It was originally a sunny day with good weather, but somehow it suddenly became overcast. The wind blew from the front of the Tingwei Yamen warehouse, making people feel a bit cool.

  Jiang Xuanjin coldly watched as Liu Yunlie integrated over a hundred yamen, then watched as he finished writing the imperial edict, and stormed out with great momentum.

  He and Liu Yunlie met in the Jingying War eight years ago, and they can be said to have a life-and-death friendship. This man is straightforward and easily used as a knife by others - just like now, Lü Fengxians few words actually made him so angry that he even shouted out his courtesy name.

  If it were someone else, Jiang Xuanjin could use his status to suppress him. But this thing called status is useless against Liu Yunlie, and even if the emperor himself were here today, he would still go to the Jiang residence.

  The green silk was in the washing pool, and it was really caught by him. Todays confrontation is unavoidable.

  With too many thoughts in his mind, Jiang Xuanjin didnt speak all the way. When they arrived at Moju, Liu Yunlie and Li Fengxing rushed inside in a hurry, but after taking only two steps forward, they surprisingly retreated back out.

  "Huh? Why are there so many people?" Someone blinked and stared at them, walking out step by step, asking puzzled, "Is something going on?"

  Jiang Xuanjin paused, looked up and saw that Bai Zhen was wearing a soft silk dress with a delicate pattern, her eyebrows were painted with a subtle fragrance, and her eyes sparkled with a smile, standing elegantly at the door.

  Li Feng Xings expression wasnt great as soon as he saw her face, but Liu Yun Lie was polite and bowed his hands: "Greetings, madam. Weve come on official business. Please forgive us for any disturbance."

  Jiang Xuanjins eyes lit up slightly, and he glanced at Cheng Xu. The latter understood and quietly retreated without a sound.

  This is a great opportunity, as long as Bai Zhen can drag this group of people for a while, they can take advantage of the emptiness to send Qing Si away before being caught. In this way, he can avoid many troubles later and turn the tables on Li Feng Xings army.

  In a desperate situation, Jiang Xuanjin was deeply moved and looked up at Bai Zhuxi with encouragement, wanting her to block the door well.

  However, Bai Zhuji, who was originally blocking the door, as soon as her eyes met his, immediately smiled and ran over to him!

  "Your Highness!" she called out softly.

  Jiang Xuanjins face stiffened, his eyes wide open as he watched her push the gate open, shaking his head at her repeatedly.

  Dont come over, keep standing at the door!

  She completely ignored his gaze and actions, and rushed to his side with concern, asking: "Whats wrong with your neck? Are you uncomfortable? Do you want me to massage it for you?"

  Jiang Xuancheng: "......"

  The yamen runners followed Liu Yunlie as he entered in a file from the doorway, and Li Fungang turned his head to glance at him once, smiled and bowed slightly to him before also walking inside with a swish of his sleeves.

  Jiang Xuanjin had a slight headache, he rubbed his brow and looked at the person in front of him: "Why dont you understand what I mean?"

  "Huh?" Yu Mans face was filled with confusion, "What do you mean?"

  "I shook my head for you not to come over, to hold them back. Why did you instead run faster than anyone else?" He was a bit annoyed.

  Hua Yus eyes widened: "As soon as I see you, I just want to run to your side, who still has time to think about what it means when you shake your head?"

  These words of affection were spoken with unshakeable confidence and conviction.

  Jiang Xuanjin was taken aback, gritting his teeth as he stared at her, unsure whether he should be angry or amused.

  "Do you want some dessert soup?" she said, "The kitchen just sent some over and I saved it for you."

  As she spoke, she pulled his hand and walked towards the main building without care.

  The servants had already started searching everywhere in the Mo residence, and wherever they looked, it was a mess. Jiang Xuanjins face didnt look too good as he watched. The person in front of him, however, seemed to have seen nothing out of the ordinary, and pressed him down into a seat in the house, spooning sweet soup into his mouth.

  "Come on."

  He frowned and glanced at it, muttering: "Too sweet, I wont drink it."

  Li Huaiyu looked at him in surprise: "You actually dont like sweet drinks? Then why does your mouth still taste so sweet?"

  “……”

  How can she say such shameless words so naturally?! Jiang Xuanjin was about to explode with anger, staring at her with wide eyes, and in his rage, he even forgot that there were people searching outside, and all he wanted to do was sew her mouth shut with a thread!

  She looked at him with a smile in her eyes for a while, then leaned into his ear and whispered: "Do you know your face is red?"

  "Shut up."

  "Still red and particularly good-looking, like a sunset flying over the snowy mountain peak."

  "Shut up!"

  The louder one shouts, the more he appears to be embarrassed and guilty.

  Hua Yu smiled mischievously and pecked him on the cheek, then sat back in her own seat, sipping sweet soup while staring at him, as if pondering which was sweeter, the soup or his lips.

  Jiang Xuanjin muttered under his breath, raised his hand to support his eyebrows and cover his eyes, and his face flushed with heat.

  Before long, the noise of searching outside gradually subsided. Liu Yunlie came into the main house and stood in front of him, frowning as he looked at him.

  Whats coming will still come, Jiang Xuanjin raised his eyes and had already thought of how to explain the Qing Si matter to him.

  However, Liu Yunlie remained silent for a moment before speaking up and saying: "This official was rash, please forgive me, sir!"

  "Huh? Jiang Xuanjin was taken aback, and with a glance behind him, he saw Li Fengxings face turn iron-gray, not making a sound. If he had caught the green thread, he would have definitely spoken up to mock him, but he didnt, which means..."

  With a stroke of his sleeve, Jiang Xuanjins expression turned solemn in an instant. He said coldly, "Lyutong Wei has always been cautious in his actions, why would he make such a reckless remark?"

  The tone is both sarcastic and slightly angry, with emotions perfectly grasped.

  Li Huaiyu, who was sipping sweet soup beside him, gave him a look of appreciation.

  Liu Yunlie felt somewhat embarrassed, his waist bent even lower, and he forced himself to say: "This official listened to rumors and didnt verify them before rashly coming to your esteemed residence to apprehend someone, which was truly improper."

  If they had caught someone, there would still be room for talk, but if they hadnt caught anyone, it would be a crime. Just now, I heard Li Fengxiao speak so solemnly, and Zi Yang Jun didnt even open his mouth to explain, he thought it was a sure thing, but unexpectedly, it was all empty.

  At this point, Liu Yunlie turned around and glared at Li Fenghang with great annoyance.

  Li Fengxing felt wronged and cupped his hands: "Earlier, Qing Si was indeed in your hands, but I dont know where you hid her."

  "Do you have evidence?" Liu Yunlie frowned.

  "This... I have never lied."

  Empty words are useless, whats the point? The Tribunal has always been a place where evidence speaks! Liu Yunlie withdrew his gaze, and in his heart, he was already very dissatisfied with Li Fengxing, but for now, he still had to admit his mistake to Zi Yangjun.

  "This is Yun Lies fault." He sighed, "I still hope that you, sir, will be magnanimous."

  Jiang Xuanjin coldly snorted, looking like he was impossible to appease. No matter how Liu Yunlie apologized and tried to make amends, Jiang remained unmoved.

  Liu Yunlie could only say: "Ill have all the rare Buddhist scriptures in the mansion sent over as soon as I return."

  "Good." He responded pretty quickly this time.

  Unable to laugh or cry, Liu Yunlie hastily took advantage of the situation and said: "Then this official will take his leave first."

  "Slow down, adults." Jiang Xuanjin nodded and pulled up the person beside him, sending them off together to the entrance.

  "Fortunately they left quickly, otherwise how would we have handled it if they all stayed to drink the sweet soup?"

  Jiang Xuanjin turned his head and stared at her for a while before asking: "Where is he?"

  "Who?" She pretended ignorance.

  Turning around to face her, Jiang Xuanjin narrowed his eyes and said, "In this yard, except for me, only you can make them listen and release Qing Si."

  "You mentioned Qing Si." Hua Yu suddenly came back to her senses and then turned to Ling Xiu behind her, "Invite her back, will you?"

  Come back? Whats that supposed to mean? Jiang Xuanjin was puzzled and was about to ask again, but inadvertently caught sight of the few blue marks on her neck.

  He was taken aback for a moment, and then he reached out his hand as if to brush aside the high collar of her garment.

  "What are you doing?" Hua Yu was startled, and immediately raised her hand to cover herself. Jiang Xuans movements were very swift, one hand grasping both of hers, pulling them in front of himself, while the other hand quickly reached for her neck.

  A blue-purple mark stretched across her neck, looking quite eye-catching.

  "Whats going on?" He fell silent.

  Li Huaiyu struggled for a moment and said pitifully: "Standing is so tiring, my feet hurt!"

  He pulled her into his arms and frowned: "Speak!"

  She reached out and wrapped her hands around his neck, Hua Yu smiled slyly and said: "Its not a big deal, earlier when I went to persuade Qing Si, I didnt notice that I crossed the line and got caught by her."

  "Rubbish!" Jiang Xuanjin stepped forward and walked into the house, "Didnt I tell you not to cross the line?"

  "It wasnt a loss after all!" she said with an air of taking credit, "I convinced her, you know. Not only did she not kill me, but she even felt guilty towards me and didnt run away even when I loosened the chains."

  "How is this possible?" Jiang Xuanjin shook his head. Once the green silk was released, it would definitely escape, and only a fool would believe that it would stay behind due to guilt.

  He went into the house to find a place to sit down, and he put her on his lap, then took out his hand to carefully examine her injuries.

  Snuggling in his arms, Huai Yu asked with great excitement: "I helped you so much, what will you reward me with?"

  "This doesnt count as helping." Jiang Xuanjin shook his head indifferently.

  "Whats that supposed to be?"

  He reached out and stroked the mark on her neck, saying in a cold voice, "Consider this as redemption."

  She had the nerve to provoke Qing Si and almost lost her own life, this is a huge mistake, letting her off so easily is already being lenient with her!

  Hua Yu furrowed her brow, her small hands grasping his collar, looking wronged.

  He pretended not to see, took the medicine from Yufeng and applied it to her coldly. His slender fingers gently rubbed against her neck, feeling a bit chilly, yet very soft.

  Hua Yus body trembled with a layer of goosebumps, and she subconsciously swallowed her saliva. As a result, Jiang Xuanjins fingers pressed against her throat clearly felt the movement below, a wave rising from top to bottom, rolling into the depths of her collar.

  His hand suddenly froze in mid-air as he was applying the medicine.

  "Miss, someones here!" Lingxiu went out to invite the person and came back, shouting clearly.

  Hua Yu was startled and hurriedly tried to get up, but as soon as her feet touched the ground, she felt a hand grab her waist from behind and press her back down.

  "Dont move." He whispered in a low, hoarse voice. His hand tightened, pulling her back into his arms and holding her firmly in place.

  She couldnt help but laugh and cry at the same time, and Yu Mei glared at him: "Didnt you say you wanted to be dignified? Do you still look like a decent person now?"

  He grunted and said, "Im in charge."

  This overbearing and arrogant appearance, who did you learn from? Huai Yu wanted to tease him, but her body leaned back a little, bumping into something. She stiffened, and the words got stuck in her throat.

  The room suddenly fell silent, and both of their faces turned a little red.

  Qing silk lowered her eyebrows and followed Ling Xiu into the main house, intending to pay respects to her master, but when she looked up at the scene in the room, she was stunned.

  Two people sat embracing on the soft couch, one turned their head to the left and the other to the right, both with strange expressions on their faces, yet their bodies were still tightly pressed together.

  What does this mean? The green silk frowned and didnt bow, just standing there looking at them.

  Li Huaiyu coughed lightly and smiled at her, saying: "I told the king that you wouldnt run, but he still looked disbelieving."

  Qing Si looked at Zi Yang Jun with an unfriendly gaze, but stood there honestly without any other movements.

  Jiang Xuanjin turned his head back to look at her: "Have you figured it out?"

  The green silk nodded coldly.

  "Why?" Jiang Xuanjin was baffled, this was something that completely made no sense to believe, after all, previously this person had been willing to die rather than let him live.

  She gave him a sideways glance, turned her head to look at Li Huaiyu, and her gaze suddenly softened.

  Hua Yu smiled and explained to him, "This girl is inherently kind-hearted. As long as you talk to her nicely, how could she not listen? Earlier, you locked her up without telling her that you wanted to help Dan Yang overturn the case, nor did you tell her that you wouldnt kill her. How could she not have held hostility towards you? I explained it to her and told her that youre a good person, so she believed me and came around!"

  "Are you saying that Sharins nature is generally kind and gentle?" Jiang Xuanjin sneered.

  Is Jiang Xuanjin, who confuses right and wrong, a good person? Qing Si also sneered.

  Sandwiched between the two cold smiles, Huai Yu was taken aback and asked discontentedly, "What did I say that wasnt right?"

  "None." they replied in unison.

  "Thats good." With a pat on the hand, Huai Yu looked at Jiang Xuanjin and said, "Since she doesnt run or kill you, but is willing to tell you what you want to know, cant you just let her go, take a bath, eat something, and get a good nights sleep?"

  As soon as this was said, the nearby Cheng Xiao jumped in fright: "Milady, you cant!"

  "What?"

  "This green-robed warriors martial arts skills are extremely high. If she is allowed to roam freely in the Ink Residence without being detained, it would be far too dangerous!"

  "Who said she was going to wander around?" Huai Yu said, "With a body so weak, its only natural that she needs to find a quiet room to recover. If youre not reassured, the handcuffs can stay on for now."

  He paused for a moment, then winked at the person holding him: "Is it okay?"

  Soft tone, with a hint of coquetry.

  "Jiang Xuanjin said coldly: Do you think speaking like this will be of any use?"

  He nodded repeatedly, his master was such a cautious person, how could he be infatuated with feminine charm and agree to such a dangerous thing? Even if the woman in front of him looked gentle, who knew whether she was trying to make everyone let their guard down before finding an opportunity to assassinate the lord? With the lords wisdom and composure, it was certain...

  "Neither handcuffs nor shackles are allowed to be removed. Take advantage of the emptiness, take her down to find a side room, bathe and change clothes, and feed some food."

  Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by his own master and stood frozen in place.

  "What?" Seeing no reaction from him, Jiang Xuanjin tilted his head, "Didnt you hear?"

  "I heard... Ive heard it."

  "Go and do it when you hear it," he said. "Wait for someone to collect it, then bring it back to ask questions."

  "Yes."

  Watching Cheng Xuns shocked expression, Huai Yu covered her mouth and laughed secretly, her eyes curved into a crescent moon shape. What did she say? The beauty trick is indeed useful, Lu Jinghang still doesnt believe it!

  Everyone in the house had left, Li Huaiyu turned over and clung to Jiang Xuanjins body, raising an eyebrow and saying: "Dont you think that our words and actions just now are a bit too much?"

  "What word?"

  "Trouble brought by a beautiful face!" She slapped her thigh and said, "Zi Yang Jun risked his life to save the beauty, releasing the assassin - if this gets out, Ill become infamous like Daji or Bao Si!"

  He looked at her seriously for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Youre overthinking this."

  "Huh?"

  "Several generations of your familys women were stunning beauties, known as red beauty disasters, but you..." He paused for a moment before continuing, "can only be considered a disaster."

  Hua Yu was taken aback, and after reacting, he realized that he was mocking her for not being "beautiful" enough. She immediately gritted her teeth and pinched his chin, saying viciously: "Thats even better, youre the beauty, Im the disaster. The two of us together are still a beautiful disaster!"

  After finishing speaking, she hugged him tightly and snuggled up close to him.

  Jiang Xuanjin was choked by her and couldnt breathe properly, so he gently patted her back and said: "Let go, I dont want to die young yet."

  "Dont let go!" Yu Mei started acting shamelessly.

  The corners of her mouth curled up with a smile she hadnt even noticed herself, Jiang Xuanjin let her entwine him, rubbed against him for a while before getting up, hung her on himself and took her to the desk together.

  "What are you doing?"

  "What else can I do?" Jiang Xuanjin said, taking out a stack of things, "Return personal favors to others."

  "Whats going on? Who is it for?" Li Huaiyu asked with a curious expression.

  Her body stiffened, Jiang Xuanjin reached out and supported her waist, looking into her eyes and asking: "Cant you get anything in that head of yours?"

  Did you forget what you just said?

  Hua Yu was very confused.

  He was so angry that he didnt even want to hold her anymore. Jiang Xuanjin put her down in the chair beside him, turned his head and began writing a memorial.

  His calligraphy was exceptional, and when he wrote, one hand rolled up his sleeve while the other held the brush, exuding an elegant and refined demeanor. Huaiyu watched him with a smile for a while before quickly jumping up to grind ink for him, taking the opportunity to sneak a peek at what he was writing.

  Jiang Xuanjin didnt avoid her and let her look at him as she pleased.

  "This..." After understanding what was on the note, Huai Yu was shocked and couldnt believe it. "I told you before, didnt you still not believe me?"

  Jiang Xuanjin gave her a cold glance: "Dont believe me? I wont go investigate then?"

  "But you found out too quickly, this matter should be quite troublesome!"

  "The witness is in the dead prison, whats the trouble?" With a stroke of his brush, Jiang Xuanjins eyes were profound.

  Hua Yu hesitated and said: "But recently everyone knows that you are at odds with him, if you make a memorial to the emperor now, wont people think youre taking revenge?"

  With her hand holding the brush paused, Jiang Xuanjin turned his head and asked her in a rather strange tone: "Am I not taking revenge for personal grievances?"

  Li Huaiyu: "......"

  Its done, she thought, the straightforward and honest Zi Yang Jun has started to be corrupted by her.

  Xu Xians imprisonment caused a great stir in the imperial court. At an early morning meeting, Li Huailun was enraged and sternly ordered Li Fengjin to speak out, severely criticizing the pillars of the state for degenerating into parasites on the state, again bringing up the drought in Jiangxi and using the deaths from starvation to illustrate the wickedness of the officials. Every word and sentence was powerful and sonorous.

  Li Huailian nodded repeatedly and turned his head to ask the person on his right: "What do you think, sir?"

  Jiang Xuanjin calmly stepped forward and presented his memorial to the Emperor.

  "General Xus case is full of doubts and lacks witnesses, it can be retried later. The case I am familiar with, however, can be decided immediately."

  Li Huailian immediately had someone bring over the memorial and carefully read it. After finishing, he closed his eyes in thought.

  "Li Ai Qing," he asked, "if Xu Xians crime is confirmed, what punishment should be given?"

  He strictly ordered the imperial guards to take away the memorial, and when he heard the emperor ask him, he hastily came back to his senses, bowed his hands and replied: "Looking at the people as ants, eating the fat of the people and getting fat themselves. No matter how much merit they had in the past, such officials should be exiled and never allowed to return to the capital."

  "Oh?" Li Huailian nodded, "Thats a fair statement, lets do it that way then, come on in—"

  "Present!" The Imperial Guard presents arms.

  "Off with the Grand Historians black cap!" he shouted coldly.

  "Yes!"

  Li Fengxing was startled and his hands were pressed behind his back, his head felt a chill, he hastily cried out: "Your Majesty! Your humble servant is innocent! Your humble servant is innocent!"

  Jiang Xuanjin turned his head, his eyes calmly looking at him: "Prisoned merchant Meng Hengyuan exposed that you accepted 100,000 Snowflake Silver from him. You are corrupt and lawless, to save his life, you dont hesitate to turn black into white, deceive the Emperor, this is one crime."

  "In the sixth year of Daxing, Jiangxi also suffered from drought. The imperial court allocated 500,000 taels of silver for disaster relief. You colluded with the then holder of the imperial edict and embezzled 200,000 taels of silver, resulting in thousands of people starving to death and the people being unable to survive. This is your second crime."

  "In the capital, many merchants have been extorted by you for money. Those who refuse to comply are then given trouble in matters of imperial tribute. As a court official, you view the common people as ants, feeding on their fat while growing wealthy yourself - this is threefold guilt."

  "These three crimes are listed on the memorial to the throne, and evidence has been presented to the Court of Judicial Review. If Lord Li feels wronged, he can think of a way to clear himself."

  He stared at Jiang Xuanjin with wide eyes as he finished speaking, and Li Fenghang was stunned. He thought Meng Hengyuans case had passed, but how did he still get caught up in it?

  If he only grasped that one, Li Feng would have admitted defeat. After all, Meng Hengyuan was not worthy of consideration. But how did Jiang Xuanjin know about the events in Daxing 6th year and the merchants in the capital? How could he possibly know?!

  Jiang Xuanjin stood in front of him, as if guessing what he was thinking, and said with a sleeve: "Liu Tingwei has a good saying: There is no wall that doesnt leak wind in this world. As long as something has happened, there will always be someone who knows."

  Liu Yunlie, standing opposite him, looked at Li Fenghang deeply after hearing this.

  The imperial guards grabbed him, already intending to drag him out. Li Fengxings face turned deathly pale, and he shouted in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, I am innocent! You must not listen to Zi Yangjuns one-sided words! I am innocent!"

  A shrill voice spread from the gate of the imperial court all the way to the palace gate.

  Li Huailian didnt bother with him and quietly said, "The subsequent files will be handed over to Liu Aiqing for archiving."

  Liu Yunlie nodded in agreement.

  The next morning, everyone was discussing this matter. Liu Yunlie caught up with Jiang Xuanying and asked in puzzlement: "Why didnt you let me finish the interrogation, but instead directly reported to His Majesty?"

  According to his usual temperament, in order to be fair, he would always let the Court of Judicial Review give its verdict before making a report, after all, given his position in the emperors heart, whatever he said the emperor would believe. To prevent becoming "one word nine tripods", Jiang Xuanjin rarely directly reported to anyone to determine guilt.

  Today is indeed sunny from the west.

  Looking ahead, Jiang Xuanjin said while walking: "People like Li Fengxing are glib-tongued. Rather than giving him the opportunity to cover up his own evidence of guilt, its better to first establish his crime and seal off his mansion before slowly dealing with other matters, achieving twice the result with half the effort."

  Such a style of doing things... Liu Yunlie frowned and looked at him deeply: "Youve changed a lot recently."

  "Huh?" Jiang Xuanjin was puzzled, "What makes you say that?"

  "Overbearing and tyrannical for too long." Just like the former Princess of Danyang.

  The latter half of the sentence was something Liu Yunlie didnt dare say, but the doubts in his heart were growing heavier and heavier.

  Jiang Xuanjin shook his head and turned away, unwilling to continue arguing about this matter, only saying: "I remember that I should have sent it to my mansion earlier."

  The slender figure like jade turned around and went out of the palace gate.

  Liu Yunlie stood still with a complex expression, thought for a moment, and went to the Tingwei government office to verify the evidence of Li Fengxings case.

  The majestic Grand Councilor and Long History, in the early morning hours, suddenly entered prison, and the Li Mansion was sealed off in an instant. This undoubtedly made many officials terrified. They were not only terrified of the severity of Tan Wus crime but also terrified of the weight of Prince Zi Yangs words.

  Previously, Li Gong was so daring to repeatedly provoke Jiang Xuanjin because he felt that with his publicly self-righteous personality, even if he offended him, he would not take personal revenge, but only argue with reason and strength - this is the demeanor a gentleman should have, and also the best loophole for petty people to exploit.

  A gentleman must abide by etiquette, understand the law, and act with integrity. Petty people are not needed. As long as they can achieve their goals, petty people will stop at nothing. The struggle between gentlemen and petty people has always been in favor of the petty people, even if writers often write "Gentlemen are open and honest, while petty people are anxious and worried", it cannot change the fact that there are many petty people who are proud of themselves in the world.

  However, he did not expect that Jiang Xuanjin would no longer want to be on good terms with him, and instead of confronting him directly, he quietly collected evidence of his guilt, and one day, he reported it to the emperor, causing him to fall from power.

  Its utterly helpless and beyond redemption!

  Li Feng Xing stood in prison with a bewildered expression, still unable to figure out how Jiang Xuan Jin had known about his past crimes.

  Qing Si stood quietly in the main house of Moju, her hands and feet still wearing shackles, but she had changed into a maids dress, and her disheveled hair was tied up in a bun.

  "What else do you know?" Jiang Xuanjin asked her with a profound gaze.

  I thought this person was using despicable means to win sympathy, with ulterior motives. However, when it came to the matter of Li Feng Xing, she actually took the initiative to provide evidence against him, and judging from todays events, those things were indeed useful. Li Feng Xings panic proved that those things had indeed happened.

  But he had never heard even half a rumor about it before.

  "What else do you want to know?" Qing Si asked indifferently.

  Collecting his thoughts, Jiang Xuanjin said: "You want to know too many things, why dont you tell me first, how do you know so much about Li Fengxing?"

  Her eyes paused for a moment, and her gaze secretly turned to the person on the soft couch beside her.

  Li Huaiyu was holding a bowl of melon seeds, chattering away like a squirrel, with a relaxed expression and a pleasant mood, as if she hadnt noticed what they were saying at all.

  "Your Majesty should know that Princess Chang likes to travel outside the palace."

  "Bring it up, Jiang Xuanjin sneered: "Thats called messing around.""

  Qing silk pretended not to hear, and continued: "In the sixth year of Daxing, she met many refugees on the streets of Kyoto. When asked, they learned that they were people who had fled their homes due to drought in Jiangxi. The grain relief funds for Jiangxi had already been allocated, but there were still refugees everywhere. The princess naturally became angry and inquired about the reason. Someone reported the situation to the holder of the imperial tablet and the strict administrator."

  The refugees oral account, without direct evidence, Empress Changsun couldnt do anything to Li Feng even if she knew he was deceiving the emperor. Afterwards, however, she began targeting Li Feng, often finding fault with him elsewhere, causing his political achievements to be unable to increase his salary no matter how many there were.

  Li Fengxing hated Princess Chang for this reason.

  Jiang Xuanyin was taken aback: "Those merchants in the capital..."

  "Lu Zhanggui is a close friend of the Empress Dowager. He has been doing business in the capital for many years and has seen all sorts of things. He even lost several opportunities to offer tribute to the emperor because he refused to bribe officials." Qing Si said, "He knows better than anyone what Li Fungang has done. But...he cant tell."

  As a businessman, even if you are rich beyond compare, you cant beat the black threads on top of peoples heads. If he had to pay the price and sacrifice half his life, Lu Jingxing would not do such a losing business. He didnt report it, so Princess Chang naturally wouldnt drag him into the water either, she could only think of ways to help them solve it from other channels.

  Jiang Xuanjin listened silently, his eyebrows gradually furrowing.

  Does Danyang understand the suffering of the common people? Does she distinguish between good and evil? She has always targeted Lifu, not because she is being arbitrary, but because Lifu himself is not a good person. This is different from what he knows.

  The person he always thought was good has now become a bad person. What about the one he always thought was bad? Could it be that they are actually a good person?

  It was as if he vaguely knew, but he didnt dare to be certain, and his whole bodys breath couldnt help but become anxious.

  Li Huaiyu, who was cracking melon seeds, suddenly stopped and looked at him twice. She jumped down softly and ran to his side, stretching out her fist straight at him.

  "What?" He frowned and tilted his head.

  She smiled and opened her fist, revealing a handful of shelled melon seeds in the palm of her hand.

  Jiang Xuanjin was taken aback.

  She pinched a grain and handed it to him, Hua Yu smiled slyly and said: "Taste it, is it good?"

  He put it in his mouth and chewed, a refreshing cool tea flavor, he relaxed his eyebrows, but looked at her with a bad temper: "Knocked for half a day, all for me?"

  "Hmm!" He nodded vigorously as Huaiyu stuffed the melon seeds into his mouth one by one, then asked, "Do you know why?"

  What else can she say? Shell probably say something like "I like you" or "I want to give you all the delicious melon seeds". Jiang Xuanjin looked at her sideways, very disgusted.

  However, the person leaned in close to his ear and said with a smile: "Your serious face is too cute! I want to kiss you, but its embarrassing in front of people, so Ill kiss the melon instead, and then the melon will kiss you!"

  The action of chewing suddenly paused, Jiang Xuanjin stopped for a moment, the melon seeds in his mouth couldnt be swallowed or spat out, he could only raise his eyes and stare at her deadpan, with a hint of red creeping up his neck again.

  "Hahaha——" Seeing his reaction, Huai Yu burst out laughing, holding onto the desk and laughing so hard she was doubled over.

  Qing Si was shocked and looked up, only to see her own master laughing heartily on this side, while Zi Yang Juns face turned slightly red with annoyance on the other side. The atmosphere in the room was ambiguous and intimate, making anyone who stood by feel superfluous.

  Werent these two people incompatible before?

  Ziyang Jun has been unfriendly to the Empress since he entered the court, and although the Empress initially liked talking to him, she discovered that he was not friendly, so they became like enemies, meeting each other with cold ridicule or sharp opposition. The princess even died at Ziyang Juns hands.

  "Whats going on here? Not only did the prince borrow a corpse to return his soul, but even Zi Yang Jun seems to have changed into a different person, actually blushing and getting angry?"

  Blinking again, Qing Si was shocked and her head spun around.

  "You go out first." Huai Yu smiled enough and turned to her, "Ill let Ling Xiu make medicine for you, drink it and rest more."

  "Yes." He lowered his head, his expression subdued, and backed out with a quiet, dreamy air.

  Jiang Xuanjin looked at Qing Sis back and was slightly puzzled: "How did you manage to persuade her?"

  Holding the jade pendant, he sensed that he had raised suspicions, and hastily turned back to innocently blink his eyes: "Is it really so convincing? There were people present at the time, you can ask them. I also dont know why she listened to me, perhaps because she almost killed me, feeling guilty, after all, Im as beautiful as a flower, like an immortal from heaven..."

  "Thats enough." Jiang Xuanjin interrupted her, rubbing his eyebrows in distaste.

  Hua Yu smiled and pulled his hand: "Are you free now? Accompany me to see the flowers?"

  "No," he shook his head, "there will be more guests coming later."

  Guest? Huai Yu didnt understand, but also knew the score and didnt ask much, threw out a sentence "Ill go see for myself", then ran out to squat in the corner of the wall.

  Half an hour later, someone wearing a deep black cloak with a hat covering their entire head sneaked into the main building of Moju, staying for an hour and leaving with a package.

  Hua Yu furrowed her brow, curious as if a cat was scratching at her heart.

  At night, the two went to bed, still shamelessly hugging each other, but the person beside her looked like he had a lot on his mind and didnt pay much attention to her.

  Holding onto her jade pendant unhappily, she pouted: "Weve only just gotten married for a few days and Im already out of favor?"

  Jiang Xuanjin regained his senses and asked vaguely: "Whats lost favor?"

  "You dont even care about me!" She propped herself up and leaned against his chest, looking at him with pleading eyes. "Tomorrow is the day I return to my parents home, and you dont even ask me about the rules of the Bai family?"

  As soon as he heard this, Jiang Xuanjin looked at her and said, "Do you know the rules of the Bai family?"

  "Hmm..." Realizing that she wasnt quite sure herself, Huai Yu crawled back to her own pillow with a huff, "Never mind what I said."

  He reached out and pulled her back into his arms, Jiang Xuanjin closed his eyes and said, "Tomorrow, just follow me."

  Cant follow him, its cool under the big tree! Thinking of the group of annoying aunts at the White House, Huaiyu straightened her mouth. She still remembers the account on the day of the grand wedding, this time when she goes back, lets see how they will justify themselves.

  Returning home is an important matter, the Jiang family didnt dare to be slow, early in the morning they prepared carriages and return gifts for them. Jiang Shens eyes were filled with hot tears as he held onto Jiang Xuanjin: "This journey is fraught with danger and difficulties, Third Brother you must take care of yourself!"

  He spoke as if he was about to go up a mountain of knives and down a pot of oil.

  Jiang Xuanjin looked at him expressionlessly and said: "The selection of officials is imminent, Second Brother, you should also take care."

  Jiang Sheng: "......"

  Having watched with amusement as the Jiang brothers bickered, Huaiyu reached out and pulled Jiang Xuanjin onto the carriage, setting off on the road back home.

  Last night didnt rest well, Jiang Xuanjin was a bit drowsy, leaning on the carriage and closing his eyes to meditate, almost hitting the side wall of the carriage.

  Hua Yu looked delighted and stretched out her hand to hook his neck over, letting him rest his head on her leg.

  "It feels somewhat familiar." He muttered.

  Hua Yu smiled and patted his body: "Isnt it a bit familiar? When we first met, you also lay on my legs to rest like this."

  The corners of his mouth twitched, Jiang Xuanjin opened a pair of pitch-black eyes and silently stared at her.

  "Alright." Huai Yu corrected herself, restoring the truth: "It was I who forcibly held you in my arms."

  "He hummed softly and said, Improper behavior."

  "How did I misbehave?" Huai Yu protested, "Wasnt it because I was worried about you at that time?"

  "Weve just met."

  "Whats wrong with just meeting?" she said. "As soon as I saw you, I thought you looked like my future husband, so I started worrying ahead of time, cant I?"

  How ridiculous! Jiang Xuanjin shook his head and slowly closed his eyes, in fact, he was also confused.

  Why has this person been bothering him from the very beginning?

  The horse carriage slowly swayed for a while before arriving at the White Mansion, and Li Huaiyu had already prepared himself to continue facing those people with a cold face before getting off the carriage.

  However, after getting off the car, she saw a group of flowers at the entrance of the White Mansion - a group of people, each smiling like a flower.

  Led by Bai Liang, the group of people from the Bai family suddenly became friendly and courteous, smiling and bowing to each other, making Li Huaiyu look at the sign above the door in disbelief.

  Is it Baifu?

  "De Zhong is already waiting in the main hall." Bai Liangshi came forward to greet them, saying kindly, "Please come in quickly!"

  Li Huaiyu glanced at her twice, then grabbed Jiang Xuanjins sleeve and followed him inside.

  The White Mansion was decorated with red silk everywhere, and there was a tea for washing the dust at the entrance. After walking two steps, the servants and maids would bow and shout "Good sir!", the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

  Hua Yu looked around and softly said: "Changed your temper?"

  Jiang Xuanjin didnt make a sound and walked into the main hall with her, first paying respects to Bai Dezhong.

  Two days without seeing him, Bai Dezhong seemed to have become even more haggard, but his back was still straight like a wooden board, and his demeanor was flawless. After returning the courtesy to Jiang Xuanjin, he first asked her: "Have you kept to the rules?"

  Li Huaiyu said without hesitation: "Defended! Filial piety above and courtesy below, won the unanimous praise of the Jiang family!"

  Jiang Xuanjin looked at her with disdain for such a blatant lie.

  Bai Des eyes were filled with worry, and he looked at him and asked, "Is the little girls behavior still proper?"

  Jiang Xuanjin gathered his thoughts and replied: "Zhou Quan, your measurements are accurate, and the entire Fu family looks up to you with great respect."

  As soon as he spoke, the person next to him looked at him with a gaze that was even more contemptuous than before.

  Jiang Xuanjin gritted his teeth in silence, thinking to himself that it wasnt that he didnt want the elders to worry, but who would be willing to say such hypocritical words that went against their conscience?

  Bai De nodded heavily, looking like he finally breathed a sigh of relief. He asked a few more questions and then waved his hand to let the house slaves serve lunch. The Bai family members took their seats one by one, without any tricks or incidents, and finished their lunch smoothly.

  After dinner, Jiang Xuanjin went to talk with his uncles, while Li Huaiyu was surrounded by Bai Liangshi and others in the pavilion.

  "Look, a married woman is different, her eyebrows and eyes are all open!" White Liu said with a smile.

  Li Huaiyu looked at her with an expressionless face.

  Laughing and laughing, Bai Liu couldnt laugh anymore. She lightly coughed and glanced at Bai Liang beside her. Bai Liang pursed his lips and said with a humble expression: "Were all one family, whatever misunderstandings we had in the past are all over now..."

  "Who went with you in the past?" Hua Yu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Am I such a magnanimous person?"

  Bai Liangs face turned red as he awkwardly said, "If youre still angry, then well all apologize to you. On the day of the big wedding, we were impulsive and didnt do things right. We elders were wrong."

  "Yes." Bai Liu said in a low voice, "Didnt your husband also not allow us to enter the maternal home later?"

  Jiang Xuanjin didnt let them enter the maternal home? Huai Yu was taken aback, blinking her eyes. She didnt know about this matter, no one had ever mentioned it to her, she was too happy seeing Huai Lin, and later whether the Bai familys people went or not, where they sat, she wasnt clear about any of that.

  However, Bai Liang didnt continue on that topic, instead pinching her handkerchief and muttering to herself: "No matter what, we are still your elders, you really cant get along with us?"

  "Whats the big deal? Zhenzhu wouldnt be so unreasonable." A auntie next to her immediately spoke up for her, not leaving any room for her to retort.

  This singing and harmonizing was so dull that Li Huaiyu couldnt help but yawn.

  "Is there something you want from me?" she asked impatiently.

  Several people exchanged a glance, their expressions somewhat unnatural. It was still Bai Liu who spoke first: "You married well, marrying Zi Yang Jun, he is the most influential person in the imperial court, I heard that yesterday one word from him sent the Grand Preceptors chief historian to prison, the Emperor trusts him the most."

  "Yes, others are useless, his one sentence is worth a thousand gold!"

  After flattering her for half a day and beating around the bush, Bai Liangshi finally said: "In our familys younger generation, Fu Sheng and Qi Lin have reached the age of marriage. But they dont have any official positions, and its not good to listen to matchmakers! You are Junfus wife, so please speak with Ziyang Jun on behalf of your two brothers and ask him to find them two official positions."

  This tone is so casual, as if the official position were a two-piece set in a baozi shop.

  Li Huaiyu found it amusing: "Isnt getting an official position easy? The imperial court is about to select officials, just go and register, take the exam and youll get one?"

  Bai Liang furrowed his brow: "Those two brothers of yours are not even material for the imperial examination, if they could pass, we wouldnt be asking you."

  "Its useless to ask me." Huai Yu spread her hands, "Zi Yang Jun is a well-known upright and courteous official in the imperial court, how can you let him do such things for personal gain?"

  Slightly annoyed, Bai Liangshi said: "Everything should be flexible, he is also the son-in-law of our White House after all. Helping a family member get an official position, whats wrong with that? Letting him go is just a matter of one word!"

  "Can he get things done with just one sentence and youll definitely do it for him?" Yu Xi dug his ears, smiled awkwardly, "Are all of you overestimating yourselves? Have you helped him before or saved his life? Cant be that just because of a distant relationship, you can shamelessly make demands on others like this?"

  These words were straightforward, and several people couldnt sit still with embarrassment. Bai Liangshi was furious and slapped the table: "Bai Zhuiji, so many of us are humbly begging you, but youre still being arrogant?"

  Rubbed his own nose, then rubbed his own face, Li Huaiyu leaned against the railing and smiled: "Yes, what can you do to me?"

  The tone was so arrogant that everyone in the Liang Pavilion was anxious. Bai Liu opened his mouth and said, "Dont think that marrying into the Zi Yang family will make you worry-free. What kind of shameful things have you done yourself? Youre not even clear about it in your own heart! If were forced to tear our faces apart, it wont be good for either of us!"

  "This remark is somewhat inexplicable, Huaiyu lowered her head and thought for a long time: What kind of shameful thing have I done?"

  With a cold laugh, Bai Liang said: "The thirty-six sedan chairs of dowry on your wedding day, did you really think no one knew where they came from?"

  The person who sent the dowry was meticulous and specially let the people from the White House come to lift it, but the family slaves of the White House were not blind or mute, and they would definitely say something when they saw something.

  Hua Yu paused for a moment, looked deeply at this group of people, then stood up and patted her skirt.

  "Lets go," she said.

  Everyone was confused, and Bai Liu furrowed her brow and asked: "Where are we going?"

  "Where else can we go? To find your father, isnt it about discussing my dowry?" Huai Yu raised an eyebrow, "Whats the point of talking here? We should reason things out in front of the master of the house."

  Those people who were just in a flurry of energy suddenly became quiet and hesitant when they heard this, nobody was willing to make a move.

  There were still twelve loads of dowry hidden in the courtyard of the White Liang family...

  Watching them coldly, Huai Yu secretly shook her head, thinking that getting entangled with such relatives was also a misfortune brought about by Bai Zhus eight lifetimes of bad luck.

  Its all been said and done, and the scare tactics have also ended. Does Li Huaiyu think this matter can be turned over like a page now?

  But it turned out she was too naive.

  In the afternoon, they set off to return to Jiangs residence. Jiang Xuanjin and she were bidding farewell to Bai De at the side of the carriage when they were about to get on the carriage, suddenly Bai Liangshi came forward and said to Jiang Xuanjin: "Youd better take good care of Zhuji, many people are eager to have her! Mr. Lu even added 36 loads of dowry for her, fearing that you would not treat her well!"

  The words loudly echoed at the entrance of the White Mansion, and in an instant, the surroundings fell silent.

  Kyotos first wealthy merchant Lu Jinghang gave the next-door neighbor who married off his fourth younger sister Bai Zhubi an additional dowry, which added up to 36 dan. What is going on here?

  Bai Dezhong immediately rebuked Bai Liangshi to step down, and Li Huaiyu also sank her face, looking at her with a gloomy gaze.

  Bai Liangshi laughed with great satisfaction, not even minding being scolded by Bai Dezhong in public. She pinched her handkerchief and tiptoed, looking at Jiang Xuanjin by the carriage with a "good show" expression.

  Such a loud voice, Jiang Xuanjin is impossible to hear. With this lords identity, how would he view his wife who was given dowry by another man?

  Are you angry? Or humiliated? Everyone is a little curious.

  Feeling the scorching gaze behind him, Jiang Xuanjin slowly turned around, his dark eyes scanning Bai Liangshi for a moment before shifting to the person beside her who seemed somewhat indignant.

  Li Huaiyu was also watching him, her eyes without panic, only anxious, as if afraid he had been deceived by others, clenching his fists and wanting to open his mouth to explain.

  But before he could finish speaking, his hand was clamped over his mouth again.

  Her long fingers pressed against her lips, gently stroking them, the person in front of her softened his eyes, looking at her eyes seriously and sincerely:

  "Ill be good to her."