Chapter 778: Grasp the Big and Release the Small
Outside the Xizheng Hall, He Kun scrambled and rolled to run in.
He bowed his head deeply and crawled to the ground, not daring to look at Li Chen's face. He stammered, "Your humble servant... Your humble servant is here."
As a newly appointed attendant in the East Palace, He Kun's official rank is low, but his actual power is immense.
And this power is directly linked to the authority of the East Palace and the prince's trust in him.
If the prince had no real power, or had power but didn't like him, then this walking figure would not even have a single follower.
The prince's actual power is now so great that it is terrifying, and he has even been given the important task of receiving bribes.
...to the point that all officials and courtiers who wanted to get closer to the East Palace, first had to pass He Kun's test. ...
So He Kun's life has been quite comfortable lately.
It was precisely because of this that he understood even more clearly that his life and everything he had depended entirely on the prince.
And today he knew the Crown Prince was in a bad mood, so he definitely wouldn't dare to come up and jinx things.
Taking a glance at He Kun lying on the ground, Li Chen said nonchalantly, "This palace has heard that during this time you have taken advantage of the opportunity to run errands for this palace and received quite a lot of benefits. You even got people to settle your family's living arrangements?"
He Kun did not dare to conceal anything and immediately admitted frankly, "Your Highness, I have indeed received some benefits. However, I have recorded all the benefits received and intend to submit them to Your Highness for disposal."
Li Chen sneered, "I'm afraid that without my inquiry, this registration book you've listed will never be handed over, right?"
He Kun immediately shook his head like a rattle, and swore, "Your Highness, as I am in this position, doing things for Your Highness, it's unavoidable that there will be some interpersonal relationships. That's how things are now. If I don't accept them, I might offend people instead. I accept them only to ensure the tasks are completed smoothly."

"But as for those benefits, your humble servant would never dare to have any improper thoughts."
He Kun's attitude was very good, and his replies were quite fluent.
Li Chen's displeasure subsided somewhat, and he replied coldly: "Enough. This palace knows whether you are truly loyal or not."
He Kun keenly noticed that Li Chen's tone had softened a bit, and immediately seized the opportunity, putting on a fawning smile and saying: "That goes without saying, Your Highness is wise and mighty, how could there be anything you couldn't see through?"
That was a pathetic attempt at flattery.
After He Kun's lighthearted interjection, Li Chen's pent-up anger gradually subsided.
He rubbed his temples, his tone returning to its usual composure, and said: "I know what kind of favors you've received and their approximate value. You can keep them. This palace is too lazy to nitpick over such trivial matters."
As a leader, if you micromanage everything and leave no room for your subordinates to maneuver, you're bound to fail.
Li Chen not only has to work himself to death, but he is also likely to feel resentment.
Who would be unmoved by wealth, let alone someone like He Kun?
So Li Chen chose to let it go, and didn't intend to hold him accountable for the benefits.
If there were no benefits to serving the superiors, who would keep working so hard?
He Kun's face indeed showed a surprised expression, and he gratefully said, “Thank you for the Prince's gift.”
In the few exchanges between master and servant, what the officials had given as gifts to curry favor with He Kun was transformed into Li Chen's bestowals...

(Editor in charge：the outsiders novel)