IDWBE -Chapter 293 The Prince Wu Residence

More importantly, Zhu Ruorong’s few words had shaken his confidence.

Because what Zhu Ruorong said made perfect sense.

The reason Jinling City was called a land of prosperity was precisely because its people were wealthy and there were so many rich families.

Whether it was the Liang family or the Wang family from Sanhe, placed in Jinling City they wouldn’t even be worth mentioning.

Even Hu Banquan had personally admitted that his fortune wouldn’t rank him even as a middling tea merchant in Jinling!

Let alone compare with the cloth merchants, grain merchants, or salt merchants.

After all, Jiangnan had been peaceful for generations, with little warfare. Whatever business one did, money came quickly.

As for the local tycoons of Sanhe, though they profited from maritime trade and salt, it was unstable.

Today you might earn a hundred thousand taels; tomorrow you might lose everything.

Most of their wealth had been painstakingly saved bit by bit.

The teahouse grew more crowded. Zhu Ruorong and Butcher Jiang soon found themselves surrounded on both sides. Most of the patrons were discussing the noon execution of Xue Tongji.

“Who would have thought the Xue family would see such a day…”

“Exactly! When that bastard’s head fell, I’ve never been so happy in my life!”

“The world turns in cycles—evil truly brings its own retribution…”

“And that Gu Zhuo—so arrogant all these years. We’ve swallowed so much anger because of him.”

“I heard the Xue and Gu families were completely confiscated?”

“What are the Xue and Gu families compared to this? Even Prince Wu’s estate was confiscated! Didn’t you see it the other day? Over a thousand Sanhe soldiers surrounded it—couldn’t even let an ant escape. They seized everything cleanly. They say Prince Wu has already been escorted to the capital.”

“Well, you have to admit—Prince He is truly ruthless…”

“These days, you might lack ability, but you can’t lack judgment!”

“No matter what, it’s none of our business. We just live our lives as usual. The Prefect said it clearly: Prince He only has four requirements for the people of Jinling—don’t kill, don’t assault, don’t steal, don’t cheat. As long as I live peacefully and no one harms me, I’ll be burning incense in gratitude. Why would I go harm anyone?”

The teahouse buzzed with voices, everyone speaking freely, the atmosphere lively.

When they heard people discussing Prince He, Butcher Jiang and Zhu Ruorong pricked up their ears. If anyone dared utter a word of disrespect, the two were ready to draw their blades.

Fortunately, the crowd was sensible. No one said anything outrageous.

After listening for a while, the two paid for their tea and left.

The rain continued in a fine drizzle until evening before finally stopping.

Lin Yi stood at the gates of what had once been the Prince Wu Residence. Now the plaque bore three bold characters: “Prince He Residence.”

He sighed. “Prince Wu really brought this upon himself. He just had to cross me. Why bother?”

Xiao Xizi said, “Your Highness spared the household and punished only Prince Wu. That is already boundless mercy.”

“Of course I am merciful. That is beyond question.”

With his hands clasped behind his back, Lin Yi gave one last look at the white marble lion statues flanking the gate, then climbed the tall steps and entered through the main entrance.

The residence was built along a central axis—each gate leading into another courtyard. Ten courtyards deep, grand and imposing.

When Lin Yi reached the rear garden, he saw elegant pavilions and towers. Knocking on a nearby corridor pillar, he gritted his teeth. “Golden nanmu wood. Damn, he was rich. Lord Shen, this exceeds proper regulations. If one were to pursue it seriously, none of you local officials would be innocent.”

Seeing this estate, he completely lost any attachment to his residence in Sanhe. Compared to this place, that one was merely a slightly larger commoner’s house—hardly touching on true wealth or luxury.

Shen Junru immediately fell to his knees. “Your subordinate is guilty! I beg Your Highness for forgiveness!”

Then, gathering his courage, he added, “However, I believe Prince Wu unintentionally planted willows that gave shade. In the end, it counts as a good deed. Your Highness, a heaven-blessed son—this estate suits you perfectly.”

“Lord Shen speaks wisely!” Xiao Xizi quickly echoed.

Hearing Xiao Xizi’s support, Shen Junru let out a quiet breath of relief.

He had gambled correctly.

“If I’m not mistaken, several nearby rooms are also made of golden nanmu. Excessively extravagant,” Lin Yi said as he walked, tapping here and there. “Lord Shen, inform Lord Peng to memorialize the Emperor. Exceeding regulations must be severely punished.”

Peng Guishou was still alive largely because Lin Yi valued him as a bridge of communication with his imperial father.

Shen Junru hurriedly replied, “Your subordinate obeys.”

He couldn’t help thinking—was this to ensure Prince Wu would suffer even more upon reaching the capital?

Lin Yi noticed goldfish swimming in a lotus pond and smiled. “On this point, Prince Wu and I are alike—we both enjoy raising goldfish. Not bad.”

Hearing footsteps, the goldfish did not scatter. Instead, they swam over in groups, lively and eager.

“Just poor taste. Hardly a few with good form,” Lin Yi said after leaning closer. He shook his head. “Clearly a pretender to elegance.”

Xiao Xizi glanced at the fish but couldn’t see any difference between these and the ones in the Prince He Residence in Baiyun City. Still, he smiled. “In all the realm, few can match Your Highness’s refined taste in goldfish. Rest assured, I’ll have these removed and later procure only the finest specimens.”

“No need. The pond is large. Leave them,” Lin Yi said. “Later have the place tidied up. Let Mother and the Princess move in.”

Though the Provincial Administration Office was spacious enough to live in, it could not compare in comfort.

He planned to bring his mother and younger sister here.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Lin Yi continued, “Any news from the capital recently?”

Xiao Xizi replied, “Song Cheng and Luo Han have left the capital. They’re bringing along Yu Xiaochun—the one who lost an arm.”

“That’s good. Being alive is better than anything.”

Xiao Xizi added, “Mr. Xing Keshou fell ill on the road and was delayed some days.”

Lin Yi frowned. “Who’s been caring for him along the way?”

“Junior Sister Hong An. Lord Shan Qi appointed her Chief Constable of the Wuzhou Provincial Office.”

“Hong An…” Lin Yi sighed suddenly. “Time passes quickly. That little girl is already sixteen or seventeen.”

“All thanks to Your Highness’s favor that she has today’s fortune,” Xiao Xizi said with a smile. “But she herself is capable—she hasn’t disappointed you.”

“You, as her master, have worried far more,” Lin Yi laughed. “I’ve done nothing. Without expectation, there’s no disappointment.”

Beside them, Shen Junru kept his head lowered, catching every word.

The amount of information felt overwhelming.

But he was certain of one thing.

The soon-to-arrive Chief Constable was the disciple of Hong Ying—that dead eunuch—and clearly much favored by him.

Shen Junru knew very well how much power that eunuch wielded.

Which meant this Hong An was someone he absolutely could not afford to offend.

As for Xing Keshou—there was no need to mention it. Even Prince He treated him with respect.