Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 442: The Emperor’s Reverse Scale

"Your Highness, Imperial Censor Li Qingmu has come to visit."

In the rear garden, Qi Junchen was enjoying tea and flower viewing with his favorite concubine, Lady Xiang, while four voluptuous dancers danced nearby.

Holding his wine cup, Qi Junchen watched the four dancers clad in pink skirts, squinting slightly, his body leaning back, appearing relaxed and unhurried.

"Those dance skirts from the Su Jinxiu Workshop are truly exquisite. Look, with these ladies dancing in her skirts, even the flower bushes behind lose their luster. Impressive, very impressive!"

After speaking, Qi Junchen took another sip of his wine, feeling quite content.

While indulging in his luxurious lifestyle, suddenly, a steward came to report.

He was slightly surprised, turned to Lady Xiang: "Impressive, you’ve managed to establish a connection with Imperial Censor Li."

Qi Junchen was aware that Lady Xiang had approached Long Yue in attempts to forge ties, but whether she had succeeded was uncertain. However, now that Li Qingmu had come, it indicated some effect.

But Lady Xiang just shook her head: "Not necessarily, that Lady Jiao was very cold to me. I always feel that Imperial Censor Li’s visit might not be a good thing."

Lady Xiang slightly furrowed her brows as she spoke.

For some reason, she had been feeling uneasy the past couple of days, as if something was about to happen, but couldn’t quite pinpoint what exactly felt wrong?

Qi Junchen waved his hand: "Xiang’er, you’re overthinking. Well, let’s go see for ourselves first."

The main hall.

Li Qingmu met Qi Junchen. After exchanging pleasantries, Li Qingmu directly revealed a pearl: "Your Highness, someone wants to frame the Princess Consort Zhen!"

Instantly, Qi Junchen’s face twitched: "Why would you say such a thing, Mr. Li?"

"Is this item not the Princess Consort’s?"

"It is, why is it in your possession?"

"At dawn today, a murder occurred, Your Highness, are you aware?"

Qi Junchen remained silent. He typically paid little attention to such matters. How should he respond?

If he said he didn’t know, it implies a lack of concern for the people. Yet saying he knew without details would be equally awkward if asked for specifics.

Seeing Qi Junchen silent, Li Qingmu felt speechless within, wondering how one indifferent to the people’s hardships could be a competent ruler?

Qi Junchen wouldn’t know that based on this, Li Qingmu was already questioning his fitness as a king. If he knew, he’d be so upset he’d want to spit blood.

"Recently, Lady Xiang and my Yue’er have grown close. She even planned to gift her precious Beibing Mei incense, but Yue’er refused it. Later, she went to Xiangman Garden and bought Beibing Mei herself."

Qi Junchen was a bit sharp by nature but liked to feign ignorance. Li Qingmu’s straightforwardness made him uncomfortable, so he said: "What exactly are you trying to convey with this, Mr. Li?"

"Beibing Mei incense contains poison lethal to pregnant women."

"Li Qingmu, what are you implying? Are you suggesting I want to harm your wife and child? I am a Prince, and you dare to slander a Prince?"

Qi Junchen was angry, he never intended to harm his wife, was Li Qingmu stirring up trouble for nothing?

"Does Your Highness not see the intention here? Someone wishes to use your name to kill my wife and child, then exploit my retaliation to strike against you and your mother. I came with good intentions, yet Your Highness responds like this; I realize my mistake. Goodbye!"

Having said this, Li Qingmu turned to leave, Qi Junchen’s gaze sharpened as he hurried forward: "Please wait, Mr. Li!"

He stopped Li Qingmu, smiling: "Earlier, I was too impulsive; please do not take offense, Mr. Li. There is someone trying to sow discord between us, and their intent is punishable!"

Li Qingmu handed the pearl to Qi Junchen: "Your Highness could ask Princess Consort Zhen, perhaps a traitor exists by her side!"

Qi Junchen’s pupils shrank sharply as he nodded: "Alright, thank you!"

After Li Qingmu left, Lady Xiang slowly emerged from behind the screen, glancing in the direction Li Qingmu departed, saying: "Your Highness, that man is too aloof, as is his wife, they fail to show proper respect to you."

"He is aloof, but deservedly so, for he is deeply favored by Father. Imagine if he were a Prince, what then?"

Qi Junchen was merely speaking casually, not realizing he had inadvertently stated a truth.

Lady Xiang pondered, "The Emperor would surely appoint him as Crown Prince, no exception!"

"Indeed!" Qi Junchen sighed, squinting his eyes, "He is exceedingly capable and trusted by Father. Securing his support could defeat the Crown Prince and claim the position of Crown Prince!"

Speaking thus, he tightened his fist and punched the air, displaying his resolve.

Lady Xiang lowered her gaze: "But Your Highness seems to forget, he is close to Prince Lingjiang’s Hier." We previously investigated this man; he was saved by Prince Lingjiang’s Hier after being attacked. Your Highness, he is more likely to support Prince Lingjiang!"

Lady Xiang paused, glanced at Qi Junchen, who wore a somber expression. Hesitating a moment, she continued, "Moreover, don’t you notice? When Cao Yin advanced with troops toward the Imperial City, Prince Lingjiang’s Hier also brought troops. It was due to this achievement that the Emperor allowed him to return to the Capital City. Surely, Li Qingmu assisted?"

Her words made Qi Junchen’s expression grow even grimmer!

"Your Highness, we must always be cautious with others and keep our guard up, it is wise to have contingency plans!"

Qi Junchen nodded slightly: "Understood, I have my own considerations!"

Lady Xiang glanced at Qi Junchen, seeing his displeased expression, she quickly lowered her head, remaining silent.

Some words are best left unsaid when an excess is reached.

...

The next day, after the court session, Li Qingmu requested an audience with the Emperor; Qi Yun was waiting for him in the study.

The same chessboard lay present, and in the distance, the winding waters of the ornamental stream flowed like liquid. On a finely crafted incense burner adorned with dragon and cloud patterns, smoke elegantly rose, setting a distant, serene atmosphere.

"Your Majesty, I have..."

"Chess!"

Qi Yun interrupted him, nodding to indicate the game.

Li Qingmu bowed respectfully and sat across from Qi Yun.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

The room was silent, save for the sound of chess moves.

As the game concluded and Li Qingmu tidied the pieces, Qi Yun finally spoke: "Speak, what issue have you encountered now?"

"Your Majesty, I have often heard mentions of the Yulong Pavilion; could you explain what kind of organization it truly is?"

Qi Yun’s hand paused slightly with the teacup, narrowed his eyes at him: "You rascal, you’re the only one who dares speak to me like this! Quite bold, aren’t you?"

Li Qingmu quickly turned and kneeled: "I am guilty, but merely curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat. Just as people imagine, Yulong Pavilion is tasked with gathering intelligence from various places for me."

Collecting intelligence from various places, this single statement held immense information —it could pertain to the situations at local government offices, populace conditions, possibly even enemy state intelligence, and potentially information regarding Capital City officials.

Of course, over the past two decades, the majority of Yulong Pavilion’s forces were deployed to Daliang Country, attempting to locate Li Qingmu’s mother and himself. Yet due to the vast populace and asymmetrical information, errors arose, causing years of delay.

However, as Qian Yi’s matters unfolded, Li Qingmu’s identity was swiftly confirmed by Yama and forwarded to Qi Yun.

To outsiders, Yulong Pavilion was merely seen as an ordinary intelligence spy agency. One just needed to be slightly cautious; problems should be unlikely.

Unbeknownst to them, circumstances were far different.

This Yulong Pavilion was extremely mysterious, to the extent even Li Qingmu did not know the full extent of information Qi Yun held?

Li Qingmu was genuinely curious, comparing the similarities and differences between Yulong Pavilion and Fei Luan Pavilion, asking casually, inadvertently touching the Emperor’s sensitive area! 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Alright, I am guilty!

Li Qingmu was well-behaved, admitting mistakes when made, showcasing courage to take responsibility!