The Killer's Cleansing Manual

The next day, morning

All the ministers knelt on the ground, only Lin Shanjuan and Ji Shihan stood in the hall. The two looked at each other, and Ji Shihan had a fake smile and a vicious look in his eyes.

"If you have something to do, start the show, if nothing happens, leave the court!"

Lin Shanjuan ignored Ji Shihan's expression and took a step forward.

"Second-rank Governor Zhao Xuan colluded with Wuyan Town Magistrate Hu Qun, the madam of Quexian Tower in the capital, and a group of others to abduct over fifty decent women. They then transferred them to officials of all ranks to smooth things over. He has now confessed, and Your Majesty is requested to deal with him."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a burst of discussion in the court.

Putting aside other things, grabbing two or three is not a big problem, but these fifty... are really a bit too many.

Qi Yili was as shocked as the other ministers. Didn't the imperial sister talk about the salt issue last night? Did Zhao Xuan actually commit such a heinous act?

More than fifty women, he is really bold!

Qi Yili clenched his fists, a hint of anger on his face: "How could this happen?! Bring him to the palace for questioning!"

Lin Shanjuan nodded, and then Bai Shu and Qi Zhen took the man to the main hall.

This was not the first time Zhao Xuan attended court, but it was the first time he attended court in such an identity and in such an embarrassing manner.

The ministers looked at him with different thoughts and feelings, which made his face hurt, but he could not blame anyone else. Everything was his own fault.

Ji Shihan didn't feel anything at first. After all, the person he sent personally brought back the news of Zhao Xuan's death. When he saw the living Zhao Xuan, his pupils suddenly constricted.

Wasn't this guy dead? How...how is he kneeling here alive again?!

He subconsciously looked at Lin Shanjuan, who gave him a provocative smile.

Ji Shihan clenched his fists in his sleeves—this was this woman's plan! He'd fallen for it! She'd already guessed he'd kill to silence the witness?!

Qi Yili saw the undercurrent between the two of them, but he pretended not to see it and asked Zhao Xuan.

"Zhao Xuan, do you have anything to refute what Lin Si said?"

This condescending gaze was fixed on Zhao Xuan. The hall was so silent that one could hear a pin drop. Zhao Xuan's heart began to tremble. His body softened and he knelt down and kowtowed.

"Your Majesty...oh no, I admit my guilt. Everything Chief Lin said is true!"

Qi Yili closed his eyes and gently rubbed his eyebrows with his right hand.

"Where were those fifty-plus girls sent to?"

Zhao Xuan lowered his head. Although he was about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, he didn't have a trace of life in him.

"Twenty-two were sent to the officials in charge of grain transport in Wuyan Town. Ten are in Quexian Tower. Eight were given to the Minister of Rites, Zhao Xu. The remaining thirteen were given to officials in the court. The details are all recorded in my account book, which I handed over to Lin Si yesterday."

The discussion in the court grew louder, and now it became clear why the officials had not attended the court today. Some also speculated about his bribery of the grain transport officials. However, Ji Shihan had already foreseen what was about to happen and began to think of a way to escape.

The little boy's shrill voice drowned out everyone else's: "Silence!"

After everyone calmed down, Lin Shanjuan spoke softly:

"After I found the list yesterday, I have appeased each of the girls on it, and have arranged carriages for those who wish to return home. Furthermore, Zhao Xuan's house has been raided, and all officials who accepted bribes are being detained pending trial!"

Qi Yili felt relieved after hearing this. "Excellent! My dear minister, this is truly a relief for me! All the property of the other court officials will be confiscated. Some silver will be used to appease the fifty or so girls, and the rest will be used to replenish the national treasury."

Lin Shanjuan lowered her head slightly and responded, then glanced at Ji Shihan and found that the man was still staring at her.

It seems that unless this old guy bleeds, he will never know what honesty is.

Since you dislike me so much, you can't blame me.

"Your Majesty, there is another very interesting thing that happened during the interrogation."

Qi Yili immediately understood the timing of cutting Ji Shihan's flesh, and spoke more briskly: "Oh? What's the matter?"

Lin Shanjuan gave Ji Shihan a cold smile, and Ji Shihan suddenly had a bad feeling as if a thorn was on his back.

Sure enough, he saw Lin Shanjuan take out something similar to an account book from his arms.

He already had something to hide, and when he saw this thing again, he could guess what the account book was about even with his fat body.

Ji Shihan gritted his teeth secretly: I didn't expect that Zhao Xuan said he was absolutely loyal, but did such a thing behind the scenes. He really has a trick up his sleeve!

Xiaodunzi took the account book and passed it to Qi Yili.

Qi Yili flipped through it and found that it was exactly the same as the one Qi Zhaomian brought yesterday.

The atmosphere seemed to become gradually oppressive. The ministers in the court looked at his unhappy expression and did not even dare to breathe.

After a long time, Qi Yili closed the account book in his hand and looked at Ji Shihan with anger in his eyes.

"Master Ji, could it be that you feel exhausted from being an official and are planning to go into business?"

Ji Shihan pretended to be ignorant and said, "Your Majesty, what do you mean by this? I don't know."

Qi Yili sneered and threw the account book in front of him, his tone was more ruthless than ever before:

"Grand Master, you're not that deaf or blind. Why don't you take a look for yourself?"

Everyone knew Ji Shihan's ambition, and he had never been reprimanded like this in all these years. He felt even more resentful at the moment, but he had no choice but to pick up the account book and take a look.

After all, the throne is still occupied by Qi Yili, the rightful emperor, and he can't do anything to him.

Every entry in the account book clearly recorded all the money Zhao Xuan had extorted from the people over the years.

Ji Shihan's heart sank, but fortunately he had just thought of a countermeasure. He immediately knelt on the ground and blurted out the familiar words:

"Your Majesty! I am innocent!"

Qi Yili continued to look at him coldly: "Grand Master, what you mean is that Zhao Xuan spent several years fabricating and framing you?"

Ji Shihan knew that the excuse of "the old minister is wronged" was not working, so he quickly signaled to Qin Wenxiang with his eyes.

Qin Wenxiang received the signal and quickly knelt on the ground, "Your Majesty, please calm down! Grand Tutor's actions are entirely for the country and the people, and for Your Majesty!"

Qi Yili raised his eyebrows, "I don't know, why would the Grand Tutor do this for me?"

Qin Wenxiang's throat moved, and he exchanged glances with Ji Shihan before continuing with difficulty:

"Grand Master... Grand Master saw the treasury was empty and worried, so he started these businesses. His motivation was definitely not selfish, but to help His Majesty and uphold the country!"

Qi Yili almost laughed out loud, but he tried hard to frown to appear sad and suspicious.

"If that's the case, then I must have wronged the Grand Tutor."

Lin Shanjuan also hurried to fan the flames: "I also feel that the Grand Tutor is an upright person who cares about the country and the people. He must not be what Zhao Xuan has framed. The Grand Tutor is indeed loyal to Your Majesty!"

Ji Shihan felt extremely miserable, but he nodded and said, "Yes, all I did was for Your Majesty!"