The Treacherous Minister Who Helps the People 7

Although Shen Qi didn’t know what Grand Preceptor Shen had done, she had a sense of it as she noticed his frequent meetings with friends.

Especially during the grand court assembly, those upright courtiers, despite appearing indifferent towards her, seemed to carry a gentle radiance in their eyes.

Contemplating this, Shen Qi couldn’t help but sigh, “Indeed, having a reliable ally is truly advantageous!” With that in mind, she glanced at Gu Qing.

Gu Qing had been recuperating from his injuries and had not ceased to criticize her, his mouth never resting.

“Come, soothe your throat,”

Shen Qi calmly handed him a cup of tea, “Have you not scolded enough?”

Snap! Gu Qing coldly snorted and slammed the teacup onto the ground. In the past few days, he had already shattered seven or eight teacups in the Minster Residence.

Shen Qi’s expression suddenly changed, and she smirked coldly, “Gu Qing, have I been too lenient with you?”

Her sudden anger made the servants of the Mingtang Residence tremble, kneeling on the ground without daring to utter a word.

“Then go ahead and do something else,” Gu Qing remained unfazed, even raising an eyebrow in provocation. Deep down, he was somewhat puzzled. No matter how much he scolded Shen Qi, she never got angry.

But today, he merely smashed one teacup, and she flared up?

Could it be that she had suffered some grievances outside and came back to vent on him? Who could make Shen Qi feel wronged?

As he pondered, Shen Qi dragged him into the room.

To prevent Gu Qing from escaping, Shen Qi had ordered that their meals be laced with a muscle-relaxing powder for the past two days.

So, although he could scold with full vigor, he was no match for Shen Qi when it came to physical confrontation.

Being forcefully dragged into the room, the passing servants could faintly see Gu Qing being thrown onto the bed by Shen Qi.

Then, the room door closed, followed by a series of clattering sounds from inside.

Before long, news of Gu Qing being forcibly violated by Shen Qi spread throughout the capital city.

As expected, Shen Qi was heavily criticized, and despised by both the common people and courtiers. However, due to her influence, her name was replaced with ‘that person’ whenever mentioned.

But the truth was, Shen Qi had only smashed a set of tea utensils, and her anger gradually dissipated. Gu Qing couldn’t fathom her intentions and half-lay on the bed, observing her with a scrutinizing gaze.

Shen Qi glanced at him and teased, “What? Are you attracted to me?”

She deliberately approached Gu Qing, tightly gripping his wrist and kneeling on his leg. “General Gu, you were born with such a handsome appearance. It’s a pity that you wasted so many years on the border.”

Gu Qing stared deeply into her eyes. Initially, he was repulsed by Shen Qi’s thoughts about him, but now he realized that despite her constant flirtatious remarks, she hadn’t made a single move towards him.

Gu Qing couldn’t help but suspect Shen Qi’s intentions. Shen Qi curled her lips, her fingertips gently caressing Gu Qing’s delicate brows and eyes, detecting a hint of certainty in his gaze.

Tsk, another clever person.

Shen Qi released him and calmly said, “You are not suitable to appear in public anymore. These days, just stay quietly in the Mingtang Residence. General Gu, don’t even think about escaping. This courtyard is more secure than a prison.”

After speaking, she no longer paid attention to Gu Qing, instead picking up a book and leisurely sitting on a chair, flipping through its pages.

As night fell, Gu Qing saw Shen Qi rise and lowered his voice to ask, “What exactly do you want to do?”

Shen Qi did not respond but deliberately disheveled her clothes. Slowly and leisurely, she walked out, saying, “Qi Liang, take good care of General Gu.”

Her tone was as clear as ever, seemingly tinged with a hint of satisfaction, especially the word “take care,” which was pronounced with a touch of ambiguity.

Gu Qing heard everything clearly from inside and furrowed his brows even tighter. Shen Qi was doing this on purpose, intentionally making people think that something had happened between them.

What was she up to?

Curiosity surged within Gu Qing, but when Qi Liang entered the room, he immediately put on a cold expression and began cursing, cooperating with Shen Qi to continue this act.

In the middle of the night, Gu Qing was awakened by a faint sound. Seeing someone reaching towards the edge of his bed, he couldn’t help but feel astonished.

Before he could even speak, the visitor couldn’t hold back his tears any longer. “Master, my master, you have suffered! How could Shen Qi, how could he treat you like this~”

As he spoke, tears streamed down his face, leaving Gu Qing speechless. “I’m fine.”

Gu Qing took a deep breath. “Gu Yan, how did you get in?”

Didn’t Shen Qi say that the security here was tight?

Gu Yan, who had been raised by the Gu family since childhood and placed by Gu Qing’s side, was highly trusted by him.

Gu Yan hesitated. “There was no one guarding the courtyard, so I just came indirectly.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of powerful footsteps echoed at the door.

Gu Qing: …

Gu Yan: …

The timing of this guard’s arrival couldn’t be worse! “Never mind.”

Gu Qing weakly sat up, supported by the headboard.

It seemed that Shen Qi deliberately let Gu Yan in.

Seeing Gu Qing’s condition, Gu Yan thought he had been mistreated, and tears flowed down his cheeks. “Master, how could Shen Qi humiliate you like this? I will go and kill him!”

“Don’t.” Gu Qing quickly stopped him. “I want you to stay by his side undercover and see what he has been up to lately.”

Gu Yan pursed his lips. “I will take care of you.”

“No need, you should go and keep an eye on Shen Qi first. I suspect that…”

Gu Qing’s words were unfinished, and Gu Yan couldn’t understand what he was suspected of, but he obediently nodded.

Gu Qing lightly rubbed his fingertips together. Shen Qi’s behavior was too unusual, and he had to think more.

Perhaps Shen Qi didn’t truly ‘like’ him, but needed an excuse to protect him.

Why would Shen Qi, who had been at odds with him for many years, protect him? For the greater good?

“Oh, by the way, Master, Zhao Song has been sent to the North Frontier General. The General will surely torment Zhao Song and help you vent your anger.”

Gu Yan whispered again, “I heard it was Shen Qi’s suggestion. I suspect they are colluding and have ulterior motives, maybe even plotting against the Northern Army.” Gu Qing raised an eyebrow. “When was this?”

“About five or six days ago.”

Gu Qing calculated briefly. Wasn’t that the day Zhao Song came to cause trouble for him? And Shen Qi took care of him that day?

No wonder Zhao Song hadn’t come to bother him these past few days. “Has anything significant happened recently?”

Gu Qing asked again. Gu Yan shook his head with a troubled expression.

He wasn’t really aware of the events happening in the court.

Lately, he had been solely focused on finding a way to rescue Gu Qing.

Little did he know that before he could even enter, he heard the dreadful news of Shen Qi defiling Gu Qing, which made him disregard everything and rush into the Ministry of Personnel.

But he didn’t expect Gu Qing to refuse to leave.

Sigh~

Gu Yan felt that it was too difficult for him!

However, Gu Qing had no time to comfort him.

He simply narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing at the figures moving outside the window, and whispered, “What role are you playing in the court? Are you deceitful or loyal, good or evil, pure or greedy?”

Suddenly, Gu Qing felt an intense curiosity towards Shen Qi.