Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 198: So What If I’m a Petty Man Who Gets His Way?
What is the relationship between Pang Wenzheng and Li Qingmu?
He is said to be a son-in-law, but in reality, more of an enemy!
Previously, there might have been a chance for reconciliation between him and Long Yue, but upon seeing the incomplete remains of his mother-in-law, the conflict became irreconcilable, a matter of life and death!
So, when Pang Wenzheng said Li Qingmu was formidable, it was definitely sarcasm!
Indeed!
He cast a cold glance at Li Qingmu, then smirked and said, "Imperial Censor Li first cunningly created confusion with an outing, making us all think you were just enjoying yourself, thereby lowering others’ guard, and then struck like lightning, capturing the culprits in one fell swoop! Such deep scheming, we were almost played by you!"
As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at the Emperor and slightly bowed his hands toward him.
This was a hint to the Emperor: we’ve all been toyed with by this little thing!
The Emperor enjoyed wielding power and manipulating ministers, but did not like being manipulated by ministers. Those ministers who toyed with the Emperor, either became powerful enough to rival the court or ended up dead.
He was trying to make Li Qingmu look bad!
The old sly fox!
Li Qingmu cursed inwardly, but outwardly feigned bewilderment and confusion.
"Why do you say that, Minister Pang? I am newly appointed, without connections or foundation, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to directly state my intentions when taking leave. What if someone leaked information to Wang Ren? Your Majesty, I asked those craftsmen to testify for me, but they said something that made me very ashamed!"
"Hmm, let’s hear it, what did they say?"
"Officially insulating each other!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.
Pang Wenzheng’s mouth twitched, and the veins on the back of his hand bulged. This brat, with just a simple sentence, forced a connection between himself and Wang Ren!
Was he implying that he wanted to protect them?
How could that be!
But right now, he couldn’t defend himself, otherwise it would seem like he had a guilty conscience, and the Emperor was very clever!
Pang Wenzheng originally wanted to set up Li Qingmu, but instead got caught in his own trap, turning livid with anger, he turned away, ignoring him.
Silence is golden, saying nothing is best.
Qi Yun pondered and then nodded slightly, "Mr. Li’s words... are not false. Corruption has always been a major issue through the ages, with officials protecting each other, leaving many commoners without redress. This time, Mr. Li deserves credit for exposing the pest Wang Ren and should be rewarded!"
"I dare not, it is merely my duty!"
"There’s no need to be modest, Mr. Li; reward for merit, punishment for faults. I see you are seriously injured, so, let the Imperial Physician take a look at you later, and I’ll grant you a five-day leave to recuperate at home!"
"Thank you for your grace!"
Letting the Imperial Physician take a look? That’s a privilege only for members of the imperial family and important ministers, and Li Qingmu only has some bumps and bruises, does he really need an Imperial Physician?
Clearly, this was the Emperor backing him up!
Immediately, pairs of envious, jealous, and hateful eyes turned toward Li Qingmu.
"As for Huang Hua... humph, not understanding the situation, impeaching a colleague, that’s a failure to conduct due diligence, the salary penalty... three months!"
This penalty was already quite lenient, and though Huang Hua was unwilling, he could only express gratitude.
Next, they were supposed to discuss some court affairs, but because Li Qingmu had gained the favor of the Emperor, many felt sour. As a result, no one was very enthusiastic, and since the matters weren’t pressing, they adjourned shortly afterward.
After leaving the hall, walking on the long white jade steps, Pang Wenzheng looked grim, deliberately slowing his pace. Once Li Qingmu caught up, he coldly said, "Boy, you are quite capable!"
Killing two birds with one stone, making me suffer a loss and gaining the Emperor’s favor, this skill indeed is admirable!
Li Qingmu could sense the sour undertone in his words and chuckled lightly, "Isn’t that thanks to the guidance of my father-in-law?"
"Humph!"
Pang Wenzheng mocked Li Qingmu for his deep scheming and cunning, but Li Qingmu turned that implication right back at him.
The key was using the words "father-in-law" to provoke him, seeing Li Qingmu’s smug smile made Pang Wenzheng want to hit him out of anger.
But this was outside the Golden Hall, and this person had been on the battlefield, with Long Yue’s training, he wouldn’t be easily overpowered. Truly engaging in a fistfight wouldn’t work!
"Humph, petty man with newfound success!"
Pang Wenzheng swirled his sleeves and said angrily, which already signaled a loss from the heart. Li Qingmu knew this, and instead of backing down, he chuckled and leaned in to whisper, "I am a petty man with newfound success, what can you do about it?"
"You..."
Where had this pest come from, so difficult to deal with?
Just as he was preparing to leave, Li Qingmu’s haunting voice sounded once more: "Father-in-law, mother-in-law is so lonely in the desolate mountain, shouldn’t you accompany her?"
Boom!
Pang Wenzheng felt his head spin as if struck by lightning, his body staggered and nearly fell.
He turned back in shock to look at Li Qingmu beside him, who merely smiled at Pang Wenzheng before striding away.
"Hiss—"
Pang Wenzheng took a deep breath, feeling a chill in his teeth. The smile in Li Qingmu’s eyes just now was hiding a deep... murderous intent!
"This cannot end well!"
He slowly lifted his head, looking at the sky, the sun shone brightly, yet he seemed to see dark clouds rolling in.
With several confrontations, the calm and collected young man had made him suffer greatly, and he was merely a minor Imperial Censor. If allowed to remain in court, whether or not he got promoted, it would be very detrimental to his future plans.
This person must be removed!
Liang Wenyuan, Minister of the Ministry of Justice, happened to witness the scene, frowning slightly.
He thought Li Qingmu was a useful person worth drawing in, but Minister Pang was at odds with him, making it difficult.
Liang Wenyuan shook his head vigorously, feeling rather helpless. It clearly was a father and son-in-law, yet they were fighting fiercely. He felt it necessary to discuss with the Crown Prince, advising Minister Pang to reconcile with his daughter and son-in-law, thus bringing Cao Yin into their camp. Wouldn’t that be beneficial in multiple ways?
...
After court, Qi Yun headed to Feixue Palace.
Consort Xue sat forlornly before her dressing table, staring at her somewhat faded beauty, feeling desolate. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
She gently reached out, touching her cheek, it was still as smooth and tender as before, but why did she feel like she had aged so much?
"Alas..."
She sighed softly, her trusted palace maid Lan Yu comforted her, "My lady, His Majesty is only momentarily angry. When the time comes, you just need to say some kind words to him, and the matter will pass! But seeing you in self-pity like this wounds my heart!"
"Kind words? What kind words?" Consort Xue sneered, her tone as if mocking herself, "In his heart, he truly cares for only one person, Yun Ruoxiang, that wench! After she disappeared, that man’s heart went with her. Now, he is indifferent to everyone; to him, everyone is a dispensable pawn. Am I not an example? Hahaha..."
"His Majesty has arrived—"
The shrill voice of a eunuch sounded outside, Consort Xue held a white jade comb in her hand, playing with it, but her hand shook, and the comb fell.
"Crack", it broke!
