From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 838: Chapter 841: Inescapable Doom

"If you take two more steps back, you can take a bath right in the river," Gu Benluo reminded him coldly.

Gu Ben Can stiffened, forcing a smile. "Brother, let’s head back and talk things over properly. The wind is quite strong by the river."

"Stop grinning like an idiot," Gu Benluo said coldly. "Mother and Father are so busy, yet they still have to worry about you. Shouldn’t you reflect on yourself?"

Gu Ben Can felt incredibly wronged. He had been working hard as a diligent farmer these past few days, out cold the moment his head hit the pillow at night, only to face constant reprimands.

"I’ll definitely change my ways from now on," Gu Ben Can promised, deciding to just agree with whatever his older brother said for the time being.

But his little scheme obviously didn’t work on Gu Benluo. "Your instinct for playing dumb is certainly top-notch. Given your brains, settling for being a mere scholar would truly be a waste of your talents. At the very least, you must become an Advanced Scholar."

Gu Ben Can was speechless. He wondered why his goal had suddenly been pushed even higher in less than fifteen minutes.

"What’s wrong? Do you have a problem with that?"

Gu Ben Can made a last-ditch effort. "Brother, you think too highly of me. My success in becoming a Scholar last time was entirely thanks to you and Father. That alone took every ounce of strength I had. Aren’t you making things too difficult for me? Besides, shouldn’t we be focusing on something else today? We should be figuring out which bastard forced our family to close down all our businesses."

Seeing that he was still trying to change the subject, Gu Benluo refused to indulge him.

"Mother and Father have their reasons for not mentioning these things. Don’t you realize that the current situation outside is not something a mere Scholar like you can get involved in?" Gu Benluo was quick to shoot him down. "Even if Mother and Father gave you the secret recipe to build another family fortune, do you really think you could protect it with just your status as a Scholar?"

"No..."

"You were going to say you still have Father and me, right?" Gu Benluo looked at him coldly. "Did you forget what Mother and Father just said? Do you expect to rely on us for the rest of your life? Even if we were willing, what about your future descendants? If you don’t plan properly now, it’ll be too late for regrets later."

Gu Ben Can hugged his arms and shivered, knowing he was doomed tonight. He tried his best to prick up his ears and listen to his older brother’s lecture.

Others didn’t know this, but his biggest fear was being asked to repeat everything back after his brother finished scolding him. If he made any mistakes in summarizing such a long-winded speech, an even worse storm of fury would be waiting for him.

...

&

Hua Zhang rubbed Gu Wenheng’s memorial in his hands before standing up and walking toward Hua Shunming.

"What is it? Are you facing another dilemma?" Hua Shunming reclined on the couch, watching him with half-open eyes. He knew his own body well and knew he couldn’t hold on much longer, but he still insisted on coming to the Upper Study Room every day to advise the Crown Prince.

"Imperial Father, I feel that holding onto this secret recipe is a bit like holding a hot potato. I am truly not skilled in business, nor do I have the right subordinates for it."

"Oh? Then what is the Crown Prince’s intention?"

"I heard from my subordinates that ever since Mrs. Gu transferred those shops, she has gathered all her personnel together," Hua Zhang said. "I would like to purchase some manpower from her."

"Who gave you this idea?" Hua Shunming smiled with utmost affection, yet it made Hua Zhang’s pupils shrink in fear.

"I... thought of it myself."

"Crown Prince, you hesitated." Hua Shunming’s voice suddenly turned cold. "With the capabilities of your advisors, there’s no way they would give you such a wretched idea. If this were to happen to you, how would you feel? Don’t give me that nonsense about monarch and subject formalities. Not only are you not the ruler yet, but even if you were, do you think such methods are honorable?"

"Imperial Father..." Hua Zhang stammered.

"Your teachers have lectured you on the ways of a ruler, haven’t they? Have you not considered the consequences of handling matters this way?"

"No matter who gave you this idea, that person can no longer remain by your side." Supported by Le San, Hua Shunming sat up straight. "To think that even before you have taken the throne, the people around you have already developed such massive appetites."

Hua Shunming looked at the Crown Prince before him, feeling quite disappointed. Unwilling to say more, he waved his hand. "Go and reflect on this!"

Hua Zhang was speechless.

"Summon the Empress," Hua Shunming ordered.

"Imperial Father..." Hua Zhang pleaded softly.

However, Hua Shunming completely ignored him, leaving him standing there awkwardly.

When Empress Zhou arrived and saw the atmosphere in the study, her heart gave a jolt as she bowed respectfully.

"Empress, it is high time the people around the Crown Prince were properly disciplined," Hua Shunming stated.

Empress Zhou glanced at the Crown Prince and saw him hanging his head. "I will obey your command," she replied. She figured someone in the Eastern Palace’s harem must have stirred up trouble; otherwise, the Emperor wouldn’t have specifically called for her to address the matter.

"Imperial Father, I simply thought this was the best way to handle the matter. It has nothing to do with anyone else," Hua Zhang argued.

"Crown Prince," the Empress turned and scolded him. "Your harem indeed needs to be cleaned up."

Hua Shunming chuckled. "It is fitting that your Imperial Mother is here. I have been the ruler for many years, always maintaining a clear head. When have I ever listened to pillow talk? To think the Crown Prince has truly surpassed his father. You haven’t even inherited the throne yet, but you already know how to play the protective lover."

No matter how foolish Hua Zhang was, he could clearly hear the mockery in those words. His face turned pale with fright, and he quickly dropped to his knees. "I wouldn’t dare!" ree

Hua Shunming looked at the Empress. "What do you think, Empress? Does the Crown Prince truly not dare, or is he just unyielding?"

Empress Zhou knelt in front of the Crown Prince. "It is all my fault for failing to teach him properly. I beg the Holy Emperor to punish me."

Hua Shunming did not allow the mother and son to rise. Instead, he instructed Le San, "Go and thoroughly investigate everywhere the Crown Prince has been and everyone he has interacted with over the past two days. I do not wish for my empire to be taken over by someone so easily swayed in the future. Also, let this be a lesson to the Crown Prince as to why the harem is forbidden from participating in politics."

Cold sweat broke out on Hua Zhang’s forehead. He tried hard to recall how this entire matter had started, feeling intense resentment in his heart.

However, he didn’t dare do anything right now. He simply looked at the Empress in front of him with guilt, knowing he had implicated his mother.

Seeing this scene, Hua Shunming felt slightly relieved. At least the boy wasn’t entirely a lost cause.

But he still needed to be taught a harsh lesson to sound the alarm.

The people Hua Shunming sent out acted swiftly. In less than fifteen minutes, the chief culprit of this incident was brought over, tied up.

Looking at the consort who had seen him off so sweetly and delicately just that morning, Hua Zhang stared at her with a gaze full of scrutiny.

"Your Highness, I am innocent!"

"Shut up," Hua Zhang ordered, still kneeling in place as he turned his head to glare at her. She had indeed instigated the matter, but he was the one who had gullibly believed her. He felt both furious and deeply ashamed.

"Empress, Crown Prince, you may rise," Hua Shunming said.

Hua Zhang stood up first and quickly helped the Empress to her feet.

"The culprit has been rooted out for you. As for what comes next, you mother and son can handle it yourselves." After saying this, Hua Shunming left, supported by Le San.

With the time for him to let go fast approaching, Hua Shunming no longer had the energy to help them interrogate prisoners.

Hua Zhang escorted Hua Shunming to the door before turning his attention back to Consort Li, who was kneeling on the floor.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, I don’t know what I have done wrong. I beg the Empress and the Crown Prince to make it clear to me!" With her hands tied behind her back, Consort Li began SOBBING and pleading her case.