This time, his attitude was so good that it made Mu Changxi reluctant to continue making things difficult for him.
"Mm."
Mu Changxi gave a noncommittal hum before saying, "Let's enter the city first. We can talk about anything after we're inside!"
"Yes!"
Official Han wiped the sweat from his forehead, putting on a respectful demeanor.
The group bustled into the city, and Song Chaoyu also lifted the carriage curtain, looking around.
She noticed that Yuezhou City seemed more prosperous than Haizhou City.
The streets were bustling with people, orderly and not at all like a place that had just suffered a disaster.
Moreover, Han Luoyang seemed to have a good reputation among the common people.
As he passed by, many citizens greeted him warmly, and he returned their smiles, presenting a harmonious and pleasant scene.
Song Chaoyu had already prepared herself for this: this Han Luoyang would surely be more difficult to deal with than Gu Xuezhuo.
Han Luoyang led them all the way to the entrance of the prefectural office, having arranged everything properly: "Within the prefectural office, there are places to stay, originally set up to receive officials from the capital. Playing a game with the Princess Consort staying at the prefectural office will also be convenient for daily affairs. Everything in our Yuezhou City is now entrusted to His Highness the Prince, and we implore His Highness for guidance."
His smiling face almost gave Song Chaoyu the illusion for a moment: perhaps this Han Luoyang wasn't a bad person?
Mu Changxi didn't say much more, signaling Xiao Ruizi to enter, and their group proceeded into the prefectural office.
But before they could even settle down, Official Han entered with a group of servants.
Song Chaoyu noticed that each servant was carrying stacks and stacks of items.
After placing the items before Mu Changxi, they retreated. Song Chaoyu looked closely and saw that they appeared to be all the case files and records from Yuezhou City during this period.
Song Chaoyu was momentarily confused as to what Han Luoyang meant.
Mu Changxi, however, understood immediately, a cold smile curling his lips: "Official Han is the parent official of Yuezhou City. I am only in charge of disaster relief matters in Yuezhou City and will not concern myself with your ordinary cases."
Song Chaoyu also understood. Han Luoyang intended to hand over all these trivial matters to Mu Changxi.
Firstly, to distract Mu Changxi's attention.
Secondly, it was a way for him to give Mu Changxi a "show of dominance," leaving Mu Changxi, who knew nothing about Yuezhou City, at a loss.
This Han Luoyang was indeed more difficult to deal with than Gu Xuezhuo.
A hint of annoyance flickered in Song Chaoyu's eyes, but she quietly lowered her head.
Han Luoyang also put on a show of difficulty as he replied to Mu Changxi: "These are merely the case files from the flood to the present. Your Highness is here for disaster relief and to investigate the case of the missing relief funds, so I believe these materials will be of some help to you. Please rest assured, Your Highness, whatever you need, Yuezhou City, unlike Haizhou City, will not refuse. We will certainly cooperate fully with Your Highness!"
This man was truly eloquent!
Song Chaoyu frowned, but Mu Changxi's expression remained calm as he said to Han Luoyang, "Very well, tomorrow morning, bring all the officials here. Today, I am tired, and the Princess Consort is also tired. We will rest first."
"Alright! Your subordinate understands!"
Han Luoyang, believing that Mu Changxi had retreated, was overjoyed and his face beamed with a smile.
After Han Luoyang withdrew, Song Chaoyu sighed and looked at the files: "This person is really difficult to deal with. What do you plan to do?"
Mu Changxi was not flustered at all: "He insists on pushing things into my hands, why would I refuse? It's just that tonight, everyone will have a sleepless night."
What was this man up to?
—
That night, the candlelight in Mu Changxi's room remained lit.
Han Luoyang, sitting in his own residence, heard the servant's report and smiled triumphantly: "So many files, so many cases, enough for him to look through for several days! I am not as foolish as Lord Gu! Once Prince Chang finishes dealing with those complex files, he will naturally have no energy left to manage the matter of the funds. Then, I'll just take ten thousand taels to report back, and he'll accept it!"
"Your Lordship is wise!"
The attendant beside him nodded obsequiously: "Your Lordship suffered a loss last time. This time, knowing Prince Chang's temperament, we know how to deal with him."
"That's right!"
A hint of hatred appeared in Han Luoyang's eyes: "Last time, he played me for a fool. This time, I'll let him know my prowess! Hmph, what Prince Chang, if he blocks my path to wealth, even the Emperor is useless! If he can't report back to the Emperor, it won't be my fault! Let them be busy, and we'll sleep soundly!"
That night, Official Han slept soundly. It was as if, even in his dreams, he was swimming in mountains of gold and silver.
Until the rooster crowed early the next morning, he still felt that the crowing disturbed his pleasant dream!
But he did not forget that he had to bring the people of the Yuezhou Prefectural Office to see Mu Changxi that morning.
—
Song Chaoyu had stayed up all night with Mu Changxi, but she was still quite awake when the rooster crowed in the morning.
She asked for hot water to wash up, ate some food, and then asked Qiu Qing to extinguish a charcoal basin to lower the room temperature and prevent drowsiness.
As dawn broke, Official Han, along with all the personnel from the Yuezhou Prefectural Office, stood outside their door: "Your subordinate, along with the personnel of the Yuezhou Prefectural Office, have come to pay respects to Prince Chang."
"Come in."
Mu Changxi, sitting in his wheelchair, had already finished washing up. He wore a moon-white brocade robe, but it could not conceal his sharp aura.
When Official Han entered, he was stunned to see Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu looking so energetic.
In his heart, he felt that they were merely forcing themselves to stay awake.
Seeing everyone enter, Mu Changxi surveyed them and then asked, "Who is the Yuezhou Grain Master?"
A person behind Official Han stepped forward: "Your subordinate is Wang Pingzhi, the Yuezhou Grain Master. I pay my respects to Prince Chang."
"Hmph!"
Mu Changxi snorted coldly, then threw a case file in front of Wang Pingzhi: "Take a look. Don't you intend to explain anything to me?"
The case file concerned an incident involving the grain stores.
Wang Pingzhi's ambiguous behavior within it clearly violated the laws of the Great Yue Dynasty.
No one had expected Mu Changxi to find this particular case file so accurately.
Wang Pingzhi was also stunned and looked back at Official Han.
"Why are you looking at him? Did you not do the deed? Or does the matter have something to do with Official Han?"
Mu Changxi gave them no chance to exchange glances and sternly questioned Wang Pingzhi: "Official Wang, having committed such an act, do you not owe me an explanation?!"