Learning Opportunities

The cabin of the Heir Apparent's carriage was spacious and luxurious, its ride so smooth that one could barely feel a bump.

Inside, the scent of calming incense lingered faintly, and the luminous pearls embedded in the corners emitted a soft, gentle glow.

Gu Chengyin showed absolutely no restraint or awkwardness, despite being a subject sharing a carriage with the Heir.

He stretched his body out, leaning lazily against the thick brocade cushions, as relaxed as if he were in his own home.

Luo Zhao, on the other hand, sat upright in the seat of honor, her back straight, maintaining the dignified posture expected of the Heir Apparent.

Though she appeared to be looking straight ahead, she was actually trying to murder Gu Chengyin with her gaze.

Just moments ago.

This damn man had ruthlessly humiliated her once again.

He even had the gall to say she wouldn't be able to hold onto the Great Luo empire for a single day.

Those so-called senior officials and the Second Prince were nothing compared to this guy.

They were merely political enemies on the surface, obstacles on her path to power.

Unlike Gu Chengyin, who was like maggots in her bones—the most absolute trampling of her personal dignity!

His mere existence was her ultimate catalyst.

Whenever she felt exhausted from handling mountains of scrolls in the Hall of Letters and Logic.

Whenever she felt powerless against those cunning, veteran courtiers.

Whenever she recalled the past in the dead of night.

As long as she thought of Gu Chengyin still alive and well, breathing the same air as her.

Luo Zhao's exhausted body and mind would be ignited by the flames of humiliation!

This intense negative emotion acted as the most potent tonic, instantly dispelling all her fatigue and weakness.

Only one thought remained in her mind:

Become stronger!

She must become stronger!

She must become stronger than Gu Chengyin!

She must become smarter, more ruthless, and more adept at reading people's hearts than him!

Only then could she break free from her dependence on him.

And then.

On the day she finally broke free, at the moment she seized absolute power.

She would personally lock this bastard in a dark, sunless underground dungeon!

She would bind his limbs with the strongest chains and cripple all his martial arts and true qi!

She would watch him struggle, watch him despair, bit by bit!

Watch him pay a thousand times over for the humiliation she was enduring right now!

"Hmm?"

Right at that moment, Gu Chengyin, who was leaning against the cushions, suddenly felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine.

He shifted his shoulders in confusion and subconsciously glanced back at the carriage wall.

The windows were tightly shut, the curtains thick. The interior was as warm as spring, without the slightest draft seeping in.

"Strange," Gu Chengyin muttered, touching the back of his neck. "Did I catch a cold?"

He shook his head, tossing the inexplicable feeling to the back of his mind.

His gaze fell upon Luo Zhao, who was resting with her eyes closed.

"Your Highness."

Gu Chengyin spoke, breaking the silence inside the carriage.

Luo Zhao's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she gave a faint "Mhm" in response.

Gu Chengyin continued, "There is something I wish to ask you."

"Speak."

Gu Chengyin crossed his hands over his knees, his tone turning a bit more formal:

"It's about the Imperial Merchants."

"Imperial Merchants?"

The term caught Luo Zhao by surprise.

She pondered for a moment before saying, "Imperial Merchants are funded by the royal inner treasury and are generally managed by imperial relatives, eunuchs, or nobles on the crown's behalf."

"They specialize in purchasing supplies for the palace and hold certain exclusive trading rights."

"I also have quite a few Imperial Merchants under my command, all managed by Yun Ying."

"According to custom, thirty percent of the profits earned by the Imperial Merchants go to the inner treasury for royal expenses, while seventy percent is handed over to the state treasury to enrich the nation's funds."

This was the basic regulation regarding Imperial Merchants in the Great Luo Dynasty.

The Imperial Merchant system was massive and complex. It was not only a crucial source of income for the royal family but also a vital means of controlling key resources and maintaining influence.

Gu Chengyin nodded in understanding, then asked:

"Do members of the noble clans participate in the Imperial Merchants? For instance, as proxy managers."

This question delved a bit deeper.

Luo Zhao frowned slightly, recalling the relevant information. After a moment, she replied, "Yes. The affairs of the Imperial Merchants are complicated and cover a wide range of trades. It's difficult to manage every detail, especially when it comes to specific operations."

"Therefore, they often collaborate with major local merchants, powerful guilds, and even reputable noble clans."

"These partners provide channels, talent, technology, and sometimes even advance funds, taking a cut of the profits in return."

She looked at Gu Chengyin, her gaze growing more inquisitive:

"Those newly risen noble clans in the Luo capital have cooperative dealings with multiple Imperial Merchants."

"After all, when it comes to the specific business of making a profit, they are indeed more professional and flexible."

Having explained this, Luo Zhao asked directly, "Are you asking this all of a sudden because you've discovered something?"

Gu Chengyin shook his head, a thoughtful expression on his face:

"Not exactly a discovery. I just feel that His Majesty..."

Halfway through, Gu Chengyin changed the subject and asked:

"Your Highness, the Hall of Letters and Logic hasn't yet investigated the Imperial Merchants associated with the Xiao clan, have they?"

Luo Zhao confirmed, "No. Currently, based on the clues and evidence provided by Shangguan Yuan, the focus is on auditing the accounts of the main Xiao family and their directly affiliated merchant houses, tracing the flow of illicit funds and the chain of interests."

"Although they do have business dealings with some Imperial Merchants, which is reflected in their accounts, that is not the core of the investigation."

The accounts of Imperial Merchants involved the inner treasury and the royal family, making them inherently more sensitive and complicated to investigate. Without a clear direction, they wouldn't be touched lightly.

"Do we need to investigate them?" Luo Zhao pressed.

Gu Chengyin pondered for a moment and nodded. "Look into them, especially the Imperial Merchants in Lanling Commandery."

"Lanling Commandery?"

A sharp light flashed in Luo Zhao's eyes. Lanling Commandery was the ancestral home of the Xiao clan and the seat of their greatest power.

Gu Chengyin paused, then added, "It's just a direction. Investigate it first; there might be unexpected gains."

Luo Zhao committed Gu Chengyin's words to memory and nodded solemnly:

"Alright. Once we return, I will arrange for personnel to focus on auditing the Lanling Commandery Imperial Merchants who have close ties with the Xiao clan."

"By the way," Gu Chengyin remembered something else and asked casually, "Has Shangguan Yuan sent over any new evidence?"

Luo Zhao nodded. "He's already sent two rounds, all brought back by Yun Ying."

"That's good."

Having finished discussing business, Gu Chengyin leaned back again and closed his eyes to rest.

Meanwhile, Luo Zhao's gaze fell upon him once more.

"Junior Preceptor Gu..."

When she had uttered this title on the palace path, she had felt it was a tremendous humiliation.

But now, silently reciting it in her heart, it became a strange kind of motivation.

Previously, Gu Chengyin was a subordinate, and Luo Zhao was the Heir Apparent.

If there were things he didn't say, she couldn't just ask about everything.

But now, Gu Chengyin was the Junior Preceptor to the Heir; teaching was his duty.

While this certainly annoyed her, looking at it from another angle, wasn't this a perfect learning opportunity?

To learn his schemes, his foresight, and how he manipulated situations.

Once she had mastered all his skills, no longer needed to rely on him, and became even stronger than him...

At this thought.

The corners of Luo Zhao's mouth curled up involuntarily.