“Alive?”
Su Wu Ming pondered the words, then suddenly understood:
“General, you have misunderstood! The bandit has been apprehended!
I, Zheng Yushi, and Zhonglangjiang are here to investigate the case. We…”
But Lu Tong coldly interrupted him:
“Su Wu Ming, County Lieutenant of Chang’an! Lu Ling Feng, Zhonglangjiang of Jin Wu Wei!
To Jin Wu Prison, await trial!”
“Yes!”
Su Wu Ming and Lu Ling Feng were baffled by the news.
Su Wu Ming smiled wryly, while Lu Ling Feng was deep in thought.
Lu Tong looked towards Zheng Qing:
“Zheng Yushi, the Emperor summons you. Come with me.”
…
Pei Mansion—
Pei Xi Jun felt as though she had been in a long dream.
In the dream, she felt like she had fallen for someone because of a chance encounter.
As she searched for ways to live and die, someone suddenly came and said that the man was an imposter, not the real one.
But she didn’t care at the time, because she wasn't interested in his status or background, but simply in him as a person!
However, later, as she got to know him better and experienced things together, she gradually realized that the person she originally liked wasn't so good after all.
He even had flaws that she couldn't stand!
But the person who told her the truth gradually entered her world!
Though he always barged into her room without her permission and secretly watched her when she was painting or in distress.
At first, she was scared, but later found that this feeling wasn’t unpleasant.
Later, Xi Jun gradually discovered that as they spent more time together, his good qualities became more apparent, such as his word being his bond, his martial prowess, and his humility…
Therefore, when Zheng Qing asked her to agree to go through a ming hun (ghost marriage) ceremony, she did not hesitate to agree.
If she didn't have someone she could trust, she would never go to a place like the Ghost Market.
But with Zheng Qing by her side, she felt inexplicably at ease!
Even facing the true culprit of the red tea case, even facing the so-called four ghosts of You Li, this man always managed to calm her down in the most appropriate way.
“My daughter! If anything were to happen to you, how could your father live?!”
A familiar voice made Xi Jun feel strange.
Her father?
Xi Jun opened her eyes, but discovered that Pei Jian, the Pei Shi Lang who was known for his shrewdness and composure in the eyes of others,
was actually weeping!
He seemed to be hoping she would wake up.
“Father…”
Xi Jun opened her eyes and weakly said.
Pei Jian was overjoyed:
“Daughter! My daughter! You are finally awake! If you hadn't woken up, I really wouldn't know what to do!”
Then, Pei Jian began to talk incessantly about what happened last night.
It turned out that after Fei Ji Shi safely delivered Xi Jun, she fainted.
She even developed a high fever in the middle of the night, sometimes wailing and sometimes calling out Zheng Qing's name.
Just as Pei Jian was about to go to the palace to invite the imperial physician, Xi Jun finally broke her fever and slowly regained consciousness.
Pei Jian was heartbroken:
“If I had known that this trip was so dangerous, I would never have let you go to the Ghost Market!”
He was that kind of person, carefree before things happened, but filled with endless fear afterward!
Xi Jun got up:
“I've worried my father. I'm fine now.”
Pei Jian finally said:
“That's good, that's good!
Is there anything you want to eat or drink? Tell me, and I'll make it for you myself.”
Xi Jun shook her head:
“Right, last night…how did Zheng Yushi do?”
Pei Jian sighed:
“Don't worry, they're all fine!
I never thought that the one who caused the red tea incident in Chang’an County was actually County Magistrate Yuan Lai!
You can't judge a person by their appearance!”
Xi Jun almost sat up:
“Where is Zheng Yushi now?”
Pei Jian said:
“He went to the palace to see the Emperor! I'll have him come to the mansion when he gets back, alright?”
Xi Jun shook her head:
“If it weren't for Zheng Yushi last night, I would probably have been killed by the bandits! I have to thank him personally!”
Pei Jian was helpless, but still appeased her:
“It was too late last night, and the Emperor was still sleeping. Now the morning court has just ended, and they are probably talking. Even if you want to see him, you have to wait for the right time, right?
Just listen to your father! Get some rest, okay?”
Xi Jun could only lie back down.
“Right, the little slave who was serving you had his mother pass away. I granted him leave.
The new slave you bought is quite clever. Keep him company to relieve your boredom!”
Pei Jian continued.
But Xi Jun didn't take his words to heart, instead her mind was filled with how to thank Zheng Qing.
…
Imperial Palace—
Zheng Qing clasped his hands together:
“Zheng Qing greets the Emperor!”
“No need for ceremony, Zheng Qing. Do you remember what you told me the first time we met?”
Li Dan was exhausted, but his eyes were bright. If you looked closely, you would see an emotion called rage brewing within him!
Zheng Qing truthfully said:
“This humble minister knows!
At the time, this humble minister said that he would alleviate your worries!”
Li Dan laughed angrily, but still maintained his composure:
“Is that so? Then tell me, how have you alleviated my worries?
Have you eliminated the corrupt officials and made the court applaud? Or have you destroyed the Chang’an red tea and let the people of Chang’an live in peace?”
These questions were like a combination of punches, easily making it impossible for anyone to parry!
He took a document from his sleeve and handed it to Feng Han.
“Please take a look, Your Majesty.”
Feng Han handed the document over. Li Dan opened it and was taken aback.
The document listed a list of names!
From the lowest county magistrate to high-ranking officials in the court, such as Shi Lang, and even the Grand Master of the Imperial Academy, all of them were included!
Li Dan’s eyes narrowed:
“This is?”
Zheng Qing explained:
“This is a list of officials who have previously drunk Chang’an red tea. After my investigation, I believe that Your Majesty can initially trust these officials!”
Li Dan was overjoyed!
Now the court was divided, with the Crown Prince and the Princess fighting like fire and water. Although they hadn't openly broken with each other, the effect was quite bad.
As a direct consequence, although he was the Emperor, he had no real power!
He didn't even have anyone he could use by his side!
That was why when Zheng Qing said he could alleviate his worries, Li Dan didn't hesitate to agree!
And the reason he had Yuan Lai secretly sell Chang’an red tea was precisely to corrupt the officials in the court!
His ultimate goal was to weaken the Princess’s authority, then use this to incite conflict between the Crown Prince and the Princess, so that he could benefit from the rivalry!
On the other hand, although red tea was banned, the gold and silver he received from Yuan Lai during this period was enough to bring Can Tian Lou (Reaching to the Sky Tower) to completion!
He was extremely pleased.
Zheng Qing took the opportunity to ask:
“Do you think we have gained or lost in this red tea matter, Your Majesty?”
…
Second update delivered! Four more to go!
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