A lot has happened recently, and each one requires cleaning up the mess. Ji Xuan is very afraid that she will create another problem this time.
However, it takes time to investigate information. Although he sent his secret guards to investigate immediately, they did not find out the situation so quickly.
As for summoning the Grand Secretary, he felt it would be of no use.
However, it's better than worrying all by yourself.
After an incense stick had burned for a while, the three Grand Secretaries hurried over.
Among them, Liu An was also disheveled, making people wonder what he had been doing before.
Noticing the strange gazes directed at him, Liu An felt quite embarrassed and weakly explained, "I was just taking a bath when I suddenly felt a tremor. I just threw on some clothes and ran to the courtyard. His Majesty summoned me in a hurry, and I didn't have time to change."
"oh!"
An and Zhong replied in unison.
His tone was filled with unspoken doubt.
Why would they take a bath in broad daylight? Are they perhaps playing in the water like mandarin ducks?
Thinking of this, An Qingyun couldn't help but glance at Liu An, and then felt a pang of jealousy.
Although this kid is more than 20 years younger than me, he is also a man of age. How come he has so much energy?
Wow, that's really enviable.
“It’s alright,” Ji Xuan said, her expression unchanged. “It’s not a big deal. Just be more careful in the future.”
Upon hearing this, Liu An immediately realized that he had truly been misunderstood.
Immediately, he regretted it.
He really didn't do anything, he just felt hot and then cooled down with cold water, why doesn't anyone believe him?
If he had known this would happen, he would have changed his clothes before coming over no matter how much Qu Fang urged him.
Finally, biting his lip, he reluctantly agreed, "This old minister understands."
"His Majesty summoned us here, is it to inquire about the earthquake that just occurred?" An Qingyun spoke first.
"Hmm, does Anqing have any insightful suggestions?"
"According to records from previous years, Shu and Yi are the most likely places. Shu is far from the capital and would not have been able to reach here. It should be Yi."
He paused for a moment, then added, "Moreover, judging from the tremors in the capital, the earthquake in Yidi will not be very serious."
Is this really true?
Upon hearing this, Grand Secretary An nodded slightly. "Your Majesty need not be anxious. Once the secret guards return and report the news, we will know whether what this old minister said is true or false."
Having served in office for so many years, what kind of situation hasn't he encountered? This earthquake is really nothing compared to that.
Ji Xuan breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing Elder An's words. "That would be best."
He was really afraid of things going wrong again.
"Push those people from the aristocratic families out," Zhong Ping said without hesitation. "Although the cave isn't very big this time, the people will start to have all sorts of wild thoughts. Pushing them out now will be a good way to shield them from arrows."
“That makes sense,” Liu An immediately agreed, “This is a perfect opportunity to completely reverse His Majesty’s reputation.”
The common people said that the emperor was incompetent, and everyone present knew this, but no one really cared.
But if it's just a few whispered rumors, and people only dare to mutter about it behind their backs, and don't dare to say it out loud, what can they possibly accomplish?
"You guys organize the evidence first, and then see when is the right time."
Ji Xuan's meaning is very clear.
He was already dissatisfied with the aristocratic families, and his anger was amplified by Qin Chun's affair. He hadn't originally intended to exterminate them, but now he didn't want to let any of them go.
"Your humble servant obeys!"
Not long after the three left, Qi Yong rushed over, "Master, the matter of Qin Chun has been investigated and clarified."
Who's behind that?
"Someone that no one would have expected."
Qi Yong gave a wink to the person next to him, signaling him to bring the person over.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
"Qi Yong, what exactly happened?"
“Your Majesty,” Qi Yong explained through gritted teeth, “this Qin woman is one of the remnants of the former Crown Prince, and we later arranged for her to take care of the former Crown Prince.”
"She was very well-behaved for a while at first, but then I went to Shandong and didn't take care of her there. She took the opportunity to get involved with Qin Chun and is now two months pregnant with his bastard child."
The moment Qi Yong learned that Qin Shi was pregnant, he immediately understood why Qin Chun's behavior was so illogical—her attempt to kill her master at any cost.
The Ji family's direct line consists of only the late Crown Prince and their own master. With the master's death and no heir in the palace, they will definitely start with the late Crown Prince's line.
If everyone in the world believed that the child in Qin's womb was of Ji family blood, it might actually work.
To confuse the royal bloodline and attempt to steal the dragon and replace the phoenix is simply deserving of death.
Ji Xuan was aware of all this, and immediately her whole demeanor turned cold and sinister.
Then, he walked slowly and deliberately to Qin Shi, saying, "Raise your head!"
"Your Majesty," Qin was truly frightened, "I know nothing, I really know nothing."
Qin had expected things to come to light sooner or later, but she hadn't anticipated it would happen so quickly, leaving her no time to even find a way out.
Being with Qin Chun was indeed something she had carefully planned.
The former crown prince was just a decrepit old man, sickly and bedridden, taking three breaths for every word he spoke, his mind unclear, and she had to take care of his every need, from eating and drinking to relieving himself.
Even with his lecherous appearance, he hasn't changed his lustful ways. He drools over me every day, as if he's desperate to be reborn.
One or two days is bearable, but a week is unbearable, to the point that it makes you want to vomit up leftovers.
In order to escape this misery, I have no choice but to seek help from others.
However, the child really surprised her.
Qin Shi never thought she could actually have a child, let alone know that Qin Chun would be so crazy.
Of course, even if you know, you shouldn't try to stop it.
Because she harbored resentment towards Ji Xuan for his neglect and disdain.
If I fail, I'll just lose my worthless life. I'll live one day at a time for now. If I succeed, I can rise in status through my son and become the most important empress dowager in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Then, you will be able to completely trample those who look down on you under your feet.
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan remained silent, only staring at Qin Shi with an oppressive gaze.
After a long silence, he narrowed his eyes and spoke in an inexplicable tone, "You want to seize the Ji family's throne? With the bastard in your belly?"
Where did such a big face come from?
How could such a far-fetched idea exist?
If the Ji family's rule were so easy to seize, how could they have remained in power for two hundred years?
Upon hearing this, a flash of shame and indignation crossed Qin's face.
It was that same condescending tone again, laced with disdain and contempt.
Lowering her head to conceal the emotions in her eyes, Qin knelt down as if in fear, saying, "I am terrified."
"Fearful?" Ji Xuan scoffed. "Not necessarily."
Ji Xuan realized that she had really underestimated this person.
I originally thought she was just a harmless parasite, resembling the late Crown Princess but lacking talent and virtue, perfect for disgusting the late Crown Prince.
But I never expected them to be so capable of causing trouble.
The former crown prince was indeed imprisoned, but he was not someone a peasant woman could insult, and the bloodline of the Ji family could not be easily confused.
"Your Majesty," Qi Yong said in a sinister tone, "this kind of vicious woman was spared last time, but she must not be let off this time. And that bastard in her womb deserves to die even more!"
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