Playing bad and eating melons: The whole court is laughing? No, no

Chapter 136 I... am unwilling

When Emperor Yuan heard the system say that there was a corrupt official, he subconsciously wanted to call Jiang Yueyang, but was stopped in time by the Queen Mother.

He just offered to send the guest away, and now he wants to ask him to stay. Is he afraid that Jiang Yueyang won't be suspicious?

[Who is it?] Jiang Yueyang asked.

【Marquis of Pingxi.】

Jiang Yueyang had no impression of Pingxi Hou and asked in confusion: [Is there such a person in the court?]

[Yes. However, he only came once, on the first day of the host's court session, and he never came to the morning court again.]

Jiang Yueyang nodded. No wonder she had no impression.

Emperor Yuan's face immediately darkened, and he couldn't help but secretly call himself a fool.

Pingxi Hou rarely attended court before Jiang Yueyang became an official, so even when he didn't come to court later, he never doubted him.

What money did he embezzle?

The Marquis of Pingxi's son-in-law was the governor of Yanzhou. Three years ago, a severe earthquake struck Yanzhou, reducing many areas to ruins.

The system's voice gradually faded away, and the Queen Mother gave Aunt Shang a wink.

Aunt Shang followed without saying a word and even greeted Jiang Yueyang when she passed by.

She walked past Jiang Yueyang and walked ahead, so Jiang Yueyang didn't realize that she was following him in the opposite direction.

The system continued: [The imperial court allocated money to Yanzhou and ordered the Yanzhou governor to help the people rebuild their homes.

The Marquis of Pingxi thought he could make a profit from it, so he teamed up with the governor of Yanzhou to tamper with the building materials.

They didn't dare to tamper with the houses where people lived, so they cut corners on the bridges and dams.

Years ago, a stone bridge in Yanzhou collapsed. The Yanzhou governor concealed the incident and imposed forced labor to repair the bridge. As a result, neither the emperor nor the high officials in the capital noticed anything.

Jiang Yueyang shook his head and said, "I think the Minister of Personnel should resign. How do they evaluate officials? Such a corrupt official actually got the high position of Governor."

Because they hold high positions, they become corrupt officials. On the other hand, even if smaller officials wanted to be corrupt, they don't have the skills or courage to do so.

How much did they steal?

[I saw a secret room full of gold, silver, and jewelry, but I didn't count the exact amount.]

"They're unlucky to have met me." Jiang Yueyang curled her lips and smiled pleasantly. "Let me think about how to tell His Majesty about this. No, I'll just tell my father and let him do a great deed."

They began to discuss how to tell Minister Jiang about this without arousing his suspicion.

Aunt Shang, who was walking in front, waited for a while, and after making sure they had finished talking, she turned the corner and went in the other direction.

She went back to Ning'an Palace after a long detour, and relayed what Jiang Yueyang and the system had said to the emperor and empress.

When Emperor Yuan heard that Jiang Yueyang wanted to leave the credit to Minister Jiang, he curled his lips sourly.

She clearly said she would tell me before!

At that time, on the other side, Jiang Yueyang met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Third Prince on the way to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Thinking about the gifts His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had given her in the past few days, she felt that she needed to explain things to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

The third prince spoke first: "Jiang Yueyang, why are you coming from the direction of the harem?"

"I want to talk to the Queen about something."

Seeing that no one was around, Jiang Yueyang bowed to the Crown Prince and asked, "Your Highness, may I have a moment to talk?"

The prince couldn't help but feel happy. This was the first time Jiang Yueyang took the initiative to talk to him.

The third prince tactfully avoided the question after hearing this.

Jiang Yueyang said carefully, "Your Highness, the gifts you sent are too valuable. I am flattered, but also terrified."

Hearing this, the smile on the prince's lips gradually faded.

"I have no ambitions, nor do I want to be the most noble woman in Daxia. I hope Your Highness will grant me your wish."

The prince looked at her, silent for a long time before he asked with difficulty, "If I... were not the prince, would you be willing?"

"Your Highness, there are no ifs in this world."

"Jiang Yueyang!" the prince roared.

Jiang Yueyang was frightened by the prince, and the third prince instinctively ran over to stand between the two of them.

"Brother Emperor..."

The prince realized that he had lost his composure, took a deep breath and lowered his voice, "You just need to answer me, are you willing?"

Jiang Yueyang pursed her lips, "Your Majesty...I don't want to."

After a while, the prince lowered his eyes and replied, "Okay, I will do as you wish."

Seeing that the Crown Prince was not in good condition, the Third Prince waved his hand to signal Jiang Yueyang to leave, while he stood quietly there with the Crown Prince.

After an unknown amount of time, the prince started walking, but not towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The third prince followed him silently, and Jiang Yueyang finally spoke out.

I wonder how long it will take my brother to let go?

"Third brother." The prince spoke slowly.

"Brother, you speak."

"I've been wondering these past few days... am I really attracted to her, or do I just want to keep her by my side for my own use?"

The third prince said nothing and waited quietly for his answer.

The prince laughed at himself twice and said nothing in the end.

***

Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Jiang Yueyang stood there in a trance, and Shangshu Jiang called her several times without any response.

There was no other way, Minister Jiang, who was really worried, pulled Guo Yuanzheng over.

Seeing her dazed look, Guo Yuanzheng pulled out a silver needle and pierced her hand without saying a word.

"Oh!"

Jiang Yueyang screamed in pain and slapped him with her backhand.

"Bang!" The whole audience fell silent.

Jiang Yueyang had completely regained her senses by now, because the five finger marks on Guo Yuanzheng's face were very obvious.

"Guo...Guo Yuanzheng, I'm sorry, are you...are you okay?"

Guo Yuanzheng raised his hand and touched his cheek, gasping in pain. He knew his face was swollen without even looking in the mirror.

Seeing this, Jiang Yueyang looked at Jiang Shangshu at a loss, "Dad..."

Minister Jiang really didn't expect that his daughter would slap someone in the face, and he didn't know what to do for a moment.

Finally, he only asked, "Guo Yuanzheng, do you want me to get a doctor to see you?"

Guo Yuanzheng: “…”

Guo Yuanzheng was speechless now, otherwise he would definitely curse back. Who would he insult?

Now you can enter the hall.

Guo Yuanzheng glared at the father and daughter, covered his face, walked back to his seat, and moved forward with the team.

Minister Jiang looked at Jiang Yueyang helplessly, then quickly walked to the front.

After Emperor Yuan sat down, he glanced around as usual. Then, he found that his two legitimate sons were not there.

His gaze shifted and he saw Guo Yuanzheng, whose face was swollen like a pig's head.

He widened his eyes slightly and asked, "Guo Yuanzheng, what's wrong with your face?"

Jiang Yueyang walked out with his head lowered in shame, "Your Majesty, I accidentally hit Guo Yuanzheng."

"…Why did you hit him?"

"Your Majesty, it was an accident. I didn't mean to hit him."

Minister Jiang came out and told everything that had just happened, and apologized to Guo Yuanzheng.

Emperor Yuan's lips trembled, wanting to laugh but suppressing it. "Since it was an unintentional mistake, my two beloved ministers can handle it yourselves."

"promise!"

Then, the morning court officially began.

Jiang Yueyang pondered over what her father had just said and found something wrong.

【Little melon...】

[Host.] The system interrupted her, [Aren't you trying to catch corrupt officials? I've discovered there's an even bigger corrupt official!]

As soon as these words were spoken, some officials who were secretly yawning instantly became alert.

【who? 】

Seeing that the host's attention was diverted, the system secretly breathed a sigh of relief.