The Demon Prince

There was a moment of silence behind the screen. Li Shunhua stepped out, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger, resentment, and anger.

"What did you find out?"

Xiao Xingyue took out several pages of copied paper from his sleeve:

"The list of wounded and disabled former Northern troops has been suppressed for four whole years!"

The compensation for those killed in action is being delayed again and again! Even the resettlement funds for former members of the Prince Zhenguo's Mansion who are moving to the capital are being withheld by the Ministry of War!

The paper was handed over, and Li Shunhua took it.

Before she had even finished the first page, anger welled up inside her, and as she read through the remaining pages, her breathing became increasingly heavy.

"Cao Bi died too easily!"

Xiao Xingyue stared at her:

"If you want the Ministry of War, then at tomorrow's court assembly, you should petition for the compensation of the former troops in the northern border."

Li Shunhua looked at him: "For you?"

"It's not on my behalf." Xiao Xingyue pointed to the roster in her hand:

"They are substitute soldiers."

Qin Zhenyue looked at his granddaughter, and Qin Liangyue also looked at her.

Li Shunhua remained silent for a long time. Finally, she closed the roster.

"Okay, I'll talk to them tomorrow."

Xiao Xingyue nodded: "Then we can discuss the selection of personnel for the Ministry of War."

Li Shunhua thought for a moment and then asked:

Why don't you ask for it yourself?

Xiao Xingyue's tone softened:

"My pursuit is for personal grudges, your pursuit is for the morale of the army."

It's also for building your image.

When Xiao Xingyue returned to the Prince's mansion, the gatekeeper was already covered in sweat.

"Your Highness, Consort Jing has arrived."

In the main hall, Beitang Yunjing sat in the main seat.

Li Miaoqing sat to the side, her expression awkward.

Beitang Yunjing didn't give the two a chance to bicker; her voice was gentle as she got straight to the point:

"The Ministry of Rites is filling a vacancy, and Beitang hopes to find someone who can access tribute medicines and medical services."

"He doesn't have to be a high-ranking official, but he must have real power."

Xiao Xingyue laughed out loud: "So, Your Majesty has also set her sights on the Ministry of Rites?"

Beitang Yunjing did not deny it:

"Although the Beitang gentry are renowned for their medical expertise, they have no official status in the imperial court."

It can save lives and influence the powerful, but for many things, it can only wait for others to come to it.

If Qing'er wants to protect herself in the future, Beitang cannot remain in such a passive position forever.

Li Miaoqing's expression became much more serious; she rarely heard her mother speak so bluntly.

The Beitang family has a renowned physician, connections, and prestige, but when it comes to important matters of the court, they ultimately do not hold official positions.

Xiao Xingyue's eyes were deep:

"Your Majesty, many people are keeping an eye on the Ministry of Rites."

"On Consort Shu's side, on the civil officials' side, on the Court of Imperial Sacrifices' side... and a bunch of officials I only just remembered today who I have a good relationship with."

Li Miaoqing sneered: "You might as well just say it."

Xiao Xingyue smiled:

"The Seventh Princess really understands me."

Li Miaoqing gritted her teeth: "Who wants to understand you?"

Xiao Xingyue inquired of Beitang Yunjing:

"I want the medical skills of the Beitang family."

Beitang Yunjing frowned:

"Medical skills should not be passed down lightly."

Just then, Zhao Yuanbao rushed in from outside:

"Your Highness, a lot of people have come outside."

Officials from the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and several stewards from noble families all brought gifts.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a commotion broke out outside the Prince's Mansion.

"Didn't you say you weren't coming?"

"Didn't you also say you were mortal enemies with Xiao Xingyue?"

"That was just drunken talk."

"Your gift box is bigger than mine, how dare you say that to me?"

"Don't push, I was here first."

"Bullshit, your carriage just arrived, I walked from the alley entrance."

Hearing the commotion outside, Beitang Yunjing's expression darkened slightly, and Li Miaoqing fell silent.

They originally thought that Beitang had arrived quickly enough, but they didn't expect that as soon as the news died down, everyone rushed over.

Xiao Xingyue took a sip of tea:

"Your Majesty, times have changed."

Li Miaoqing glared at him: "You want to raise prices again?"

Xiao Xingyue put down his tea:

"That was just now, now is now."

Beitang Yunjing stared at him: "What do you want?"

Xiao Xingyue's smile turned serious:

"My father and elder brother have already entered the capital. Manfu has already checked once, but he has stayed in the Prince's Mansion for many years, so his medical skills have made limited progress."

Nine coffins, each with numerous wounds; he couldn't manage it all by himself.

Beitang Yunjing had already guessed what Xiao Xingyue was going to say.

Xiao Xingyue indeed spoke up:

"I need to exhume the body for an autopsy. I need the assistance of the Imperial Physician King in examining the injuries. I also request the presence of Your Majesty and the Seventh Princess."

The main hall fell silent, but the noise outside continued. Beitang Yunjing's expression shifted.

She looked at Xiao Xingyue with a scrutinizing gaze.

The coffins were opened to examine the bodies of the town's king and eight young generals.

This is no ordinary medical case. If anything that shouldn't be there is found, it will trigger the old war in the North, affect the court, and implicate the emperor.

She asked:

Are you sure?

Xiao Xingyue nodded.

Beitang Yunjing remained silent for a long time:

"Beitang will examine your injuries, but you must leave a way for Beitang to handle the Ministry of Rites' tribute medicine position."

Xiao Xingyue nodded again: "Okay."

Before Li Miaoqing could even catch her breath, Xiao Xingyue continued:

"There's one more condition: the Seventh Princess must participate in person."

Li Miaoqing was puzzled:

"Why me?"

Xiao Xingyue replied:

"Because you are a good doctor."

Li Miaoqing was taken aback. This person was usually sharp-tongued, and it was rare for him to say something sensible. She felt a little uncomfortable with it.

Xiao Xingyue quickly added, "It's also because you owe me too much medicine."

Li Miaoqing grabbed the medicine box in anger: "I knew it!"

Beitang Yunjing stood up:

"Qing'er, let's go."

The two left the main hall.

Upon reaching the door, Beitang Yunjing paused, looked at Li Miaoqing, and instructed her:

"Qing'er, don't treat him like a foolish prince this time. He may be playing a much bigger game."

Li Miaoqing scoffed:

"Mother thinks too highly of him. Isn't he just greedy and insatiable?"

Let him pretend now; he'll have a headache when it comes to actually finalizing the roster.

Beitang Yunjing didn't say anything more, but smiled and shook her head.

Outside the gates of the Prince's Mansion, the area was completely packed with people, and gift boxes were piled up like small mountains.

Several officials were undermining each other at the entrance.

"Didn't you say yesterday that you would never set foot in the Prince Zhenguo's mansion?"

I'm referring to yesterday.

"Today is different."

"You also said that Xiao Xingyue is unruly and a scoundrel."

"I was praising his youthful spirit."

Li Miaoqing rolled her eyes upon hearing this:

"shameless."

Before getting into the car, Beitang Yunjing couldn't help but shake her head:

"In the imperial court, those who are thin-skinned do not live long."

Before long, Li Wangshu also returned to the Prince's Mansion.

As she entered, she saw several officials carrying gift boxes into a side hall.

Her face immediately turned cold:

"Xiao Xingyue".

"Aha!" Xiao Xingyue came out of the study:

"My wife is back?"

Li Wangshu paused, the word "wife" making her heart skip a beat.

She immediately put on a stern face:

"Don't try that on me, I'm here on behalf of my mother."

Xiao Xingyue laughed:

"Is Consort Shu also sending gifts?"

Li Wangshu slammed a roll of names onto the table:

"My mother asked me to give you the list of civil officials from the Ministry of Rites."

Xiao Xingyue unfolded the document, which clearly categorized those who were capable of being upright officials, those who could be won over from the old Hanlin Academy, and those who were suspected of being promoted by Lu Chengzhang.

Li Wangshu sat opposite him:

"My mother's intention is that the Ministry of Rites cannot fall entirely into the hands of others, such as... Beitang..."

Beitang was skilled in medicine, but not in ceremony or document work...

The Ministry of Rites should reserve positions for civil officials.