The Demon Prince

The backyard of the small workshop has a narrow corridor with old wood piled up outside. It is very dusty and obscures the view.

Yun Cheng stopped and bowed to Xiao Xingyue:

"I apologize to the Crown Prince for what happened today."

Xiao Xingyue glanced at him:

"Yun Jianzheng, please speak frankly."

Yun Cheng gave a bitter smile:

"Both of the first plans failed."

Only the third one can be executed.

Xiao Xingyue's eyes flickered: "Plan C?"

Yuncheng didn't understand the word, but he grasped its meaning:

"Yes, the first plan was to make the Crown Prince back down, and the second plan has already been seen through by the Crown Prince, so both have failed."

The Yun family could only execute the third plan: to rely on the heir's power.

Xiao Xingyue laughed:

"You're really outspoken."

Yuncheng looked toward the main hall of the small workshop, where Li Lingxi was squatting on the ground, putting the dismantled copper parts one by one into a box.

His profile was focused, as if the outburst from before had never happened.

Yuncheng's gaze was complex:

"Lingxi cares about you, so you can try to persuade her to officially take charge of the Armory."

Xiao Xingyue raised an eyebrow: "Weren't you just worried she'd get involved?"

"I'm afraid," Yun Cheng answered directly.

"But now there's no escaping it."

She has already publicly seized Xiaoqi's workshop today, and she has also stood beside you in public. People outside will soon know.

She could no longer remain an invisible sixth princess. Since the low-profile path was no longer viable, she would find another way.

Yuncheng's voice grew heavy:

"The struggle for the throne is necessary, but Lingxi's condition is not suitable for participation now. She is too engrossed in intrigue and dislikes interpersonal struggles."

The Yun family originally intended to gradually accumulate power for her, and then push her forward when the time was right.

But if she joins forces with you, that's also an option.

Xiao Xingyue did not answer immediately.

Yuncheng continued:

"The Crown Prince won't forget the voting ceremony, will he?"

Voting is only one aspect; the grand ceremony is a national event of utmost importance, and it would be good for Lingxi to make a name for herself as soon as possible.

Lingxi's vote will be for you, and the Yun family will also help you investigate.

Xiao Xingyue narrowed his eyes:

"Supervisor Yun, this gift is quite generous."

"It has to be substantial to appear genuine," Yun Cheng said in a low voice.

"The Crown Prince may not fully understand the significance of the Military Equipment Bureau."

The Military Equipment Bureau was subordinate to the Imperial Household Department, but it was also semi-independent. Its functions were similar to those of the Ministry of Works, but more specialized, mainly responsible for military supplies and equipment...

Therefore, it is also related to the Ministry of War.

He paused:

"To put it simply, the Ordnance Bureau was just a forging agency, making crossbows, armor, and repairing weapons..."

On a grander scale, the Imperial Arsenal could act as a check and balance between the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works!

Xiao Xingyue's eyes darkened slightly.

Yuncheng continued:

Even if you have military power, you can't fight empty-handed.

You need weapons, especially standard military equipment.

Where do the weapons come from? From the Ordnance Bureau!

Xiao Xingyue let out a breath:

"So everyone is keeping an eye on the Ordnance Bureau."

"right."

Yuncheng nodded:

"But precisely because everyone is watching, no one dares to openly swallow it."

The Ordnance Bureau has received much attention in recent years, yet it has remained unscathed for the time being. The Yun family has been able to establish itself here because everyone believes that the Sixth Princess has no intention of seizing power and only treats this place as a toy house.

Xiao Xingyue didn't reply, his gaze growing increasingly profound.

He recalled the copper teeth that Li Lingxi had dismantled, made using the methods of the Ministry of Works, and altered in earlier years.

During the banquet, the Fifth Princess secretly told him that if they were to investigate the death of the old prince, they might as well investigate the Military Equipment Bureau.

At the time, it sounded like a warning, but looking at it now, it doesn't feel right.

The Ministry of Works was the territory of the Fifth Princess, and the Ministry of Revenue was also the place where the Fifth Princess's influence was the deepest.

The Ministry of Works had infiltrated the small workshop, but the Fifth Princess sent him to investigate the Ordnance Bureau. What was her purpose?

Using him to prevent Li Lingxi from controlling the Military Equipment Bureau?

If Li Lingxi cannot take control of the Ordnance Bureau, and the Ministry of Works has already intervened, then who will control the Ordnance Bureau in the future?

The Ministry of Works, also known as the Fifth Princess.

Xiao Xingyue's gaze grew increasingly deep.

So, Li Taiping, who seemed unaware of the situation, was at the banquet.

Was he truly unaware, or was he pretending? Just like Li Lingxi pretended not to know he was a close friend?

Women, indeed, none of them are easy to deal with.

Yun Cheng watched his expression change:

"What is the Crown Prince thinking of?"

Xiao Xingyue smiled, shook his head, and turned to walk out.

"It's nothing, Supervisor Yun. Don't forget the compensation."

Yun Cheng cupped his hands in greeting: "I won't forget."

"There's more." Xiao Xingyue stopped in his tracks.

"Stop using protection as an excuse to stand up for her. She's not as weak as you think."

Yun Cheng gazed at that figure, and after a long while, he whispered:

"I can see it now."

At this very moment, in the backyard of Taiping Mansion, Gu Chenjun was kneeling on the ground.

When he was brought back, he thought he had finally been saved.

But once he entered the backyard, he sensed something was wrong.

No one comforted him, no one scolded Xiao Xingyue, and no one even asked him how much he had suffered in the Prince's mansion.

Li Taiping simply sat at the head of the table, calmly staring at him.

Gu Chenjun's mouth was dry:

"Your Highness, I... I'm doing this for the Fifth Princess's sake..."

Li Taiping slowly picked up the short knife on the table and walked down the steps.

Gu Chenjun's face turned pale:

"Your Highness?"

The first knife pierced his chest, and his eyes widened in surprise. He opened his mouth to shout, but the second knife had already gone in, even deeper.

Blood gushed out, staining the blue bricks red, and only then did Li Taiping release his grip.

Gu Chenjun collapsed to the ground, twitched twice, and then fell silent.

Everyone in the hall lowered their heads, and the Vice Minister of Revenue knelt to one side, sweating profusely.

Li Taiping picked up a handkerchief and wiped his blood-stained hands:

"You know what to say, right?"

The Vice Minister of Revenue's voice trembled:

"I know... the Minister's son suffered inhuman torture at the Prince of Zhenguo's mansion, and died from his injuries after returning home..."

Minister Gu was filled with grief and indignation, and he was determined to hold Xiao Xingyue accountable.

Li Taiping threw the handkerchief into the charcoal brazier, and flames immediately engulfed it.

Will Gu Bing'en believe it?

The Vice Minister of Revenue's throat tightened, and he swallowed hard.

"I'm afraid, Your Excellency..."

Li Taiping smiled and said, "Then kill him too."

The Vice Minister of Revenue suddenly looked up.

Li Taiping remained calm.

"Does this old dog really think I don't know about all the things he's been hiding from me?"

"If he's unfaithful, you'll take his place."

The Vice Minister of Revenue's breathing became heavy; his eyes first showed fear, then flashed with wild joy.

"Your Highness, I am willing to die for you."

Li Taiping said calmly:

"Don't say things like 'I'll die for you'."

If you don't handle things well, you'll end up the same way as Gu Chenjun.

The Vice Minister of Revenue immediately kowtowed and said, "Your subject understands."

Outside, a bodyguard hurried in:

"Your Highness, the Ordnance Bureau has reported that Xiao Xingyue went to the Minor Weapons Workshop and clashed with the Director, Yun Cheng."

The Vice Minister of Revenue's eyes lit up:

"It's good that a conflict has broken out. It's a good thing that Xiao Xingyue and the Yun family can't get along."

Li Taiping didn't laugh; she was more concerned about another issue:

"Where are Lingxi and Xiao Xingyue?"

The bodyguard bowed his head.

"The two encountered danger together, were trapped deep inside a trap, but later emerged safely..."

It seems their relationship has grown closer, but perhaps nothing has changed.

Li Taiping finally frowned:

"Change is inevitable."

The Vice Minister of Revenue was taken aback.

Li Taiping stroked his short sword:

"Xiao Xingyue must take Li Lingxi away."

"Take them away?" The Vice Minister of Revenue didn't understand.

Li Taiping chuckled softly:

"Little sister, little sister, I've found you a good husband, so just settle down and be a good wife..."

She tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, a gesture all too similar to her father, Emperor Li Chengqian's, habitual action—once, twice.

"The Ordnance Bureau should stay out of this."

The guard asked in a low voice:

"Does Your Highness intend to separate them?"

Li Taiping's eyes were filled with coldness and an almost morbid madness:

"No, we'll bring them together."

Let everyone see that the Sixth Princess and the Crown Prince of Zhenwang are growing closer and closer.

The Vice Minister of Revenue gradually realized the Fifth Princess's intentions and felt a chill run down his spine.

The Emperor dislikes Xiao Xingyue. If the Sixth Princess were to be with Xiao Xingyue, the Imperial Arsenal would inevitably change hands, and the Ministry of Works had already infiltrated...