Imperial Censor?
Li Qingmu was taken aback for a mont.
He seed to recall saying earlier that staying in the Imperial Censorate would be better...
So, Qi Yun had promoted him one rank up.
Imperial Censor, Deputy Imperial Censor, Imperial Censorate Vice Minister, Imperial Censorate Minister...
The Imperial Censor is a sixth-rank official, whereas the Deputy Imperial Censor is a secondary fourth-rank official, which is quite a few levels up.
Of course, most importantly, with his promotion, Long Yue would be elevated from an Imperial Decree Lady to a Titled Lady.
Indeed, following this news, Su Shi said, "Regarding your wife, she has been conferred the title of a Titled Lady, but the title remains Jiao. A Mu, well done, congratulations!"
Su Shi was genuinely pleased with Li Qingmu’s promotion. Li Qingmu nodded slightly, "Thank you."
"A Mu, this is a great event. From now on, you’ll be my superior, haha!"
Su Shi laughed heartily, without any intention of currying favor, genuinely happy for him.
Li Qingmu simply responded with a light smile, though his gaze grew deeper.
The confernt had been delayed for so ti, and everyone wondered if the Emperor had forgotten about him and his contributions. Now, with this wave of rewards, what trick was being played?
This Emperor is very shrewd and certainly wouldn’t do anything aningless, so what intentions are hidden in this action of his?
"Transmit the Emperor’s decree—"
Suddenly, Eunuch Xiao Chen’s sharp voice ca from outside. Both Long Yue and Li Qingmu were startled, hastily going out to et him.
"The Emperor acknowledges Imperial Censor Li for his ritorious service in protecting the Emperor and using wisdom to eliminate the mountain bandits, rits that cannot go unnoticed. He is hereby promoted three ranks to Deputy Imperial Censor! His legitimate wife is conferred the title of fourth-rank Titled Lady, so it is commanded!"
Though there was no official decree, Eunuch Xiao Chen’s word represented it, so Long Yue and Li Qingmu imdiately bowed to express their gratitude for the Emperor’s favor.
"You may rise!"
Eunuch Xiao Chen glanced at Li Qingmu lightly, saying, "The Emperor has further instructions; Imperial Censor Li is to visit the Imperial Study Room."
Li Qingmu: "Right now?"
"Yes, right now!"
Chen Yan’s attitude seed much colder compared to before, and he even waved his hand dismissively when responding, appearing impatient.
Seeing this, Long Yue felt a chill in her heart, realizing that Qian Yi had already shown his discontent towards the couple. These discontents did not need to be expressed publically; just a glance or facial indication could let those around infer a thing or two.
And what was the Emperor’s intention in summoning Li Qingmu to the Imperial Study Room?
Long Yue, worried about him, handed Chen Yan a golden ingot: "Eunuch Chen, what important task does the Emperor have for my husband in the Imperial Study Room?"
This was a probe.
To see where Eunuch Xiao Chen’s loyalty lay.
If Eunuch Xiao Chen accepted the ingot, it would indicate that he had not sided with Qian Yi, but if he refused it, then...
Long Yue was very concerned about that outco, but sotis the more one worries about certain things, the more they tend to align with them.
Chen Yan’s face was cold as he threw the ingot to the ground: "I work for His Majesty the Emperor; how would I dare to accept bribes? Mrs. Li, you have gone too far!"
Instantly, Long Yue’s expression turned grim.
Eunuch Xiao Chen must have detected the undercurrents in the imperial court and dared not associate with them anymore.
Long Yue looked worriedly at the man beside her, saw that his expression remained calm without any panic or tension, and simply said, "All right, I will go imdiately!"
"Please!"
Chen Yan swept the horsetail whisk in his hand and walked ahead, with Li Qingmu following behind.
Long Yue clenched her fists tightly, suppressing the impulse to rush up and follow as she went to find Cao Xiao.
"Ah? A Mu was summoned by the Emperor for an audience? Isn’t that a good thing? It shows that the Emperor values him, which is an unparalleled honor. Little Yue’er, why do you seem so unhappy?"
Long Yue urged, "That Eunuch Xiao Chen... When I asked him things before, he would reveal a little in exchange for so benefit. But today, when I rely asked what the Emperor wanted with A Mu and gave him a golden ingot, he didn’t even look at it and threw it aside! This suggests... there might be danger in this visit!"
"This... couldn’t be, could it? A Mu just saved the Emperor..."
"Serving the Emperor is like accompanying a tiger, do you not understand?"
"But the Emperor isn’t the type to forget favors, otherwise, my father wouldn’t have beco such a close friend of his!"
Long Yue was silent. She knew this was true, but it relied on the premise that the adversary wouldn’t endanger the Emperor’s reign and throne. On the contrary, if it even slightly benefited him, Long Yue didn’t believe that if the adversary had any hint of disloyalty, Qi Yun would simply stand by? Would he prioritize so-called camaraderie?
No, he wouldn’t!
This Emperor acts very decisively and would never do sothing so foolish.
Long Yue’s side was on the edge of panic, while, on the other hand, Li Qingmu followed Chen Yan into the palace.
Passing by a palace gate, he encountered Qian Yi.
Qian Yi wore a set of dark-golden brocade clothes, with a soft silk golden crown on his head, set with a South Sea Pearl of the size of a baby’s fist, draped with a Big Hat, walking composedly through the palace.
"Imperial Censor Li."
He acknowledged Li Qingmu with a slight nod.
Li Qingmu’s pupils slightly constricted.
This Qian Yi was completely different from before, now acting so courteous?
Yes, if he wanted to beco an emperor’s son, no matter how incompetent and worthless he appeared, he still couldn’t afford to be too inconsequential. And considering the painstaking efforts taken to impersonate him as the Seventeenth Prince, how could it rely be to live a life of luxury?
Undoubtedly, there were grand sches afoot.
Thus, Qian Yi had to perform exceptionally well and win the Emperor’s favor to facilitate their plans.
Li Qingmu didn’t know who, in the shadows, orchestrated everything, but he strongly suspected it was related to Long Yue’s father, Pang Wenzheng.
Li Qingmu silently observed Qian Yi, lingering only briefly before bowing: "Your subject greets the Seventeenth Prince!"
"Hahaha, good, good! I suppose we’re from the sa hotown and studied together. No need to be so formal, rise quickly!"
Qian Yi pretended to be magnanimous and went to help Li Qingmu up, but as his hand was about to make contact, he planned to apply pressure. However, the other evaded cleverly, expressing fear: "Your Highness is of exalted status, and I am rely a modest Imperial Censor. Surely I don’t deserve such honor from Your Highness; I am fearful!"
Qian Yi’s eyes held a shadowy gleam as he stared at Li Qingmu.
Who could understand the imnse joy and excitent he felt when seeing this always self-important Li Qingmu bow to him?
The sense of pleasure and satisfaction was enough to make him almost shout with glee. However, a year of training allowed him to control his emotions well without revealing anything.
Yet, for Li Qingmu to evade his small act of revenge, how crafty!
But, it’s fine, truly fine!
No matter what nace you might detect in my sches, what use is it?
This was just a small probe to understand how difficult this man might be to deal with, and nothing more.
"Imperial Censor Li, no need for such courtesy. You saved my father, which also accounts for saving my life. Naturally, it is deserved. Haha, no need to say more; I have other matters to attend to. Take care, Imperial Censor Li!"
Qian Yi gave a sweeping gesture with his big sleeve, a sneer barely perceptible at the corner of his mouth, and left laughing.
Li Qingmu’s face darkened; he noticed the palace maids and eunuchs behind praising the new prince, all extolling his exceptional deanor.
Even Eunuch Xiao Chen was nodding continuously, full of praise.
This Qian Yi had truly undergone a transformation!
"Hah!"
Li Qingmu let out a cold snort, ignoring them as he continued towards Qi Yun’s Imperial Study Room.
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