"Third Prince, please!"

The prefect was a middle-aged man named Liu Hui, thin and lean. It wasn’t that he was particularly devoted to treating the people as his children or tirelessly handling official duties day and night, but rather because he had a weak constitution and digestion. No matter what he ate, it was of no use to him.

A weak stomach doesn’t absorb well, so he remained thin, which made it convenient for that time when Li Qingmu impersonated him.

Liu Hui respectfully welcomed Qi Junyi into the mansion and immediately ordered a feast to be prepared to welcome him and wash away the dust of his travels.

Qi Junyi did not refuse, taking a seat and starting to eat.

Liu Hui invited others to accompany Qi Junyi for drinks and food.

After three rounds of drinks and five different dishes, Liu Hui took the opportunity to inquire about the purpose of Qi Junyi’s visit.

"My lord, staying in the capital doing nothing, it’s most appropriate for you to come to our Liuzhou City. Later, I’ll personally show you around to relieve your fatigue."

Liu Hui smiled obsequiously, extremely respectful.

Qi Junyi replied indifferently, "Alright."

He seemed quite reluctant, but Liu Hui felt this attitude was appropriate. After all, the man was a prince, a member of the Imperial Family; could he not remain aloof?

Thus, Liu Hui continued to entertain him for a while and then sent someone to escort him to a fine guest room to rest.

Qi Junyi had just reached his room and was about to take a rest when suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it? I’m going to rest now!"

His voice was impatient.

"Brother Three, it’s me!"

Upon hearing this voice, Qi Junyi sprang up and went to open the door.

"Seventeenth Brother? I thought you would come find me in the evening!"

"Doesn’t matter."

Li Qingmu brought his young wife into Qi Junyi’s room, straightforwardly asking, "Did Father send you?"

"Yes, he said you were having difficulties here and sent me to help you."

Li Qingmu frowned, "Is that all Father said?"

"Yes, why?"

Qi Junyi appeared puzzled. Could there be something else?

Li Qingmu was speechless. Father didn’t explain his purpose? Was he merely sending him to be an assistant?

This...

"Did Father mention anything happening here?"

"He said that the issues with high-interest loans and land seizures are a bit serious here, so he wanted me to help you take a look?"

Alright, Li Qingmu was conflicted again; he didn’t even touch upon the matter of the underground tomb? Should he tell him or not?

Moreover, if he told him and he knew nothing, would he still dare to proceed?

Li Qingmu had a headache; his father was truly unreliable.

"Seventeenth Brother, why do you look so upset?"

Qi Junyi asked, looking quite at ease.

After a pause, he added, "Honestly, Seventeenth Brother, there’s no need to be too fixated on this. This issue has been a legacy of thousands of years. Solving it in one go is extremely difficult. Just think, over the years, how many generations of wise kings attempted to deal with it? Yet they all ended inconclusively because the implications are so complex!"

"I know, but someone must make an attempt. Even if it cannot be completely resolved, it must at least be curbed, or else if this development continues unchecked, the people’s lives will become increasingly difficult, which will be disastrous for the stability of the court!"

"Hmm, Seventeenth Brother, you speak well. Whatever you decide to do next, I will support you!"

"Good, thank you, Brother Three!"

After finishing up, Li Qingmu didn’t linger long, leaving with Long Yue.

"A Mu, what exactly do you think Father meant?"

On the way back, Long Yue pondered this question.

Li Qingmu shook his head slightly, "Father is always so unpredictable, hard to decipher."

"A Mu, do you think, by not telling Brother Three, Father means he doesn’t want us to concern ourselves with that matter? Just focus on the high-interest loans and land seizures?"

Long Yue suddenly thought, and Li Qingmu furrowed his brows slightly, "I’m not sure, but it’s not impossible."

"Then what could it mean? Oh, how I wish I could fly back to ask clearly!"

Long Yue looked troubled, this guessing game was quite taxing.

Qi Yun always liked to present them with challenges.

"No need to hurry, let’s wait and see, perhaps there will be more news."

Li Qingmu suggested, indicating Long Yue stay calm for now.

"Wait, Liu Hui will accompany Brother Three on his tours now, won’t he? In the meantime, doesn’t that give us a good chance to gather evidence? Let’s deal with this person first and then decide."

"Oh, turns out that way!"

Long Yue marveled, feeling proud of her husband, his mind was indeed sharp.

Indeed, this Prefect also held the title of a fourth-rank official, and fourth-rank officials couldn’t be taken down without evidence!

Only by finding evidence of his corruption and malfeasance, putting him behind bars, can the subsequent series of affairs proceed smoothly.

Such as, the tomb beneath the Jiang Family Ancestral Mansion.

Only with the cooperation of the government could excavation be carried out, but letting Liu Hui handle it was definitely not an option.

In other words, to deal with the underground mausoleum, Liu Hui had to be removed first!

Thinking of this, Li Qingmu smiled slightly, couldn’t help but praise, "Father is indeed far-sighted!"

Isn’t it? This Emperor, though far away in the Beiyuan Palace, managed to hold the entire Dazhou within his grasp.

Impressive, truly impressive!

Long Yue rolled her eyes, "Your Father is so carefree, told us nothing, leaving us to guess. It must be fortunate that you father and son are connected at heart, otherwise, who could know what he intends?"

Listening to his wife’s complaints, Li Qingmu smiled, gently pinching her nose, "Alright, Father surely has his deeper intentions, but we understand his plan, don’t we? From now on, while Liu Hui is busy entertaining Brother Three, let’s quickly gather evidence of his corruption over the years."

With serious matters ahead, Long Yue did not act coy and agreed decisively.

Nothing could be done today, after all, Qi Junyi was also tired and wouldn’t venture out, so it must be tomorrow.

So, Long Yue and Li Qingmu returned to the inn.

At the inn, Long Yue saw Ru’er pacing back and forth, looking tense, wringing her hands. Upon seeing Long Yue come in, she immediately approached and asked, "Madam Li, those people..."

"Rest assured, they will behave for a while and won’t trouble you and your husband again."

"Why... why is that?"

"Because the Third Prince has arrived, Liu Hui is eager to entertain him, having no mind to bother you two. However... they will not come openly but are sure to continue searching for Mr. Jiang secretly, so Mr. Jiang must remain cautious and vigilant in the coming days."

"Oh, when will these days ever end?"

Upon hearing Long Yue’s words, Ru’er’s face filled with a cloud of worry as she sighed softly, sitting down nearby, brows furrowed with concern.

Looking at her, Long Yue continued, "In the coming days, my husband and I need to head out to handle some affairs, which, of course, are related to addressing your grievances, so you two just stay here at ease."

Hearing this, Ru’er immediately stood upright, hands clasped together respectfully, "In that case, we will trouble Mr. Li and Madam Li."