Chapter 13: The Treacherous Minister Who Helps the People 13
Shen Qi caressed her chin, looking at Gu Qing’s scolding yet softening expression, and couldn’t help but marvel.
Could it be that men couldn’t resist sweet words and flattery like this?
“What nonsense? General Gu, aren’t you my precious darling now? I, well, I wish to be in General Gu’s room every day…”
Gu Qing quickly reached out to cover Shen Qi’s mouth, disapprovingly saying, “You shouldn’t speak so wantonly!”
He knew that Shen Qi was referring to the rumors circulating outside.
Shen Qi did indeed visit Mingtang Residence every day, but she only played chess, drank tea, and discussed court affairs with him.
However, when these things spread outside, he, Gu Qing, was portrayed as a seductive man!
Especially when he thought about the vulgar words brought back by Gu Yan, Gu Qing’s heart skipped a beat.
Shen Qi simply smiled without saying a word.
Gu Qing then realized that he had overreacted and quickly released his hand, pretending to be serious. “The moonlight tonight is quite beautiful.”
“Yes, it is. Shall I play a tune for you?”
Shen Qi gracefully emerged from the room, cradling a long zither in her arms. Her slender and delicate fingers delicately plucked the strings, and as she lowered her head, an unfamiliar tenderness enveloped Gu Qing’s senses.
Her eyes, brimming with a smile, wove a captivating gaze, akin to the gentle moonlight’s soft radiance.
Gu Qing couldn’t help but be entranced.
He had always known Shen Qi was beautiful, like a peony in full bloom.
In the past, he had often scolded her for being too girlish. But today, as this flower reached its most vibrant state, she truly appeared astonishingly beautiful!
Shen Qi discreetly glanced at Gu Qing, her gaze gradually shifting from his face to his lower abdomen. It seemed that this man’s appearance suited her taste quite well.
However, the two of them remained silent, until Shen Qi finished playing her melody and retreated back into the room, still cradling the zither.
Observing her reluctance to come out again, Gu Qing was taken aback. “Aren’t you leaving tonight?”
“Where would I go?”
Shen Qi casually glanced outside the window. “The people from Kachar might be watching us.”
So, they had to continue their play for a while longer!
In an instant, Gu Qing understood the hidden meaning behind her words. But as he looked at Shen Qi, who had already settled herself properly on the bed, he felt a sense of confusion wash over him.
“Well, I’ll sleep on the couch.”
He was physically strong, while Shen Qi seemed delicate. It would be better for him to make do with the couch.
Shen Qi had no objections.
However, as soon as Gu Qing finished speaking, his ears twitched, and he changed direction, walking towards the bed instead of the couch. Leaning close to Shen Qi’s ear, he whispered, “Someone is on the roof.”
A glimmer flashed in Shen Qi’s eyes. “Kachar’s people.”
“Most likely.”
“They seem quite impatient.”
Shen Qi chuckled, swiftly flipping over and pressing Gu Qing beneath her. With deliberate ease, she unfastened his clothes. “Behave well, and stop causing trouble.”
She was too close, and Gu Qing could even catch a faint fragrance emanating from her. As he gazed at her face, so close to his own, he couldn’t help but feel a bit dazed.
“General Gu, show some reaction.”
Shen Qi pinched his earlobe, her knees pressing against his firm abdomen.
Reaction? What kind of reaction?
Gu Qing blinked in confusion, but Shen Qi took the opportunity to give his waist a firm squeeze.
Gu Qing couldn’t help but let out a muffled groan, and at that moment, he realized what he should do.
Gripping the bedpost tightly, with a strong force, the entire bed moved. Shen Qi let out two delicate moans in Gu Qing’s ear, causing his ears to turn red. After a long while, the person on the ceiling quietly departed.
“They left,” Gu Qing hastily said.
Shen Qi chuckled softly and wiped the sweat off his forehead with her sleeve. “Tomorrow, that Kachar Prince will probably come to see you.”
How impatient he was!
Gu Qing nodded slightly. “Continue giving me the soften-muscle medicine tomorrow.”
Since they were acting, they had to make sure that no one could see through their intentions. Otherwise, all their previous arrangements would be in vain.
“I will,” Shen Qi adjusted her clothes.
“Then, I’ll go first.”
She left swiftly, instructing someone outside the door to bring hot water into the room. Gu Qing sat up, watching her figure disappear.
He looked at the bruises on his waist, caused by Shen Qi’s grip, and the red marks on his chest.
He couldn’t help but feel an indescribable sensation in his heart.
Nothing had actually happened, but something felt off. While Gu Qing was pondering with a furrowed brow, Gu Yan silently entered through the window.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked at Gu Qing.
“Master.”
That damned Shen Qi, how dare she humiliate their master! Gu Qing quickly raised his hand. “Alright, tell me, where did she go?”
“To the embassy. I saw her enter Prince Kachar’s room.” Gu Yan said.
Indeed, it was someone from Kachar! For the moment, Gu Qing couldn’t care less about his previous sentimental thoughts.
He lightly tapped his knee a few times with his fingertips and continued, “The Kachar delegation is only arriving in the capital this afternoon, yet they will be able to investigate the situation at the Minster Residence tonight. Someone must have informed them in advance!”
Who was this person? What was his purpose?
Gu Qing narrowed his eyes slightly. “What has Shen Qi been up to recently?”
“He has joined forces with the palace’s favored concubine and has been purging corrupt officials. Furthermore, I have discovered that Shen Qi has been exchanging letters with the Grand Preceptor Shen,” Gu Yan reported.
“So, you mean the Grand Preceptor Shen has been cooperating with Shen Qi all along?”
“Yes,” Gu Yan nodded lightly. “Shen Qi has also been in contact with the Commander of the Capital recently. Master, do you think the Shen family might be planning a rebellion?”
“They wouldn’t,” Gu Qing instinctively denied. He used to think that Shen Qi was someone who flaunted their power, but after getting to know her, he realized that she wasn’t particularly concerned about power.
Besides, there was the Grand Preceptor Shen. The Grand Preceptor Shen, was a veteran of three dynasties, a pillar of the clean faction, and a man with great pride.
If Shen Qi really intended to rebel, the Grand Preceptor Shen would be the first to eliminate her for the sake of righteousness.
“You mentioned that Shen Qi is instructing the Crown Prince?”
“Yes.”
Upon further contemplation, the Emperor was gradually becoming dull-witted due to his indulgence, and Shen Qi’s actions over the years.
A terrifying thought suddenly arose in Gu Qing’s mind — Shen Qi intends to support the five-year-old Crown Prince to the throne!
Realizing this, Gu Qing couldn’t help but gasp in astonishment, “She is incredibly audacious!”
He believed that Grand Preceptor Shen and Shen Qi might genuinely have the best interests of Da Liang at heart and not harbor any ambitious desires.
But what about the Crown Prince?
With a young Crown Prince ascending the throne, Shen Qi would undoubtedly hold the reins of power. As the Crown Prince grows older, conflicts between the two are bound to arise.
Looking back at the history of influential courtiers, how many of them have peacefully lived out their days?
Weren’t they all beheaded by the Emperor?
The more Gu Qing pondered, the more solemn his expression became. After a long pause, he finally wrote a letter and handed it to Gu Yan, saying, “Go find Qiao Qingyun.”
While Gu Qing worried about Shen Qi’s future, Shen Qi, on the other hand, had a pleasant dream that night and even felt that the envoy from Kachar had arrived at the perfect time.
If only they could come again, it would be even better!
Although she might not necessarily have any romantic involvement with Gu Qing, she couldn’t deny that she was indeed attracted to him. While he was still in her residence, why not take advantage of the situation?
Upon Shen Qi’s return from court, she learned that the Prince Kachar had sent her two large chests filled with gold, silver, and precious jewels.
The chests were placed in her room, and upon opening them, the dazzling golden light nearly blinded her.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone