While Gu Yanshu and Qin Lu strategized to dismantle Qin Sheng's grip on public opinion, Qin Sheng himself remained oblivious.
Instead, the First Prince was fuming over newly received reports—
"What did you say?"
His murderous glare pinned the kneeling subordinate in place.
"Th-that's what people are saying..."
The man ducked his head, stammering out the same damning words.
Qin Sheng never imagined he'd stumble on his strongest ground.
As Gu Yanshu predicted, after the morning court defeat, Qin Sheng had immediately summoned advisors to plot retaliation.
Their recommendation?
The same old tactic—spreading rumors.
After all, effectiveness trumped novelty.
Hadn't years of slander successfully demonized Qin Lu?
But when Qin Sheng ordered the rumor mill into action, his men reported:
It was too late.
The truth about the gambling incident had already spread like wildfire.
The capital's citizens now unanimously condemned ChangLe Den and its patrons—
"After enduring decades alone, how dare they mock Prince Li's newfound happiness?"
"The princess consort did right—teaching those slanderers a lesson!"
Some even romanticized Qin Lu's involvement:
"Indulging his consort's mischief? That's true devotion!"
"Could a man so loving truly be the cold-blooded monster rumors claim?"
In mere hours, Qin Lu's reputation had begun rebounding.
Without quick damage control, the streets would soon echo with ballads of the couple's epic romance.
Worse yet—
Whispers now implicated ChangLe Den itself:
"What kind of den runs such vile wagers? Probably a front for darker crimes!"
Years of meticulous scheming, nearly undone in one morning.
The backlash threatened to consume Qin Sheng himself.
Fury mounting, he snatched his teacup and hurled it at the messenger:
"OUT!"
The man scrambled away just as a guardsman rushed in—
Bowing briefly before delivering a sealed letter to Fourth Prince Qin Han.
"Understood. Dismissed."
Qin Han's expression darkened with each scanned page—
By the letter's end, his face was thunder incarnate.
Noticing Qin Han's darkened expression, the advisors in the room exchanged uneasy glances, a sense of foreboding settling over them.
Those gathered here were all trusted confidants of Qin Sheng—the newest among them had served the First Prince for at least three years.
Thus, they understood the princes well.
Qin Sheng was impulsive, lacking in strategy, and quick to anger—prone to outbursts over minor matters, as seen moments ago.
In contrast, Qin Han, though less visionary, was far more even-tempered.
Typically, he wore a gentle smile, unshaken by trivial provocations.
Yet now, a mere letter had twisted his expression into something unrecognizable.
As the advisors speculated about its contents, Qin Han stuffed the pages back into the envelope and handed it to a servant.
"Read it for yourselves."
Naturally, the curious advisors wasted no time.
After scanning the letter, they finally understood Qin Han's fury.
The earlier report—claiming the public suspected ChangLe Den of corruption—had been a gross understatement.
The reality was far worse.
Somehow, the Fifth Prince had uncovered every dirty secret of the gambling den.
Cheating dealers?
Trivial.
Trapping wealthy youths into gambling addictions?
Exposed.
And not just exposed—Qin Hao had broadcast these crimes citywide.
Now, the capital's citizens seethed with outrage, on the verge of storming the den themselves.
From the letter's details, the advisors knew:
The den was doomed.
Yet none dared voice this conclusion aloud.
They all knew ChangLe Den's true significance.
For years, it had been Qin Sheng's financial lifeline—filling coffers that even the Ministry of Revenue couldn't satisfy.
To call it his "most prized asset" would be an understatement.
Given the First Prince's temper, who would dare suggest sacrificing it?
After reading the letter, the advisors hesitated, eyes darting between one another in silence.
Finally, Qin Han broke the stalemate:
"Eldest Brother, I suggest we temporarily close ChangLe Den."
"Impossible!"
As expected, Qin Sheng's face darkened further, his refusal absolute.
"It's the only viable solution now," Qin Han pressed, his own expression strained.
Though the Minister of Revenue was their ally, Tianqi's treasury had long been depleted.
Even with control over the ministry, their gains were limited.
ChangLe Den was Qin Sheng's most lucrative venture—the cornerstone of their financial power.
Among Qin Sheng's various business ventures, the ChangLe Gambling Den was by far the most profitable—a veritable gold mine.
If given a choice, Qin Han would never suggest shutting it down. But circumstances left them no option:
"The den has always operated with shady practices. Normally, even if rumors spread, we could suppress them. The people might grumble, but they'd never take action... But now, that's no longer possible."
Had anyone else said this, Qin Sheng would have erupted in anger. But coming from Qin Han—his trusted younger brother—he listened with rare patience:
"Why not?"
"1.2 million taels is no small sum. As you said, His Majesty was clearly tempted during court this morning—only refraining because the money technically belonged to the Princess Consort."
Qin Han proceeded to dissect the implications:
"Though the Emperor declined the funds, he'll undoubtedly dwell on them. A ruler's word is final—having publicly refused Prince Li's money, he can't go back on it."
"But Eldest Brother, don't forget—that 1.2 million originally came from ChangLe Den..."
He left the thought unfinished, but Qin Sheng wasn't stupid. The unspoken meaning was clear:
If the Emperor wanted money he couldn't take from Qin Lu, he'd look elsewhere—
And the only "elsewhere" capable of such sums was ChangLe Den.
Seeing comprehension dawn on Qin Sheng's face, Qin Han sipped his tea and drove the point home:
"Had the den operated cleanly, His Majesty might have let it slide despite his interest. But with its crimes now public knowledge... if he orders an investigation..."
Qin Sheng's initial resistance evaporated, replaced by urgency:
"Shut it down! Tell Zhao Er'gou to close the den immediately!"
Even as he gave the order, his heart bled.
If yesterday's loss of 1.21 million taels to Qin Lu and Gu Yanshu felt like bleeding—
Today's decision to close the den was akin to carving flesh from his bones.
"Don't torment yourself, Eldest Brother."
Qin Han sighed at the palpable grief in his voice:
"Without ChangLe Den, we can always establish EverJoy Den or EternalPeace Den later. Once this storm passes, we'll reopen under a new name."
The reassurance soothed Qin Sheng's anguish somewhat.
Yet the humiliation inflicted by Qin Lu these past days still churned in his gut.
Qin Han, having shared a womb with him, read his expression perfectly:
"His Majesty is undoubtedly watching now. It's best to exercise restraint."
"So we let them parade their victory?" Qin Sheng's chest burned with indignation.
"If you must retaliate..." Qin Han set down his cup delicately. "They say husband and wife are one. Since Prince Li is untouchable, why not target the Princess Consort?"
The suggestion struck like lightning.
Wasn't the capital abuzz with tales of the couple's legendary love?
Striking at Gu Yanshu now would be the ultimate slap to Qin Lu's face!
Qin Sheng's mood lifted instantly.
"Fourth Brother, you're truly thorough!"
Beaming, he beckoned his advisors closer.
Qin Han, recognizing the signs of an impending scheme against Gu Yanshu, simply lifted his teacup again—
Stirring the floating leaves in silence.