I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Chapter 454 What does His Majesty like? Of course, stunningly beautiful women!

"She herself wanted to see me; I did not summon her."

Qin Mu turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on Li Si's face, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"You agree, Prime Minister?"

Li Si felt a slight tremor in his heart, a little puzzled, not understanding why His Majesty would say such a thing.

This statement doesn't sound like a confirmation of the request for an audience; it sounds more like an attempt to distance oneself from something.

Could it be that His Majesty has designs on Han Zhong's wife?

The moment the thought crossed his mind, Li Shi shuddered.

It felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over my head, and the cold sweat on my back instantly soaked through my undershirt!

He dared not think any further.

He suddenly felt that he might know the truth about Han Zhong's murder.

It wasn't a defeat, nor was it dereliction of duty, but rather...

Li Si abruptly cut off the thought.

He nodded, bowing even lower, his voice sincere.

"Your Majesty is right. It was indeed Liu Ruolan who wished to see Your Majesty, not Your Majesty who summoned her."

Qin Mu looked at him and smiled.

"Are you investigating the real reason for Han Zhong's murder?"

Li Si trembled all over.

He fell to his knees with a thud, his knees hitting the gold bricks with a dull thud, his forehead touching the ground, his voice urgent.

"Your Majesty is wise! This humble subject only wished to share Your Majesty's burdens, and had absolutely no other intentions!"

Qin Mu looked at Li Si kneeling on the ground, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

He leaned back in his chair, resting his chin on one hand, speaking casually.

Do you have any guesses about the real reason why Han Zhong was killed? Feel free to share them.

Li Si's mind raced, his gaze shifted, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice was very low.

"Your humble servant... dares not presume to speak."

Qin Mu smiled.

"I have given you permission to speak freely."

Li Si remained silent for a moment.

He gritted his teeth and finally spoke.

"Since Your Majesty has said so, then this humble subject shall dare to presume to proceed."

He raised his head to meet Qin Mu's gaze, his voice steady and cautious.

"Your Majesty, I suspect that Han Zhong may have had ulterior motives when he attacked the Moon Goddess Sect on the southwestern border, or... he may not have done his best. He may have deliberately let up and done a perfunctory job, which led to the failure and is why Your Majesty punished him so severely."

After he finished speaking, he lowered his head again.

He dared not voice the thought that had just crossed his mind—that His Majesty had taken a liking to Han Zhong's wife.

Otherwise, I'm afraid I'd be close to death.

Qin Mu smiled faintly and tapped his fingers twice on the armrest.

"What you said makes some sense; it's already close to 60%."

Li Si suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with astonishment.

This was his initial guess, but when the thought that His Majesty had designs on Han Zhong's wife popped into his mind, he dismissed it.

Unexpectedly, His Majesty said that this idea is already 60% close to the truth!

Li Si took a deep breath and slowly said:

"Could it be... that Han Zhongzhen harbors treasonous intentions?"

Qin Mu smiled again, a smile that carried an indescribable meaning.

"The Han family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, so he would never dare to harbor any thoughts of betrayal. But if someone were to incite him, then it would be hard to say."

Li Si's pupils suddenly trembled twice, as if pricked by a needle.

A bolder guess emerged in his mind!

This speculation terrified even him.

Li Si cut off his thoughts again, not daring to think any further.

Qin Mu looked at him, his gaze calm as still water.

Do you want to know the answer?

Li Si immediately knelt down, his forehead touching the cold gold brick, his voice urgent and fearful.

"This humble subject dares not know!"

Nonsense, how could he possibly know?

If they find out about this, it will be a real problem.

The more you know, the faster you die.

Is His Majesty's secret something he can pry into?

He hasn't lived enough yet.

Qin Mu looked at him and smiled.

"It seems you already know. Then I won't say anything more; you understand in your heart."

Li Si looked bitter, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

He wanted to say, "I don't understand, and I dare not understand."

But if he says that, it's practically admitting that he's pretending to be stupid.

It's best to stay silent at this time.

Li Si did not speak. He simply lowered his head, knelt there, and remained silent.

Qin Mu waved his hand casually.

"Alright, go and let that Liu Ruolan enter the palace."

The weight that had been hanging over Li Si's heart for so long finally lifted.

He stood up, his knees were a little weak, and he staggered for a moment before he could steady himself by holding onto the edge of the table next to him.

He bowed deeply.

"Yes. Your Majesty, I will take care of it immediately."

He turned around, ready to leave.

"Wait a moment." Qin Mu's voice came from behind, still very soft.

Li Si suddenly stopped and turned to look at Qin Mu.

"Does Your Majesty have any other instructions?"

Qin Mu smiled and said calmly.

"Remember to go and see Han Zhong for me. And you must testify for me that I did not summon his wife; she came to see me of her own accord."

Li Si was taken aback, but then he immediately understood.

He nodded and bowed deeply.

"Yes. Your Majesty understands."

He didn't say anything more, turned around, and quickly walked out of the study.

When Li Si returned to his residence, it was already broad daylight.

Liu Ruolan waited in the side hall from nightfall until dawn, without closing her eyes all night.

She sat in a round-backed chair, her hands clasped on her knees, her fingers trembling slightly. Her face was as pale as paper, her eyes were red and swollen, and her lips were bloodless.

She heard footsteps and suddenly looked up.

Upon seeing Li Si walk in, she almost instinctively jumped up from her chair, quickly stepped forward, and spoke in a hoarse and urgent voice.

"Your Excellency! What...what did His Majesty say?"

Looking at her anxious, almost collapsing appearance, Li Si sighed inwardly.

He didn't keep us in suspense; he spoke directly, his voice steady.

"His Majesty has agreed. You will be allowed to enter the palace for an audience with the Emperor tomorrow."

Liu Ruolan was stunned. Her mouth opened slightly, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes, streaming down her pale cheeks.

She thought she would have to wait a long time, that His Majesty would not see her, and that her hopes would be dashed again.

She had even prepared herself for rejection, and had figured out how to ask Li Si to think of another way, and how to find someone else to help her.

To everyone's surprise, His Majesty actually agreed!

At that moment, the overwhelming surprise left her somewhat at a loss.

"Thank you, Your Excellency! Thank you, Your Excellency!"

Her knees buckled, and she was about to kneel down.

Li Si quickly bent down, reached out, and helped her up from the ground.

"Madam, there's no need for this. Please get up and speak."

Liu Ruolan stood up, her face streaked with tears, her lips trembling violently. She wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.

A surge of immense relief and gratitude welled up within her.

But at the same time, there was also a deep-seated, lingering fear.

What kind of person is His Majesty?

Why did he want to see her?

Will he really be moved by her plea?

Liu Ruolan's mind went blank; she was not yet ready to meet His Majesty.

Because she thought His Majesty would refuse, she didn't even think about what to do if His Majesty agreed.

Li Si sighed as he looked at her.

"Madam, I have one more matter to attend to. You should go back and prepare. Tomorrow morning, I will send someone to escort you to the palace."

Liu Ruolan nodded frantically, her head bobbing like a pestle being pounded.

"Yes! Yes! This humble woman understands!"

She turned around and staggered toward the palace gate.

He took two steps, then stopped, turned around, and bowed deeply.

"Your Excellency, I will never forget your great kindness and virtue."

Li Si waved his hand. "Go."

Liu Ruolan turned around and disappeared into the morning light outside the door.

Li Si stood in the side hall, staring at the empty door, and remained silent for a long time.

Even at this point, Liu Ruolan still believed it was an opportunity.

But Li Si understood that this was just another, even deeper abyss.

If Han Zhong truly committed treason, then even if Liu Ruolan gave her all, it would ultimately be in vain.

On the contrary, it might get you into trouble.

Perhaps this is the moment His Majesty has been waiting for?

But perhaps this is actually a good thing for Liu Ruolan.

After all, if His Majesty hadn't taken a liking to Liu Ruolan, her entire clan might have been wiped out.

It was precisely because His Majesty took a liking to Liu Ruolan that their entire clan was able to survive.

Li Si recalled His Majesty's expression and sighed inwardly.

This is imperial power, this is the imperial court.

Since Han Zhong made a foolish decision and chose the wrong side, he should naturally pay the price for his actions, which is perfectly reasonable.

Li Si shook his head.

Then he stepped outside.

He still had to go to the imperial prison, see Han Zhong, and testify on behalf of His Majesty.

It was his wife who wanted to go to the palace; it wasn't summoned by His Majesty.

........

When Liu Ruolan returned to the Han residence, it was already broad daylight.

In the main hall, the clan elders were still waiting for her.

They didn't go home all night. Some dozed off leaning back in their chairs, some stared blankly at their teacups, and some paced back and forth.

Upon hearing footsteps, everyone simultaneously looked up, their gazes all falling on the doorway.

Han Demao stood up, leaning on his cane, his voice hoarse and urgent.

"Ruolan, how are you?"

Liu Ruolan walked into the main hall and stood in front of everyone. Her face was pale and her eyes were slightly red, but her back was straight.

She nodded, her voice hoarse but clear.

"His Majesty has agreed to see me."

The moment the words left his mouth, the main hall erupted in chaos.

Han Demao was in tears. Han Dechang suddenly stood up, his chair tipping backward with a loud thud. Han Deren slapped his thigh, his face flushed with excitement.

"His Majesty's willingness to meet with me means there is still hope for this matter!" Han Dechang's voice trembled slightly with excitement.

Han Demao stroked his beard, suppressing his excitement, and his expression turned serious again.

"But...we can't go empty-handed, can we? We need to prepare some gifts."

Han Deren shook his head, his brows furrowed.

"Prepare a gift? His Majesty is wealthy and powerful, what treasures hasn't he seen? Can our meager possessions even be considered?"

Han Dechang's gaze shifted, and he lowered his voice.

"Then... what does His Majesty like?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned for a moment, then they exchanged glances, a complex light flashing in their eyes.

Of course they knew what His Majesty liked; those rumors and gossip about His Majesty's romantic affairs had long since spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital.

Han Demao coughed lightly, his voice very low.

"Your Majesty... lacks nothing, but seems to have a rather keen interest in women."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

The expressions on everyone's faces became even more complicated. Some frowned, some sighed, some lowered their heads, and some turned their faces away.

Han Deren gritted his teeth, his voice carrying a resolute air of "what's the use of trying?"

"If that's the case, then it's even simpler. We just need to find some stunning beauties to present to His Majesty. If His Majesty is pleased, he might just let Han Zhong go."

Han Dechang shook his head, his expression grave.

"But what kind of beauty could His Majesty possibly fancy? Aren't there plenty of beauties around His Majesty? Consort Shu, Consort Wan, Consort De, Consort Xian—aren't they all exceptional beauties? And now there's Empress Li Yang, a woman of unparalleled beauty. Where are we supposed to find someone even more beautiful than them?"

Everyone was in a dilemma again.

Some rubbed their hands, some sighed, some lowered their heads in thought, and some looked at each other in bewilderment.

The main hall was deathly silent.

Liu Ruolan stood in the center of the main hall, listening blankly to the elders' discussion.

Her gaze swept across the faces, taking in the anxious, helpless, and resentful expressions, and a strange mix of emotions welled up inside her.

She looked down at herself.

A pair of fair and slender hands, a lotus-root colored skirt, and a moon-white ribbon tied around her waist.

Her face bears some resemblance to her daughter, Han Xin'er, but she possesses a more mature and charming demeanor.

She bit her lip, raised her head, and spoke softly.

"Can...can I?"