The interrogation at the Ministry of Justice had come to an end.
Xiao Yunzhou, stifling a yawn, finally set off to return to the palace. But just as he was about to walk out of the Ministry of Justice's main gate, his footsteps halted.
Wait a moment.
The upcoming operation to encircle and suppress the Earth and Moon Sect's stronghold would undoubtedly involve mobilizing troops. No matter how careful they were, it would be hard to ensure that during the discussion in the imperial study, the news wouldn't reach the ears of his precious daughter, Chu Chu.
He could fool anyone else, even as the supreme ruler.
But he couldn't casually fool Chu Chu, his daughter who was a reincarnated fairy!
How did he know about the Earth and Moon Sect's elder at the teahouse?
Xiao Yunzhou couldn't find a reason to fool his daughter—because it was her heart's voice that told him!
This won't do!
Xiao Yunzhou's expression fluctuated; he couldn't just go back like this.
His Chu Chu, if she knew that her heart's voice could be heard and could influence the world, she would never be that happy again.
Xiao Yunzhou suddenly turned back, looking at the exhausted Zhang Wei, Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and Yin Moqiao, Minister of the Ministry of Punishment. After contemplating for a moment, he lowered his voice and began to speak.
"My Ministry of Justice is incompetent, my Ministry of Punishment is also incompetent. I'm too embarrassed to bring this up at tomorrow's morning court."
"..."
Zhang Wei and Yin Moqiao's expressions changed.
Here it comes, the emperor's scolding that was delayed all night was finally coming.
"This old servant willingly requests punishment."
"This old servant has disgraced his black gauze cap."
Their not knowing beforehand that the Earth and Moon Sect was at the teahouse wasn't a major crime.
But both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Punishment had spies from the Earth and Moon Sect infiltrate them, and they couldn't escape responsibility for that.
However, Xiao Yunzhou waved his hand, "Don't always come with this routine of requesting punishment or resignation. I'm not buying it."
"..."
Zhang Wei and Yin Moqiao's mouths twitched.
What does the emperor want? If he wants to scold, then scold!
At worst, he'll fine their salaries!
Both of them prepared for the worst.
But unexpectedly, Xiao Yunzhou, with a straight face, spoke words that seemed as if he were possessed.
"Your incompetence, I'm too ashamed to announce to the world."
"The heretical sect's elder I caught myself, the heretical sect's assassin I resolved myself, the heretical sect's spy I found myself."
"How am I supposed to explain this?"
"Where's my face? Where's my dignity?"
Zhang Wei and Yin Moqiao: "..."
The emperor's sarcasm skills had leveled up again.
Both high officials were red-faced and burning-eared, slapped right in the face by these words. They couldn't even lift their heads, both in pain and numbness.
"So," Xiao Yunzhou looked at the two men's expressions, feeling the temperature was about right, and lightly coughed, "Zhang Wei, send a memorial up tomorrow morning."
"Describe how your Ministry of Justice discovered the Earth and Moon Sect's plot this time."
Minister of Justice Zhang Wei suddenly looked up, "Huh?"
"Your Majesty, you mean..."
Xiao Yunzhou raised his hand, stopping his voice, "For the sake of my face, I don't want all the civil and military officials to know that it was I who personally caught the Earth and Moon Sect's rebels."
"Remember, it was the Ministry of Justice that discovered the rebels' unusual movements, and then told me before the Lantern Festival. That's why I ordered the capture of the remnants of the previous dynasty."
Minister of Justice Zhang Wei was utterly stunned. Earlier he was just red-faced, now he was simply too ashamed to show his face.
Not only did the emperor not blame the Ministry of Justice for failing to detect this, but he even credited the Ministry with the sky-high achievement of discovering the remnants of the previous dynasty?
"This..." Zhang Wei was speechless.
Even the previous emperor had never been so magnanimous!
He immediately willingly bent over, "Your servant will definitely not fail Your Majesty's command!"
【Ding, your imperial father has won over a die-hard follower.】
【Current progress 3/5!】
When Xiao Chu Chu woke up the next day, she saw this system message first thing in the morning.
She was greatly surprised.
【What did Father Emperor do late last night? Didn't he sleep?】
【My goodness, other emperors are drinking and making merry at night, while my Father Emperor is still handling state affairs?】
Early in the morning, Xiao Yunzhou, after a short rest, came to see his daughter and was invigorated by her heart's voice.
Amidst his daughter's continuous praises, he stood proudly with his chest out.
"Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Punishment have sent memorials and request an urgent audience."
Wei Zheng reported timely.
Xiao Yunzhou felt something, and hugged his daughter with a chuckle, "Let them in."
He wanted his daughter to hear that the threat from the Earth and Moon Sect was gone.
From now on, his daughter wouldn't have to worry about this minor issue anymore.
"Your Majesty, the situation is as follows."
Minister of Punishment Yin Moqiao had even started collaborating with the Ministry of Justice.
"Half a month ago, the Ministry of Justice discovered a suspicious elder frequently lingering in front of the palace gates, and they had long locked onto him."
"During the Lantern Festival, they didn't return home at night, discussing 'assassination,' 'emperor,' and 'previous dynasty' over tea. The Ministry of Justice immediately reported!"
"Last night indeed, the Earth and Moon Sect's plot was uncovered through interrogation. All strongholds in the capital have been completely suppressed, sect members are imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Punishment will jointly interrogate with the Ministry of Justice!"
【! Oh my, no wonder my points have skyrocketed.】
Xiao Chu Chu was delighted.
【Let me take a look at the live broadcast of the suppression scene.】
"!" Xiao Yunzhou's face changed dramatically in an instant, so nervous that sweat was about to break out on his forehead.
His daughter even had this ability?
She must never see the scene of him coaxing the Ministry of Justice to 'take credit.'
Fortunately, Xiao Chu Chu didn't watch for long before her attention was diverted by other matters.
【Oh, national power has increased by 1.6%.】
【Ah, now I can do a ten-pull again.】
So fast!
Xiao Yunzhou's expression changed.
【"The Secret Method of Silkworm Rearing in Weaving"】
【"Eradicating Smallpox - The Cowpox Method"】
【"Autopsy Coroner's Edition"】
"!"
In the imperial study, Xiao Yunzhou sat on the dragon throne, his gaze fixed.
"Your Majesty, is this acceptable for dealing with the remnants of the Earth and Moon Sect?" Zhang Wei from the Ministry of Justice respectfully looked at the emperor.
But Xiao Yunzhou couldn't utter a word for a long while.
His interest had waned, and he waved his hand, "The Ministry of Punishment will work with the Ministry of Justice. You two have full authority over the Earth and Moon Sect matter."
No need to ask this emperor.
Because this emperor had more important things to do now.
He was going to rear silkworms, eradicate smallpox, and perform autopsies.
No, that's not it.
He was going to pay close attention to the Ministry of Revenue, the Imperial Academy of Medicine, and the Ministry of Punishment.
Xiao Yunzhou's gaze flickered, looking at the Minister of Punishment, the nearly fifty-year-old Yin Moqiao.
"My beloved minister Yin, I might need to visit the Ministry of Punishment in the next few days to listen in on cases. Make preparations."
"???"
While the Ministry of Punishment was still puzzling over this, not long after, during the morning court, the Minister of Rites reported.
"Your Majesty, at the turn of the new year, the Khan of Wu Yun Country wishes to come to our Jing Country's capital to meet with you in person."
Xiao Yunzhou was stunned.
He didn't have time to meet.
He was busy preparing to rear silkworms, perform autopsies, and inoculate for smallpox...
Xiao Yunzhou was about to say it wasn't necessary, let that Khan be busy on his own, when he heard his daughter's heart's voice arise from behind the morning court curtain.
[Oh my, the plot of the novel has reached this point.]
[The beloved son of the Khan of Wu Yun Country died from smallpox. Not long after his visit to Jing Country, his third son will also contract smallpox.]
[From then on, the two countries became mortal enemies.]
[Oh dear, my "Method of Cowpox Vaccination" is truly timely.]
Xiao Yunzhou suddenly looked up.
