Upon noticing the fake Empress Dowager's subtle reaction, Li Huan's heart stirred slightly.
His "secret" with Princess Jianning has been discovered by Long'er.
Li Huan said, "Your Majesty, I did not mean to conceal it. I was ordered by the Emperor to hide my true identity. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
The fake empress dowager's expression softened a bit: "You are not a eunuch, so you can continue to be promoted and serve the emperor."
Emperor Kangxi hurriedly said, "Li Huan, you have rendered a great service! I hereby appoint you as a Grand Secretary of the Imperial Library and bestow upon you a yellow riding jacket!"
Li Huan knew that being a Grand Secretary of the Imperial Academy was an important official position in the Qing Dynasty, belonging to one of the Three Dukes.
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!" Li Huan bowed in gratitude.
Kangxi added, "Furthermore, I hereby order you to be specifically in charge of confiscating Ao Bai's assets!"
"Yes, sir!" Li Huan obeyed the command.
Emperor Kangxi instructed: "Duolong, you will assist Scholar Li!"
"Chirp!" Doron exclaimed with delight, "Aww..."
Duolong coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Lord Li, quickly give me the antidote..."
Li Huan said, "I don't have the antidote for the 'Five Poisons Powder.' Just bear with it a little longer and go find Eunuch Hai. He has the antidote! Wait, where is Eunuch Hai?"
Wei Xiaobao hurriedly said, "Eunuch Hai has gone mad again and we don't know where he is!"
Upon hearing this, Duolong trembled with fear: "Your Majesty, save me! Save me..."
Emperor Kangxi said, "Quickly summon the imperial physician to detoxify Duolong!"
...
Li Huan was promoted to "Grand Secretary of the Imperial Academy," so naturally he could no longer live in the Imperial Kitchen's residence.
He now has his own mansion.
Wei Xiaobao then became the head of the Imperial Kitchen.
However, the truth that he was not a eunuch has not yet been revealed.
Apart from Li Huan, no one in the palace knew Wei Xiaobao's secret.
After treatment by the imperial physician, Duolong was freed from the Five Poisons Powder in his body and returned to normal.
the next day.
Li Huan arrived at Ao Bai's residence.
He had no interest in Ao Bai's assets and had no desire to possess them for himself.
Moreover, Li Huan knew that Kangxi had given him the lucrative task of confiscating property as a test.
Emperor Kangxi was intelligent; how could he not know about Aobai's wealth?
If Li Huan used the opportunity of confiscating his property to enrich himself, it would inevitably displease Emperor Kangxi, making it difficult for him to fully trust Li Huan.
If Li Huan upholds the law impartially, confiscates Ao Bai's property diligently, and truthfully turns it over to the national treasury, then Kangxi will surely consider Li Huan to be an honest and upright person, a pillar of the nation, and someone who can be fully trusted!
Therefore, Li Huan already had a clear plan regarding the raid on his home.
Ao Bai's mansion was extremely luxurious.
The guards were sweating profusely as they carried the gold and silver jewelry into the courtyard, carefully counting it and recording the details in a register.
Li Huan asked, "Master, has the 'Five Poisons Powder' you were given yesterday been neutralized?"
Duolong said with a smile, "The imperial physician cured me quickly and even prescribed some tonics. After taking them last night, I've been full of energy and vitality ever since!"
Li Huan said, "No wonder you were so excited to ransack the house, it turns out you took some tonics and are full of energy!"
Duolong picked up the booklet and said with a fawning smile, "Lord Li, Aobai's assets have been investigated and recorded in this book."
Li Huan asked, "How much wealth do you have in total?"
Duolong opened the booklet and smiled slyly: "After a preliminary inventory, Aobai's assets total 380,000 taels!"
Li Huan said, "Only 380,000 taels? It seems that Ao Bai isn't such a great villain after all!"
Duolong said with a grin, "Lord Li, Ao Bai has a fortune of 380,000 taels of silver, which is quite a lot. He's practically a big corrupt official!"
Li Huan said, "Do you believe that Ao Bai, as a regent minister who commands a million soldiers, only has 380,000 taels of silver in assets?"
Duolong said in a serious tone, "Aobai spends money like water. He is extravagant and may only have this much property left!"
Li Huan stared intently into Duolong's eyes.
Doron felt uneasy under that gaze and forced a smile, "Lord Li, why are you looking at me like that?"
Li Huan said, "Do you know what kind of treacherous official the Emperor hates the most?"
Duolong said, "His Majesty hates treacherous ministers like Ao Bai the most!"
Li Huan said, "Wrong. The treacherous officials the emperor hates most are the greedy and insatiable dog officials!"
Duolong chimed in, "This humble official also hates corrupt officials the most!"
Li Huan said, "Corrupt officials are parasites on the country. The emperor once told me that if a corrupt official is caught, he must be torn apart by five horses, executed by slow slicing, and his entire family wiped out!"
Instantly, cold sweat broke out on Duolong's forehead.
Li Huan said, "Ma'am, are you hot? Why are you sweating?"
Duolong hurriedly wiped away his sweat: "Upon hearing that His Majesty intends to severely punish corrupt officials, this humble servant's blood boiled, and a raging fire ignited in my heart. I wish I could help His Majesty kill the corrupt officials!"
Li Huan patted Duolong on the shoulder: "Lord Duolong, you are truly an upright and good official!"
Duolong forced a smile: "As an official appointed by the imperial court, one should be upright!"
Li Huan said, "Take another careful look at the register. How much wealth does Ao Bai actually have? Make sure there's no mistake. If even a tael of silver is missing, I will report it to the Emperor and make sure the truth is uncovered so that we can find out who secretly stole Ao Bai's silver to line their own pockets!"
Seeing that Li Huan had no greed whatsoever, Duolong could no longer laugh.
If Li Huan is not greedy, then Duolong will be unable to embezzle.
If Li Huan is greedy, Duolong can take the opportunity to make a quick buck while cooperating with Li Huan.
Duolong read through the booklet and reported the truth.
"Lord Li, Ao Bai's total assets amount to 13.8 million taels of silver!"
Li Huan asked, "Why was it 380,000 taels of silver just now?"
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
