At this time, Yinzhen was thinking about how to reform the Imperial Household Department, unaware that the Third Prince had already harbored a grudge against him.
As the Crown Prince's wet nurse, Lingpu was very close to the Crown Prince, and because he worked in the Imperial Household Department, the Crown Prince also received many benefits from him on a daily basis.
Lingpu was summoned by the Crown Prince in a hurry. He said respectfully, "This servant greets Your Highness."
"Get up!"
Seeing the Crown Prince's somewhat serious expression, Ling Pu cautiously asked, "I wonder if Your Highness has any instructions for summoning this servant in such a hurry?"
The Crown Prince frowned: "Are you aware that Father Emperor is going to conduct a thorough investigation of the Imperial Household Department?"
Lingpu couldn't possibly have been completely unaware of the situation, so he truthfully replied, "This servant knows some things. The Fourth Prince didn't hide anything from me when he was investigating. Your Highness, don't worry, it's just child's play and won't amount to anything."
Judging from Lingpu's appearance, the Crown Prince knew that he had probably also reaped considerable benefits from the Imperial Household Department.
"Fourth Brother is no longer a child. He has investigated everything that should be investigated and could be investigated. Father Emperor was furious when he saw what Fourth Brother found out and wanted to thoroughly investigate the Imperial Household Department. Then he handed this matter over to me and Fourth Brother. Do you think it can be accomplished?"
Upon hearing this, Lingpu was startled: "How could that be? Can the Fourth Prince really find out?"
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince knew exactly what Lingpu was thinking. After all, Lingpu was his man, and he had nothing but kindness towards him. It was inconvenient for him to work in the palace, so he had Lingpu take care of many things. If he really wanted to punish him, the Crown Prince couldn't bear to do so.
Lingpu will definitely be saved; the key question is to what extent.
The Crown Prince said, "What do you think? Tell me the truth, how much have you been involved in the affairs of the Imperial Household Department?"
Lingpu really didn't dare to tell the truth. As one of the heads of the Imperial Household Department, he was involved in everything he was supposed to do. One reason was that he couldn't resist the temptation, and another was that everyone else was greedy. If he were "pure and innocent" among them, he really wouldn't have been able to get by.
Lingpu remained silent, and then the Crown Prince knew that he had probably done quite a bit.
"If you don't tell me now, and something is found out later, I won't be able to protect you. This time, Father Emperor is really determined to investigate thoroughly, and his attitude is very firm."
Lingpu finally couldn't hold back and said everything he needed to say.
Lingpu spoke with trepidation, and even the Crown Prince was taken aback. As the Crown Prince, he should have been quite knowledgeable, but he was still startled by Lingpu's words.
Seeing the Crown Prince's increasingly grim expression, Ling Pu finally said, "This servant has only been in the Imperial Household Department for a short time and has only taken a small portion. In fact, the bulk of it is not with this servant. Moreover, most of what this servant has earned has been used to bribe you. I beg Your Highness to show this servant the right path."
Lingpu's words were true. He knew that to reap rewards, one had to invest, so he put a lot of thought and money into winning over the Crown Prince's heart. He spent almost all of his ill-gotten gains on cultivating relationships for the Crown Prince.
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