Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Fengtian Hall

"If you have something to report, speak up; otherwise, the court is adjourned," Little Li shouted.

Then, Su Jing'an stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

"What is it that Lord Su has reported?"

"Your Majesty, I must report that Li Hong, the son of General Li, forcibly abducted women, oppressed the people, and disregarded human life."

"Your Majesty, this is utter nonsense. Your Majesty must not believe it."

"Whether it's nonsense or not, General Li knows it in his heart... Your Majesty, this is the evidence, please take a look."

"Bring it here."

Little Li then went downstairs to get it for him.

After reading it, Mu Zexuan was so angry that he threw the document on the ground and said angrily, "What an arrogant brat! General Li, is this the kind of son you raised?"

"My son is young and ignorant, please forgive him, Your Majesty."

“Even I know these things are wrong, but he doesn’t. Is he a three-year-old?”

Li Qiming was unable to refute.

At this moment, Xiao Li had already picked up the folded document and handed it to Mu Jinchen.

Mu Jinchen glanced at it and said, "They really are capable of any evil."

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, that's not all. Yesterday, Li Hong also sent his servants to kidnap my daughter in the street. If the Ministry of Justice hadn't discovered it in time, my daughter would probably have already met with misfortune. I beg Your Majesty and Your Highness to do justice for my daughter."

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, what Lord Su said is true. Yesterday, the Ministry of Justice received a report that Princess Ping Le had been kidnapped. The Ministry of Justice immediately launched an investigation and finally found that it was Li Hong who sent people to kidnap the princess."

"He even dares to kidnap a princess, what else wouldn't he dare to do... General Li, your son is truly audacious."

Li Qiming knew he couldn't deny it, so he could only plead guilty, saying, "My son was confused for a moment, please forgive him, Your Majesty."

"What does the Imperial Uncle think should be done?"

"Throw him into prison and hand him over to the Ministry of Justice for investigation. He will be dealt with after the investigation is completed."

"Then we will do as the Imperial Uncle says."

"Yes," Mu Xinchen replied.

Su Jing'an replied, "Your Majesty is wise."

Then, Mu Jinchen added, "Furthermore, it is the father's fault if the son is not taught properly. Li Qiming has failed in his duty to educate his son, so he will be fined half a year's salary and confined to his room for three days to reflect on his mistakes."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

imperial study room

Mu Xinchen arrived at the Imperial Study. "Fifth Brother, you wanted to see me?"

Mu Jinchen asked, "Haven't you found the ledger yet?"

"No, I've searched Li Qiming's study thoroughly, but I still can't find it. Do you think it might have fallen into Prince Qing's hands?"

"Given Prince Qing's temperament, if he were to obtain the account book, he would surely kill him to silence him. However, Li Qiming is still alive and well, so it seems he hasn't found it. Moreover, Li Qiming isn't stupid; he couldn't possibly be unaware of how important that account book is to him. Therefore, he would definitely be wary of Prince Qing."

"That's right, that's what he uses to save his life."

"Did Li Hong confess anything?"

"He only knows how to eat, drink, and have fun, and knows nothing else. Li Qiming probably knew that his son was unreliable, so he didn't say anything to him."

"Since he is of no use, let's exile him to Lingnan."

"Yes," he said, then asked, "Do we still need to find the ledger?"

"Find it, even if you have to dig three feet into the ground."

"In your opinion, besides the study, where else would Li Qiming hide the account books?"

"The study is the safest place for him, therefore, it must be the study."

"But I've searched everywhere and haven't found the hidden compartment."

"You'd be lucky to find it."

"No, Fifth Brother, why are you resorting to personal attacks?"

"Alright, although the evidence we have now is not enough to convict him, we can detain him for now. So, you take men to the General's Mansion immediately to arrest Li Qiming. Also, I'm giving you a search warrant. You take men to search the General's Mansion, focusing on the study. Make sure you get your hands on the account books and don't let them fall into Prince Qing's hands."

"Yes," Mu Xinchen replied and walked out.

At night, Mu Jinchen came to Youlan Courtyard and saw Su Qianrou sitting cross-legged on the couch, engrossed in writing something. He walked over, took a look, but couldn't understand it, so he asked, "What are you writing?"

Su Qianrou was startled. "You're trying to scare me to death in the middle of the night!"

"Aren't you pretty brave?" he said, walking over and sitting down.

"Who wouldn't be startled if you suddenly appeared behind someone?"

"You haven't done anything wrong, so what are you afraid of? Or tell me, you have done something wrong."

"What wrong thing could I possibly do... By the way, what brings you here? If it's to play chess, I don't have time to keep you company, I'm busy right now."

"What are you busy with?"

"I'm busy organizing textbooks, what else could I be busy with?"

"What textbook?"

"Mathematics textbook".

Mu Jinchen looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Su Qianrou had no choice but to explain to him, "I opened a school specifically to teach children from poor families, so that they can learn to read and write, as well as acquire skills. In addition, I plan to teach them simple math operations." As she spoke, she picked up a textbook that had already been written and handed it to him.

Mu Jinchen took it and looked at it, but he couldn't understand some of it. "I can understand these words, but what is this?"

"These are Arabic numerals. Look, this '壹' (one) has too many strokes when written in Chinese characters, but Arabic numerals are simple and easy to understand, aren't they much more convenient?"

"Indeed, but how do you know Arabic numerals?"

"I...saw it in a book."

"What book?"

"I don't remember. I saw it a long time ago, but I can't find that book anymore."

Then, Mu Jinchen asked, "And what about these?"

"It's also a number, just a simplified version."

"I also saw it in a book."

"I guess so."

Mu Jinchen looked at her, feeling that she wasn't telling the truth, but he didn't ask any further questions. "How many books do you want to write?"

"Twenty-seven books. It's been a whole day, and I've only written two. You've come at the perfect time. Help me copy them. Let's finish five books tonight so that tomorrow I can have my dad, my mom, and my older brother help me copy them."

"Are you sure you want me to write it for you?"

"What, Your Highness won't even help with this small favor?"

"I would be happy to help, but are you sure Lord Su won't recognize my handwriting?"

Su Qianrou then remembered, "Never mind, you'd better stop writing then, lest you get recognized and I have to explain." After saying that, she lowered her head and continued writing.

Mu Jinchen looked at her, a smile involuntarily creeping onto his lips, and then asked, "By the way, where is your academy located?"

"Western Suburbs".

"When will school officially start?"

April 18th.

Mu Jinchen understood and didn't say anything more. Seeing that she was busy, he didn't disturb her any further, got up to leave, and said, "I'll take this book with me," before walking outside.

"No, it's one thing if you don't help, but why are you taking mine?" Su Qianrou shouted at him.

Mu Jinchen did not respond and walked out.

Su Qianrou was furious, but there was nothing she could do about it, so she could only channel her anger and resentment into her writing.