Chapter 28: A Dishonorable Deal

Chapter 28: A Dishonorable Deal

Even in the palace, white jade was a rare commodity, but in Duke's residence, it was used to pave the steps. Chang Nian watched for a while with her legs trembling, not daring to step on them.

"A prince, this way please," a servant led the way.

Chang Nian swallowed, then asked Feng Tingyun, "Is Duke's annual salary very high?"

Feng Tingyun replied with a meaningful smile, "Indeed, how else could he afford to build such a magnificent mansion? Please come in, Your Highness. We might even get to enjoy a good meal and satisfy our hunger."

Before seeing it with her own eyes, Chang Nian thought that the palace's expenditure was already at its peak. Now, she finally understood why Ye Jiangbai enjoyed intrigue and competition.

Money truly could buy anything!

"Seventh Prince and Lord Feng have arrived? Please take a seat."

After navigating through winding corridors, they arrived at a spacious tearoom. Ye Jiangbai greeted them politely at the entrance. Chang Nian followed him inside and sat down, only to look up and see Fifth Brother sitting across from her.

"…Fifth Brother."

Zhao Yongyi was not surprised by her arrival, or perhaps he simply didn't care. He smiled at her before turning back to Ye Jiangbai. "I hope Duke will reconsider the matter we discussed earlier."

Ye Jiangbai returned to his seat and refilled Zhao Yongyi's tea with a faint smile. "My residence has been bustling with visitors these past two days, all discussing the Prison Historian case. It's not a significant case, and whatever is uncovered will be what it is. Why does Your Highness concern yourself so much?"

"If this had happened at first, Yongyi truly wouldn't have cared," the Fifth Prince said with a hint of annoyance. "But look at the current situation. The Crown Prince clearly intends to use this opportunity to suppress me. If he can't find peace, neither can I. Although I am not the Crown Prince, I am still an imperial prince with a golden seal. Why should I endure such treatment from him?"

Ye Jiangbai smiled. "The Crown Prince must be desperate."

How could he not be? The fire had already reached the Eastern Palace. If this case wasn't handled properly, the Eastern Palace would surely face punishment.

Chang Nian muttered to herself, then lowered her head to eat some tea snacks. Picking up a snow-white piece, she found it soft and delicious. She promptly stuffed two in her mouth.

Ye Jiangbai glanced at her, thinking that she was quite carefree to still have an appetite in such a situation. However, she did seem to know how to enjoy her food. Out of the entire tray of snacks, the snow-white ones were the most expensive and rare.

"Bring two more plates for Prince Seven," he instructed his servant.

Chang Nian choked slightly, smiling awkwardly. "N-No need, I'm not that hungry."

"Yesterday, the Crown Prince mentioned to me that Prince Seven has the biggest appetite in the palace," Ye Jiangbai sighed. "I initially didn't believe it."

This was not a jest, and the Fifth Prince understood that. The key point was that the Crown Prince had already spoken with Ye Jiangbai the day before.

With a more serious expression, he said, "Being able to eat is a blessing. I wonder if Seventh Brother likes snow frog and bamboo fungus, those rare delicacies from the mountains. If you do, Fifth Brother will send some your way another day."

"Thank you, Fifth Brother!" Chang Nian was not one to turn down gifts, especially when he didn't even have to lift a finger.

Satisfied, Ye Jiangbai finally set down his teacup. He signaled for the butler to serve the dishes and then spoke to the Fifth Prince, "I am but a humble servant, only capable of following orders. I cannot make decisions on my own. If Your Highness has any instructions, please be clear."

The Fifth Prince glanced at Feng Tingyun and Zhao Changnian. Seeing that Ye Jiangbai did not ask them to leave, he spoke frankly, "Prime Minister Tang currently holds both witnesses and evidence in his hands. My voice is weaker than his when it comes to pleading my innocence. If Duke could persuade Secretary Li of the Ministry of Justice to participate in the trial, Yongyi would be eternally grateful."

"Secretary Li was in charge of the case previously, but he neglected his duties, allowing Prime Minister Tang to exploit the situation. It truly is..."

"I understand, and Secretary Li has already reflected on his mistakes. I hope Duke can give him another chance," the Fifth Prince said. "Yongyi will not let Duke's efforts go to waste. Apart from the two manors mentioned earlier, there are also these red envelopes as a token of appreciation."

Red envelopes typically contained gold or silver. Upon hearing this, Zhao Changnian lifted his head to see Zhao Yongyi push a red wooden box across the table. The lid was slightly ajar, revealing a thick stack of banknotes.

Each note was worth a hundred taels. There were at least dozens, if not hundreds, of them.

Swallowing his saliva, Chang Nian trembled slightly. Suddenly, he felt that the gift he had given Duke as a token of gratitude was far too modest.

"Your Highness is too kind. As a subject, it is my duty to alleviate the emperor's worries. You are being too formal," said Chang Nian with a polite bow.

"The Duke must give me this small favor, for the sake of our long acquaintance," the Fifth Prince pleaded sincerely.

Chang Nian winced at the thought of such a large sum of silver being given away, only to beg the recipient to accept it. It was ridiculous! She calculated in her mind that, with her monthly stipend, it would take her...

Eighty years to save up that much.

Shuddering at the thought, Chang Nian decided not to dwell on it. Comparing oneself to others could be utterly demoralizing. Better to focus on her food.

The Duke's residence was filled with exquisite silver utensils, and the dishes served were abundant and luxurious. Compared to the simple meal they had at the Ministry of Justice, this was a feast.

Unfortunately, Ye Jiangbai hardly touched his food, instead engaging the Fifth Prince in conversation with a constant smile. Their camaraderie seemed so genuine, as if they were the closest of friends. Yet, both Feng Tingyun and Chang Nian knew that Ye Jiangbai's affability was nothing but a facade.

The Fifth Prince might have been aware of this, but since he was seeking a favor, he had to endure it.

"After all, we're blood brothers. Seventh Brother, can't you lend me a hand?" the Fifth Prince asked with a chuckle after two cups of wine. "Since only you saw the culprit, why not alter your testimony?"

Chang Nian was startled and instinctively glanced at Ye Jiangbai. He chuckled in response. "Your Highness the Fifth has had one too many. The Seventh Prince need not take those words to heart. Testimonies cannot be changed at will, can they?"

Upon hearing this, Chang Nian was somewhat moved, believing that Ye Jiangbai was indeed a principled person.

However, after the Fifth Prince left, Ye Jiangbai said, "Yesterday, the Crown Prince offered twice what the Fifth Prince did, just to ensure that Your Highness wouldn't change your testimony."

... Principles, my foot. It all boiled down to money in the end!

Chang Nian pouted, feeling indignant. Ye Jiangbai had truly sold her for a good price!

"Is Your Highness displeased?" He raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over her with a hint of flirtation.

"Who would be happy being weighed and measured like goods?" Chang Nian complained, feeling wronged. "This is corruption and abuse of power!"

Feng Tingyun sighed. "I told you not to let Seventh Highness come. He's such an innocent and kind child. Why expose him to these things?"

Ye Jiangbai smiled but didn't comment. Pushing the redwood box that the Fifth Prince had given him in front of Zhao Chang Nian, he said,

Chang Nian: "?"

"This is what Your Highness deserves."

Chang Nian's anger flared. "Do you think I'm the kind of person who would disregard justice and morality for the sake of wealth?"

Her words were sharp, causing Feng Tingyun to inwardly curse Ye Jiangbai for being an idiot while contemplating standing up to mediate.

However, Chang Nian's tone suddenly softened as she pounced on the box, grinning. "You're absolutely right!"

Feng Tingyun: "..."