The Demon Prince

Li Shunhua's brows furrowed in a cold, hard expression, yet her cheeks were flushed bright red.

"It's not just me who benefits; you also benefit greatly."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xingyue immediately sat up straight:

"Big guy."

Li Shunhua was taken aback: "What?"

Xiao Xingyue's tone was somber:

"I'm still only a third-rank official, and you're almost surpassing me. It's obvious that you, Li Shunhua, are using 'yang-to-yin' cultivation!"

Li Shunhua's anger froze. "You didn't break through? Only I broke through? Really?"

Xiao Xingyue sighed:

"Eighth Princess, don't you feel any remorse saying such things?"

Li Shunhua's eyes darted around; the medication had taken effect last night, and many details were a blur...

But she did break through, and Xiao Xingyue really looked like he had lost out. Could it be that she really got a great deal?

Seeing Li Shunhua's expression, Xiao Xingyue pressed his advantage and slammed his hand on the table:

"Alright, now that you've thought it through, sign this."

"What is this?"

"IOU".

"What IOU?" Li Shunhua was taken aback.

"An IOU for the pills," Xiao Xingyue continued.

"Last night you stole my pills and used them to break through my cultivation. This debt must be settled."

Li Shunhua's face darkened:

"Xiao Xingyue, don't go too far."

Xiao Xingyue fetched paper and pen:

"One drop of semen is worth ten drops of blood. I've shed hundreds of drops of blood for you! And you're trying to renege on that debt?"

Li Shunhua clenched her fist, but Xiao Xingyue ignored her and handed her the pen.

Li Shunhua's chest heaved as she glared at him for a long while before finally snatching the pen away, as if it were a knife, and wielding it fiercely across the paper.

After writing the IOU, Xiao Xingyue picked it up, blew the ink dry, and carefully put it away close to his body.

"Alright, alright, Eighth Princess, you really keep your word. Are your legs not so weak now? Shall we play a little longer before we go?"

Li Shunhua glared at him with disdain:

"I don't want to stay here a moment longer; if I do, I'll be a dog."

After saying that, Li Shunhua turned and left.

Before I even stepped out the door, Zhao Yuanbao's voice rang out from outside:

"Your Highness, those officials who sent gifts last time have come again, saying they have urgent business."

Li Shunhua paused... Something's up!

Xiao Xingyue frowned as well: "What's the rush so early in the morning?"

Zhao Yuanbao lowered his voice outside:

"Anyway, it doesn't look like a good thing..."

Xiao Xingyue straightened his clothes and walked towards the front hall.

Li Shunhua thought for a moment, then turned and went into the side room. From behind the screen, she could see the front hall and hear the conversation.

She wanted to see what was going on.

As for saying that staying any longer would make her a dog, she can just bark at Xiao Xingyue next time.

……

In the front hall, there were already seven or eight people sitting, all dressed smartly, but with worried expressions on their faces.

Xiao Xingyue sat down: "Are you all here at my palace so early for morning exercises?"

An official with a goatee chuckled dryly:

"Your Highness is joking. I have come today to discuss matters from a few days ago."

Xiao Xingyue picked up his teacup: "What happened the other day?"

The group exchanged glances, and finally the man with the goatee spoke again:

"Regarding the selection of military officers, we were in a hurry before and sent some gifts. Now that I think about it, we have only caused trouble for the young master."

Xiao Xingyue stopped drinking his tea: "So?"

Goatbeck braced himself:

"So I want to withdraw the gift."

Zhao Yuanbao's eyes widened. Good heavens, they're asking for the gifts they gave away back?

These people are quite old, and they don't even know the rules?

Xiao Xingyue put down his teacup:

"You all gave me gifts, and now you want them back? What about my Prince's Mansion's Dangdang Shop?"

The men looked embarrassed, and another fat official quickly cupped his hands in greeting:

"Your Highness, please calm down. We really have no choice. The selection of military officers will likely fall into Pan Yungong's hands. If we don't get these things back, it's all for nothing."

Pan Yungong...the person Cui Daoyuan implicated?

Xiao Xingyue's eyes flickered:

"Who told you that the selection of military officers would fall into Pan Yungong's hands? Tell me."

The fat official swallowed hard.

"Pan Yungong is a disciple of Cao Bi, the Minister of War. He was the top martial arts scholar in the imperial examination and was already a fourth-rank master at a young age..."

"After five years in the court, he rose from a military officer to a senior official in the Ministry of Personnel, and is now a fifth-rank official."

Goatbeard chimed in:

"Minister Cao intends to use this opportunity of the fourth-rank military officer representative to push Pan Yungong towards the position of Vice Minister of War..."

Once he defeats the Gou Li delegation, it will be a great achievement; then who can stop him?

Another person had a bitter face:

"To be honest, Your Highness, Minister Cao's men have already said that no matter who you choose as a military officer, they must first pass Pan Yungong's test; otherwise, it would be unfair, and the military officials in the court would not be convinced..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xingyue cursed inwardly.

Damn it, do I have to go through your Ministry of War to choose the people I want to select? What a load of rubbish.

Cao Bi, huh? Your name sounds so arrogant, let's see if you're really that awesome.

Li Shunhua, hiding behind the screen, also darkened her expression.

She had heard of the name Pan Yungong; he was a martial arts champion, a fourth-rank official, and a highly sought-after young figure in the imperial court.

Previously, she only regarded this person as a potential talent in the Ministry of War, and had no connection with her family's military influence.

Now, listening to what these people are saying, it's clear that Cao Bi used Gou Li's delegation to pave the way for her disciple, and this path just happened to be blocking her way.

Li Shunhua frowned.

The goatee wiped his sweat:

"Your Highness, being selected as a military officer and fighting for the country is an opportunity to make a name for yourself. We, the sons and nephews of our families, naturally want to compete for it as well..."

But if it really comes down to a fight with Minister Cao, my old bones won't be enough for him to break.

Regarding the gift, I admit my mistake; I implore Your Highness to be lenient.

Xiao Xingyue's gaze shifted, and he suddenly frowned:

"Nonsense! What are you all saying?!"

Everyone was taken aback.

Xiao Xingyue looked troubled:

"The money has already been spent. I, the young master, have run my legs off and worn my mouth out for your sons, nephews, and cousins, trying my best to convince the higher-ups."

Now you're saying you won't fight anymore, how am I supposed to explain this to my superiors?

The portly official was dumbfounded: "From above?"

Xiao Xingyue nodded:

"Of course it's His Majesty and Consort Shu. Of course, we have to bribe your people to get in. Every step costs money. You don't think that I, the young master, will just accept the gifts and do nothing."

Rest assured, everyone, now that I have accepted the gift, I will certainly do my duty!

Who is Pan Yungong? Isn't he just Cao Bi's apprentice?

I'll give you more face. Go back and wait for news. I'll definitely help you secure the military officer position!

The front hall fell silent instantly, and the officials' faces turned green!

They came to withdraw their gifts and cut their losses, not to have Xiao Xingyue lead them into war against the Minister of War.

Goatee quickly waved his hand:

"Your Highness, there's no need, really no need."

The portly official panicked: "I don't want the gift anymore. The young master hasn't come today."

"Yes, yes, yes."

"We were never here."

"Even the Crown Prince has never accepted it."

"Everyone has forgotten."

Xiao Xingyue quickly tried to persuade him:

"How can this be? I value my promises above all else. How can I abandon a promise halfway through?"

Several people were on the verge of tears.

"Your Highness."

"Just consider us unworthy."

"My children are really good-for-nothings."

"Lord Pan is a man of extraordinary talent, a fourth-rank master."

"What do we have to fight for? Let's stop fighting."

Xiao Xingyue's face was filled with heartache:

"You all don't believe me."

Goatbeard clenching his teeth:

"We simply... dare not trouble the Crown Prince."

After saying that, he cupped his hands in greeting, turned around and left. The others were chased away as if by dogs, and in the blink of an eye, the front hall was empty.

Xiao Xingyue sat in the chair, feeling comfortable. He had received a gift and didn't have to do anything. How pleasant!

However, Lu Chengzhang's backer has lost the candidate for the elegant official position, and this time he obviously wants to use Pan Yungong to regain his position.

How can we resolve this Pan Yun Gong issue?

At this moment, Li Shunhua emerged from behind the screen, her face full of admiration:

"Xiao Xingyue, you tricked them away, are you really planning to give me the military officer? At least you still have some integrity."

Li Shunhua originally thought that Xiao Xingyue might change his mind at any time.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Xingyue was quite true to his promise.

These royal beauties all love to daydream... Xiao Xingyue's face instantly filled with loyalty and righteousness:

"That's natural, the only military officer I can choose is you, but now there's a big problem."

Xiao Xingyue shook his head and sighed:

"I do want to choose you, but as you heard, the person I choose must be approved by Cao Bi and Pan Yungong."

Li Shunhua's eyes suddenly turned cold:

"Do they even deserve it?"

Xiao Xingyue added fuel to the fire with praise: "The Eighth Princess is so domineering."

Li Shunhua raised her chin at a 45° angle, grabbed Xiao Xingyue's wrist, and turned to walk out.

"Where to?"

"The military camp of the troops stationed in the northern border region of Beijing." Li Shunhua turned to look at him.

"Didn't you demand the authority to oversee the training of the Northern Army? Now I'll take you there and show you that this princess is just as powerful!"