96: Wan'er, do you want to take over the inner treasury? (23

Chapter 96: Wan'er, do you want to take over the Imperial Treasury? (23, please subscribe!)

Li Chang'an knew that the Prince Yong Sang Wen saw was Duan Shui in disguise.

During that time, the fake Prince Yong invited the capital's top courtesans to his residence to sing and play, while the real Prince Yong was busy scouting for talents throughout the capital.

When Sang Wen entered Prince Yong's Residence that time, Qingwen had Duan Shui bestow a reward upon Sang Wen's troupe, which made that courtesan's reputation skyrocket.

Later, Sang Wen diligently practiced her singing, elevating her singing ability to the Peak of the ninth rank.

Her wish, of course, was to be able to perform in Prince Yong's Residence, receive a reward from His Highness Prince Yong, and then become famous throughout the capital.

Speaking of which, Li Chang'an's reward for the courtesan was not money, but a new poem or song.

Soon after, Li Chang'an arranged to bring his Imperial Concubine out of the palace, and the act of inviting courtesans to the Prince's Residence was naturally forbidden by Imperial Concubine Liu.

Therefore, not being able to perform in Prince Yong's Residence and thus receive Li Chang'an's reward was Sang Wen's greatest regret.

“Don't overthink it, sing it two more times.”

Li Chang'an's voice showed no emotion, and Sang Wen, being astute, poured Li Chang'an a cup of tea, picked up her pipa, and sat not far opposite Li Chang'an.

Sang Wen was also on the Langya Pavilion's beauty list; her fair and delicate Face carried a hint of subtle charm.

Her captivating autumn eyes darted about, as if filled with endless affection, and her slender waist and gracefully trembling shoulders exuded a delicate and alluring beauty.

Sang Wen picked up her pipa, but her hands trembled, unable to find the tune for a long time.

She couldn't help but look up and found Li Chang'an looking at her with a half-smile.

“Your Highness… forgive me, this servant… is terribly uneasy.”

Li Chang'an took a sip of tea, then casually said, “Sang Wen, if you sing well, this Prince will reward you with another new lyric.”

Sang Wen composed herself, trying to stabilize her emotions.

Regardless, His Highness Prince Yong was an immensely powerful figure in this capital city.

Any excessive worry or fear now was meaningless.

Since she had joined Langya Pavilion, she had to obey the orders of the Langya Pavilion Master.

After several failures, Sang Wen finally managed to start playing and singing successfully.

When she sang the first line, Li Chang'an finally understood where Sang Wen's inexplicable allure came from.

It was those full, rosy lips that gave her delicate beauty an undeniable sex appeal.

Sang Wen had a beautiful and effective mouth.

The “Immortals by the River” sung by this mouth was full of tender affection, melodious and moving, drawing people deeply into it.

By the time Li Chang'an came back to his senses, Sang Wen had already looped the song three times, and she no longer had her previous nervousness, completely immersed in it.

As the pipa music ended, Li Chang'an said indifferently, “Sang Wen, bring the brush and ink.”

Excitement and surprise appeared in Sang Wen's expressive eyes.

Li Chang'an's reward was her lifelong dream!

Li Chang'an sat at the table, while Sang Wen ground the ink beside him; the scent of ink and her body fragrance subtly intoxicated him.

The so-called 'red sleeves adding fragrance' was nothing more than this.

As Li Chang'an's elegant and unrestrained Slender Gold script flowed, beautiful verses poured from the brush tip, and Sang Wen was so excited she could barely breathe.

It was too perfect, perfect handwriting, perfect verses, a perfect person.

“The lotus fragrance fades, the jade mat feels the autumn chill. Lightly I untie my silken robe, and alone ascend the orchid boat.”

“Who sends a brocade letter from the clouds? When the wild geese return, the moon fills the western tower.

“Flowers drift and waters flow. One kind of longing, two places of sorrow.”

“This affection has no way to be dispelled; it just leaves the brow, only to rise to the heart.”

Sang Wen watched this poem come into being; every line was endlessly evocative, every line perfectly placed!

Each line had a profound Concept, yet was catchy, with a clear meaning, without showing off elaborate vocabulary.

This masterpiece by the greatest female poet of all time, every word and phrase struck Sang Wen's heart, her delicate heart felt as if it was being gently caressed by a warm, large hand.

Each caress made her heart tremble slightly, and waves of bittersweet sorrow instantly filled her heart.

Sang Wen didn't know how long she was immersed before she apologized, “Your Highness, I am truly sorry, this servant lost her composure.”

Li Chang'an smiled faintly, “No matter, a good poem naturally suits a beauty. If given to a crude person, wouldn't it be like casting pearls before swine?”

The subtle and profound emotions in this poem, the faint, lingering sorrow, could only be truly appreciated by a delicate woman like Sang Wen, who had experienced loneliness and displacement since childhood.

The one given to Zhan Pianpian yesterday was simpler and more cheerful; although it also contained sorrow, it was much lighter than this “A Cut Plum Blossom.”

“Since you have understood the meaning of the poem, why not sing it?”

When Sang Wen sang “A Cut Plum Blossom,” she soon revealed genuine emotion, her brows and eyes filled with poetic sentiment.

Indeed, this poem suited her more.

After three songs, Sang Wen rose and said, “Thank you, Your Highness, for the song.

With this song, this servant will stop singing and have no more regrets.”

By the time she finished speaking, Sang Wen's affection value was already full.

Li Chang'an had her sit down and no longer spoke of poetry.

Sang Wen's singing skill was indeed undeniable; he could listen to her anytime he had leisure.

“I heard Chen Pingping invited you to sing, and even quite appreciated it?”

When it came to intelligence, Sang Wen immediately switched to professional mode.

“Replying to Your Highness, this subordinate went to Chen Garden once and to the Supervisory Council once.”

“But I didn't hear Director Chen say much; he just listened with his eyes closed. Occasionally, someone would come to report in the middle, and after the song, he asked me to return.”

In the original work, Chen Pingping also enjoyed listening to Sang Wen sing, so it seems this point hadn't changed.

The Supervisory Council had thoroughly investigated Sang Wen, even discovering the relationship between Sang Wen, Xiren, and Qingwen.

However, Jing Ni had only single-line contact with Sang Wen, so the Supervisory Council couldn't find any abnormalities with Sang Wen.

“Sang Wen, you can certainly sing this poem to him. You must also firmly remember what subordinates report to him.”

Sang Wen cautiously replied, “Jing Ni taught me lip-reading. I will also promptly inform Jing Ni of any news I hear.”

Li Chang'an added another instruction, “You can contact Chen Pingping, but you must be extremely careful. Do not actively seek out Jing Ni.”

“This Prince and she will come to you personally. Be careful.”

Sang Wen then mentioned some of Chen Pingping's recent movements, and then Li Chang'an left Miao Yin Brothel.

After Li Chang'an left, Sang Wen stared blankly for a while, holding her pipa, then suddenly smiled.

She danced in her room, like a butterfly that had found nectar, her heart overflowing with joy.

Two days later, Li Chang'an received news.

Zhuang Mo Han, disguised, took advantage of Minister of Rites Guo Youzhi's visit to enter the palace and meet Li Yunrui!

Their actions were extremely secretive; if Li Chang'an hadn't had people watching them closely, they would have almost been missed.

In the original drama, Li Yunrui used Zhuang Mo Han to frame Fan Xian for plagiarism. After failing, she was exposed by Fan Xian's flyers.

Then, Li Yunrui was banished to her fiefdom in Xinyang, completely leaving the capital.

This indicates that Zhuang Mo Han, in order to rescue Xiao En, still contacted Li Yunrui through the Junshan Society.

How would Li Yunrui deal with Fan Xian? Li Chang'an specifically went to the roof of Guangxin Palace to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Li Chang'an's lightness skill was now undetectable by Hong Sixiang and Yan Xiao Yi.

As for Emperor Qing, if he could hear the movements in Guangxin Palace while lying motionless in the Imperial Study, the Crown Prince wouldn't have been able to mess around with his aunt for so long.

Soon, Zhuang Mo Han arrived at Guangxin Palace.

Li Yunrui's lazy voice reached Li Chang'an's ears.

“Master Zhuang, what method do you plan to use to cripple Fan Xian's True Qi?”

Zhuang Mo Han replied, “The peace talks between the two countries are still ongoing. After the talks, according to custom, there should be a state banquet.”

“At the state banquet, Fan Xian, who is highly valued by His Majesty your country, will surely attend, right?”

Li Yunrui promised, “If your method is feasible, this Princess will facilitate it.”

Zhuang Mo Han continued, “We found a young Genius from Eastern Yi City, a closed-door Disciple of Si Gu Jian.”

“That Genius is not well-known, and few people know him, but at sixteen, he already has a Peak eighth-rank Cultivation Technique!”

Hearing this Cultivation Technique, even Li Yunrui was surprised, “Sixteen-year-old Peak eighth-rank! Another Yun Zhilan!”

Zhuang Mo Han frowned, “Shang Shanhu, Yun Zhilan, and I had several secret discussions. Finally, at no small cost, we borrowed this Genius.”

“Now, the young Genius is among the envoy, identified as Shang Shanhu's closed-door Disciple.”

“At the state banquet, poetic and martial contests between the two countries are customary.

At that time, this Genius will challenge the Southern Qing Junior Martial Champion!”

“This old man, shamelessly, borrowed a secret Cultivation Technique from Great Master Ku He that can cripple a person's True Qi, and the young Genius has already mastered it.”

Hearing Zhuang Mo Han's words, Li Yunrui suddenly burst into laughter.

“Giggle, giggle, Si Gu Jian's Disciple, Ku He's secret technique, will surely cripple Fan Xian!”

“To employ two Great Grandmasters for help, only you, Master Zhuang, have that much Face.”

Ku He, in order to keep the secret of the temple, was unwilling for Xiao En to return to Qi Country.

Therefore, Zhuang Mo Han must have used other reasons to ask Ku He for the Cultivation Technique.

With Zhuang Mo Han's decades of literary fame, the two Grandmasters would give him some Face.

However, to ultimately decide to help, Old Zhuang probably also offered many substantial benefits.

Li Chang'an couldn't help but sigh, it was truly not easy to openly cripple Fan Xian.

But if this matter were to succeed, even Emperor Qing would have nothing to say and could only suffer this silent loss.

The Northern Qi young Genius challenging the Southern Qing Junior Martial Champion, using an open and aboveboard Move to cripple Fan Xian's True Qi, left no room for fault-finding.

Li Chang'an guessed that the young Genius was Wang Shisanlang, Fan Xian's eventual good friend in the original work.

He was already worried for this Genius; Emperor Qing wouldn't expose his Cultivation Technique for Fan Xian, but Fan Xian had Wu Zhu by his side!

Li Chang'an wouldn't care about Fan Xian's fate; he came to eavesdrop on Li Yunrui's plot because he wanted to scheme against Li Yunrui.

After listening to Zhuang Mo Han and Li Yunrui's secret plot, Li Chang'an went to the Royal Villa.

Today, Lin Wan'er's service was particularly enthusiastic and careful, as if she was afraid Li Chang'an would get angry.

Sure enough, afterwards, she proactively brought up the matter of her mother introducing Meritorious Nobles' sons to her.

“These people, more or less, are connected to my mother's people.”

“Husband, even Crown Prince Brother and Second Brother came to join the fun, scrambling to introduce Meritorious Nobles' sons to me.”

These two knew that Emperor Qing intended to annul Lin Wan'er's marriage to Fan Xian, so they eagerly competed to introduce husbands to Lin Wan'er.

Without knowing that Fan Xian was Emperor Qing's illegitimate son, Emperor Qing's act of adopting Lin Wan'er as his goddaughter and feigning favor was highly misleading.

Everyone thought that Emperor Qing liked his goddaughter Lin Wan'er and wanted her husband to take over the Imperial Treasury.

“Wan'er, do you want the Imperial Treasury?”

Lin Wan'er, hearing this, was stunned for a long time and didn't react.

“Can I… take over the Imperial Treasury?”

This was not Li Chang'an's sudden whim, but rather he felt it was truly possible, at least temporarily managing it.

“Your Majesty needs someone who is only accountable to him, has a close relationship with the imperial family, and doesn't belong to any faction, to take over the Imperial Treasury.”

“Your Majesty knows that you harbor hatred for Fan Xian, and your marriage contract has already wavered in his heart.

But he just won't budge because there's truly no suitable candidate.”

“If he doesn't relax the requirements I just mentioned, Fan Xian is the most suitable, followed by you!”

Hearing Li Chang'an's words, Lin Wan'er couldn't help but swallow.

Taking over the Imperial Treasury, she had never even considered it!

“Husband, Fan Xian's current abilities haven't yet been recognized by His Majesty. His Majesty is not at ease entrusting the Imperial Treasury entirely to him.”

“But His Majesty also doesn't want Mother to continue draining the Imperial Treasury's resources, so His Majesty should also be in a difficult position.”

Seeing Lin Wan'er's understanding, Li Chang'an continued to analyze, “In the long run, His Majesty still hopes Fan Xian can mature and take on the Imperial Treasury.”

“However, this process requires time. During this period, if Li Yunrui cannot continue to manage the Imperial Treasury, then you are a very suitable candidate.”

Lin Wan'er frowned, “Mother can't continue to manage the Imperial Treasury?

She's been draining the Imperial Treasury for so long, hasn't His Majesty tolerated it?”

In the original drama, Li Yunrui failed to frame Fan Xian and her crimes were exposed by Fan Xian's flyers.

But even then, Emperor Qing did not immediately make Li Yunrui hand over control of the Imperial Treasury.

“Wan'er, you're right, but I have a way to make Li Yunrui's actions completely enrage His Majesty!”

The matter of the Junshan Society, Li Yunrui had touched Emperor Qing's reverse scale.

The Junshan Society formed by Li Yunrui had immense influence, even affecting the situation of the three countries and hindering Emperor Qing's grand ambition to unify the world.

The matter of the Junshan Society was not discovered by the Supervisory Council until Fan Xian took power in the Late Stage.

If Li Chang'an were to reveal the Junshan Society's affairs now, he wondered if Emperor Qing would be furious.

After Li Chang'an finished speaking, he noticed Lin Wan'er's tightly furrowed brows, deep in thought.

“Wan'er, I'm scheming against your mother, are you unhappy?”

Lin Wan'er shook her head resolutely, “If she hadn't ordered Second Brother to assassinate Fan Xian, Second Brother wouldn't have been killed by Wu Zhu!”

“In her schemes and calculations, when did she ever consider me even a little? Husband, I will always stand by your side.”

“What's more, Husband is also planning for Wan'er, how could Wan'er be so confused?”

Li Chang'an was very pleased with Lin Wan'er's obedience; it was not in vain that this Prince had nurtured her since childhood, she had indeed become accustomed to him!

A hint of coldness suddenly appeared in Lin Wan'er's eyes.

“Husband, Wan'er has an idea that might help you!”

After hearing Lin Wan'er's plan, Li Chang'an was somewhat surprised and excited!

Indeed, the most venomous heart belongs to a woman!