Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

The time allotted for the morning court session was enough for Qin Tan to figure out what she had heard.

As soon as the court session ended, Qin Tan rushed to the Imperial Study, wanting to find Emperor Wulong to ask him for clarification. However, before he could even step out of the palace gate, Yi Qiuwei stopped him and said familiarly, "Lord Qin, I've heard that you love and understand tea. I recently acquired a new cake of Dragon Ball Snow Tea, and I thought I'd like to invite you to enjoy tea with me. I wonder if you would do me the honor?"

Longtuan Shengxue is a royal tribute tea, the finest among dragon and phoenix compressed teas. The raw material used is only a thin bud from the center of the tea leaves, which is worth a fortune. Yi Qiuwei's intention to share such a fine product is obvious.

Normally, Qin Tan would have agreed immediately, thinking it would be a waste not to take advantage of the situation. But right now, he had something more important to do.

He waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Lord Yi, you flatter me. I don't know much about tea. You should keep such precious tea for yourself. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, she hurriedly left, lifting the hem of her dress.

Liao Wei, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, walked up to Yi Qiuwei, frowning in displeasure. "This Qin Tan really doesn't know what's good for him."

Yi Qiuwei smiled and said, "If it were really that easy to catch this slippery loach, I would feel uneasy."

Liao Wei flattered, "Your Excellency is wise. However, I heard that Qin Tan visited the Prime Minister's residence the day before Prime Minister Su produced Shen Yuyao's secret letter. The eldest daughter of the Qin family had also met Shen Yuyao before that. I suspect that Qin Tan delivered the letter to Prime Minister Su."

"That's possible." Yi Qiuwei's eyes darkened.

He was still angry about this. He had just suggested that the Third Prince take Shen Yuyao as a concubine so that he could embezzle her dowry, but Shen Yuyao donated her dowry and became a county princess with no real value. The timing was so perfect. How could he not be angry?

But now that things had come to this, he had no choice but to watch helplessly as the one million taels of silver went into the national treasury.

As for the Marquis of Yongchang, he was nothing but a useless person with a title but no real power. If it weren't for Shen Yuyao, he wouldn't have given him a second glance. Now that he's gone, so be it.

Qin Tan is different; he wields real power and has a deep-rooted background. If he could serve the Yi family, the Yi family would be greatly strengthened. Therefore, even though there are still doubts about Qin Tan, he is willing to try to win him over.

"Qin Tan's daughter and Shen Yuyao are good friends. It's understandable that Qin Tan was asked by his beloved daughter to help deliver the message, and it doesn't mean he has taken sides. To put it another way, it's not necessarily a bad thing if Qin Tan is willing to take sides. With the power and means of my Yi clan, no matter who he sides with, I am confident that I can win him over." Yi Qiuwei walked out of Taihe Hall with his hands behind his back, the bright sunlight illuminating the ambition and arrogance in his eyes.

As dawn broke, the light slanted across the tightly closed doors of the Imperial Study. Several plump chicks with white tops and gray feathers fluttered their wings and landed on the locust tree, where a few clusters of locust blossoms still lingered. Their round bodies wobbled, and before they could even stand properly, they were startled away by a cry.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I have urgent matters to report!"

Qin Tan, his robes billowing, rushed into the imperial study and confronted Emperor Wulong. In his haste, he forgot all formalities, panting as he placed his hands on the desk and cried out urgently, "Your Majesty, I heard it during the morning court session..."

"What did you hear?" Lu suddenly appeared from behind Emperor Wulong.

Qin Tan jolted, instinctively swallowing the words that were about to come out. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he forced a dry laugh, saying, "Your Highness is here too."

"Not just me, but also my eldest brother, the Duke of Zhenguo, Prime Minister Su, and Old Xu—everyone's here." Youlu pointed to the group of people below, then asked, "What did you hear?"

Unexpectedly, there were so many people present. Recalling her earlier rashness, Qin Tan blushed instantly. She bowed and backed away while laughing awkwardly, "It's nothing, it's nothing. I just felt really relieved that the Marquis of Yongchang met such a fate."

Emperor Wulong and Prime Minister Su exchanged a glance, instantly understanding why Qin Tan had lost his composure. Emperor Wulong scolded, "So loud and boisterous! You have no manners whatsoever of a Minister of Rites."

Qin Tan understood the implication in his words and bowed to apologize.

You Lu was greatly disappointed. "That's it? I thought there was some juicy gossip to come."

He pursed his lips and then slipped behind Emperor Wulong again.

Qin Tan, still shaken, wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and cautiously asked, "What is Your Highness doing?"

The eldest prince answered.

"Father felt discomfort in his neck and shoulders, and Seventh Brother is giving Father acupuncture."

He was also surprised when he said this, not expecting that his seventh brother also knew medicine.

Emperor Wu looked smug and raised his hand to signal him to keep a low profile.

Prime Minister Su rubbed his shoulder and sighed, "I really envy Your Majesty. Unlike this old minister, with my old arms and legs, I have to endure any leg pain or backache by myself."

After removing the last silver needle, Youlu replied without hesitation, "Then I'll give you two needles too."

This needle was obtained by Eunuch Kang from the Imperial Hospital. Since he already had it, he might as well make the most of it.

"Then this old minister will accept the gift without being so polite. Thank you, Your Highness." Prime Minister Su beamed with joy and bowed his hands in thanks.

Emperor Wulong blew his beard and glared, while Xu Zheng rolled his eyes. "That old fox!"

While Youlu was performing acupuncture on Prime Minister Su, Qin Tan sidled up to Emperor Wulong and whispered, "Your Majesty, I can hear His Highness's thoughts." He was worried that Youlu would hear him, so he kept a close eye on Youlu's movements.

He had expected Emperor Wulong to be shocked and speechless, but to his surprise, Emperor Wulong simply gave him a nonchalant "that's all" look.

Qin Tan suddenly realized that the Emperor and Prime Minister Su might have already heard the young prince's thoughts, but he was the only one kept in the dark.

He couldn't help but feel resentful. Were they even allies anymore? They didn't even tell him something so important, making him feel embarrassed and startled all day!

Qin Tan dared not vent her anger on Emperor Wulong, so she could only complain to Xu Zheng: "You guys are utterly disloyal! Three of you kept this from me! If I hadn't come to ask today, were you planning to keep it from me forever?"

Xu Zheng, showing no sign of guilt, lowered his voice and said, "Such a miraculous thing must be experienced for oneself. Your Highness's identity is special, so we dare not be careless."

Then, as if it were a routine matter, he recounted everything he had heard and known, emphasizing Youlu's identity and the future of Dayong.

"Since you can hear the young prince's thoughts, it means that the young prince has already accepted you. You must not betray the young prince's trust."

"That's natural." Qin Tan nodded. From initial shock and horror to relief, a sense of mission welled up in his heart.

Emperor Wulong leaned closer and said, "You all heard it in the palace this morning, right? Cheng Guangyan is capable. Think of a way to recruit him. Even if you can't, you can't let him become a member of the Yi clan."

"Even petty corruption is still corruption, and I, your humble servant, disdain to associate with it."

"I think it's usable. The young prince also said that he wouldn't do anything to harm Dayong."

Qin Tan wasn't as stubborn as Xu Zheng, but seeing Xu Zheng's dark face and refusal, she said tactfully, "This matter still needs to be discussed with Prime Minister Su."

Emperor Wulong stroked his chin. "I'll sound out Xiao Qi later. That kid's got a lot of tricks up his sleeve; he might already have a plan."

Xu Zheng and Qin Tan both agreed.

The eldest prince stood below and saw Emperor Wulong and the other two whispering together. He felt a little resentful, as if he and his uncle were being ostracized.

Cang Shuyue's attention was not on Emperor Wulong and the others at all. He lowered his eyes slightly and his fingertips gently twirled as he followed the movements of the deer being pricked with needles.