Chapter 311 Thick Clouds and Heavy Rain, I've Come to Take Shelter

Who from the Wei family is here?

Lu Juan dared not raise his head, nor did he dare to answer, for such an answer would be fatal.

He overlooked Ji Qingwu for a moment and did not mention him, but he did mention the Wei family.

Zhao Mingyan glared at him coldly, as if he would commit a heinous crime if he answered that Ji Qingwu was a member of the Wei family.

Lu Juan explained, "What I'm saying is true. The Song family caused trouble at the Wei family's door, and the two families had a dispute. Even Old Madam Wei was alarmed."

After a long pause, Zhao Mingyan finally said, "Please take a seat."

Lu Juan sat down and glanced at the emperor's face.

He had only mentioned it briefly, referring to his fifth sister as a member of the Wei family, and Emperor Wusu was so displeased. He was also worried for Wei Ting.

Wei Ting took advantage of the chaos to forcibly marry Fifth Sister.

Although he knew that Emperor Wusu was not such a muddle-headed and tyrannical emperor, if someone in a different place forcibly married Qingrong, he could not guarantee that he would not go crazy.

Lu Juan picked up the teacup on the square table and took a sip of ginger tea.

I wonder what kind of situation Wei Ting will face when he returns to Lin'an. Can he bear the emperor's wrath?

Zhao Mingyan sat down again and asked, "How was the matter resolved?"

The oppressive feeling in front of him lessened by half. Lu Juan said, "When I arrived, the dispute had already been resolved. I happened to see Song Wei, barefoot and without his hat, apologizing to Qingwu."

As he carefully answered, he earned another sidelong glance from the emperor.

Lu Juan realized something was wrong and changed his words, saying, "...the way he apologized to Miss Ji."

"His Majesty didn't see it. At that time, Song Wei was so angry but dared not speak out. He was completely different from the arrogant person who caused trouble in front of the clinic. He was completely controlled by the Fifth Miss."

Speaking of this, Lu Juan felt gratified.

"I think that the Fifth Miss has become a bit more assertive than before."

Ji Qingrong was always worried that her fifth sister was weak and easily bullied, and she often talked about it with Lu Juan. Now it seems that there is no need to worry.

Zhao Mingyan's brow twitched slightly, and the corners of his lips curved into a gentle smile.

In fact, the emperor had already received a secret report from Sihai and knew what had happened, but he still wanted to hear it from Lu Juan again.

Zhao Mingyan tossed a memorial from the large table to Li Yuzong.

He said calmly, "Yuwen Tianqing is still hiding in the old house in the suburbs. Duan Mingfeng has sent people to keep a close watch on him. Su Fengyue's crime of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country is still missing the most crucial piece of evidence."

The most crucial thing... must be the letters exchanged with Xi Jin.

Lu Juan took the memorial handed to him by Li Yuzong, glanced at it, and asked, "Has His Majesty sent any secret guards to search the Su family?"

"The search was conducted, but nothing was found."

“That old fox Su Fengyue is very cunning. If he hadn’t personally witnessed the Emperor being seriously injured and hadn’t received reliable information from Xi Jin, he would never have made such a big mistake.”

Lu Juan said, "Should we have Lord Duan go to the Prime Minister's residence again tonight to investigate? Lord Duan is skilled in light-footed martial arts, and the Duan family is adept at tracking."

Duan Mingfeng's kung fu was impressive, but there were quite a few people in Lin'an City who knew about his unique skills, making it easy for him to be recognized.

Zhao Mingyan said, "No need, I will go to the Prime Minister's residence myself."

Lu Juan said in surprise, "Your Majesty, please reconsider. It is not appropriate for Your Majesty to show your face at this time."

Knowing it's impossible, yet still doing it, what if the people in the Su household discover it? Wouldn't the emperor be putting himself in danger again?

Zhao Mingyan said, "After nightfall tomorrow, you will keep Su Fengyue occupied in the palace while I go to the Su family to investigate the situation."

"Your Majesty should still..." Lu Juan didn't finish his sentence before suddenly realizing something.

Not only Ji Qingwu is changing, but Emperor Wusu's style of doing things is also changing.

Zhao Mingyan said, "I will arrange for a thousand elite soldiers to lie in ambush outside the Prime Minister's residence. If they find solid evidence, I will send a message to you, and you can directly detain Su Fengyue."

Lu Juan stopped trying to persuade him, bowed his head and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I obey."

It could make even the most patient emperor impatient and willing to risk his life again.

Lu Juan couldn't think of any other reason.

As he left Zhaoyang Palace, the rain outside had lessened considerably, and Li Yuzong ordered someone to bring him an umbrella.

Slanting raindrops drifted in from under the umbrella, blown by the wind.

As Lu Juan walked to the palace gate, his half-dry robe was soaked by the rain again. He originally wanted to return to the Marquis's residence, but he turned back instead.

Now that Emperor Wusu has decided to take action, there is a high probability of a major storm tomorrow night. He will also join forces to eradicate the power under the protection of Prime Minister Su.

The thought of compiling the lists and evidence of crimes suddenly made Lu Juan's blood boil.

Upon seeing Lord Lu, the guards at the palace gate threw away their umbrellas and walked into the palace in the rain, their imposing manner reminiscent of a rainbow.

*

The night rain was chilly.

The doors and windows inside were tightly closed, yet a damp, cool breeze still seeped in.

Ji Qingwu woke up suddenly for some reason. She felt a draft under her feet and realized that her right foot and calf were outside the quilt.

Strangely, my right foot wasn't cold, but my left foot, which was in bed, was colder.

Ji Qingwu sensed something was wrong and quickly shrank into the quilt, tucking the corners of the quilt under her feet and around her body.

Lanzhi was sleeping in the side room with Qiuqiu. She really wanted to bring the warm little girl back and tuck her into her own quilt to warm her up.

Thinking is no substitute for action. Just as Ji Qingwu was about to sit up, he was suddenly pushed down.

She blinked her big eyes, not understanding why things had suddenly changed.

Something was pressing down on her, and she couldn't move her hands or feet.

The immense pressure, as heavy as a mountain, made her gasp for breath, wondering if she was even fully conscious, as if she were being paralyzed by a ghost.

The damp scent of agarwood lingered around Ji Qingwu's nose, causing her nose to twitch slightly and her eyes to brighten.

She called softly, "Your Majesty?"

A sweet scent wafted past Zhao Mingyan's ear, and even in the night, he could see a fleeting glint in her eyes.

He said in a low voice, "Why aren't you sleeping obediently?"

Ji Qingwu struggled and pulled his arm away, saying, "That's a question you should ask His Majesty. It's raining in the middle of the night, why are you coming to the Wei family instead of sleeping?"

A warm palm touched her right cheek.

Zhao Mingyan asked, "Does it hurt?"

Ji Qingwu blinked gently, her eyelashes fluttering and falling back down, understanding what he was asking.

"It doesn't hurt."

Zhao Mingyan said, "Nonsense."

A gust of wind blew the candlestick on the bedside table into light, instantly drawing Ji Qingwu's attention.

Zhao Mingyan pinched her chin and examined her carefully.

For some reason, Ji Qingwu's lips curled up, and his eyes brightened even more.

"Our bodies and hair are gifts from our parents. I just accidentally scratched myself, but it's all healed now and doesn't hurt at all."

Emperor Wusu knew, of course, that the injury on her face was caused by Qiao accidentally scratching it with her sleeve; otherwise, Qiao would not still be safely staying in the Ji family.

Ji Qingwu's eyes darted around, and he said, "Didn't His Majesty say that we should meet again before the traces disappear? It's not time yet."

"Let me check it."

Emperor Wusu solemnly tried to open her collar.

Ji Qingwu pulled her inner garment tighter and said hurriedly, "It's still here, it's still here, I saw it before I went to sleep."

Fearing he might actually want to inspect her, she asked again, "What exactly is Your Majesty here for?"

"The clouds are thick and the rain is heavy, so I'm taking shelter from the rain."