The Treacherous Minister Who Helps the People 9

Zhao Baiyue desired to eliminate Censor Li, but as a concubine, she couldn’t simply have him killed without reason.

This matter required the assistance of Shen Qi.

Thus, she secretly summoned Shen Qi once again, her countenance even more unpleasant than their previous encounter.

“What is happening with Zhou Ce?” she inquired. “Niangniang, there’s nothing I can do with this matter,” Shen Qi sighed with feigned sympathy.

“The embezzlement amount was simply too substantial. If I continue to protect Zhou Ce, I won’t be able to justify it to the Emperor.”

“Why didn’t you promote Zhou Ce to the position of Assistant Minister of Revenue earlier then?” Zhao Baiyue questioned, displeased.

“Niangniang, Zhou Ce cannot be promoted without any valid reason. I have been trying to find achievements for him during this period, but unfortunately…”

Shen Qi’s face was filled with sorrow and frustration. Observing Shen Qi’s distressed expression, Zhao Baiyue couldn’t help but grit her teeth in frustration. How should this matter be approached?

Could it be blamed on Shen Qi?

No, it couldn’t! It could only be said that Zhou Ce had the worst luck and fell into the hands of those Imperial Censors!

“Enough, find a way to deal with that Censor Li. I don’t want to see him anymore,” Zhao Baiyue commanded.

“In history, there has never been a precedent of killing an Imperial Censor,”

Shen Qi furrowed her brows, but upon seeing Zhao Baiyue’s sinister expression, she continued, “However, I can have Censor Li dismissed from his position.”

Only after careful consideration did Zhao Baiyue nod. After uttering a few ambiguous threats, she had her maid escort Shen Qi out of the palace.

As the two walked along the corridor, Shen Qi suddenly slowed her pace. “I heard that Miss Qiu Hua is a maid brought into the palace by Niangniang, and you have been serving her for at least ten years. I assume she must have gained Niangniang’s trust?”

Qiu Hua smiled lightly, “I am merely fortunate to have gained Niangniang’s favor.”

Shen Qi paused, leaning closer to Qiu Hua’s ear, and whispered softly, “The Empress…”

Qiu Hua first expressed astonishment, then stared at Shen Qi in horror. “What are you saying, Minster Shen? The Empress has been ill for many years. How could she have any connection with me or Niangniang?”

How did Minster Shen come to know about her poisoning the Empress and the Crown Prince so discreetly?

“If I dare to speak, it means I have evidence,” Shen Qi gazed steadily at Qiu Hua, taking out a jade pendant from her hand.

Her tone turned gentle as she spoke, “I heard that Miss Qiu Hua has parents and a younger brother living outside the palace. It seems her brother, at the age of fifteen, has already achieved the title of a scholar. I had the pleasure of meeting him twice, and he appeared to be a promising talent, a pride of your family. However, it seems that he was kidnapped by bandits during his recent journey for further studies.”

Qiu Hua’s body trembled, unable to believe her eyes. The jade pendant was the item she had sent back home to her brother a few days ago! “By the way, I heard that Miss Qiu Hua also has a fiancé who recently passed the imperial examination. They were kidnapped together and their whereabouts remain unknown. It seems their lives are in grave danger. It’s truly a pity… Our Da Liang might lose two outstanding talents,” Shen Qi lamented, seemingly sincere.

Qiu Hua’s face turned pale with fear. Her brother was the pillar of their family, and her fiancé had never taken another wife for her sake, enduring countless ridicule.

These two individuals were the most important to her.

And now, Shen Qi held them both in her grasp, subjecting them to unimaginable torment! Qiu Hua’s throat felt dry as she pleaded, “What… What do you want? Please, don’t harm them. If there’s anything, come to me!”

“Look at what you’re saying, Miss Qiu Hua. You are the most trusted assistant in Niangniang. I still need to rely on your assistance. How could I do anything to you?” Shen Qi smiled lightly, appearing to be a noble and upright gentleman.

However, in Qiu Hua’s eyes, she resembled a demon. Qiu Hua’s entire body trembled slightly. “Minster Shen, please. My brother and fiancé are innocent. They… Please release them.”

“I promise, I absolutely won’t harm the Empress or the Crown Prince anymore,” Qiu Hua pleaded, almost kneeling before Shen Qi.

She was about to leave the palace and get married. At this critical moment, her brother and fiancé must not encounter any trouble! Shen Qi gently held her hand, using a handkerchief to wipe away the tears at the corner of her eyes. “Miss Qiu Hua, don’t cry.”

“Minster Shen.”

“Protect the Empress and the Crown Prince within the palace. If anything happens to them, I will hold you and your family responsible, do you understand?” Shen Qi said calmly.

“I understand, Minster!”

Shen Qi leaned in closer and whispered, “The Elegant Consort, in collusion with iron cavalry of the grasslands, intends to disrupt the court, poison the Emperor, and ultimately cause his demise, do you comprehend?”

Qiu Hua immediately collapsed to the ground. Minster Shen wanted her to transfer the poison meant for the Empress and the Crown Prince to the Emperor.

How could she dare to comply?

Wasn’t this a death sentence for Elegant Consort?

“Do you really think Elegant Consort can control me forever? If you obediently follow my instructions, I will ensure your safe departure from the palace with rewards. Otherwise…”

Shen Qi’s fingertip slowly pressed against Qiu Hua’s neck. “I am known for my tenderness towards beauty. If you listen to these words, I may spare your life. However, your eyes will be gouged out, your tongue severed, and all ten of your fingers will be cut off before you are allowed to leave the palace. How does that sound?”

Qiu Hua, drenched in cold sweat, trembled and couldn’t utter a word. “Have you made up your mind?”

“I, I am willing to serve you with unwavering loyalty, Minster!” Qiu Hua had always been sensible, and now the fate of the people she cared about rested in Shen Qi’s hands.

Every action she took was a matter of life and death.

She was loyal. But loyalty alone was not enough when it came to the lives of her loved ones.

“I truly appreciate your astuteness.”

Shen Qi’s lips curled into a smile of approval before he added, “There is no need for you to accompany me any further. Control your expressions, lest Elegant Consort notices anything…”

Qiu Hua immediately lowered her head. “I promise, I won’t utter a single word to Elegant Consort.”

With that, Shen Qi turned and left. There were still two or three years before the iron cavalry of the grasslands invaded the capital.

By then, the Emperor, weakened by his failing health, would conveniently pass away on the eve of their arrival.

She was merely advancing the timeline a little. It shouldn’t be a big problem, right? As for saving the Emperor’s life…

A dead Emperor held value, while a living one was nothing but a waste.

Moreover, the Emperor had already been ensnared by Zhao Baiyue’s system, impossible to retrieve. It was better for him to die!

Shen Qi’s eyes narrowed slightly, and her figure appeared cold under the sunlight.

As she walked out of the palace gates, she suddenly stopped and took two steps back. On the street, at a stall, she spotted an official who seemed very familiar to her, stuffing dumplings into his mouth.

“Censor Li, what a coincidence.”

Coincidence? Censor Li didn’t think so. He had clearly seen Shen Qi pass by just now, and now she deliberately turned back.

Wasn’t it because he had accused her earlier in the morning, and she had come to trouble him?

“Hmph!”

Censor Li moved his bowl to the side, distancing himself.

He refused to associate with someone as treacherous as Shen Qi!

Shen Qi raised her hand and touched the tip of her nose, then ordered a bowl of dumplings.

“I didn’t expect Censor Li to like it too. Their dumplings were indeed delicious.”

Forced to respond, Censor Li could only offer a fake smile. “Yes, indeed.”