Chapter 20 Discovery The male protagonist finally discovers something amiss with his father-emperor…

The two sat together in a pavilion by the lotus pond. Qin Qing asked about the recent matter of the Dian King’s influence: “You are in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard monitoring the officials’ every move. Do you know if there has been any recent activity on Jiang Si’s side?” Yue Guanyi said: “Since that morning court session, Jiang Si sent a secret letter to the Dian King’s mansion. Although I don’t know its contents, it’s likely related to this matter.” Qin Qing lightly fanned himself: “The Jiang family is ultimately an outsider. No matter how obedient they appear on the surface, they’ve still harbored thoughts they shouldn’t have.” “The Jiang family’s current noble status was all bestowed by the Founding Empress. After sitting on the throne for so long, they truly believe themselves to be imperial relatives. At a time when the Great Qi’s treasury is empty, she is still so greedy and insatiable. Yet we can’t touch her right now…” Yue Guanyi’s eyes darkened a shade: “Father-emperor, what if the Dian King insists on not returning the embezzled silver?” Qin Qing didn’t answer, gently waving his fan in thought.

Seeing Qin Qing’s silence, Yue Guanyi lowered his eyelids and said: “If only there were other ways to quickly obtain silver besides the Dian King.” Other ways?

The breeze from the black jade fan stilled in an instant, and Qin Qing’s gentle eyes lit up slightly.

Wasn’t there a ready-made silver mine in Yanshun County?

Qiu Shuzhi happened to be investigating the mine theft case there. If she could handle it properly, it could completely fill the Ministry of Revenue’s coffers.

“Speaking of which, there is a silver mine in Yanshun County under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture.” A glint of deeper meaning flashed in Yue Guanyi’s eyes. He had deliberately waited early in the Imperial Garden and steered Qin Qing’s conversation to the empty treasury, just to wait for this statement from Qin Qing.

The secret guards he sent reported that Qiu Shuzhi was in a difficult situation in Yanshun County.

Those officials and villagers appeared to comply with her on the surface, but in reality, they were like a web of spider silk, tough and vicious, binding her tightly within.

Moreover, her foundation in the court was still shallow, and Gu Zheng was intentionally making things difficult for her.

She had neither military power nor political authority, only an empty title of Shuntian Prefecture’s Administrator. Even with all her abilities, she couldn’t fully utilize them.

Although he held the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he had no authority to interfere in Shuntian Prefecture’s affairs. Despite his anxiety and worry, he could only secretly send guards to protect Qiu Shuzhi’s safety. He could only hint to Qin Qing indirectly, reminding him not to forget that there was such a person as Qiu Shuzhi.

He wanted to use Qin Qing’s hand to pull her out of this quagmire.

Qin Qing naturally hadn’t forgotten Qiu Shuzhi. Since she left, he always felt empty in his heart, as if her departure had taken his heart away with her.

But he was confined in the deep palace, and all the news around him had to rely on reports from his spies.

As an Empress Dowager, he couldn’t constantly have people monitor an unmarried woman’s every move. If this got out, he might be fine since he held great power and those below wouldn’t dare to gossip much.

But what about Qiu Shuzhi? The rumors of serving with her looks would be confirmed.

Where would that leave her dignity as a woman?

Such a cold and clean person should never bear such slander because of him.

“I’ve also heard about the silver mine issue in Yanshun County. It seems quite thorny,” Yue Guanyi said.

“It is somewhat thorny, but I have already sent someone to investigate,” Qin Qing looked at him and said: “You’ve met her before, Qiu Shuzhi.”

Yue Guanyi pretended to frown in deep thought for a moment, then seemed to suddenly remember: “Could it be the Number Three Scholar from the Qionglin Banquet?”

Qin Qing nodded: “That’s right.”

Yue Guanyi expressed slight concern: “The villains in Yanshun County are more fierce than the other. If Official Qiu is determined to deal with the mine theft and pushes those villains too far, I’m afraid trouble might arise.”

Qin Qing’s eyes deepened to ink: “What do you mean?”

“Those people have made a fortune from stealing from the mines. Official Qiu comes and wants to cut off their source of wealth. If they’re driven to desperation, they might harm Official Qiu.”

“You mean those villains want to kill her?” Qin Qing’s face darkened.

“The poorer and more treacherous the place, the more likely it is to breed fierce villains. I’ve heard that the previous few officials sent to Yanshun County were injured because of their aggressive methods. It’s hard to say they won’t use the same old tricks this time.” Seeing his such tense reaction, Yue Guanyi keenly sensed something unusual in his heart.

“They dare!” Qin Qing slammed his fan heavily on the stone table. The fan ribs broke with a crack, damaging the gold-decorated fan face.

“How dare these villains harm an imperial official? Tomorrow- no, you will set out immediately for Yanshun County. Say you’re acting on my imperial edict to supervise this case together with Qiu Shuzhi.” Qin Qing said in a low voice, suppressing his anger.

“Your son obeys the edict.” Qin Qing’s words hit exactly what he wanted. Now that he had Qin Qing’s imperial edict, he could finally stand rightfully beside Qiu Shuzhi.

But Qin Qing’s tone and demeanor always made him feel uncomfortable and irritated.

Yue Guanyi was extremely sensitive about anything related to Qiu Shuzhi, and Qin Qing’s reaction naturally didn’t escape his eyes.

Qin Qing had a handsome face and a meticulous mind, having gathered all the power of Great Qi in his hands. But even so, he was just an ordinary man living in the deep palace, waiting for a woman’s favor.

All men in the back palace are lonely. Usually, apart from the Empress, they can’t even see a normal woman. Even though Qin Qing could attend court to discuss affairs, he only saw those aged and pedantic women.

But Qiu Shuzhi was different. She was young and beautiful, with an elegant demeanor. All the men in the capital were moved by her, let alone an old man who hadn’t been favored by a woman for many years.

Could it be that he had developed feelings?

On the way back to Fengyang Pavilion, this bold guess suddenly entered his mind.

The more Yue Guanyi thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. His snow-white robe was almost torn by his tight grip as he recalled everything from his first encounter with Qiu Shuzhi until now.

In an instant, his face turned as white as paper.

No wonder he had promoted Qiu Shuzhi’s official position so quickly. It turned out he harbored such filthy, unspeakable thoughts.

The current Empress Dowager, who had already served the late Empress, actually harbored such lewd and evil intentions towards a young official.

“Preposterous, preposterous-”

Chang’an waited and waited, finally seeing Yue Guanyi return, only to see his face terrifyingly pale, constantly muttering to himself.

“Your Highness, what is preposterous?” he couldn’t help but ask.

Yue Guanyi looked up, seeing Chang’an’s completely unaware eyes. His fingertips suddenly began to tremble uncontrollably, as if he had received an unbearable shock, his eyes terrifyingly frightful.

He pushed Chang’an away, locking himself in the room, ignoring the confused Chang’an knocking outside.

He rushed to the bed without care, carefully taking out a handkerchief he had always treasured from his bosom. His eyes were filled with thick hatred, like a madman, his gloomy eyes coldly reflecting a dim light.

“A faded flower dares to have wishful thinking, how lowly!”