CHAPTER 235: CHAPTER 235: SEAL THE CAMP, CONDUCT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION!

"Clang!"

Princess Consort Zhen, who was serving Qi Yun, trembled upon hearing the sound, accidentally knocking over a teacup and quickly righting it again in fright.

Cai Yuanzhi looked utterly bewildered.

Qi Yun, seeing his bewildered expression, couldn’t help but smirk, "Does Cai Qing have any concerns?"

The Emperor has granted your father the position of Minister of Revenue, a great honor, and you dare to look dazed? Precisely because of this, Qi Yun felt that this decision was the right one.

Qi Yun was not making a rash decision by appointing Cai Xiu to this position. After the incident with the former Minister of Revenue, Lin Hui, he had been pondering who should receive this post to balance the situation.

He had intentions of appointing the Seventh Prince, but Princess Consort Zhen’s performance just now disappointed him. Coupled with Qi Junchen’s sharp temperament, it seemed unsuitable for the throne.

Cai Yuanzhi’s appearance made him realize that Cai Xiu was a suitable candidate. Back in the day, during the Rebellion of the Seven Princes, Cai Xiu volunteered to oversee in the Southwest Jiangling area, quelling the remaining rebels, and achieved considerable merit. Because of his outstanding local performance, he had been stationed as the Vice Governor of Jiangling County without being moved.

But now, it was a time when the court desperately needed capable people, so it was time to make a move.

Cai Yuanzhi finally came to his senses, quickly kneeling and expressing his gratitude, "Your Majesty, thank you for your immense kindness!"

Beside him, Princess Consort Zhen’s eyes flashed with annoyance—was the matter settled just like that?

The position of Minister of Revenue, in charge of the national granaries and treasury, decided just like that? Decided for a governor in a distant county like Jiangling?

Was this not too frivolous?

Princess Consort Zhen was so anxious that she twisted her embroidery incessantly, pondering whether to say something. But the harem was not permitted to involve in politics, leaving her to suppress her grievances silently.

Soon after, the news spread, causing a stir throughout the entire camp. The Crown Prince, Third Prince, and Seventh Prince’s factions were all furious to the point of death.

After all the wrangling, the position of Minister of Revenue was given to Cai Xiu, who had gone to Jiangling County nineteen years ago, a territory under Prince Lingjiang Qi Junlian. After all these years, he probably had become one of their people.

So, was this an intention to let Prince Lingjiang get involved as well?

After the disturbance came silence, and a dead silence fell over the camp, with some palace attendants even cautious with their breathing, fearing punishment from their masters.

Li Qingmu sat in the tent, with Long Yue helping him bandage a wound.

Having rushed over, he got his skin scraped by overgrown branches along the way. The wound wasn’t deep but needed disinfection to prevent inflammation and swelling.

Long Yue looked up, seeing him lost in thought.

When he had rushed back earlier, witnessing the Emperor Qi Yun in danger, his eyes turned red with urgency, wishing he could fly over immediately. Fortunately, Cai Yuanzhi intervened, averting any mishap.

Yet even so, he furiously smashed his bow onto the ground.

The entire journey back, Long Yue hadn’t been able to speak to him because he seemed off, needing time to calm himself.

And he did calm down, all the way till now.

Long Yue brewed a cup of warm tea and handed it over.

Li Qingmu took it and drained it in one gulp.

Sigh, still not calmed down?

With a mild sense of melancholy, Long Yue thought this couldn’t go on and said, "Cai Xiu has been appointed Minister of Revenue."

"Ha, as expected!"

Li Qingmu sneered, taking a deep breath.

"A Mu, are you alright?"

"I’m fine."

Li Qingmu replied blandly, but Long Yue’s heart was seized with worry.

He wasn’t familiar with Qi Junlian and his background, but he knew Qi Jingyu very well.

Back when Li Qingmu was seriously injured and recuperating with Duanmu Nan, the little one would visit all day long, sometimes bringing supplements, sometimes medicines, sometimes clothes, and gradually their bond deepened.

Long Yue could see Li Qingmu cared deeply for the young one, truly invested with genuine emotion.

But now? Finding himself tricked and almost ambushed by a pack of wolves, the overwhelming disparity made his emotional outburst understandable.

Long Yue set down the cup and stood to leave.

"Yue’er!"

A man’s voice called from behind, now restored to calmness, gentle, magnetic, and pleasant to hear.

Long Yue turned with joy, "A Mu, are you better?"

Li Qingmu chuckled softly, "I’ve always been fine. What are you thinking about?"

"I... I thought you..."

"What, isn’t your husband allowed a moment of anger?"

"Oh, yes yes, very much so. Husband, now that you’re better, shall we have dinner?"

Originally, the hunting had only gone on half a day, but then that big incident occurred, with killing wolves, saving people, treating injuries, cleaning the field, and so on, until it grew dark, and the Fire Stove Camp started cooking.

Li Qingmu glanced at the darkened skies and said, "After dinner, let’s pack up. With such a significant event and the Minister of Revenue position settled, the ministers likely won’t have the mind to continue the spring hunt. We’ll head back tomorrow."

"Alright!"

"Just hope nothing unexpected happens tonight."

...

Inside Qi Yun’s tent, someone slowly entered.

A dignified and noblewoman, dressed in a purple-red robe, wearing a seven-tailed phoenix crown. Her features were delicate, adorned with heavy makeup that was not cumbersome, her figure ample, epitomizing the demeanor of a noblewoman.

The newcomer was none other than Empress Qiao, who rarely showed herself. She clasped her hands together and bowed gracefully towards Qi Yun, "This concubine greets the Emperor; may His Majesty live ten thousand years!"

"What are you here for?"

Having nearly been assaulted by a pack of wolves, Qi Yun was in a foul mood, his words sharp.

Unfazed, Empress Qiao responded gently, "Your Majesty, today’s events were terrifying. This concubine found them suspicious, so I investigated a bit and discovered that the blood of those hunted animals contained a peculiar substance."

It grew increasingly quiet, and Qi Yun wondered if the day’s incidents were intentional, immediately saying, "Speak!"

"This substance is very specialized; in water, it appears normal, but once it contacts blood, it releases a distinctive scent specifically attracting wolves! This concubine was deeply shocked upon discovery and dared not delay, so I sought an audience with Your Majesty for your judgment!"

"Bang!"

Qi Yun abruptly overturned a teacup, angrily exclaiming, "Is this true?"

"This concubine dares not speak falsely; it is absolutely true. The imperial physician can attest!"

"Summon several more imperial physicians,"

The suspicion innate to an Emperor meant Qi Yun would not take Empress Qiao’s word alone. In no time, six imperial physicians and a load of prey were brought in.

After successive examinations by the imperial physicians, and with two brave enough to taste it themselves, they reached a consensus.

The blood indeed contained that peculiar substance.

"Your Majesty, it is a powder concocted from various poisonous insects and herbs, emitting a strong scent upon contact with blood, specifically to attract wolves! When I was young, I learned of some hunters using this substance!"

"Pa!" Qi Yun slammed his palm onto the table, shouting angrily, "Men, seal off the camp and thoroughly investigate!"