The prince is more stable

Chapter 329: Selling Stolen Goods for Cash

I can't rely on my father for survival, I have to rely on myself for everything.

Zhao Hao spent money in such a strange way that Zhao Xiaoqian wanted to investigate. But then he thought that it was not appropriate for a son to investigate his own father. Without trying to establish himself as a filial son, considering the relationship between father and son, he really should not be investigated.

Since we can't save money, let's open up new sources.

First, sell the several thousand kilograms of tea stored in the mansion to raise some money. Only then will you have the confidence to set off for your post.

Before selling the tea, he searched Zhao Hao's study and bedroom.

The relationship between father and son is one thing, but since the father spends money like this, the son should not spoil him too much.

Without saying a word, Zhao Xiaoqian rushed into Zhao Hao's study first.

The study is a forbidden area for everyone in the palace. From a certain perspective, the study is more important than the storeroom. It is the exclusive restricted area for the male owner. The servants of the palace can only enter under the supervision of the steward even to clean.

Of course, these rules do not apply to Zhao Xiaoqian.

There was no restricted area for Zhao Xiaoqian in this palace. Even if he burned the palace down, Zhao Hao could only praise his son for setting the fire well.

Zhao Xiaoqian broke into Zhao Hao's study alone, looked around, and at a glance, he immediately found several valuable things.

There was a white jade paperweight on the desk. It had a smooth and silky surface and was cool to the touch. It was an excellent high-end product, so I gladly accepted it.

There was also a three-legged golden toad lying on the table. It looked very ugly, but even if it was ugly, who could refuse golden gold? I accepted it with a smile.

There were several calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall, signed by Tang Dynasty poets. Zhao Xiaoqian only knew the names of the Tang Dynasty poets, and did not recognize the lay Buddhist or the owner of the studio who signed the paintings.

Thinking that it would be difficult to cash in on calligraphy and paintings in the short term, I curled my lips in disgust and decided to give up.

On the shelf on the wall opposite the desk, there were some exquisite ornaments, such as golden unicorns, jade peacocks, jade white cranes, etc. Zhao Xiaoqian accepted them all without hesitation.

Zhao Xiaoqian felt no guilt after collecting a lot of valuable things.

It is only natural for a son to rely on his father.

I looked back and inspected the study again, and found that most of the valuable things had been taken away. Okay, let's move on to the next place.

Carrying a heavy bag, Zhao Xiaoqian broke into the courtyard where Zhao Hao lived.

In the courtyard, more than a dozen concubines were gathered together, sitting in the shade of the elm tree in the middle of the courtyard, playing leaf cards and water and land chess.

Rich families these days don’t have many entertainment activities, so the women in the backyard just get together to play cards and chess.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian walk into the yard, all the concubines were surprised, and then they all stood up and saluted Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xiaoqian was too lazy to pay attention to them. He nodded curtly as a greeting and then went into his father's bedroom.

The bedroom is not big. The bedroom of a rich family cannot be a large house of hundreds of square meters. There are few people and the land is large, which does not gather people. It is not good for the owner in terms of feng shui. Throughout history, no matter whether they are emperors or generals, the bedrooms they sleep in are very small, about thirty or forty square meters.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian enter the bedroom, the concubines looked at each other and hurriedly followed him in.

Zhao Xiaoqian took a quick look in the bedroom and found several auspicious animal ornaments, which were either made of gold or white jade.

You’re welcome. I’ll accept it with confidence and throw it all into my bag.

The concubines behind him looked at Zhao Xiaoqian in astonishment as he frantically bought things that were the prince's favorites. One of the concubines stepped forward, looking fearful and hesitant to speak.

Zhao Xiaoqian turned and pointed at her: "Don't say anything, don't ask, don't meddle in other people's business. If father asks later, just say I took it."

The concubines nodded hurriedly and retreated with fear on their faces.

Their identities and statuses are completely unequal. The concubines have no say in the palace. The prince cannot let them interfere in what he wants to do.

After shopping, Zhao Xiaoqian was satisfied and a smile appeared on his face.

The harvest was not small. The things I bought today are worth at least 20,000 or 30,000 taels if converted into cash.

There is still a big gap from the ideal number, but it doesn’t matter. Tea is the big part, so I’ll sell it out quickly in these few days.

What to do next after shopping?
Of course the stolen goods must be transferred out, otherwise you will have to wait for your furious father to come and confiscate your house.

After rolling up the stolen goods, Zhao Xiaoqian immediately went out, got on the carriage and headed straight for Fanglin Garden.

Half an hour later, the carriage arrived outside the Fanglin Garden residence. Zhao Xiaoqian entered, carrying a heavy bag. His mother, Feng, was sitting in the backyard enjoying the cool air, accompanied by several young maids. They were embroidering and chatting with Feng about family matters.

Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian coming, Feng was quite surprised and immediately went forward to greet him.

"Qian'er, you look nervous. Why did you come here suddenly? Did something happen?" Feng also became nervous.

Zhao Xiaoqian threw the bundle in front of Feng and said, "I'm not very talented, I just did a job..."

Feng: “…………”

Bending down to open the bundle, Feng was surprised to see that it was filled with gold, white jade, and various exquisite and expensive ornaments and decorations. "Are you a thief?"

"Mom, you understand me!"

"Where do these things come from?"

"There's no time to explain. I have a favor to ask of you, Mother. I'm in urgent need of money. Please help me sell these things as soon as possible. The sooner the better..."

Feng frowned: "You haven't told me where they came from. I won't touch dirty things."

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked and smiled, "It's clean, I stole it from my father..."

Feng's eyes lit up and she praised him, "Well done!"

Then Feng smiled with relief: "My son has finally grown up. There is nothing wrong with taking ill-gotten gains. Your father is not a good person, and his money is naturally not earned in a good way. Don't worry, Qian'er. I will send the housekeeper out to find a way to sell all the money and convert it into silver within three days."

Zhao Xiaoqian also smiled with relief.

Who says a broken family is too dark? A son steals from his father, and his mother helps sell the stolen goods. This is almost becoming an industrial chain.

"Thank you, mother. I may have to take up my post in Zhending Prefecture soon, and I won't be able to be by your side to show my filial piety. I have asked my three daughters-in-law to move in with you and let them serve you on my behalf."

Feng was stunned: "You want to leave Bian Jing? I heard that Zhending Prefecture is not peaceful, you..."

"Don't worry, I cherish my life very much. The imperial guards and border troops around me are all protecting me, so I will never be in danger."

Feng sighed sadly and said, "You have grown up and are favored by the emperor. Since the emperor has assigned you a mission, as a minister, I naturally cannot refuse. You are going to a foreign land and there will be no one to serve you. Take care of your own food, clothing, shelter and transportation..."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "Mother, you sound miserable. I'm not that miserable. I have hundreds of imperial guards around me to serve me. With my status and position, I have everything I need, no matter where I am. Don't worry, mother."

…………

After saying goodbye to Feng, Zhao Xiaoqian hurried out and headed straight for the Imperial College.

The carriage stopped outside the Imperial College, and Zhao Xiaoqian ordered Chen Shou to go inside and call out Cai You.

Not long after, Cai You, wearing a dark Confucian robe and holding a few books under his arm, hurried out of the gate of the Imperial College.

Zhao Xiaoqian lifted the curtain of the carriage and waved to Cai You.

Cai You ran to the carriage and bowed to him.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked him up and down. "Ever since I've known you, you've been studying at the Imperial College. So... how long are you going to stay here? You're not planning on just hanging around for three to five years, waiting for your father to find you a government position through connections, are you?"

Cai You blinked. "The Duke of the County is now far more prominent than my father. Why should I seek a position so far away? If I really can't make it, I can ask the Duke of the County for help and arrange an official position for me. I'm sure the Duke of the County won't refuse, right?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned: "You're planning to target me? You seem to be even more shameless than me..."

Cai You laughed. "Okay, that was just a joke. The imperial examination will be held next spring. I will definitely strive to pass the exam, gain a legitimate official position, and serve the county lord."

"Okay, if you can make it into the top three, I'll personally reward you with 10,000 taels. Isn't that good enough?"

Cai You said happily, "I won't refuse, my foolish brother. I will definitely teach the Duke a lesson."

Cai You then asked, "The Duke of the County came to the Imperial College to see me today. Is there something wrong?"

"Something's going on. I need to see your father, your biological father."

Cai You frowned, "My foolish brother only has one father."

(End of this chapter)