freenovelworld Chapter 24 Nian Nian Fishes for a Big Rat—Willing People Take the Bait
Chapter 24 Nian Nian Fishes for a Big Rat—Willing People Take the Bait
Sixteen-year-old Crown Prince Pei Huai-ren lowered his head, pondering to himself.
The drought in the Central Plains has lasted for a whole year. The imperial court had previously dispatched many groups of officials to the area, but none of them had sent back any news.
Anyone who goes to the Central Plains now would be courting death. He had no desire to take the risk of this thankless and arduous task; he would rather stay in the capital and consolidate his position.
The Third Prince, Pei Ancheng, also kept his head down, knowing in his heart that this matter was extremely thorny, and if not handled properly, he might lose his life.
Therefore, he chose to remain silent and dared not express his opinion easily.
The other princes also remained silent, none of them daring to speak rashly.
They all knew this was a difficult task, fraught with risk and uncertainty. At that moment, the hall fell silent, save for the heavy breathing that echoed in the air.
…………
Just then, Pei Yunjing stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to the Central Plains to provide disaster relief and ease Your Majesty's worries!"
He knew very well that this was a rare opportunity, a chance to get Pei Chuan's attention!
If you seize this opportunity, you can stand out among the many princes.
Pei Chuan glanced at Pei Yun Jing, wondering to himself, "Who exactly is this prince?"
He tried hard to recall his name and identity, but he couldn't remember them.
Seeing Pei Chuan's predicament, Eunuch Wang leaned close to the emperor's ear and whispered a reminder:
"Your Majesty, this person is the Sixth Prince..."
Upon hearing Eunuch Wang's suggestion, Pei Chuan's brows relaxed slightly, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his face. He looked at Pei Yun Jing in front of him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
"Yun Jing's words are very true, and I am deeply gratified. Do any others share this sentiment?" Pei Chuan's voice echoed throughout the palace as he awaited the responses from the other princes.
At this moment, Pei Huai-ren's lips curled into a smug smile, and he bowed, saying:
“Since my sixth brother has this intention, as his elder brother, I naturally cannot steal his credit. Therefore, I am willing to contribute one hundred taels of silver as relief funds for this disaster relief effort…”
Immediately afterward, Pei Ancheng also stepped forward and spoke: "Your subject is willing to offer fifty taels of silver..."
Seeing this, the other princes all spoke up, expressing their willingness to contribute money. They all turned their gazes toward Pei Yunjing, their eyes filled with mockery and disdain.
After some discussion, they finally managed to raise 250 taels of silver.
This number undoubtedly mocks Pei Yunjing's foolishness, making him a laughing stock.
However, Pei Yunjing did not take these words to heart.
After everyone had left, he began to think about how to ask his mother for his maternal grandfather's help. Just as Pei Yunjing was deep in thought, he suddenly felt someone tap him on the shoulder.
"Hey, you idiot!" a voice came from behind.
Pei Yunjing turned his head and saw the thirteen-year-old Fifth Prince—Pei Hechuan. He couldn't help but wonder why the other party would address him that way.
Pei Hechuan chuckled, a hint of mockery in his voice: "Hmph... Should I laugh at your stupidity, or think you're too young and ignorant?"
As he spoke, he gracefully raised his pinky finger and gently wiped the hand that had just patted Pei Yunjing's shoulder with a handkerchief.
Pei Yunjing frowned, his face full of doubt, completely unable to understand the deeper meaning behind Pei Hechuan's words. He couldn't help but ask, "Fifth Brother, what exactly do you mean by that?"
Pei Hechuan clicked his tongue sarcastically, a hint of cunning and mockery flashing in his eyes, "Tsk tsk tsk... You're almost eight years old now, how come you're still as innocent as a child?"
Everyone else was scrambling to avoid this job, but you insisted on taking it. Do you really think it's a good thing?
As he spoke, he picked up a handkerchief, raised his pinky finger, and waved it gently, his posture slightly alluring.
Pei Yunjing straightened his back, his expression firm, and answered without hesitation:
"Fifth Brother, I know that this mission can help Father Emperor share his burdens, so I resolutely agreed!"
Pei Hechuan clicked his tongue, then took out an exquisite purse from his pocket and handed it to Pei Yunjing.
"Here, I'll give you another fifty taels of silver as compensation! Consider it your elder brother's way of showing affection for you, his younger brother." With that, he stuffed the purse into Pei Yunjing's arms, simultaneously casting a warning:
"The Central Plains region has suffered from drought for a long time. The people there are living in poverty and may even become fierce and cruel. Remember not to easily reveal your wealth!"
Pei Yunjing wanted to press further, but then several princes approached. Pei Hechuan immediately resumed his composed demeanor and spoke again:
"Tsk tsk... It's filthy, idiot, stay away from me..."
After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Pei Yunjing alone, bewildered in the wind.
Pei Yunjing felt increasingly uneasy and hurried towards Shanghe Palace, wanting to find his mother and explain the matter to her...
------
Meanwhile, the timeline shifts to the present day, inside NJ Corporation...
Zhang Jing nervously put on the gloves he had prepared long ago, secretly relieved that since the surveillance camera was broken, he didn't need to cover his face with a mask today.
He took a deep breath, trying to be as gentle as possible, and then lightly pressed the doorknob. Surprisingly, the doorknob opened smoothly; it wasn't locked, which made his heart race.
"Click"—the sound of the door lock opening was particularly jarring in the quiet space.
He carefully pushed open the door, leaving only a narrow gap. As soon as his left foot stepped across the threshold, he felt that he was surrounded by darkness.
what happened?
Why are the curtains drawn in the room in broad daylight? A strange sense of irritation welled up inside him; it must be that brat Nian Nian causing trouble again.
Zhang Jing gently locked the door from the inside, then took out his phone from his pocket and quickly turned on the flashlight.
Using the faint light of his phone, he looked around.
At the same time, Zhang Jing tried hard to recall Jian Xiaohan's every move, remembering that he had taken that important USB drive out of the money tree's flowerpot.
He walked cautiously towards the money tree, each step taken with extreme care. Upon reaching the tree, he put his phone aside and, relying on his memory and intuition, began to search the flowerpot.
Suddenly, a "click" sounded unusually clear in the quiet room.
Immediately following was a piercing scream:
"Ow...!"
Zhang Jing's voice was filled with pain and terror.
He felt his left hand being clamped tightly by a hard clamp, and excruciating pain instantly spread throughout his body.
Zhang Jing endured the pain, picked up his phone's flashlight and shone it on his phone. The scene before him infuriated him—damn it, it was a mousetrap!
Who's so bored as to put a mousetrap here? "God, I'd trade my whole life without working for endless riches and luxury!"