Chapter 58: No Money, No Counting
It was Shen Qingzhou's first time to attend court. He was dressed in a white official robe with wide sleeves. Because he was a military general, the collar and cuffs were red.

"Marquis Shenwu." Shen Qingzhou was resting with his eyes closed after entering the palace. He didn't know anyone there anyway, and he didn't expect that someone would come to him, and it was an unexpected person.

"Uncle Sinan." Shen Qingzhou didn't expect that Fan Jian would actually greet him.

"I didn't expect the Marquis of Shenwu to be so despicable. He took my unmarried daughter Yunying to such a filthy place." Fan Jian was really angry.

Shen Qingzhou didn't know that Fan Ruoruo confessed the matter after returning home. As the most talented woman, she still had some brains and was afraid that if she didn't say it, it would bring disaster to the Fan family.

When Fan Jian's family found out, they were furious, but they did not want to take the matter to the Shenwu Marquis's residence for fear that it would spread to everyone.

"What do you mean, Mr. Si Nan? Miss Ruoruo and I haven't seen each other for a long time, why do you say that?" Shen Qingzhou felt happy in his heart. The angrier you are, the happier I am.

Fan Jian naturally knew that his daughter was wearing men's clothes. As long as Shen Qingzhou was not stupid, he would definitely be able to see that he brought her into Zuixianlou with evil intentions. Now that he denies it, there is nothing you can do about it because it was your fault that she wore men's clothes.

"Marquis Shenwu, if you have anything to say, please come to me." After Fan Jian finished speaking, he flicked his sleeves and left. He didn't expect that the young man who he didn't like at the beginning would grow up so fast. If it was just martial arts, he still had the Tiger Guards, but his official position and title would be troublesome. He didn't know that Shen Qingzhou was invincible at the ninth level, so some things would not be exposed.

Fan Jian would naturally not be so impulsive. This was just a test. Okay, it was confirmed that there would be no easing.

Everyone has arrived, just waiting for Emperor Qing. The Crown Prince and the Second Prince have also arrived. They are standing opposite Prime Minister Lin, Chen Pingping, and Qin Ye. Shen Qingzhou is in the first row of generals. It's impressive to have a title.

The prince and Shen Qingzhou nodded slightly. This was considered a greeting. It was not good to openly form a clique for personal gain in the court.

Shen Qingzhou was waiting quietly, but suddenly he saw a pair of eyes looking at him. He took a quick look and realized that it was not Censor Lai. He admired this old man very much. He even dared to report to Emperor Qing. In this feudal society, he was very courageous. He smiled and nodded.

Emperor Qing appeared, still in his usual black robe with wide sleeves. When everyone saluted, three people were special. Qin Ye and Prime Minister Lin had to bow, but Shen Qingzhou and Fan Jian just bowed slightly with their hands, while Chen Pingping sat down. This was the title.

In fact, there are many people with titles, including dukes, but not many can attend court. These are all people with official positions. Shen Qingzhou’s contribution to the expansion of territory is so great that such a strange situation has occurred.

Then he asked some routine questions, such as the candidate for Yi Ke in Kyoto Prefecture. This had nothing to do with Shen Qingzhou. He just went to the court to listen. However, some things had to be asked proactively.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to report." Censor Lai appeared, and Emperor Qing was also very interested behind the curtain.

"Censor Lai, who do you want to report now? I'll grant your request." Emperor Qing said. This person has become famous.

"I would like to report Shen Qingzhou, the Marquis of Shenwu. Although he is an important official in the court, he ignored his reputation and stayed overnight in a brothel. He even used his power to oppress the women in the brothel. His visits to prostitutes are known to everyone in Kyoto." This move by Censor Lai made many people complain in their hearts. It happened again.

Everyone has gone to a brothel, but no one has done it as openly as Shen Qingzhou. Even if they were discovered, it wouldn't be reported so seriously. Going for a drink isn't a big problem, but it's a bit excessive for Shen Qingzhou to stay overnight. You can't take her home privately.

"This is indeed the case, Marquis Shenwu, what explanation do you have?" Emperor Qing asked.

"Your Majesty, this matter is absolutely not as Censor Lai said. There is another misunderstanding. Censor Lai is exaggerating." "There is absolutely no misunderstanding. Many people have seen that Marquis Shenwu gave silver to the courtesan as payment for prostitution, and then stayed overnight in the pleasure boat and left the next day." Censor Lai was possessed by the flat-headed brother.

"Silver?" Emperor Qing said this deliberately to Shen Qingzhou. He gave the Queen a bunch of priceless treasures, which was a bit too open and aboveboard. This was also a warning.

"What I sent was clearly a gift, how did it become silver? Everyone present here can testify to this. I wonder where Censor Lai heard this rumor from."

"Then the story about the Shenwu Marquis staying overnight in a brothel is also a rumor?"

“This is true, and this is where the misunderstanding lies. The brothel girl actually invited me into the pleasure boat because she had something to ask of her.

Later I learned that this girl fell in love with me at first sight and wanted to redeem herself, but was afraid the brothel would not agree, so she asked me for help.

As for the gift I gave to that woman, it has been returned. I didn't spend any money in the brothel, so how could I have visited a prostitute?" Shen Qingzhou's words made everyone confused.
How dare you say that you fell in love at first sight? With your height, it’s okay if people aren’t afraid of you, but you also fall in love at first sight. How shameless.

There is also Shen Qingzhou's powerful reason. Who said I engaged in prostitution? It doesn't count as prostitution if I don't pay.

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Shenwu is making far-fetched arguments." Censor Lai had not expected that there would be someone so shameless. He was convinced by this excuse.

"Okay, let's discuss this matter later. Marquis Shenwu, you should be careful with your words and actions in the future. This matter also has consequences. You will be fined one month's salary." This kind of thing has no consequences, so it's not a big deal.

Shen Qingzhou didn't take it to heart and found the old man quite interesting.

"Your Majesty, I have a report to make." Another minister stepped out. Shen Qingzhou did not take it to heart as it had nothing to do with him. However, when the other party said who he wanted to report, he frowned.

"I want to report the Marquis of Shenwu." Shen Qingzhou wondered in his heart what happened today and who took action. The censor was reporting him. He guessed it when he went to court that he was too high-profile, but what else was going on?

"Approved." Emperor Qing's expression remained unchanged.

"The family of former Kyoto prefect Mei Zhili was on their way back home. Not long after leaving Kyoto, they were killed by horse bandits. This should be the responsibility of the Guangxi Office of the Privy Council, as they are in charge of arresting robbers and bandits.

If those horse bandits at the foot of Kyoto can be so rampant, one can imagine how rampant those robbers and bandits are in our Qing country.

I know that the Marquis of Shenwu has been accused of so many things that he may have been careless. Can you please help him to lighten his burden? "This is a very good suggestion.

Shen Qingzhou had never thought that Mei Zhili's murder could be linked to him. Guangxi Fang had always cooperated with the local government. Was this an opportunity to take his position? Emperor Qing? Or Chen Pingping?
"Marquis Shenwu?" Emperor Qing looked at Shen Qingzhou. He was the one who did this. This was a warning to him. You cannot get too close to the prince. He will take away the unimportant Guangxi House from you, but the two real powers, the North House and the Zhicha House, will be retained by you.

"Your Majesty, I have just taken office and do not want this to happen. I am willing to wipe out the bandits in Qing State and then return the position of leader of Guangxi House." Shen Qingzhou retreated to advance. I have already wiped them out to prove my ability. It is not appropriate for you to stop letting me take charge.

(End of this chapter)