At the entrance of Present Village, there stood a grand archway. Ahead, a continuous range of perilous mountains stretched out, occasionally echoing with the roars of beasts, reverberating through the forest.
Meng Qingzhou packed his luggage and specifically brought Su Qingqiu along. This girl had previously followed Dongfang Liuli, frequently traveling between the Imperial Capital and Present Village, so she was undoubtedly familiar with the route.
To his shame, since Meng Qingzhou had become a live-in son-in-law of the Dongfang family, he had served as a minister in the Imperial Capital for a month but had never personally traveled there.
“Master, when you left the capital so decisively, I’m afraid Her Majesty might hold a grudge and make some very unreasonable demands…” Su Qingqiu, carrying large and small bags, followed closely behind Meng Qingzhou, chattering non-stop.
Su Qingqiu was inwardly resentful.
Her Majesty insisted on personally leading the army to crusade against the Alliance of the World Sect, but she couldn’t be in two places at once and couldn’t leave Present Village without a good excuse.
Imagine, if a village girl suddenly left home without any reason, what man wouldn’t be suspicious?
Moreover, this trip could take as short as half a month or as long as half a year.
If it took half a year, Meng Qingzhou might just slap a divorce paper on the table upon his return.
No matter what, Dongfang Liuli couldn’t bear such consequences, so she resorted to this plan, letting Meng Qingzhou “enter the capital to meet the Emperor,” conveniently taking her husband along during the campaign.
It was like a sightseeing trip to make up for the missed honeymoon.
“For Liuli, no matter what unreasonable demands Her Majesty makes, I will accept them,” Meng Qingzhou said resolutely.
Su Qingqiu thought for a moment and said, “What if Her Majesty wants you to… become the Empress’ lover?”
Hearing this, Meng Qingzhou’s hurried steps paused, three black lines appeared on his forehead, and he poked Su Qingqiu’s little head, saying:
“What are you thinking all day? Everyone knows that Her Majesty and the Emperor are deeply in love. Besides, I have a family. How could someone of Her Majesty’s stature covet a married man? You think too poorly of Her Majesty!”
Even if the plot completely collapsed, at least the character settings wouldn’t.
The Empress was still as peerlessly beautiful as ever, and it was no exaggeration to say she was still the Red Spider Lily in the book, driving the two worlds of Sky State and Wilderness mad with infatuation.
Even if Meng Qingzhou’s identity as the Space-Time Sword Saint was revealed, the Empress would definitely not fancy him. At most, she would appreciate his strength and talent.
Meng Qingzhou was absolutely certain of this.
“Liuli’s illness seems really serious.” Meng Qingzhou stopped several times, looking back.
Dongfang Liuli had not come to see him off. Before he left, she had fallen into a coma and was being carefully tended to by Wu Die.
Of course, Wu Die had a history, so Meng Qingzhou had set up several layers of Sword Sense in the Green Tiles Small House. Even if a Great Being like Morning Glow attacked, they could be killed!
After waiting for a long time, Dongfang Liuli still didn’t come out to see him off, indicating she was still unconscious.
“Let’s go. We’ll make a quick trip and return,” Meng Qingzhou said.
Su Qingqiu secretly pursed her lips.
Master, once you leave, you won’t be back anytime soon. There’s no such thing as a quick trip and return.
Moreover, you seem to trust Her Majesty too much. I don’t know where you get your confidence from. You should know that this trip to the Imperial Capital is not just for the crusade but also to smooth over your relationship with the Empress. You might be completely taken advantage of before it’s over.
“Master, take care of yourself,” Su Qingqiu added, feeling a pang of pity.
It seemed her master was truly pitiful, like a little white rabbit about to be willingly delivered into the jaws of the big bad wolf, Her Majesty, without even realizing it. How could he not be pitiful?
Damn… so sour.
“Stop mumbling. Grab my sleeve, and I’ll take you through the Dao of Space-Time,” Meng Qingzhou said.
Just then.
A golden light curtain descended from the sky, with dozens of tadpole-like characters appearing. A palace female official, standing on an immortal sword, held an imperial edict and read aloud:
“By the decree of Her Majesty, the former Vice Minister Meng Qin is summoned to the palace! By imperial command!”
Meng Qingzhou looked up in bewilderment, utterly confused.
Huh?
Her Majesty’s decree!?
“May I ask which Her Majesty?” Meng Qingzhou asked.
“The Empress of Great Jin,” the palace female official, standing on the sword, replied arrogantly, her eyes sparkling as she stared at Meng Qingzhou.
‘Wow, this is the Emperor’s demeanor? Truly elegant and handsome.’
‘No wonder even Her Majesty is smitten. If it were me, I probably couldn’t resist either.’
Meng Qingzhou was utterly astonished and asked:
“Why does Her Majesty summon me to the palace?”
The palace female official’s voice was clear, like a spring, and very proud, “I don’t know! Her Majesty only instructed me to bring you to the palace. I have a teleportation disk that can take us to the Imperial Capital in an instant. Mr. Meng, please come with me.”
Meng Qingzhou rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
At this moment, Great Jin was facing internal and external troubles, with frequent wars. In such a critical time, the Empress suddenly sent someone to summon him to the palace. It was obvious, even without thinking.
She was short of manpower and remembered him as a useful tool.
“How domineering, summoning me at will. Do you think I, Meng Qingzhou, have no temper?” Meng Qingzhou was somewhat displeased.
Su Qingqiu quickly whispered a reminder, “Master, don’t forget we have a favor to ask. Keep a low profile.”
“Tsk…”
Meng Qingzhou reluctantly rubbed his forehead.
He secretly made up his mind that after this matter, he would use his spare time to master all other skills.
Alchemy, artifact refining, Feng Shui, Eight Trigrams, Five Elements, I Ching, tomb raiding, fortune-telling… he would learn them all to perfection!
“No need, my Dao of Space-Time is faster than the teleportation disk,” Meng Qingzhou waved his hand, impatiently dismissing her.
He still wanted to show off his skills in front of the maid. Sitting in a teleportation array was nothing.
Su Qingqiu panicked, her big eyes rolling as she had a sudden idea:
“Master, I… I’m more curious about the teleportation disk. I want to experience the effect of the teleportation array.”
Meng Qingzhou’s face fell, displeased, “What, you disdain your master’s Dao of Space-Time? Ordinary people beg me to let them experience it, but you disdain it.”
Su Qingqiu pouted, holding Meng Qingzhou’s hands, twisting her slender waist, and coquettishly said:
“Please, Master, I want to sit in the teleportation array. Please…”
“I give up.” Meng Qingzhou sighed, too lazy to insist.
My Dao of Space-Time is noble. How can I beg you to sit in it? That would lower its status and make it cheap.
“Do as you please! Let’s go.”
The palace female official descended on the immortal sword, coming close to Meng Qingzhou, inhaling deeply the unique fragrance of the Emperor in the air.
“What are you doing? You look like a dog,” Meng Qingzhou asked, puzzled. If he weren’t blind, he would have rolled his eyes.
“Ahem, nothing, nothing, just a nasal issue,” the palace female official waved her hand, taking out a teleportation disk and casting a few hand seals to activate the teleportation array.
Immediately, a silver-white light enveloped the three of them.
Meanwhile.
The villagers of Present Village gathered at the village entrance, tearfully waving goodbye.
“Son-in-law of the Dongfang family, you must come back. If you don’t, I won’t have any fun to watch… I mean, I won’t have anyone to chat with.”
“Qingzhou, don’t forget your fellow villagers. Bring some gifts when you return.”
“Serve Her Majesty well, don’t miss home. Her Majesty is fair-skinned, beautiful, and long-legged. If you serve her well, our village will rise to prosperity!”
“That’s right. The future of our village depends on you! Make sure to serve Her Majesty comfortably.”
………….
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