Daqing Reborn Prince, Intercepting Si Lili at the Beginning

Chapter 22: Preparing to Establish a Publishing House! The Emperor’s Reward!

“Your Highness, did you come this time with something to instruct us?”

Mr. Thirteen was always swift and efficient. Just as Li Chengyuan had sat down, he immediately inquired.

“Yes!” Li Chengyuan nodded and replied,

“I recently wrote a book. The first volume is complete, and I want to publish it. Please find some reliable, business-savvy fresh faces and bring them to the Prince’s Mansion tomorrow. I intend to establish a publishing house in the name of the mansion, specifically for selling books.”

Mr. Thirteen responded at once,

“I understand, Your Highness. I will take care of it immediately.”

“Good!” Li Chengyuan continued,

“This matter requires your utmost attention. I plan to make the publishing house big and strong, with branches across every major state in the Qing Nation. You don’t need to worry about the content; I’ll handle that. Your task is to ensure the smooth operation of the publishing house. It will be one of our foundations in the future. While the Miaoyin Workshop is excellent, it attracts too much attention. Should any trouble arise, and I can’t resolve it from the shadows, the publishing house will be your new shelter. So, treat this seriously.”

Hearing this, Mr. Thirteen’s expression turned solemn. After a brief moment of thought, he replied seriously,

“Now that you’ve said this, I understand fully, Your Highness. Rest assured, all the girls in Miaoyin Workshop are literate. With some training in basic business skills, they can help run the publishing house. So, we won’t be short of hands. As long as you can provide enough manuscripts, I guarantee we’ll make the publishing house a success!”

“Alright, then please get started. The sooner, the better!”

“Understood! I will go prepare immediately,” Mr. Thirteen acknowledged, then turned and left.

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After Mr. Thirteen left, Gong Yu finally asked,

“Your Highness, are you going to close down Miaoyin Workshop?”

“Just planning!” Li Chengyuan patiently explained, You know, Miaoyin Workshop has been established in the capital for more than half a year, but I was only conferred the title of prince half a month ago. On the surface, I can’t have any connections to the Miaoyin Workshop; otherwise, people might suspect I was planning, which could imply ulterior motives. Therefore, I can’t openly protect the Miaoyin Workshop. And right now, Miaoyin Workshop lacks a legitimate protector. If trouble arises, and I can’t solve it from behind the scenes, Miaoyin Workshop will have to temporarily shut down. That’s why I’m planning now. As long as the publishing house is well-established, even if something unexpected happens in the future, the girls in the workshop will have a place to go and won’t be left to fend for themselves. The workshop itself isn’t what matters—what matters is you all. As long as you’re still here, even if Miaoyin Workshop is shut down, our losses will be minimal, and we might even use the opportunity to go underground, which will be more advantageous for hiding.”

After hearing Li Chengyuan’s explanation, Gong Yu instantly understood. A weight seemed to lift from her heart.

She wasn’t worried about Miaoyin Workshop closing—her only fear was that Li Chengyuan would abandon them.

Seeing her concern, Li Chengyuan smiled knowingly and pulled Gong Yu into his arms. As she gazed up at him, both shy and expectant, he softly said, “Didn’t I tell you? Stop overthinking. In all of Miaoyin Workshop, besides Mr. Thirteen, you are the most important to me. Rest assured, even if something does happen to the workshop and the publishing house doesn’t work out, I will bring you to the mansion. I would never abandon you!”

Hearing this, Gong Yu’s eyes instantly turned dreamy.

She raised her hand, gently stroking Li Chengyuan’s cheek, and softly murmured,

“Your Highness…”

Li Chengyuan, feeling his emotions stir, could no longer resist. He lowered his head, finding Gong Yu’s red lips and gently pressing his own against them.

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Li Chengyuan stayed at Miaoyin Workshop for lunch and even took an afternoon nap.

It wasn’t until the early afternoon that he and Lao Huang returned to the Prince’s Mansion.

As soon as he arrived at the mansion, Li Chengyuan called for Sang Wen and Qingniao, instructing them to help him write invitations. He also ordered all the servants to spread the news that three days later, the Prince’s Mansion would host a poetry banquet, ensuring preparations were in full swing.

Knowing that a large number of people would attend in three days, Li Chengyuan wanted to make sure everything was well-prepared, avoiding any potential mishaps that could lead to embarrassment.

However, this task proved to be a headache for him. The main issue was that the mansion still lacked a proper housekeeper.

The people around him—Sang Wen was most skilled in music and entertainment, with serving as her secondary skill. Qingniao, while obedient, lacked experience in managing affairs. She was fine with killing people but would be overwhelmed trying to manage the mansion.

As for Li Huang—let’s not even go there. He could cheat and swindle without a problem, but managing people? That would be like asking him to embroider!

And as for the other servants in the mansion, Li Chengyuan didn’t trust them.

It was a pity that Miaoyin Workshop couldn’t be openly connected to him. Otherwise, Mr. Thirteen would have been the perfect candidate for the role of housekeeper.

Left with no choice, Li Chengyuan decided to handle things personally. He issued orders to Li Huang, Qingniao, and Sang Wen for them to execute.

However, before Li Chengyuan could finalize his plans, someone from the palace arrived.

It was none other than Eunuch Hou, bearing a decree from the emperor.

Li Chengyuan hurried out to receive it.

Seeing Li Chengyuan, Eunuch Hou didn’t waste any time and directly announced the decree.

“By the emperor’s decree: His Third Highness, Li Chengyuan, is talented and learned, having invented the calligraphy style ‘Slim Gold Script.’ This pleases Us greatly. As a reward, We bestow upon him ten thousand taels of silver, ten sets of the finest stationery, one hundred reams of premium Xuan paper, ten piculs of pearls, one hundred bolts of brocade, and various jewels and treasures. Thus, We decree.”

“Your subject humbly accepts the decree and offers gratitude for the emperor’s kindness!”

Li Chengyuan was both surprised and delighted.

He hadn’t expected the emperor to be so generous with his support. This was a substantial reward!

However, Li Chengyuan knew full well that the emperor’s reward wasn’t for his “Slim Gold Script.” It was for organizing the poetry banquet—more precisely, for his acknowledgment of Li Chengyuan’s participation in the fight for the throne.

At the same time, it was both encouragement and a warning: now that he’d taken this step, there was no turning back.

“Your Highness, the emperor has further instructions.”

Just as Li Chengyuan finished expressing his gratitude, Eunuch Hou came forward with a smile.

“Please, Eunuch, do tell,” Li Chengyuan responded politely.

“The emperor knows that you lack experience in hosting poetry banquets, so he has specially ordered this humble servant to remain here and assist you. Whatever you need, just tell me, and I will make all the arrangements before returning to the palace to report back.”

Li Chengyuan was once again overjoyed.

Good heavens! No wonder they say the emperor knows people well. This was a great relief for him.

But it also made Li Chengyuan reflect on how much he now understood Li Chengze.

The emperor’s methods were subtle like rain nourishing all things quietly. One move after another, making it impossible to refuse.

By sending Eunuch Hou, the emperor wasn’t just offering help; he was also ensuring supervision.

With Eunuch Hou around, there was no way for Li Chengyuan to cut corners or shirk responsibilities.

In other words, from the moment he left the palace, this matter was no longer under his control.

Fortunately, Li Chengyuan had already made his plans.

Just as the emperor was plotting against him, he was also calculating the emperor’s moves.

Now, the grand drama of the battle for the throne had truly begun!

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