NOVEL NEXT Chapter 623: No Mercy (Extra)
"But to avoid revealing that he had already been turned into a foodie by Lin Yi, the young Emperor still calmly said.
"Fourth Imperial Uncle has a good heart. Since it's food bestowed by heaven, it should be shared. Pass my decree, take out all the crawfish found by the court and distribute them among the officials."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness."
Not only did the young Emperor miss the taste of the crawfish, but even Old General Mu couldn't forget the flavor.
Crawfish were available, but what about the seasoning?
"Your Majesty, while we have the crawfish, what about the seasoning? Last time it was concocted by General Lin's Nanshan Academy, and I still vividly remember it."
Old General Mu quickly raised his question, obviously targeting the Fourth Prince.
The Fourth Prince was not vague, confidently saying: "General Mu, don't worry, I have already had people develop a suitable seasoning that is affordable, 20 coins a packet, everyone present can afford it."
Lin Yi's crawfish seasoning was free, but with the Fourth Prince, there was a charge.
"With Master Lin absent, it is still the Fourth Prince who is considerate," said Old General Mu, before retreating to his spot.
But the Fourth Prince's face turned hot, feeling that these words indirectly mocked him.
Could it be that only when Lin Yi was absent could he attract everyone's attention in the court?
The young Emperor looked at the empty spot that originally belonged to Lin Yi, feeling unavoidably disheartened.
'Ah, you scoundrel, if you don't return today, I won't be able to eat the delicious crawfish.'
After the court assembly, unable to contain his longing, the young Emperor immediately used a walkie-talkie to call Lin Yi.
Who knew Lin Yi was still sound asleep.
"The sun is already up, and you're still not awake! The crawfish have been delivered to the palace, do you want to starve us both?"
Hearing the young Emperor's voice, Lin Yi jumped up from the sofa in fright.
"My dear, wait a moment, I'll arrange it now. The crawfish have arrived, right? Just let the Imperial Kitchen handle it, the seasonings are on the desk in the Political Discussion Room."
[Ding ding ding, the host has successfully purchased 100 packets of spicy crawfish seasoning and 100 packets of garlic seasoning, paying a total of 10,000 Heavenly Bead Coins, items have been dispatched to the desk in the Political Discussion Room.]
Knowing that Lin Yi was still busy outside, the young Emperor forgave him for the sake of the crawfish.
Lin Yi had just breathed a sigh of relief when Judge Zhong entered with a troubled expression.
Judge Zhong was a capable subordinate personally trained by Lin Yi, backed by him, even in face of difficulties it shouldn't be like this.
"Judge Zhong, tell me what happened?"
After hesitating, Judge Zhong weakly said: "Master Lin, we have found out who really burned down the Good Sound Music Workshop. It was the steward under the Fourth Prince."
This was already expected by Lin Yi, what he lacked was evidence.
"Proceed according to the law; the Fourth Prince will sacrifice the lesser for the greater, just have the steward confess his guilt. Daring to burn down my Good Sound Music Shop, he must pay the price."
However, Judge Zhong frowned and said: "Master Lin, the Fourth Prince's steward has stated, the Fourth Prince wants to stop the investigation here, I—"
Clearly, this blatant threat had exceeded what Judge Zhong could endure.
Lin Yi, furious, slammed the table, it seems the Fourth Prince floats a bit without regular promptings.
[Ding ding ding, the host successfully purchased a designated note, please enter content.]
This was for the Fourth Prince; Lin Yi, knowing that the Fourth Prince was inspecting maize germination in the cornfield through a Jade Pendant he carried, planned the note's placement on the bed of the pregnant side consort, which will naturally reach the Fourth Prince's hands soon.
'Fourth Prince, speaking of adding to your family, I've helped you greatly. I don't mind you not being thankful, but you even burned down my Good Sound Music Workshop, then I won't be polite.'
"A family that amasses virtue will flourish; Family Head, do not lose all humanity, aid tyranny, and reduce everything to ashes. Heaven knows and Earth knows, do not commit evil because it is small; do not refrain from doing good because it is trivial."
Indeed, as expected, the Fourth Prince, just back from the cornfield in the backyard, was refreshed and invigorated, and the corn had already sprouted.
On a hot summer day, the Fourth Prince Mansion was filled with vibrant vitality.
Just as he was about to turn around, the Fourth Prince was hastily bumped into by a servant.
"Damned fool, are you blind? Someone, drag him out and give him 100 strokes of the cane."
The servant, unconcerned about the punishment, shouted loudly: "Prince, Prince, something terrible has happened, the side consort, the side consort."
"Wait!"
Hearing it was about the side consort, the Fourth Prince immediately ordered the servant to be released.
"Speak, what happened?"
The servant quickly handed over an envelope, seeing the familiar red paper, the Fourth Prince trembled all over.
At that moment, the Divine had words for him, and he communicated with the Divine once again.
"Let him go, all of you, stand back!"
The Fourth Prince, with utmost devotion, opened the envelope, but upon reading the words, he instantly lost his composure.
His body couldn't help but tremble.
"Indeed, if you do not wish others to know, do not do it yourself."
To save the unborn child of the side consort, the Fourth Prince called the steward, had him surrender to confess setting fire to the previously Good Sound Music Workshop, promised to settle the steward's family, giving them 2000 taels, ensuring their lifelong sustenance.
The steward had no choice but to tearfully agree.
"Rest assured and go, my crayfish have already been retrieved, and I believe it won't be long before we make a fortune."
"Merely for arson, I'll make some arrangements, and you'll be out soon."
After drawing a big picture for the steward, the Fourth Prince ordered someone to personally escort the steward to the Office of Justice, a classic case of sacrificing one's own people for righteousness.
But anyone with clear eyes knew the steward was merely a scapegoat for the Fourth Prince.
Lin Yi, however, was not satisfied with just catching a steward as a scapegoat. With the steward no longer managing the Zuimeng Music Workshop, it was time to merge.
"Bai Lu, let's check on Zuimeng Music Workshop. And yes, send someone to invite the Fourth Prince."
The new Good Sound Music Workshop was some distance from Zuimeng Music Workshop.
Along the way, Lin Yi realized that the location of Zuimeng Music Workshop was quite good. To simply take those twenty singers seemed too generous a deal for the Fourth Prince.
They say, debts must be repaid, and life compensated for with life.
'Fourth Prince, you burned down my Good Sound Music Workshop, I want your Zuimeng Music Workshop as compensation, that seems fair, doesn't it?'
Lin Yi thought to himself as a smug smile appeared on his face.
Unknowingly, they arrived at the deserted Zuimeng Music Workshop.
"Master Lin, you've arrived!" Upon seeing Lin Yi, Zhen Ji, as if seeing a savior, eagerly wished Master Lin could support her, take her to the Imperial Palace, and perform for Your Majesty.
Lin Yi nodded politely, carefully examining the layout of Zuimeng Music Workshop, contemplating its remodeling.
At that moment, the guilt-ridden Fourth Prince arrived late.
Upon seeing Lin Yi, the Fourth Prince took the initiative to apologize, admitting the poor management under his charge, and never expected the steward to commit such a grievous mistake.
...End of Chapter...
ps: Additional update