Liu Shuyan didn't say anything, and Liu Shixuan immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, your words are too serious. Why don't we move to the Liu family to discuss it? What do you think?"

"Father, please go back first. I will discuss this with the prince."

Liu Shuyan suddenly spoke, and then respectfully made a gesture to Qin Shuhuai to invite him: "Your Majesty, would you mind talking to me in the waterside pavilion?"

"Shuyan..."

Liu Shixuan was a little worried, Qin Shuhuai raised his hand to stop Liu Shixuan's action, and said calmly: "Master Liu, please go back first. This is a private matter between me and Brother Liu, we can discuss it ourselves."

As he spoke, Qin Shuhuai bowed slightly and said to Liu Shuyan, "Brother Liu, please."

When Qin Shuhuai and Liu Shuyan went to the water pavilion in Yu Garden, Qin Peng returned to the mansion in a hurry.

"Bring Lu You here."

Qin Peng gave Bai Zhi an instruction, then went into his study and began to look for Liu Shizhou from the independent character information in the study.

Liu Shizhou is Liu Shuyan's second uncle and the governor of Liuzhou. Once Liu Shizhou falls, half of the Liu family will be ruined.

Generally, noble families have people in the imperial court, and they use the states they actually govern as support to form a stable power structure. If Liu Shizhou is not the governor of Liuzhou, then the position of governor will inevitably become the core of the competition between Qin Shuhuai and the Liu family. If the position of governor does not return to the Liu family, it will be a fundamental problem for the Liu family.

Qin Peng naturally understood why Qin Shuhuai did this.

First of all, it is naturally for power. Power is something that must be robbed. If Qin Shuhuai doesn't rob the Liu family, he will rob others.

But why rob the Liu family?

Qin Peng felt that there might be some factors involved.

As the eldest princess, Qin Shuhuai might like her a little bit now. Even if he didn't like her, he would never let her marry a powerful family.

If she attacks Liu Shizhou right away, judging from the personalities of Liu Shixuan and Liu Shiyun whom she had met, the Liu family will definitely be deeply shocked, and Liu Shuyan will probably face considerable resistance.

She has never been the kind of person who waits for others to give. Since she was the one who took the initiative to flirt with Liu Shuyan, she naturally would not stand idly by and wait passively at this moment.

While waiting for Lu You, Qin Peng looked down at the information about Liu Shizhou. What Qin Shuhuai reported today was the matter of Liu Shizhou's embezzlement of the national treasury. If she suppressed it, the case would be delayed for two days. By the time the news from the court was sent out and reached Liuzhou to seal the treasury, it would probably take ten days.

Of course, Liu Shizhou certainly doesn’t know that he has been reported, and nothing will happen.

When Lu You came in, Qin Peng immediately asked, "Do you know Liu Shizhou?"

"know."

Lu You was a little surprised. Why did Qin Peng suddenly mention this person? Qin Peng said decisively: "Get ready. We will go to the Regent Palace tonight, and then you go out of the city to Liuzhou to find Liu Shizhou."

After saying that, Qin Peng stood up and walked out with Bai Zhi: "Let's go to Liu Mansion."

Sitting in the carriage, Qin Peng closed his eyes and thought about the whole thing.

"Is the largest bank in Liuzhou Jintai Bank?"

She suddenly spoke, Bai Zhi was stunned for a moment, then said, "Yes."

Bai Zhi has always been very concerned about important things like money, grain, salt, and minerals. Not to mention Qi, even the prices of these items in the neighboring small states, Bai Zhi is very clear.

Qin Peng narrowed his eyes and immediately said, "Bai Zhi, go to Jintai Bank now and find the shopkeeper. Tell him that you are from Beiyan and want to cooperate with him. Teach him how to lend money in Beiyan."

"I'm afraid the shopkeeper won't agree."

"Tell the shopkeeper that the money was deposited by him privately, and have him sign and put his fingerprint on it. But don't use a private deed. You need to sign a contract with him that says 'commercial contract' at the beginning."

"Why is that?"

Bai Zhi was a little confused. Private debts between individuals were always settled with private contracts, while public accounts were usually settled with commercial contracts. This was always the case in Northern Yan. However, Qi State did not have a distinction between private and commercial debts, and contracts were always the standard.

The usury is actually loan sharking. The laws of Qi have detailed regulations. Merchants are strictly prohibited from lending at high interest rates. Otherwise, all responsible persons will be punished together with the criminals. However, if a private person lends at high interest rates, he will only be fined. If the loan is made to another country at high interest rates, the merchant will be treated as a collaborator, while the private person will be subject to specific analysis according to the specific situation.

Jintai Bank is the largest bank in Qi and Beiyan. In fact, it was run privately by Qin Shuhuai when he was in Beiyan, and Zhao Peng himself also participated in it. Now that Liu Shizhou was investigated, he would be found to have treasury money. Qin Peng guessed that it must be because he had made some moves in Jintai Bank that Qin Shuhuai noticed it.

The largest money house in a region often has very good relations with the local government. After Qin Peng found out the largest money house in Liuzhou, he could naturally infer the cause and effect.

Jintai Money House was short of money back then, and actually got its start by borrowing money from loan sharks. Almost all of their head managers were trained by the early managers of Beiyan. Some time ago, Qin Peng's spies said that the money house business at Beimen seemed to be a bit bad. Now was the middle of the year, and Qin Shuhuai was used to doing an accounting once in the middle of the year and at the end of the year. If the business was good, there would be a promotion, and if it was not, there was a possibility of closure. Therefore, at this time, these branches with poor business must be very nervous.

Now that she has Bai Zhi delivered the contract to the other party, there is a high probability that the other party will sign the contract.

However, the shopkeeper would definitely not sign this contract in the name of the bank. It is estimated that he signed it in his personal name, but it is actually the business of the bank.

"Many people in the public are still unclear about the decree that the court just passed a few days ago. Now that the commercial contract and the private contract have been separated, if the commercial contract is used, it will be the business of their Jintai Money House."

After hearing this, Bai Zhi understood what Qin Peng meant. She was afraid that he was planning to set a trap for Qin Shuhuai to fall into.

Qin Shuhuai is a cautious person, but with so many people under his control, something is bound to go wrong.

Bai Zhi and Qin Peng discussed for a while, and after deciding on the money house at the North Gate, they jumped off the carriage and headed for the North Gate.

At this time Qin Peng also arrived at Liu Shuyan's house, handed the invitation to the Liu family, and walked in.

As soon as Qin Peng entered the room, he saw that almost everyone in the Liu family was in the house.

After kneeling down and paying respect to her, Qin Peng smiled and stepped forward and said, "Please stand up, Shuyan and I are good friends, and you are all my elders. There is no need to be so polite."

"The princess is so kind, the Liu family is unworthy of it," Liu Shixuan did not seem very happy, and said in a hard tone: "But the princess is the daughter of the emperor, a phoenix is ​​noble, the Liu family would not dare to live in anything other than the phoenix tree."

This was a veiled remark, and Qin Peng said nothing. He had already told Qin Peng that the Liu family temple was small, and he must not come.

Qin Peng heard it, lowered his head and smiled, then went into the house with Liu Shixuan and changed the subject: "I came here this time to discuss the matter of the governor of Liuzhou."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shixuan trembled with anger.

How could something happen to Liu Shizhou? Liu Shixuan knew it was because of Qin Peng. This woman even dared to bring up this matter. Liu Shixuan was so angry.

Liu Shiyun came forward, supported Liu Shixuan and said, "Father, let's talk to the princess in her room. Let mother take the others down first."

"You go down first."

Liu Shixuan calmed down, made a "please" gesture to Qin Peng and said, "Princess, please."

Qin Peng nodded and went into the house with Liu Shixuan.

Liu Shiyun asked everyone to leave and left her alone to serve in the room.

She lit some incense, the scent was soothing and refreshing, then sat down to make some tea, remaining quiet throughout the conversation while quietly changing the subject.

Qin Peng glanced at Liu Shiyun inconspicuously, then turned to look at Liu Shixuan, and said solemnly: "Time is urgent, so I will speak frankly. I know that Lord Liu has a grudge against me and thinks that the incident with the governor of Liuzhou was caused by me, but has Lord Liu ever thought that the Liu family is a noble family and it is inevitable to compete with others. Hiding blindly will only make people think that you are weak and can be bullied..."

"But we shouldn't confront Qin Shuhuai directly!" Liu Shixuan raised his voice suddenly: "My Liu family has been like this for generations, there is no need for the princess to point fingers at us!"

"You mean, the Liu family really has no ambition at all?"

Qin Peng spoke coldly. Liu Shiyun pushed the tea in front of Qin Peng. Liu Shixuan said coldly, "No. It is enough for my Liu family to maintain the status quo."

"I know," Liu Shixuan replied in a soft voice, "With the princess's status, there are many people who want to marry her. If you marry the princess, you will be very successful, and the first noble family in the future will definitely be the prince consort's family. But if you fail, it will be a complete failure, and I'm afraid the family will not be at peace. The reason why the Liu family has stood in the court for many years is because we never get involved in right and wrong. The princess is forcing the Liu family now!"

Liu Shixuan's voice was a little excited: "I know my son's temper very well. He is indeed smart, but he has the temperament of a scholar. If he inherits the family business, it will be stable. But if he insists on getting involved in the struggle, I am afraid my son's life will be in danger!"

Qin Peng was slightly stunned and was speechless for a moment.

Liu Shixuan's words...

That's quite well said.

From a politician's perspective, Liu Shuyan is indeed a bit frivolous and kind, and cannot compare to Qin Shuhuai's iron-blooded tactics.

But Qin Peng is not someone who gives up easily. She has to try her best to achieve whatever she wants. She took a deep breath and said, "Don't you have me?"

As she spoke, she raised her head and looked directly at Liu Shixuan: "Lord Liu, please believe that I am not just someone who brings trouble to the Liu family. The key to Liuzhou Mu's matter now is to fill the national treasury in time. I want to know, can you estimate how much money Liuzhou Mu is short of?"

The Liu family's accounts should be interconnected, and the local money is often used to manage the court. Seeing that Qin Peng was serious, Liu Shixuan understood that both parties were mutually beneficial. He pursed his lips and said, "About 100,000 silver coins."

"How much can the Liu family give out now?"

Liu Shixuan raised his eyes and looked at Liu Shiyun. Liu Shiyun smiled, as if she had been prepared: "At most 50,000."

Qin Peng understood after seeing this that Liu Shiyun should be in charge of the inner courtyard of the Liu family now.

She nodded and said directly, "I will prepare the remaining fifty thousand tonight. Please prepare the silver. Tomorrow morning, my people will go directly to Liuzhou with the money. I will delay the case in the morning court tomorrow. As long as the treasury is filled before the court investigators arrive, there will be no major problems."

Liu Shixuan did not speak. Qin Peng looked up at him and said, "Now that things have come to this, Lord Liu, you can either accept me and my help. Otherwise, I will just stand by and watch. The Liu family will not change at all. Think it over."

While Qin Peng and Liu Shixuan were discussing, Qin Shuhuai sat in the waterside pavilion and poured tea for Liu Shuyan.

"I originally thought that the prince was a smart man. Now that the prince and Zhang Ying are already fighting each other, and you have to spare some time to cause trouble for the Liu family, do you feel tired?"

"It's just something I did, it's nothing."

Qin Shuhuai said calmly: "Master Liu, there is no need to tell me whether it is worth admonishing or not. I will never let go of the person I want no matter what. It is enough for you to understand this."

"So," Liu Shuyan took a sip of tea, "my second uncle's matter is just a beginning, right?"

“It’s natural.”

Qin Shuhuai asked directly: "Have you ever seen a snake hunting?"

Liu Shuyan stroked the rim of the cup, and Qin Shuhuai continued, "Once it bites its prey, it will never let go. No matter how big the prey is or how fiercely it fights, it will just hold on to it and inject venom bit by bit."

"Even if you are chopped into several pieces by hunters, you won't let go?" Liu Shuyan sneered: "Your Highness, are you going to do everything you can to target the Liu family? Zhang Ying doesn't care, Wei Yan doesn't care, Princess Qinghe doesn't care, and the other dukes don't care?"

"in spite of."

Qin Shuhuai spoke decisively, raised his eyes and said: "You were the one who came to Beiyan to pick me up that year, right? Don't you know who I am?"

Liu Shuyan paused slightly in stroking the rim of the cup. He looked up at him and saw a cold look in Qin Shuhuai's eyes.

But he clearly understood how deep and terrifying the almost crazy heat was buried behind the coldness.

That year, he was ordered to welcome Qin Shuhuai. At that time, Zhao Peng had just died. After Qin Shuhuai buried Zhao Peng, he returned to Beiyan.

When Liu Shuyan went to see Qin Shuhuai, he was at Jiang Mansion. He rushed there day and night, and when he arrived at the gate of Jiang Mansion, he heard a lot of noise.

He led his soldiers through the crowd and squeezed in.

Then he saw Qin Shuhuai, who was surrounded by many people, with wounds all over his body. Jiang Yuan and his family were standing not far away, looking at him quietly with a smile on their faces.

That was probably the most desperate time in Qin Shuhuai's life.

At that time, he had a childish face and an innocent look. He was holding a sword alone, and not a single part of his body was intact, but he still moved forward step by step.

Someone broke his leg bones with a stick and he was forced to kneel down, but he stood up again, gasping for breath.

His other leg was broken again, and he fell to the ground with the sword thrown out, but he still moved forward step by step, trying to grasp the sword.

At that time, any servant dared to step on him.

At that time, no one would have thought that the man with broken bones and crawling at everyone's feet would one day become the regent with power over the government and the country today.

He has climbed to where he is today for one person, so it is normal for him to disregard everything for another person.

Liu Shuyan looked at Qin Peng's expression and couldn't help but laugh.

"Aren't you in love with Zhao Peng?"

He felt bitter and said with difficulty: "You provoked Qin Peng, and you gave her to me. Why are you arguing with me now?"

"This is none of your business."

Qin Shuhuai said coldly: "I just want to ask you, Liu family, Qin Peng, what do you choose?"

"I……"

"Don't talk to me about compromise or negotiation!" Qin Shuhuai suddenly pulled out the dagger, stabbed it into Liu Shuyan's hand, approached Liu Shuyan, and growled: "How to choose!"

Liu Shuyan didn't say anything.

His hands trembled slightly.

Liu Shizhou was just the beginning. Later, Qin Shuhuai kept a close eye on him. This was the endless nightmare of the Liu family.

Is it worth it?

Liu Shuyan kept asking himself. Qin Shuhuai's dagger was right next to him. The only question that kept coming to his mind was - is it worth it?

Not worth it.

It's not worth sacrificing your family for a woman.

The education and philosophy he received since childhood told him that it was not worth it.

He opened his mouth, but Qin Shuhuai understood.

"I see."

He put away the knife and said calmly, "This case will be suppressed. You should talk it over with Qin Peng, cut off the relationship, and apply for an external investigation yourself."

"Wait until she and I get married," Qin Shuhuai put it back on his body and said calmly, "and then transfer it back."

After saying that, Qin Shuhuai went downstairs.

Jiang Chun followed Qin Shuhuai, looked at his slightly shaking hands, and said happily: "Hey, Prince, that rascal Liu Shuyan is no match for you. Don't worry!"

"No."

Qin Shuhuai closed his eyes and leaned against the carriage.

"It's not that Liu Shuyan is bad, it's just that I'm lucky."

Fortunately, there is no light in his life, only Zhao Peng, who runs through his life from beginning to end.

If he also had a family, if he also had responsibilities, if he had also been loved by so many people, could he be so selfless?

Not really.

But for Qin Shuhuai, from beginning to end, there was only one Zhao Peng.

Qin Shuhuai closed his eyes and suddenly felt somewhat relieved.

As soon as his carriage returned to the mansion, it ran into people from the palace.

"Your Majesty," the eunuch came up and said anxiously, "Your Majesty is not feeling well and keeps crying. He said he was having nightmares. I want you to go to the palace to check."

Qin Shuhuai frowned, thinking that if Qin Ming was unwell, Qin Peng would definitely be anxious in the palace, so he nodded and went back to the palace.

As soon as Qin Shuhuai left, Qin Peng turned to Lu You who was following behind him and asked, "Are you ready?"

Lu You nodded.

An hour ago, Qin Peng had just walked out of Liu Mansion and asked Chunsu to take a letter to Lu You, asking him to bring people to the backyard of Qin Shuhuai's mansion. Then he asked Baizhi to notify Qin Ming and ask Qin Ming to summon Qin Shuhuai into the palace.

Now Qin Shuhuai had been successfully tricked away, and Lu You was very familiar with the Huai'an Palace. They went to the backyard which was always unattended, so the group was not under much pressure.

Lu You sneaked in first, knocked out the maid in the backyard, and then closed the backyard door.

There was no one guarding the backyard at all, so Qin Peng finally sneaked in.

It had been almost two years since they last saw the backyard, and a lot of weeds had grown there. Qin Peng searched for a while before he finally found the place where he had buried the silver.

"Master, what are you doing here?"

Lu You muttered quietly. Qin Peng pushed aside the weeds and couldn't determine the location for a moment, but he didn't care. He pushed Lu You and said, "Don't worry about it. Hurry up and dig first."

Lu You didn't say much. He took out a small shovel, squatted on the ground with Qin Peng, and started digging for silver.

Qin Peng had prepared some banknotes and buried them very deep. The two of them dug for a long time. As Lu You dug, he asked, "Master, what are we digging for?"

"Digging for money."

"You still have money hidden?!"

Lu You was a little surprised. In his memory, Jiang Yi had always been short of money.

Qin Peng choked up and couldn't tell Lu You that Jiang Yi had been poor for three years, but Dong Wanyi was extremely rich. Apart from money, she had nothing...

The two men dug the pit nearly ten feet deep, and Qin Peng finally poked into something hard.

“Found it!”

Qin Peng happily said, pushed Lu You away, pulled the box out, and patted the dirt. At this time, she heard a gentle question: "What did you find?"

"Silver..."

Before she finished speaking, Qin Peng felt something was wrong. She looked up suddenly and saw Qin Shuhuai standing in front of her, looking down at her with an irrepressible smile.

Lu You was restrained by Jiang Chun, standing aside with an anxious look on his face. Qin Peng stared blankly at Qin Shuhuai who suddenly appeared. Qin Shuhuai took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiped the dirt off her face, and said gently: "If you want to dig something in my house, just tell me and I will let someone dig for you. You dug such a deep hole, your hands must be hurting, right?"

Qin Peng: “…”

Probably finished.