Chapter 117 Chapter Chapter Between Hot and Cold
Prince Cheng accepted the task and pulled Yinxiang aside to complain with a headache.

"Thirteenth, the Emperor is putting me on the fire. If my eighth brother smiles at me, I will be in trouble."

"You come and give me some advice on how to do the job that the Emperor has assigned me. These are too annoying. After this imperial examination, I want to concentrate on writing books and stay away from the court affairs."

Yinxiang followed behind Prince Cheng and said, "Brother, I have just returned to the capital and am not familiar with everything. If you don't mind, I do have an idea."

"tell me the story."

"Third brother, do you think the emperor cares more about my eighth sister-in-law's cheating in the imperial examination or my eighth brother's embezzlement in the Imperial Household Department?" Yinxiang did not answer but asked back.

"This... If the imperial examination is not handled properly, students all over the world will be indignant. The right and wrong of the affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs all depend on the emperor's decision. I think the imperial examination is more important." Prince Cheng thought about it and hesitated.

Yinxiang shook his head: "No. Third brother is indeed a man who is well-versed in the books of sages and scholars, and he puts the interests of students all over the world first."

"It's just that my brother thinks the opposite." Yinxiang analyzed, "For the emperor, the imperial examination is held every three years, and at least a hundred people are selected each time. Over the years, our Qing Dynasty is full of talents, but it's just an imperial examination."

"What's more, Rong Haibin keeps saying Eighth Concubine. She is not Eighth Concubine. In the end, it's all about the prince's wife."

"But it's different with Bige. We didn't go through the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Guess how much silver it is."

Yinxiang smiled shyly, "I have been wandering around for a long time, so I am quite sensitive about money. Third brother, don't think I am vulgar. It is these yellow and white things that are most attractive to me. When I am really broke, I want to find the assassin organizations in the storybooks. My skills can be rated as top-notch at least."

Prince Cheng was amused and felt that he was mostly convinced by Yinxiang.

"If we want to know where Lao Ba's money came from, we can either check the accounts or search Lao Ba's mansion. So, how about we split up into two groups?"

Yinxiang looked very supportive and did not object. If the Eighth Prince really embezzled money, he would hide it decisively and would never give others any handle in his own home.

Prince Cheng went to the Imperial Household Department himself, and Yinxiang went to the Eighth Master's Mansion. It was obvious that Prince Cheng also felt that there would be nothing in the Eighth Master's Mansion.

"Just obey my orders, brother." Yinxiang replied.

"Come to think of it, Thirteen, have you gained some weight compared to a few days ago?" Prince Cheng looked him up and down. Based on his many years of experience in brothels, he must have gained more than a finger joint.

Yinxiang smiled shyly: "My younger brother has been wandering for a long time, and now he has suddenly returned to a wealthy place. It is inevitable that he will indulge in food and drink. I am sorry to make you laugh."

"What's the big deal? I have some excellent game. When this is over, I'll host you. You must come."

Yinxiang watched Prince Cheng walk away, and said to his entourage, "Bring me a coat, it's a bit cold."

Yinxiang knocked on the door of the Eighth Master's house and said casually, "Is Eighth Master home? I want to see him for a drink."

"Replying to Master Thirteen, Master Eight is not here, and his wife is at home now."

"That's perfect. It's the same even if Eighth Sister-in-law is here. I heard that Eighth Sister-in-law can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. It's the same even if I drink with her."

The doorman was speechless. How could this be the same? I had never heard of any sister-in-law and brother-in-law drinking alone. The Thirteenth Master was indeed a person who had wandered among the people and was not fussy about trivial matters.

After receiving the report from the gatekeeper, the Eighth Lady knew that the visitor had ill intentions, but she was not afraid. Early this morning, she took people to check the mansion inside and out, but did not find any problems.

"Yinxiang greets Eighth Sister-in-law, how are you?" Yinxiang put away his playful smile when he saw Eighth Lady, and greeted her seriously. "Yinxiang has been back in Beijing for a long time, and I haven't come to see Eighth Brother and Eighth Sister-in-law yet. It's Yinxiang's fault. I apologize to Eighth Sister-in-law."

"Thirteenth brother, you are so polite. It's just that the food in my Eighth Master's mansion doesn't attract you. It can't compare with the Fourth Prince's mansion." The Eighth Lady's bright and elegant appearance added a hint of anger, with a different style.

It makes people sigh that the woman whom the Eighth Master would rather contradict than protect is indeed charming.

Yinxiang nodded and said, "Although I haven't tried the Eighth Sister-in-law's cooking, there are indeed many delicious foods at the Fourth Sister-in-law's house, which makes Yinxiang linger."

The Eighth Lady was speechless. After a pause, she made a gesture of invitation: "No one comes to visit you for no reason. What can I do for you today, Thirteenth Brother?" "I have some serious business. My Third Brother has been asked by the Emperor to investigate the cheating in the imperial examinations and the sale of official positions. I am here to help him." Yinxiang said directly, "My Third Brother has assigned me a task, which is to come to Eighth Brother's house as a guest, and by the way..."

"And search the house!" The Eighth Lady sneered, "I've never heard of such an outrageous thing. The prince's house can be searched at will. If you don't find anything, even if you tell the Emperor, our master is right."

"Of course, when the time comes, Third Brother will come and apologize to Eighth Sister-in-law in person."

"In that case, then, Sister-in-law Eighth, lead the way?"

Even though the Eighth Lady was reluctant, she had to adjust her mindset and lead Yinxiang to visit the garden.

For two whole hours, the group did not stop for a second. The people brought by Yinxiang acted very tactfully and put the turned over items back in their original places in an orderly manner.

Finally, only the Eighth Prince's study was left unsearched. Yinxiang said, "The study is a sensitive area. My brother is not ignorant. They don't need to go in. My brother, take a look. Eighth Sister-in-law will lead the way."

The study in the front yard has always been a forbidden area for women in the rear house, and Yihuan almost never entered Yinzhen's study.

The Qing Dynasty had a tradition that the harem was not allowed to interfere in political affairs. The princes' wives were mostly confined to the inner house. The Eighth Concubine was one of the few who participated in political affairs with the tacit consent of the Eighth Prince.

The Eighth Lady appeared to be very familiar with the Eighth Master's study. Yinxiang followed behind her, trying to find an angle to create a blind spot where the two of them could not see each other, which would make it easier for him to act.

Suddenly, Yinxiang's eyes fell on the box containing the picture album at the lower right corner of the table, and a bright yellow corner was exposed at the bottom.

Huh? what is that?
Yinxiang subconsciously touched his belly, walked over, and lifted it up to take a look.

Wow, it’s the prince’s casual clothes.

However, Yinxiang had sharp eyes and realized that the size was wrong.

The second prince's elder brother was tall and slender, with a waist similar to his own. But according to Yinxiang's visual observation, the man wearing this casual dress was half a head shorter than the second prince's elder brother, and his waist was at least two fingers wider.

It's like the body of a starling.

When the Eighth Lady saw what Yinxiang was holding, her expression changed drastically: "What is this?"

"Sister-in-law, you've stumped me. Did you sew this prince's uniform for Brother Ba?"

Shit!

The Eighth Lady almost uttered a foul language: "Of course not."

"Oh, that's what Brother Ba hid secretly. Sister-in-law is willing to sacrifice her own family for the sake of justice. Brother admires her."

"What?" The Eighth Lady was a little confused as to what the Thirteenth Lady was saying.

"Come with me to meet the emperor together with my third brother. Don't worry, as long as my sister-in-law is unaware of what my eighth brother did, I will definitely keep her safe."

"You framed me!"

"My brother didn't." Yinxiang raised his hands to look innocent. In fact, he had prepared everything but he just didn't use it.

I don’t know which god the starling has offended again, but the trap has been set.

He just pretended he didn't know.

When Yinxiang's attendant saw him coming out with his coat in his hand, he asked, "Sir, aren't you going to wear it?"

"Oh, I feel hot again."