prince Yinzhi also found an excuse to come to the Qianqing Palace, saying that he had something to report, but he just lingered there for a long time.

His expression of watching the spectacle was so obvious that even Emperor Kangxi couldn't help but frown. He couldn't bear to watch any longer, so he waved his hand and allowed him to observe, but at the same time, he scolded him like a grandson.

Yinreng, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh. The eldest son was just asking for trouble, unlike him, who was helping to review memorials in the Qianqing Palace. He didn't need to say anything and could stay and watch the show.

After being scolded, Yinzhi lowered his head, his interest in watching the show completely gone. He glared fiercely at Yinreng beside him, not thinking that he hadn't noticed that the second prince was laughing at him.

The two remained silent, exchanging glances that seemed to be a battle of wits. But Emperor Kangxi found it very noisy; it was glaring at him, and it was making him lose his temper.

Fortunately, at this moment, Yinzhen and his entourage finally arrived.

"Your subject, Yinzhen, pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Your subject Qian Jinxi pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Your humble servant Longkodo pays his respects to the Emperor."

...

——

(I found I couldn't fit my author's note in, so I'm adding a couple of rambling sentences below the main text. Please forgive me.)

Yesterday was my sister's birthday, so I scheduled the chapter release. I didn't understand Tomato's system and thought it would only officially start recommending after a seven-day verification period. But when I opened the app when I got home that night, I was shocked to see so many readers and comments—it was the first time I'd ever seen so many.

First of all, thank you all for your support and comments. I'm a complete beginner, and as you can easily tell from my bookshelf, I have a very wide range of reading interests. The books I write are all in areas that have recently interested me. My first post-apocalyptic novel incorporated too many elements, and it was a very difficult and bumpy process to write, but I'm still persevering.

This book has veered into the realm of film and television fan fiction. Although I have a rough outline, I'm a fickle person, and the plot tends to change as I write. So I can't guarantee how the stories will develop between the characters later. I've seen some of your suggestions, and to be honest, they're quite interesting. But I don't know how to respond, because I don't have complete confidence in myself.

However, the main character's personality remains the same: he's a fun-loving troublemaker who won't actively develop romantic relationships; it's all just acting!

The succubus setting will be a bit different. I think for a succubus, beauty is only one aspect; the ability to manipulate people's hearts is also essential. Currently, the protagonist's "heartthrob" attribute isn't highlighted. Firstly, he's not part of that faction in the original setting; secondly, he's currently playing a role—the innocent, pure character is one thing, the cold-blooded prince is another. Therefore, during his time in the royal palace, the protagonist's character won't change much, as it's difficult to reveal his true nature. As for whether he'll cause trouble after becoming emperor, I can't guarantee that at the moment. My outline and my own hands aren't exactly trustworthy…

I'll probably write a side story about Landis's original Western fantasy world later, to supplement the setting. Of course, it's still being improved, so please keep some expectations in mind (but don't get too excited, my writing skills aren't great either).

Finally, thank you again for everyone's comments and support. I welcome any further suggestions – I'll read them all. Not replying just means I'm struggling with my own thoughts; I'm such a socially awkward person who's prone to internal conflict and doesn't know how to communicate… (I've read everyone's suggestions but don't know how to reply. I'll give everyone a thumbs up.)

Lastly, while reading other novels, I suddenly realized I'd missed a step: I forgot to set up a VIP section for everyone's heads at the beginning of the main text. I sincerely apologize for that and will make it up to you here—

【Brain Storage (555 White Cat Silly Sweetheart)】

【Head Storage (556 Pink Group Wild Big Brother Account)】

【Head Storage (￥%# Succubus Fun Person ID)】

Everyone is welcome to choose according to their needs; there are plenty of seats available, and everyone will get one.