This made Li Shimin anxious, and he wanted to trade one for one with me.

After leaving Princess Luling's residence, Cheng Jun rode slowly on horseback, with Feng Lingshi carrying new clothes and silver ingots following behind him.

Cheng Jun was relieved when he saw someone from the princess's residence riding out to the homes of other military officers' sons.

"Imperial Censor Cheng, should these items be sent to your residence, or should they be taken back to the Censorate first?"

At this moment, Feng Lingshi's voice sounded from behind. Cheng Jun turned around and glanced at him, knowing that he was referring to the brand-new clothes and silver ingots. He waved his hand and said, "These two things were given to you by Princess Luling."

Feng Lingshi quickly shook his head: "This humble servant dares not accept it!"

Cheng Jun couldn't help but chuckle and said, "You don't really think she gave you these two things to bribe you, afraid you'd tell Dr. Wen about our conversation? What are you thinking? This is her apology to you."

"apologize?"

Feng Lingshi's eyes widened in disbelief. That was Princess Luling, the current emperor's sister, while he was just a minor official in the Censorate. How could Princess Luling possibly take him seriously, much less apologize to him?

Cheng Jun thought for a moment and decided to explain the matter to him from the perspective of the Censorate:

"Have you forgotten that she asked the steward of the princess's residence to splash water on you? When you returned to the Censorate, I saw that your trousers and boots were wet. It was because of this that she had to apologize to you."

Feng Lingshi wasn't stupid. He immediately recalled the time when Cheng Jun introduced him to Princess Luling and instantly realized that Cheng Jun was standing up for him. His nose tingled, and he was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes. He choked out, "How could I, a humble official, be so kind to Imperial Censor Cheng!"

Cheng Jun pulled on the reins, walked to Feng Lingshi's side, saw his red-rimmed eyes, patted him on the shoulder, and slowly said:

"Because you are from the Censorate, and coincidentally, so am I."

Seeing that he still looked puzzled, Cheng Jun continued, "Take this matter for example. No matter who gave you the order, once you went to the princess's residence, you represented the Censorate."

"No matter who they are or what you ask them to do, they must do as you say, otherwise they will be disrespecting the Censorate."

"In the Censorate, if someone is in charge of appearances, someone else must be in charge of substance. The appearances cannot be allowed to get dirty. If something goes wrong, the substance must cover it up. If it can't be covered up and leaks onto the appearances, it will be a major event that destroys the Censorate."

"To appear respectable, one should invite the son of a military officer; but in reality, one should prepare to eliminate the officer."

Cheng Jun turned to ask, "Commander Feng, do you understand now?"

Feng Lingshi stared at him and nodded emphatically.

At this moment, Feng Lingshi finally understood why Cheng Jun had so tactfully asked Princess Luling to apologize to him.

Because his visit to the princess's residence represented the Censorate, and it was a matter of face for the Censorate!

Princess Luling ordered someone to splash water on him. The water was splashed on his trousers, but it also offended the Censorate.

Just like Cheng Jun said, if you lose face, you have to save face.

But Feng Lingshi knew that not everyone could be a good strategist, especially in this matter. He couldn't think of anyone other than Cheng Jun who could restore the reputation of the Censorate like Cheng Jun.

At this moment, Feng Lingshi suddenly felt that because of Cheng Jun's arrival, his sense of identification with the Censorate had intensified. He solemnly clasped his hands and said, "Censor Cheng, rest assured, I will never let the Censorate lose face again in the future!"

"He understands so quickly, no wonder he can work in the Censorate..." Cheng Jun nodded in satisfaction. What he said was actually to tell Feng Lingshi this principle, and Feng Lingshi had already understood it without him having to say anything more.

"Let's go back to the Censorate!"

"promise!"

…………

The Censorate.

After Cheng Jun returned, he handed the black horse to Feng Lingshi and then walked towards the main hall of the Censorate. From a distance, he saw Ma Zhou and Xiao Yi sitting inside, one with his head down in thought and the other looking up at the ceiling.

"Brother Chuxia, how come you're back so quickly?"

Xiao Yi noticed him and asked in surprise.

Upon hearing this, Ma Zhou raised his head, looked at the tall man in front of him who was 1.85 meters tall, and said with a knowing look in his eyes, "It's already beyond my expectations that you've only just returned. I thought you should have been back before an incense stick had burned."

Cheng Jun chuckled and said, "What do you mean? You really think I can't do it?"

Ma Zhou shook his head and said, "I'm not just referring to you, I'm referring to everyone in the Censorate. You know, Doctor Wen is almost driven crazy with worry right now."

"That's perfect, I'll go over there and help him out!"

Cheng Jun said with a smile.

Seeing that he was about to leave, Xiao Yi quickly grabbed him, saying with a wry smile, "Are you going to stir up trouble or to relieve his worries? Do you even know what Doctor Wen is worried about right now?"

Cheng Jun said, "Isn't it just about the Censorate losing face?"

"Then you are still going?"

"Didn't I say I would help Doctor Wen regain face for the Censorate?"

Did you find it?

"Yeah, what else would I go for?"

Cheng Jun spread his hands and said.

Xiao Yi and Ma Zhou were both stunned for a moment.

Soon, Ma Zhou was the first to recover. He knew Cheng Jun wasn't one to lie; since he had said it, he must have done it. He excitedly exclaimed:

"You haven't been gone long, and you've only visited Princess Luling's family at most. How did you manage to do that in such a short time?"

Cheng Jun succinctly stated, "When I left the princess's residence, Princess Luling told me to return to the Censorate first, and she would send someone to handle the rest. It was that simple."

Ma Zhou's eyes flickered as he said, "No wonder you came back so quickly, that makes sense... But that doesn't make sense either. Putting aside how you regained face from Princess Luling, I'm curious how you convinced Princess Luling to agree to send people to the residences of the other fifty-eight military officers?"

Cheng Jun asked curiously, "Why should I persuade her?"

Ma Zhou was stunned. "If not through persuasion, then what?"

Cheng Jun said, "It depends on her willingness."

"Hiss..." Ma Zhou gasped, while Xiao Yi, who was listening nearby, was dumbfounded. Could he be bragging? The more he talked, the more outrageous it seemed.

"My lords, I'll go help Doctor Wen with his troubles first, and I'll come back later!"

Cheng Jun greeted the two men and then walked towards the adjacent courtyard.

Watching his departing figure, Xiao Yi turned and asked, "Brother Binwang, has Brother Chuxia suffered some kind of shock? Why is he talking nonsense?"

Ma Zhou remained silent, deep in thought. He didn't believe Cheng Jun would talk nonsense, after all, he was the kind of person who could impeach the Empress and force her to apologize.

Suddenly, Ma Zhou had a thought and looked up at Xiao Yi, saying, "Let's go ask Magistrate Feng!"

“That’s right!” Xiao Yi’s eyes lit up. “He went to Princess Luling’s residence with Brother Chuxia today.”

Soon, the two found Feng Lingshi, who had just settled the horses.

"Feng Lingshi, let me ask you a question. How did Imperial Censor Cheng persuade Princess Luling to agree to send people to the residences of other military officers?"

Upon hearing Ma Zhou's question, Feng Lingshi carefully recalled for a moment and said:

"Imperial Censor Cheng did not try to persuade Princess Luling; it was Princess Luling herself who offered to help."

Upon hearing this, Ma Zhou and Xiao Yi were instantly stunned.

Was everything Cheng Jun said actually true?

…………

There will be an extra update today! Thank you to everyone who sent gifts!