"ng Qin, you can go back and rest. I can handle this alone," Jiang Canghai said.
ng 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. Ti to go ho and play with the cat and walk the dog.
"Hold on!"
Wu Die's voice stopped him. Her soft, delicate hand rested on ng Qingzhou's shoulder, her fingers brushing against his chest as she spoke gently, "Minister ng, please stay a mont and hear out."
ng 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, ng 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 ng Qingzhou was growing impatient, Wu Die released her grip and stepped back, maintaining a distance.
First eting, 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.
ng Qingzhou remained silent but had already figured out her ga.
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, "Pri Minister, I have a suggestion."
"On his first day in office, Minister ng 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 ho 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 a task, I propose that Minister ng and I complete it together."
"This way, if anyone dares to slander him again, we can use this to shut them up."
A flawless argunt! Almost perfect.
ng Qingzhou couldn't help but admire it.
He had seen such tactics many tis 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 sa principle applied to this manipulative woman.
Every word she said seed to be for ng Qingzhou's benefit, but who knew whose benefit it really was?
Jiang Canghai chuckled, glanced at Wu Die, then looked at ng Qingzhou, shaking his head with a smile. "Alright, as you say."
"You and Wu Die will organize Her Majesty's birthday banquet together. Minister ng, any objections?"
Organize the Empress' birthday banquet?
Such a big task, just for the two of us?!
ng Qingzhou was so frustrated he almost hit Wu Die with a cane but replied gloomily, "No problem."
Wu Die didn't know what ng Qingzhou was thinking and felt elated, thinking the first step of her plan was complete!
Creating an environnt for the two to be alone, she could then use her charms to slowly control ng Qingzhou.
Leaving the Pri Minister's residence.
The two won and one man walked down the street. ng Qingzhou borrowed a bamboo hat from the Pri 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 ng, 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 sothing 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 mont Su Qingqiu saw Wu Die, she felt extrely 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 ng Qingzhou, Su Qingqiu would have already had her sword at Wu Die's throat.
"Hehe..." Wu Die smiled fearlessly, eting Su Qingqiu's gaze head-on.
The two won's eyes clashed, sparks flying, while ng Qingzhou walked in the middle, completely oblivious.
Passersby on the street turned to look.
n were envious, won were jealous.
Envious of ng 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 won's stunning looks...
"Work is important, but it's lunchti now. No matter how urgent, let's discuss it after I've eaten and rested."
ng 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 ng'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 ho. Please show so respect!"
Wu Die blinked innocently, "I'm just asking for a al, nothing more. What are you thinking, maid?"
She emphasized the word "maid," deliberately provoking.
"Enough," ng Qingzhou waved his hand. Even a fool could hear the tension between the two won, so he said, "I'm a live-in son-in-law with no authority at ho. You can co 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 ta a man who executed a noble on his first day in office?
"Master..." Su Qingqiu wanted to protest.
"No worries," ng Qingzhou said indifferently.
Suddenly.
A weak, agonized scream reached them, accompanied by the cheers of the crowd.
ng 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?" ng 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."
ng 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 an three days and nights of excruciating torture.
"Qingqiu, let's go," ng 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 ng Qingzhou, couldn't help but look at Su Qingqiu when she heard the na '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 ng Qin?
Soon.
ng 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 al," ng 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?!"
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