Ji Xiaolan: Kill Qianlong at the beginning

Chapter 181 Absolute

Master Shen continued, "This matter is urgent. You must make a decision as soon as possible."

Wang Tingzan picked up his chopsticks and put them down again, saying, "I'm not hungry yet."

Master Shen laughed and said, "Master Wang, you're worrying too much." He picked up the bowl and chopsticks that Wang Tingzan had put down and started eating.

After taking two bites, he said, "Sir Wang, the servants here are all the confidants of the Zhejiang Governor. Even if they were to poison me, I wouldn't have to do it myself."

Wang Tingzan laughed and said, "Master Shen, what are you talking about?" He took the bowl and chopsticks from Master Shen and started eating.

……

Su Qinglian was sitting in front of the dressing table in a daze.

Wang Danwang walked in and said, "You're looking at yourself in your own reflection again. Didn't I tell them to put away the mirrors?"

Su Qinglian turned around, stood up, and smiled.

Wang Danwang said, "Qinglian, Dad knows that you have lofty ambitions, but unfortunately you cannot control your fate." As the father and daughter spoke, they walked to the stool and sat down.

"Don't hurt yourself too much." Wang Danwang continued.

Su Qinglian said, "Dad just came back, let's take a rest first."

Wang Danwang said, "Daddy has something to ask you."

Su Qinglian nodded.

Wang Danwang said, "This time in Ningbo, the emperor was in a very good mood and came up with a couplet that he said was absolutely perfect and no one could match."

Su Qinglian said, "Is there any couplet in this world that can't be matched? Daddy, tell me and let me hear it."

Wang Danwang said, "The first couplet written by the emperor is: 'Smoke locks the willows in the pond.'"

Su Qinglian said, "This couplet may seem simple, but the radicals of the five characters 'Smoke locks the pond and willows' represent the five elements of gold, wood, water, fire and earth, so it's not that easy to match."

Wang Danwang said, "He can't trouble you, my daughter, right?"

Su Qinglian played with the hair that fell on her chest and said, "Doesn't the emperor have two Grand Secretaries by his side? One of them is said to be the most talented scholar in the world. Doesn't that mean he can't live up to the reputation?"

Wang Danwang said, "The emperor said that none of them could match the couplet. So the emperor said that whoever can come up with the second line will be rewarded handsomely."

Su Qinglian said, "My daughter has enough food and clothing, so I don't really need any rewards. It's just a pity that despite the great reputation, it's hard to live up to it. It's a pity that I'm a girl, otherwise, the title of the most talented scholar in Daxuan would probably not have fallen to that Mo Li."

Wang Danwang suddenly knelt down.

Su Qinglian said nervously, "Daddy, why are you doing this? Please get up and tell me."

Wang Danwang stood up and sat down again, saying, "My daughter, you don't know. Mo Li is known as the most talented scholar, but in reality, he has talent but no moral integrity. In order to be transferred to an official position, he bribed Wang Tingzan and framed me. My daughter, you met the emperor once. The emperor has a particularly good impression of you. Only you know your father. I beg you to go before the emperor, plead your father's defense, and expose Mo Li's evil ambitions."

Su Qinglian said, "Father, what you said is not true. I am here today thanks to you. If you hadn't redeemed me from the brothels, I would have withered and died, and there would be no place like today. It's a pity that I am just a commoner. It's not easy for me to see the emperor."

Wang Danwang said, "The emperor is obsessed with calligraphy, painting, and poetry, and thinks highly of himself. If you can come up with the second couplet, you will be summoned by the emperor."

Su Qinglian said, "What's the difficulty with the second couplet? I already have it in mind."

"Well then," Wang Danwang said with a sigh, "I have no choice but to let you show up in public. I hope you can understand my father's deep meaning."

Su Qinglian said, "My life was given to me by my father. I will go through fire and water for you."