I was given the contraceptive soup and became the emperor's white moonlight

The moon was right overhead. Su Minglang looked at the endless darkness and rubbed her arms helplessly. The cold wind penetrated her gaudy skirt and brought her shivers. She had never imagined that she, who had lived in this palace all her life, had never known that there was such a secluded and hidden place here.

"Thank you, Empress Zhaoyi, for waiting for you for so long."

Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind, shocking Su Minglang into a cold sweat, "Master Li?"

"It's you, my humble servant." Li Zhao emerged from the darkness with his signature weird smile on his face.

"I did not expect that Your Majesty would agree to this midnight appointment. I guess the matter Your Majesty wants to discuss with me is extraordinary?"

"Lord Li, are you sure this is the place where we can talk?" Su Minglang looked around hesitantly, but she could see nothing but endless darkness. Even the bright moon and stars in the sky dimmed.

"Of course!" Li Zhao responded with a smile, "There is a small pavilion not far ahead. How about we go there and sit down and talk?"

"Okay..." Su Minglang was about to refuse, but seeing his smiling face, he couldn't say no. "Please lead the way, Lord Li."

"Of course, Your Majesty, please come in!" Li Zhao lit the palace lantern in his hand and made a gesture of invitation. Su Minglang walked a short distance in the direction he pointed and soon saw the small pavilion hidden in the night.

The outline of the pavilion could be vaguely seen under the light. The four pillars had old red paint peeling off, and the plaque that should have been hanging on them had been lost somewhere long ago. The stone table and stone bench that should have been covered with dust were instead spotless.

"It's really hard for Lord Li to find such a place." Su Minglang sat down on the stone bench and spoke slowly.

"This was originally the bedroom of a concubine of a certain generation. After she was executed for committing a crime, it became deserted. After that, when someone came to repair it, there would always be accidents from time to time. Over time, there were rumors that the ghost of the concubine lingered for a long time, and this place really became dilapidated."

"Then Lord Li, aren't you afraid that the wronged spirit of the concubine will come to you to seek justice?" Su Minglang asked sinisterly.

"Hahaha!" Li Zhao laughed heartily. "It seems that Empress Zhaoyi still doesn't understand the duties of the Dali Temple, otherwise she wouldn't ask such a question."

"The Dali Temple is responsible for interrogation and torture. I have thousands of people under my command. If those guys become ghosts and come to me to seek redress, I won't have to handle any official duties anymore."

"Or is it that the environment here makes Her Majesty uncomfortable?" Li Zhao apologized, but his tone was full of sarcasm. "That's my inconsiderateness. After all, Her Majesty is also a woman."

"Lord Li, you're worrying too much." Su Minglang turned her eyes away with a cold face. The branches were rustling in the night wind. At this moment, she was feeling thankful that she didn't bring Xiaoye with her.

As for her, she had already died once, so why would she be afraid of ghosts and gods?

"But I really didn't expect that Her Majesty Zhaoyi would come to the meeting alone. Isn't Her Majesty afraid that I will do something improper?"

Su Minglang looked at the smile on the face of the person opposite her, and felt annoyed for no reason. "Lord Li is an important minister appointed by His Majesty himself. Naturally, I trust you."

"It's getting late, and I don't want to keep you too long, so I'll make it short." Su Minglang paused, raised her head and looked directly into Li Zhao's eyes: "I wonder if Lord Li found any accounts or anything like that when he was investigating the palace maid case?"

"For example, the personnel list."

"Your Highness Zhaoyi, do you not believe in my ability?" Li Zhao did not answer directly, but threw the question back, "Your Highness Zhaoyi seems to be more concerned about this matter than the Empress. Could it be that someone around you is involved in this case?"

"But this news was originally given to me by the Queen. It seems that this is not just a simple favor, right?"

"..." Su Minglang pondered for a long time. She was not sure whether she could completely trust the man in front of her.

"Your Majesty, you don't want to talk? That's fine!" Li Zhao smiled sympathetically, "Then how about your Majesty think it over before you come to me?"

After Li Zhao finished speaking, he stood up and was about to leave, but he did not forget to leave the palace lantern to Su Minglang.

"Wait!" Su Minglang stood up and called to Li Zhao, "Master Li, please wait!"

"I really cannot tell you everything, but this matter does involve me, so I hope it can be resolved in the most peaceful way possible."

"Instead of committing mass murder."

"I know that Your Majesty is unwilling to trust me, but since Your Majesty wants to use me to do things, you can't always treat me as an enemy." Li Zhao slowly turned around and walked to the table at a leisurely pace. "I don't want to always have to guess what Your Majesty means."

"I understand." Su Minglang stopped addressing him as "this palace" and instead used a more approachable name, "I naturally understand the principle of trusting people when you employ them and not employing people you doubt."

"Then please tell me clearly, Madam, what exactly do you want from me?"

"Did you find the list of people?" Su Minglang asked instead of answering.

"We found it, but it's not in the hands of those people." Li Zhao nodded and sat back down, his face unusually calm and serious. "I can't give you this list. It's important evidence. I need it to check for possible threats in the palace."

"I don't want the list." Su Minglang nodded and said, "Is the list clear?"

"It's unexpectedly clear. After all, those people are not just country folk." Li Zhao said it vaguely, but Su Minglang heard it clearly. It seems that the reason why those palace maids were able to enter the harem smoothly was that someone was secretly fanning the flames.

"So what does Zhaoyi want to do?" Li Zhao asked again.

"I know that any evidence we find must be submitted to His Majesty. Can you keep the list for now?"

"Empress Zhaoyi is trying to destroy my reputation!" Li Zhao returned to his original appearance in an instant. As soon as the familiar smile appeared, Su Minglang felt that things would not be that simple.

"It's just a few days, not long. I can't destroy your reputation. I need time to..."

"can."

"What?" Su Minglang was a little slow to react and looked at Li Zhao hesitantly, "What did Lord Li say?"

"I think it's possible." Li Zhao smiled and said, "But as your majesty said, it won't take long."

"Three days. I will give Your Majesty three days at most." Li Zhao stood up and said goodbye. "After three days, I will present everything in my hands to Your Majesty."

"So if your majesty has anything to do, you should plan it this morning."

"Wei Chen retire."