Chapter 25 What leverage did the princess have over you?
If someone were to write a story about Zao Wou-Ki, it would probably be a magnificent tale of heroism.
Zhao Wuji came from a poor family, but he had exceptionally good physique.
He managed to make a name for himself by relying on the little martial arts skills he had secretly learned.
While guarding other people's homes, he also diligently studied the classics.
He finally passed the imperial examination, but unfortunately, he came from a poor family and had no background. He refused to curry favor with the powerful and was assigned to a small county magistrate in a place far from the capital.
The people there suffered terribly, and the local gentry colluded with high-ranking officials, causing havoc in the area.
Zhao Wuji stood up for the people, but was assassinated.
With his superb martial arts skills and his strong sense of justice, he fought his way to the capital to appeal to the emperor.
His Majesty was furious and ordered the confiscation of the property and exile of all the corrupt officials.
Furthermore, due to Zhao Wuji's courage in drawing thunder with his blood and his unwavering loyalty to His Majesty, he was exceptionally promoted to Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
Liu Yiyi now wished she could press her face against Zhao Wuji's, trying to see what was going on.
Even though Zhao Wuji was a man, he felt somewhat uncomfortable under Liu Yiyi's gaze.
"Miss Liu, is there something wrong with me?"
Liu Yiyi covered her mouth with one hand and whispered, "Tell me secretly, what leverage does the princess have over you? Did she see you kill someone?"
A dignified Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review!
Dali Temple Shaoqing!
Go steal!
I'll just go and become a thief at the Prime Minister's residence!
If we get caught, it'll all be over!
Zhao Wuji clasped his hands in a fist salute. “Zhao Wuji is completely honest and has no fault to speak of, but the princess has been kind to me.”
Liu Yiyi looked at Qin Jinzhi in disbelief. It was already good enough that the princess didn't cheat people, let alone be kind.
Qin Jinzhi sometimes really wanted to throw Liu Yiyi out.
This was the first time she had ever seen someone whose thoughts were so clearly written on their face, with no secrets whatsoever!
"Do you really think he could have succeeded in appealing to the emperor without me?"
The relationships among officials in the imperial court were complex, with officials protecting each other.
Those who dare to wreak havoc in a region and act with impunity usually have intricate connections with the capital.
No matter how high Zhao Wuji's martial arts skills are, once he enters the capital, it's uncertain whether he can even survive past noon, let alone file a complaint with the emperor.
Zhao Wuji said with gratitude, "Thank you for saving my life, Princess. If it weren't for you, I might never have been able to sit in this position of Junior Minister."
Qin Jinzhi waved her hand, "It's nothing. How's the Pei family's matter going?"
Zhao Wuji immediately said, "Everyone is ready, we're just waiting to meet the Emperor tomorrow."
Qin Jinzhi nodded, eagerly anticipating the reactions of the Cui and Pei families after they learned the news tomorrow.
Zhao Wuji then said, "Does the princess have any other instructions? If so, the princess can summon me to see you, so as not to make the princess go through the trouble."
Qin Jinzhi took out a jade pendant from her bosom. "We have witnesses, but how can we do without physical evidence?"
Liu Yiyi's eyes widened. She said that Qin Jinzhi was itching to cheat people every day.
Isn't this the token Pei Jinnian used to request an audience with her?
She was turned into evidence just like that, looking so fresh and beautiful!
Qin Jinzhi gave Liu Yiyi a look.
Liu Yiyi's eyes twitched in confusion.
Qin Jinzhi gave another look.
Liu Yiyi's eyes twitched again.
Qin Jinzhi was speechless. "Then give the remaining Netherworld Flower Pollen to Zhao Wuji."
Liu Yiyi immediately covered her sleeve, "What are you doing!"
Qin Jinzhi gave a fake smile, "Trying to frame me? Otherwise, are you going to eat it?"
Liu Yiyi pouted, "Princess, can we be a little more discreet when we do bad things in the future? I feel a little guilty about saying it so openly."
As she spoke, she took out the remaining powder from her sleeve and placed it on the table after applying it to the brocade box.
As soon as Zhao Wuji took the medicine bottle in his hand, Liu Yiyi said, "Be careful, this stuff will make you vomit blood if you get it on you, and you can easily die if you don't get treatment in time."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuji clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Miss Liu. I will certainly be careful."
Liu Yiyi said reluctantly, "If I could, and I mean if I could, could you return this to me after this is over? There's only one Netherworld Flower in the capital, it's very rare."
Qin Jinzhi sighed, not wanting to embarrass herself any further, and stood up, saying, "It's getting late, I should return to the palace. Lord Zhao, tomorrow is all up to you."
Zhao Wuji respectfully replied, "I will not fail the princess's expectations."
Qin Jinzhi grabbed Liu Yiyi by the collar and started to walk out. Liu Yiyi said reluctantly, "Lord Zhao, this is really rare!"
Zhao Wuji didn't know what to say for a moment, and carefully put the porcelain bottle away.
The next day.
Zhao Wuji went to the palace to report back.
Vice Minister Pei and Prime Minister Cui were also invited to the Imperial Study.
"Minister Zhao, is there a conclusion to this matter?"
Zhao Wuji stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, I have investigated and found that the Princess's poisoning was indeed a conspiracy between the Cui and Pei families. The evidence is conclusive. I beg Your Majesty to sentence them!"
Upon hearing this, the emperor slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Prime Minister Cui, Vice Minister Pei! What else do you have to say?"
Upon hearing this, the two immediately exclaimed, "Your Majesty! We are innocent!"
Prime Minister Cui glared angrily at Zhao Wuji, "Has this Lord Zhao investigated thoroughly? Neither the Cui family nor the Pei family has offended you. Why are you framing a loyal minister!"
Zhao Wuji did not look at Prime Minister Cui, but instead addressed His Majesty, saying, "Your Majesty, the witnesses and evidence are waiting outside the palace. Please inform them."
His Majesty said coldly, "Summon them!"
Vice Minister Pei and Prime Minister Cui looked at each other in bewilderment.
Two people were soon brought in from outside the hall.
When Vice Minister Pei turned around, his eyes widened immediately. "Pei Hai? It's you!"
The newcomer was none other than Pei's servant son, the steward of his branch of the family!
Upon seeing His Majesty, Pei Hai was so frightened that he knelt down and pleaded with Minister Pei with a terrified expression, "My lord, save me!"
Minister Pei immediately looked at Zhao Wuji and asked, "Lord Zhao, what do you mean by this?"
Zhao Wuji asked, "Is this man a follower of Vice Minister Pei?"
Pei Shilang was completely confused. "Pei Hai is naturally my attendant."
Zhao Wuji nodded. "Then that's it, Your Majesty. This man has confessed that he smeared the Netherworld Flower Powder on the brocade box, and this Netherworld Flower Powder was given to him by Cui Liu, a servant of the Cui family."
Prime Minister Cui turned around abruptly, and there was a very handsome servant kneeling beside Pei Hai.
"Who are you! How dare you impersonate a servant of the Cui family!"
Prime Minister Cui had never seen this servant before!
Cui Liu, however, remained calm and replied, "Your Excellency, I am a servant in Miss's flower room, specifically assigned to tend to the flowers and plants. It is normal that Your Excellency has never seen me before."
Prime Minister Cui frowned. Cui Ying was highly valued and favored by her family, so she even had her own flower room. There were many servants in the Cui family, but he had never seen a servant who was specifically in charge of tending to flowers and plants.
Prime Minister Cui roared, "How dare you slander the Prime Minister!"
Cui Liu respectfully replied, "I wouldn't dare. I was merely following the Prime Minister's orders."
Zhao Wuji presented a letter and a porcelain bottle.
The emperor opened the letter and was so angry that he laughed instead.
"Prime Minister Cui, what a display of power!"
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