The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 117

The Minister of Justice headed straight for the Duke’s Estate. Due to the Emperor’s prior orders, the Imperial Guards were stationed at the mansion, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the Duke’s study courtyard without permission.

Consort Li had sent a message from the palace, and that message was currently in her maid’s mind and mouth. However, the maid was at a loss as she faced the iron-armored, spear-wielding Imperial Guards.

Unable to deliver the message, the Duked his wife could not respond appropriately. What should she do?

Nearby, the Capital Magistrate’s residence had already been sealed. It was rumored that gold had also been found in the Magistrate’s courtyard, although the amount was far less than what was found at the Duke’s Estate. The Capital Magistrate had been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice’s jail, and everyone in his household, except for his timely-divorced wife, had been jailed as well. What would become of the Duke’s Estate?

Thinking of these things, the maid shivered. If she couldn’t deliver the message, maybe she should run away instead. The thought took hold, and without further consideration, she turned and fled, planning to take some silver with her before anyone noticed.

Meanwhile, the Duked his wife, in the study courtyard, were still unaware of what had happened. The officials from the Ministry of Justice were still counting the gold. Since his return, the Minister of Justice had kept his distance, signaling with a wave of his hand that the Duke should not ask questions to avoid putting him in a difficult position.

The Duked his wife grew increasingly anxious.

At one of the Duke’s other residences, the Crown Prince had broken in with his men. They secured the perimeter, preventing anyone from escaping to report the intrusion.

Inside the courtyard, the Crown Prince, with a sly smile, tried to place his arm around Song Jin’s shoulder. Song Jin, disguised as Shen Yue, deftly avoided the gesture.

“Brother, let’s start digging.”

As Shen Yue, Song Jin did not have the authority to dig in the Duke’s Estate. She had hoped the Crown Prince would help, and to her surprise, he agreed immediately when she suggested it at the Capital Magistrate’s residence.

The Crown Prince’s quick agreement surprised her, but as long as they dug, they could prove the Duke’s deceit. This would allow the Emperor to punish the Duke, and she would have fulfilled her father’s plan.

As for her own plans, they could wait.

When Song Jin dodged his arm, the Crown Prince stepped forward, placing his arm firmly around her shoulder. “Brother, in such a moment, I am overwhelmed with excitement and want to witness this with you.”

No matter how she struggled, the Crown Prince’s grip was unyielding. “Doesn’t your wound hurt?” she asked.

The Crown Prince smiled. “If you know it hurts, stop struggling.”

Song Jin thought, If I don’t struggle, you’ll just take advantage of me!

But she couldn’t break free.

“Brother, we can just watch. Why must we stand like this? It’s inappropriate for two men.”

The Crown Prince lifted her chin with his other hand. “Indeed, it’s inappropriate for two men. But what if it were a man and a woman?”

Song Jin’s heart raced. Does he know? He must know!

“Brother, what do you mean?” she asked cautiously.

The Crown Prince leaned closer, smiling. “Don’t you know?”

Song Jin shivered. He really does know!

Seeing her reaction, the Crown Prince’s suspicion grew even stronger.

To the onlookers, the scene was shocking. Was the Crown Prince having an affair with the Fourth Prince? They were brothers!

Lu Zhan, standing nearby, was equally startled. Why did the Crown Prince’s manner towards Song Jin look like he was talking to a woman? But Song Jin was in the Fourth Prince’s body!

Usually, the Crown Prince treated the Fourth Prince with disdain. But now…

Could it be that the Crown Prince knew something?

Lu Zhan’s heart pounded with anxiety.

Fortunately, the Crown Prince’s men soon unearthed the gold.

“Your Highness, we found a large amount of gold over there!”

The Crown Prince released Song Jin and walked towards the gold. He acted as if nothing had happened, while Song Jin gasped for air, quickly following him.

Before them lay a heap of glittering gold, covered in dried dirt similar to the gold found at the Duke’s Estate.

The Crown Prince smiled. With this gold, along with what was found at the Capital Magistrate’s residence, the Duke would no longer be able to use the excuse of protecting the dragon veins to evade punishment.

He doubted the Duke had mentioned this residence or the gold at the Magistrate’s place to the Emperor. The Duke’s deceit would be evident.

“Detain everyone in this residence,” the Crown Prince ordered, and his men immediately complied.

The Crown Prince then instructed a subordinate, “Go to the Duke’s Estate and inform the Minister of Justice.”

The subordinate departed swiftly.

The Crown Prince, with a lazy smile, turned to Song Jin. Seeing him approach, she grew tense. “What are you doing, brother?”

The Crown Prince’s smile deepened as he walked towards her. Song Jin instinctively stepped back.

The Crown Prince quickened his pace, closing the distance in two strides.

“How did you know about the gold here, brother? Could it be that you can smell gold?” he asked, his eyes probing.

Song Jin was terrified. This Crown Prince seemed to see through everything.

“Brother, you jest. I don’t have that ability. I told you, my stomach was upset, and I overheard someone in the latrine talking about hidden treasures here. That’s why I asked you to come.”

This was the story she had told the Crown Prince initially. She hadn’t expected him to agree so readily after just mentioning it.

Was he easy to deceive, or had she made a mistake?

It seemed to be the latter. The Crown Prince probably knew she was a woman.