When Lu Guchuan was first taken away by the Dali Temple, he was only interrogated routinely every day, and they would release him back to handle official business.

But this morning, news broke that he had been suspended from his post and imprisoned.

Qiao Lian'er actually went to the palace, and Eunuch Qi inquired about the emperor's opinion, but the emperor waved his hand and refused to say more.

Therefore, Qiao Lian'er pondered the matter carefully after returning home. She felt that the emperor's attitude was somewhat ambiguous, or rather, veiled.

“Lu Guchuan has been suspended from his post and imprisoned, but he hasn’t suffered any real hardship yet,” Qiao Lian’er said.

This was likely a conservative strategy adopted by the Dali Temple, which was unsure of the emperor's attitude, and thus adopted a measured approach.

Qiao Zhizhi didn't know much about what was happening in the court. She said, "Even so, his situation has worsened. Lian'er, I painted that picture and wrote the calligraphy, yet such rumors have spread. I'm worried that the other party's target is the Qiao family."

That's a bit of a euphemism; it's obviously true.

"So what if it is? This has happened so many times already." Qiao Lian'er smiled lightly. "The reason I haven't taken any action yet is that I want the situation to get more serious and for the Emperor to get even angrier."

Qiao Zhizhi asked in confusion, "Won't this make things irreversible?"

“The Emperor isn’t angry yet,” Qiao Lian’er said. “Firstly, the Emperor doesn’t believe the Qiao family would be so stupid. Secondly, the Emperor probably wants to take this opportunity to give the Qiao family a good talking-to.”

"beat?"

“That’s right. I’m pondering the Emperor’s attitude, and I feel that it carries this implication. Some people say that the Qiao family has become arrogant. Now I not only have more than 40,000 elite troops and 20,000 troops stationed in Tianhe Prefecture, but Tianhe Prefecture is also my fiefdom. No matter how much the Emperor trusts me, he is worried that I will become arrogant and lose my sense of awe, making me difficult to control.”

"This matter is clearly aimed at the Qiao family. The Emperor did not express his opinion immediately, precisely because he wanted to take the opportunity to curb the Qiao family's arrogance. If I were the emperor, I would also make this choice. I have thoroughly understood human nature. In reality, it's just that people are afraid of losing their own interests."

"So the Qiao family is just going to do nothing now?"

"Let's wait until it reaches the point I described. Of course, if I don't take any action, it will seem arrogant, and I will go to see the Emperor."

“My calligraphy and painting academy has suspended classes and is currently closed to visitors. I am no longer selling paintings and plan to wait until things calm down before resuming.

"That's good, to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation."

Qiao Zhizhi did not receive any specific and useful information, but somehow, hearing these words felt like a reassurance.

As soon as she came out of the back garden, Old Lady Qiao pulled her into the warm pavilion.

These days, rumors are everywhere. How could they not have reached Old Mrs. Qiao's ears?

"Zhizhi, what does 'sickle' mean?"

"Grandma, Lian'er told us not to worry, she has her own plans."

Grandma Qiao breathed a slight sigh of relief: "We've overcome so many difficulties, but I still feel like there are still obstacles ahead, and Lian'er is carrying them all. Sigh."

"Grandma, if we do our own job well, don't cause any extra trouble, and don't act on our own initiative, that's already the biggest help we can give Lian'er."

Grandma Qiao thought about it and realized that made sense.

Qiao Lian'er organized all the documents related to Tianhe Prefecture and then went to the palace to meet the emperor.

Eunuch Qi led her into the Golden Palace. The Emperor was reviewing memorials in his study when he glanced up and saw Qiao Lian'er carrying a large, heavy stack of documents. He suspected that her arms were aching.

"What is this?" the emperor asked.