Back at Prince Li Manor, Gu Yanshu reclaimed the lacquered box from Zhi Ge.
He counted the banknotes three times over—each tally deepening his smile.
Though greater fortunes had passed through his hands in his past life, never had wealth come so effortlessly.
Even his legendary "first barrel of gold"—that fabled windfall whispered about as divine favor—had demanded:
Month-long reconnaissance of every den's rules
Meticulous profiling of dealers' habits
Precise calculations of each establishment's payout limits
What outsiders called "lady luck's kiss" was in truth a masterclass in psychological warfare against casinos and croupiers.
But this?
Two steps:
Place the bet
Collect the winnings
Like catching a meteor shower of silver with bare hands.
No wonder his fingers trembled with exhilaration.
After the final count, he slid half the stack toward Qin Lu.
"Your share, Your Highness."
"You'd truly part with this?" Qin Lu's brow arched. The prince recognized theater when he saw it—Gu Yanshu could've reclaimed every tael without his presence.
"A promise is a promise."
No hesitation. No regrets.
Yet Qin Lu left the notes untouched.
"I contributed nothing today."
"Nothing?" Gu Yanshu chuckled, shaking his head. "Your mere presence at the den was worth more than a thousand soldiers."
He understood perfectly—while Qin Lu had seemed passive, his unspoken威慑力 had been the true catalyst.
Zhao Erye's swift compliance stemmed purely from bone-deep terror of the Fearsome King.
Without Qin Lu, reclaiming the money would've required:
Threats
Negotiations
Potential bloodshed
The 600,000 taels were a fair price for such effortless victory.
But beyond pragmatism—this was Qin Lu.
Since their wedding night, the prince had treated him as:
True spouse
Equal partner
Co-ruler of Prince Li Manor
Such loyalty deserved reciprocation.
"If my princess consort insists..." Qin Lu finally accepted the notes with a nod.
Their exchange nearly gave Zhi Ge an aneurysm.
120,000 taels! His hands had trembled counting that fortune earlier.
Even half would fund their battalions for years—yet His Highness had hesitated!
Only when Qin Lu pocketed the money did Zhi Ge exhale.
His gaze toward Gu Yanshu now held newfound reverence.
600,000 taels parted with so freely?
Such magnanimity deserved lifelong service.
______
Interruption
"Your Highness—Fifth Prince requests audience."
Before Bai Zhu finished, a cheerful voice interrupted:
"Since when do I need announcements? Brother, I'm entering!"
Qin Hao strolled in mid-sentence—
Then froze.
"Gu... Gu Yanshu?"
The name slipped out in undisguised shock.
"Fifth Prince."
Compared to Qin Hao's stunned expression, Gu Yanshu remained utterly composed, merely nodding in acknowledgment.
The close bond between the Fifth and Third Princes was no secret in Tianqi—evident even during their wedding festivities.
Yet Gu Yanhu hadn't anticipated this level of intimacy:
Qin Hao entering Qin Lu's study without announcement
Guards like Zhi Ge and Xing Ren treating it as routine
The address "Fifth Prince" finally snapped Qin Hao from his daze.
He blinked at Gu Yanshu, then at Zhi Ge, then at the unfamiliar desk—
Before whirling toward Xing Ren:
"This is Third Brother's study, right? I didn't wander into the wrong courtyard?"
"Correct, Your Highness."
"Then why—?" Qin Hao jabbed a finger at Gu Yanshu's workstation, face scrunched in confusion.
Having visited this room countless times, the new addition jarred him.
"My order." Qin Lu's calm interjection deepened Qin Hao's bewilderment.
"You—?!"
"Consort Gu requires space for household affairs. No spare rooms available."
As if explaining why he'd chosen a particular tea blend, not reshaping imperial sibling dynamics.
Problems?
Qin Hao nearly choked.
This was the most heavily guarded chamber in Prince Li Manor!
When he'd once begged to work here, Qin Lu had dismissed him with:
"Is Fifth Prince Manor's study inadequate?"
Now this casual "Any problems?"
Swallowing his outrage, Qin Hao forced neutrality:
"None whatsoever."
Qin Lu's slight nod implied even objections wouldn't have mattered.
(Thankfully Qin Hao lacked mind-reading—or he'd have wept at his brother's indifference.)
"Your earlier news?" Qin Lu redirected.
"Ah! The rumors!" Distracted, Qin Hao leaned in eagerly.
"They say you stormed ChangLe Den at noon with Gu... Young Master Gu?"
He'd almost said "Gu Yanshu"—but Qin Lu's demeanor prompted unexpected formality.
"We visited." No point denying public knowledge.
Qin Hao's eyes lit up. "Then the 1.2 million taels they claim you took—?"
"1,215,000 taels precisely." Qin Lu corrected, fingertips brushing the 600,000 in his robe.
"ChangLe actually paid?!"
A confirming glance sufficed.
After a stunned pause, Qin Hao burst into glee:
"Magnificent! Big Brother Qin Sheng must be vomiting blood by now!"
"Qin Sheng? The First Prince?" Gu Yanshu finally interjected. "ChangLe Den is his?"
Qin Hao's chatter ceased abruptly.
A glance at Gu Yanshu, then at Qin Lu—regret flashed across his face.
He'd forgotten this wasn't just a private sibling conversation.
Thankfully, nothing classified had been disclosed.
Yet as Qin Hao mentally berated himself for carelessness, Qin Lu spoke:
"Though not under his name, ChangLe surrenders 90% profits annually to the First Prince. Effectively his."
"Ah." Gu Yanshu's eyes gleamed with understanding.
Now the den's liquidity made sense—imperial backing explained everything.
His gaze drifted to Qin Lu, teasing: "Seems the First Prince surpasses Your Highness in financial acumen."
Qin Lu sipped tea silently.
In fiscal matters, Qin Sheng did outshine him.
But Qin Hao snorted: "Acumen? Sheer nepotism! He controls the entire Ministry of Revenue!"
Bitterness laced his words.
Gu Yanshu arched a brow.
"The Minister's his man," Qin Hao clarified after checking Qin Lu's expression. "Every military fund request becomes an ordeal."
During border wars, Qin Sheng dared not withhold funds blatantly.
But since Qin Lu's return to the capital?
Endless excuses—poor harvests, empty coffers—all boiling down to: No silver.
Hence Qin Lu subsidizing troops from personal reserves.
Qin Hao expected outrage from Gu Yanshu.
Instead, the consort stroked his chin thoughtfully: "Actually... that's rather balanced."
"Balanced?!"
"Your Highness commands the military. The First Prince holds the purse strings. Classic imperial checks."
History's wisest emperors had perfected this divide-and-rule tactic.
Pitting two irreconcilable rivals against each other?
Brilliantly simple.
Qin Hao opened his mouth—then shut it.
Logically, he understood.
Emotionally? Unacceptable.
"Still unfair!" Qin Hao finally huffed, crossing his arms like a petulant child.
Meanwhile, Qin Lu observed Gu Yanshu with newfound intensity—
The emperor's strategy of pitting him against Qin Sheng through military vs financial control had taken him years to decipher.
Yet Gu Yanshu grasped it within minutes.
Such political acumen...
Had this mind been channeled into governance—
"Why that look, Your Highness?" Gu Yanshu caught his gaze.
"Wondering if you harbor regrets."
Marrying into royalty meant eternal exile from officialdom—a cruel waste for talent like his.
Qin Lu recalled Zhi Ge's report—that resigned "Is the Mu family innocent either?"
Perhaps consummating their marriage had been selfish—
"Pfft—"
Gu Yanshu's laugh shattered his introspection.
"Did Your Highness forget my vow?"
Those luminous eyes held Qin Lu captive as lips shaped the unforgettable:
"From the moment I stepped into Prince Li Manor, I never considered turning back."
A beat. Then firmer:
"I. Regret. Nothing."
The unspoken echoed between them—
Gu Yanshu chose this path.
With his intellect, evading the marriage would've been trivial.
He wanted to be here.
Qin Lu's chest tightened strangely before mirroring the smile:
"Nor do I."
Their locked gazes transmitted mutual understanding—
Leaving Qin Hao lost and inexplicably full despite barely finishing lunch.
______
First Prince's Manor
Elsewhere, Qin Sheng did regret—
Violently.
"CRASH—"
Another porcelain vase shattered.
The reported 1.2 million taels loss burned like acid.
"Why surrender the silver?!" He kicked the groveling Zhao Er'gou.
"Th-the Fearsome King himself came..."
"So?! You think him scarier than me?!"
Another kick. Another whimper.
1.2 million taels
Enough to fund three border garrisons for a year—
Gone.
"ChangLe Den's annual profits don't even reach 1.2 million taels!" Qin Sheng's roar shook the chamber. "And you handed it over like charity?!"
Zhao Er'gou trembled. "With... with the Fearsome King himself present... and the voucher authentic..."
His voice faded into terrified silence.
Deep down, Qin Sheng knew blaming this fool was pointless—yet the fury kept boiling.
"Qin! Lu! Gu! Yan! Shu!"
Each name tore from his throat like a curse, dripping with venomous hatred.
_____
Fourth Prince Qin Han finally intervened:
"Rage won't reclaim lost silver, Eldest Brother. We must strategize."
"Strategize? With what?" Qin Sheng snapped.
Qin Han remained unruffled. "First, we plug this financial rupture—though that requires careful planning."
He paused meaningfully. "Second... this disaster carries hidden advantages."
"Advantages?!"
"The bet concerned Gu Yanshu's survival in Prince Li Manor, no?" Qin Han's smile turned razor-thin. "Yet who ultimately claimed the winnings?"
Qin Sheng's scowl faltered—
"The Fearsome King and his consort themselves."
Qin Han let the implication hang.
"Imagine the gamblers' reactions when they discover..."