An Exorbitant Demand

After the exam, everyone left in twos and threes. You Lu and the eldest prince Su Yan'an walked together, chatting and laughing, still discussing the highlights of the exam.

Suddenly, a red figure rushed out from the side and blocked the three of them, arrogantly raising her chin and saying, "Xiao Yunlu, is it? What kind of skill is it to hide behind others and point fingers? If you have the guts, then compete with me!"

It was the Fifth Princess who arrived.

You Lu's eyes lit up; he had been watching for a long time and was already itching to take a bite. Now that the Fifth Princess had delivered herself to his doorstep, he wouldn't be polite.

He couldn't help but sigh, "The Fifth Princess is such a kind person; she's always there to help me when I'm feeling sleepy."

Pixiu shook his head. "This girl knows you're at odds with the Third Prince and Consort Yi, yet she deliberately came to cause trouble. Is she afraid you won't cause trouble for her own brother and mother?"

[You don't understand, that's called professionalism. What a competent actress! She never forgets her public persona.]

Afraid that Xiao Yunya would run away, You Lu hurriedly stepped forward, "Okay, I accept your offer..."

"Ya'er, don't be rude!"

The unfinished words were interrupted by a stern rebuke, and Consort Yi, dressed in a magnificent palace gown, walked quickly in, supported by Granny Gui.

"They came really fast." Youlu clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.

"She's here to avenge her nephew, isn't she?" Pixiu guessed.

[No, please affectionately call today's Consort Yi the Goddess of Wealth.] You Lu pretended to be mysterious.

brave troops:【??】

Fearing that Consort Yi's visit might be ill-intentioned, the eldest prince and Su Yan'an exchanged a glance, then flanked Youlu, bowing and saying, "Greetings, Your Highness, Consort Yi."

Consort Yi stopped in front of the crowd and nodded slightly. "No need for formalities."

Turning her head, she raised her willow-leaf eyebrows and angrily shouted at the Fifth Princess, "Why aren't you back in the palace to wash and change? Look at you, neither male nor female, always brandishing swords and spears, where is the slightest bit of the demeanor of a noble lady!"

The Fifth Princess's face darkened, and she clenched her fists tightly before turning away.

Pixiu curled its lip, "[I suspect Consort Yi isn't just taking her anger out on others, but is also indirectly criticizing me.]"

[She was indeed making a veiled attack; after all, Xiao Yunya had been caught secretly reading the Empress's biography. Consort Yi already disliked her because she was a girl, and now that she'd discovered Xiao Yunya's secret admiration for the Empress, it was no wonder her life was going to be difficult.] (You Lu)

The eldest prince also understood the implication in Consort Yi's words, and his expression turned unpleasant. He bowed with a serious face and said, "If Consort Yi has nothing else to say, we will take our leave."

He pulled the deer away.

Consort Yi stepped to the side, blocking the two of them. She adjusted the veil at her temple and said with a half-smile, "I dare not disturb the First Prince. I only wish to have a chat with the Seventh Prince."

The eldest prince frowned, about to speak, when Youlu spoke first: "Eldest brother and Su brother should go back first. The Imperial Concubine is a very kind person and will definitely not make things difficult for me, right, Imperial Concubine?" He grinned at Imperial Concubine Yi.

"Of course, everyone knows how kind and gentle I am." Consort Yi gripped her handkerchief tightly and smiled through gritted teeth.

The eldest prince was still worried. Youlu beckoned him to lower his head, and when he leaned closer, he whispered, "Elder brother, don't worry. She's here to plead for Yi Xunyuan. In a bit, you should pretend to leave and say you're going to complain to Father. Then just stay away and watch the show."

Seeing his confidence, the eldest prince nodded and said loudly, "In that case, I'll go ahead first. I have something to report to my father."

Su Yan'an didn't hear their whispered conversation and was scratching his head in frustration when the eldest prince dragged him away.

Seeing the eldest prince leave and the surrounding people dispersed, the anxious Consort Yi could no longer maintain her composure and cut to the chase: "What will it take for you to let Xun Yuan go?"

Consort Yi was furious. Her son had been beaten by Xiao Yunlu not long ago, and just a few days later, before she could even get revenge, her nephew had been dragged into this mess.

Heaven knows that when she heard the palace servant report that Yi Xunyuan had been injured by the Seventh Prince, she almost couldn't catch her breath and nearly died. Unfortunately, it was her own nephew who had provoked the other party first and left behind incriminating evidence, leaving her no choice but to beg for help.

Consort Yi gets a headache whenever she hears the word "deer," and she's convinced that she's incompatible with that word.

Knowing that Consort Yi was in a hurry, Youlu didn't waste any words. He rubbed his fingers together and said with a grin, "Hasn't Your Highness heard the saying 'Money can make the devil turn the millstone'?"

"You want money?" Consort Yi asked in surprise, seemingly not expecting his request to be so simple.

She tentatively asked, "Your mother is imprisoned in Weiyang Palace. Don't you want to take this opportunity to rescue her?"

Youlu shrugged. "A mountain to rely on is crumbling. She has no feelings for me, and I feel no feelings for her. Rather than placing my hopes on her, I'd rather leave myself a way out."

He sighed with feigned helplessness, put his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle. "Your Majesty, as you know, I grew up in the city and have had enough of poverty. Compared to those illusory things, I prefer real money."

Consort Yi nodded in agreement, but then shook her head repeatedly. No, no, this kid isn't as simple as he seems. She can't be fooled by just a few words.

However, his request can be fulfilled.

Fortunately, she was prepared.

With just a glance, Granny Gui understood her meaning. She turned around, took a box from the maid behind her, opened it, and said, "Here are five thousand taels of silver notes. Your Highness, Seventh Prince, please take a look."

Lu rubbed his hands together, revealing a hint of greed at just the right moment. Consort Yi saw this and thought she had him under her control.

Just as Consort Yi was feeling smug, Youlu chuckled, closed the box, and shook his head, saying, "If I had known Your Highness was so insincere, I wouldn't have wasted my time here with you."

Consort Yi's confident expression cracked. "What do you mean?!"

Youlu blinked innocently, "It means exactly what it says, you gave me too little."

Consort Yi choked.

The eldest prince has been gone for a while now. If we don't persuade that bastard to change his testimony as soon as possible, it may be too late.

Thinking of this, Consort Yi said anxiously, "Ten thousand taels! No more than that!"

Xunyuan is her elder brother's only son; he absolutely cannot be harmed!

You Lu remained noncommittal, leisurely crossing her arms and mimicking Consort Yi's haughty manner, slowly pacing as she spoke: "Insubordination is a capital offense, not to mention the many heinous things Yi Xunyuan has done. If I just report him to the Emperor, I guarantee his head will roll. You think you can buy his life with five thousand taels? You're seriously underestimating your own nephew!"

"How much do you want?" Consort Yi practically spat out those words through gritted teeth.

You Lu held up five fingers, "Fifty thousand taels, no bargaining."

Consort Yi staggered and almost fainted.

Granny Gui was greatly shocked and exclaimed, "The Seventh Prince is really asking for an exorbitant price!"

You Lu said indifferently, "Don't put it so harshly. I also need to spend money to bribe my elder brother and Young Master Su. This money isn't just for me. Whether you give it to me or not is up to you. It's not my nephew who's going to get beheaded. I'm just taking a little less silver, but Yi Xunyuan will lose his life."

He casually remarked, "Oh dear, I wonder if my eldest brother has seen Father yet. At his pace, he should be almost at Yixin Palace by now."

Meanwhile, the eldest brother he mentioned, after avoiding Consort Yi's eyes and ears, circled back with Su Yan'an. At this moment, the two of them were perched on the wall with grass on their heads, watching the show.