130: Sang Wen takes charge of Baoyue Tower! Li Changan: Sister-in-law

Chapter 130: Sang Wen Takes Charge of Embrace the Moon Brothel! Li Chang'an: Sister-in-law, be gentle! (33)

Embrace the Moon Brothel.

Fan Sizhe and Li Chengping were truly aggrieved and distressed.

It was bad enough to be beaten; they even had to provide evidence themselves, allowing others to beat them to death.

"Yes, Uncle Prince!"

"Yes, Brother-in-law!"

"Third Young Master, wait a moment, this Prince will escort you back to the palace!"

Hearing Li Chang'an's words, Li Chengping almost knelt down; Uncle Prince Yong was going to watch him get beaten.

Afterward, Li Chang'an ordered someone to bring the transfer deeds, making the two mischievous boys transfer Embrace the Moon Brothel to Sang Wen's name.

"Sang Wen, from now on, you are the owner of Embrace the Moon Brothel."

"After some time, this Prince will release those women who were forcibly bought or abducted."

"Those who wish to stay may stay; those who do not wish to stay may return home. Do not engage in forced buying and selling anymore."

Sang Wen curtsied and said, "As Your Highness commands!"

An hour later, Fan Manor.

Fan Sizhe tremblingly held the letter he had written and walked into the study to hand it to Fan Jian.

"Father, a letter from His Highness Prince Yong!"

Fan Jian opened the envelope, and after reading the letter, he instantly flew into a rage.

"Fan Sizhe! You actually partnered with someone to open a Brothel! And you forced innocent women into prostitution!"

"The Fan Manor is a family of scholars; how could you do such a thing! You disgrace the family name and disregard the law!"

The more Fan Jian spoke, the angrier he became. He simply picked up a ruler and vigorously smacked Fan Sizhe's large backside.

"Father! Don't hit me!"

"Your son was misled by the Second Prince! I thought Embrace the Moon Brothel was a high-end club for making big money!"

Fan Jian roared, "It's about making money again! For silver, you're not even acting like a human being anymore?"

At this, Fan Sizhe's cries attracted Fan Xian and Liu Ruyu.

"Father! What's going on?"

After reading the letter, Fan Xian's expression also turned cold. "Li Chengze, to deal with me, actually misled Sizhe into opening a Brothel!"

"Fan Sizhe, as the main owner, can you claim to be completely unaware of the forced prostitution in Embrace the Moon Brothel?"

"Do you think anyone would believe you if you said you were completely unaware? What has become of that Embrace the Moon Brothel now?"

Fan Sizhe was protected by Liu Ruyu, sparing him physical pain.

"The manager, Yuan Meng, has run off somewhere. His Highness Prince Yong personally went to Embrace the Moon Brothel and forced my cousin and me to transfer Embrace the Moon Brothel to the second manager, Sang Wen."

Fan Xian said bitterly, "Good for you, Li Chengze, you really want to cross me! Then don't blame me for crossing you!"

"Father, keep hitting him, just don't kill him!"

The imperial harem.

After Li Chengping handed the letter to Consort Yi, her reaction was even more intense than Fan Jian's.

"Quick, bring me my rattan cane!"

"Li Chengping, lie on the stool, don't move!"

Although Li Chengping had long known this was coming, seeing the rattan cane still made his heart pound.

"Mother, it hurts! I already know I was wrong!"

"Mother, it was all Fan Sizhe who misled me!"

"I didn't even know what Embrace the Moon Brothel was for until I wrote the letter!"

"Smack!"

Consort Yi's rattan cane instantly landed on Li Chengping's backside.

Li Chang'an drank the tea prepared by Consort Yi, appreciating her dignified manner as she disciplined her child.

"Sister Yi, calm down! I've already scolded Chengping for you!"

"Sister-in-law, be gentle! The child is still young; it's normal for him to be misled by others!"

"Sister-in-law, don't tire yourself out. Given that Chengping wrote a letter admitting his mistake, don't hit him too hard."

"Sister-in-law, don't worry too much. No one died, so it's not a big deal..."

Consort Yi hit him twice more, then irritably said to Li Chang'an, "Chang'an, why are you still speaking up for the child!"

"This isn't a big deal? If someone really died, I'd beat him to death!"

After speaking, Consort Yi continued to beat Li Chengping.

"Fortunately, your Uncle Prince Yong returned to the capital in time, otherwise you would have been sold and still helped count the money!"

"Beating children on a rainy day, it's something to do when idle!"

"Fishing is for amusement, and beating children is also for amusement!"

Li Chang'an said to Li Chengping, who was shedding tears, "Third Young Master, don't cry!

At least wait until Sister-in-law finishes beating you before you cry!"

Before long, the rattan cane discipline finally stopped. It wasn't because Li Chengping knew his mistake, but because Consort Yi was tired from hitting him.

"Chang'an, in the future, I'll have to trouble you to keep a closer eye on this child. Who knows what other mischief he might get into!"

"We are family, so don't be a stranger."

Li Chang'an patted Li Chengping's shoulder, then patted his swollen backside, causing Li Chengping to shriek repeatedly.

"Sister-in-law, rest assured, this Prince will keep an eye on him for you!"

Liu Ruyi then smiled reassuringly, "Don't call me sister-in-law. We are family, call me elder sister!"

Liu Ruyi, in her early thirties, was not merely well-preserved but in the prime of her beauty, every frown and smile exuding a unique charm.

Li Chang'an, however, insisted, "Kinship between cousins is distant, while the relationship between uncle and sister-in-law is closer. Sister-in-law, you are busy, this Prince will take his leave."

Speaking of kinship, the relationship between Li Chang'an and Liu Ruyi was indeed very distant.

Watching Li Chang'an leave with a flourish, Li Chengping once again shed tears of envy.

"Mother, Uncle Prince Yong is truly so unrestrained; I really envy him!"

Liu Ruyi's rattan cane once again landed on Li Chengping's backside, "Can you envy that?

Can you achieve even one percent of your Uncle Prince Yong's accomplishments and prestige?"

Recalling Li Chang'an's recent words and the latest rumors, Liu Ruyi couldn't help but say, "His Highness Prince Yong has indeed been a bit unrestrained lately..."

...Li Chengze had been feeling restless these past few days, always sensing that something unlucky was about to happen.

Sure enough, one day Fan Xian came to his door with people.

Fan Xian, in his capacity as the Commissioner, concurrently took charge of the Department One's affairs.

The original head of the Department One, Zhu Ge, was exposed by Chen Pingping with a small trick, revealing his allegiance to The Eldest Princess.

At that time, The Eldest Princess was already under house arrest, and Zhu Ge committed suicide in the Supervisory Council, leaving the Department One without a head.

Upon taking office, Fan Xian, with the Emperor Qing's authorization and Chen Pingping's support, initiated an anti-corruption campaign.

Fan Xian, with swift and decisive methods, rectified the Department One's lax work style and brought under his command the veteran official, Deng Ziyue, the "lone minister" of the Department One.

At this time, the Jian Shu Bureau, responsible for palace food procurement, customarily sent their respects to the Department One: the highly prized Southern Cloud Dream Fish.

The Supervisory Council had intelligence that the Jian Shu Bureau habitually extorted farmers, took kickbacks, and engaged in corruption.

Fan Xian was about to crack down on corruption, and the Jian Shu Bureau, which presented itself at this moment, was the perfect target.

Moreover, Eunuch Dai, the head of the Jian Shu Bureau, was promoted by Noble Consort Shu, making him part of the Second Prince's faction.

Fan Xian arrived at the Second Prince's residence and, without a word, proposed that Li Chengze go fishing.

Li Chengze, of course, knew that Fan Xian intended to use his subordinates as a target for his anti-corruption efforts.

He dared not be careless, so he went with Fan Xian to the Jian Shu Bureau.

The Jian Shu Bureau had already been sealed off by the Department One, and officials began to audit its accounts.

Li Chengze ate grapes and drank tea, waiting to see what problems the Department One could uncover.

Eunuch Dai, the head of the Jian Shu Bureau, rushed over in a panic.

Under the watchful eyes of the Supervisory Council's Department One, Fan Xian frequently hinted to Eunuch Dai that he should offer some silver.

"Eunuch Dai, after the war, the national treasury is empty, and there's a shortage of silver everywhere."

Fan Xian held the Jian Shu Bureau's account books in his hand, his tone growing heavier.

"At such a time, the Jian Shu Bureau, instead of helping the nation, is finding ways to embezzle money! Is this appropriate?"

If the Supervisory Council were to truly investigate the Jian Shu Bureau, Eunuch Dai's usual dirty dealings would surely be exposed.

Eunuch Dai bowed and pleaded, "This old servant is usually very honest; I feel uncomfortable whenever I see silver!"

Fan Xian patted Eunuch Dai's back, speaking with earnestness.

"You know the Supervisory Council, and you are familiar with our methods of handling cases."

Eunuch Dai nodded repeatedly, exclaiming that he knew and understood.

Fan Xian then pointed to Yan Bingyun, who was sitting on the steps with a puzzled expression.

"That Yan Bingyun who came with me, he's returned from Northern Qi, ruthless and merciless!"

"You, the Jian Shu Bureau, whether you've embezzled money, and how much, you know best yourselves!"

"If this account book is investigated further, I'm afraid neither you nor the Second Prince will look good!"

Fan Xian's words were filled with threats and hints, and Eunuch Dai understood, waiting for Fan Xian to name his price.

Sure enough, Fan Xian put his hands behind his back and sighed with emotion.

"Everyone is short of money! Can't the Jian Shu Bureau take responsibility and share the burden?"

Eunuch Dai leaned close to Fan Xian and whispered, "Young Master Fan, may I have a word in private?"

Fan Xian loudly declared, "No! Say whatever you want here; everyone here is one of us."

Eunuch Dai looked at the people around him, hesitated for a moment, then pulled out an envelope from his bosom and handed it to Fan Xian.

"Young Master Fan, regarding the accounts, there are some additional details here. You can look at them yourself when you return."

Fan Xian took the envelope, opened it on the spot, counted the contents, and then held up three silver notes high.

"Three thousand taels! Not bad!"

This action greatly startled Eunuch Dai. This was a bribe, and Fan Xian was openly displaying it!

Next, Fan Xian's actions confused him even more.

Fan Xian suddenly put on a smiling face, "Eunuch Dai, it's not easy for you either.

We are officials in the same court; I can't be too overbearing. One must be kind to others, you know."

Eunuch Dai's old face instantly crinkled into a chrysanthemum-like smile, "Young Master Fan truly understands the Dao of officialdom!"

Fan Xian said casually, "It seems there's no problem with the Jian Shu Bureau's accounts. It's good that the misunderstanding has been cleared up."

"Old Deng, Zong Zhui, let's withdraw our people!"

Fan Xian's actions stunned Yan Bingyun, Deng Ziyue, and all the officials of the Department One!

Openly soliciting bribes! Openly offering bribes! Openly accepting bribes!

Didn't Fan Xian say he was going to crack down hard on corruption? What was this public acceptance of money to settle matters?

But with Fan Xian's status, these people dared not question him.

Fan Xian intended to use himself as bait, creating a situation of bribery and acceptance of bribes, which would surely provoke furious impeachment from the Censorate.

After Fan Xian returned, he would hand the silver notes to Chen Pingping and file a record at the Supervisory Council. His actions would then not be soliciting a bribe; this would be the Supervisory Council enforcing the law!

Then, those furious censors would investigate Eunuch Dai and Fan Xian thoroughly.

Fan Xian planned to use the power of the Censorate's censors to formally target the Jian Shu Bureau for anti-corruption efforts.

Fan Xian's plan was proceeding smoothly, but as he tucked the silver notes into his bosom, he suddenly heard the Second Prince's voice.

Lately, the Second Prince had been restless, knowing that many of his major vulnerabilities had fallen into others' hands.

"Young Master Fan, wait!"

Fan Xian looked back, quite surprised, unsure what Li Chengze intended to do.

After all, his leniency this time could be considered letting Eunuch Dai, a subordinate of the Second Prince, off the hook.

Could it be that the Second Prince had gone mad and still intended to obstruct him?

Fan Xian's guess was correct; the Second Prince indeed intended to obstruct Fan Xian.

Although Li Chengze couldn't fathom Fan Xian's thoughts, he also knew that Fan Xian would never stop just by taking the money.

Fan Xian looked at Li Chengze with confusion, "Second Prince, what instructions do you have?"

Li Chengze put on his shoes, slowly walked down the steps, and grabbed the silver notes that Fan Xian hadn't fully put into his bosom.

"I didn't clearly see the silver notes Eunuch Dai just gave you.

I don't believe this old fellow would dare to openly bribe."

Fan Xian smiled and said, "Just now, under everyone's watchful eyes, everyone saw it. I'm not making things up."

As he spoke, he released his hand, allowing Li Chengze to examine the silver notes.

Li Chengze held the silver notes up to the sun and looked at them, "From Taiping Bank, reputable, they're real!"

The officials of the Supervisory Council and the eunuchs of the Jian Shu Bureau were utterly confused by these two lords. What was the Second Prince up to now?

Then, Fan Xian's eyes suddenly widened, because Li Chengze also did something astonishing.

The Second Prince's face showed a hint of madness, and he instantly tore the silver notes into shreds!

He roared, "Fan Xian, if you want to investigate, then investigate! If you have the guts, then seal off the Jian Shu Bureau!"

"This Prince has decided for Eunuch Dai! Even if we have more money, we will not give it to these man-eating devils of the Supervisory Council!"

Amidst everyone's astonished gazes, Li Chengze kicked the bewildered Eunuch Dai to the ground!

"You brainless old fool!"

"You bribed in front of so many people, where does that leave this Prince!"

Eunuch Dai, after falling to the ground, was kicked several more times by Li Chengze, crying out in pain.

"Second Prince, spare my life! Who would have thought Fan Xian would dare to openly open the envelope! He doesn't follow the rules!"

Li Chengze's face showed a look of frenzy. He then turned to Fan Xian, who was equally stunned.

"Fan Xian, Eunuch Dai bribed and you accepted the bribe. If you want to investigate the Jian Shu Bureau, first figure out how to clear your own name!"

"I don't know what you're trying to do, but I'm not afraid of you!"

"The corruption of a mere Jian Shu Bureau cannot fatally harm this Prince!"

"Fan Xian, I'm not afraid to die; if we die, we die together!"

Li Chengze's daily worries were the massive smuggling and colluding with enemy nations charges. The corruption issue of the Jian Shu Bureau could not inflict a fatal blow on him, a Prince.

However, the charge of openly soliciting bribes was enough to create significant trouble for Fan Xian, who was high-profile in his anti-corruption efforts!

The frenzied Li Chengze had just walked out of the Jian Shu Bureau's main gate when he saw the rushing Fan Wujiu.

"Your Highness! Something terrible has happened!"

Fan Wujiu was always composed, and Li Chengze's heart suddenly began to pound. "When have you ever been so flustered!"

Then, upon hearing Fan Wujiu's words, Li Chengze almost fainted.

"The Second Young Master of the Cui Family has surrendered himself to Lai Mingcheng of the Censorate, willing to confess all facts regarding smuggling with Northern Qi!"

"Over a dozen shop accountants from Shijia Town, holding crucial account books, have separately reported to the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, the Supervisory Council, and the Censorate, willing to confess all smuggling crimes!"

"Yuan Meng, the manager of Embrace the Moon Brothel, has once again rushed to the Imperial Appeal Platform to lodge a complaint, already causing a city-wide uproar!"

These matters all targeted Li Chengze's vital points, and such a large-scale commotion could not be concealed at all.

"Yuan Meng... has gone to lodge an imperial complaint again, a second time!"

Fan Wujiu said worriedly, "This time it's still against a Prince, but it's against Your Highness!"

"She accuses you of leading your imperial brother to violate criminal law, bringing chaos to the imperial family, and being a cancerous growth within the imperial family!"

"She accuses you of, for the sake of factional struggle with Fan Xian, not hesitating to force innocent women into prostitution, and even... once ordered Embrace the Moon Brothel to commit murder!"