Lin Ruyin didn't understand why her brother cared so much about when she would enter the palace.

She returned to the courtyard with her brother and recounted how she entered the palace and how she was hastily sent out.

As for the fact that she often sent food to the emperor, she never mentioned it.

Lin Xiangzhi understood that the Emperor bringing his sister into the palace was something he had promised to do to protect her safety.

The Emperor has succeeded in this respect. As for his sister's feelings, Lin Xiangzhi thought of that stunningly beautiful face and realized that his sister's wish was probably going to be dashed.

We traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently along the way, and even lingered for a day at scenic spots we passed by.

Lin Xiangzhi showed no signs of fatigue upon returning home, and he told the Black and White Impermanence to return to the palace to report on their own.

After bathing and changing clothes, they went to the palace to meet the emperor.

Xiao Jingzhao met Lin Xiangzhi in the imperial study.

"Prime Minister, you have made great progress on this trip, which has relieved my urgent need."

Lin Xiangzhi knew he was referring to the situation on the frontier.

When Eunuch Ma brought over tea and pastries, Xiao Jingzhao gestured for them to come in.

Lin Xiangzhi cut to the chase and asked, "When will the Empress Dowager return to the capital?"

"You brat, you don't ask about the progress of Guo Baoxian's case, nor do you ask how I am. You only ask about the Empress Dowager. No wonder the Empress Dowager smiles and praises you so much when she talks about you. I need to learn from you how to please the Empress Dowager."

Xiao Jingzhao paused before saying, "The Emperor Emeritus has gone to the frontier. The situation is tense. The Empress Dowager sent a message saying that she has no plans to return to the capital for the time being."

"No, I'm not going back to the capital!" Lin Xiangzhi leaned back in his armchair, his eyes filled with undisguised disappointment.

"Is there something you need?"

Lin Xiangzhi's expression did not escape Xiao Jingzhao's eyes.

"Yes and no, it's just that I haven't seen her in a long time, so of course I miss her."

"Cough cough..."

Lin Xiangzhi dared not speak his mind rashly, and gave an ambiguous answer, coughing twice and saying, "Let's put that aside for now, it's more important to talk about politics first."

"Your Majesty, the officials in Jiangzhou need a major reshuffle. Have you decided what to send there?"

Xiao Jingzhao glanced at Lin Xiangzhi and said, "Do you even need to ask me this? If you don't even know this, I should give up my throne."

"That's right. Your Majesty is meticulous and far-sighted, far beyond my reach. I'm just flustered by your concern." Prime Minister Lin chuckled awkwardly and touched the tip of his nose.

Xiao Jingzhao: "..." This doesn't sound like a compliment.

"Your Majesty, the case of Guo Baoxian involves a wide range of people, far more than I ever imagined."

It was pointless to discuss his personal matters with Xiao Jingzhao, so Prime Minister Lin changed the subject and started talking about important state affairs.

"I never expected that an entire prefecture would be implicated, with several officials deserving the punishment of having their entire families executed. This forces me to re-examine the details of the law."

"Does His Majesty mean to abolish the practice of punishing entire families?"

Xiao Jingzhao's words surprised Lin Xiangzhi. The man who was decisive in killing back then had become compassionate and empathetic after leaving the battlefield.

Xiao Jingzhao seemed to see through Lin Xiangzhi's thoughts, raising his eyebrows slightly, "I'm not being soft-hearted, this is for the greater good, to give the people a relatively fair overall situation."

"Your Majesty is benevolent, and the powerful clans are banding together for their own interests, which is detrimental to the foundation of imperial power. If appropriate changes are made, it will break their desire to band together for their own interests. Your Majesty is wise."

Lin Xiangzhi wasn't stupid; he quickly figured out the connection after a little thought.

The two chatted for a while about Jiangzhou. Lin Xiangzhi, who was still acting as Minister of Revenue, left the palace with a bunch of rewards.

After Lin Xiangzhi left, Xiao Jingzhao immediately summoned the cabinet ministers to discuss state affairs.

Two days later, Guo Baoxian's embezzlement case was adjudicated with lightning speed.

According to the investigation by the Dali Temple, the beneficiaries of Guo Baoxian's embezzled funds included his children, mother, his elder brother, his wife, parents, and brothers.

The other illegitimate children and clansmen did not directly benefit.

According to the newly revised Wanling Law, those in Guo Baoxian's family who directly benefited from the crime were sentenced to beheading, members of his three clans were exiled and their property confiscated, while the rest were released.

When the verdict was handed down, the people applauded and cheered.

"Your Majesty is wise. In this way, we will no longer be implicated when distant relatives commit crimes."

"Yes! Each family should mind their own business. From now on, we won't have to fawn over or flatter anyone. We can just stay at home, raise our children, and live a peaceful life."

The released members of their tribe knelt in a huge crowd in front of the palace gates.

You could hear the sounds of people kowtowing and expressing their gratitude from afar.

"Your Majesty is wise! Long live the Emperor!"

You can imagine the feeling of having just brushed with death.

The courtyard in front of the Meridian Gate was packed with people, and corrupt officials and Guo Baoxian's immediate family members who had benefited from the corruption knelt on the ground.

The executioner held a knife in one hand and a bowl of strong liquor in the other.

They were just waiting for the executioner's order to begin.

Grandma Guo had already fainted, and her whole body was kneeling on the ground.

The spot where Guo Baoxian was kneeling was soaked, his whole body was trembling, and his face was pale.

The rest of the people were also ashen-faced, slumped on the wet stone slabs.

The Dali Temple acted swiftly and decisively, and those who were exiled left the capital at the same time.

When those people left the capital, the officials specially led the exiled members of the Guo clan through the Meridian Gate.

As the sun was rapidly approaching noon, the survivors, seeing the wretched state of the man about to be executed, felt an indescribable hatred in their hearts.

A perfectly good life was inexplicably dragged into an abyss and completely ruined. Who wouldn't hate that?

There is no turning back once you go. Children with criminal records cannot participate in the imperial examinations and will never have a chance to rise in society unless there is a general amnesty, in which case their criminal status can be changed to that of a commoner.

Some people, unable to contain their anger, spat at the unconscious Old Mrs. Guo and started cursing again.

Soon, angry shouts and curses rose and fell.

Fearing chaos, the officials quickly moved the exiled people to the back.

Right there, the executioner threw the execution order on the ground.

"High noon! Execute!"

The executioners took a swig of strong liquor and spat it onto the blade of their swords.

A flash of cold light, a swift movement, and a bloody head fell and rolled to the ground.

Some heads rolled so far that they almost reached the onlookers, startling them into screaming.

Among the exiled members of the Guo clan were children. A woman quickly covered the children's eyes, crying, "Don't look! You wretched child, you're a curse!"

The Emperor was merciful and did not allow the corpses to be hung outside the city gates as a warning to the world. He also allowed the married women of the families whose heads had been beheaded to come and collect the bodies.

Jiang Shuyue didn't go to watch that day; she disliked the bloody scene.

Two women went into labor at the clinic in a row, but fortunately they had natural births. They were busy until nightfall before they returned home.

“Miss, the scene today was too bloody. If it weren’t for the Emperor’s mercy, there would have been a river of blood in front of the Meridian Gate.”

Lan'er still felt lingering fear when she talked about it. She didn't go to watch, and she was scared just by hearing the servants talk about it.

Jiang Shuyue was exhausted and had no interest in gossip. When she saw Xue'er walking towards her, she squatted down and hugged her.

Lan'er withdrew, and Jiang Shuyue closed the door and slipped into the space.