I was chased by my sickly junior brother who had two lives

The sky in the capital was gloomy, and the heavy dark clouds seemed to weigh on everyone's heart. In the Duke's Mansion, Chen Jue and Chen Jia were sitting in the main hall, and the atmosphere was solemn. Chen Jue was wearing a dark purple robe embroidered with gold pythons, with an upright posture, but his brows were furrowed, and he was holding a newly received secret letter in his hand, with a slightly gloomy face. Chen Jia was wearing a moon-white silk skirt, sitting aside with a worried look, looking at Chen Jue from time to time.

"Husband, what should we do? Now someone has impeached you for doing business openly. If this news gets to the ears of the emperor, it will probably bring disaster." Chen Jia said softly, with a hint of anxiety in her voice.

Chen Jue frowned slightly, put the secret letter on the table, and sneered: "Humph, I am just using the resources of the Duke's Mansion to make a living. Those people can't stand seeing me doing well, so they do these little tricks behind my back."

Chen Jia held Chen Jue's hand worriedly: "Husband, we have to think of a way to deal with it. Although this business is not tolerated by the court, we are also thinking about the livelihood of the people. Those bamboo toys and pearl powder are good things that benefit the people."

At this moment, the butler hurried into the hall and said respectfully, "Master, Madam, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has sent someone to deliver a verbal order, summoning you two to the palace to see the Emperor immediately."

Chen Jue and Chen Jia looked at each other and realized that the matter had reached a critical moment. They quickly put on their clothes and went to the palace with the butler.

The palace was solemn and dignified. Chen Jue and Chen Jia, led by the eunuchs, passed through the palace gates and came to the prince's East Palace. In the study of the East Palace, the prince, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and a golden crown, was sitting at the desk reviewing memorials. He had a handsome face, but at this moment, his eyes were solemn.

"Your son (your humble servant) pays homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Chen Jue and Chen Jia saluted.

The prince put down the pen in his hand, stood up and walked in front of them, raised his hand slightly and said, "Duke Chen, Madam Chen, please stand up quickly. I summoned you here today, I believe you know why."

Chen Jue bowed and said, "Your Highness, I did hear some rumors. I know that doing business is against the rules of the court, but I also want to increase revenue for the national treasury and seek welfare for the people. I have absolutely no selfish motives."

The prince frowned slightly and paced in the study room: "Duke Chen, I understand your thoughts, but your actions are indeed too ostentatious. Now in the court, those old ministers are holding on to this matter, and someone has impeached you in front of the emperor. Although the emperor has not expressed his opinion, he also attaches great importance to this matter."

Chen Jia stepped forward and bowed, "Your Highness, since I started doing business with you, the bamboo toys we made are very popular among children. The price is affordable, so that many children from poor families can also have toys to play with. The pearl powder is also made of natural pearls, carefully developed, adding beauty options for women in the capital, and the price is fair. We have never thought of making huge profits from this. I hope your Highness can say a few fair words for you in front of the emperor."

The prince stopped, looked at Chen Jia, and nodded slightly: "Madam Chen, I know what you mean. But the current situation cannot be solved with just a few words. Father has always attached great importance to rules. If this matter is not handled properly, it may affect the future of Duke Chen and even the safety of the entire Duke's Mansion."

Chen Jue pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness, I am willing to listen to your teachings and will be more cautious in the future. But now, regarding this impeachment, what is your opinion?"

The prince sat back at the desk, tapping his fingers on the tabletop. "I think you need to temporarily stop doing business, and do it cleanly on the surface, so that those who impeach you can't find any handle. At the same time, you need to prepare a detailed account, clearly listing the income, expenditure, profit and use of these businesses, to show that although you are doing business, you are not enriching yourself, but using the profit for charity, such as supporting poor students, repairing roads in the capital, etc., so that the emperor can see your intentions."

Chen Jia's eyes lit up and he said, "Your Highness, this is a very good idea. We have indeed been supporting poor students, but we have never publicized it. If we compile these deeds and present them to the emperor, perhaps the emperor will change his mind about your behavior."

Chen Jue also nodded and said, "Your Highness, I will go back and start preparing. But once this business is curbed, what will happen to the people who rely on this business for their livelihood?"

The prince thought for a moment and then said, "Don't worry. I will arrange for someone to secretly take over part of the business and keep it running so that the people won't suffer. But you must remember not to be as blatant as before. Everything must be kept low-key."

Chen Jue and Chen Jia quickly knelt down to express their gratitude: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your consideration of the people. I (the ministers and their wives) will remember your kindness and will be more cautious in the future to share the worries of your Highness and the emperor."

The prince stood up and helped them up. "Duke Chen, you are a pillar of our dynasty, and I don't want to see you implicated by this matter. If you have any difficulties in the future, feel free to come to me, and I will do my best to help you."

After coming out of the East Palace, Chen Jue and Chen Jia felt a little more relaxed. They understood that although they had escaped this time, they would need to be more cautious in the future.

After returning to the Duke's Mansion, Chen Jue immediately summoned the housekeeper and accountant to sort out the business accounts. Chen Jia also helped by finding out the records of charitable activities such as supporting poor students and repairing roads over the years.

"Husband, we must make the accounts clear this time and there cannot be any mistakes." Chen Jia said as she flipped through the account book.

Chen Jue nodded and said, "Don't worry, my lady. I will check every account carefully. This time, thanks to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, we will definitely repay this kindness in the future."

In the next few days, Chen Jue and Chen Jia were busy sorting out their accounts and converging their businesses. They closed some overly conspicuous shops, moved their businesses to more hidden places, and reduced the volume of goods traded to avoid attracting other people's attention.

The crown prince also secretly arranged for people to take over part of the business. He selected some reliable confidants to continue to run the bamboo toy and pearl powder business in their own name to ensure that these industries could continue to provide services to the people, while also avoiding the risk of Chen Jue being impeached again.

A few days later, Chen Jue brought the organized accounts and records of his charitable deeds to the palace to meet the emperor. The emperor sat in the Golden Throne Hall and looked at Chen Jue with dignity.

"Duke Chen, do you admit your guilt?" The emperor's voice was low and powerful.

Chen Jue knelt down and kowtowed: "I know I am guilty. I shouldn't have done business so blatantly, which violated the court rules. But I beg Your Majesty to listen to me. Although I am guilty, these businesses have also brought benefits to the people, and I have never had any selfish motives. Here are my accounts and charity records over the years, please have a look."

After that, Chen Jue handed over the account book and records. The emperor took them, looked through them carefully, and his expression gradually eased.

"Duke Chen, please stand up. In view of the practical things you have done for the people, I will give you a lighter sentence this time. But you must remember not to commit the same mistake again in the future. Rules cannot be abolished in the court." said the emperor.

Chen Jue quickly thanked him: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will keep it in mind and never do it again."

After coming out of the palace, Chen Jue breathed a sigh of relief. Although the turmoil had subsided temporarily, he also understood that in this court, every step must be taken with caution. If he was not careful, he might fall into an irretrievable situation.