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

The red fades and the green diminishes, the frost is thick and the dew is heavy.

The palace servants had already replaced the gauze curtains with thick satin curtains. There were several charcoal basins in the waiting courtyard, but even so, they could not stop the frost from invading.

The court officials stood in groups of three or four, trying to resist the invasion of the autumn wind in this way.

Pei Jiaoran stood aside with her hands behind her back, looking at Li Jing, who was dressed in green and had a burning gaze, with a thoughtful look in her eyes. As if noticing her gaze, Li Jing nodded at her.

Looking away, Pei Jiaoran raised his lips slightly. The court was held every five days. Although the positions of Shiyi Buque were not high in rank, as censors, they were required to be able to make suggestions on government affairs at all times. Therefore, they were able to serve as regular attendants and enter the palace holding a tablet.

After thinking for a while, Pei Jiaoran walked towards Cen Xi.

"He looks like he is ready to die." Cen Xi said in a low voice, stroking his beard.

"If he doesn't face death with equanimity, how can His Majesty see his sincerity?" Pei Jiaoran relaxed his brows. "Has there been any news from Zhaoying?"

"No. With Xiao Yuan around, they can't hold on for long." Cen Xi sneered.

Soon, the Imperial Censor entered the palace and led everyone to the Taiji Hall. After they bowed according to etiquette and shouted "Long Live the Emperor", the officials sat down according to their ranks.

Pei Jiaoran sighed slightly when he saw the dark circles under Zhang Rang's eyes.

"I have a petition to report. If there is nothing else, I will leave the court."

After a brief silence, Li Jing stood up and walked out holding the hu tablet.

"I have my heart and I want to report it."

"I, Li Jing, the Right Assistant to the Secretariat, have submitted a memorial to impeach Bai He of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who relied on the power of Zhang Jue to run rampant in the countryside. He has repeatedly invaded the homes and fields of the people of Huazhou. I implore Your Majesty to conduct a thorough investigation and give justice to the people." Li Jing lifted his clothes and knelt on the ground, saying loudly.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor of Wei narrowed his eyes and stared at Li Jing.

"Mr. Cen, do you know about this?" asked the Emperor of Wei.

"I am aware of the memorial submitted by Li Jing, the Right Assistant Censor of the Secretariat. After discussing it with others, we all agree that it should not be rejected. Therefore, after presenting it to the Ministry of Personnel, we agreed to his memorial." Cen Xi raised his head and answered in a gentle voice.

Pei Jiaoran smiled when he noticed the Emperor of Wei's eyes on him. "I know about this memorial, and I also think that this matter should be reported to the Emperor. So I allow Li Jing to file an impeachment memorial."

According to the regulations, all kinds of memorials need to be submitted to the Menxia Province first, and then to the Zhengshi Hall. Only after the chief official of the Zhengshi Hall has reviewed them can they be submitted to the emperor.

Hearing Pei Jiaoran's voice, Li Jing was slightly startled. In fact, he was exceeding his authority in submitting a memorial, and none of them had actually read his memorial. He had just finished it not long ago, and only secretly showed it to Pei and Cen on the way.

The two of them stamped their seal on the memorial, which was considered as their approval.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became a little subtle.

With a slight smile, the Emperor of Wei signaled Zhang Rang to go down and fetch the memorial. The paper was unfolded, and the contents appeared before his eyes.

The Emperor of Wei smiled and said, "Li Buque, this is really good calligraphy." After reading it, he sighed and asked Jia Gonglu, "Qing Jia, have you seen this memorial?"

"I have never read this memorial, which is understandable. Although I am the official in charge, I am still constrained by the Ministry of Personnel in some matters." Jia Gonglu sighed, "But the two ministries of Zhongshu and Menxia have not rejected it, which is understandable. Your Majesty, you are the emperor and have the right to know about this matter. Moreover, this matter concerns the people's livelihood and national affairs, and whether there is any injustice should be investigated thoroughly."

Pei Jiaoran raised his eyebrows when listening to Jia Gonglu's words. His words not only excluded himself, but also pointed out the relationship between the Ministry of Personnel and the emperor. He even put the contradiction on the two ministries of Zhongshu and Menxia.

Su Jinghui tilted his head to glance at Pei Jiaoran, and murmured.

Catching the accusatory look in Su Jinghui's eyes, Pei Jiaoran curled her lips indifferently. She had been intentionally or unintentionally undermining Su Jinghui, so it was normal that he didn't know about it.

"This old case has been piled up in the Secretariat, but no one has ever mentioned it. It is really your fault. But now that it has been discovered, if I don't investigate it thoroughly, I will be unable to sleep or eat." The Emperor of Wei put aside the memorial and looked at Li Jing with a smile, "What else has your Secretariat found?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing held up his hu tablet and bowed, "Only this one thing. I am a humble official with little influence, but I am willing to sacrifice my life in exchange for peace and tranquility in the world."

"Hmm." The Emperor of Wei stroked his beard. "No wonder Lord Pei wanted to recommend you as the Right Assistant Minister. It was you who found out about the corruption of the Governor of Jiannan Road. Lord Pei really has a good eye for talent."

"It's not that I have a keen eye for talent, but Your Majesty has given me the opportunity to promote people based on their talents." Pei Jiaoran said in a gentle voice.

Zhang Rang, who was standing by, had a look of panic in his eyes and quickly knelt down and kowtowed, "Your Majesty, I didn't know about Bai He's incident. Besides, Bai He had already retired and returned home, and I haven't had any contact with him for a long time. I really don't know how he dared to be so bold."

Hearing Zhang Rang's rebuttal, Pei Jiaoran tilted his head to look at Jia Gonglu, only to see that he was frowning slightly.

"Your Majesty." Jia Gonglu stood up with his tablet in hand and glanced at Pei Jiaoran. He said in a deep voice, "I think that although Li Buque is wholeheartedly serving the country and the people, he has exceeded his authority in submitting a memorial. If he cannot be punished, then everyone will have to bypass the Political Affairs Hall in the future. What is the meaning of the Political Affairs Hall in this case?"

Li Jing was accused of disrespecting the Government Affairs Hall.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor of Wei looked at Li Jing meaningfully, "I remember that you, Li Jing, have been in the Secretariat for more than a month. Why did you come to report it only now?"

"I know this matter is of great importance and I dare not make random accusations. Prime Minister Jia said that I exceeded my authority in making the report. I am willing to accept punishment and only hope that Your Majesty can order a thorough investigation." Li Jing bowed his head and said.

The Emperor of Wei nodded after hearing this. "In that case, I will fine you half a year's salary. As for the Baihe incident, the Censorate will send someone to Huazhou to investigate. If the situation is true, Zhang will have to resign as the Eunuch Supervisor."

When the Wei Emperor said this, all the ministers were stunned. Zhang Rang quickly lifted his clothes and knelt on the ground, "If Bai He really dared to do this, I cannot escape the blame. But if Li Jing was instructed by someone else, he is just accusing me. My power comes from Your Majesty. Slandering me is the same as slandering Your Majesty."

Li Jing's eyebrows turned cold, "What does Zhang Juyan mean by this?"

"Hmph." Zhang Rang wiped his tears and said, "I serve Your Majesty all day long, and I also think of Your Majesty. I am not like Li Buque who doesn't know who he is working for. The two ministries of Zhongshu and Menxia actually allowed you not to report to the Zhengshi Hall, but directly overstepped your authority to report. I didn't expect the Zhongshu Ministry to be so connected."

"Zhang Rang, you are just a eunuch. Who allowed you to shout and yell in the court? No matter how well-connected my Secretariat is, it is only to Your Majesty. Unlike you, who have connections to who knows where?" Su Jinghui retorted harshly.

Pei Jiaoran smiled silently as he listened to Su Jinghui's words. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Zuo Pushe Yuwen Jie standing up.

"I saw this case six years ago when I was the Right Assistant Minister. I sent people to investigate it at that time. But the situation did not match what was described in the case, so I dismissed it." Yuwen Jie turned his head and looked at Li Jing. "I am curious why Li Assistant Minister brought this up again?"