Sheng Fu

Many things offer choices, let alone a meal.

"So what kind of food does the Imperial Preceptor actually prefer?" Yuwen Jun asked persistently.

Today was a very enjoyable day. It was rare to have such an open and honest conversation with the Grand Preceptor, so Yuwen Jun was in high spirits.

"Let's have hot pot again," Li Hongshan suggested.

Yuwen Jun was momentarily confused, wondering what the Grand Preceptor meant.

"Whatever Your Highness likes, I like too. It's not appropriate for me to take the place of Your Highness. Personally, I have no particular preferences," Li Hongshan said with a strange smile.

Yuwen Jun hesitated for a moment, then slowly asked, "Is the Grand Preceptor worried that His Majesty will become suspicious if we get too close?"

Li Hongshan said helplessly, "Actually, there's no need to be so blunt."

"Your Majesty possesses the magnanimity of Your Majesty."

"Even a subject has his or her duty."

Yuwen Jun took a slight breath of cool air, and after a moment, readily agreed, "Okay, hot pot again tonight."

……

The long convoy of supply wagons entered the capital in a grand procession.

Along the way, the Imperial Guards cleared the way, and the people closed their doors. Many people opened their windows and looked curiously at the long convoy. The treasure of the Purple Gold Alliance was about to enter the national treasury.

At the very front, Xie Yiming rode a Flying Yellow horse, while Shen Jun rode a Dragon Scale Horse beside him.

"The capital should be bustling with activity, but today everyone has to make way for us. This is the first time I've received such treatment since becoming the Prince of the South. I must say, it's all thanks to you," Xie Yiming said with a smile to Shen Junhe beside him.

Shen Jun lowered his head slightly and said calmly, "Not at all, it's clearly because His Highness the Prince of Nan is having a lucky streak lately."

Xie Yiming laughed and said, "I've never believed in these things, at least not personally. But luck is sometimes really a bit mysterious."

"They are all officials; some will go down in history, while others will end up in prison."

"You're still the best; you're invincible no matter where you come from or go."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jun did not respond. Once he entered the capital with the Southern King, it meant he was safe. Even if the Emperor still harbored murderous intent towards Shen Jun, seeing the gradually filling national treasury would cause that intent to fade with time. As for what path to take in the future, Shen Jun himself had no idea.

As they walked, a familiar figure appeared ahead.

Prince Ping rode a dragon-scaled horse and appeared in the very center of the road, surrounded by two thousand halberd-wielding warriors.

Upon seeing this, Xie Yiming and Shen Jun simultaneously dismounted and quickly walked towards Prince Ping.

Even though Prince Ping has not done anything particularly remarkable since entering officialdom, he is still able to handle matters, both big and small, very well, and has earned the deep trust of His Majesty the Emperor.

Xie Yiming is the Prince of the South, a prince with real power, but in the capital, the Prince of Ping is still more prestigious and imposing.

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Ping!" Xie Yiming stepped forward and bowed slightly.

Prince Ping also dismounted and returned Xie Yiming's greeting, saying in a gentle tone, "Your Highness has come from afar, and I have come here to welcome you. I originally intended to go out of the city to greet you, but the procession is so large that I was afraid it would block the road, so I greeted you inside the city. I hope Your Highness will understand."

Xie Yiming grinned and said nonchalantly, "You're joking. I've always been a free spirit who only became the King of the South by chance. Actually, I don't like these unnecessary formalities."

"It's certainly a good thing to keep things simple, as long as both sides are open-minded."

Prince Ping then gestured an invitation, saying, "I have always been at peace with myself. His Majesty is waiting for you both at Jinhua Palace."

Xie Yiming glanced back at the long line of supply wagons, then said softly to Prince Ping, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."

Prince Ping smiled knowingly and said, "Once we reach the capital, you can leave all these miscellaneous tasks to me."

Xie Yiming patted Prince Ping on the shoulder and then led Shen Jun to the palace. Prince Ping was not displeased by Xie Yiming's gesture; on the contrary, he felt honored, after all, Xie Yiming was the genuine Southern Prince and a powerful expert of the Limitless Realm.

"Brothers, follow me! After the handover is complete, there will be plenty of good wine and meat," King Ping shouted to the baggage handlers.

The soldiers immediately responded loudly, and the atmosphere became lively and enthusiastic.

royal palace.

After entering the main gate, Xie Yiming subconsciously gathered his thoughts, while Shen Jun beside him remained calm and showed no fear.

Every time Xie Yiming entered the palace, he felt somewhat uneasy, because as the leader of the South, he had always bowed to the truth and never to His Majesty the Emperor. Both the Emperor and Xie Yiming were aware of this.

Moreover, during festivals, the Prince of Nan almost never submitted memorials to the capital; these matters were always handled by the Dean of Nanling Academy.

Although they were nominally ruler and subject, they did not actually have the proper decorum that a ruler and subject should have.

Therefore, Xie Yiming would not come to the palace unless there was something urgent.

Before they knew it, the two had arrived at the outside of Jinhua Palace, where they were greeted by Li Chunyu, the Minister of Revenue.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Prince of Nan," Li Chunyu said, bowing deeply.

As a veteran official in the court, Li Chunyu's temples were already half gray. He had been in the position of Minister of Revenue for more than 30 years, witnessing all kinds of ups and downs and storms.

Once upon a time, Li Chunyu's impression of Xie Yiming was just that of a young man with considerable talent for cultivation. Now, Xie Yiming has become the Prince of the South, a powerful prince. Even though Li Chunyu had once looked down on Xie Yiming, at this moment, he still had to obediently bow and pay his respects.

"Your Excellency, please don't do this. This junior cannot accept such courtesy," Xie Yiming said sincerely as he helped Li Chunyu up.

Li Chunyu insisted on bowing, saying, "Etiquette is etiquette; how can it be disordered?"

Xie Yiming frowned slightly. It seemed that this old guy didn't like the new policy.

The fact that he deliberately acted conservatively and politely in front of Xie Yiming was likely meant to have a specific purpose.

"His Majesty is still waiting inside, so there's no need for further pleasantries," Xie Yiming said to Li Chunyu with a fake smile.

Li Chunyu lowered her head slightly and hummed in agreement. Then the three of them entered Jinhua Palace.

Inside the main hall, His Majesty the Emperor was dressed in a light red dragon robe, his hair casually tied up, revealing a majestic face, and the imperial aura between his brows was even more profound.

Soon, Xie Yiming, Li Chunyu, and Shen Jun came into the Emperor's view.

"Your Majesty, your subject Xie Yiming, together with Shen Jun, pays our respects!" Xie Yiming prostrated himself on the ground with Shen Jun and shouted.

"Your subject, Li Chunyu, Minister of Revenue, pays his respects to Your Majesty!" Li Chunyu also performed the proper kowtow.

Seeing this, the Emperor said with a slightly lazy expression, "My dear ministers, you may dispense with the formalities."

Upon hearing this, the three slowly stood up.

Xie Yiming opened his spatial artifact, took out a heavy scroll, and slowly stepped forward to present it to His Majesty the Emperor with both hands, saying, "Your Majesty, this is a detailed account of the treasure excavation in the Lingyun Mountains. Please take a look."

The scroll was indeed thick and heavy, at least a foot tall.

The Emperor glanced at Shen Jun beside Xie Yiming out of the corner of his eye, then with a slight thought, the scroll was instantly placed on the imperial platform. The Emperor casually opened the scroll and saw through it at a glance.

He was secretly delighted, never expecting that the Purple Gold Alliance's 30% treasure would be such a large amount.

A full national treasury is undoubtedly the biggest boost to the new policies.

"Minister Li, the task of consolidating the accounts is now entrusted to you." With that, the Emperor lightly tossed his hand, handing the scroll to the Minister of Revenue. (End of Chapter)