Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Although the officials were dissatisfied, they were powerless to refute it, so they lowered their heads and remained silent.

"You have audacity to deceive the emperor and defy his authority."

"Your Majesty, we know our crimes and beg for your forgiveness," the officials knelt down one after another, begging for mercy.

“Huainan is currently suffering from floods. Since you gentlemen are so wealthy, why not donate some money to help the victims? It would be a good deed. What does Your Majesty think?” Mu Jinchen asked.

"I think it's a good idea. Then let's donate a year's salary. I wonder what you ministers think? Do you have any objections?"

"We are no different," even if they were unwilling in their hearts, they dared not say anything at this moment.

"That's good. If there's nothing else, let's adjourn the court session," Mu Zexuan said, standing up.

"Farewell to Your Majesty."

Mu Zexuan walked down without looking back, with Mu Jinchen following behind him.

Subsequently, the ministers emerged from the hall one after another.

Duke Mingguo walked to Mu Jingfeng's side and whispered, "Your Highness, I wonder if Your Highness has a solution to this matter? I'm afraid the Ministry of Revenue will not let this go easily."

"Your Excellency need not worry. As you have seen, the people Mu Xinchen has found are all below the third rank. It is clear that he is bluffing and trying to force us to repay the money. If we repay it, wouldn't that be exactly what they want?"

After thinking about it, the Duke of Mingguo realized that it made sense.

Then, Mu Jingfeng added, "Besides, we are a prince and a duke. Even if Mu Xinchen is the heir of the Prince of Ying's mansion, he wouldn't dare to rob our residence. Moreover, we have guards, so they can't get in at all."

"What Your Highness says is very true," the Duke of Ming said, though he still had some concerns.

Seeing this, Mu Jingfeng comforted him, "Don't worry, Duke. As long as we don't give them any opportunity, they will be helpless. Now that the money is in our pockets, it is our money, and no one can take it out."

"Yes, Your Highness is right."

At the same time, Prince Qing and Crown Prince Qing were walking towards the palace gate.

Mu Qiyang said with some worry, "Father, our household has borrowed the most money, and I'm afraid the Regent will not let it go easily."

"What's there to be afraid of? He can't possibly raid your mansion."

“But if Xinchen brings people, we…”

"Do you think the guards in the manor are just for show? You think they can steal your things?"

“Father is right.”

"You are too much of a worrywart and indecisive. How can you accomplish anything like that?"

Even though Mu Qiyang was unwilling, he could only admit his mistake, saying, "Father's reprimand is correct."

Prince Qing ignored him and strode forward.

Mu Qiyang followed silently behind him.

Duke Su's Mansion

In the front hall, Su Jing'an and Su Guogong were drinking tea.

Then, the Duke of Su put down his teacup and asked, "I wonder what brings Lord Su here today?"

Su Jing'an put down his teacup and replied unhurriedly, "I'm sure the Duke of Su has already guessed the purpose of my visit."

"I never expected that Lord Su would come in person to collect the debt."

"I acted under imperial decree, and I beg the Duke's forgiveness."

"If I do not return it, what does Lord Su intend to do?"

“To owe money and not pay it back is the act of a rogue. I suppose the Duke of Su’s mansion cannot afford to lose face like that.”

"Lord Su is threatening me."

"How could that be? This was just a friendly reminder."

"I can repay it, but only half of it."

"The Duke of Su is making things difficult for me."

"How could I possibly make things difficult for Lord Su? It's just that the Duke of Su's mansion simply cannot afford that much money right now."

"As far as I know, the Duke of Su's mansion owns quite a few properties."

"Lord Su, as the saying goes, leave a way out today, so you can meet again tomorrow. What do you think, Lord Su?" The Duke of Su's tone was full of warning.

"Duke Su should know that if I hadn't shown mercy, I wouldn't have come here alone today."

"Lord Su is indeed incorruptible and impartial. No wonder the Regent Prince went to great lengths to bring Lord Su back to serve as the Minister of Revenue."

"I am honored by the Prince's high regard, so I will do my best to serve His Majesty and the Prince. The Duke of Su is deeply loved by His Majesty and the Prince, and I believe he will share their burdens. Don't you agree?"

Duke Su was speechless and had nothing to say, so he gave the order to leave, saying, "I have other matters to attend to. If you have nothing else to do, Lord Su, please go back."

Su Jing'an did not force him. He stood up and said, "In that case, I will take my leave and come back in three days." The implication was that he would give him three more days to consider, and after three days, he would definitely want a result.

The Duke of Su did not respond.

Su Jing'an didn't care and turned to walk out.

He then went to the Duke of Ming's mansion, but he couldn't even get in the door and was sent away.

Afterwards, upon returning to his residence, he was immediately escorted away by someone sent by the old Marquis.

In the study, it was like a three-way trial. The old Marquis sat in the seat of honor, with Su Shenglin and Su Songwen on either side, and Su Jing'an standing in the middle.

The old Marquis looked displeased and asked, "Did you go to the residences of the Duke of Su and the Duke of Ming?"

Su Jing'an did not deny it and replied, "Yes."

"Why did you go?"

"Collecting debts."

The old Marquis slammed his hand on the table in anger and shouted, "Do you know what you're doing? Are you trying to offend the entire court?"

"Second brother, you are trying to put our Marquis's mansion in an unjust position."

“That’s right. Our Marquis’s mansion is not as good as it used to be. What are you trying to do by doing this?” Su Songwen chimed in.

"It is my duty, and I cannot shirk it."

"There are many ways to collect debts, but you chose the most extreme one, making everyone so embarrassed that many ministers in the court are now dissatisfied with you and have submitted memorials to impeach you. Is this the result you wanted?"

"If we don't do this, do you think they'll pay us back?"

"You don't care whether they pay back the money or not. You could have just put on a show and dealt with it. But you insisted on taking the lead. Now look what happened, you've offended most of the court. Are you satisfied now?"

"Second brother, I'm not trying to be mean, but don't you think about yourself? Think about our Marquis's mansion too. What good will it do for our mansion to offend them?"

"Hmph, there are no advantages, but a whole bunch of disadvantages," Su Songwen sneered.

The old marquis said with a serious expression, "This matter ends here and cannot continue."

"Father should know that once the arrow is released, there is no turning back. Besides, this matter is not up to your son to decide."

"Then you should try to persuade the Regent to stop pursuing the debt."

"Father thinks too highly of me. How could I possibly control the Prince?"

"In the end, Second Brother just doesn't want to give up. Don't you think about it? Do you think you can offend the Duke's Mansion? And what about Prince Min and Prince Qing? I'm afraid you won't even know how you died."

“That’s right, we won’t stop Second Brother from showing his loyalty, but don’t drag our Marquis’s mansion into it.”

"Are you really going to continue?"

"We will not give up until we achieve our goal."

"Fine, fine, since that's the case, then don't blame your father for disregarding our father-son relationship and expelling you from the Marquis's mansion."

"What do you mean by that, Father?"

"Second brother, don't you understand? What your father means is that if you continue to chase after the debt, don't blame your father for kicking you out of the family."

"This is Father's wish, or it belongs to the eldest brother and the third brother."

"Regardless of whose it is, that's the gist of it. Second Brother, think it through yourself: do you want to continue pursuing the debt, or do you want the Marquis's mansion to take it over?"

"So, Father intends to abandon me to save the Marquis's mansion, is that right?"

The old marquis did not answer, which was taken as tacit agreement.

"I'm determined to collect the debt, even if Father kicks me out of the house. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." With that, Su Jing'an walked out without looking back.