Chapter 248 I really want to run away; he's really hard to fool.
Marquis Anping pulled Li Mu up and lowered his voice, saying, "His Majesty must have summoned you to the palace because of Ke'er's horse fright."
Now is the best time to seek justice for Ke'er. Remember, you must cry and tell the court officials about the fright Ke'er suffered.
Ke'er has just distinguished herself, discovering the oil mine and helping to locate the prince. If His Majesty does not provide justice, it will inevitably discourage people.
He spoke in a serious tone.
Li Mu pursed his lips, thinking to himself, "Do I look like a complete idiot? I actually used the same tricks I use to deceive a seven or eight-year-old child."
He feigned confusion and asked, "Wasn't Father very angry with Ke'er? Why is he suddenly so protective of her?"
Marquis Anping paused for a moment, then sighed deeply.
"It was only after this trip to the Imperial City Guard that I truly understood the meaning of 'kindness is often taken advantage of.' Why does the Xue family dare to humiliate our family like this?"
"Isn't it just because their family produced an empress? If we keep backing down, any family will be able to trample on our Li family in the future."
"Therefore, we must fight back this time and make His Majesty seek justice for Ke'er."
"Go quickly, don't keep the eunuchs outside waiting too long."
Marquis Anping urged Li Mu to hurry.
Li Mu's buttocks seemed to be permanently attached to the chair, remaining completely still.
A look of fear crossed her face. "But I...I'm afraid. What if His Majesty is furious? I..."
Marquis Anping said, "No, Ke'er has just made a contribution, His Majesty will be kind to you."
Li Mu glanced at Li Yao, "It still won't work. I really don't dare to go alone."
Li Yao stood up.
"I'll go with my older brother."
Li Mu's eyes lit up.
"Really? You're really willing to stand up for me and fight for my rights?"
"Of course, Ke'er is my own niece. How could I, as her uncle, stand by and watch her be bullied?"
Li Mu then got up from the chair.
“Great! I’ll go change into my formal attire for the audience. We’ll meet at the entrance in a bit.”
This time, I will definitely get justice for Ke'er.
After saying that, he hurriedly left the study, and soon the sound of Li Mu talking to the eunuch could be heard outside.
"Please go to the front hall for a cup of tea, sir. I'll change my clothes and leave immediately."
Only Marquis Anping and Li Yao remained in the study.
Li Yao lowered his voice and said, "Father said that my eldest brother also wrote a self-recommendation letter to compete for the position of Water Envoy. Is this news accurate?"
Marquis Anping nodded.
"It's absolutely true. The people from the Yintai Division saw with their own eyes the self-recommendation letter he wrote. Li Nanke has just been rewarded for his meritorious service."
The Left Chancellor has already submitted your self-recommendation memorial. If His Majesty were to choose between you and Li Mu as the Water Envoy, he would very likely favor the latter.
But if he were to relentlessly pursue the Xue family, demanding that His Majesty grant Li Nanke justice...
His Majesty will surely dislike him, which will make it more likely that the position of Water Envoy will fall to you.
Marquis Anping gave Li Yao careful instructions.
"Remember, you must encourage him to say something that will anger His Majesty and make him furious. Then, you can step forward and say that it was just Li Mu's own extreme idea."
Li Yao nodded and noted it down.
"Father, rest assured, I know what I'm doing."
On the other side, Li Mu went back to change his clothes and told Li Nanke about his upcoming trip to the palace.
There was also the matter of Marquis Anping instigating him to cause trouble for His Majesty. He said angrily, "Do I look like a complete fool? You actually tricked me into causing trouble for His Majesty."
Li Nanke smiled and gave a thumbs up.
"Father is the smartest man in the world, he won't be fooled."
With just one sentence, Li Mu was coaxed into becoming a smooth talker.
"I just don't know why His Majesty suddenly summoned me to the palace. Could it really be about your horse being startled?"
He denied it as soon as he finished speaking.
"Probably not, and this matter wouldn't be discussed in the imperial court."
“Father is right. If I’m not mistaken, His Majesty summoned Father to the palace for the selection of the Water Conservancy Commissioner.”
"Huh? How did you know?"
Li Mu was surprised, then waved his hand in a flustered manner.
"That's not important. What's important is that if His Majesty were to ask me how to manage the Bian River because of this, how would I answer?"
I...I wasn't prepared at all..."
Li Mu recalled his boastful words in his self-recommendation letter, and cold sweat began to pour down his forehead.
She instinctively ran to the inner room, picked up her painting basket, and stammered, "Girl...daughter, I suddenly remembered that I wanted to paint the first snow of Crescent Moon Mountain."
It's snowing now, this is a golden opportunity! I'll go paint the snow scene first, and you... you just tell the palace eunuchs that I've gone out.
As he spoke, he picked up his painting basket and started to walk out. After taking two steps, he realized something was wrong, so he quickly stopped, turned around, and ran back to where he started.
He muttered frantically, "No, I have to go through the back door..."
Li Nanke looked helpless as he watched Li Mu step one foot across the threshold.
She let out a soft sigh.
"Father, painting the snow scene is important, go quickly. Don't worry about me and Mother, we can bear the crime of deceiving the emperor!"
"It's just beheading. I've heard that the executioners at Caishikou are really good at it. They can cut off a head in one stroke and you don't even feel the pain."
"It's just that I feel a bit ugly without a head. When Daddy comes back to collect my and Mommy's bodies, can you sew my head back on?"
Li Mu's other foot was frozen in mid-air, unable to take another step.
He turned his head slowly with a pained expression, looking aggrieved.
"Ke'er".
Li Nanke smiled and waved her little hand.
"Father, hurry up, the snow will melt if you stay any longer."
"I finished painting the snow and rushed back just in time to help my mother and me collect our bodies!"
Li Mu's heart skipped a beat, and his handsome face turned deathly pale.
He gritted his teeth, put the painting basket on the ground, and straightened his wrinkled clothes.
He shouted loudly, "With Father here, Father won't let anything happen to you or your mother!"
It's just going to the palace to meet the emperor.
It's just a discussion about flood control!
What's the big deal?
He just doesn't know how!
Li Mu stood tall and proud, facing death without flinching, and went out the door.
Zisu looked worried. "Won't the young master anger His Majesty by entering the palace like this?"
Li Nanke shook his head.
She had faith in her father.
Father just doesn't like being an official; that doesn't mean he's completely devoid of ideas.
Moreover, her father's only weakness is her and her mother. He knows the consequences of angering His Majesty, so he will do his best to avoid it.
As soon as Li Mu got into the carriage, his legs started shaking.
Seeing how nervous he was, Li Yao, sitting opposite him, felt nothing but contempt.
But with a gentle expression, she encouraged him, "Brother, don't be afraid. Just tell me what you think is wronged about Ke'er, and speak out boldly."
Li Mu closed his eyes and huddled in the corner, seemingly oblivious to what was happening.
In fact, he only had one thought in his mind right now: he really wanted to run away, and he couldn't be fooled!
The carriage arrived at the palace gate quickly. Since His Majesty had only summoned Li Mu, Li Yao had to present a formal invitation and wait at the palace gate.
Li Mu walked into the Daqing Hall with trepidation.
As soon as he knelt down, he heard the emperor ask, "I summoned you here today to ask how you plan to restore peace and prosperity to my land?"
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