Help! The innocent prince always tries to seduce me clumsily

Lu Jiushang was slapped in the face for a full hundred times, and the lower half of his face was covered in blood, which was simply a disgrace to look at. Perhaps because of his good teeth, he only lost one tooth, but the flesh around his mouth had been beaten inside out, which was a horrible sight. It was estimated that he would not be able to speak or chew food for at least three months, and would have to survive on liquid food.

Chu Shitong was very satisfied with the result.

The rice shop incident was not something Chu Shitong deliberately did. It was Lu Jiushang who had long been dissatisfied with the business dispute between the two families and frequently spread rumors in the market. The red rice incident was also someone Lu Jiushang sent someone to do, but he didn't succeed. As soon as Lu Jiushang's people left, Jianying went into the rice warehouse and threw out all the red rice they had thrown in.

In order to avenge new and old grudges, Chu Shitong deliberately lowered the price of rice for a period of time.

After getting the final result, it’s not a big deal to waste all this money.

If Prince Rong is willing to support this disappointing Lu Jiushang, then let him do so. After all, Lu Jiushang hit a wall with Chu Shifeng and was beaten like this, which could serve as a warning to them.

Now, whether to continue to please Chu Shifeng or to change positions and show goodwill to Chu Shixuan, it is not cost-effective.

Who made Lu Jiushang reveal the matter of his illegitimate child in order to gain Chu Shifeng's trust?

......

The days went by until the end of the year.

Government affairs have become increasingly busy recently, and the time for court to leave has been gradually getting later and later.

Sometimes it even drags on until the evening.

As the year draws to a close, all regions submit reports on the entire year's tax revenues and official transfers.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

There was heavy snow outside the palace and the wind was cold.

The hall was filled with the scent of sandalwood and the heating was boiling hot.

Chu Shiyu was sitting at the desk, while Chu Shihuan and Chu Shitong were standing by waiting.

After the court session, Chu Shifeng wanted to invite Chu Shitong to his house to drink and eat hotpot together, but he was stopped by Wang Zexu, who invited Chu Shitong into the imperial study.

As soon as I entered the imperial study, I saw Chu Shihuan.

Last time, Chu Shihuan said that Linglan wanted to see her, but Chu Shitong only agreed at that time and did not go to Prince Duan's Mansion after that.

I still feel it's not quite right.

It doesn't sound good no matter how I listen to it, my brother is so close to my sister-in-law.

The two of them simply greeted each other, bowed, and stood aside quietly.

Chu Shiyu looked at the memorial for a long time before finally moving his gaze away and settling on the two princes in front of him.

"It's almost the end of the year, and all gun factories in various places need to be strictly banned. Three memorials have been submitted to the government about private gun factories."

Chu Shiheng said: "I have heard a little about this matter. It seems that there was an explosion in Huizhou a few days ago."

"Your information is quite good."

Chu Shiyu threw a thick memorial over, his face was strangely cold, and said, "Look at what's written in it."

Chu Shiheng took the memorial, glanced at it quickly and gave it to Chu Shitong. Chu Shitong also took a quick look at it and put it back on the table.

The memorial was about the explosion of a private gun factory in Huizhou.

Chu Shitong also had an impression of this incident.

After the establishment of Beiqing, the artillery workshops were classified as government-run. Civilians or officials were not allowed to privately manufacture flammable and explosive items such as firecrackers and fireworks, and were not allowed to privately sell fireworks that had not been inspected by the government.

The closer it gets to the end of the year, the more likely fires are to occur.

Although the weather is cold, most of the houses in Beijing are made of wood. People in many remote areas also cover their houses with thick straw to keep out the cold. Once fireworks and firecrackers start a fire, the neighbors will be affected.

On December 25, just before the Chinese New Year, Huizhou sent a memorial regarding private gun factories.

The memorial explained that someone had established an underground private gun factory in the main city of Huizhou. Because they were too cautious, the factory was just an ordinary noodle shop on the surface and was deep underground, so it had never been discovered.

As a result, the private gun factory suddenly exploded, and all the fireworks and firecrackers inside intensified the fire, burning down an entire street of houses overnight. More than 30 people died in the fire and more than 200 people were displaced because of the fire.

All the craftsmen in the private cannon workshop also died underground, and the entire investigation line about the private cannon workshop was completely broken.

According to the investigation by the prefect of Huizhou, nearly fifty horse-drawn carriages were transported in and out of Huizhou city in the name of this family within three months. This also means that at least more than twenty carriages of fireworks and firecrackers were sent out of Huizhou to be sold in other areas.

Private fireworks can cause fires at any time, and if they are in mountainous areas, they are even more likely to cause fires.

However, the private gun factory was burned to ashes, and any relevant evidence was no longer there. The people in the private gun factory also turned to ashes and their identities were completely unrecognizable. This matter became too big a fuss, and the Huizhou prefect had no choice but to report it for help.

This memorial was submitted in order to ask Chu Shiyu to send people to investigate the whereabouts of those private fireworks and firecrackers, and also to thoroughly investigate the people behind such a large private gun factory that has been operating underground for so long.

To be able to achieve a perfect production and sales chain, the person behind this private firecracker factory must be no simple person. It is very likely that there are other private firecracker factories in Huizhou, but they have not been discovered yet. If this is the case, there may be far more than 20 trucks of private fireworks in Beiqing now.

Chu Shitong remembered that when this incident happened in his previous life, Chu Shiyu asked Chu Shihuan to go to the imperial study but did not inform him.

I don’t know why, but I’m lucky enough to be here in this life.

In the previous life, Chu Shihuan was sent to investigate this matter. Chu Shihuan was gone for more than three months, and it was already spring when he came back.

Finally, the investigation went all the way to Quanzhou, where the people behind these private artillery workshops were found. The locations of five other private artillery workshops and nearly 1,300 boxes of fireworks that had not yet been sold were also discovered.

The fireworks and firecrackers produced by private gunsmiths in Huizhou were not sold in the Huizhou area, but were all sold to Quanzhou in the far north.

Quanzhou is a large city with many mountains and forests. The demand for fireworks and firecrackers has always been great, and the possibility of fire is also very high.

If it is government-run firecrackers, at least there is some guarantee, but no one is sure about the amount of gunpowder in privately-owned firecrackers. If firecrackers really explode again, it can easily cause a forest fire.

Quanzhou was the territory of Si Jingli's grandfather, Zhenguo Hou. So when this incident happened in his previous life, Si Jingli was furious when he heard that those privately produced fireworks and firecrackers were sent to Quanzhou.

The reason why it could be sent to Quanzhou was naturally because there was someone in Quanzhou who could open up the channel. The person who dared to do this in Quanzhou was naturally a subordinate of the Marquis of Zhenguo.

How deep is Chu Shitong's memory of the various things that happened during the fight for the throne? It can be said that even now, if you bring up any event that happened during the fight for the throne in the previous life, she will remember it clearly, and can even think of the name of a certain person in a certain event and what he or she looks like.

It is precisely because all my energy is focused on this kind of thing that my memory becomes increasingly weak when faced with other things.

After all, this matter is not difficult to investigate, but it is very troublesome. You have to travel to various places to investigate, riding horses or taking carriages all the time.

Under normal circumstances, this kind of task was usually a hard labor job exclusively for Chu Shihuan, and it would never be Chu Shitong's turn to do it.

Chu Shihuan said: "This private gun shop must have existed for a long time, and it is very likely that there are more than one. If we don't find out the person behind it thoroughly this time, I'm afraid we won't be able to find out in the future."

Chu Shiyu suddenly looked at Chu Shitong who had been silent.

"Xiao Qi, what do you think about this?"

Chu Shitong showed a worried look on his face and said, "Your Majesty, what you said makes sense. I agree with you."

Chu Shiyu then said, "Old Five is right. If we don't check this time, I'm afraid we won't be able to check it in the future. Huizhou is right next to Quanzhou, and it takes at least dozens of days to go there. The journey is too far, and it is really inconvenient to check it."

Chu Shihuan took the initiative to step forward and bowed, "I am willing to share your worries, father. Please allow me to investigate this matter."

Chu Shiyu did not agree directly. Instead, he frowned and no one knew what he was thinking.

Chu Shitong stood aside.

I just felt that the atmosphere became inexplicably awkward.

She didn't even know why she was called here for no apparent reason.

It is obvious that it is best for Chu Shihuan to go out and investigate this matter. In the freezing snow, who else but him would have the energy to run back and forth in Beiqing?

Now that he has taken the initiative to ask for permission, Chu Shiyu should agree directly.

But now Chu Shiyu didn't say anything, Chu Shihuan stepped forward to ask for permission, and he stood aside and did nothing, which made him seem unfilial and unkind.

Chu Shitong struggled for a second and decided to just put on a show. Anyway, Chu Shihuan would be the one to do this in the end, so he might as well just show his appreciation.

"I am also willing to share your worries."

While saying this, he was actually cursing in his heart.

With Chu Shihuan's brain, why would he actively ask for orders? Can't he just wait quietly for Chu Shiyu to assign him a task?

Chu Shiyu took a deep breath, his expression solemn, and looked at the two of them and said, "If we go to investigate this matter, I'm afraid we may not be able to come back for ten days or half a month."

Chu Shihuan still had that expressionless face and stood straight, as if it didn't matter to him whether he spent the New Year in the capital or not.

People who practice martial arts wear very little in winter, and even under the thin fabrics, you can still see the winding and graceful muscle lines.

"I don't care how long the investigation takes. As long as the private gun factory issue can be resolved, there will be fewer fires in Beiqing caused by fireworks in the future."

Chu Shitong had no way out, so he could only bite the bullet and say, "So do I, your son."

A huge question slowly arose in her mind.

What exactly does Chu Shiyu want to do?

Soon Chu Shitong knew the answer to his question.

"In that case, let the two of you investigate this matter together. Xiao Qi is still young. Although she did a good job investigating the matter in Jingzhou last time, she was also injured. This time, Huan'er will keep an eye on Xiao Qi throughout the process and make sure she doesn't make any mistakes again."

Chu Shitong was stunned for a second.

Why did you really send yourself out?

Chu Shiheng looked back, glanced at her expressionlessly, and said, "Don't worry, father. I will protect Xiaoqi."

From his cold expression and tone, there was no sign that he meant what he said.

Chu Shitong laughed dryly twice.

"Don't worry, Father. I have learned from my previous mistakes and will not make any mistakes this time to worry you."

"That's good. You two don't need to worry about other things for the time being. Pack up and go to Huizhou as soon as possible."

Chu Shitong and Chu Shihuan bowed and left the imperial study.

Bishui stepped forward and put a cloak on Chu Shitong. Looking at the heavy snow, Chu Shitong felt more and more that his life was somewhat inexplicable.

How come I was sent out?

Didn’t Chu Shiyu intend to let himself succeed to the throne?

In this case, this kind of thing is completely unnecessary for my own training.

What does he want to do?

Bishui held up the umbrella and said softly, "Your Highness, the carriage is already waiting at the palace gate. Let's go quickly. If the snow is too heavy, the road will be slippery and difficult to walk on."

Chu Shitong said absentmindedly, "I know."

Wang Zexu stepped forward and handed Chu Shihuan an umbrella. "Your Highness Prince Duan, it's snowing so heavily, it's better to hold an umbrella."

"Thank you."

Chu Shihuan usually did not have any servants to serve him personally, and he always kept to himself.

Chu Shihuan took the umbrella, opened it, and asked, "Xiao Qi, are you still going to Lao Liu's house?"

"Let's not go. With such heavy snow, I'm afraid it will be difficult to return home."

Chu Shitong walked into the snow wearing a thin cloak. There was already a thick layer of snow on the ground, and the sound of accumulated snow could be heard when he stepped on it.

Chu Shitong and Chu Shihuan walked side by side, and Bishui followed behind with an umbrella.

The cold wind blew across the corners of their clothes. Perhaps it was too quiet, and they were silent along the way.

Chu Shihuan said suddenly: "If Xiaoqi has no problems, we can set off tomorrow."

"Of course there is no problem. However, this trip will take at least until after the New Year. My brother cannot stay in the capital to spend the New Year with my sister-in-law. My sister-in-law may not be happy about this."

Chu Shitong continues to maintain his image as a good guy.

Chu Shihuan just sneered and did not respond to this sentence.

When they arrived at the palace gate, Chu Shitong's carriage was already waiting there.

Chu Shitong looked around and didn't see Chu Shihuan's carriage, so he asked, "Why don't I see my brother's carriage?"

"Why would a martial artist ride in a carriage?" Chu Shihuan said, "It's snowing today, so it's not convenient to ride a horse. I walked to the court."

Chu Shitong originally wanted to send him to his residence as a token of respect, but after hearing what he said, he had no choice but to reply, "Then Xiaoqi will leave first. My royal brother, please be careful on your way back."

Chu Shihuan nodded and reminded: "Huizhou is next to Quanzhou, and the temperature is even colder than here. Xiaoqi, remember to bring some thick clothes when you go back."

As he spoke, he glanced at Chu Shitong's clothes.

It was already the coldest time of the year, but Chu Shitong was still wearing thin clothes, just one more layer than in spring and summer. Even his cloak was very thin, and except for blocking the wind, it was almost useless for keeping out the cold.

"I'm afraid these few pieces of thin cloth on your body can't withstand the cold weather in Huizhou."

Chu Shitong was originally feeling quite cold, but after being provoked by this, he immediately pretended not to feel cold at all and said, "As a man, who is afraid of the cold? My brother is not afraid, so I am not afraid either."

She dressed like this on purpose because most women are afraid of the cold and rarely go out in winter, and when they do, they have to wear thick cotton clothes.

Chu Shitong's behavior was just a clumsy way of expressing that he was not a woman.