The fact that Prince Rui invited Li Ping'an and Master Jin to be guests in his mansion was discovered by the Crown Prince's men.

And learned that King Rui wanted to marry Princess Anhe to Li Ping'an, but was rejected.

However, Li Ping'an agreed to cooperate with King Rui and let Master Jin discuss the details of the cooperation. The prince's men had found out the general idea, but the details were unknown.

The prince was anxious and secretly annoyed that he was overtaken by the ambitious brother of King Rui.

Therefore, the prince also sent the chief eunuch of the Eastern Palace to quickly invite Prince Li and Prince Jin to visit the prince's mansion. The excuse was that the prince's mansion had just acquired a few pots of rare orchids, and he also specially invited the Eastern Palace staff to write a few poems praising orchids.

Prince Li was specially invited to the East Palace for a banquet, to appreciate flowers, to read poetry, and more importantly, to thank Prince Li for saving the lives of the people of Nanzhao Kingdom.

Li Ping'an knew that these were all excuses.

The real purpose of the prince inviting him was to cooperate with him in business, expand his business empire, and earn more money.

But the prince is the heir to the throne after all, so the excuse for inviting him is more elegant and formal.

Li Ping'an naturally could not favor one over the other, so he also accepted the prince's invitation.

The relationship between Prince Jin and the Crown Prince is extraordinary. They are cousins. Prince Jin's mother is the current Queen's half-sister.

However, the relationship between Master Jin and the Crown Prince was not very close; instead, they looked down on each other.

This time, if the prince had not known in advance that Young Master Jin had caught the noble's eye due to a misfortune, he would not have invited that playboy who only knew how to sleep with women and flirt with the wind.

Young Master Jin told Li Ping'an in advance about the relationship between him and the prince, as well as the prince's personality.

Even though Young Master Jin and the Crown Prince looked down on each other, they were of the same faction in the eyes of outsiders. So, even if you don't like the Crown Prince, you still have to give him some face.

On the day of the appointment, Li Ping'an and Mr. Jin went to the Prince's Mansion together. As soon as they entered the mansion, the eunuch in charge of the East Palace greeted them warmly and led them to the banquet.

The prince had been waiting for them. When he saw them coming, he put on a smile and stood up to greet them.

At the banquet, everyone first admired orchids and appreciated poetry, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

After three rounds of drinks, the prince finally got to the point and mentioned the matter of cooperation.

He spoke sincerely, saying that if he could join forces with Li Ping'an, the business of Nanzhao Kingdom would become more prosperous, and he would be able to better serve the welfare of the people.

However, the prince requested that Li Ping'an only cooperate with him in Nanzhao State, and Young Master Jin was also considered his subordinate merchant.

What this means is that Li Ping'an can only make his career bigger and stronger by cooperating with the prince in Nanzhao Kingdom. Otherwise, the prince will not allow others to cooperate smoothly.

Although the prince did not threaten explicitly, Li Ping'an could hear the threat even though his words were very tactful and pleasant.

Young Master Jin stood aside, his face full of disdain, but he still restrained himself from getting angry. This prince was still the same bad character. He seemed to be polite and courteous, but in fact he was too self-righteous.

He dared to threaten Li Ping'an? Didn't he think too highly of himself?

He was just a prince of a small country. In front of Li Ping'an, he was really no different from an ordinary citizen. Li Ping'an would never be threatened by him. Young Master Jin cursed inwardly:

"You fool, you wish for it. If you want to eat alone, you have to see if you have the ability to do so."

Li Ping'an was neither hurried nor slow, and did not respond immediately, but said that the matter needed long-term consideration.

The prince was a little anxious and offered many benefits. However, at this moment, a servant came hurriedly to report that the charity team had an urgent matter to find Li Pingan.

Li Ping'an took this as an excuse to hurriedly say goodbye to Master Jin, and the prince quickly ordered someone to see him off.

The prince looked at their departing backs, his face gloomy and angry. He knew that this exclusive cooperation must be his. No one could compete with him.

However, before Li Ping'an and Master Jin left the Prince's Mansion, they witnessed a farce.

Although Li Ping'an had long experienced the coldness of human nature on this continent, he still underestimated the ugliness of human nature in the struggle for interests.

I witnessed with my own eyes that the Crown Princess, in order to win favor, actually ordered people to kill the pregnant concubine in the East Palace garden.

Fortunately, they happened to pass by at that time, heard the cry for help, and rescued the prince's concubine.

However, they both couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts. This prince's mansion is quite a mess!

At that time, the concubine was already weak, and after such a heavy blow, her skirt was instantly dyed red with blood. She collapsed to the ground, crying for help miserably.

But the murderer had a smug look on her face, as if she had done something insignificant.

Li Ping'an clenched his fists and was about to step forward to help, but was pulled back by Master Jin beside him.

He warned in a low voice: "Prince Li, several concubines and concubines of the crown prince have died in this crown prince's palace.

The Crown Princess is not favored, but her family is very powerful, so the Crown Prince does not dare to confront her head-on.

The fights in the Prince's Mansion have always been like this, and we can't interfere. Don't get yourself into trouble."

Li Ping'an was not afraid. He immediately gave the concubine pills to preserve the pregnancy and stop bleeding.

The prince's concubine stopped bleeding, and the prince hurried over.

Although he hated the Crown Princess very much, he could only vent his anger by punishing the old woman who deliberately pushed down the concubine.

Under the protection of the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince could only give the woman a light punishment and a severe warning, fining her two months' wages and giving her twenty strokes of the cane.