After the court session ended in the Phoenix Palace, the officials left in twos and threes.

There was nothing new before today's political meeting: the progress of reconstruction in the three flood-stricken prefectures, local reports on the upcoming autumn harvest, the grain and military supplies in the northern and southern border regions after autumn, and preparations for the upcoming arrival of the Shuofeng Dynasty delegation in the capital.

Today, His Majesty praised the talented women in the capital who volunteered, saying that he has high hopes for them.

This matter brings joy to some and sorrow to others, but most are filled with unease.

There was something else interesting: the Jingzhao Prefecture reported that a group of human traffickers and loan sharks had been arrested.

When such an incident occurred at a time when a foreign delegation was arriving in the capital, His Majesty's face darkened, and he uttered only two words: "Investigate thoroughly."

Several people surrounded Deng Hongyi, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, all inquiring about the matter.

Normally, it would be best to keep anything that happens at this time a secret, arrest someone without interrogation, or quietly submit a memorial to the emperor. Why bring it up in the imperial court?

Deng Hongyi was not an oblivious person; he was naturally willing to inquire about anything that seemed out of the ordinary.

"The Langyinfang fire happened last night. The plume of smoke was huge; it startled me."

Deng Hongyi wore his usual faint smile. "It's nothing serious. It just burned down a courtyard. Fortunately, there were no casualties."

"Who asked this?" Dingyuanbo thought to himself with a hint of resentment.

He was a regular at Chengyuan, and while he was a bit of a show-off, he couldn't surpass Deng Hongyi's father.

I heard there was a big commotion at Chengyuan last night, and then this morning there was the matter of arresting human traffickers.

Given the attractive appearances of those servants in Chengyuan, it's hard not to make the connection.

He tried to subtly inquire, but Deng Hongyi pretended not to understand.

The Earl of Dingyuan, impatient with his evasive tactics, leaned closer and whispered something.

“Nephew, don’t try to fob me off. Why should you have to go through all that trouble yourself to carry out the fire?”

To be honest, is Chengyuan involved with human slave traders?

Deng Hongyi looked down at his forearm, which was being gripped tightly. The Earl of Dingyuan was a military meritorious official, and he couldn't break free.

"There may be some involvement; the investigation is still ongoing."

The Earl of Dingyuan looked somewhat flustered; he had actually guessed correctly!

Before he could ask any more questions, Deng Hongyi, eager to get rid of him, immediately pressed on, "Is the Earl of Dingyuan involved in this matter?"

"What nonsense! How could there be any connection? It's just... just occasionally going to Chengyuan for a few drinks."

Deng Hongyi sighed, looking rather helpless. "If that's the case, what's there to worry about?"

The Earl of Dingyuan thought to himself that this was because he was afraid of being caught in the crossfire.

But in a real contest, Marquis Bowang is definitely ahead of him; that old fellow is quite the troublemaker.

"Does Your Excellency have anything else to attend to? I'm in a hurry to get back to the yamen to hear the case."

"Oh, oh..." The Earl of Dingyuan scratched the back of his head. "I'm sorry to have troubled you, my dear nephew. I'll treat Marquis Bowang to a drink later."

Deng Hongyi ignored him, and after the other person let go, he strode out.

Drinking? I'm afraid I'll have to go to their place to drink.

Since last night, his father has been confined to his residence and is not allowed to step out of the mansion during the provincial examination.

There are quite a few people in the court who like to play at Chengyuan Garden. Just now, people near and far could hear them whispering.

Deng Hongyi meant that the investigation would only involve human traffickers and would not implicate their clients.

That makes sense. With so many people going there, would he dare to investigate? The first person he'd investigate would be his father.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief; it was good that they weren't involved.

A little further on, Qin Wenyuan, the Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Household Department, stumbled.

"Lord Qin, please be careful."

When his arm was supported, Qin Wenyuan turned his head and saw that it was the Duke of Zheng.

"Thank you, Duke Zheng."

Duke Zheng released his grip. "Lord Qin, you look rather unwell. Are you feeling unwell?"

Qin Wenyuan waved his hand, "It's nothing serious, just a chill from the night."

"Autumn has arrived, and the night breeze inevitably carries a chill, so it's best to be careful."

"Yes, yes..."

Qin Wenyuan composed himself and, using the excuse of catching a cold, strode away, his steps hurried.

Because he was feeling unwell, he did not go to the government office, but sent a message with his servant and went straight home.

The position of Shaofujian was practically his own, so naturally no one dared to object.

Deep inside the mansion, the door to the study slammed shut behind him.

Qin Wenyuan lit three incense sticks, the smoke rising straight and heavy, slowly.

In the dim light, he took out a plain white silk handkerchief and very slowly wiped the cold ebony memorial tablet on the table.

Where the fingertips touched, the deep gold inscriptions on the card surface were revealed, each character piercing the eye like a needle:

The spirit tablet of "Qin Wenyuan, who was granted the title of Grand Master of the Palace and Supervisor of the Imperial Household Department, and his first wife, Li Zhaozhao, who was granted the title of Lady of Changping County".

Zhao Zhao was different from ordinary women; she disliked sweet and cloying fragrances and preferred cool and refreshing scents.

Qin Wenyuan was in charge of all the tributes to the palace, so he naturally knew that camphor was the finest of cold-weather incense.

This incense is extremely precious, with a limited annual quota. It is rarely bestowed except for sacrifices to Heaven and grand ceremonies of the imperial family.

In earlier years, Qin Wenyuan dared not embezzle, but he used his position to collect the ash from the camphor incense.

After many attempts, I actually managed to blend a cool fragrance that was seven or eight parts similar to the original.

Thinking of his wife's smiling face when Chengxiang was named Zhaozhao, Qin Wenyuan's lips curled up slightly, as if he could still see it vividly.

At this moment, he was not burning ordinary incense sticks, but the Zhao Zhao incense.

He carefully wiped it three times, then gently placed the memorial tablet back in its original position. Qin Wenyuan smelled the cool fragrance and remained silent.

Knock knock knock...

Qin Wenyuan snapped out of his reverie. According to the rules of the manor, one should not be disturbed when someone is in the study.

He took a deep breath, as if greedily trying to inhale all the fragrance, and then turned around and opened the door.

The old butler bowed deeply and whispered in his ear.

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