The Treacherous Minister Who Helps the People 4

After their conversation, Shen Qi discreetly returned to the Minster Residence, under the reluctant gaze of Grand Preceptor Shen.

He headed straight for the Mingtang Residence.

Gu Qing was still lying in bed, not yet awake.

Shen Qi sat by the bedside and rolled up his trousers, revealing bruises on his knees and arms, still throbbing with pain.

The original host of this delicate and tender flesh was truly unable to withstand any hardships. Shen Qi felt a sense of disdain, using her fingertips to apply ointment to the injuries.

“Ah, there are still people in this world who dare to punish Minister Shen,” he remarked.

Gu Qing propped himself up with his left arm and looked at Shen Qi, his expression mocking. A fleeting glint of darkness passed through his eyes, barely noticeable.

Looking at the bruises on his knees, it was clear that kneeling on the stone floor for a few hours wouldn’t result in such a condition.

But Shen Qi was highly trusted and cherished by the Emperor, and no one in the court, be it civil or military officials, could surpass her as the Minister of Personnel. Who else could punish her like this?

Why did the Emperor suddenly want to punish Shen Qi?

Gu Qing pondered, and with a slight movement, his chest, which was wrapped in gauze, was exposed under Shen Qi’s gaze.

Perhaps the wound had reopened, as the pristine white gauze was now tinged with a hint of blood. Shen Qi used his fingertip, coated with ointment, to gently lift Gu Qing’s gaunt chin.

“General Gu seems to have not yet realized the predicament you are in,” Shen Qi said condescendingly.

Gu Qing sneered and turned his head away. “If you want to kill me, then do it.”

He had always targeted Shen Qi in the past, harboring deep resentment. Now, he found himself enslaved by Shen Qi. What good outcome could there possibly be?

Haven’t anyone seen those who used to oppose Shen Qi in the court? They were either exiled to the borderlands or had their families exterminated. Even the senior ministers entrusted by the late Emperor to assist the new Emperor were banished to Ling Nan by her.

These were lessons from the past.

What Gu Qing despised the most was Shen Qi’s blatant factionalism and personal vendettas in the court, while the Emperor turned a blind eye and allowed her to do as she pleased.

If it weren’t for the senior courtiers, led by Grand Preceptor Shen, standing in her way, Shen Qi would have turned the world upside down!

Contemplating this, Gu Qing couldn’t help but feel a sense of sorrow deep within.

If he were to die, how many people in the court could still restrain Shen Qi?

“I don’t want to.”

Shen Qi narrowed her eyes, gently caressing the corners of Gu Qing’s cold peach blossom eyes with her fingertips. “General Gu, your body is truly exquisite.”

Gu Qing, immersed in grief: ???

Wait a minute! Could it be that Shen Qi has liked him?

This pervert!

Gu Qing’s pupils suddenly contracted, his gaze growing increasingly horrified.

Could Shen Qi’s injuries be a result of her demanding him from the Emperor?

At the thought, Gu Qing’s soul startled. He took in a sharp breath and forcefully removed Shen Qi’s hand off him. He swiftly got up from the bed while cautiously watching her.

“What do you want?”

Having fought in countless battles, facing enemy forces numbering in the millions, Gu Qing had never been as shocked and shaken as he was now.

Shen Qi’s lips curled slightly, her profound gaze seemingly gliding over Gu Qing, who resembled a startled little rabbit. Seeing him like this, she was even more delight.

This reaction was quite adorable.

“I can do nothing more than take good care of you.”

Shen Qi emphasized the words ‘take care’ and then rose with a meaningful smile. “The night is deep, I won’t disturb General Gu any longer. We have plenty of time ahead of us.”

Leaning against the wall, Gu Qing pursed his lips and only relaxed once Shen Qi closed the door.

But he would rather endure Shen Qi’s severe punishment than have her look at him with that bone-chilling gaze, and even, even take an interest in him! Thinking of this, Gu Qing felt discomfort in his throat and let out a dry heave.

It was so terrifying!

If Shen Qi truly harbors such intentions, he would rather die!

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Gu Qing had a sleepless night.

Upon waking up in the morning, he made up his mind to escape, but when he looked around with his heavily injured body, he realized that his room was tightly guarded by the palace guards. Not even a fly could escape, let alone him trying to flee.

Disappointed, Gu Qing returned to his room, only to find Shen Qi already in the court, wearing a smirk-like expression, silencing those who opposed her.

As a treacherous minister, Shen Qi was quite busy.

She faced impeachment in court, reviewed documents after court, and had to deal with the capricious Emperor and the threat posed by Zhao Baiyue.

Truly a master of time management!

Just as she left the court, Zhao Baiyue sent someone to find her. “Minster Shen, Niangniang wishes to see you.” (Notes: “Niangniang” is a respectful term used to address an empress, queen, or the wife of a high-ranking official in ancient China

Zhao Baiyue’s maid bowed and then led Shen Qi to a secluded rockery.

Zhao Baiyue stood there, with an oval face, delicately arched eyebrows, an enchanting figure, and pure, watery eyes that were both alluring and ethereal. Her skin was so fair and tender that it seemed to emit a faint glow.

Well...

There was a scent of impending disaster!

“Minster Shen, didn’t you promise to let Gu Qing take the blame and die? Why keep him in your hands?” Zhao Baiyue lowered her gaze, toying with her long nails; her tone filled with displeasure.

Just last night, the task of killing Gu Qing was deemed a failure by the system, and her hair immediately turned dull and yellow.

It took her a whopping twenty thousand points to restore it.

Twenty thousand points!

The system was so stingy with points.

Since entering the palace, she had barely accumulated less than a hundred thousand, and now she had to spend twenty thousand at once.

Her heart ached!!!

Shen Qi covered his lips and coughed lightly, “Gu Qing is good-looking.”

“Huh?” Zhao Baiyue widened her eyes in astonishment.

She never expected that Shen Qi, who appeared so composed, would also be a lecherous man.

Why should I lose points just because you need a man?!?!

“Emperor knows well about me. Gu Qing is a good choice. When I am done playing with him, he will be sent to his death,” Shen Qi said calmly.

“But what’s the use of that (since the tasks have all failed)?”

Zhao Baiyue gritted her teeth. “Forget it, but just for this time! I don’t want to see it happens again!”

What was the use of that…

Couldn’t Gu Qing die a little later? It seemed her previous guess was correct. Gu Qing was indeed a part of Zhao Baiyue’s mission.

Shen Qi narrowed his eyes slightly and heard Zhao Baiyue say, “There’s something you need to take care of. Zhou Ce, the officer in the Ministry of Revenue, recently gave me two hundred thousand taels. He wants to become the Minister of Revenue. You must deal with it successfully.”

If it failed again, she would kill Shen Qi!

Two hundred thousand taels for promotion to Minister of Revenue, what a profitable deal! Shen Qi chuckled meaningfully, “Zhou Ce is a fifth-ranked official, while the Minister is a second-ranked official. Take your time, it needs to be carefully planned.”

She deliberately lowered her voice and enticed, “Moreover, Niangniang, isn’t it too cheap to grant a Minister for just two hundred thousand? How many second-ranked officials are there in the entire court?”

Zhao Baiyue had no understanding of these official positions and hesitated as she looked at Shen Qi. “Then, how much would be appropriate?”

“At least ten million taels,” Shen Qi replied.

Zhao Baiyue pinched her palm in shock. “T...Ten million taels???”

“After all, it’s the Ministry of Revenue, Niangniang. All the wealth of the world is controlled by the Ministry of Revenue. How valuable do you think the position of Ministry of Revenue is?”

Persuaded by Shen Qi’s words, Zhao Baiyue’s gaze gradually became greedy.

However, the amount was too large, and she couldn’t help but hesitate. “Ten million taels, does Zhou Ce have this huge amount of money?”

“If he doesn’t, there will be others.” Shen Qi said nonchalantly.