Looking at Jiang Ranli standing with his head down, Emperor Kangxi did not speak for a long time. It was not known how long had passed until candles were lit in the imperial study and Jiang Ranli's legs were numb from standing, before he heard Emperor Kangxi's voice.
"After not seeing you for several months, you have become even bolder and even dared to collude with the rebels."
Hearing the accusation of colluding with the rebels, Jiang Ranli had no time to think and hurriedly said, "My Emperor..."
She was so anxious to explain that she called out "Father Emperor" without even thinking. The imperial study was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Jiang Ranli was regretting it so much at this moment. She calmed herself down and hurriedly tried to smooth things over, "Your Majesty, I would never dare to collude with the rebels. I hope Your Majesty will understand."
Emperor Kangxi's eyes moved slightly, and he did not pursue Jiang Ranli's mistake just now. "I believe you would not dare to do such a thing, but now that evidence related to the rebels has been found in the gambling house you run, how do you explain it?"
"In reply to Your Majesty, I have not been in the capital for some time, so I am not very clear about this matter. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me," Jiang Ranli begged for forgiveness. She did not have the time to ask in detail. She really did not dare to make any rash remarks in front of the emperor.
In response to her request, Emperor Kangxi snorted coldly and said, "Can a vague sentence prove that you have not colluded with the rebels?"
Faced with Emperor Kangxi's questioning, Jiang Ranli was unable to utter a word. Evidence related to the rebels was indeed found in the gambling house. Under the current circumstances, how could Emperor Kangxi let bygones be bygones just because of her unclear words?
Just as Jiang Ranli was thinking about what to say to ease Emperor Kangxi's anger, Li Dequan saw some movement at the door, so he quietly went over to check the situation. Then he came back and whispered something in Emperor Kangxi's ear.
After hearing all this, Emperor Kangxi thought for a moment and said, "Let him in."
Following Li Dequan's voice, a slender indigo figure walked in from outside, stood beside Jiang Ranli, and bowed to pay his respects to Emperor Kangxi.
Hearing the voice, Jiang Ranli was stunned. She didn't expect that the person coming was Yinzhen.
"What's the matter?" Emperor Kangxi looked at the people around Jiang Ranli without any expression.
At this time, Yin'er stood straight, his deep eyes looking straight at Emperor Kangxi, as if he didn't notice Jiang Ranli's presence in the hall.
"In reply to Your Majesty, I have found evidence that the gambling house under Jiang Fan's name is colluding with the rebels," Yinzhen said as he handed a memorial to Li Dequan.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ranli was shocked. She was confident that the gambling house would never collude with the rebels, but evidence was found from Yin'er.
In a hurry, Jiang Ranli said, "Your Majesty, Jiang Fan and I will never collude with the rebels. Please understand."
Emperor Kangxi was originally reading the memorial handed over by Yinzhen. When he heard Jiang Ranli's voice, his sharp eyes instantly swept over her. Feeling the majestic gaze of a superior, Jiang Ranli hurriedly knelt down.
Upon seeing this, Emperor Kangxi withdrew his gaze, which fell on Yinzhen, and said, "Is this true?"
"What the Emperor said is absolutely true," Yinzhen replied.
She didn't know if it was Jiang Ranli's illusion, but she always felt that Emperor Kangxi looked at her meaningfully at this moment, and then ordered Yinzhen to arrest all the people involved.
When she came out of the palace, it was already night. Jiang Fan had been waiting for her at the palace gate. His face, which always had a mischievous smile, was particularly heavy today.
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