A Brother and Sister’s Conspiracy

In the inner room, Li Changle personally served Li Minfeng a cup of tea. “Big Brother, you must be tired after traveling so far.”

Li Minfeng smiled. “Little Sister, it’s been only half a year, yet you’ve grown even more beautiful. The Third Prince couldn’t take his eyes off you when he saw you today!”

Li Changle smiled faintly. Tuoba Zhen was indeed strikingly handsome. Unfortunately, his mother had been no more than a low-born palace maid, who had given birth to him only after she happened to receive the Emperor’s favor. Because of this, he had been looked down upon and never favored. After his birth mother died, he was fortunate to be taken in and raised by Virtuous Consort Wu, who had no children of her own. A prince like him had no chance of ascending the throne. Recalling Tuoba Zhen’s exceptionally handsome face, Li Changle smiled unconsciously, a trace of regret in her expression.

Looking at his younger sister, Li Minfeng naturally understood what she was thinking. “Don’t let Mother’s views influence you. The political situation at court can change in an instant, and the Third Prince is no ordinary man—”

Li Changle listened, then said thoughtfully, “But he’s attached himself to the Crown Prince. At most, he’ll become a prince in the future...”

Li Minfeng smiled but did not answer. In his view, though his sister was as beautiful as a celestial maiden, she had been raised by women and might lack a man’s far-reaching perspective. This year, the Third Prince had ostensibly traveled with him on an educational journey. In truth, he had received an imperial command to travel to Changzhou and investigate the embezzlement case involving Zhang Gun, Grand Academician and Governor-General of Changzhou. Upon arriving in Changzhou, Tuoba Zhen first overcame Zhang Gun’s attempts to obstruct the investigation. He detained and interrogated Zhang Gun’s steward, secured conclusive evidence, and forced the shrewd and capable Zhang Gun to confess. From the moment he received the assignment to the day he petitioned the Emperor to punish Zhang Gun, only half a month had passed. Tuoba Zhen then remained in Changzhou to completely reorganize the finances of its counties, which had long since fallen into disarray. In less than a month, he had sorted everything out and handed it over to the next governor.

Tuoba Zhen had handled the assignment brilliantly, demonstrating his talent and ability. The Emperor had praised him generously. Even Li Minfeng, who thought highly of himself, had to admit that Tuoba Zhen was clever, decisive, and efficient—clearly no ordinary man. But these were not things he could discuss with Li Changle, who had been raised in the inner chambers. So he merely said, “If you don’t believe me, just wait and see.”

Li Changle was unable to keep her thoughts from stirring at his words.

She was about to press him for details, but Li Minfeng refused to say another word. He quickly changed the subject. “What happened to you today, Little...