Chapter 28 Only when women hold power can women truly benefit.

Chapter 28 Only when women hold power can women truly benefit.

The Princess was swift and decisive; in less than ten days, she had thoroughly investigated all the court officials who had been in contact with Zhang Cheng before he was appointed to his post.

They even investigated where they met, what they talked about, and all the evidence of their private interactions.

Li Yuanzhao sat in his study, with a mountain of files and letters piled on his desk.

Su Qingci stood aside and reported in a low voice: "Your Highness, we have confirmed that a total of seventeen officials have had private dealings with Zhang Cheng. Among them, the Pei family of Hedong is indeed involved, and it has even implicated... the Cui family and our family."

She had no idea that her younger brother had secretly accepted bribes from students to help them make connections, behind their father's back.

Li Yuanzhao turned a page of the file and said without looking up, "I know."

After all, Prime Minister Su has always been a "fence-sitter" in the court, always swaying whichever side is in the wind, and never easily taking sides.

But on that day in Yanying Hall, he unusually jumped out to defend Zhang Cheng, every sentence trying to smooth things over, as if afraid that the case would be investigated too deeply.

If it weren't for his own interests, why would he take this risk?

Su Qingci's eyes were filled with astonishment, "You knew?"

Li Yuanzhao did not answer her, but instead asked, "When you worked for me, didn't your father give you any advice?"

Su Qingci gave a bitter smile. "He said quite a lot, and even asked me to report your progress in the investigation to him at all times. I just didn't expect that my father would be so muddle-headed as to allow his own family to get involved in such a thing."

Li Yuanzhao placed the pen on the pen mountain. "Did you tell him?"

"Of course not!"

Su Qingci's eyes were full of earnestness. "Your Highness, please understand. My father has never raised me for a single day. The so-called father-daughter relationship is nothing but a pretext for him to weigh the pros and cons. Bringing me back to the capital this time is nothing more than using me as a bargaining chip for a marriage alliance to pave the way for his career. Even when I wanted to come and serve as a manager under you, he repeatedly prevented it. If it weren't for your request to His Majesty, I would still be trapped in the inner quarters. Under such circumstances, how could I possibly betray Your Highness for him?"

Li Yuanzhao remained silent.

Seeing that she remained silent, Su Qingci became somewhat anxious. "Your Highness, don't you trust me?"

"Whether I believe you or not is up to you." Li Yuanzhao's gaze fell on her face.

Su Qingci quickly replied, "Your Highness, I will not let you down."

Li Yuanzhao changed the subject, "I heard that Prime Minister Su has been looking for a marriage partner for you recently. Do you know who it is?"

Su Qingci's face flushed instantly, but it wasn't a blush of shyness; rather, it was a red mixed with resentment and unwillingness.

Her father, realizing he could no longer control her, was now trying to use marriage to restrain her.

She naturally knew who it was; it was none other than Cui Jiulang, whom she had offended at the banquet that day.

Her father was trying to curry favor with the Cui family through her marriage.

With the support of the Imperial Concubine and the Second Prince, the Cui family's contribution to the throne would ensure their smooth career advancement if the Second Prince were to ascend the throne in the future.

But his scheming was clearly pushing her into a position of disloyalty and injustice, forcing her to betray His Highness.

"No matter who it is, I will not marry him." She bit her lip, her tone resolute.

Li Yuanzhao raised an eyebrow, "Not going to marry?"

Su Qingci replied, "Being a good wife and mother is not my wish. I hope that one day I can achieve great things and realize my ambitions, just like men."

Li Yuanzhao looked at her, his tone unusually serious, "Like a man, do you know how difficult that is?"

"Your Majesty, I know." Su Qingci met her gaze without flinching. "I used to think it was just wishful thinking, but since meeting Your Highness, I've realized that anything is possible."

Her gaze was intense. "These days spent by Your Highness's side have been far more enjoyable than the previous ten years or so that I have had."

Moreover, she knew about the eldest princess's ambitions.

She knew that only when women held power could women truly benefit from it.

She is not anyone's daughter, nor anyone's wife; she is simply herself.

To her, her father and husband were nothing but a burden, offering no help whatsoever and instead confining her to the inner quarters.

Thinking about it this way, why should she betray the prince who truly understands her and gives her opportunities for the sake of these people who are hindering her?

Li Yuanzhao smiled and then instructed, "Next time your father asks, just tell him the truth."

Su Qingci was stunned, her eyes filled with confusion, "Truly?"

Li Yuanzhao nodded: "Yes."

Although Su Qingci didn't understand why the princess wanted her to do this, she still replied, "Okay."

After Su Qing left, only Li Yuanzhao remained in the study.

She glanced at the files on the table, a cold smile playing on her lips.

Only she knew that these aristocratic families, though seemingly united and cohesive, were actually quite different.

But if it really involves their own interests, they will be the first to kick you while you're down.

This matter can be considered a big deal or a small deal.

The other aristocratic families simply made some minor adjustments, keeping their children in the capital or sending them to less remote areas.

The students' anger was genuinely caused by Pei Huaijin.

Once Pei Huaijin and his family behind him are dealt with, this matter can be explained in the open.

Therefore, they will definitely push the Pei family out to take the blame first.

As she recalled these things, she also remembered Pei Huaijin's performance in the imperial court that day.

His open and composed demeanor suggested that he truly had a clear conscience.

Does he really think this has nothing to do with him?

His uncle, Pei Guyan, truly stuffed real gold and silver into Zhang Cheng and Zheng Chong's mansions.

But Pei Guyan's purpose was not for his nephew's promising future, but simply to arrange for him to be sent to a remote place.

But who would believe the twists and turns involved?

After all, it is he who now sits in the enviable position of Left Censor.

Everyone believed that he had obtained his position through his family's influence and bribery.

Who would have thought that it was actually her who placed him in that position!