Joy of Life: Me, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!

In the dark corner of the study, a black shadow slowly emerged.

The newcomer was dressed in black and wore a half-mask on his face. He was Yuan Tiangang's contact person—one of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals.

"Your subordinate, Tiankui Xing, greets Your Highness."

"How is things on the Northern Qi side?" Li Chengze asked, spitting out a grape skin.

The Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals, along with Yan Ri and Jing Ni, were all drawn by him through lotteries over the years. The weakest of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals is Rank 8, and the strongest is a half-step Grandmaster. Among the Heavenly-rank assassins of the Luo Net, only Yan Ri is a half-step Grandmaster, while Jing Ni and the others are all Rank 9.

"Your Highness, the Commander-in-Chief has firmly established himself in Northern Qi. Lord Zhao Gao's 'Net' now boasts over a thousand assassins, including several top-tier killers, and is already quite formidable. Under the cover of his restaurants and brothels, we have planted numerous spies throughout the capital. Furthermore..."

The captain paused, then took out a secret letter from his pocket and presented it with both hands. "This is what the commander-in-chief instructed me to personally deliver to His Highness. It is said to be a secret concerning the young emperor of Northern Qi."

Li Chengze reached out and took the secret letter, opened it, and read it. His gaze was calm, without the slightest ripple.

"Zhan Doudou...is a girl..."

He lit the secret letter over a candle flame and watched it turn to ashes.

He already knew this secret.

Li Chengze dusted off the ashes on his hands, jumped off the chair, walked barefoot to the window, and looked out at the seemingly calm courtyard that was actually rife with undercurrents.

"Let Zhao Gao's net loose. The Bad People have been supporting them for so long, it's time for them to give back."

"These spies..." Tian Kui Xing's voice was low, carrying a chilling killing intent. He made a throat-slitting gesture. "Your Highness, should I find an opportunity to eliminate them all? Keeping these people in the manor will only bring trouble in the end."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengze gently shook his head, a nonchalant smile curving his lips.

"No need."

He picked up another grape and said casually, "Since Father wants to see, let him see as much as he wants. If we kill all these people, Father will only send more and more secretive people, and then it will be impossible to guard against them. Keeping these 'eyes' in the open is just right, so they can see what I want them to see. Sometimes, illusions are more useful than the truth."

Tiankui Xing nodded thoughtfully, then bowed and said, "Your subordinate understands."

"Alright, you can go back now." Li Chengze waved his hand, his expression returning to its indifferent state. "In the future, unless it's something important, don't come to the manor to see me, lest you alert them. If I need anything, I will contact you through special channels."

"yes!"

Tian Kui Xing responded in a low voice, then stepped back and instantly disappeared into the dark corner of the study, as if he had never been there.

Silence returned to the study. Li Chengze sat in the armchair, his gaze fixed on the closed window, lost in thought.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a soft knock came from outside the study.

"Come in." Li Chengze suppressed the deep look in his eyes and called out lazily.

The study door was gently pushed open, and a servant dressed in blue entered. He bowed respectfully, his eyes lowered, and said, "Your Highness, the Princess has arrived. Her carriage is at the gate of the manor."

"Auntie's here?!"

Upon hearing that the Princess had arrived, Li Chengze's previously languid expression vanished instantly, replaced by a look of delight.

He casually tossed the priceless ancient book he was holding onto the table, jumped off the large armchair, and without even putting on his shoes, ran hurriedly out of the study with his bare white feet.

"Oh dear, Your Highness! Your Highness, your shoes!"

The servant was terrified at the sight. He quickly bent down, picked up the shoe from the ground, and ran after it while shouting.

Li Chengze seemed not to hear him, and walked through the corridor to the main gate of the Prince's Mansion.

As soon as they reached the entrance, Li Yunrui, dressed in a magnificent palace gown, slowly walked in, supported by her maid. Her face was stunningly beautiful, and her demeanor was elegant and graceful. Time seemed to have left no trace on her face; instead, it had added a touch of mature charm.

"aunt!"

Li Chengze was overjoyed and quickly went to greet him, like a child who hadn't grown up yet.

Li Yunrui stopped in his tracks, his gaze falling on Li Chengze's smiling face. Then his gaze moved down to the servant behind him, panting as he carried his shoes, and finally settled on Li Chengze's bare feet on the bluestone slabs.

She frowned slightly, a hint of reproach on her face, and lightly tapped Li Chengze's forehead with her slender finger: "You child, you're already a high-ranking official, how can you still be so unruly? The ground is cold, why did you run out without shoes?"

Although it was a reprimand, Li Yunrui's tone didn't carry much real anger; instead, it revealed a kind of doting and helplessness that an elder might show to a younger person.

Li Chengze chuckled, casually wiggled his toes, looked up at Li Yunrui, and said innocently, "I was just so happy to hear that Auntie was coming, and I wanted to see her as soon as possible. I forgot about it in my haste."

As he spoke, he took the shoes handed to him by the servant, casually slipped them on, and added, "Next time, I'll definitely wear proper shoes before coming out to greet my aunt."

"You're always so glib." Li Yunrui shook his head helplessly, but a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes.

She did indeed have a special fondness for this nephew. It wasn't just because of his talent, but also because in this scheming royal family, Li Chengze's "sincerity" and "affection" in front of her made her feel quite pleased.

The two walked into the main hall while talking.

After the guests and hosts were seated, a maid served fragrant tea.

Li Yunrui picked up her teacup and took a small sip. She glanced around the magnificent hall and asked softly, "Chengze, although this mansion is grand, it is a newly established one, and there are many complicated matters to attend to. Do you see if there is anything lacking in the mansion? If you are missing any items or if you are short of money, please feel free to ask your aunt."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengze's face showed a touch of emotion, and he then smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt. Father Emperor is very kind to me. He has arranged everything perfectly in this mansion, from every blade of grass to every piece of furniture. The storerooms are also full to the brim, and there is nothing lacking. I only need to bring myself here to live here."

He paused for a moment, looking at Li Yunrui with clear eyes: "As long as Auntie can come and visit Chengze often in her spare time, Chengze will be content."