Chapter 77

The road back to the Eastern Palace was already long, and the weather was not good. Suddenly, dark clouds rolled in, and raindrops as big as beans fell without warning, and in an instant, the rain became a downpour.

The carriage that Li Yin and Luo Sanrong were riding in was stuck in the mud. The wheels rolled over the slippery bluestone slabs, and the splashing water wet a corner of the curtain.

The servants were busy looking for a roof to shelter from the rain, and it took them nearly an hour to go back and forth.

When I finally stepped into the East Palace, raindrops were still clinging to my clothes, bringing with them the chill of late autumn.

The two of them went straight into the inner hall. Luo Sanrong hurriedly took out a plain silk handkerchief, first took off Li Yin's damp outer robe, and then stood on tiptoe to wipe his wet hair.

Her fingertips touched his slightly cool earlobe, and she frowned slightly, her tone full of worry: "Your Highness, are you feeling unwell? What if you catch a cold after being caught in the rain?"

Li Yin lowered his eyes and looked at her, his gaze dancing in her hair, reflecting the concern in her eyes.

He suddenly reached out, pulled her into his arms, put his arm around her waist, and walked quickly with her to the bench by the window.

Without waiting for Luo Sanrong to react, he lowered his head and tentatively pecked her lips lightly, like a feather brushing past, bringing warmth.

Luo Sanrong's body stiffened. She raised her hand and gently pushed his chest. Her voice was as thin as a mosquito's: "I... I'm scared."

Li Yin loosened his grip, rubbed the back of her hand with his fingertips, and asked gently, "What are you afraid of?"

Luo Sanrong lowered her eyes, twisting his clothes with her fingertips, her cheeks flushed. After a long while, she whispered, "I'm afraid these happy days will pass too quickly. I'm afraid this happiness doesn't belong to me in the first place... What if someone snatches it away from me one day? What will I do?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yin's eyes flashed with mischief, and his tone was filled with a subtle hint of jealousy: "You just saw your mother, and you're so happy?"

Luo Sanrong raised her head, her eyes firm as she looked at him and said seriously, "Of course I'm happy. But what makes me happier is that, whether inside or outside the palace, there are people I truly love."

Li Yin paused, his tone adding a hint of disappointment. "As long as you're happy, I'm glad. But seeing you living so happily even without me by your side makes me feel a little uncomfortable."

Seeing him like this, Luo Sanrong couldn't help but chuckle. She put her arms around his neck and patiently soothed him, "Your Highness, you're worrying too much. How could I leave your side without your permission?"

Li Yin's eyes lit up instantly, and he held her hand tightly, his tone full of surprise: "Are you serious?"

Luo Sanrong looked at the light in his eyes, nodded gently, and said in a gentle voice, "Of course it's true."

——

Here, Weidao had already placed the account book on Li Yin's desk, ensuring that he could see it at a glance.

After everything was done, he slipped into Lord Shang's bedroom while no one was around and said in a low voice, "As you instructed, I have placed the account book on your desk. However, if this continues, the palace security will inevitably become increasingly strict. From now on..."

Lord Shang, standing by the window, spoke calmly, "If they were so timid about even such a small matter, why did they hide their identities in the first place? I just want them to know that they are being judged by the people."

Li Yin bowed his head and replied respectfully, "Yes." Then, hesitantly, he asked, "When do you plan to tell Luo Sanrong her true identity?"

Lord Shang paused for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "I'm waiting. When the Crown Prince is at his wit's end, that will be the best opportunity to reveal the truth."

By the time Li Yin saw the account book, it was already late at night and everyone was asleep. He stayed awake all night, flipping through the pages, his heart pounding with anxiety. The next day, he quickly summoned Liu Yang, the Minister of Justice, and ordered him to secretly investigate the account book's contents.

Three days later, when Li Yin took over the piles of evidence presented by Liu Yang, he was furious and could no longer suppress his anger. He immediately ordered the Minister of Revenue Sun Xing to come to the Purple Palace.

Sun Xing entered the hall and knelt in obeisance. Li Yin sat in the upper seat, his face stern, holding the evidence of his crime. He said to Sun Xing, who was sitting below him, with an indistinguishable tone of emotion: "Sun Shangshu, do you know what this is?"

Sun Xing feigned composure and replied nonchalantly, "Your Highness, this is...?"

Li Yin flung the evidence down, striking Sun Xing squarely in the face. He shouted, "This is the account book exposing your Minister of Revenue's selling of official positions and titles! Yet, why have I never heard of such a detailed record before?"

Sun Xing's lips were tightly closed, his face twitched slightly due to nervousness, and he was speechless for a moment.

Li Yin turned to look at Liu Yang, who was standing beside him, and asked, "Master Liu, please tell me the truth. What is the reason for this?"

Liu Yang was about to speak when he was interrupted by Sun Xing. Sun Xing quickly argued, "Your Highness, the records in this account book are hard to believe. I'm afraid there may be something wrong!"

Li Yin's gaze was sharp as a torch, and he demanded, "The person who submitted the petition seemed to have anticipated your evasion and even presented the evidence. It details the time, location, personnel, amount, and position of the official position being sold. What else do you have to say?"

Sun Xing just kept shouting, "Your Highness, I am innocent! This must be a deliberate frame-up!"

Li Yin pretended not to hear and asked Liu Yang directly, "Master Liu, I previously ordered you to thoroughly investigate the authenticity of the account books. What was the result?"

Liu Yang hesitated slightly and reported truthfully: "Your Highness, all the people on the list have confessed, and this matter is true."

Sun Xing still refused to give up and shouted, "Your Highness, this is clearly a frame-up. Don't believe it!"

Li Yin did not hesitate any longer and immediately pronounced the verdict: "Sun Xing, as the Minister of Revenue, you have wantonly bought and sold official positions, abused your power, and endangered the country. Effective immediately, you are dismissed from your position as Minister of Revenue and await further action!"

Sun Xing's eyes widened in disbelief, and he continued to argue, "Your Highness, this is absolutely unacceptable! How can you make such a hasty decision based solely on Liu Yang's one-sided statement? I implore Your Highness to carefully investigate before making a final decision!"

To convince Sun Xing, Li Yin said in a deep voice, "I have already sent people to investigate this matter in detail. Any officials involved in this matter who turned a blind eye will not be spared and will be severely punished!"

Sun Xing left the Purple Palace in despair. As soon as he left the palace, he rushed to the Prime Minister's residence, begging for an audience with the Prime Minister, hoping he would come to his rescue.

Upon meeting the Prime Minister, Sun Xing spoke urgently, recounting the entire incident in detail, filled with regret. "It's all my fault for being careless. The last time the assassin broke into the mansion, I'm afraid the account books must have been stolen. I didn't even notice. Damn it!"

Ji Zeming, standing aside, looked puzzled and asked, "But how did this account book end up in the hands of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

Sun Xing was also confused: "I'm wondering too, I really can't figure it out!"

At this time, the Prime Minister finally spoke, his expression solemn: "So, he really wants to dismiss you?"

Just as Sun Xing was about to answer, a voice came from outside the door: "Sir, I have something important to report."

"Come in." The prime minister said in a deep voice.

The attendant entered and respectfully reported, "Sir, I went to look for the person who provided the information, but when I arrived, he was already dead."

Sun Xing was horrified: "Dead? How could this be?"

The attendant nodded and confirmed, "Yes, it seems someone noticed that he had leaked secrets and took preemptive action to silence him."

Upon hearing this, Minister of Rites Xu Jiang couldn't help but shake his head and sigh: "What a pity, what a pity."

The attendant added, "However, I have inquired through various sources and learned that Hong Jingxiu's daughter is named Hong Luo'er."

The Prime Minister murmured, "Hong Luozhen?" He thought for a moment, then ordered, "She wouldn't dare to use this real name so blatantly. Go and investigate carefully."

No one noticed, but when Ji Zeming heard the name "Hong Luozhen," his hand trembled violently, and scalding tea splashed onto his sleeve, but he was completely unaware. For a moment, his eyes were complicated, as if a myriad of thoughts were surging, but he quickly restrained them and remained calm, as if nothing had happened.

"Yes." The attendant accepted the order and turned to leave. Everyone in the room fell into deep thought again, planning their next move. Meanwhile, in the court, this ever-changing battle had just begun.