CHAPTER 259: CHAPTER 259: I ADMIT MY FAULT, BUT I REFUSE TO CHANGE!

Slander?

Zhao Mengran’s mouth twitched hard; now on the court, it is estimated that Li Qingmu is being impeached, and the case here turned out like this. It’s really too much of a headache.

It’s not just Zhao Mengran who’s worried, but also the ministers standing in the main hall.

This case is particularly egregious, so the court pays more attention to it. The situation at the Capital Governor Mansion is almost synchronized with what’s happening here.

"That person named Wang... something?"

"Your Majesty, it is Wang Dazhi!"

"Oh, Wang Dazhi, because he withheld the wages of the tenants and was discovered by Lady Jiao and expelled from the estate, he harbored resentment and started a fire to burn the fields?"

"Your Majesty, that’s exactly what happened!"

"Hmm, that Wang Dazhi, is truly capable, huh? As a servant, not only does he fail to serve the master, but he embezzles money and exploits the workers? That’s disloyalty! After being expelled, he harbors criminal thoughts and commits arson, that’s disobedience! Such disloyal and disobedient person, hmph hmph..."

Qi Yun sneered, and the atmosphere in the hall suddenly turned cold.

Some people’s hearts began to race.

As an Emperor, what is the most detestable?

Betrayal!

Faced with traitors, an Emperor can use one hundred and eight kinds of cruel punishments, making them wish they were never born!

Therefore, His Majesty the Emperor has developed sympathy for the Li Qingmu couple, who were also betrayed by their servants.

Not good, this is bad!

Pang Wenzheng’s eyes turned cold, his fists clenched, extremely nervous.

This Emperor is just too clever, always catching the ministers off guard; clearly a doomed situation, yet, a reversal?

No, this can’t be!

Pang Wenzheng roared inwardly, but at this moment, he absolutely cannot show any signs of unwillingness, otherwise, it will arouse the Emperor’s suspicion.

Serving the Emperor is like accompanying a tiger; this Emperor is too difficult to serve.

"Your Majesty, this old minister believes that Wang Dazhi is indeed abhorrent, but for this crime, it should not be Li Qingmu who punishes him; it should be handed over to the government office for judgment. He is no longer their worker, and doing this is overstepping bounds, and... his methods are a bit cruel..."

As Vice Prime Minister Cui Yuanhe is somewhat foul-tempered, but he is equally loyal, always speaking his mind. He thinks Wang Dazhi is abhorrent, but torturing him makes Li Qingmu wrong.

"What does Prime Minister Cui mean?"

"He should be blamed! Or ask him why he took such a vicious action? If he has a reason, then this matter is over, and even that Wang Dazhi should be blamed. But if he has no reason, Your Majesty, this person’s temperament needs to be considered!"

Cui Yuanhe spoke sincerely, though bluntly.

Qi Yun rested his chin on his hand, leaning on the Emperor’s chair, looking at the ministers.

"Minister Pang, what do you think?"

Qi Yun suddenly addressed Pang Wenzheng, who was startled, and hastily stepped forward: "This minister thinks... we should ask!"

Since the matter is already like this, then... treat a dead horse as if it’s alive!

"Come, go to his home, and bring that boy here!"

Bring? The corners of the ministers’ mouths jerked; the Emperor’s word choice is really... does he think it’s an eel?

...

At the palace gate, Li Qingmu wore a dignified dark blue robe, his long hair tied high, looking full of energy.

"Stop!"

Two gate guards crossed their long knives, blocking Li Qingmu.

"Please inform the Emperor that I wish to have an audience!"

Li Qingmu cupped his hands.

Actually, these two guards knew Li Qingmu, and even because he often caused trouble, they were quite familiar, but now that he had fallen out of favor, what could be done?

Especially since the court is still impeaching him today, attempting to put him to death. For someone who’s about to die... regardless of who it is, even eunuchs and palace maids will treat him with the worst attitude.

This is human nature!

To rise high and trample low!

Li Qingmu understood this principle well, neither anxious nor angry, but quietly stood outside the palace gate.

The news from the Capital Governor Mansion has probably already reached the palace; those people want to put him to death. What should be done?

The only option is to focus on the aspect of the abused. Once this matter is settled as a fact, his character will need to be assessed.

Such a malicious and perverted person, can he be entrusted with important tasks?

His future path is utterly ruined.

Today, it’s nearing May, the sun slightly harsh; standing there for a while, Li Qingmu felt a bit hot, with a thin sweat forming on his forehead.

Half an hour passed...

An hour passed...

The guards saw him standing there unmoving, and couldn’t help but sneer: "What are you thinking? Better hurry back and say your last goodbye to your family, or when they take you to be executed, don’t blame us for not warning you!"

"Thank you!"

Li Qingmu responded lightly, showing no signs of leaving.

The two guards snorted coldly again and continued their duty.

At that moment, a eunuch ran out, an old acquaintance, Eunuch Xiao Chen.

Last time he assigned the slapping task to Long Yue, resulting in Pang Shuangyue’s face being smashed, so he was punished by the Emperor; any errand running fell to him, truly a bitter task.

He originally intended to head to the General Mansion and give Li Qingmu a hard time, venting his anger, but upon arriving at the palace gate, he saw him already waiting there?

"You...what are you doing here?"

"Wishing an audience with His Majesty, so I’ve been waiting."

"Oh, alright, come along!"

The hot weather made running errands the hardest, since this person came by himself, it saved Xiao Chen’s legs. His expression slightly improved.

Li Qingmu entered the main hall, seeing the Emperor, he respectfully paid his courtesies.

Qi Yun, curious, straightened up and asked Eunuch Xiao Chen beside him, "Why so soon?"

"Your Majesty, he was waiting outside the palace!"

Eunuch Xiao Chen quickly explained.

Qi Yun squinted his eyes, suddenly sneering: "Li Qingmu, you assumed I would let you enter the palace to defend yourself? So you waited outside all along? Hmm?"

The Emperor’s mind is unfathomable; that’s a taboo, so seeing Li Qingmu dare to wait outside the palace for a summon, instantly made him displeased.

Li Qingmu replied: "Your Majesty, I have been slandered and wish to appeal in the great hall, but the gate guards refused to let me in; it’s not that I intentionally waited!"

"Oh, how long did you wait?"

Seeing that it wasn’t about guessing his intentions, Qi Yun’s expression softened, and noticing Li Qingmu’s forehead was covered in a fine sweat, he realized he had waited quite a while outside, right?

This sincerity is rather genuine.

"Your Majesty, I waited over an hour. If I wasn’t allowed in, I would wait and request an audience after court adjourns!"

There’s still half an hour until court adjourns, meaning Li Qingmu would have to continue waiting under the sun for another half hour.

This Emperor has a quirk, enjoying watching others suffer; others’ bad luck brings him pleasure. Seeing Li Qingmu sweat from the sun, his mood inexplicably lifted.

He smiled: "Li Qingmu, you broke someone else’s leg, do you admit your mistake?"

Admitting a mistake is lighter than admitting guilt, recognizing an error can be corrected, but admitting guilt means punishment.

The Emperor has already given some leeway.

Logically, at this point, self-reflection and admission of error should happen immediately, right?

Yet, Li Qingmu replied: "Your Majesty, I admit my mistake, but resolutely refuse to change!"