As expected, almost every official's family started to gather money after being pointed to the "clear path."
The decision between a bit of gold and silver and the safety of their family's pillar was clearly a no-brainer.
Besides, if spending some money could clear the air with a favorite of the Empress, it was truly the best possible outcome.
The next day, when Zhao Douan arrived at Lihua Hall,
Qian Kerou immediately reported that there were already many people lining up outside the hall, wanting to meet Mr. Zhao and have a private talk.
"Tsk, they move quickly," Zhao Douan chuckled, "Not bad, call them in one by one based on who came first."
Qian Kerou, with a complicated expression, went to call the people.
What followed was exceedingly straightforward; as each family member of the accused official came in, Zhao Douan would put on an act and imply that the matter was difficult to handle.
And the family members would present "tea money" of varying amounts.
