The Demonic Crown Prince

That night, Li Yuan didn't go back to his own tent, but instead went to another tent to spend the night.

The next morning, he had Xu Lei take people and wedding invitations to escort Xu Shuying to the restaurant called Zuixianlou that had been reserved, while he first took Wang Wanquan to the Military Equipment Bureau.

Upon arriving at the Ordnance Bureau, the officials there, upon seeing that it was Li Yuan, dared not be negligent, and even the head of the bureau came out to greet him.

They had assumed Li Yuan would ask for an exorbitant amount of more things, but they had already received orders not to give them anything, no matter what.

After all, they had a reason. This wasn't like going to the Jiaozi Bureau with coins and demanding silver, where they had no choice but to pay.

Li Yuan didn't have anyone's written order; he was only acting on personal connections. Giving it was a favor, not giving it was justified.

Moreover, such a heavy matter is protected by the army, and Li Yuan would never dare to let anyone use force, otherwise it would be a serious crime, equivalent to rebellion.

Li Yuan did indeed make an outrageous demand, asking for two thousand suits of armor, two thousand crossbows for individual soldiers, and ten thousand standard military swords.

The group of officials obviously wouldn't give it to him, but Li Yuan actually acted arrogantly, producing the emperor's edict and saying that not giving it to him was bullying him, and he would beat them up.

Anyway, it was a lot of persistent pleading and nagging.

This left the group of supervisors at a loss. After a prolonged tug-of-war, out of respect for Li Yuan and the Prince of Qin, the supervisors finally agreed to give him another two hundred sets of armor, a thousand bows, and no crossbows.

After all, it takes much more effort to make a crossbow than a bow.

As for 10,000 standard military knives, that's even more impossible; at most, he'd get 5,000.

Li Yuan deliberately roared in anger, but in the end, he backed down and offered to exchange five thousand military knives for five thousand broken crossbows.

In his words, if the crossbow is damaged, it can be disassembled.

The officials breathed a sigh of relief; as long as they didn't need finished crossbows, things would be much easier.

So, the supervisor waved his hand and directly gave him ten thousand broken and useless crossbows, to be disassembled and used as replacements.

The extra five thousand broken crossbows can be considered a favor; they're just sitting in the warehouse rotting anyway.

Li Yuan appeared angry on the surface, but inside he was overjoyed.

Xu Lei delivered all the items back to the military camp. It was almost noon, and judging by the time, the wedding banquet was about to begin, so Li Yuan hurried to Zuixianlou.

From afar, one could see that Zuixianlou was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, but upon closer inspection, it was deserted!

Wang Wanquan leaned against the door, bored and dozing off, while Xu Shuying sat in the main hall, her chin resting on her hand, almost asleep.

Upon seeing Li Yuan return, Wang Wanquan quickly led his men to greet him, saying somewhat awkwardly, "Your Highness, not a single person has arrived yet."

"It's alright, they'll definitely come."

Li Yuan laughed heartily.

"At this point, is it even possible for them to come?" Wang Wanquan asked suspiciously, wondering what he was up to.

"Absolutely," Li Yuan said confidently.

Just then, a black carriage appeared in the distance. Wang Wanquan turned his head and looked over, exclaiming in shock, "That, that's actually a carriage from the Imperial Caravan?"

The Imperial Guards were a higher-ranking imperial guard than the Black-Clad Guards. They were loyal only to the emperor and obeyed only his orders.

The Imperial Edict Bureau only appears when a case involves a major imperial case or when the emperor issues an edict ordering him to investigate.

Below the imperial prison was the imperial prison, which was said to be a living hell.

Almost none of those who went into that prison ever came out unscathed.

It is complete, not just alive.

Then, a tall, thin middle-aged eunuch stepped down from the black carriage. Li Yuan had already come to greet him, embracing him and laughing heartily, "It is truly an honor for me to have Eunuch Wang grace us with his presence."

"No, no, not at all. The King of Qin even personally sent us an invitation to his wedding banquet. How could we dare not attend?"

Wang Dahai, the head of the imperial workshop, bowed to Li Yuan first, and then warmly put his arm around him and smiled.

"Come on in, please come in." Li Yuan invited Wang Dahai into the restaurant.

"Let's send our congratulatory gifts first," Wang Dahai laughed and waved his hand.

A young eunuch behind him went to the ceremonial room to offer his greetings.

Shortly after, the announcement came from the ceremonial room: "Lord Wang Dahai of the Imperial Seal Factory, two strings of South Sea pearls, a double blessing!"

"This is far too valuable, Eunuch Wang," Li Yuan said with a cupped-hands gesture and a smile.

"It's only right for us subordinates to celebrate the prince's wedding."

"Oh my, I didn't expect our family to be the first to arrive!" Wang Dahai looked around and said with a smile.

Li Yuan had Xu Shuying serve tea personally, and said with a smile, "Wang Changgong is indeed the first, but he may also be the last."

"Why?" Wang Dahai turned to look at Li Yuan, but there was no doubt in his eyes. Instead, he had a half-smile on his face.

Clearly, he had long understood Li Yuan's intentions, but he was just pretending not to know.

"Sigh, come to think of it, it's probably because I'm unpopular. I've been assassinated several times, so now I see everyone as a potential killer. Nobody wants to like me."

Li Yuan sighed deliberately.

"I don't think this should be the case. Those who have a clear conscience will naturally attend the Prince's wedding banquet. Of course, those who have something to hide will be a different story."

Wang Dahai laughed heartily.

These words were spoken with a rather menacing tone.

After all, he is currently investigating the assassination of Li Yuan. If he dares not to come, he will naturally be suspected in this matter!

"Master Wang, you are right, you are right indeed."

Li Yuan gave a thumbs up.

"I have official business to attend to and need to find the possible traitor, so I can't delay any longer. I'll take my leave for now. When I have more free time, or when the King of Qin returns victorious from Yanbei, I'll come back for a celebratory drink!"

Wang Dahai sat for a while before taking his leave.

Li Yuan saw him out, and before he left, at the door, Li Yuan whispered, "Thank you, Eunuch Wang."

"Your mother has treated me well, that's only right! However, Your Highness, this is the only time our family can help you. Otherwise, if we make it too obvious, it will cause dissatisfaction from many sides, you understand."

Wang Dahai said with a smile.

"Understood, Master Wang," Li Yuan laughed.

After seeing Wang Dahai off with a sly smile, Li Yuan stood at the door, waved his hand, and said, "Play music, serve the food! Let's see who the hell dares not to come today!"

"You really have some tricks up your sleeve, actually using Wang Dahai's identity to force those people to come?"

Xu Shuying stood beside Li Yuan, looking at him with some horror.

"I'm short of money, so I have no choice but to use any means necessary," Li Yuan said casually, his hands behind his back.

"But how did you manage to convince Wang Dahai to endorse you?"

Xu Shuying was completely puzzled.

"I sent him a few stunningly beautiful women, and he came."

Li Yuan spoke in a very serious tone.

"I see." Xu Shuying, who had been led astray by him, was nodding when she suddenly remembered something, and her delicate face instantly turned red. "Pah!"

Li Yuan laughed heartily, but inwardly he sighed.

The reason Wang Dahai was able to help him was because his position was thanks to his deceased maternal grandfather.

Since his grandfather had passed away, the favor was now on his shoulders, which was why Wang Dahai was willing to stand up for him under the guise of investigating the case.

But this might be the last time.

Less than an incense stick's time after Wang Dahai left, the streets instantly became lively. People on horseback, in sedan chairs, and on foot were all heading to Zuixianlou to attend the wedding banquet!