Chapter 918: Chapter 388: Prince Duan (Part 2)
Prince Duan was astounded by the items seized from the Magistrate: over twenty boxes of antique calligraphy and paintings, countless luxurious and precious jewelry like gemstones and diamonds, and gold and silver utensils, various expensive ornates, furs, etc., together with the seized land deed, field deed, silver notes, which almost blinded Prince Duan with their shine.
Besides the Magistrate, the other two were not much different.
The three officials looked at the seized items and collapsed imdiately; even if they wanted to deny taking bribes, there was no way to explain why soone with an annual salary of a few hundred taels had assets worth millions. The hard evidence laid before them; they had no choice but to confess.
Prince Duan’s actions were swift and decisive, uprooting a large group of officials like pulling out radishes. The number of people involved reached half of all the officials, and this was still under the premise of letting off the minor greed and petty mistake officials; otherwise, it would have been even more.
An Zhichen knew Yueyao liked calligraphy and paintings; if it were usual tis, he would have definitely gotten many to gift to Yueyao. But this case was too significant, coupled with Prince Duan being in charge, he didn’t dare to touch those invaluable calligraphy and paintings. However, being officials, they all liked to pretend to be cultured, so their hos had an extensive collection of books. Calligraphy and paintings were a no-go, but books, he could still think of so ways to acquire so.
During the house raids, valuable items such as jewelry, antiques, and paintings were picked up. However, books were hard to estimate in value, so for the soldiers, they were just like waste paper. Thus, in such scenarios, collecting so books was quite easy.
An Zhichen raided the ho of the Prefect of Haikou, and the collection of books in the Prefect’s ho was certainly worth picking. The other two families also had exchanges with the leading generals. After selection, An Zhichen kept the ones he found suitable and sent them to Yueyao.
An Zhichen had just sent these books to Yueyao when he heard a guard say: “Lord An, the Prince invites you.”
An Zhichen was puzzled as to why Prince Duan would invite him over.
Prince Duan was wearing casual attire, but his presence was intimidating: “I heard you have hidden a beauty in the General’s Mansion? To win her favor, gifting books to please your beauty?” Prince Duan had heard this from the guards around him.
Prince Duan had a very good impression of Yueyao, so when he heard that An Zhichen had acquired an exceptional beauty and placed her in the General’s Mansion, he couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful for Yueyao. How could such a man be worthy of Yueyao’s lifelong trust? Yueyao paints well, but her judgnt truly isn’t great!
Prince Duan felt regret for Yueyao, naturally, he didn’t view An Zhichen favorably either, so his words were blunt: “What kind of beauty makes General An defy rumors and place her in the General’s Mansion? May I see her?” Being a prince and of high nobility, as long as he doesn’t commit treason, even the Emperor has to give him so face. He asked to see, so how could An Zhichen refuse?
It is precisely because she has such a strong father that Princess Wanhe acts arrogantly, yet no one dares to say anything on the surface, at most they might whisper privately.
An Zhichen felt a surge of tension, thinking perhaps soone had put sothing into Prince Duan’s eyes, he hurriedly replied respectfully: “To the Prince, that lady was originally the oiran of Wanhua Brothel; when I took down the pirates’ enclave, I rescued her. I saw her pitiful, with no ho to return to, so temporarily placed her in the General’s Mansion.” The real situation definitely couldn’t be told to Prince Duan.
Prince Duan had a smirk on his face. For n, having three wives and four concubines is quite common, but if they dare to do and don’t dare to admit, then they are not worthy of heavy use: “Why, is General An reluctant?”
An Zhichen’s expression stiffened: “I dare not.”
After leaving Prince Duan’s residence, An Zhichen felt uneasy, not knowing who had put sothing in front of Prince Duan’s eyes, causing Prince Duan to view him unfavorably.
Seeing the dozen or so boxes of books in front of her, Yueyao laughed as the old nanny said these books were all books: “Is this ant to open a bookshop?”
Though Yueyao said that, she was a lover of books. If books are kept locked in cabinets, they would get moldy, especially in Haikou where the air is filled with moisture. Yueyao planned to take out these books to dry them.
Yueyao didn’t let the maids or old nanny help but instead did it herself, stacking them one by one on the table to air. However, she soon realized sothing was off. The books in the boxes were quite varied; there were annotated examination texts, calligraphy pieces by famous people, dical books, and so unique copies. But these books all shared a characteristic; they appeared quite old.
When Yueyao saw the “Cursive Script Thousand Characters Classic” copy, she flipped through it word by word; upon reaching the end, she was shocked. If her judgnt was correct, this “Cursive Script Thousand Characters Classic” copy was indeed an original piece.
After confirming the copy was an original, Yueyao stopped drying books and began organizing them instead. Spending most of the day on this, Yueyao finally categorized the books into three types: treasures, unique copies, and leisure books.
Looking at the large box of treasures and unique copies, Yueyao couldn’t help but laugh, not knowing where An Zhichen had managed to procure these things.
An Zhichen sought out the Second Old Grand Master and recounted what Prince Duan had said: “Elder Uncle, I can’t figure out who is against .” In Haikou, he hadn’t offended anyone. To be precise, soone capable of putting sothing in Prince Duan’s eyes.
The Second Old Grand Master was also surprised: “Surely no one from Haikou would say anything about you to Prince Duan; did you offend Prince Duan in the Capital City?” If the nephew had caused Prince Duan’s displeasure, then when Prince Duan returns to the Capital City, saying a few bad words to the Emperor might harm his prospects.
An Zhichen shook his head; he hadn’t even t Prince Duan in the Capital City, so how could he have offended him? This was truly baffling.
The Second Old Grand Master couldn’t think of anything: “Observe and await developnts.” Without knowing the reason, acting rashly might not be appropriate.
Yet An Zhichen felt sothing was off: “Elder Uncle, why hasn’t Prince Duan ordered the arrest of Zhou Shu?” Zhou Shu was the biggest bribe-giver and committed many villainous deeds, with many dead by his hand. Yet Prince Duan had raided so many officials but hadn’t touched Zhou Shu, this was quite illogical! But if Prince Duan doesn’t give an order, they cannot arrest him.
The Second Old Grand Master said: “Although Zhou Shu is rely a rchant, his influence in Haikou is deeply intertwined, and his firm contributes a third of Haikou’s tax revenue. Prince Duan won’t act without ample evidence. Currently, clearing out Haikou’s governance is the focus for him; other matters can be handled later. But don’t worry, Zhou Shu is already under surveillance.” Perhaps because it concerns himself, the Second Old Grand Master found An Zhichen unusually anxious this ti, losing his usual calm.
An Zhichen considered this reasonable: “Elder Uncle, Zhou Shu is very sly; it’s better to dispatch more people to monitor him; if he senses trouble and escapes, it would be disadvantageous.”
The Second Old Grand Master nodded: “I will have soone pay attention to this. However, the matter regarding the Prince should be handled properly by you.” Prince Duan is soone truly at the top of the pyramid; offending soone like him would be very detrintal.
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