Chapter 143: Chapter 143

The Crown Prince was helping to collect the silver coins on the table while thinking about his empty household finances, muttering, "Killing a pig’s heart!"

In the future, even the grand Crown Prince Mansion will have no money, but this little brat is rolling in wealth...

Moreover, recently the little girl seemed to have received a considerable amount of rewards from the Emperor, and all in solid silver coins.

The little girl is truly rich.

The Crown Princess Consort, having realized her own household’s lack of money, watched Jun Ning collecting money and clearly came to the same thought. She exchanged a glance with the Crown Prince, her heart full of bitterness.

"Father, I promise I will bring my sister back to you soon. Please prepare the reward money promptly for me." The Crown Prince mumbled.

"Brother, what are you talking about?" Jun Ning, busy collecting money, didn’t hear clearly.

The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Sister, you’re still young and can’t manage so much money by yourself. You might lose it if you’re not careful. Why not let your brother help you keep it? I’ll save it as your dowry when you grow up?"

Jun Ning, who had already suspected something was wrong when she saw the Crown Prince’s mischievous smile, realized his intention once he mentioned the dowry.

The Crown Prince’s trick was no different from adults conning little children out of their New Year’s money.

Jun Ning shook her head vigorously like a rattledrum.

There was absolutely no room for negotiation.

Witnessing the Crown Prince trying to swindle money from his sister, the Crown Princess Consort glanced at him with eyes that seemed to say, "You’re even tricking a child’s money, aren’t you?"

The Crown Prince coughed awkwardly and went off to assign tasks to the people brought by the Crown Princess Consort.

He ordered those people to send the captured men in black and the six children to the Ministry of Justice. The subsequent interrogations and helping those six children find their families were now the Ministry of Justice’s responsibilities.

After resolving this matter, it was almost afternoon.

People who lost money at the Black Market and failed to seize the bounty watched for entertainment for a while, cried and then went home to sleep, planning to return to the Black Market to continue their small businesses after waking up.

The days have to continue, and they can’t be utterly defeated by this.

Soon, the people on the street dispersed.

The Crown Prince and his group also decided to head back.

The Crown Prince was carrying Jun Ning, while the Crown Princess Consort and a few maids were carrying a bag of silver coins for Jun Ning, along with the snacks given by the tough guy, returning to the Crown Prince Mansion.

When they reached the entrance of the Black Market, they were suddenly surrounded by a group of men in black who appeared out of nowhere.

These men in black didn’t seem to be the batch that was using children for alchemy but rather the one targeting Jun Ning earlier. Ever since their appearance, they had been fixated on Jun Ning who was in the Crown Prince’s arms.

Though Jun Ning was still in Little Puppy’s disguise, she wasn’t wearing a hat, so it was easy to recognize her.

Jun Ning felt like she was getting blamed for something she didn’t do—and it was a big blame.

If she were caught by them, it would be inevitable death.

She shrunk in the Crown Prince’s arms, not daring to move, giving up. The Crown Princess Consort hid behind the Crown Prince in fear and carefully asked, "Your Highness, who are these people?"

The Crown Prince, already worn out from earlier battles, urgently needed to rest to regain strength. But given the situation, he couldn’t rest. He drew his long sword from his waist and fiercely scanned the men in black surrounding them.

"Who are you people really? How dare you come after my sister time and again? What do you want?"

Since Emperor Yongning fainted, he only woke up after sleeping for a long time.

After waking up, he casually ate something and prepared to leave the palace with people to personally bring his daughter back.

But just as he was about to step out, the Astronomical Bureau and Marquis Zhongyong came requesting an audience.

Needless to say, these two old coots were surely here again to advise killing the jinx to give an explanation to the ministers and the people.

Emperor Yongning didn’t want to listen, leaving behind the words "I need to relieve myself" and prepared to leave the palace.

Marquis Zhongyong, the old fox, seeing Emperor Yongning not wanting to meet him, quickly knelt and kowtowed several times, tears streaming down his face, saying, "Your Majesty, we have important matters to report. Please listen to us for a moment." For origınal chapters go to 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝓷𝓮𝓽

Seeing this, Emperor Yongning paused, "I will give you the duration of one incense stick."

One incense stick’s duration, neither too long nor too short.

Marquis Zhongyong and the Astronomical Bureau took turns recounting the hardships East Chu Kingdom faced over the years, and how disastrous it was during calamitous years. The two old men, moved to tears by recalling the past, kept wiping their eyes.

However, Emperor Yongning was growing a bit impatient.

"Do you have any substantial matters to discuss?"

He was very busy, didn’t have time for life’s reflections here.

Besides, if they had the leisure time, they should do more work instead.

"Yes," Marquis Zhongyong said.

Emperor Yongning asked, "What exactly?"

"It’s... it’s..." Marquis Zhongyong hesitated for a long time but couldn’t articulate any specific points.

Emperor Yongning directed an impatient gaze towards Marquis Zhongyong, who was startled by the look and randomly presented a matter to discuss with Emperor Yongning.

But of all matters, why did he talk about the missing children in the Imperial City?

Emperor Yongning had long tasked the Crown Prince with handling that matter, which had nothing to do with Marquis Zhongyong. Suddenly bringing this up was purely speaking nonsense out of haste, wasn’t it?

Why was he speaking nonsense in a panic?

After a little consideration, Emperor Yongning understood.

This old fox was trying to stall!

What was the purpose of stalling for time?

It all depended on what Emperor Yongning was going to do now?

Emperor Yongning was going to find Jun Ning.

Marquis Zhongyong, going out of his way to delay time, what exactly was he thinking?

Emperor Yongning didn’t dare to think deeply. He had Xiao Lizi escort them outside to kneel and had the Imperial Guard watch them, before preparing to leave the palace.

However, just as he stepped outside, he was intercepted by the Astronomical Bureau, who knelt and grabbed his leg.

The Astronomical Bureau was also quite bold, specifically stopping Emperor Yongning despite seeing his eagerness to leave the palace.

Were they courting death or were he and Marquis Zhongyong in cahoots? Were they using this opportunity to delay Emperor Yongning to achieve some unspeakable purpose?

Emperor Yongning understood.

"Guards, throw the Astronomical Bureau into the death row."

Since Emperor Yongning learned that Jun Ning was a girl, he knew this Astronomical Bureau had been bribed to harm his precious daughter.

He had long wanted to deal with this person but there was no time.

Seeing him today made him quite uncomfortable.

But because he was rushing to see Jun Ning, he didn’t say much.

However, this unwise person came crashing in himself.

Then don’t blame him for being impolite.

When the Imperial Guard came in to seize the person, the Astronomical Bureau hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, why is this? What mistake have I committed for you to throw me into the death row? I protest."

Emperor Yongning ignored and directly left the Imperial Study Room.

"Why?" Xiao Lizi said, "Master, don’t you know in your heart?"

The Astronomical Bureau knew exactly what he had done. He felt guilty being questioned but tried hard to maintain a calm face, coldly scoffing, "What are you talking about? This master knows nothing."

"Knows nothing!" Xiao Lizi gave a glance to the two Imperial Guards flanking the Astronomical Bureau, advising, "After locking him in the death row, don’t forget to have the people there treat the Astronomical Bureau Master well."

Hearing this, the Astronomical Bureau panicked, "You eunuch, do you know what you’re saying? Aren’t you afraid the Emperor will kill you for this?"

Xiao Lizi smiled, "The Emperor not only won’t kill me for this, but will also reward me for avenging the Princess Consort."

The Astronomical Bureau didn’t believe Xiao Lizi’s words, repeatedly sneering, "Blowhard! Dead eunuch. This master won’t believe you no matter what."

"Don’t believe?" Xiao Lizi toyed with the whispy broom in his hand, "I was going to let you die knowing the truth, but since you insist, so be it."