Ji Xiaolan: Kill Qianlong at the beginning

He Shen was very nervous and said, "No, no, no, absolutely not, Your Majesty. This is just a painting. There is no implication, no."

Ji Xiaolan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Fengshen Yinde has already seen the meaning of his father's painting, so he would rather lose the second place than expose his intention."

Emperor Gai Zhang looked at Fengshen Yinde and said, "Fengshen Yinde, you say."

Fengshen Yinde said honestly: "No, no, I really can't guess."

Ji Xiaolan struck while the iron was hot and said, "Your Majesty, Heshen used the salt case investigation as a pretext to threaten and extort money from the Lianghuai salt officials. He blackmailed every salt official in Lianghuai. My relative-in-law, Lu Jianzeng, simply refused to submit, so Heshen framed him for a crime."

Emperor Gai Zhang said seriously, "Heshen, is this true?"

He Shen immediately explained, "Your Majesty, no, absolutely not. He is slandering me. Your Majesty, you must make the decision for me."

Emperor Gai Zhang looked at Zhu Junhao and said, "Number One Scholar."

Zhu Junhao said, "Junhao is here."

Emperor Gai Zhang asked, "What do you think?"

Zhu Junhao said: "Um... Your Majesty, a painting alone cannot convict you."

He Shen seemed to have grasped a life-saving straw, and he gave a thumbs-up and said, "No. 1 Scholar, you really are worthy of being the No. 1 Scholar."

Zhu Junhao said, "Governance relies on laws, and law enforcement relies on evidence. If a minister is convicted based on a single painting, people will panic. Ministers will not dare to write poetry or paint, let alone perform their official duties."

Emperor Gai Zhang nodded slightly and said, "That makes sense. Heshen, I pardon you."

He Shen immediately flattered the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. Thank you, Your Majesty."

Du Xiaoyue, who was standing by, asked Mo Li, "Brother Li, what's going on with this number one scholar? Why is he speaking up for Heshen?"

Mo Li said, "The top scholar is upright and just. He doesn't show partiality to anyone and doesn't shield anyone. He is a rare good official."

Chun Tao also agreed: "Master is right."

He Shen, on his side, remembered something and said, "Your Majesty, don't forget that Ji Yun tipped off the police. The evidence is irrefutable and he should be convicted."

Emperor Gai Zhang looked at Zhu Junhao and said, "Top Scholar, what are your other insights?"

Zhu Junhao smiled slightly and said, "If the emperor cannot convict Lord He of soliciting bribes based on a painting, then he certainly cannot convict Lord Ji of leaking information based on an envelope."

"That makes sense." Emperor Gai Zhang looked at Ji Xiaolan and said his name.

Ji Xiaolan said, "I am here."

Emperor Gai Zhang continued, "I also pardon you."

Ji Xiaolan thanked the emperor.

"Please sit down." Emperor Gai Zhang waved his folding fan.

Heshen thanked the emperor.

Ji Xiaolan made a gesture of invitation, and Heshen also made one.

The two of them sat down one after another.

Mo Li said to Du Xiaoyue, "Now you know why the top scholar spoke for Heshen."

Du Xiaoyue said, "I understand, Brother Li, the top scholar is the smartest."

Chun Tao also echoed, "Master is right."

……

Zhu Junhao walked to Tao Sangu's house and found many people gathered at the door.

When someone saw him coming, they said, "Oh, the number one scholar is back."

It turned out that Tao Sangu boasted to everyone that she and Zhu Junhao had a special relationship.

Zhu Junhao knew that Tao Sangu was used to lying, but it was not easy to expose him on the spot, so he just nodded.

Aunt Tao said, "Oh, the number one scholar is back. Hurry up, everyone is so anxious. Hurry up, hurry up." She pushed Zhu Junhao into the house.

Zhu Junhao hurriedly asked why she was looking for him. He followed Aunt Tao into the house and saw several middle-aged women sitting inside. Only then did he realize that Aunt Tao was the matchmaker for him.