Heaven Dou City, Crown Prince's Mansion.
Xue Qinghe sat in a chair, supporting his forehead with one hand, his eyes closed in a brief rest.
In the pitch-black night, crickets chirped incessantly, making the air irritatingly noisy.
A guard entered from outside and bowed to Xue Qinghe.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, I found it!"
Xue Qinghe opened his eyes, straightened up, and beckoned. "Bring it here. Let me see."
Xue Qinghe accepted the documents from the guard. After reading them, the corners of his lips lifted slightly. "A merchant commoner? Whale oil? Heh, interesting."
"And he borrowed a huge sum of money, leaving his cash flow in crisis?"
Cheng Xiao's affairs could not be concealed at all. Even the nobles could investigate them, much less Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince. If Xue Qinghe wished, he could uncover far more than those nobles ever could.
Putting away the documents, Xue Qinghe lightly tapped the tabletop as he pondered. After a long while, he looked at the guard standing watch nearby and said, "Pass down my decree. From now on, the Cheng Family will supply whale oil exclusively to the imperial family. Also, send them a sum of money and say it is my reward."
"Yes!"
The guard bowed, preparing to withdraw.
"Wait." Xue Qinghe stopped him. "I am about to break through. I will begin closed-door cultivation tonight. For the next few days, no matter who comes, do not disturb me."
"Yes, understood!"
"Leave."
After the guard departed, Xue Qinghe went to the window and leaned against the railing, gazing at the moon. Under the cold, pale moonlight, his handsome face appeared somewhat feminine.
"The more unwilling you are, the more I will shower you with favor. You may refuse, but I refuse to believe your family will refuse as