37: Do you really think I'm a gigolo?

"I'm quite curious, your uncle knows everything, but tells you nothing. Is it because he doesn't want to say... or does he have another purpose?"

Mo Yingqi winked at Lu Qianyuan and Tang Jingzhong. The two understood, turned, and stood up to leave. Flying Fish Guards came in from outside and carried the files out again.

"Don't try to sow discord between me and my uncle..." Zhou Jinan sneered. "No matter what the truth is, my uncle's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain; that cannot change!"

"Oh, oh, oh, whatever makes you happy." Mo Yingqi looked indifferent. "I thought you were a smart person, and some things didn't need to be stated so clearly, but now it seems that's not the case."

"Dali Temple and the Pacification Bureau have always been at odds, but the Pacification Bureau is under the command of The Emperor, and even the Grand Secretariat has no right to interfere. Even though you haven't been held accountable, did your uncle just watch you go against the Pacification Bureau? With all due respect, it's not that the Pacification Bureau is afraid of you; it's just that your Pacification Commissioner received your uncle's commission and gave you a free pass."

"But now it's interesting: a nephew who was just crippled, someone he usually valued immensely, was brought back to the Zhou Residence and then thrown here not long after, and capital went to Dali Temple and quickly found evidence of your corruption and abuse of power."

"Temple Official Zhou, to say more would be impolite. A person who can discard his own biological son, why do you think he would... hold you in high regard?"

Mo Yingqi didn't continue speaking, turning to leave with Lu Qianyuan and Tang Jingzhong. As soon as they exited the small courtyard, Lu Qianyuan asked curiously, "You told him all that, aren't you hoping he'll expose his good uncle?"

"How could that be? Even if he exposed him, it might not be useful; it's not like no one has done it before. Mo Yingqi shook his head. "In the late years of the previous emperor, because someone accused him, the Pacification Bureau investigated Grand Chancellor Zhou. But that time, the previous emperor eventually called it off. To uproot an old tree of many years is not something that can be done overnight."

"Even the current Holy Emperor probably hopes he can continue to serve as Grand Secretary with peace of mind, and even if he steps down, his Disciples will remain loyal to the imperial court." Tang Jingzhong nodded slightly. "But I'm afraid, if this struggle continues, and Grand Chancellor Zhou is pushed too far..."

"Don't worry, although he is skilled in political maneuvering, he wouldn't dare to truly engage in a real fight with The Emperor, who has been on the battlefield and, as a prince, even handled difficult tasks due to some cultivation by the previous emperor." Mo Yingqi didn't care about that. "Moreover, most of the world's troops are now under the command and control of military generals led by the Shen Family, who support The Emperor. The Xu Family's military power being fragmented is only a matter of time, and even if it isn't... what kind of climate can his Xu Family form?"

The current situation isn't about whether to use force or not, but about who can endure more. Now that The Emperor's side has made a move through the Pacification Bureau and quietly seized on Zhou Jinan's matter, it's likely that the Grand Chancellor won't compromise so easily, nor will he let it go.

"Don't worry about these things. If Commander Qianhu knew you came here, even Chief Lu and I would get scolded." Tang Jingzhong nudged Mo Yingqi. "You're about to get married, and you're still thinking about working at the yamen here. I say, Chief Mo, do us a favor; just relax and drink tea in the office these days!"

"If diligence is a mistake, then let me be a sinner?" Mo Yingqi couldn't be bothered with him. "Besides, if Commander Qianhu really wanted me to prepare for my wedding in peace, he would just give me leave, wouldn't he?"

Sometimes, people just shouldn't speak too soon, because you never know what will happen next... "You, go back and take a vacation!"

As soon as they returned to the Pacification Bureau yamen, Fang Bowen, with a dark expression, blocked Mo Yingqi and the other two at the gate. Lu Qianyuan and Tang Jingzhong looked at the dumbfounded Mo Yingqi in the middle, almost simultaneously gloating, "Serves you right for your big mouth."

"No, Commander Qianhu..."

Before Mo Yingqi could finish speaking, Fang Bowen kicked his left leg, though not with much force: "You're going to be Imperial Son-in-Law, what are you risking your life for now? Hurry up and go back to peacefully prepare for your grand wedding with The Two Highnesses! Do you know, someone from the palace just came, and my granduncle sent someone to ask if the Pacification Bureau has been busy with many cases recently? No other meaning, just asking if the Pacification Bureau has so many people that it really can't function without Imperial Son-in-Law?"

"Listen to that, listen to that! You don't care, but you have to consider us, right? Ah, Imperial Son-in-Law, how about I send you back to the Princesss Residence in an eight-bearer sedan chair?"

Mo Yingqi scratched his head, then smiled awkwardly, saying, "Alright, then I'll go back and prepare the betrothal gifts?"

"Immediately, right now, disappear from my sight!" Fang Bowen was almost laughing from anger at this person. "Wait, don't go yet, take this."

Saying that, Fang Bowen pulled out a few silver notes from his In my arms: "These past few years, besides the imperial salary, thanks to my granduncle, I've also acquired some land and shops. Here are five hundred taels, consider it a celebration of your marriage."

"No need, Commander Qianhu, I'm quite well-off..."

"What nonsense, take it when I give it to you!" Fang Bowen shoved it into his hand. "Until your wedding, no, until three days after the grand wedding, you'd better not let me see you in the Pacification Bureau. Now take my gift and get out immediately!"

Helpless, Mo Yingqi could only leave. Since things were like this, there was no need for him to stay in the Pacification Bureau anymore.

Watching his receding back, Fang Bowen finally let out a big sigh of relief: "Finally got this ancestor sent away. He wanders around the Pacification Bureau every day for no reason, even causing The Emperor to personally inquire!"

"No, it is strange. It's no secret that The Emperor dotes on his two legitimate daughters." Tang Jingzhong was rather curious. "But it shouldn't be to the extent of being so concerned about Chief Mo, right?"

"I'm not sure, but you and Old Lu following him to handle official business is not wrong." Fang Bowen looked at the two meaningfully, speaking with hidden meaning. "You three brothers have a good relationship. In the past year, among my subordinates, you three are the most reliable. Old Lu, you and Little Mo will be promoted to Centurion sooner or later. I can't always supervise this side; you'll have to put more effort into his side."

"That's fine, Commander Qianhu, but there's one thing your subordinate wants to ask..."

Lu Qianyuan didn't mind. Although they had only known each other for a year, the bond between the three brothers was indeed strong. Moreover, Mo Yingqi was clever and ruthless enough, and Lu Qianyuan preferred to be the one who acted. They discussed everything together, letting the two who came from scholarly backgrounds do the thinking.

But Lu Qianyuan still had some doubts. Although he knew he shouldn't ask, he tentatively inquired of Fang Bowen: "With Chief Mo's talent, even being a Centurion is a waste. Commander Qianhu, does The Emperor really have no plans to transfer him away?"

"Old Lu, don't speculate on the imperial will." Fang Bowen patted his shoulder. "The Emperor has his considerations; we just need to do our duty."

How could Fang Bowen not know? But since The Emperor arranged it this way, it meant The Emperor had his own ideas. Moreover, everyone in capital now knew how The Two Highnesses treated Mo Yingqi. Even if he was in the Pacification Bureau, no one would dare to look down on him, right?

Mo Yingqi originally wanted to return to his small courtyard. The betrothal gifts were not yet ready, and he needed to arrange them.

"I also need to find a way to hire a few assistants for jewelry, and..."

Mo Yingqi thought to himself as he prepared to go home. However, unexpectedly, a carriage slowly stopped not far in front of him. Steward Zheng got out of the carriage and slowly bowed to Mo Yingqi: "Imperial Son-in-Law, Your Highness sent this old servant to pick you up and bring you back to the Princesss Residence."

"Ah, this, this isn't appropriate, is it?"

It wasn't that Mo Yingqi was pretending, but if he delayed any longer, the matter of the betrothal gifts would be postponed again. When he left the Princesss Residence this morning, he had also seen this Steward Zheng. Although personal attendants for princesses were usually transferred from the Grand Palace, firstly, these two princesses were surrounded by maids, and secondly, after establishing their own residence, according to the Daxing Dynasty's rules, they could hire older, steady, and un-Eunuch-ed people from outside the palace to manage affairs.

It was inconvenient for palace staff to go out and make purchases. Moreover, even if these people were not palace staff, most of them were related to the palace and were older, established individuals with families, making them trustworthy.

And this Steward Zheng, Mo Yingqi had actually seen him once in the Northern Border. He was said to have followed Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning's maternal grandmother since childhood, and his family had been hereditary servants of their maternal grandmother's family for generations.

"Imperial Son-in-Law, don't worry. The Two Highnesses know that you are busy with the betrothal gifts, but these have already been prepared." Steward Zheng smiled slightly and then pointed to the carriage. "Imperial Son-in-Law only needs to peacefully accompany The Two Highnesses and await the grand wedding."

"Huh?"

Mo Yingqi was a bit bewildered now. Wasn't it agreed that he would personally arrange the betrothal gifts? Although he was marrying a princess, he wasn't short on money.

This, they're really treating me like a pretty boy!