"Reporting to Your Majesty, General Zhen Guo first executed and then reported, privately stationed troops in Qinghe, this act is tantamount to rebellion!"

"I believe that the general only sympathizes with the suffering of the people of Qinghe due to natural disasters, and did so out of necessity."

"Regarding the flooding in Qinghe, Your Majesty has already allocated funds for disaster relief, and there are specialists sent there. There is no need for the general to intervene."

"I second, the general's actions are highly inappropriate."

"I second..."

I watched the court officials arguing below, feeling a bit of a headache.

"What does the Prime Minister think?"

"I think the general must have a deep love for the people. Although his actions were a bit rash, they are understandable."

A deep love for the people? Ha, that old fox...

"Then have the Left Censorate Investigate go to Qinghe, investigate the reasons behind this matter and report back."

With this decision, the matter was settled.

After the court session, I returned to the Yangxin Hall.

The Empress was already waiting at the door, and I took her hand as we entered the hall.

Drinking the tea she had prepared, my troubled mind eased a bit.

During this time, she stood quietly beside me grinding ink.

I cleared my throat, "Your brother stationed troops in Qinghe without authorization."

She paused in her actions: [My brother really ignored the letter I sent to him.]

I looked at her curiously, "What do you think I should do?"

[Of course, you should execute the Prime Minister, that traitorous minister.]

"This... the harem should not interfere in politics, I am fearful," she said, kneeling down as she spoke.

I helped her up, "In that case, I will send a decree immediately, ordering your brother to take full responsibility for managing the flooding in Qinghe. How does that sound?"

She stiffened: [That's right, the relief funds for Qinghe have been embezzled layer by layer, and in the end, there is no money left.]

[My brother exhausted the family fortune, enticing local wealthy individuals to donate, but he was falsely accused of embezzling disaster relief funds and accepting bribes in private.]

She hesitated for a long time before managing to say, "Please reconsider, Your Majesty..."

I know General Mu's character well, would I frame him for this?

"Rest assured, I believe General Mu will handle it properly."

[Ha, he will.]

[Not long after my brother cleared his name, those officials who colluded to protect each other were afraid of being exposed. The Prime Minister of another country took the opportunity during his visit to plant treasonous letters on my brother.]

[And this time, you have planted suspicions, haven't you?]

I felt a chill in my heart as the Empress stared at me with her eyes fixed on me.

At this tense moment, I noticed the peculiar jade pendant hanging from her chest.

The jade pendant was of excellent quality, reflecting a strange light under the candlelight.

I smoothly changed the subject, "This jade pendant looks special, I have never seen you wear it before."

She glanced down, "It was a gift from Lady Ning yesterday."

After sending the person away with a laugh, I summoned Hei Feng.

"There is a secret room in the Prime Minister's study, guarded by hidden guards outside. The contents inside have not been fully investigated yet."

"Continue the investigation, have Hei Lian go to Qinghe to check the current situation there."

"Yes."

The hall fell silent once again.

Flipping through today's memorials, most of them were accusations against General Mu, led by the Right Censorate.

The influence of the Prime Minister in the court is truly beyond my imagination.

I pushed the memorials aside, planning to go out for some fresh air.