After having breakfast, Yue Xiyuan went to the palace. He needed to discuss countermeasures with the Emperor regarding the evidence he had found at the Prince Xiao's residence.

These things alone are not enough to bring Yue Zhixiao to justice; we still need to find the location of the privately-run army.

What is your opinion on this matter, Fourth Brother?

The Emperor, his face tense, paced back and forth in the room, clutching the photocopy Yue Xiyuan had brought.

His face turned from white to green, veins bulged on his temples, and he had nowhere to vent his anger. It took him a long time to suppress his rage.

“Yue Zhixiao is very clever. It has always been his subordinate Zebin who has been secretly communicating with others. Moreover, no letters between the poisoners who appeared in the Southern Territory were found in the secret room. Therefore, I suspect that he has destroyed the evidence. After all, he doesn’t trust anyone except Zebin.”

"There is also a privately maintained army. According to his map, the secret chamber under the moat should be larger than we imagined. Your Majesty, look at this account book. According to this account book, tens of thousands of taels of silver from the Prince Xiao's mansion are missing every month. I suspect that they were used to maintain a private army. Furthermore, I compared it with the account book that was found in Song Zhiyuan's mansion at that time, and they match perfectly."

The emperor's chest felt like it was boiling water, his heart was burning, and his temples were throbbing. He gently touched his forehead.

"According to these monthly accounts, Yue Zhixiao's privately maintained army should number in the tens of thousands. The most urgent task now is to find the army and control them, lest things get complicated if we delay."

"During this time, I have guarded those secret caves. Apart from Zebin, no one else has entered or left. Even if they have stored up a lot of military rations, it is time to purchase them. I believe we will have news soon."

"Yes, Fourth Brother, please put more effort into Yue Zhixiao's affairs. By the way, I heard from Mother that Yan An's birthday is the day after tomorrow. When does Fourth Brother plan to propose marriage?"

These days, he and Ya Nan have almost finished their preparations, and Yue Xiyuan and Yan An's wedding is also being prepared in an orderly manner.

"On the second day after An'an's birthday, your younger brother has already prepared the betrothal gifts."

Yue Xiyuan's gaze was tender and gentle, his deep affection undisguised, surging like the sea.

"That's good. Go to the national treasury and get some things that Yan An likes, and send them over. Don't let others think that we've neglected the Yan family."

Neglecting him was out of the question, since the Regent's estate had been given to Yan An as a betrothal gift.

But he was quite happy to be able to pick some treasures from the national treasury, after all, An'an was a little greedy.

"Your Majesty, I thank you."

"There's no need for such formalities between us. Over the years, without your help, how could I have defended this Moon Kingdom? I should be the one thanking you."

"If you want to thank me, let me take some good things. I'm leaving now!"

The Emperor shook his head and twitched his lips. His fourth brother was still as warm-hearted and stubborn as ever; only Yan An could accept him.

Yue Xiyuan turned around and went to the national treasury. Thinking that he might as well take it, he packed two large boxes. If he hadn't brought his subordinates with him today, he would have packed a few more boxes.

"This old servant greets Your Majesty. The Regent has gone to the national treasury and taken away two chests of treasures."

"It's alright. I sent him. Princess An is coming of age and the fourth prince is betrothing her. My mother and I should express our feelings. If the fourth prince goes again, let him take it. Most of the things in the national treasury were brought by him, so it is only right to give them to him."

"Your servant obeys the decree."

"Go down."

Inside the Regent's Palace, "Qin Feng, add these two boxes to the register as well, and bring them with you when you propose marriage."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The jade burial suit, the six-lobed glass and crystal general's buckle, the cloisonné enamel incense burner, the jade pillow... all are rare treasures.

Yue Xiyuan gently stroked the gift he had prepared over the past few days and carefully placed it into the box.

“An’an will definitely like it.”

Lightning illuminated the clouds, followed by a muffled clap of thunder. Large raindrops pounded against the window. The summer rain came suddenly and heavily, and in an instant, the lawn drooped and withered.

"It's such a nice day to sleep, Bai Lan. I'm going to take a nap. Call me if there's anything urgent."

Yan An yawned, lay down on the bed, and fell asleep in a moment.

Dark clouds drifted across the silent night sky, obscuring the moon and casting a shadow over Zian Courtyard. The rain gradually subsided, turning into a fine drizzle, the gentle patter of raindrops like the soft whispers of a pipa, wetting the green trees and red walls.

Yue Xiyuan pushed open the door and entered, seeing Yan An lying on the bed. She was fast asleep, her rosy face covered with a natural, pearly glow, soft and bouncy, beautiful beyond belief.

"good evening."

Yue Xiyuan gently brushed the stray hairs from Yan An's face, kissed him between the eyebrows, and then left.

Yan An slept until the sun was high in the sky again. "Ah... it's so comfortable to sleep on a rainy day."

Yan An stretched and prepared to get up and eat something.

"Bai Su, you'll be coming out with me in a bit."

"Yes, miss, would you like to disguise yourself?"

"No need, this is fine."

Outside Linglong Pavilion, Manager Wang heard from his servant that the Princess Consort had arrived at Linglong Pavilion, and he hurried to the door to greet her.

"Greetings, Princess Regent. Please, Your Highness."

On the table on the fifth floor were pastries and fruits that the servant had prepared for Yan An.

"Please, Your Highness."

"Oh right, I forgot to ask Yue Xiyuan earlier, how well does Tianshan Water sell in the Linglong Pavilion in the other three kingdoms?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, they have all been sold. The Kingdom of Lu and the Kingdom of Feng were auctioned off by their respective crown princes, while the Kingdom of Yan was auctioned off by Prince Heng of Yan."

"No women?"

"No."

The princess asked the same question as the prince, proving that the princess and the prince are indeed a perfect match.

"Could it be that Yun Yao's master is a member of the royal family?" Yan An murmured.

"Who is the Prince Heng?" Yan An continued to ask.

"He is Yan Shaoheng, the younger brother of the current emperor of Yan. He came to Yue Kingdom more than 20 years ago and stayed for more than half a year. When the emperor of Yan ascended the throne, he contributed a lot and even lost a leg because of it. The emperor of Yan then conferred the title of Prince Heng on Yan Shaoheng and granted him a fief. Although the prince's mansion is still kept in the capital, he is now just an idle prince."

Yan An's intuition told her that there was something wrong with this Prince Heng.

"Investigate this Prince Heng thoroughly."

"The Princess Consort and the Prince are indeed of one mind. After the Tianshan Water was auctioned off, the Prince ordered the Dark Pavilion to secretly investigate this Prince Heng, but there is still no news."

"The medicinal herbs you auctioned today weren't very good. Is Linglong Pavilion going bankrupt?"

Yan An flipped through today's auction list, and only some weapons caught his eye.

Um... well, there's nothing good in there. The prince took it all a couple of days ago as your betrothal gift, but he can't say anything, or the prince will fire him.

"Your Highness, Linglong Pavilion has indeed not received any good items these days, so the items auctioned off are rather ordinary."