Capital City, Prime Minister’s Residence.
As the Prime Minister of the nation and concurrently the Minister of Rites, Jiang Canghai was responsible for advising the Empress, sharing the burden of state affairs, and overseeing rituals, ceremonies, and even the imperial examinations. Nothing could proceed without his approval.
The Great Jin Dynasty had two main pillars: one was General Qin Fenghuo, a Great Being at the half-step Morning Glow Realm, and the other was Jiang Canghai.
However, in the hearts of the people, Jiang Canghai’s reputation far surpassed that of Qin Fenghuo.
The pinnacle power minister under the Empress was not just an empty title.
Every day, countless officials gathered outside the Prime Minister’s residence, bearing heavy gifts, all hoping to climb the social ladder by currying favor with Jiang Canghai.
Meng Qingzhou walked through the streets, hearing the common folk discussing the major event that occurred in the Golden Throne Hall yesterday.
“Did you hear? The Empress has a thing for blind people!”
“Apparently, yesterday in the Golden Throne Hall, the Empress recommended a blind man with no cultivation level to be the Vice Minister of Rites, facing fierce opposition from the court officials. But this blind man was no ordinary person; he could see through the secrets of heaven, exposing a group of corrupt officials on the spot and even killing a noble!”
“Heavens! On his first day in office, he killed a noble?”
“I wonder what the Empress’ only legitimate husband thinks about this news.”
“What can he think? As the ruler of a nation, does the Empress really have to adhere to monogamy with her husband? What’s the harm in taking another favorite minister? Does the Empress’ husband dare to oppose?”
“True enough…”
Moreover, Meng Qingzhou heard that some self-proclaimed handsome young men were preparing to blind themselves with sticks, hoping to play the role of a blind hero.
A trend swept through the capital: being blind was no longer a disability to be looked down upon but a key to the Empress’ heart!
Su Qingqiu, wearing a bamboo hat, nearly rolled her eyes in exasperation.
What nonsense!
Who said the Empress had a fetish for blind people? These people were just bored and making things up. From start to finish, the new favorite minister and the Empress’ husband were the same person.
Meanwhile, Meng Qingzhou fell into deep thought, muttering to himself:
“The Empress likes blind people? That explains it. I was wondering why the Empress treated me so differently for no apparent reason.”
That’s right; Meng Qingzhou believed it.
He also felt a deep sense of malice. Damn it! The author never mentioned that the dignified Empress had such a bizarre fetish.
I don’t want to become the Empress’ lackey.
Always remember one truth: the Overpowered Protagonist is called the Overpowered Protagonist because he doesn’t play by the rules. Rules are for side characters; the protagonist breaks them.
So Meng Qingzhou had no intention of provoking the protagonist Zhao Gou.
Of course, the main reason was that there was no benefit. I can retire early and live a peaceful life. Why bother fighting and getting injured?
Su Qingqiu hesitated to speak.
She wanted to say, “The Empress’ husband isn’t like that! Don’t misunderstand the Empress!”
As they walked, passersby discussed, and then they saw a blind young man in black and gold flood dragon court robes, leaning on a cane, passing by.
“That’s… a third-rank official’s robe, blind, young, and handsome. Could it be…”
Instantly, the entire street fell silent.
The crowd parted to let Meng Qingzhou pass through smoothly.
Who could understand? It was like a group of people gossiping about Jack Ma, only to turn around and see Jack Ma smiling behind them.
Terrifying!
“Carry on, don’t mind me,” Meng Qingzhou noticed the odd atmosphere and smiled, nodding.
Everyone: ……
Sir, please leave quickly. Who dares to speak ill of you to your face?
You killed a noble on your first day in office. We ordinary folks don’t want to risk our lives gossiping in front of you, the living King of Hell.
“Let’s move quickly and not cause trouble for the people,” Meng Qingzhou said, then hurriedly left.
Su Qingqiu, holding her sword, closely followed behind him.
Soon, they arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence.
Meng Qingzhou stood at the entrance, politely saluting the guards, “Please inform them that Meng Qin is here to pay his respects.”
The guard glanced impatiently, habitually shouting, “Get lost, the Prime Minister is busy.”
But when the guard saw the court robes Meng Qingzhou was wearing, he turned pale with fright:
“My apologies, I’ll inform them immediately.”
The guard stumbled as he rushed to report.
Leaving Meng Qingzhou bewildered, he touched his face, “Am I that scary? I’m not the Black and White Impermanence; why does everyone act like they’ve seen a ghost when they see me?”
Su Qingqiu whispered in his ear, “You killed a noble on your first day in office!”
“That’s it?” Meng Qingzhou tilted his head, puzzled.
“Miss Dongfang didn’t say anything yesterday and wasn’t surprised at all. I thought it was quite common.”
Su Qingqiu was speechless.
Of course! Because Miss Dongfang is the Empress, the death of a heinous third-rank noble is nothing to her.
Soon, the guard respectfully invited Meng Qingzhou and Su Qingqiu inside.
After wandering through the vast residence for over ten minutes, they finally arrived at a study door.
“The Prime Minister is inside. Please enter.”
Meng Qingzhou nodded and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Jiang Canghai’s warm, mellow voice came from inside.
Meng Qingzhou pushed the door open and entered, only to find that Jiang Canghai was not alone in the study.
Several officials from the Ministry of Rites were also present, standing by the desk, turning to look at Meng Qingzhou.
“Greetings, Prime Minister,” Meng Qingzhou bowed.
Jiang Canghai quickly stood up, helping Meng Qingzhou up with a smile, “No need for formalities, Vice Minister. Please, have a seat.”
Are you kidding? Your true identity is the Empress’ husband. How dare I let you bow?
If the Empress found out, wouldn’t she suspect me of plotting treason?
Meng Qingzhou didn’t stand on ceremony and sat opposite the desk, cupping his hands, “I just took office and came to pay my respects to the Minister of Rites. If there are any tasks, please feel free to assign them.”
Jiang Canghai waved his hand, “There’s nothing much to do.”
Even if there were tasks, I wouldn’t dare assign them to you!
Meanwhile, a few officials from the Ministry of Rites whispered among themselves.
A voluptuous woman, whose figure couldn’t be hidden even by her wide official robes, asked quietly:
“Who is he?”
An older official with a mustache replied in surprise, “You don’t know the new Vice Minister of Rites?”
“No, tell me,” the voluptuous woman asked.
The mustached official glanced at her face and figure, swallowing hard, and whispered:
“His name is Meng Qin. He just took office yesterday, with no achievements or examination records, directly promoted to third-rank!”
“Of course, the civil and military officials disagreed and protested. Then this lord killed a noble!”
“Rumor has it, he might have some relationship with the Empress. Perhaps, and I mean perhaps… he could be the Empress’ kept man!”
Hearing this, the voluptuous woman’s eyes lit up, a subtle smile forming on her lips.
Heaven is truly helping me!
Just when I had no way to approach the Empress’ husband, this opportunity presents itself.
The voluptuous woman was Wu Die, an assassin sent by Heir Apparent Zhao Gou of Shu!
Wu Die thought to herself.
I can first get close to this Vice Minister of Rites. An ordinary person with no cultivation can’t resist my charms.
Controlling this Vice Minister and using his ambiguous relationship with the Empress, it won’t be hard to infiltrate the harem.
Together, we can successfully assassinate the Empress’ husband!
“I am truly a genius,” Wu Die thought, overjoyed.
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