Dugong

Chapter 111 The Lady of Imperial Decree
Back to the Imperial Stables.

Li Ping'an sat in the grand chair, carefully pondering every word His Majesty had said, recalling the changes in His Majesty's expression and tone.

"His Majesty has never referred to the Empress as his birth mother, yet he brings it up today so abruptly, it's highly likely he already knows about Prince Qi's crimes..."

Then why restore the title of King of Qi?

Li Ping'an understood why His Majesty did not expose Prince Qi, after all, it involved Consort Shu's reputation, and even if he did not succeed, it would still have an impact.

Given King Qi's reputation for debauchery, who knows how many stories would be told about him if word got out.

The imperial court could not completely ban them, and they might have spread so widely that they would have become part of the public consciousness, transforming from unofficial history into official history.

"Could it be that His Majesty knows that Prince Qi is doomed, or that even if we don't take action, he will send someone to do it in Jiangnan and frame the salt merchants?"

Li Ping'an looked up at the imperial study, but could see the emperor's face even less clearly.

Before midnight, he repeatedly praised Cui Ge Lao's achievements, but after midnight, he arranged to investigate and confiscate the salt merchants' property and to put pressure on the powerful families of Jiangnan.

"The wrath of Heaven is unfathomable, and the heart of the Emperor is as deep as the abyss. We should just do our job well!"

Li Ping'an summoned Xiao Yuzi, who was on duty, and ordered him to bring all his godsons over, as their father had important business to attend to.

soon.

The eighteen young men gathered at the Imperial Horse Stables, many of them not yet fully dressed, whether they were truly in a hurry or just appearing to be.

Compared to New Year's Eve a year ago, several of the eighteen zodiac signs have changed.

The book says, "Running water never stagnates, and a door hinge never rusts," so even adopted children need to be changed frequently to keep things fresh and loyal.

Li Ping'an said, "The Prince of Qi died suddenly in Jiangnan, and the Empress was very angry. She ordered us to send someone to find out the cause of death."

Eunuch Fei's expression changed slightly. "We're doing this for our godfather. Are you going to turn your back on us and try to take him out and have him beheaded?"

It was quite common for adopted sons to take the blame in the palace.

Li Ping'an glanced at Eunuch Fei's expression, paused, and said, "According to Lord Shen's investigation, the Qi Prince case involves salt and iron eunuchs and salt merchants."

Eunuch Fei secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said with righteous indignation, "I am willing to go to Jiangnan to investigate the case and capture the murderer who assassinated Prince Qi."

The other adopted sons all volunteered, as going out of the palace to investigate cases was a lucrative job.

In the palace, we were just lowly officials of the eighth or ninth rank, but when we went to the local area, we were like angels, and even the governor had to bow and pay his respects to us.

Moreover, when investigating salt merchants, even a small amount of money could amount to a huge sum.

Li Pingan glanced coldly at the group of cadres and said, "Xiao Banzi and Xiao Huizi, you two go to Jiangnan."

The two men looked delighted and kowtowed, saying, "Godfather, rest assured, your children will handle it properly."

The other godsons couldn't help but feel jealous, but because of Eunuch An's authority and ruthlessness, they dared not secretly hinder the two members of the small team from investigating the case.

"Little Fei, stay."

Li Ping'an waved his hand, and the godsons bowed and left. He ordered Eunuch Fei to close the doors and windows tightly and asked in a low voice.

Did the King of Qi leave any loose ends when he died?

Eunuch Fei shook his head repeatedly: "That pill is colorless and odorless, its effect is merely to stimulate the blood and qi, it's not even poison. The eunuch who administered the drug is dead and there's no way to verify it, so no one will be able to find any trace of it."

Li Ping'an nodded slightly: "In a few days, we'll find a pretext to send you on a trip to the north, and after leaving the capital, you'll go to Jiangnan."

Eunuch Fei understood and said, "Godfather wants us to investigate the case along two lines, one overt and one covert?"

Li Ping'an shook his head: "The framing of Prince Qi's death was too crude. I must fill in the gaps for His Majesty. When the small group has a conflict with the salt merchants, you can take the opportunity to send him away."

Old Master Fei was horrified. His godfather was even more ruthless than before, killing his godson as easily as killing a chicken. However, he dared not refuse.

"My child obeys."

"Little Fei, don't think our family is ruthless."

Li Ping'an pulled a booklet out of his sleeve: "Look at this, what a good deed our godson has done. If the Zhenfu Division finds any fault with him, our whole family will suffer!"

Eunuch Fei took the booklet and flipped through it. It stated that the small team of stable managers outside the Imperial Stables colluded with horse traders to embezzle funds.

An Gonggong didn't care about ordinary embezzlement, but the horse trader's owner was Zhang Heng, the general of Xuanfu. You could tell his background just by looking at his surname.

Eunuch Fei said resentfully, "Don't worry, Godfather, the little gang will die unexpectedly at the hands of the salt merchants." Li Ping'an nodded and said, "I trust you to handle things."

Grandpa Fei opened his mouth but didn't ask: if the small group hadn't colluded with the horse traders, would other adopted sons have died?

It is likely that they will, and the charges will be equally sufficient.

……

Cining Palace.

Every now and then, bursts of laughter could be heard.

Empress Dowager Zhou sat cross-legged on the brocade couch, surrounded by several old eunuchs and young palace maids, watching the dark-faced old woman in front of her cursing with her hands on her hips.

"That man surnamed Sun said I didn't pay enough rent and tried to rob my eldest daughter."

A string of vulgarities involving various private parts, exceeding the most exaggerated curses Empress Zhou had ever uttered in her life, coupled with the old woman's waving and clawing posture, made her look like a large, dark monkey jumping around.

After a while, the old woman got tired of playing and sat down on the brocade stool with a thud. She took the tea handed to her by the young eunuch and gulped it down in one go.

The old woman flattered her, saying, "Your Majesty is a celestial being, and you drink celestial tea, which is even sweeter than sugar water."

Empress Dowager Zhou smiled and said, "You even know how to appreciate tea?"

"will not."

The old woman's dark face flushed red: "I don't like drinking tea, it's bitter and astringent. Xiao Anzi told me that no matter how bad it tastes, I should still praise it."

"Giggle..."

Empress Dowager Zhou laughed again, finding the old woman amusing. She was trying so hard to learn how to flatter in the palace, but she slipped up after only a few words.

At this time.

Li Ping'an pushed the door open and saw the old woman with a slight frown.

"Mom, why are you here?"

The old woman was none other than Zhang Guihua, the mother of An Gonggong. She said in a loud and boisterous manner, "The Empress sent someone to invite me here for a chat. I remember what you said, and I praised everything I saw."

Li Ping'an looked helpless and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, my mother is uncouth. Did she offend you?"

Empress Dowager Zhou laughed and said, "Little Anzi, your mother is quite interesting, almost exactly as described in the books."

Li Ping'an breathed a slight sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had sent someone to teach his mother manners beforehand, not the manners of the palace, but the manners described in the storybooks about old women in the countryside.

Vulgar, lacking manners, simple yet cunning.

For example, Zhang Guihua dared not scold Sun Bapi. She was busy farming day and night and didn't have many experiences to make people laugh. All of her stories were carefully compiled and revised by others, and she even hired the top clowns in the capital to teach her acting.

For example, Zhang Guihua had lived a life of luxury for many years and had become chubby and pale. Only after she worked hard in the fields and basked in the sun did she regain her dark complexion.

After diligently teaching Zhang Guihua for half a year, she was finally able to speak without trembling or saying anything unpleasant that might spoil Empress Dowager Zhou's mood.

In short, whether or not one can see Empress Dowager Zhou is not important; what is important is pleasing her.

Fortunately, Zhang Guihua was somewhat intelligent, or rather, she knew who had given her her life of luxury.

They can recite the lines well and act the play realistically.

Empress Dowager Zhou laughed several times, each time for a few laughs. Before Li Ping'an returned to Cining Palace, he already knew the truth.

Li Ping'an must not be as rude as his mother; on the contrary, he must be even more well-behaved than usual. This contrast will make him appear even more loyal and filial.

With tears in her eyes, she knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty does not despise my mother for her coarseness. I would gladly go through fire and water, even if I were to be shattered to pieces, I could not repay even a fraction of your kindness!"

Empress Dowager Zhou said, "Little Anzi, I have issued an imperial decree to bestow upon your mother the title of Fifth-Rank Imperial Lady."

Li Ping'an was slightly taken aback, for this was unprecedented in the founding dynasty.

Zhang Guihua jumped up from the brocade stool with a "whoosh," her eyebrows twitching back and forth, hands on her hips, chest out, head held high, her whole body trembling and convulsing with excitement.

"I've become a Lady of Imperial Decree!"

His smug and comical appearance drew another round of laughter.

(End of this chapter)