Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken

Both were fastidious people, and after such a long time of intimacy in the nude, they were drenched in sweat, sticky and sticky.

Pei Yuqing sat up, untied the layers of curtains, and called for the waiting servants outside to bring hot water to the adjacent cleansing room.

When everyone left, he wanted to carry her off the bed again, but Xie Wanqing quickly refused and put on a robe herself, getting up to go to the cleansing room.

Such intimate acts as bathing together, she really couldn’t manage.

The warm water flowed over her body, and she gave herself a quick wash, so tired that her eyelids drooped. When she returned to the bed, she fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

When Pei Yuqing returned, all he saw was a fragrant-sleeping girl curled up under the covers, with only a little face exposed.

He smiled, lifted the quilt, got into bed, and pulled her into his arms, holding her tight and close.

Their bodies fit tightly together, so perfectly aligned.

The next day, when Xie Wanqing woke up, the spot beside her was already cold.

Although the year-end was approaching and the officials were about to take their New Year’s leave, they still had to sound the last bell of the day.

Pei Yuqing held an official position in the Ministry of Justice, not low in rank, so attending the morning court assembly was a must.

Today she had also arranged with Xie Ruyu to go to Pu Yin Temple outside the city to offer incense, praying for the coming year’s family peace and happiness.

After a good night’s sleep, her waist didn’t feel sore.

Erqing led the two little maidservants, Yuanyu and Yuanyue, inside. Seeing their lady’s rosy face filled with spring colors, they smiled and curtsied.

"Madam, you were tired last night. Are you still going out today? Otherwise, I can go and inform Second Miss."

Though she was no longer a new bride, being teased like this still made Xie Wanqing blush involuntarily. She rubbed her face and said, "I am going out."

The two had arranged it long ago, so breaking the appointment would surely prompt Xie Ruyu to ask why the next time they met.

How should she answer then?

......

On the other side.

In the Golden Throne Hall, civil and military officials lined up on both sides, starting the last court meeting of the year.

Shortly after the Emperor took his seat, and after all the ministers greeted him, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Qi Yan, stepped forward and directly knelt down.

"This minister has a matter to report."

The Emperor adjusted his posture and said solemnly, "What is it, Qi Aiqing? Please speak."

Qi Yan said, "This minister is here to impeach Mr. Chen for corruption, for selling official positions, for seizing good lands, and for oppressing the common people."

As soon as these words were spoken, it was like a drop of water splashed into a boiling pot of oil.

All the officials were shocked.

Chen Wen, the implicated party, was momentarily stunned but immediately stepped forward and gave a long bow: "In front of Your Majesty, I urge Mr. Qi to speak cautiously and not make wild accusations."

To hold the position of elder, one must be an old minister of the current dynasty, with many protégés and relatives.

Moreover, after the new year, Miss Chen of the Chen Family would become the Crown Prince Consort, and many officials on the court sided with the Crown Prince.

Quickly, someone came forward to offer support.

The discussion in the hall was in an uproar, while the Emperor, sitting high above, said, "Qi Aiqing, do you have any evidence?"

Surrounded by accusations, Qi Yan remained calm and unhurriedly took out a thick memorial from his sleeve, raising it respectfully with both hands: "At the beginning of the year, in the Qingzhou earthquake, where disaster victims were everywhere, the local officials embezzled the court’s relief silver and grain. The mastermind behind it is none other than Mr. Chen."

"Chen Wen, the Inspector of Qingzhou, is a protégé of Mr. Chen. Their correspondence, account books, and personnel lists are all detailed within, irrefutable. In addition to physical evidence, there are witnesses currently in the Capital City; I ask Your Majesty to review."

The Emperor lifted his hand slightly, and the Chief Eunuch, Yuan Shu, quickly descended the steps to personally take the memorial from Qi Yan’s hands and present it.

All eyes were on the memorial in Yuan Shu’s hands.

"This is just the evidence from Qingzhou alone, and it’s already so damning. Mr. Chen wields his power like a canopy, extending over the court, and one cannot imagine the suffering endured by the common people in our Great Khan’s other prefectures."

As he spoke, Qi Yan began to cry uncontrollably: "This minister, knowing his lowly position and insignificant voice, still has a heart for the people. Since I learned the truth, I couldn’t bear to hide it. Today, by submitting this impeachment against the court’s elder as a lowly official, if there is a single false word, I am willing to die to atone."

The noisy hall fell completely silent.

The intelligent ones already understood everything.

No one was unaware who had gone to investigate the Qingzhou case.

It was the Imperial Envoy Lu Ziyuan, personally dispatched by Your Majesty.

Given Your Majesty’s regard for him, it is likely that these pieces of evidence had already been reviewed by Your Majesty, and this was just a formality.

Mr. Chen, of course, was also a wise man.

The Crown Prince stood at the forefront, his usually gentle expression turned stern, eyes like blades scrutinizing Lu Ziyuan. Lu Ziyuan, however, remained unhurried, mockingly smiled at him, provoking him to the point where his lips were trembling.