This prayer trip ended abruptly with the concubines returning early.

As they got on the carriage for the return journey, the concubines were still feeling frightened.

Recalling the moment when Abbot Tongguang ordered the monks to surround them, they really thought they would die here today.

Later, the imperial concubine gave in and the Huguo Temple was evacuated, and the fight between the two sides temporarily ended.

They never dreamed that a scandal of Concubine Wu's extramarital affair would involve so many problems.

Fortunately, they are now returning to the safest place in the world.

The carriage slowly drove away from the Huguo Temple, carrying the concubines' thoughts and expectations, and set off on the journey home.

In the most spacious carriage, Concubine Lin called Concubine Mu.

Wu Qing, who was kicked off the carriage, looked aggrieved.

She cried in her heart, "The imperial concubine has a new lover and doesn't want me anymore."

[We just survived the crisis together, and she changed her mind. The beautiful sister doesn't want her puppy anymore. 】

Concubine Lin was both angry and amused.

She signaled Zijuan to bring the walnut cakes on the table to Wu Qing, so that Zijuan could comfort Concubine Wu's wounded heart.

After a while, Wu Qing's voice floated into Concubine Lin's ears again.

[Walnut crisps! I am still the concubine’s little baby! ]

[Great, this time I can enjoy a whole bowl by myself. ]

Although the words were subtle, Concubine Lin heard them clearly and couldn't help but smile.

Mu Changzai sat quietly on the other side of the carriage, not saying a word, waiting for Concubine Lin's next instructions.

Concubine Lin stopped smiling, her expression became serious again, and she returned to the palace fighting mode.

She looked at Mu Changzai, her tone serious: "Is this the account book?"

Mu Changzai nodded and said, "My lady, I have accomplished my mission. The account book is hidden in the secret room of the Zen room, and there is a hidden weapon in the keyhole. It is obvious that it is well guarded against anyone."

"In order to conceal my tracks, I set fire to the Zen room."

Concubine Lin nodded: "I didn't expect that your skills are so amazing."

Mu Changzai showed confusion at this time: "Speaking of which, Madam, how did you know... that I know martial arts?"

Before, at Xiangguo Temple, Mu Changzai was startled when Zijuan suddenly came over and talked to her.

She thought she had hidden it well, but she didn't expect that she would be exposed.

However, the reward offered by the imperial concubine really touched her. After a brief consideration, Mu Changzai took over the task.

Concubine Lin smiled and said, "It was Concubine Wu who proposed it."

"Lady Wu?" Concubine Mu was at a loss.

"Yes, she knows everything." Concubine Lin said lightly.

Mu Changzai suddenly realized.

No wonder Concubine Lin suddenly recruited Concubine Wu, it turns out there was this reason.

Concubine Lin opened her red lips and continued, "I will keep my promise and ask the emperor for a reward on your behalf. From now on, you don't need to work hard for me anymore."

Mu Changzai nodded gratefully to express his thanks.

After receiving the account book, Concubine Lin flipped through it roughly and her face suddenly changed.

Each item above clearly records the time, object and quantity.

She closed the account book in a hurry, her heart in turmoil.

Mu Changzai called softly, "My Lady?"

Concubine Lin looked at her suddenly and said in a serious tone: "Have you read the contents?"

Mu Changzai quickly shook her head, puzzled: "Madam, aren't you looking for the mistakes and omissions of Qi Changzai in the account book?"

Concubine Lin smiled reluctantly, "Yes, I found it. There was indeed an extra ten taels of money for incense offerings last month. This is undoubtedly ironclad evidence that Concubine Qi was framing Concubine Wu."

But her tone did not contain the joy of finding out the truth, but instead carried a hint of indescribable heaviness.

Mu Changzai sensed something unusual in the words and shut his mouth obediently.

Concubine Lin was still in shock.

The amounts recorded in the account book included not only bribes from concubines, but also bribes from major families.

Abbot Tongguang probably wanted to use the account book as a handle. The handwriting on the account pages was extremely clear, which gave her a good opportunity to check it.

The Huguo Temple is actually a huge profit distribution chain!

The account books clearly recorded that the Huguo Temple was secretly engaged in the business of prostitutes and had tied up a large number of officials in the court who had homosexual tendencies through the trade of male beauty.

Even the Lin family themselves are included in the account book!

The more Concubine Lin thought about it, the angrier she became.

Fortunately, the account book fell into her hands!

According to the law, everyone who appears in this account book must be beheaded!

If she handed it over to the emperor, the emperor might even forgive the Lin family for her sake.

…

The palace gate opened wide and the carriage slowly drove in.

Concubine Lin simply washed up.

She called a servant to ask, and when she learned that the queen's condition had improved, she picked up the account book without hesitation and went to the emperor's study.

The emperor was reviewing memorials. There were not many memorials today, and the queen's illness had improved, so he was in a good mood.

When the eunuch reported it, the emperor had not expected that the imperial concubine would come to see him at this time. However, this surprise was soon replaced by pleasure.

The emperor thought, the imperial concubine really loves me deeply.

He smiled and asked the eunuch to welcome the person in, but what he saw was a serious face.

Concubine Lin was dressed very simply, with only a hairpin on her head. She was also dressed simply today, wearing only a lake blue dress.

The emperor noticed something, frowned, and sent everyone away.

"What's wrong?"

He asked gently, "The Concubine looks a little off?"

The emperor remembered that it was not the time for the imperial concubine and her entourage to return from the Huguo Temple.

Concubine Lin knelt down and apologized: "Your Majesty, I failed to meet your expectations and failed to discover in time that Qi Chang was harboring evil intentions."

"In the Huguo Temple, Concubine Qi falsely accused Concubine Wu of being an unlucky person, and even tried to create a false impression to prove that Concubine Wu had an affair with a man outside her family."

The emperor was confused:?

Wait a moment.

Qi Changzai? The one who speaks dumbly?

Concubine Lin continued, "I also discovered that Concubine Ning had a close relationship with a monk in the Huguo Temple. Although the two did not do anything beyond the limit, their friendship was not over. This matter was known to many people, and I had to report it to the emperor."

The emperor continued to be confused:? ?

Concubine Lin added: "I also learned from Concubine Wu that there are many dirty things behind the Huguo Temple. Abbot Tongguang was so bold that he turned the temple into a place for his own pleasure. All the disciples in the temple could not escape his clutches."

The emperor was stunned:???

But what happened during his short one and a half days out of the palace?