The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

"This... because my grandson thought that even if I sent the recommendation letter to my grandson, he would not employ them. Instead, he would ask me how I got to know these people. So I simply did not send the written recommendation letter to my grandson."

"You promise others something you can't do. How is this different from cheating people out of their money? I really want to know how you could do such a shameless thing."

"Grandson, grandson..." Cheng Youning couldn't find a suitable reason to excuse himself. He was simply greedy for money and didn't think too much about it.

Wan Lianxing patted the roster on the table again and said, "You have received so much money from others, and someone has ordered five kites from you. Fifty thousand taels to buy an official position is also a big deal. What do you think? Are you really only going to give them five kites?"

"They insisted on buying it, and I agreed to do the job for them, but I didn't make any firm decisions. Whether it can be done or not still depends on me!"

"Prince, isn't it hot to take other people's money? Your bad habit of being greedy for money will hurt you sooner or later. If you don't do it, within half a year, countless people will come to the door of your Prince's Mansion to settle accounts with you. What will you do then?"

"No way, they don't have the guts to cause trouble at my door."

"Cheng Youning, I always thought you were still young, but it turns out you know everything. You also know that people are willing to suffer this loss because they are afraid of you, right? Isn't this how I usually teach you to rule the people with violence and oppress others with power? Your behavior today is more shameful than a bandit, more outrageous than a robber, and worse than a hooligan."

Cheng Youning was afraid when he saw Wan Lianxing scolding him harshly. He compromised and said, "If it doesn't work, I can return the money to them. Grandpa, please don't be angry about this...Qiao Rong, quickly get the money on the roster."

Qiao Rong pursed his lips, looking listless, "Your Highness, do you want to bring the gifts sent by those dignitaries as well?"

Cheng Youning glared at Qiao Rong and said, "Why are you carrying it?"

Wan Lianxing glanced at Cheng Feng, suppressing his anger, "Look, this is the good son you raised, and he has kept something from me. He is really hopeless."

Cheng Feng was speechless. Cheng Youning was really a bit lawless. "Youning, have someone bring all the things here and listen to your grandfather's arrangements."

Cheng Feng winked at Cheng Youning, signaling him to stop resisting, so Cheng Youning had no choice but to shut up and said nothing.

Within the time it takes to stick of incense, the small room is no longer able to accommodate all the gold, silver and treasures that Cheng Youning has recently collected. No wonder this kid would rather give up his rest time to meet guests!

However, Cheng Youning was quite serious about his work. He wrote down in a book what gifts others gave him, so at this time there were two rosters in Wan Lianxing.

Looking at the mountain of things and the two rosters at hand, Wan Lianxing sat there in silence. If he didn't speak, no one would speak. The room was eerily quiet.

About another stick of incense had passed before Yan Qilian and Huang Chenming arrived, exhausted. Seeing the things scattered all over the floor and the room, they were both a little confused, but they soon realized that Cheng Youning had been acting very arrogant recently, and all the ministers in the court had heard about it, but they just didn't tell Wan Lianxing.

This was when the two adults knelt down before Wan Lianxing. Wan Lianxing did not ask them to stand up, but asked them: "Do you know why I called you here at this time?" Although Wan Lianxing's tone was gentle, the anger in it was chilling.

"I don't know!" they said in unison.

Wan Lianxing leaned his back against the chair and stared at the two people kneeling on the ground for a long time before speaking.

"One is the Minister of Finance, the other is Fengqi's First Imperial Master. One is impartial in enforcing the law and is honest and upright, the other is a master of strategy and foresight. Both are my confidants and ears. The prince took bribes right under my nose, but you didn't tell me about such a big thing. Are my ears and eyes blind, deaf, or dumb?"

Wan Lianxing's eyes flashed with coldness and his aura was overwhelming. He rarely got angry in front of his ministers because in his eyes, his ministers were all loyal and capable generals, the pillars of the country. He pointed at Yan Qilian and asked, "Yan Qilian, you are the most upright person. You know how much I value you on weekdays. Why did you not give me advice on this matter? Do you think I am a fool?"

"I am guilty, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Hmph, if you dare to admit that you knew about it but didn't report it, I will definitely punish you. But before that, I would like to trouble Lord Yan to convict the crown prince first!" Wan Lianxing threw both rosters at Yan Qilian's feet!

The two rosters are Cheng Youning’s crime.

Wan Lianxing looked at Huang Chenming again at this time, "National Master, I have treated you well, right? I trust you the most and regard you as my right-hand man. Moreover, you are Cheng Youning's teacher. Your student has learned to abuse his power for personal gain at such a young age. How can you, as a teacher, turn a blind eye to such mistakes! His greed today is the seed for exploiting the people tomorrow. How can you watch your student go downhill? I handed him over to you because I wanted him to learn wisdom from you and grow his brain, not to rob and rob, or engage in corruption for personal gain. Huang Chenming, I really need to re-evaluate you."

"I am guilty. I do know something about the Crown Prince. I dare not conceal it and shirk responsibility. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

"Grandmaster, if you can't explain this matter clearly, you won't be teaching the Crown Prince in the near future. You have failed my trust in you."

Huang Chenming glanced at the things in the room and said, "I didn't know that you could deliver so many things to the students in just over 20 days. I am derelict in my duty. Please punish me, Your Majesty."

"I don't believe you don't know anything. Your students have received money from 237 people. I want to ask you how to deal with the money your students have received."

"Two hundred and thirty-seven?"

"You can look at the roster. Including me and Cheng Feng, there should be 239 people."

Huang Chenming had no choice but to look at the roster with Yan Qilian. Not only did they look at it carefully, but they also whispered to each other from time to time. Finally, Yan Qilian said, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, this money should be handed over to the Ministry of Revenue, and then distributed by the Ministry of Revenue."

Cheng Youning, who was kneeling beside Wan Lianxing, refused to give in. "Master Yan, how can we give it to the Ministry of Revenue? This silver was collected by this prince, and this prince also promised them many things!"

Yan Qilian said, "Your Highness, I have read the roster. I think that while you are still energetic, you should write a letter of apology. This way, you can give an explanation to the civil and military officials in the court tomorrow, and to the people as well."