Ji Xiaolan: Kill Qianlong at the beginning

Emperor Gai Zhang continued, "This is simply..."

Heshen added, "That's utter nonsense."

The two of them burst into laughter at the same time.

Mo Li said, "Hey, don't laugh. Your Majesty, please let me make a judgment this time. If I'm right, please grant me permission not to tell Your Majesty why I'm making this judgment. If I'm wrong, just take it as a joke." He even cupped his hands in a respectful gesture as he spoke. When he said the last sentence, he spread his hands out wide.

Both of them stopped smiling.

Emperor Gaizhang said, "Then tell me, what books have I been reading lately?"

Heshen also echoed.

Mo Li smiled slightly and said, "The Analects."

Emperor Gaizhang found it somewhat unbelievable.

Mo Li continued, "I not only know that His Majesty is reading the Analects, but I also know that His Majesty is reading the Analects to find a topic for the upcoming imperial examination."

Heshen said, "Your Majesty, don't listen to his nonsense. He's delirious and insane. How can you tell something like that? He's joking."

Mo Li continued, "I not only know that the Emperor is reading the Analects, but I also know which chapter he is reading and what questions he is asking."

Emperor Gaizhang was quite curious and asked him to tell him.

Mo Li held up two fingers and said, "His Majesty has come up with two questions. The first is, 'Your leisurely life.' The second is, 'There were eight men in Zhou who came to Ji Sui.'"

Emperor Gaizhang smiled, walked up to Mo Li, and said, "Mo Li, I know you are usually quite interested in ghosts and gods, but what you just said, though not about ghosts and gods, was somewhat pointed."

Heshen looked at Emperor Gaizhang and said, "Your Majesty, how can you believe him? His tricks are really..." He then shook his head with a smile.

Emperor Gaizhang said, "I have never believed in these fortune tellers or those who can predict the future."

Heshen said yes.

Emperor Gaizhang continued, "As for ghosts and gods, as Confucius said, one should respect them but keep them at a distance. However, you actually managed to guess what book I was reading just from my face, and even guess the topic I was thinking about."

Mo Li said calmly, "Your Majesty, I have already told you that if I make the right judgment, you will not ask me why I made the judgment."

Emperor Gaizhang shouted, "I, Zhan Zhao, command you to answer. Do you intend to disobey?"

Mo Li deliberately feigned a look of extreme fear and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for not being able to say."

Heshen, who was standing nearby, said, "Your Majesty, it's easy. Just hand him over to me, and I guarantee I'll make him feel like he'd rather be dead."

Emperor Gaizhang said, "Mo Li, this is too strange. My thoughts have been detected by someone. This is an unprecedented event. This time, I will not let you off the hook."

Heshen said, "Look at you, Mo Li, you've angered the Emperor. Your Majesty, what's wrong with Mo Li...?"

"Stop talking," Emperor Gaizhang told Heshen to shut up.

Then he shouted, "Mo Li, are you going to talk now or not?"

Mo Li said, "Your Majesty, I'll talk, I'll talk. Lord He, I'm not going to take the blame for you anymore."

Heshen was stunned.

Mo Li continued, "Your Majesty, you shouldn't ask me. Ask Lord He. He knows everything."

Heshen was so nervous that he fumbled around and said, "Your Majesty, look, he's trying to shift the blame onto me."

Mo Li said, "Lord He, you should know about this matter. Think about it, I'm telling you, Lord He..."

Heshen immediately retorted, "That's not true, Your Majesty."

Emperor Gaizhang angrily said, "Stop talking! Don't pretend to be a god or a ghost. I've never believed in superstitions. Guards!"

Someone responded immediately.

Emperor Gaizhang ordered, "Arrest both of them."