"Minister Meng, do you have nothing to say? Do you truly wish to resign and retire?" Dongfang Liuli struggled to suppress her urge to lash out, forcing a reluctant smile.
Meng Qingzhou held a jade tablet in his hand and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, my abilities are limited and I fear I cannot fulfill such a great responsibility. I humbly request that Your Majesty select a more capable individual and allow me to retire to the countryside."
Having served as an official in the capital for just a month, Meng Qingzhou had narrowly avoided exposure several times. If he didn't escape soon, it was only a matter of time before his true identity was revealed.
It was easy to imagine that after today, the reputations of Minister Meng Qin and the Qian Yuan Sword Saint, this master-disciple pair, would spread throughout the land. At that point, countless eyes would be watching him, and various factions would dig into Meng Qingzhou's past, making it difficult to keep certain secrets hidden.
The events that transpired during the birthday banquet further solidified Meng Qingzhou's resolve to resign.
Meng Qingzhou was full of doubts.
'Why do Jiang Canghai and Qin Fenghuo, the two pillars of their respective dynasties, insist on attributing some unfounded merits to me?'
'What was the Empress's true reason for traveling such a long distance to personally extend an olive branch to me?'
'And why is the Empress willing to fulfill any request from the Qian Yuan Sword Saint, yet so reluctant to let me go, even at great cost?'
'What use am I as an official in the Great Jin?'
These questions had always weighed on Meng Qingzhou's mind, but he had no way to verify them, so he had never delved deeply into them.
Moreover, Meng Qingzhou always felt that Jiang Canghai, Qin Fenghuo, and the Empress, the top power figures in the Great Jin, had an ambiguous attitude towards him.
Qin Fenghuo, known for his fiery temper, would usually resolve any displeasure with a single sword strike, but in front of Meng Qingzhou, he acted like a kind and amiable grandfather next door.
Jiang Canghai, known for his deep scheming, never played tricks on Meng Qingzhou.
As for the Empress, she had always been ruthless and domineering, much like a tyrannical female CEO from his previous life. Yet, this strong woman always protected Meng Qingzhou. Although they rarely communicated, whenever faced with a choice, she would unhesitatingly choose Meng Qingzhou.
"Could it be that my charm and handsomeness have reached a level that transcends age and gender?"
"I can't understand when the plot started to go off the rails like this," Meng Qingzhou was utterly confused.
Since arriving in the Imperial Capital of the Great Jin, it was the first time he felt like he had lost control of his life's direction.
Hearing Meng Qingzhou's response, Dongfang Liuli felt a sudden emptiness in her heart, her expression turning despondent. She looked at him with a hint of sadness and couldn't help but ask, "What about your wife? She serves the court, and her family has been loyal for generations. Are you willing to abandon her?"
Su Qingqiu was also anxious, stomping her foot in frustration. "Your Majesty, why did you shoot yourself in the foot by asking the Qian Yuan Sword Saint what his wish was? With his monstrous talent, any sect leader would offer their most treasured possessions to win him over. He said he didn't need anything, and you still didn't agree. Now look, your wife is going to run away with someone else!"
Meng Qingzhou frowned. This was indeed a problem. Although he and Dongfang Liuli were only contractually married, after spending so much time together, it was inevitable that some unclear feelings had developed.
"Of course, I can't bear to abandon my family. I can't do it!" Meng Qingzhou answered decisively. "The cute and soft Su Maid, the intelligent Big Yellow Dog, the fish fry I've painstakingly raised in the pond, the flowers and plants in the courtyard, and my beloved wife's sharp tongue but soft heart—these are all things I can't give up."
Meng Qingzhou took a deep breath, bowed deeply, and said, "Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to retire with my family."
Upon hearing this, Qin Fenghuo was dumbfounded, his mouth slightly agape in shock. Jiang Canghai's eyebrows twitched uncontrollably, unable to maintain his usual stern expression.
What!?
Not only did the Empress' husband want to run away, but he also wanted to take the Empress with him?
The two major shareholders of the company running away, leaving behind a bunch of employees to hold the fort?
Hearing the description of the cute and soft Su Maid, Su Qingqiu's face flushed red. She secretly glanced at Meng Qingzhou and pouted, "At least you have a bit of conscience, not forgetting my kindness."
Dongfang Liuli was momentarily stunned, but her empty eyes regained their sparkle, filled with surprise and joy as she savored the words—my beloved wife's sharp tongue but soft heart.
"So, he doesn't hate me and want to escape. He wants to take me with him to wander the world."
Thinking of this, Dongfang Liuli felt an overwhelming sweetness filling her heart.
Hmph, that annoying Salted Fish Meng, always speaking in such a roundabout way!
Say it clearly! Who has a sharp tongue but a soft heart? When I say tofu, it's tofu; when I say knife, it's knife.
Meng Qingzhou remained bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Minister Meng Qin will no longer serve as an official!"
Dongfang Liuli's lips curved into a smile, her face behind the red curtain becoming even more radiant. Her voice carried a hint of lightness and joy as she said, "I can only grant one request."
"Either you resign and retire, never to return to the capital, and never see your wife again in this life, or you continue to serve as an official for a short period of one year or a long period of three years. I promise you that I will let you and your wife retire to the countryside together."
Hearing this, Meng Qingzhou thought for a moment and then made up his mind, saying, "I… will continue to serve as an official."
Hmm, a year or so shouldn't be a problem. I'll have the Qian Yuan Sword Saint fake his death in front of everyone, then I'll learn from Sima Yi, feign illness, and take a paid vacation.
Life should always have some hope.
Having traversed the mortal world, the only things that held him back were the small courtyard of the Qin residence and the Green Tiles Small House in Present Village.
To truly let go, how could it be easy?
Dongfang Liuli's mood instantly brightened, like a little cat that had received a reward, feeling immensely satisfied.
She had deliberately given two options to test Meng Qingzhou's intentions.
If he chose to retire immediately, abandoning his wife (Dongfang Liuli) and children (Su Qingqiu, Sunlight Lord), it would mean that Meng Qingzhou didn't care about them at all.
Choosing to stay and serve as an official meant that they were very important to Meng Qingzhou, like real family.
After all, to make Salted Fish Meng give up his carefree life, it would take nothing short of the end of the world…
"This request counts as Minister Meng's. I will make an exception and grant it." Dongfang Liuli was still not satisfied. She turned her gaze to the Qian Yuan Sword Saint and said, "Qian Yuan, think of another wish, and I will fulfill it for you."
She hadn't forgotten the various doubts surrounding the Qian Yuan Sword Saint. Today, she had to confirm or dispel them, or she wouldn't be able to sleep.
The Qian Yuan Sword Saint scratched his head, feeling a bit troubled.
Your Majesty, you're too generous. Who keeps offering when the other party doesn't want anything?
I don't want anything!
I just want to end this birthday banquet quickly and go home to walk my dog!
"I have no other requests," the Qian Yuan Sword Saint said coldly and indifferently.
Hearing this, Dongfang Liuli's crimson eyes suddenly brightened. She straightened her body and stared intently at the Qian Yuan Sword Saint.
What a salted fish personality, just like Meng Qingzhou!
"Reveal your true form!"
Dongfang Liuli suddenly stood up, her slender, fair hand making a grasping motion in the air towards the smiling mask on the Qian Yuan Sword Saint's face.
With a cracking sound, the smiling mask shattered. Under the puzzled gazes of the crowd, the Qian Yuan Sword Saint slowly raised his head, revealing his true face…
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