"Meng Qin, you can go back and rest. I can handle this alone," Jiang Canghai said.
Meng Qingzhou was naturally pleased and stood up to leave without hesitation. "In that case, I won't disturb you any longer."
No work was the best. Time to go home and play with the cat and walk the dog.
"Hold on!"
Wu Die's voice stopped him. Her soft, delicate hand rested on Meng Qingzhou's shoulder, her fingers brushing against his chest as she spoke gently, "Minister Meng, please stay a moment and hear me out."
Meng Qingzhou subtly stepped back, trying to distance himself from this overly familiar woman.
But no matter how he maneuvered, Wu Die stayed close, her hand still on his shoulder.
With no other choice, Meng Qingzhou asked, "May I know who you are?"
"Yu Die, a minor official of the sixth rank, currently in charge of the Ministry of Rites," Wu Die replied with a light smile.
This scene made Jiang Canghai's brow twitch.
Flirting with the Empress' husband in public? Do you want to test how sharp Her Majesty's sword is with your neck?
Su Qingqiu's face turned icy cold, her eyes brewing a storm as she stared indifferently at Wu Die.
Just as Meng Qingzhou was growing impatient, Wu Die released her grip and stepped back, maintaining a distance.
First meeting, initiating physical contact to stir a young man's heart, then suddenly withdrawing to create a sense of loss—classic tactics of a manipulative woman.
Meng Qingzhou remained silent but had already figured out her game.
He concluded that this woman was very skilled at playing with people's emotions.
As expected.
Wu Die switched to a calm, professional tone and looked at Jiang Canghai, saying, "Prime Minister, I have a suggestion."
"On his first day in office, Minister Meng debated with the court officials and executed a noble. Rumors are already spreading about him and Her Majesty. If the Ministry of Rites grants him special privileges to stay idle at home again, it would harm his reputation and undermine the state's system."
Jiang Canghai nodded and said indifferently, "So, what do you propose?"
Wu Die's heart leapt with joy, but she maintained a calm exterior. "Since you just assigned me a task, I propose that Minister Meng and I complete it together."
"This way, if anyone dares to slander him again, we can use this to shut them up."
A flawless argument! Almost perfect.
Meng Qingzhou couldn't help but admire it.
He had seen such tactics many times in his previous life. When you want to achieve a goal but can't state it directly, you find another way.
For example, when pushing through a crowd, don't say you have an urgent matter and ask people to move aside—they'll ignore you. Instead, say, "I'm carrying molten iron at a thousand degrees Celsius. If you don't want to get burned, move aside!"
The same principle applied to this manipulative woman.
Every word she said seemed to be for Meng Qingzhou's benefit, but who knew whose benefit it really was?
Jiang Canghai chuckled, glanced at Wu Die, then looked at Meng Qingzhou, shaking his head with a smile. "Alright, as you say."
"You and Wu Die will organize Her Majesty's birthday banquet together. Minister Meng, any objections?"
Organize the Empress' birthday banquet?
Such a big task, just for the two of us?!
Meng Qingzhou was so frustrated he almost hit Wu Die with a cane but replied gloomily, "No problem."
Wu Die didn't know what Meng Qingzhou was thinking and felt elated, thinking the first step of her plan was complete!
Creating an environment for the two to be alone, she could then use her charms to slowly control Meng Qingzhou.
Leaving the Prime Minister's residence.
The two women and one man walked down the street. Meng Qingzhou borrowed a bamboo hat from the Prime Minister and draped a green cloak over himself, avoiding the attention of passersby.
Wu Die walked with a cat-like grace, her voice soft like a caring elder sister. "Minister Meng, with less than seven days until the Empress' birthday banquet, I think we should find a quiet, undisturbed place to discuss it. What do you think?"
As she spoke, Wu Die glanced at Su Qingqiu, who was exuding a cold aura, her brows slightly furrowed.
This maid's cultivation level wasn't low. If she stayed around, it would be hard to make a move. She had to be sent away.
Swish!
Su Qingqiu sensed something and turned her head, her gaze icy cold. Her thumb lightly pressed against her sword hilt, the blade gleaming an inch out of its sheath, a clear threat.
A woman's intuition was the most accurate. From the first moment Su Qingqiu saw Wu Die, she felt extremely uncomfortable.
This vixen, trying to seduce the Empress' husband and climb the social ladder? How audacious!
If not for the Empress' strict orders not to reveal her cultivation in front of Meng Qingzhou, Su Qingqiu would have already had her sword at Wu Die's throat.
"Hehe…" Wu Die smiled fearlessly, meeting Su Qingqiu's gaze head-on.
The two women's eyes clashed, sparks flying, while Meng Qingzhou walked in the middle, completely oblivious.
Passersby on the street turned to look.
Men were envious, women were jealous.
Envious of Meng Qingzhou's fortune to have two beauties by his side, suspecting he must have saved the world in a previous life.
Jealous of the two women's stunning looks…
"Work is important, but it's lunchtime now. No matter how urgent, let's discuss it after I've eaten and rested."
Meng Qingzhou shook his head, refusing.
He was cautious by nature, not wanting to get involved in the main plot and cause trouble, not because he was cowardly.
If anyone dared to disturb his rest, they would face the wrath of his sword.
"That's perfect. I'm new to the capital and don't have a place to stay yet. I'd love to try Minister Meng's cooking. Is that alright?" Wu Die said sweetly, with a hint of coquettishness.
Su Qingqiu coldly retorted, "No! The Minister has a wife at home. Please show some respect!"
Wu Die blinked innocently, "I'm just asking for a meal, nothing more. What are you thinking, maid?"
She emphasized the word "maid," deliberately provoking.
"Enough," Meng Qingzhou waved his hand. Even a fool could hear the tension between the two women, so he said, "I'm a live-in son-in-law with no authority at home. You can come along, but if my wife gets upset, you'll have to leave."
Hearing this, Wu Die was stunned, almost dumbfounded.
A dignified third-rank Minister, a live-in son-in-law?
"No… no problem." Wu Die's curiosity grew, and she replied after regaining her composure.
What kind of extraordinary woman could tame a man who executed a noble on his first day in office?
"Master…" Su Qingqiu wanted to protest.
"No worries," Meng Qingzhou said indifferently.
Suddenly.
A weak, agonized scream reached them, accompanied by the cheers of the crowd.
Meng Qingzhou was puzzled. "What's going on?"
Su Qingqiu glanced over and replied, "It's Ouyang Sheng, the King of Longshang, being executed by a thousand cuts at the market entrance."
"Still going on after a whole day?" Meng Qingzhou was surprised.
Wu Die quickly interjected, "Minister, you might not know, but according to Great Jin's laws, execution by a thousand cuts is reserved for the most heinous criminals. It takes three days and nights. Each slice of flesh as thin as a cicada's wing is followed by a handful of salt on the wound, waiting ten minutes before the next cut. This continues until midnight of the third day."
Meng Qingzhou nodded, his resolve strengthening. He must never offend the Empress!
Offending an overpowered protagonist might get you killed in one strike, but offending the Empress would mean three days and nights of excruciating torture.
"Qingqiu, let's go," Meng Qingzhou said expressionlessly, showing neither fear nor pity.
For massacring ten thousand innocent civilians, the King of Longshang deserved his fate today.
Wu Die, who had been observing Meng Qingzhou, couldn't help but look at Su Qingqiu when she heard the name 'Qingqiu.'
Cold sword sense… peerless female immortal… Qingqiu…
Su Qingqiu!?
Wu Die stumbled, almost falling, staring at Su Qingqiu in shock.
She was the renowned cold and gorgeous Sword Immortal. Wasn't Su Qingqiu supposed to be following the Empress Qin Liuli?
Why was she serving as a maid for Meng Qin?
Soon.
Meng Qingzhou and his companions arrived at the Qin residence.
In the courtyard, a simply dressed woman who looked like a housewife, Dongfang Liuli, was bringing out steaming dishes from the kitchen, wearing an apron.
"Wash your hands and eat," Dongfang Liuli said, her gaze lingering on the seductive Wu Die. "Who is she?"
"A fellow official, just joining us for a meal," Meng Qingzhou replied.
A flash of displeasure crossed Dongfang Liuli's eyes, but she said nothing, smiling instead. "Alright."
However…
Wu Die was already in a state of shock, her mind reeling as if struck by lightning, her ears ringing, eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at Dongfang Liuli. "Em-Em-Em… Empress?!"
Leave a Reply