The Demon Prince

Xiao Xingyue watched the female officials leave and then closed the invitation.

Why did Princess Li Taiping invite me at this time?

Zhao Yuanbao leaned closer and whispered:

"Your Highness, could this be a trap?"

Xiao Xingyue's mind raced, and he had already made up his mind.

He handed the invitation to Zhao Yuanbao:

"Li Taiping invited me to the banquet at this time, which means that she probably knows that the investigation bureau has found out about the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, but she doesn't know how much I have found out. She invited me to the banquet to test me."

Zhao Yuanbao frowned:

"Then shall we not go?"

"Why aren't you going?" Xiao Xingyue glanced deeply into the depths of the mourning hall, incense smoke drifting from the crack in the door and landing on his face.

"The first five princesses had their power already divided among the six ministries and nine temples, and there were people watching the court for them."

Those born in the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth years were born late, and in the eyes of those people, the possibility of them seizing the throne was relatively small. Their power bases had not yet been formed, and they could only rely on their respective maternal clans for support.

Those ranked sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth did not directly participate in court politics, but the first five might.

Zhao Yuanbao became nervous upon hearing this:

"Is the Fifth Princess trying to recruit you?"

"It could also be a warning to me."

Xiao Xingyue smiled:

"But no matter which one it is, she can't let me die in her house."

"If I die, the Fifth Princess and the Xiao family will immediately become mortal enemies, and the other princesses will also take the opportunity to use the Emperor to settle scores with her. She won't be that stupid."

Zhao Yuanbao nodded, then asked:

"How many people should we bring?"

"You don't need to bring too many on the surface."

"Are you really at ease?"

Xiao Xingyue turned and walked towards the study:

"Go and do three things."

Zhao Yuanbao listened attentively, his eyes lighting up as he listened to his young master's rambling. Finally, he nodded and quickly went to carry it out.

night.

The Fifth Princess's Residence.

There were no lanterns or decorations in front of the door, nor were there any drums or music to welcome guests.

The vermilion doorposts were spotless, and guards stood silently on either side of the threshold.

No one was whispering or scrutinizing the visitors; the silence, ironically, created a sense of pressure.

When Xiao Xingyue got out of the carriage, he first glanced at the guards on both sides. They stood in neat formation, breathing steadily, and their hands were at the same distance from the hilts of their swords.

These are not ordinary guards; they are soldiers who have undergone long-term training.

The power held by Taiping Prefecture is more solid than the rumors outside suggest.

The lady-in-waiting stepped forward and bowed:

"Your Highness, His Highness is waiting in the Listening to the Rain Hall."

"Thank you for leading the way." Xiao Xingyue was calm and at ease. With the election day approaching, he estimated that he had six, seven, eight, nine or four votes in his hand. He was just one vote away from winning the majority and thus securing victory.

So today he has another purpose: to act according to the situation and take the opportunity to garner votes, preferably by winning over the Fifth Princess.

The Listening to Rain Hall was already quite full of people.

Minister of Revenue Gu Bing'en sat on the right. He was nearly sixty years old, thin, and had no extra expression on his face, but his fingertips were always resting on the rim of his cup, tapping it lightly from time to time.

Yan Shao, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, sat next to him, wearing a dark blue official robe, with heavy bags under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept well for several nights in a row.

Several elders from the Fifth Princess's maternal clan arrived. They were of different ages, some wore jade pendants, some carried fans, and although their clothes appeared simple, their cuffs and waists exuded an air of nobility.

Several scions of wealthy families sat on either side; they were young, but not frivolous.

No one spoke up to mock him, no one deliberately flattered him. Even when Gu Bing'en looked at Xiao Xingyue, he simply moved his hand away from the rim of his cup. Even though he knew that his son was being held in the Prince Zhenguo's Mansion, he didn't say a word.

Several business route managers were also sitting in the hall.

Some were in charge of the grain transport routes in the south, some of the horses in the north, and some of the salt and tea transport...

They held no official positions, yet they controlled vast sums of money…

When Xiao Xingyue walked into the hall, everyone's eyes fell on him.

Those gazes were neither malicious nor benevolent; they were merely scrutinizing.

Inch by inch, you can see his gait from his clothes, and the thin scabs left from practicing martial arts and holding a gun from his expression.

Xiao Xingyue made a judgment in his mind; this was an assessment.

The Ministry of War conducted a thorough investigation of pensions and benefits, the Ministry of Rites reviewed documents, and the Ministry of War's old warehouses were inspected.

The current investigation bureau has already seized a portion of the real power of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites.

For these princesses with well-established families, he was not a newly emerging playboy, but a highly sought-after prize.

If we can win him over, we can use his investigative powers to pry open other people's territories; if we can't win him over, we can't let him fall into the hands of other princesses.

The Fifth Princess, Li Taiping, sat in the main seat.

Xiao Xingyue glanced at him, and their eyes met.

It is said to be peaceful, but it is not peaceful at all; rather, it is surprisingly full.

Her simple sky-blue palace dress couldn't hide her outstanding presence; compared to Li Taiping, the young ladies from various mansions appeared rather ordinary.

But compared to her stunning figure and beautiful features, Li Taiping's elegant and charming temperament was somewhat shocking.

Xiao Xingyue had never seen such a mature and aloof woman before. She seemed easy to get along with, yet she possessed a coldness that kept people at a distance.

But when you feel that you are far away from her, able to admire her from afar but not to touch her, the charm that she exudes in every gesture, every smile, is natural, neither glamorous nor worldly.

Xiao Xingyue bowed and said, "Greetings, Fifth Prince."

Li Taiping raised his hand:

"Your Highness, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat."

Xiao Xingyue sat down opposite her. A maid served tea, which he picked up, smelled, but did not drink.

Li Taiping watched his movements:

"Is the young master afraid the tea is poisoned?"

"That's not it." Xiao Xingyue put down his teacup.

"I just want to confirm whether the tea in the Fifth Prince's residence should also be thoroughly investigated by the Investigation Bureau."

The eyes of several wealthy young men in the hall darkened, and Gu Bingen also looked over, his eyes flashing with coldness.

Li Taiping did not get angry; he simply stared at Xiao Xingyue and calmly said:

"If Gu Chenjun is at fault, and the Crown Prince wishes to investigate, I will not stop him."

But I want to know, does the Crown Prince truly intend to investigate the truth behind King Jin's death, or is he using this opportunity to cultivate his own power?

As soon as those words were spoken, it seemed as if it was really going to rain in the Listening to Rain Hall, and the atmosphere became somber.

Everyone was waiting for Xiao Xingyue's answer.