The evidence is all there; Magistrate Qin couldn't possibly be putting on a show to fool a child.
Qi Zheng's silent rebuttals all seemed pale and powerless.
Qi Zheng clutched the paper with the address written on it somewhat helplessly, but Li Li still asked, "Did you remember it? We're going here!"
Qi Zheng: You're killing me by attacking my spirit!
How could a fairy be like this!
Qin Renjie was still unsure whether Lili had brought Qi Zheng over, but seeing how Lili seemed afraid that Qi Zheng wouldn't know what her father had done, he figured that Qi Zheng probably didn't know about these things.
Qin Renjie glanced at Qi Zheng several times before finally asking, "Lili, who is this...?"
Lili smiled sweetly: "This is Master Qi's son, Brother Qi Zheng, don't you all know him?"
Qin Renjie: "..."
Master Huang: "..."
Of course they knew this was the young master of the Qi family!
Isn't this basically asking you why you brought him along?
Qin Renjie was stunned for a moment, thinking that Lili must have her reasons.
Yes, that's right.
Lili must have her reasons.
As early as when Qin Renjie's men found out about that courtyard, he was already prepared to wipe out Master Qi at any time.
Of course, a room full of girls isn't enough.
If the girls' families are threatened and controlled by Master Qi, and the girls are unable to testify because of their families, then it will all be for nothing.
Therefore, Qin Renjie patiently waited for the two sides to make their moves.
First, there's the matter with His Highness the Crown Prince; second, there are the other flaws in the Qi family that Master Huang led his men to investigate.
The fact that the Qi family can dominate the market and own more than half of the land in Liucheng must be due to some unknown secret.
The tricky part is that he knows there's a lot going on here, but he can't find any specific information.
"Really?" Lili thought for a moment, "Then Uncle Magistrate should go find Brother Zhuifeng, he should have a solution. As for the matter over there... it'll be in the next few days."
Qin Renjie felt much more at ease after receiving Lili's confirmation: "Alright, I'll write a letter to Lord Zhuifeng later."
Lili nodded, deciding not to stay there any longer.
If you're any later, not only will you miss the vibrant scene, but you'll also get a spanking from your mother!
Lili didn't find it strange at all that someone would take their own son to see what their father had done wrong.
Let's go!
Lili memorized the general layout of the courtyard and couldn't wait to drag Qi Zheng to see it in person.
It will be too late if it's too late.
Master Qi is right there now.
She's going to rescue the young lady!
………..
The capital city.
The Imperial Palace, Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The palace maids moved nimbly between the halls and pavilions, carefully arranging all the items.
The eunuchs stood with their heads bowed, looking meek and submissive.
On the dragon throne, the nearly forty-year-old emperor sat upright, his posture as imposing and unshakeable as a towering mountain.
Emperor Ganzheng had sword-like eyebrows that reached his temples, and his eyes were deep and unfathomable, with a sharp gaze.
The dragon pattern on his robe proclaimed his authority, and he exuded an awe-inspiring aura as he intently reviewed the mountain of memorials.
Holding a whisk, Hong Fu quickly approached the hall with small steps, bowed his head, and respectfully reported to Emperor Ganzheng: "Your Majesty, the heir of the Marquis of Chongbo's mansion and his wife request an audience."
Emperor Gan Zheng frowned slightly and pinched the bridge of his nose: "What time is it now?"
Hong Fu had followed Emperor Ganzheng for over thirty years and knew him extremely well. He could tell at a glance that Emperor Ganzheng was exhausted.
Hong Fu hurriedly went around to the table and made him a cup of tea: "Your Majesty, it is just past Shen Shi (3-5 PM)."
At the beginning of Emperor Ganzheng's reign, Marquis Chongbo Gu Yi assisted him, offering advice and strategies to stabilize the country.
Therefore, Emperor Ganzheng held this uncle in high esteem. He also respected his son, Gu Weizhao, the heir apparent of the Marquis of Chongbo, who was his cousin. Because the Marquis of Chongbo had a son late in life, Gu Weizhao was still a child when Emperor Ganzheng entered the Eastern Palace.
Therefore, although the two were cousins in terms of generation, Emperor Ganzheng always treated this younger brother as half a son, and their relationship was very close.
Bai was his sister-in-law, so he was naturally more tolerant of her.
"I remember the Crown Prince's wife just returned to the capital. What is the matter that requires such a rush, ordering the couple to enter the palace at this hour?"
Hong Fu hurriedly whispered, "The Crown Prince said he wants to tell you personally."
Emperor Ganzheng pondered for two seconds. Could it be related to the Marquis Chongbo's residence?
But he had just played chess with his uncle two days ago, and there was nothing else going on.
Emperor Ganzheng waved his hand: "Summon them."
"Yes." Hong Fu flicked his whisk. "Summon the Lady of the Heir Apparent of the Marquis of Chong's Mansion to an audience—"
The palace servants quickly relayed the message, and after a short while, Lady Bai, dressed in magnificent robes, entered the hall with poise and elegance.
Beside him was the young and handsome heir of the Marquis of Chongbo, Gu Weizhao.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Bai's pregnancy was now becoming more apparent, and Emperor Qianzheng, with his sharp eyes, noticed it. His weariness faded, and he became somewhat interested: "Are you pregnant?"
Lady Bai smiled and said, "Your Majesty has a good eye."
Gu Weizhao's child was his cousin.
This was his first nephew, and Emperor Ganzheng was naturally very happy. He generously rewarded him with many things and offered a few words of comfort.
Emperor Ganzheng was kind and generous, and took good care of the Chongbo Marquis's family. He also had a good relationship with the Chongbo Marquis and his heir.
As a result, Lady Bai also benefited from the protection. Thinking of the conversation between the Crown Prince and her that night, as well as the support from her husband and father-in-law after careful consideration, Lady Bai calmed herself down.
His Highness the Crown Prince is right. The throne will change hands sooner or later, and the First Prince is not a good man.
“Brother.” Gu Weizhao’s expression suddenly turned serious, showing no trace of the ease and comfort he had shown while chatting and laughing just moments before.
Emperor Gan Zheng straightened up and smiled: "Judging from your expression, do you have something to report?"
Gu Weizhao smiled helplessly: "Nothing can be hidden from my imperial brother."
Emperor Ganzheng instructed the palace servants to offer him a seat, wondering what could have prompted his usually gentle cousin to rush into the palace with his wife.
"From childhood to adulthood, this is the only time you've ever called me 'Imperial Brother'," Emperor Ganzheng said, stopping Hongfu, who was about to massage his shoulders. "Speak."
"Your Majesty, I dare to offer my sincere words on the essential principles of justice."
Emperor Ganzheng frowned, signaling him to continue.
"Justice is the cornerstone of governing a country and ensuring its stability, just as the foundation of a building. When it is solid, the country prospers; when it is shaken, the country is in danger. Your Majesty bears the weight of the nation on your shoulders, and every action you take is related to the well-being of all the people."
Emperor Ganzheng savored the finest Xinyang Maojian tea and looked at him.
Gu Weizhao said, "His Majesty once said that the emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people, and this is the truth."
Emperor Gan Zheng raised an eyebrow. Could it be that some minister had seen him fishing at Jingxin Lake after dinner recently, and thought he was being lazy, so he sent his heir to persuade him?
"Yes, that's what I said."
Gu Weizhao and Bai Shi suddenly knelt down together. Emperor Ganzheng narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly, his fingers stroking the rim of his cup, his gaze deep and intense.
"Your Majesty, I deserve to die! I must impeach the Crown Prince Gu Zi'an for using the guise of disaster relief to embezzle grain, forming cliques for personal gain, and colluding with Zhou Wukui, the prefect of Nanlin County, in an attempt to deceive the people and arbitrarily change the grain tax personally set by Your Majesty, thus bleeding the people dry!"
After Gu Zian finished speaking passionately, Madam Bai recounted what she knew and had heard, word by word, and even guaranteed with her own life that a concubine in the First Prince's mansion was a collateral relative of Zhou Wukui's clan.
With each word he heard, Emperor Ganzheng's gaze grew colder.
They illegally collected grain taxes and treated the people like dirt.
It seems he's been too lenient with his boss...
………..
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