RPAGF Chapter 378
Chapter 378
He thought about how he hadn't had the time lately to ask Xu Qingshi and Li Tianyou what exactly happened to them back then.And why they had appeared on Wangxian Mountain.
"Your Highness, hasn't the heir already returned to the manor?" The gatekeeper scratched his head upon hearing this; he didn't remember Xu Qingshi going out again at any point.
"Hmm." Hearing this, he felt slightly relieved, but still feeling uneasy, he decided to go to Xu Qingshi's Liangqi Courtyard to take a look.
He was afraid that Xu Qingshi would sneak out behind his back again.
Nowadays, with his heavy official duties, it was best for Xu Qingshi not to go out, so as to avoid any further accidents.
He had a lot more responsibilities now, and he was truly afraid that if someone with ulterior motives found out, they might capture Xu Qingshi to threaten him.
In Liangqi Courtyard, Xu Qingshi was currently taking inventory of the stones he had brought back from Wangxian Mountain, planning to give them to his good brothers later.
After all, these were gifts he had personally brought back; surely they would all be very delighted.
"This one is for the Third Prince, this one for Xie Yanzhi, and this one for Jiang Yu," Xu Qingshi said happily.
"Heir, there are still so many here," Mo Yu said, looking at the stones on the side.
"I haven't picked one for the pretty sister yet," Xu Qingshi said after a moment of thought.
"Oh right, I should also give one to Uncle Emperor and Aunt Empress. I'll keep the rest for now." After making his arrangements, Xu Qingshi went back to picking out stones.
When Xu Heming arrived, he saw that his son had laid out a courtyard full of iron ore. Only then did he remember that his son had indeed brought some stones back.
It was just that he hadn't had the time to care about this over the past few days.
Now, seeing that his son was indeed right in front of him, he breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, his brows furrowed.
These stones absolutely could not remain in the manor.
"Qingshi, Father needs to take these stones away," Xu Heming said, deliberately softening his tone.
"Father, if you like them, I can share one with you, but you can't take them all," Xu Qingshi said, looking at his father with some dissatisfaction.
"Qingshi, there is a bit of a problem with these stones, so they must be taken away. If you like them, you can keep a small one." Xu Heming sighed, feeling that it was better to explain the problem clearly to his son, otherwise the boy might think his father was just making things difficult for him.
"What problem?" Hearing there was a problem, Xu Qingshi became a bit anxious.
He had already given some to his grandmother and Little Dumpling.
What if these stones were poisonous—
At this thought, Xu Qingshi grew worried and quickly asked, "Father, these stones aren't poisonous, are they?"
"They aren't poisonous, but these stones cannot be taken outside. I'm afraid they might bring about a fatal disaster," Xu Heming said after a moment of thought.
"But I've already given them to Grandmother and Little Dumpling. What should I do?" Xu Qingshi asked anxiously.
"Little Dumpling?" Xu Heming was puzzled. Where did this Little Dumpling come from?
"It's the little granddaughter from the Grand Princess's manor. She looks just like a sticky rice dumpling," Xu Qingshi said without a second thought.
Xu Heming's mouth twitched slightly at this. His son really didn't hold back. However, this also reminded him that the Grand Princess had indeed mentioned that her stone was a gift from Qingshi.
"I will go speak with your grandmother and the Grand Princess. However, it's best if you don't go out recently." Xu Heming thought to himself that the Grand Princess had already said she would put the item away safely.
As for his mother, she had never been one to show off such things outside.
He only hoped that Xu Qingshi wouldn't continue giving them away. For now, this matter wouldn't be known to anyone else.
"Why? I still want to go play with the Third Highness, Xie Yanzhi, and Jiang Yu," Xu Qingshi pouted upon hearing this, his face full of reluctance.
"Did you and Lord Li run into someone at that time?" Xu Heming looked at his son and asked.
"Father, how did you know? That person was so bad. He locked Grandfather and me in a room! Fortunately, we secretly escaped." Whenever Xu Qingshi thought about being caught by that bad guy, he felt very angry.
"That bad guy hasn't been caught yet. He might still be looking for you everywhere. Do you want to be caught again?" Xu Heming looked at Xu Qingshi and asked seriously.
He guessed that the person probably didn't know Xu Qingshi and Li Tianyou had escaped.
That was why he had sent him that letter.
Thinking of this, Xu Heming's lips curled into a slight sneer. Did they really think he, Xu Heming, was someone to be easily provoked?
"No!" Xu Qingshi didn't even think about it and quickly shook his head.
"In that case, stay obediently in the manor and don't go anywhere. Otherwise, Father is very busy lately; if those bad guys catch you, what if Father can't make it in time to save you?" Xu Heming didn't actually want to talk about such matters with a child, but if he didn't make the problem sound severe, he feared his son's restless nature would have him running outside every day.
Besides, what he said was the truth; he was indeed very busy.
He was constantly juggling matters at Wangxian Mountain and Heping County.
If something happened to his son again, he was truly afraid he wouldn't be able to look after him.
Moreover, the envoys from the Qinling State could arrive at any time, and he had to be fully prepared in all aspects.
"Father, don't worry. I absolutely won't run around and let those bad guys catch me," Xu Qingshi nodded repeatedly and said.
After all, having experienced being caught and tied up by bad guys once was scary enough. He never wanted to be tied up again.
In the Imperial Palace
Zhu Jingchen looked at the inventory list, overjoyed.
Good heavens, these things were worth a lot of silver now.
"Your Majesty, all these things were discovered on the estate given by Miss Cheng," Eunuch Liu quickly reminded Zhu Jingchen.
"Qingli has done a great merit in this matter! I will reward her heavily." Originally, Zhu Jingchen had been worrying about the Qinling State possibly sending someone to demand tributes at will. But now, looking at these extra gold and silver treasures that had appeared out of nowhere...
Zhu Jingchen had long since thrown the matter of the Qinling State to the back of his mind.
Nothing was more important than the happiness brought to him by the gold and silver right in front of his eyes.
After all, with this money, he could have weapons forged much faster.
When that time came, why would he need to fear the Qinling State?
Later on, he would definitely make the Qinling State pay tribute to them instead.
He would get back all the grievances they had suffered over the past hundred years.
"Your Majesty, didn't Jubao Pavilion also hand over the title deed to Jade Rabbit Mountain, which Miss Cheng won back as well? Perhaps there will be unexpected gains over there too," Eunuch Liu said with a smile.
"Now that you mention it, it's really possible." Zhu Jingchen quickly summoned Jin Yan and ordered him to make another trip. After all, this matter was better done sooner rather than later.
"Liu Xi, tell me. Since these things were searched out from the Huo family, doesn't it mean they disobeyed the imperial decree and privately hoarded wealth without confiscating it to the state?" Zhu Jingchen thought to himself, who knew how much more of such wealth they had hidden away?
That Huo Yunxuan was quite a sinister person.
"Your Majesty, the Huo family has committed the crime of deceiving the sovereign with this act. However, could these things have been given to the Huo family's daughter by Prince Lanhuai?" Eunuch Liu thought for a moment before speaking.