Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 21 Crown Prince, You're in Big Trouble

Zhou Qianqian sensed his reluctance and became even more wary of Shen Li, who posed a significant threat to her.

Once the Crown Prince's position is secure, Shen Li absolutely cannot be allowed to live.

“But it doesn’t matter if Gu Chang’an is uncontrollable, as long as we can keep Shen Li obedient.” Li Heng looked at Zhou Qianqian: “You met Shen Li today, what did she say?”

"She also advocated killing Liu Ling." Zhou Qianqian dared not lie about this matter. Once she was exposed, the Crown Prince would no longer trust her, and everything she had worked so hard for would be over.

"She certainly didn't disappoint me." Li Heng nodded in satisfaction: "I'll reward her well later, and you'll keep her in check for me."

"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost," Zhou Qianqian declared her loyalty.

Li Heng also found her agreeable: "You're the most sensible one."

"Your Majesty, I think Sister Shen is quite sensible. Ying'er told me that she has been very close to Gu Chang'an lately, and they even share a bed at night. I suppose it's all for Your Majesty's sake," Zhou Qianqian said casually.

"Sleeping in the same bed? Didn't we always sleep in separate beds before?" Li Heng's eyes suddenly turned cold.

"Yes, but I think my sister must be doing this so that she can serve Your Highness better." Zhou Qianqian hid the smugness in her eyes.

"You slut." Li Heng smashed the teacup beside him to pieces, but still couldn't stop cursing, "You whore who sleeps with anyone, you couldn't even stand being alone for long."

"Your Highness, please calm down." Zhou Qianqian knelt on the ground and begged for forgiveness: "It was my fault for speaking out of turn."

“Gu Chang’an!” Li Heng’s eyes were filled with jealousy and hatred.

When he ascends the throne one day, the first person he will kill will be him!

"Your Highness, don't let this upset you. Once you've succeeded, you can have whoever you want with just a word," Zhou Qianqian advised again.

Seeing her kneeling pitifully, Li Heng raised his hand and said, "That's enough, get up. It's none of your business."

"Your Highness," Zhou Qianqian nestled in his arms, speaking tenderly, "I misspoke. If Your Highness is angry, please take it out on me. Please don't hurt yourself."

"You're so thoughtful." Li Heng pinched her chin, his eyes still cold. "If everyone were as accommodating as you are to my wishes, that would be wonderful."

"Your Highness, please don't be angry. I'll serve you well tonight, okay?" Zhou Qianqian drew circles on Li Heng's chest with her fingers, her eyes gentle.

A wicked glint flashed in Li Heng's eyes: "Why not now?"

"It's not that I don't want to, but His Majesty will probably summon you, and it's not appropriate to do so now." Zhou Qianqian was momentarily flustered.

This is not the time to act recklessly.

"They wouldn't dare report to Father so quickly; the earliest they'll know is tomorrow." Li Heng pinched her hard and said frivolously, "Go to bed and let me see your skills in relieving someone's desire."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty, this is Liu Ling's confession written in his own hand before his execution. It details his accomplices and the whereabouts of the money. Please review it, Your Majesty." Zhao Jing presented the confession in his hand.

Emperor Cheng was furious when he heard that Liu Ling was dead, but he calmed down a little when he heard that a confession had been left behind. He said, "Bring it here."

The eunuch took the testimony from Zhao Jing.

Zhao Jing only dared to secretly breathe a sigh of relief when he felt the pressure from above lessen. He dared not imagine how miserable his death would have been without this confession.

He had killed so many people and raided so many homes, and he almost ended up like that himself.

Gu Chang'an knelt beside him. This weak scholar, whom he had once regarded as a naive young man, had now become his pillar of support.

He followed Gu Chang'an, and his breathing became a little more stable.

Emperor Cheng stared at him for a long time before finally letting out a cold laugh: "Good, what a fine crown prince."

The two of them kept their heads down and didn't say a word.

"Arrest them." Emperor Cheng threw down the confession: "Gu Qing, you will still preside over this case. Arrest and interrogate all the people mentioned in the confession, and do not let a single one escape."

"Your Majesty, please allow me to speak," Gu Chang'an said at this moment. "While it is important to investigate the accomplices, the amount of silver mentioned in the confession is less than half of the amount embezzled. With ongoing border wars and a tight national treasury, I have some leads. May I first investigate the whereabouts of the silver?"

"Oh? Can Minister Gu recover the embezzled funds?" Emperor Cheng's eyes gleamed almost imperceptibly. He knew that Gu Chang'an never did anything without being sure of success.

"Your subject will certainly do his utmost."

"Alright, you go after him." Emperor Cheng immediately ordered: "If you bring him back, I will appoint you as the Vice Minister of Revenue."

Although the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the Minister of Justice were both third-rank officials, only by entering one of the Six Ministries could one truly enter the political center of the court. The position of the Ministry of Revenue, which controlled the nation's finances, was of paramount importance.

"Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your expectations." Gu Chang'an concealed all his emotions as he bowed.

"Zhao Jing." Emperor Cheng's anger had clearly shifted, and seeing that he only frowned slightly, he said, "Investigate this case and hand it over to your Flying Fish Guard. If there is any mistake this time, I will take your head."

"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your great kindness. I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties." Zhao Jing immediately kowtowed.

"Furthermore, if the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review requires your assistance, you must not complain," Emperor Cheng continued, issuing another order.

A country's lifeline is always money; stability requires money everywhere, so he naturally values ​​Gu Chang'an more.

Zhao Jing naturally kowtowed repeatedly in agreement.

When he left the palace, his inner garment was soaked with sweat. He did not speak to Gu Chang'an again, but they each left the palace separately.

If the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review gets too close to the Commander of the Flying Fish Guard, his life is over. The emperor will not allow his personal guards to collude with any official, let alone the Court of Judicial Review, which is also a law enforcement agency.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

As the two entered the palace to see the emperor, the empress barged into the East Palace, forbidding anyone to announce her arrival, and the palace servants knelt on the ground.

"Your Majesty, His Highness is inside..."

"Get out of my way." The queen walked straight ahead, her anger making her disregard decorum.

The bedroom door was pushed open, and unspeakable sounds came out from inside. The Empress's face turned pale and then red.

"Mother...Mother, why are you here?" Li Heng quickly put on his pants and got out of bed.

Zhou Qianqian was also kneeling on the ground, her face flushed and her clothes disheveled.

"You worthless wretch!" The Empress slapped Li Heng hard across the face. "What time is it, and you're still busy with this kind of thing?"

"And you!" The Empress slapped Zhou Qianqian across the face again and said to the people behind her, "The concubine is of bad character. Drag her away and slap her."

"Your Highness, spare me..." Zhou Qianqian cried out in desperation, "Your Highness, save me!"

Li Heng had no time to think about her now, and only asked, "Mother, please calm down. What happened?"

"All of you, leave!" Empress Ning dismissed her attendants, rubbed her temples, and said, "You're in big trouble. Do you know that Liu Ling left a confession in the imperial prison before he died?"

"What?" Li Heng immediately deflated, his eyes vacant. "How is this possible? He just arrived at the Imperial Prison!"