After rebirth, I joined forces with my mortal enemy to seek revenge.

Su Jinghui looked around and was about to speak when Cen Xi glanced over and shook his head at him.

Looking down at the teacup in front of him, Jia Gonglu spoke slowly, "You mean, there are officials in the Censorate who accepted bribes?"

"I dare not speculate. I think we should report this matter to His Majesty and investigate the Censorate." Pei Jiaoran took a sip of tea. "Today, I only revealed the news about Li Run. What about tomorrow? If a big shot goes in tomorrow, wouldn't he have the opportunity to tip off his followers?"

Su Jinghui said, "Mr. Pei, you are also from the Imperial Censorate. Isn't it possible that you tipped off the Xue family, and now they are the ones crying thief?"

Pei Jiao sneered, "Li Run and I are not related, and we have no interests in each other. Why would I tip him off?"

"It's nothing more than..." Su Jinghui stopped talking and frowned at Pei Jiaoran. Pei Jiaoran had no relationship with Li Run, but had a close relationship with Li Xiujing. He had heard about the past of the Li family, and now he thought that she was taking the opportunity to punish Li Run.

"It's nothing more than an opportunity to extort bribes."

Pei Jiaoran stroked the edge of the teacup with his fingers, and splashed some tea with his fingertips, his eyes slightly lowered, "Why do we need to ask for bribes now? Wouldn't it be better to just let Li Run go and use this as a handle? Besides, the people who participated in Chupu are the ones who care about Li Run's safety the most."

After looking at Pei Jiaoran, Jia Gonglu's eyes flashed. What she said was not unreasonable. It was far more effective to ask for bribes and use it as a handle than now. And those who participated in Chupu in the palace were more concerned about Li Run's existence.

Now Pei Jiaoran openly brought this up in the government hall, and the meaning behind it was unclear. If I agreed to report this matter at this time, it would only make it easier for her to show her blade and point it at her enemy. And who are her enemies? Could it be that she wants to attack Su Jinghui?

Pei Jiaoran continued, "Your Majesty is quite concerned about the gambling on Chupu in the palace. Gathering people to gamble on Chupu and neglecting Ran Gan. If we can't give Tubo an answer, I'm afraid they will think that our dynasty did it on purpose." After that, Pei Jiaoran glanced at Su Jinghui, "Since Li Run still refuses to speak, it's okay for the Censorate to use some appropriate means. The gifts for Tubo will be ready soon. Find out the person behind it as soon as possible to calm people's hearts. If Li Run is not guilty, the Censorate will give him justice."

An official of a low rank like Li Run, although he worked in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, could not avoid the criminal law. Even if he was punished, there was no need to inform the three ministries or even the emperor. Therefore, the Censorate only needed to use some means to make him speak. As for which level and which people would be involved, those were all issues that needed to be considered by the Censorate responsible for making judgments.

Listening to Pei Jiaoran's words, Cen Xi smiled and said, "Since bloodshed is inevitable, there is no need to worry too much."

"Mr. Cen is right. Let's settle this as soon as possible so that Your Majesty can feel at ease." Jia Gonglu said.

Seeing that Cen Xi and Jia Gonglu had both spoken, Su Jinghui could only say, "It should be so."

The heads of the three provinces have spoken separately, so the opinions of others are naturally not that important.

As soon as the meeting in the government hall was over, everyone stood up and left one after another.

Just as I walked down the corridor, I heard Cen Xi's voice behind me.

Hearing Cen Xi's voice, Pei Jiaoran turned around and asked, "What do you think, Mr. Cen?"

"Mr. Pei, could you please come to our ministry and have a talk?" Cen Xi had a warm smile on his face.

The two of them walked into Cen Xi's public housing together.

After the servant served the tea, Cen Xi sent the servant to guard outside the house and did not allow anyone to disturb him.

"Mr. Pei, has Li Jing found the memorial from that year?" Cen Xi asked in a gentle voice.

"Yes. But I have already met him and warned him not to be self-righteous." Pei Jiaoran sipped his tea and raised his eyelids slightly. He looked at Cen Xi and asked, "Is Lord Cen afraid that Li Jing will not obey?"

"You've already met him. Why would I be afraid that he won't obey? I just want to know what you plan to do."

It seemed that she had not expected Cen Xi to ask this question suddenly. Pei Jiaoran narrowed his eyes slightly, paused in putting down the teacup, and met his gaze with a half-smile.

"Mr. Cen, are you afraid? Are you afraid that I will turn against you?" Pei Jiaoran grinned, "Don't worry, I won't do that."

Cen Xi's eyes were sharp, "You know. I'm not referring to Li Jing."

Hearing this, Pei Jiaoran casually picked up the memorial that Cen Xi had placed on the table, and curled his lips slightly, "If it's not Li Jing, then who is it? Li Jing is a good knife, and he needs to be used in the right place. Behind all those old stories, there is no shadow of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Do you think it's appropriate to bring it up at this time, Lord Cen?"

Both of them are old foxes. But no matter how smart a fox is, it can't stand the opponent pretending to be ignorant.

"I wonder if Mr. Pei is interested in the Secretary-General?"

Hearing this, Pei Jiaoran bowed his head and said, "My reputation is too low. It is beyond my reach to be the Minister of State and to be in the government. I only hope to use my body to protect the peace of the world and live up to the grace of God."

Cen Xi wanted to test her with the position of Zhongshu Ling, so she would naturally respond with what seemed to be her greatest political demand to outsiders.

After a long silence, Cen Xi spoke, "I hope Mr. Pei will remember what I said today."

"Of course. The Secretariat has important matters to attend to in other provinces. Pei will take his leave."

Returning to the official residence of the Zhongshu in another province, Pei Jiaoran stood by the window and let out a long sigh.

The servant who came in to serve tea saw her standing at the window with her hands behind her back, and tiptoed out.

After standing there for an unknown amount of time, Pei Jiaoran finally returned to his desk, put on his clothes and sat down. He picked up the teacup. The tea was already a little cold, and a pair of calm and slightly cold black eyes were reflected on the surface of the tea.

"Pei Jiaoran, come out."

Hearing Yuan Yanchong's voice coming from outside the door, Pei Jiaoran shook his head.

"Let Yuan Zhongcheng come in." Pei Jiaoran said.

As soon as he finished speaking, the door was pushed open. Yuan Yanchong walked in with a cold face, strode forward and stretched out his hand to grab Pei Jiaoran's collar.

Seeing Yuan Yanchong reaching out his hand, Pei Jiaoran raised his hand to block it. He looked up at the servant standing in a daze at the door and said calmly, "This is the Zhongshu Wai Province."

Her calm expression was in stark contrast to his anger. After realizing that he had lost his composure, Yuan Yanchong suppressed his anger and sat down opposite her.

"You should leave as well. Tell them that I am discussing important matters with Yuan Zhongcheng and must not be disturbed." Pei Jiaoran said.

Upon hearing this, the servant agreed and left.

With a slight smile, Pei Jiaoran poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of Yuan Yanchong.

"They said you said there was a traitor in the Censorate. He has been telling Li Run's wife about his situation in prison." Yuan Yanchong said.

"Who are they?" Pei Jiaoran raised his eyes and looked at Yuan Yanchong with a smile, "The 'chong' in your name is quite good. You are indeed very impulsive in doing things."

Hearing this, Yuan Yanchong raised his eyebrows, "Do you think I shouldn't come to see you today?"

"It is true that there is a mole in the Censorate. You should have only cooperated with the Shangshu Dusheng's investigation instead of running to Zhongshu Waisheng to make a scene." Pei Jiaoran shook his head and sighed slightly, "Central Minister Yuan, it seems that you have been used by someone."