When the emperor saw her cheerful look, he lost his temper.

He asked, "Why are you waiting outside for me to call you today? This doesn't seem like your style."

Wu Qing said: "I am afraid that the emperor will be soft-hearted when he sees me and forgive my family."

The emperor turned around and looked at her, "Are you so willing to do this?"

Wu Qing: [If the real owner is willing to give it up, why should I be reluctant to give it up? ]

Wu Qing said seriously: "My family members have committed mistakes and should be severely punished according to the law to serve as a warning to others. I beg the emperor not to be biased because of my feelings, so as not to lose his wisdom."

The emperor nodded: "Don't worry, I didn't let them go anyway."

Wu Qing: “…”

Well, she seemed to have thought too much, and the emperor had no intention of giving her face at all.

[The Emperor is serious about his work.]

"I still want to thank the emperor for playing this role with me." Wu Qing said, "If it weren't for the emperor's golden words and jade words as a shield, I would not dare to let the Wu family accept money and property."

The emperor said gently: "It should be me who should thank you."

Wu Huahou accepted bribes from more than 20 ministers in succession. The emperor fined the salaries of these 20 people and confiscated their property, which not only reduced expenditures but also filled the treasury.

Thinking of this, the emperor looked at Wu Qing even more gently.

How great it would be if everyone in the world was like Guiren Ji, willing to sacrifice their own families and help him dig out corrupt officials?

Unfortunately, most of them are part of the interest chain themselves.

The emperor sighed and said, "I know you are a reasonable person. I will never take my anger out on you for the Wu family's affairs. But in front of others, I have to consider my face and etiquette, so I will deliberately ignore you for a few days."

Wu Qing thought about it and replied, "No problem."

[It just so happens that I have been busy with Qin Lixue's affairs recently. If the emperor ignores me, I will have even more reason to complain to "Brother Lixue".]

Li, Xue, brother, brother?

The emperor frowned slightly, having an ominous premonition - Qin Lixue was afraid that he was in trouble.

He knew that Qin Lixue and Concubine Ji had been engaged, but at that time the goddess's wisdom had not yet been awakened, so the emperor did not feel uncomfortable.

However, Concubine Ji clearly hated Qin Lixue very much, so why did she call him so intimately?

[I'd better not tell the emperor for now. After all, I'm cuckolded, and the emperor might get angry.]

Wearing a green hat? What a new and strange word.

The emperor could not help but advise: "Even if I don't come to you, you should be more restrained and don't leave any handle for the court officials. You don't know how many people have impeached you in the court today."

Wu Qing was a little curious: "How many are there?"

The emperor replied: "One palm's worth."

Wu Qing sighed: "I have also made progress."

Instead of being ashamed, I feel happy about it.

"...If you have nothing to do, spend more time with the Imperial Concubine and the Queen, and don't go to the Palace of Tranquil Longevity so often." The Emperor shook his head and waved his hand to send her away.

[You don't want to accompany the Queen and the Imperial Concubine? You want me to accompany them? ]

Wu Qing blinked, [Really? I'd be disrespectful to refuse.]

After getting the emperor's approval, Wu Qing walked away with a leisurely pace, without any reluctance at all.

The emperor didn't know at this time what this sentence would bring him.

…

The news of the incident at the Wu family quickly spread throughout the palace.

...Wu Huahou, the chief clerk of the Censorate, accepted bribes amounting to five thousand taels in three months.

...Wu Zida entered the Imperial College and openly demanded bribes from other students, corrupting the school's atmosphere.

And these two things are closely related to Guiren Ji.

After the incident, Concubine Ji went to the Yangxin Palace to ask for an audience with the emperor, but was quickly driven out.

The palace people thought that this time Concubine Ji was finally going to be in trouble.

——And Concubine De also thought so.

In the heart of the imperial palace, candlelight flickered in the Buddhist hall next to the Cining Palace.

Concubine De stood in front and Concubine Li knelt behind.

Concubine De's face was like a bodhisattva, showing no joy or sadness. She said calmly, "Noble Lady Ji has lost power now. It's time for you to fight back."

Concubine Li did not tie her hair into a bun. After these days of practice, her face became much calmer.

"Your Majesty, you saved my life, and I have no way to repay you. Please give me your instructions." Li Guiren knelt deeply on the cushion, but the one she was kneeling to was not the Buddha, but Concubine De who was wearing a plain skirt.

De Fei turned the Buddhist beads in her hand and said with a little displeasure: "I don't want to get entangled with her. But she wants to build Nanshan Garden, which means she is my enemy."

The emperor allowed Concubine Ji to build Nanshan Garden.

After careful questioning, Concubine De found out that the Nanshan Garden was actually a place to take in criminals and accumulate merits in the name of dispelling resentment in the palace.

If Concubine Ji can really take this opportunity to accomplish meritorious deeds, what will the Queen Mother think?

Given the Empress Dowager's love of Buddhism, she would certainly view Concubine Ji as a person with good intentions and a affinity with Buddhism.

"The only one who can work for the Queen Mother is me. If she wants to have a share, it depends on whether I agree or not." Defei paused, "You said last time that you had another trump card."

"Your Majesty is right." Li Guiren bowed her head humbly, "Before entering the palace, Ji Guiren had an engagement. According to Zhitao, the two still exchange letters privately and are deeply in love."

Concubine De was a little surprised, "Who is it?"

"Compiled by the Hanlin Academy, Qin Lixue."

"It's him?" Concubine De raised her eyebrows slightly. "I thought he was an upright official. I didn't expect that his private behavior is just like this."

Li Guiren whispered, "My Lady, if we can find any trace of the letter, we will surely be able to put Ji Guiren to death."

Concubine De: "Do you have a plan in mind?"

"Your Majesty, why not start with Ji Guiren's trusted maid Jinxiu?" Li Guiren suggested, "As for the person to execute, you need to choose someone unexpected so as to conceal the truth."

"For example... Miss Qiao from Jingyixuan."

"Qiao Xiao?"

Li Guiren nodded, "If it weren't for the complications caused by Xiwen, Qiao Xiao should have passed the selection and become a palace concubine."

"Now Jingyi Pavilion is deserted, and she is the only one guarding it. The Queen Mother is concentrating on worshipping Buddha and almost ignores her. I guess... she is extremely worried now."

"If the Queen now extends an olive branch, she will do it regardless of the consequences, just like a drowning person clinging to a driftwood."

Li Guiren showed a calculating smile, "Once this is accomplished, you will not only be able to eliminate an opponent who is in the way, but also be able to bring the Queen Mother's niece under your command."

Defei thought for a moment and nodded slightly, agreeing with Li Guiren's idea.

She lit three incense sticks and inserted them between the incense burners.

Then, she bowed very devoutly to bid farewell to Lady Ji.