I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon

Chapter 642 - 245: The Empress Baby’s Background! Massage First, Bath Later!_2

"The Spring Examination Leak from two years ago?!"

"Clearly, this matter was concluded with everything cleaned up. How has it suddenly been brought up again?!"

The contents recorded in this Jade Scroll are very detailed, including the entire process of how Yan Peizhi obtained the exam questions from the Assistant Minister of Rites and leaked them to numerous Jiangnan scholars!

Bribery, favoritism, collusion for personal gain...

The sum of these crimes is far more severe than the Barbarian Slave Case!

"Besides, I also have a few pieces of correspondence between Vice Minister Yan and Vice Minister Feng."

"The two used the pretext of donating funds for charity to sell official positions for profit. The current Chief of the Ministry of Justice attained his position this way."

Chen Mo, with his hands behind his back, smiled and said, "Now, Mr. Zhuang still thinks there’s an issue with my arrest?"

Zhuang Jingming showed no expression, but cold sweat was already seeping from the back of his neck.

These inside stories, Yan Linghu couldn’t possibly know. How could Chen Mo investigate so thoroughly in just three days?!

"Mr. Zhuang?"

"Cough, cough, Mr. Chen is indeed a divine detective, able to dig up a case from two years ago. Truly the best of the Sky Scale Guard." Zhuang Jingming came back to his senses, repeatedly praising, though clearly insincere.

"If you want to keep something secret, the best way is not to do it." Chen Mo glanced at him, in a teasing tone, "Mr. Zhuang, who cherishes his reputation so much, surely would avoid any ties with the Yan Family, right?"

"..."

Zhuang Jingming’s expression stiffened a bit, forcing a smile, "Of course..."

"Alright, I need to understand the details of this case thoroughly, so I won’t detain Mr. Zhuang any longer." The Empress spoke coldly, issuing an unceremonious dismissal.

Sun Senior Palace Lady approached Zhuang Jingming, reaching out her hand, "Chief Minister, please."

Zhuang Jingming said nothing more, placing the Jade Scroll on the table, standing up to bow, "I take my leave, Your Majesty."

With that, he followed Sun Senior Palace Lady out of Zhao Hua Palace.

The two walked silently all the way to Qianqing Gate, where Zhuang Jingming bowed his hands, "Senior Palace Lady, please halt."

"Take care, my lord."

Sun Senior Palace Lady stopped, watching his red-robed figure disappear from view, then turned and walked toward the Inner Court.

...

...

Zhuang Jingming left the Imperial Palace, boarding a sedan chair parked by the street.

Inside the chair was a young man dressed in plain white garments, spotless, with a fair, handsome face, brewing tea.

"Mr. Zhuang has returned?"

As soon as Zhuang Jingming sat down, the white-clothed man pushed a steaming teacup in front of him, saying lightly, "By the looks of you, it seems things did not go smoothly?"

Zhuang Jingming’s face was as dark as water, speaking in a deep voice, "Yan Peizhi messed up. The Spring Examination Case from two years ago has been dug up by Chen Mo, and this time the Yan Family is probably doomed!"

"That incompetent fool can’t even clean up after himself, causing me to be so passive in front of the Empress..."

The white-clothed man was somewhat surprised by this, curiously asking, "This case is so old, how did Chen Mo uncover it?"

"No idea." Zhuang Jingming frowned, "I looked carefully, the evidence is very clear, not random accusations. To investigate so thoroughly in just three days, does this guy really have such extraordinary skills?"

"Or did he foresee the situation long ago and gather the evidence in advance?"

The white-clothed man took a sip from his teacup, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

Then he hid his emotions and said:

"It doesn’t matter, there’s no need to dwell on it."

"The Yan Family has always been an irrelevant pawn. If it can be useful, use it; if not, there’s no loss."

"Don’t forget our ultimate goal..."

Hearing this, Zhuang Jingming’s expression turned serious.

The white-clothed man asked, "Has there been any movement from the Grandmaster Mansion lately?"

Zhuang Jingming shook his head, "Lv Huaiyu has been staying closed off at home during this period, not even going to the palace to teach the Crown Prince."

"The Crown Prince suddenly taking court is an obvious signal. The long-quiet Qianji Palace is clearly brewing something." The white-clothed man refilled his teacup, saying, "Counting the days, Yanli should be returning soon, then Capital City will surely become lively."

Zhuang Jingming quietly asked, "Young sir, should we prepare in advance..."

The white-clothed man took his teacup, downed the boiling tea in one go, and said calmly, "As the tempest rises, the mighty will gallop and shake the eight directions... Since everyone wants to join the fun, let’s stir the stagnant waters further."

...

...

After Zhuang Jingming left, the hall fell into a brief silence.

Chen Mo carefully asked the figure behind the glazed screen, "Your Highness, I didn’t say anything wrong just now, did I?"

"No, you did well." The Empress replied, "Zhuang Jingming was obviously targeting this time. If you hadn’t presented the Yan Family’s evidence, today’s matter would have been difficult to resolve."

Chen Mo, puzzled, asked, "But a few days ago, Chief Minister Zhuang angrily rebuked Yan Peizhi on the court and spoke for me. How has he suddenly changed his tone?"

The Empress’s lips curled into a cold smile, "Zhuang Jingming’s position has never changed; every action he takes is in the interest of the Gate Valve... helping you was no different than stepping on you."

"Gate Valve?"

Chen Mo thought of a hidden line in the original plot, softly asking, "Your Highness, are you referring to the Hidden Clan?"

The Empress paused, surprised, "Where did you hear that term?"

Chen Mo casually replied, "I happened to hear Her Majesty the Consort mention it once, but I don’t know much."

Upon hearing the words "Her Majesty the Consort," the Empress’s face showed dissatisfaction, snorting coldly, "Yu Youhan has only been in the palace for a few years, completely ignorant, with nothing but thoughts of fighting and killing..."