Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 184: Got Played!

Li Qingmu is heading to the government office.

This is no ordinary government office, but rather the one in the Capital City, a coveted place of appointment for many. An official in the Capital City, regardless of rank, can be called an Official from capital. Even if one goes to the provinces as a Ninth Grade Official, others must still show some respect.

That saying... "A seventh-rank official at the Prime Minister’s gate," speaks to this truth.

The Imperial Censorate, a central administrative oversight body, and one of the judicial organs, is responsible for inspecting, impeaching officials, and maintaining discipline.

Of course, most of the time, it involves impeaching officials, although there are one or two who might impulsively impeach the Emperor. The Emperor typically won’t react immediately but will surely settle scores later.

Take, for example, the official who previously impeached Li Qingmu; he angered the Emperor and was dealt with on the spot, banished to Xinan.

The life of a Censor is a hard one.

Long Yue accompanied Li Qingmu to the entrance of the Imperial Censorate.

"Yue’er, head back!"

Li Qingmu was well-behaved last night, leaving him a bit sluggish this morning, but he still spoke with a smile.

Long Yue glanced at him worriedly, "Are you... alright? If anyone in the Imperial Censorate dares to bully you, let me know; I’ll put them in a sack and give them a good beating!"

At this time, people were starting to arrive, and Long Yue and Li Qingmu stood at the entrance, speaking audibly enough for the people passing by to hear. A Censor who walked by coughed and glanced at her.

That look seemed to say: Young lady, you’re openly saying you’d beat us, isn’t that a bit over the top?

But Long Yue completely ignored him; at this moment, all she saw was her husband.

The man gently pinched her cheek, "It’s fine, dear. I can take care of myself. No one will bully me."

"Hmm... If you do get bullied, remember to come find me!"

Li Qingmu chuckled, "Alright!"

"Brother Li, you arrived!"

"Brother Su, good morning!"

Li Qingmu bade farewell to his young wife and entered the Imperial Censorate gates, running into Su Shi, who had just left home as well.

"Brother Li, over here."

It was Li Qingmu’s first day at the office, and he was unfamiliar with many things. Without someone to guide him, he’d inevitably take the long route. With Su Shi’s assistance, he felt much more relaxed.

Su Shi then briefed him on the general situation of the Imperial Censorate and explained some of the distribution of offices.

"Coincidentally, I happen to have a spot here. Why don’t you join me?"

"Alright!"

"Imperial Censor Su, given that Imperial Censor Li filled Huang Wei’s vacancy, shouldn’t he come to our office instead? Jumping in to claim him might not be proper, wouldn’t you say?"

Li Qingmu and Su Shi were chatting when a sharp voice suddenly came from behind.

The two turned around and saw a young man in his thirties wearing a blue robe. He had one hand behind his back and his head slightly raised, with a somewhat arrogant demeanor.

"This man is Huang Hua, a cousin of Huang Wei. Huang Wei was the one who brought him into the Imperial Censorate."

Su Shi whispered quietly in Li Qingmu’s ear.

With just a simple sentence, he clarified the situation.

He used the word "brought," subtly implying that Huang Hua’s entry into the Imperial Censorate was through nepotism, given his relation to Huang Wei, suggesting this person might cause trouble for Li Qingmu and need caution.

Li Qingmu gave Su Shi a reassuring look and slowly stepped forward.

He first cupped his hands respectfully and said with a smile, "May I ask how long this senior has been at the Imperial Censorate?"

Li Qingmu’s demeanor was very humble, and by addressing him as "senior," he greatly satisfied Huang Hua’s vanity.

Huang Hua glanced at Li Qingmu; colleagues had previously said this man made Minister Pang look mortified and ashamed after speaking in the Golden Hall, suggesting he must be formidable.

But to see him meekly bending to me?

Heh, it seems the rumors aren’t true!

Thus, Huang Hua felt even more pleased, gently stroking his beard, adopting a posture of a wise elder, "I..."

Despite his age not allowing him to claim "I," human arrogance is sometimes unstoppable.

"I’ve been at the Imperial Censorate for ten years!"

"Indeed, you are a senior! Surely you’ve impeached quite a few officials."

"Naturally, back in the day, even the Vice Minister was impeached by me!"

Huang Hua raised his head, his expression exceptionally proud.

Li Qingmu chuckled softly, "You’re truly remarkable. Since you’re a veteran here, may I know how the offices are distributed here?"

"It’s naturally the like-minded... Hmm?"

At this point, Huang Hua jerked awake, surprised he had almost been taken in by this young man!

But now he realized it was too late; he had already said "like-minded," and there was no turning back.

"You little... You’re a cunning scoundrel!"

Huang Hua pointed at Li Qingmu, hopping in anger.

Darn it, he got tricked!

Li Qingmu smiled faintly, "What do you mean, Imperial Censor Huang? How am I deceitful? It was merely a question!"

Su Shi watched the scene with amusement; Li Qingmu was indeed intriguing, first lowering himself and making the other party relax, then elevating the conversation so the other answers fluidly, and at the crucial point, the other would answer without thinking.

The technique seemed simple but was actually ingenious, one that few would even consider.

"Since Imperial Censor Huang said the distribution is according to likemindedness, and as my ideals differ from yours, we naturally shouldn’t share an office. So... please forgive me?"

Li Qingmu cupped his hands slightly, although he seemed somewhat smug.

The man in his thirties, no matter having been at the Imperial Censorate for ten years, was still taken for a ride by him.

Huang Hua couldn’t outtalk him, troubled as he was older by a decade yet was outsmarted by him! This young man isn’t even fully matured yet!

"Hmph! I am ashamed to associate with you!"

Huang Hua brushed his sleeves and snorted, attempting to reclaim some dignity.

Li Qingmu, however, did not bother further with him and went with Su Shi to his office.

In any place, factions exist, and the Imperial Censorate is no exception. Censors group in threes and fives, supporting each other, even banding together for impeachment.

A lone voice carries little weight, but if everyone comes forth?

Three make a tiger!

After Li Qingmu and Su Shi went inside, on the other side of the Imperial Censorate, two middle-aged men leaned on a rail watching. One of them stood with hands behind his back, exuding authority.

The man beside him looked back in respect and said, "Mr. He, that Li Qingmu is problematic; should we give him a little pressure?"

"Hmm? Pressure for what?"

Mr. He, whose full name was He Jian, held the position of Imperial Censor, and due to the long-standing vacancy of the Imperial Censor position, had become the head of the Imperial Censorate. He glanced at the man beside him and snorted, "You want to choose sides?"

"I..."

The man hesitated for a moment.

"Foolish!" He Jian saw through his intentions and angrily said, "Our Imperial Censorate claims to oversee officials, but we are more like the Emperor’s kept dogs. He has us watch over court officials daily to consolidate his position! Imperial Censors are loyal to the Emperor, not any faction. If you forget this, you will soon face disaster!"