CHAPTER 262: CHAPTER 262: MY HANDS ARE CLEAN!

"Your daughter... From the start, I said she was foolish, and not without reason. Every time she plays some insignificant petty tricks, not only does she fail to eliminate the opponent, but she ends up tormenting herself.

If you ask me, if she fails once, she should calm down and think it over, but she tries again and again, relentlessly... Hehe..."

Empress Qiao laughed again, her laughter causing her headpiece to sway, producing a jingling sound.

However, there was only a chilling coldness in her eyes.

The last time, she had that Imperial Doctor Li test Li Qingmu and his wife, but they retaliated, causing Qiao Zizhan to fail his examinations. She knew then that this couple was formidable and couldn’t be dealt with by ordinary means.

So far, she hadn’t made another move, as for the spring hunt poison incident, it was purely accidental.

This doesn’t mean she’s afraid of them, but like a viper, she watches them. As soon as she finds an opportunity, she’ll deliver a fatal blow to the couple.

Pang Wenzheng’s face was expressionless as he said, "Since childhood, she’s been jealous of her sister, so she uses some petty women’s tricks. These are taught by her mother, it has nothing to do with me!"

"Of course, it has nothing to do with you. Minister Pang has foresight so he wouldn’t even bother with such petty tricks. However..."

Empress Qiao slowly stood up to face him directly, "It is precisely because your daughter employs these low-level methods that the Emperor trusts you. After all... a biting dog doesn’t bark, and someone who is always using petty tricks cannot cause a big stir!"

Pang Wenzheng’s face gradually bore a faint smile, "The one who understands me is indeed Queen Qiao! Otherwise, why have I indulged her all these years, to use such disgraceful means? Precisely to make that Dog Emperor trust me, so there’s hope for the grand restoration!"

"Restoration, huh..."

Empress Qiao lightly covered her mouth with a kerchief, slowly walked to Pang Wenzheng, and circled him.

"I don’t want to be involved in your grand restoration. Whoever becomes Emperor in this world, what does it have to do with me?

I have no son, Qi Junji is merely adopted, and I use him to secure my position as Empress, to ensure future glory, while he needs a mother who’s an Empress to look after him. We’re just using each other.

As for the Qiao family... hehe, I was just an illegitimate daughter of the Qiao family back then; my father and stepmother didn’t treat me well. Whether the Qiao family prospers or not, I truly don’t care."

"What you care about, from start to finish, is only yourself!"

Pang Wenzheng said coolly, slowly approaching her. "Since that’s the case... Qiao Luoyin, why make things hard on yourself? Always staying with a man who doesn’t love you at all? Follow me, why not?"

As he spoke, he reached out to touch Empress Qiao’s hand, but she deftly avoided him.

Empress Qiao chuckled and said, "Pang Wenzheng, what are you doing? In this world, beauty and empire belong to the victor. You want me? Sure, wait till you sit on that exalted throne, I’ll give myself to you? Hmm?"

"No way!" Pang Wenzheng’s brows furrowed tightly, "The Young Emperor’s position is Jinheng’s, I am merely his Assistant Minister..."

"Then you... can become king yourself?"

Empress Qiao revealed a gentle smile, her pale hand lightly resting on Pang Wenzheng’s shoulder, "I can wait for you. But for now, please leave, and in the future... if there’s nothing, don’t come again..."

Pang Wenzheng wanted to touch that soft, boneless hand, but she withdrew just as he raised his hand.

"Go now, don’t come back here. After all... what you’re doing is too dangerous, I want to protect myself, my hands have always been clean, hmm?"

After saying this, Empress Qiao no longer paid attention to Pang Wenzheng and entered the inner hall.

Pang Wenzheng watched her graceful figure as she stepped inside, his pupils slightly contracting. The Emperor’s position... did he not want it? But with the Young Emperor there, he can only be a minister.

"Thus... I, the minister, take my leave!"

Pang Wenzheng performed a proper minister’s bow and slowly retreated.

Empress Qiao entered the inner hall, looking at the luxurious chamber, and laughed softly: "All fools, hahaha, hahahaha..."

...

"You’re back? I’ve already had hot water prepared, hurry and wash up, then come eat. Look at you, busy all day, your forehead is covered with sweat!"

When Li Qingmu returned, Long Yue was standing at the door waiting. Upon seeing him, she quickly went up to him, holding a towel to gently wipe him down.

Li Qingmu rubbed his forehead, covered with sweat beads, and smiled wryly: "Isn’t this all my wife’s doing?"

Early this morning, she made him wear a dark blue outfit to wait outside the palace gate, saying this dark clothing makes one sweat easily, causing him to look a bit disheveled, and when the Emperor sees someone disheveled, it improves his mood, leading to lenient treatment.

Though this idea seemed a bit dubious, it was a gesture from his wife, and Li Qingmu willingly accepted it.

Long Yue pouted, a bit unhappy: "That was for your own good!"

"Yes, yes, my wife is the best!"

The couple had been apart for just half a day, yet it felt like three autumns. After a bit of intimacy, Li Qingmu freshened up and had lunch.

"My lord, Imperial Censor Su and his wife are here, do you wish to see them?"

Having had lunch and taking a nap comfortably, Li Qingmu was just waking up in the late afternoon when Xiao Liu’s voice came from outside.

Long Yue giggled and said, "They really are fast; have they already received the news and come to congratulate us? Quick, invite them in."

It’s easy to enjoy praise, but hard to find aid in trouble. When they were in danger and difficulty, only this couple extended the olive branch, a gesture that could not be forgotten.

Shortly after, Su Shi and his wife arrived.

"Brother Li, congratulations, you managed to turn things around again. Tomorrow you can return to the Upper Court as usual. I brought a jug of aged wine; come, let’s have a drink?"

Su Shi said, pointing to a servant next to him holding a wine jar.

Li Qingmu could smell a faint aroma of wine from afar, and upon closer inspection, was a bit surprised: "It’s good wine, this must be a decade-old wine, Brother Su, you are too generous!"

"Haha, not at all, not at all. My mother’s family owns a winery, they specialize in brewing good wine. Brother Li, if you find it enjoyable, I’ll bring over a few more jars next time."

"Alright!"

Su Shi’s straightforwardness and generosity left Li Qingmu unable to refuse, so he readily agreed.

"Be careful not to get drunk!"

As they went inside, Long Yue lightly nudged her husband, whispered, and instructed Huanhuan to prepare some good dishes in the kitchen.

"Ah, such a fragrance, this wine is really aromatic!"

As the wine jar was opened, a strong wine fragrance permeated the air. Cao Xiao was about to have dinner and, seeing such good wine, immediately sat down and poured himself a bowl.

"Brother Su, is this wine brewed by your maternal family’s winery?"

Long Yue also poured herself a small bowl, held the wine cup to her nose for a sniff, and then with some surprise looked across at Su Shi.

"Yes, my grandfather’s own winery, known for brewing delicious wine, famous far and wide. Do you remember Xieji Restaurant? That’s my grandfather’s enterprise!"

"I see..."

Long Yue lowered her eyes, realizing that Xieji Restaurant was an enterprise of Su Shi’s grandfather? If so, then trouble might ensue.