There is a god in the sky

Chapter 326 Father and Son Disappear

The Tong family only learned that the old man was staying at the Crown Prince's residence several days later.

Minister Tong led his entire family to pay their respects, but they didn't even get to see Headmaster Tong.

The crown prince was somewhat embarrassed, but he was mostly mocking.

“My maternal grandfather said that unworthy descendants are better left unseen.”

The prince offered his uncles a somewhat insincere consolation, saying, "My maternal grandfather came down the mountain to visit me, but he had limited time and therefore did not return home. Please forgive him, uncles."

Minister Tong covered his face, not because he was sad, but because he was embarrassed.

"Father is still blaming me; it's my fault for not disciplining the children in the family."

The cause of the second son's death remains a mystery, and the murderer has not been caught. Minister Tong can understand why his father came to the capital and did not return home.

The Crown Prince offered a few words of comfort, ordered his men to treat the guest well, and then led Minister Tong into his study.

Has anything major happened in the court these past few days?

"There's nothing major happening in the court, just the floods in the south and the war in the northwest. But in the inner palace, Eunuch Huang has died. Have you heard the news?"

"I understand. The newly appointed chief scribe, Wu Xuan, is quite familiar with me."

"Wu Xuan seemed so gentle and kind before, I thought he was a kind person, but I didn't expect him to be so ruthless when it came to killing people. He has almost eliminated all of Eunuch Huang's confidants."

The Crown Prince was not surprised at all.

“In this palace, which servant is kind in order to climb the ranks? Look at Li Ge, he’s so young, but his methods are more ruthless than anyone else’s.”

“If he weren’t on our side, this kid couldn’t be allowed to live.”

"I know, Uncle, don't worry. Even if we have our own people, we still have to be wary of such a scheming lackey."

Even a dog might turn on its owner, let alone a dog slave.

"It's good that the Crown Prince knows what's going on."

The Crown Prince was calculating in his mind that, given how much his mother valued Li Ge, if he were to take action, it would definitely damage their relationship.

He smiled and said to Minister Tong, "Uncle, has it been a long time since you visited the Empress Dowager in the palace? Now that I am under house arrest, I don't know how the Empress Dowager is doing in the palace. Uncle, could you go and see the Empress Dowager on my behalf?"

Minister Tong originally wanted to say that the Empress is the head of the harem, so what could be wrong with her?

But seeing the prince looking at her with such admiring eyes, she couldn't very well refuse.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will submit a memorial to the palace after the court session tomorrow, and also convey your feelings of longing."

"Thank you very much, Uncle. Has the Ministry of Revenue made any large expenditures recently?"

Upon hearing this, Minister Tong knew things were not going well, so he quickly smiled and said, "Your Highness doesn't know yet, does he? His Majesty is allocating disaster relief funds to the south, and there's also a sum of money under review for dike repairs. The military expenses in the northwest are being urged every month, and the military pay has been overdue for a long time. Every month there are large expenditures."

"Alas, you know the state of the national treasury; it's spending more than it earns."

The Crown Prince had secretly taken money from the Ministry of Revenue before, but the amounts were not large. After all, it concerned the national treasury, and it would be easy to expose if he made too obvious a move.

"Has Your Highness been short of money lately?"

"No, I was just asking casually, Uncle, there's no need to be nervous." The Crown Prince lowered his head and fiddled with the jade paperweight on the table, saying casually, "The city has been quite unsettled lately, with cases popping up one after another. Uncle, you need to keep a close eye on the Ministry of Revenue, lest someone take advantage of the situation."

"Your Highness, rest assured, the Ministry of Revenue is as solid as a rock, there won't be any problems."

When Minister Tong came out of the study, his expression was rather unpleasant. He knew there were other people in the room, and it must have been his father.

But why doesn't he see me?

Minister Tong couldn't understand it. His father had told him not to let his family come to the academy to look for him, but he had already gone down the mountain. Why didn't he go home?

Moreover, there seems to be some secret between the father and the crown prince.

The Crown Prince spends a great deal of money and has many sources of income, yet he still tries to siphon money from the national treasury. Where does all that money go?

Perhaps I should go to the palace and have a talk with the Empress.

Tong Shanzhang stepped out from behind the screen.

The crown prince looked at his face. He hadn't noticed anything unusual before, but when he saw his uncle just now, he realized something was wrong.

My maternal grandfather looks so young.

If he stood next to his uncle, it would be difficult to tell who was the father and who was the son.

Could this be the reason why my maternal grandfather doesn't see his family?

Could that secret manual from back then have actually worked?

"What is the Crown Prince thinking?"

"Oh? No, I just feel sorry for my uncle. He hasn't seen you, Grandfather, for a long time. He almost cried when he heard that you weren't seeing him."

“He’s not a child anymore, he’s not an unweaned baby, how could he cry just because he can’t see his father?” Headmaster Tong clearly didn’t believe it.

Moreover, he hadn't been home for so many years that he didn't know what to say when he saw them.

Xiao Ji has been socializing these days, coming home drunk every day.

Shen Lan works at the bookstore during the day, and when she comes back at night, she either organizes book lists or writes.

"Sister, the box of things that the adults sent over before has been checked. Would you like to see the list?"

Xiao Ji brought back a large box of gifts from the Princess's residence, one of which she said was a gift from Prince Zheng.

Although she didn't know what the other party's intentions were, this was a reward, and she had no right to refuse it.

She asked Xuan'er to help organize the registration and keep the forms in case things got complicated later.

"No need to look at it. Lock that box in the storeroom and don't touch anything inside."

Xuan'er said with some regret, "It's one thing to leave those expensive headdresses and jewelry, but there are also some brightly colored fabrics that would be a pity to spoil."

"Didn't the embroiderer send over a few bolts of cloth before? We don't need them for now."

Speaking of those bolts of cloth, Xuan'er secretly told Shen Lan, "I heard that those fabrics were specially selected for my sister by the adults."

Shen Lan looked up in surprise; it was the first time she had ever heard of this.

She had found it strange from the start; it wasn't a holiday or a time when the household was making new clothes, so why were they suddenly sending her several bolts of expensive cloth?

Even though she couldn't recognize all the types of expensive fabrics, she could tell that those few bolts of cloth were quite valuable.

It turns out it was sent from Xiao Ji's side.

Shen Lan assumed it was a gift Xiao Ji had received, so she didn't pay much attention to it.

"Didn't you like that peach-colored one? Here, it's for you. Keep it as part of your dowry in the future."

Xuan'er blushed and shook her head, saying, "No, those are things given to my sister by the master. How can they be given to me? Besides, I'm just a servant; I can't afford such fine clothes."

Shen Lan thought that she could give it to her when she got married in the future.

She instructed, "Go and see if the master has returned. If he has, let me know; I need to speak with him."

Xuan'er responded and ran out to inquire.

Shen Lan carefully put away the book list. The bookstore must have new books on the shelves every month, and it is best to have some bestsellers, otherwise the monthly turnover will be greatly affected.

Shen Lan's new book releases include several engaging storybooks, resembling modern comics.

She wants to promote this type of book, which can be considered a small innovation.

If this comic book becomes popular, then they can create related merchandise, which can also generate a considerable income.