Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 276: Do You Still Remember That Government Official from Back Then?

Chapter 276: Chapter 276: Do You Still Remember That Government Official from Back Then?

Zhao Mengran originally wanted to go to the General Mansion, but first, it was someone else’s home, and showing up directly seemed somewhat inappropriate and might arouse unnecessary suspicion.

Besides, he was only there to ask a question, no need to get too close to them.

Zhao Mengran, having served as the Capital Governor for many years, knew well how to protect himself.

Imperial Censorate.

It was noon; everyone had finished their lunch, some were chatting idly in their offices, others were out for a walk or a heart-to-heart talk, while some were dozing off at their desks.

Li Qingmu had been a little busy these days because the Emperor was displeased with his idleness at home, frequent visits to brothels, and involvement in fights, indicating that he had too much free time. Thus, the Emperor assigned him a task to impeach ten officials within a month, and their rank must not be lower than Sixth Rank.

This task may seem easy, but in reality, it’s quite challenging. After all, to impeach someone, you have to have solid evidence; you can’t fabricate something out of thin air, right?

As a legitimate Imperial Censor, one must present evidence; to impeach someone without evidence or judge them to death is the act of a cruel official!

Even though Li Qingmu had a lot of information on court officials, it still drove him crazy. Finding an official’s issue every three days, collecting evidence, drafting a discourse, and submitting it were demanding tasks.

This also meant that he had to attend court every three days.

If he was on duty, he would only attend once every seven or eight days.

Emperor, aren’t you just playing with me? 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

It was already afternoon, everyone was resting, yet Li Qingmu was still at his desk, buried in work, writing fervently.

"A Mu, would you like a bowl of Erchen Soup to quench your thirst?"

As the weather got hotter, and seeing the beads of sweat on Li Qingmu’s forehead, Su Shi came in, holding a bowl of cool Erchen Soup.

"Thank you!"

Li Qingmu, not one for pretense, took it and downed it in one go.

He indeed felt a bit thirsty.

"Brother Li, you’re so lucky. Everyone is eager for the Emperor’s attention, yet you can have His Majesty push you to do your assignments, making everyone envious!"

Huang Hua chimed in, wearing a little straw hat he made from dogtail grass he picked from a nearby garden, with a rather mischievous smile on his face.

Since Li Qingmu saved his life during the spring hunt, their relationship eased. They never had deep enmity, and the accusation against Li Qingmu by his cousin Huang Wei, which led to his demotion, was just a casualty in the struggle for the throne; it wasn’t fair to blame Li Qingmu.

When he got home, Huang Hua thought it over carefully and realized he had gone too far. He wanted to visit and thank him, but seeing that the other party was punished by the Emperor, he refrained from going.

Once Li Qingmu returned to the Upper Court, he mustered the courage to go to his office and apologize for his mistake.

Li Qingmu saved him not out of a desire to reconcile but since the other party actively acknowledged the mistake, he couldn’t respond harshly and accepted it.

However, Huang Hua had a big mouth, was unreliable, and often made people want to kill him.

So here, hearing this, Li Qingmu suddenly looked up, grabbed the ceremonial tablet beside him, and threw it at Huang Hua’s head.

Huang Hua remained unfazed and dodged, letting the ceremonial tablet whoosh over his head.

"Hehe..."

He chuckled twice, about to boast about his nimbleness, when someone cried out in shock behind him, followed by a scream of pain.

Li Qingmu and Huang Hua immediately looked over to see a middle-aged man holding his forehead, wailing miserably.

A large lump showed on his now red forehead, quite a miserable sight, with the offending ceremonial tablet lying quietly at the side.

Li Qingmu’s mouth twitched hard; the scene was eerily familiar, as he had once inadvertently hit Qian Yi, resulting in Mr. Xu getting struck.

Although it was unintentional, a hit was a hit.

"Huang Hua!"

Li Qingmu glared at Huang Hua with a murderous look. Huang Hua hurriedly waved his hands, "I really didn’t know, I truly didn’t, how could I know someone was behind..."

Li Qingmu cast him a frosty glance, figuring he wasn’t malicious, and quickly ran out.

"Sir, I apologize, I didn’t mean to!"

"Why is a young man so irritable? You’re lucky it was a ceremonial tablet; if it were a brick, it could have killed someone!"

Zhao Mengran, clutching his forehead, huffed at Li Qingmu.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Li Qingmu immediately apologized.

"All right, all right, I’ll find a medical clinic to treat it later. By the way, where is Imperial Censor Li Qingmu?"

Uh...

Looking at this middle-aged man, Li Qingmu felt a bit embarrassed, realizing he was looking for him, and he had injured him...

"Him, it’s him!"

"Him?"

Zhao Mengran scrutinized Li Qingmu suspiciously.

Li Qingmu, slightly embarrassed, touched his nose and awkwardly said, "Sir, it is indeed me..."

"Hehe..."

Zhao Mengran laughed, but why did that smile feel a bit cold?

"Very well!" He waved his sleeve and stepped into Li Qingmu’s office, "You all should leave!"

Standing there with hands behind his back, tall and imposing, his presence was somewhat marred by the large lump on his head.

Li Qingmu was pondering who this person was to command everyone out, just as Su Shi cupped his hands in salute, "It’s an honor that the Capital Governor has come to the Imperial Censorate. Since you have matters to discuss with A Mu, we shall withdraw first!"

Watching Su Shi and others leave and close the door behind them, Li Qingmu felt a chill in his heart, thinking this was not good.

Capital Governor, Zhao Mengran...

The case against Wang Dazhi was long over; he must be coming for something related to the incident five years ago?

Five years ago, the nephew of the Capital Governor came to Qingshui Village in Qingtian County of Jiangling County, befriended Xiang Yin, and invited them to hunt on the mountain, only to be attacked by assassins.

The assassins were targeting the official but falsely incriminated Li Qingmu, who outsmarted and killed them, though he was severely wounded himself.

After killing the assassins, Li Qingmu, realizing the mastermind behind targeting the Capital Governor’s nephew had to be formidable, decided to eliminate him too. If he returned, claiming Li Qingmu saved him, Li Qingmu would incur the mastermind’s enmity, risking his life.

Weighing the pros and cons, he had to kill him.

Years had passed, and logically, this matter was buried, a cold case that no one brought up. Yet here today, Zhao Mengran, the Capital Governor, visited personally?

Li Qingmu prepared for the worst, maintaining a calm façade, said, "It’s an honor, Lord Zhao, the Capital Governor. I apologize for my impulsiveness earlier. What brings you to me today?"

Zhao Mengran, seeing Li Qingmu’s respectful demeanor, his earlier dissatisfaction dissipated. Stroking his beard, he smiled, "It’s nothing major; I heard Imperial Censor Li is from Qingshui Village, Qingtian County of Jiangling County?"

"Yes!"

"Good, good! Well, do you remember a certain government official who visited Qingtian County back then?"