Chapter 191 Meeting at Cining Palace: The Emperor Doesn't Want to See You

Ji Qingwu asked, "What happened to Father?"

Many guesses arose in her mind.

Qiao and Ji's father have been living separately for many years. Could it be that there are some problems in their relationship?

The day before yesterday, she overheard people on the street talking about the head of the Xie family in Wushui Lane. He had been sent to serve as an official in another region for several years, and when he returned recently, he brought back a mistress with two children, which made his wife sick with anger.

Ji Qingwu carefully observed Qiao's expression.

She asked cautiously, "Is Father coming back?"

"Come back? Will you make me sick if you come back?!"

Whenever Qiao mentioned Ji's father, she felt dizzy and lightheaded.

Ji Qingwu walked behind her and massaged the Fengchi acupoints behind her ears on her neck.

"Mother, don't rush. What if you make yourself sick again?"

The pressure from her warm fingertips was just right, and she had a more accurate grasp of the vaginal opening, making it even more comfortable than Chunhua's massage.

Mrs. Qiao patted her arm and said, "Your father has offended someone again."

Again? Ji Qingwu keenly sensed that his father seemed to frequently commit sinful acts.

Qiao continued, "Officials sent out to work in remote areas, far from the emperor's reach, are at least well-fed and clothed, even if they don't line their own pockets, especially since he was in charge of such a lucrative position as salt transport."

"But not only was he completely incorruptible, his sleeves were practically leaking! He also meddled in other people's business everywhere, and now look what happened, he's offended a high-ranking official and has been arrested."

Ji Qingwu paused slightly, then asked in surprise, "Who exactly did my father offend?"

Although Gibran's official position was not the highest among officials, it was still a third-rank official. In the salt-producing south, he held the important position of Salt Transport Commissioner. Salt was as important as grain, as it was the foundation of people's livelihood.

Furthermore, Gibran is the Empress Dowager's own brother; who would be so bold as to detain a member of the imperial family?

Seeing Qiao's troubled expression, Ji Qingwu knew that the person behind the scenes must be a big shot.

Just as Madam Qiao was about to speak, Granny Li came in from the outer room and said in an anxious tone, "Madam, the Old Madam requests that you accompany her to Cining Palace."

Ji Qingwu grasped her hand in return and said firmly, "Mother, I will go with you."

*

When Madam Ji saw Ji Qingwu get on the carriage, her eyes showed displeasure.

She already knew about the discussions about celestial phenomena in the court today.

Because of the conjunction of Mars and Antares, no one dared to propose to Ji Qingwu anymore. Not only was the marriage with the Li family canceled, but this time, Ji Qingyuan's marriage was also hindered.

Madam Ji closed her eyes, as if seeing her made her feel annoyed.

Ji Qingwu had no idea what she had done to offend the old lady. She shrugged and obediently sat down next to Qiao Shi, keeping a distance from the old lady.

We arrived at Cining Palace.

Aunt Fanghua was waiting for them at the palace gate.

She said calmly, "Madam, First Madam, Fifth Miss, the Empress Dowager is waiting in the main hall. Please follow me."

Upon entering the palace, no matter how anxious they were, they could not forget the rules, and the group first paid their respects to the Empress Dowager.

When the Empress Dowager saw that Ji Qingwu had also come, her expression was complicated, clearly indicating that she had also heard about the recent turmoil in the court.

I don't understand how such a seemingly delicate girl can cause so much trouble from time to time, from the inner palace to the imperial court.

But she said nothing, because at the moment, Gibran's matter was more important.

The Empress Dowager rested her hand on the armrest of the throne and looked at the crowd, saying, "You should already know why I summoned you here."

Madam Ji and Madam Qiao nodded solemnly.

The Empress Dowager continued, "My brother holds an important position outside the capital and has never made a mistake over the years, yet the Governor-General of Liangjiang, Cao Hongtao, actually led people to detain him. He is truly audacious."

Qiao said, "Your Majesty, Cao Hongtao hasn't even presented a single legitimate charge for arrest. There must be something fishy going on. Perhaps he offended the interests of certain officials, which is why he suffered this misfortune."

The Empress Dowager also had the same idea.

Madam Ji looked worried: "I often tell Bolian to be more tactful in officialdom and not to be so serious. Too much rigidity leads to breakage, but he is hard to change and just won't listen to advice."

The Empress Dowager's eyes flashed with a sharp glint: "I think this cannot be entirely blamed on my elder brother; there must be someone behind it."

Sitting at the very back, Ji Qingwu lowered his head, his eyes downcast, and his nose was inhaling the fragrance of the Empress Dowager's palace. It was different from the fragrance he had smelled before; it was a delicate scent with a lingering sweetness, leaving an endless aftertaste.

The Empress Dowager's gaze swept over Ji Qingwu, noticing that she was keeping her head down and remaining silent.

He began, "Qingwu, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Caught off guard by being called out by name, both Old Madam Ji and Madam Qiao stared at her.

Ji Qingwu looked up at the Empress Dowager and said generously, "Your Majesty, I don't know what kind of personality my father has, but he has served as the Salt Transport Commissioner for so many years without being promoted or demoted. Does Your Majesty know why?"

The Empress Dowager had not thought this far ahead and looked at Ji Qingwu with surprise.

The Salt Transport Commissioner was appointed by the Prime Minister himself, but this position was special, and both dismissal and promotion required the Emperor's approval.

Gibran held this position for so long without ever making a mistake. Although he was somewhat radical in character, he was deeply trusted by the emperor in his duties.

If you can't pry him into becoming an ally, you'll have to uproot him completely.

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment: "You mean, someone wants the position of Salt Commissioner and is so eager to make a move that they are so impatient to take action."

Ji Qingwu replied, "Otherwise, they would have no reason to harm Father."

She said calmly, "I just don't understand why they are in such a hurry to detain my father before they have solid evidence."

The Empress Dowager nodded, finding her analysis to be very reasonable.

Infected by her calm demeanor, the atmosphere in the hall also eased considerably.

At this moment, Shi Xi hurriedly entered from outside the palace and whispered a few words to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager frowned, confirming, "They really found evidence?!"

Shi Xi said, "Yes, Your Majesty, our informant just sent word by fast horse that Lord Ji has been imprisoned."

Everyone initially thought it was just a temporary detention and that they would be released the next day if there was no evidence, but now they are actually being held in jail.

Moreover, since Ji Bolian was not in Lin'an, they had no way of knowing the news immediately.

Qiao appeared relatively calm, though her lips were tightly pressed together.

Ji Qingwu held her hand, but felt that her mother's palms were sweaty, and her mother must be worried and flustered.

Madam Ji's vision went black for a long time before she recovered.

He cried out in a mournful voice, "Bolian must not be harmed again! Your Majesty, you must find a way to save your elder brother!"

The Empress Dowager also wanted to save them, but they were too far apart, and her reach could not extend to Huainan.

She made her decision and stood up: "I will go to see the Emperor."

Both Madam Ji and Madam Qiao stood up: "We will go with Her Majesty."

Ji Qingwu also got up.

The Empress Dowager frowned at her: "Qingwu, don't go with him. The Emperor definitely won't want to see you."