“Well said!” Xu Mingda looked at Qiao Mo with undisguised admiration.

Indeed, this was the grandson-in-law he had chosen. At such a young age, to have such insight in the political arena, not greedy for achievements or rash in advancement, is truly a talent worth cultivating. In the future, he would be of no small help to the Xu family.

As for the rumors about Qiao Mo’s close relationship with the wife of Marquis Guanjun, that was merely entertainment for the ignorant masses. For someone of his position to believe such things and lose such an excellent son-in-law would be truly foolish.

Xu Mingda was pleased inwardly and patiently explained why they couldn’t follow the trend in impeaching Lan Songquan. Everyone immediately understood and began praising Qiao Mo one after another.

As confidants of Vice Grand Secretary Xu, those present were not fools. Vice Grand Secretary Xu was treating Qiao Mo as family—it seemed they would be able to drink wedding wine before long.

The next day, Emperor Mingkang indeed summoned the court’s important ministers to the imperial study. After listening to Chi Can enumerate the ten great crimes of the Lan father and son, he slowly surveyed the ministers, expecting someone to follow with accusations so he could take the opportunity to punish the Lan father and son. Unexpectedly, several ministers stepped forward one after another, all pleading for mercy on behalf of Lan Shan and his son.

The more Emperor Mingkang listened, the darker his expression became.

What pillars of the state couldn’t be dispensed with? This Great Liang realm couldn’t function without him as the Son of Heaven, but could it truly not operate without the Lan father and son?

Lan Shan listened to everyone’s pleas, already sweating profusely, secretly thinking this was bad.

Lan Songquan, on the contrary, felt somewhat proud.

The father and son had worked tirelessly for His Majesty all these years. Even without merit, they should have credit for their hard work. These people were still sensible enough.

“Enough!” Hearing even Xu Mingda speak up to plead for the Lan father and son, Emperor Mingkang could bear no more and said sternly, “Drag this treacherous minister who plotted against an imperial prince, took bribes and harbored wickedness, and harmed loyal subjects out to the Meridian Gate and behead him!”

All the ministers were stunned upon hearing this.

Wasn’t His Majesty being a bit hasty?

Lan Shan had already collapsed to the ground, tears and snot flowing as he pleaded, “Your Majesty, this old minister has only this one son. Please, considering this old minister doesn’t have many days left to live, spare my dog of a son his worthless life. This old minister kowtows to you.”

Emperor Mingkang looked at Lan Shan banging his head and hesitated for a moment.

Xu Mingda gave a meaningful look, and several people immediately knelt to plead for Lan Songquan.

“Your Majesty, those bandits must have framed Minister Lan. Minister Lan has devoted himself wholeheartedly to the country and people for many years. We ministers have all witnessed this. Please, Your Majesty, see clearly!”

“Please, Your Majesty, see clearly!”

Emperor Mingkang’s bit of pity for Lan Shan immediately vanished into smoke.

Devoted to country and people? This realm wasn’t surnamed Lan—what need was there for the Lan family to be devoted to country and people?

Could it be that, having acted as masters for so long, they truly thought themselves the owners of Great Liang?

Now it seemed the evil star was the Lan father and son without doubt. As the Son of Heaven, wanting someone’s head was fraught with difficulties—these bastards had all forgotten their duty as ministers!

“Take him away!” Emperor Mingkang said expressionlessly.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty—” Lan Shan shouted hoarsely.

Emperor Mingkang remained unmoved, coldly watching as Lan Songquan was dragged away.

Only now did Lan Songquan realize His Majesty was serious, crying out urgently, “Your Majesty, you cannot kill me, cannot kill me! Without evidence, why kill me?”

Emperor Mingkang sneered coldly.

He would kill him—he was the emperor, and his word was law.

Back when he had executed the entire family of Marquis Zhenyuan, it was based on nothing more than a letter from Prince Su to Marquis Zhenyuan that Lan Shan had submitted. Now there was even a bandit as a witness—how was that not evidence?

Gradually, Lan Songquan’s cries could no longer be heard. Emperor Mingkang glanced at Lan Shan, who had collapsed limply on the ground.

Better to act today than wait for an auspicious day. Since he had already begun, he might as well eliminate the evil star.

“Wei Wuxie, transmit my edict: Lan Songquan’s plot against an imperial prince is an unforgivable crime that should result in the execution of nine generations of his clan. However, considering his father Lan Shan’s many years of dutiful service and his advanced age, I now strip him of his position as Grand Secretary, confiscate his family property, and dismiss him from office to return to his hometown.”

Hmm, he had once heard his nephew Chi Can mention that the Lan family’s treasury was even more abundant than the national treasury. Now it couldn’t compare, could it?

“Your Majesty—” Lan Shan’s eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

Even after Lan Shan was also dragged away, the ministers still hadn’t recovered from their shock.

They had schemed for countless days and nights, hoping and waiting for this day to eliminate the treacherous ministers, the Lan father and son, and restore clarity to the court. But they hadn’t expected victory to come so suddenly.

His Majesty’s hastiness left them somewhat uneasy.

Emperor Mingkang lifted his eyelids slightly. “Not pleading anymore?”

The ministers knelt on the ground, not daring to make a sound.

“When to plead for mercy and when not to—do I need to teach you?”

Upon hearing this, the ministers immediately broke out in cold sweat.

Emperor Mingkang slightly lifted the corners of his mouth.

Did they take him for a fool? If not for the fact that the Lan father and son were the evil stars disrupting him, he would never have gone along with these old bastards’ wishes.

He was the emperor—others should conform to his will.

However—

Emperor Mingkang lightly glanced at Vice Grand Secretary Xu Mingda.

Lan Shan was already old with failing eyesight and hearing. It was time for the position of Grand Secretary to change hands.

In just one day, the Lan family’s fate was like a thunderbolt striking the capital out of a clear sky. From high officials and nobles down to common people, everyone was shocked by this earth-shattering news.

Then, all the wine shops, large and small, in the capital were completely emptied. That day, countless drunken men sang loudly, and the sound of firecrackers never ceased. By the next day, the ground was covered with a thick layer of red paper scraps. Many families slaughtered chickens and sheep, celebrating as joyously as New Year’s.

Among those drinking, naturally, the Qiao siblings were included.

“Big Brother, I toast you with this cup. Finally, our wish has been fulfilled.”

Qiao Mo raised his wine cup to clink with Qiao Zhao’s, saying warmly, “I likewise wish for little sister to have her wishes fulfilled.”

Both siblings drained their cups in one gulp, their brows and eyes full of joy.

Qiao Mo set down his wine cup and sighed deeply, “Little sister has worked hard these two years. Today’s achievement is inseparable from little sister’s efforts.”

A flash of moisture appeared in Qiao Zhao’s eyes, and she laughed lightly, “Why does Big Brother say such things? This was what we should have done.”

“Good, let’s not speak of this.” Qiao Mo refilled both their wine cups, stood up and walked to the courtyard, faced south and bowed deeply, then poured the wine from his cup onto the ground, saying softly, “To honor the spirits of our parents and family members in heaven.”

Qiao Zhao raised her wine cup above her head and bowed gracefully, following with, “To honor the spirits of our parents and family members in heaven.”

Having toppled the two great mountains that were the Lan father and son, they could finally face their parents and say they had avenged them.

“Big Brother, Sister Li, what are you doing?”

Qiao Mo turned and gently beckoned to Qiao Wan, “Wan Wan, come honor our parents with a cup of wine.”

Qiao Wan walked over and took the wine cup her elder brother handed her. She immediately put away her curiosity, her small face full of solemnity as she said crisply, “Wan Wan honors the spirits of our parents and family members in heaven.”

Qiao Zhao and Qiao Mo exchanged glances, their eyes involuntarily moistening.

Finally, they had waited for this day. How fortunate that the three siblings could still be together.

After returning the wine cup to Qiao Mo, Qiao Wan asked curiously, “Big Brother, why did Sister Li also offer wine just now?”

Qiao Mo smiled gently and ruffled Qiao Wan’s hair, “Sister Li was offering it on behalf of your brother-in-law.”

“Oh.” Only then did Qiao Wan lose her confusion, saying with full anticipation, “I wonder when brother-in-law will return.”