Report to the Empress and the Eldest Princess: They're using the system to poach your men.

"I wonder if Yue Ning can understand Your Highness's words as an invitation for Yue Ning to board Your Highness's ship?"

[Little Yan Yan is right, pretty people are all very cunning.]

"Yes and no."

"I am a rather greedy person. I want the Wen family to be loyal to the royal family, but I also want to use you, Empress, to get the Left Chancellor to relinquish control of the court and return power to His Majesty."

The boss was somewhat shocked to encounter Wen Yuening, who laid bare her innermost plans.

Isn't the person in front of me afraid that after I return to Zhongdu, they will tell my maternal family about this?

"I know you won't!"

When Wen Yuening heard this, she subconsciously suspected that the other person could also hear her thoughts.

Before she could recover, Shen Sangwan's next words put her doubts at ease.

“The moment you agreed to come to Wuzhou with me, I knew that you and your father were not on the same path, so I dared to speak frankly with you what was on my mind.”

Yes, she and her father were indeed not of one mind.

In her past life, her wings were broken; in this life, she is imprisoned in a cage.

Regardless of the reason, she and her father had long been estranged.

"I just don't know that once I board Your Highness's ship, things will inevitably get turbulent. After all, I've always disliked being in the center of a whirlpool."

Shen Sangwan stood up with a smile, "You are too shrewd and secretive. I can't see through you."

"Under the protection of the Princess's residence, you can be well protected, but I firmly believe that even if the Empress is in deep trouble, she has the power to save herself."

Wen Yuening remained calm and smiled serenely, showing no intention of speaking.

"Today, I ordered the Right Assistant General to summon the magistrates of various counties. There are still matters to be dealt with. You should rest well. In two days, once Wuzhou is settled, we should set off back to Zhongdu."

"Ah."

After leaving the room, Shen Sangwan patted her chest vigorously.

Good heavens, this is killing me!

[My lord, your ability to deceive people seems to have improved quite a bit. Look how you've completely fooled the Empress.]

"Xiaotong, I've noticed you're getting dumber and dumber."

[Waaaaah, Master, what did I say wrong? Why are you scolding me like this!]

Little Tong, though small in stature, was quite precocious. With her hands on her hips, she glared angrily at Shen Sangwan.

The Empress's network is incredibly complex; it's far more extensive than mine.

"Moreover, I'm certain she has some secret with the Left Prime Minister. Otherwise, how could a young lady from a sheltered family know martial arts, and where would she gather intelligence?"

Fortunately, given the current situation, she is a friend, not an enemy.

Master, you're stupid too!

〖What?〗

Think about it carefully. Since the main system has designated her as your target, what's the point of playing if she's not on your side?

You're still insisting this is a friendship, not an enemy? You're stupid!

Upon hearing the cracking sound of the fist, Xiaotong immediately covered her mouth and then mumbled a plea for mercy.

After being dragged out and beaten up, he sobbed for a long time before becoming more obedient.

Qingque and Shuyi returned to the government office at almost the same time, chatting and laughing as they entered.

The first thing that caught my eye was Shen Sangwan, who was wildly swinging her fists and feet, and I was a little confused.

Upon approaching, he bowed slightly in greeting.

"The Empress has been busy for many days and is resting now. Do not disturb her. Go to the kitchen and prepare some food so she can eat as soon as she wakes up."

"This servant will go now. This servant will take his leave."

Qingque bowed again and respectfully headed towards the kitchen.

"Your Highness, now that all the disaster victims in Wuzhou have been appeased, shall we prepare to pack our belongings?"

"Well, barring any unforeseen circumstances, we can set off back to Zhongdu in five days."

"Then this servant will begin to prepare in the next two days."

Shu Yi was about to bow and leave when Shen Sangwan stopped her, "What were you and Qing Que talking and laughing about just now?"

The smile that had been on his face vanished in an instant.

"When did His Highness's ears become so sharp?"

"Could they hear what she and Sister Qingque were saying even from that far away?"

Seeing that Shuyi hesitated, he raised his voice further, "Speak!"

At this moment, it felt as if a small drum was beating incessantly in Shuyi's heart, its sound extremely low.

"Your Highness, it is Young Master He who has been pestering Sister Qingque with questions about Her Majesty the Empress. She is so annoyed by his constant pestering that she... asked me for advice."

"Oh—? Tell me more!"

Shuyi really wanted to slap herself twice; why was she laughing so happily when she came in?

With a muffled thud, she knelt on the ground. "Your Highness, please forgive me. It was my overstepping of bounds. I should not have discussed matters concerning Her Highness in private."

Shen Sangwan was completely confused by Shuyi's actions. She had only noticed that when the two were laughing and talking, their lip movements seemed to be saying something like "Empress."

She just wanted to know what was being said; she had no intention of punishing anyone.

"Stand up and answer me. Where is He Wenjin now?"

Shuyi dared not get up and replied with her head down, "He had recovered earlier and had been staying in the abandoned garden to help out. He should be there now."

"You step back."

"Yes."

As if granted a pardon, he quickly fled from Shen Sangwan's side, taking two steps at a time.

Stepping out of the backyard and into the main hall, the eight county magistrates were already seated, and the Right Assistant General was about to report to Shen Sangwan.

"Your Highness, all the men have been summoned."

"You've worked hard. Go and get some rest."

"These are all my duties, I shall take my leave."

Shen Sangwan sat upright in the main seat, while eight people knelt below, trembling with fear.

Since Shen Sangwan didn't let them get up, they didn't dare to make any moves.

She was flipping through the booklet that Ruoli had handed her.

The document clearly records how each county magistrate bought their position, how officials protected each other, and who these officials were.

There are also countless cases of wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice.

No wonder the main system assigned her the task of recruiting talents; it turns out that even the lower levels are full of parasites.

I wonder if the late emperor would be so angry if he saw this that he would crawl out of his coffin.

The room was eerily quiet, the rustling of pages tormenting the group with each one.

"How many years has Lord Qu served as an official?"

"Your Highness, I served as the magistrate of Hefu County two years ago."

"Lord Qin, and what about you?"

"Your Highness, I have served as the magistrate of Li County for four years."

"Ah--!"

"Lord Qin and Lord Qu have worked tirelessly and diligently, achieving remarkable accomplishments in just a few short years in office!"

Shen Sangwan's sarcastic tone made the eight people hold their breath and lie on the ground, not daring to utter a word.

"Look at this Lord Shi, he has a kind nature of helping others. He took in a little girl who had nowhere to go. Now, his son should be a year old, right?"

"This Lord Yin is a kind and benevolent upright official. Seeing that the widow was all alone and struggling to raise her two daughters, he kindly found them good jobs."

"..."

As Shen Sangwan retorted with each sarcastic remark about the evil deeds they had committed, the backs of the eight men were already soaked with sweat.

"They say a single ant can cause a dam to collapse, and that's exactly what you are like. You hold positions without doing your jobs, do not work for the benefit of the people, and are only thinking about your own selfish desires. If the court allows your behavior to prevail, what will become of us!"

"Guards, strip them of their official robes and take them to the prison. They will be dealt with by His Majesty upon our return to the capital."

The Yanmo soldiers, who had been waiting outside, entered in an orderly fashion, swords at their sides.

"Your Highness, spare us! Your Highness, spare us! We are innocent!"