You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 124 Lee Sol-tae also fell into the trap~
"Brother Jiang, stop talking, really stop talking, I don't want to hear you."

"Brother Li, what's wrong?"

Jiang Qingyun feigned shock, looking at Li Shuaitai, who was covered in sweat, his body contorted, and his eyes bloodshot.

"I'm not feeling well."

"Shall I find you a doctor?"

"no, I'm fine."

"Really don't need it?"

"Really, you don't need to, just listen to me!"

Li Shuotai walked unsteadily, leaving the terrace alone. Years of repression suddenly erupted today, causing him unbearable pain. Who would believe it if he told others? A dignified minister could be so repressed.

Jiang Qingyun watched his retreating figure and smiled silently.

He kept repeating to himself: I'll just say it, I'll just say it.

……

Fifteen minutes later~
He tiptoed to the door and suddenly knocked hard.

dong dong dong~
"Minister Li, are you sure you don't need to call a doctor?"

"No, I said no."

The person inside seemed frightened; their tone was unusually irritable and angry.

Jiang Qingyun then left with his hands behind his back, satisfied.

The famous chemist Lavoisier once said: "I have discovered the law of conservation of all things; everything in the world is conserved." If someone is unhappy, someone else must be happier.

At this moment, Li Shuotai's happiness shifted to Jiang Qingyun.

The young Imperial Censor Jiang was seen humming a tune as he reviewed the submitted confessions.

The results were remarkable, truly remarkable!

Generally speaking, no one can withstand this kind of interrogation, but there are occasional exceptions.

Wei Xiangshu, a junior official of the Hongwen Academy, did not write a single word despite suffering a broken leg in a car accident and not yet fully recovered.

"This fanged creature has a ferocious appearance and is definitely not a kind person."

"Sir, what should we do?"

"Let him sleep, but you must forcibly wake him up every fifteen minutes."

……

Jiang Qingyun, holding the confession, went to Li Shutai's door and listened for a while.

Knock on the door again.

dong dong dong~
"Minister Li!"

"What's wrong now? Huh?"

The voice inside sounded almost like it was about to cry; it was so aggrieved.

"The statement is ready, aren't you going to come and see it?"

"I'll go right away."

"Hey, I'm waiting for you."

Jiang Qingyun strode away triumphantly. Ah, a salute to the unconventional 19-year-old.

……

For lunch, we had mutton hot pot.

Lee Soltae probably calmed down a lot after washing his face with cold water.

What's in this pot?

“Deer antler and ginseng are perfect for winter nourishment. Let’s have some medicinal wine, brothers.”

What's soaked in this wine?

"Tiger whip."

"Brother, you eat by yourself, I'll have some vegetables and white rice."

Jiang Qingyun put down her chopsticks and bowl.

"Brother Li, you can tell me the truth: have you always been wary of me, or are you simply so incorruptible?"

"I wasn't on guard against you."

Are you afraid I'll drug you?

Jiang Qingyun picked up a piece of each item with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, then took a swig of Tiger Wine, and stared at Li Shutai with a pained expression.

"I always thought our brotherly bond was unbreakable. But slowly, I've noticed you're starting to guard against me? Huh?"

……

Li Shuotai's heart skipped a beat. He put down his chopsticks, let out a long sigh, and vigorously rubbed his dough.

"My dear brother, you may not know this, but my household has a rather special situation. My wife is a member of the imperial family, so it's not very convenient for me to..."

Jiang Qingyun remained suspicious.

"Logically speaking, officials of our rank shouldn't need to do that. You could keep a mistress discreetly."

"Sigh~ Don't even mention the outer quarters, not even wildflowers are allowed. My attendants have spies planted by the madam, following me every day." "I see."

Jiang Qingyun looked at Li Shutai with a look of sudden realization, feeling sympathy, heartache, and understanding.

"Ah~"

Li Shuotai let out another long sigh, filled with helplessness, pity, and pain. He hadn't expected that Jiang Qingyun would tear off his mask so easily.

……

Having said that...
While serving him mutton, Jiang Qingyun brought up the question that had always been her biggest concern.

“Brother, you’ve really had a tough time, but I have a question. If that’s the case, how did you dare to buy such a beautiful woman like Liu and give her to me? Weren’t you afraid your wife would misunderstand?”

Li Shuotai's heart skipped a beat.

Oh no, this lie is going to be impossible to cover up now.

He ate his rice while thinking rapidly.

"I informed my wife about this beforehand. It was to redeem Korkun. My wife knows that it was entrusted to me by a distant relative. She is quite understanding."

“I see. But to be honest, if it gets out that you released Korkun, it would be a very serious crime.”

"Yes Yes."

Li Lutai was distracted and would not reveal that it was actually the Empress Dowager who had given the order.

Having discussed this much, he began to suspect that Jiang Qingyun might have seen through his identity, and he felt uneasy.

"Brother, what kind of person do you think I am?"

"Loyal ministers, good ministers, and talented young people."

"But now so many people are watching me, envious of me, and want to impeach me. I'm really afraid of being targeted by people who try to sabotage me behind my back."

"Don't worry, I will definitely support you."

Jiang Qingyun expressed his gratitude and raised his glass.

"Cheers, just this one, please!"

"Ok."

……

The medicinal wine paired with mutton was exceptionally effective. Jiang Qingyun felt a slight fever, and he guessed that Li Shuaitai felt the same way.

"Brother, I have a bold suggestion."

"speak."

"I'll take you to see a high-caliber song and dance performance."

"No, no, I already said I have a tigress at home, it's inconvenient."

"Go to the Royal Club."

"The one at Donghua Gate?"

"Yes, the houses are almost finished being built, and the young ladies are almost finished with their training."

"Has this overstepped its bounds?"

"Brother, what are you thinking? We're just going to inspect, take a quick look and leave. Do you really want to take off your boots and get on the bed?"

Lee Sol-tae was tempted. Men, when they're tempted, they act; and when they act, they get excited.

……

The main building of the Royal Guild Hall, located only 3 miles from Donghuamen, is basically completed.

“Who designed it?”

"its me."

"Brother, you're something else."

"It's alright, it combines the architectural features of the north and south, with each style having its strengths and weaknesses complementing each other."

There are several two-story buildings around, which can both block the view and protect against wind and sand. In the middle is a single-story main building, which looks like a stadium and has a slightly domed ceiling.

The small building and the main venue are connected by passageways.

There are earth dragons in winter and water cooling in summer.

"What are those glass spheres embedded in the roof? They look like little lamps."

Jiang Qingyun smiled.

The roof has many small holes, into which many glass hemispheres are embedded. This is the famous Moser lamp principle, which uses the refraction of light to provide natural lighting for the room.

It is widely used in underdeveloped regions of Southeast Asia.

……

As you walk further in, you can faintly hear the sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments, such as "A Beautiful Woman Accompanied by a Lonely Lamp," which is relaxed and leisurely, giving off an atmosphere of a wedding night.

Lee Sol-tae's heart began to pound uncontrollably.

"Brother Li, would you like to see? Lift it up and take a look."

Li Lutai's feet and hands seemed to obey his will, and he slightly lifted the thick red veil. One glance, and it was as if he had seen Medusa's eyes; he froze on the spot.

Can there really be such a captivating dance? Such daring costumes? Such frivolous movements?
The famous psychiatrist Sigmund Freud once said: "No matter what question you ask me in any field, I will answer you with the same answer—repression."

(End of this chapter)