Power ministers always make things difficult for me

Chapter 169, The High Priest of the Western Regions
Jinjiang, restaurant.

In the most luxurious room, Duan Qianjun had prepared the most extravagant food and wine. He sat opposite Shang Wan, and the elegant and melodious music was completely different from Duan Qianjun's usual extravagant style. The room was decorated entirely according to Shang Wan's preferences.

Before coming to Jinjiang, he never expected to meet this person. Shang Wan's appearance was truly unexpected.

However, she was still a Cangqi person, and even though she held a position of great power in Cangqi, she could not act against his wishes in Jinjiang.

Shang Wan took a sip of tea, turned her gaze to Duan Qianjun, who exuded a sinister aura, and asked with interest, "I heard that Jiang Mingcang recently ascended the throne. As far as I know, when he was still the crown prince, he was a diligent and benevolent gentleman. Now that he has become emperor, a minister like you, full of evil intentions, should not only be dismissed from his post, but also suffer greatly."

"With the Jinjiang River flooded, why would he send you here?"

She had been curious about this matter ever since she entered Jinjiang and heard about Duan Qianjun.

Even if Jiang Mingcang can tolerate Duan Qianjun, can his teacher do the same?
That imperial advisor always puts the interests of the Great Sheng Dynasty first.

Duan Qianjun toyed with his wine cup, not answering Shang Wan's question: "I advise the princess to refrain from interfering in the affairs of the Great Sheng Dynasty. Instead, tell me, who exactly is the princess looking for after traveling all this way to Great Sheng? That way, I can get started on the matter."

Shang Wan raised an eyebrow. Was he on guard against her?

Oh well, she had no interest in the messy affairs of Dasheng anyway. She came here just to find Yun Zhichen.

"The Left Prime Minister has been in Jinjiang for some time now. I wonder if you have heard anyone mention Yun Zhichen here?"

Duan Qianjun raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised: "Wasn't the former Director of the Imperial Observatory of Cangqi already retired to the forest? Why are you looking for someone in my Great Sheng?"

She, Shang Wan, wields immense power in Cangqi. Even Shang Wan can't find him, so what makes him think he can?
Yun Zhichen has an air of wickedness about him. If he doesn't want anyone to find him, even if you cause a huge uproar, there's probably nothing anyone can do.

But...aren't these two master and apprentice? Why are they playing cat and mouse?
"You don't need to worry about that. Just help me find him. If you find Yun Zhichen's whereabouts, I will owe you a favor."

Favor?

Duan Qianjun said meaningfully, "Princess Qinzheng's favors are extremely valuable. Is Yun Zhichen really worth such a big bet from the princess?"

Thinking of Yun Zhichen, Shang Wan narrowed her eyes, a hint of danger in them.

"I must find him."

"Very well." Duan Qianjun stood up and raised his hand to toast Shang Wan: "Since the princess has said so, then I cannot let the princess lose everything, can I? In a few days, I will definitely give the princess an explanation."

"Then I will trouble the Left Prime Minister."

In the time that followed, the two were preoccupied with their own thoughts. After Shang Wan finished eating and returned to her bedroom, Duan Qianjun's apologetic smile gradually turned cold.

He tapped the table in front of him thoughtfully and called softly, "Qinglan."

The next second, a dignified girl in purple walked in from outside the door and nodded slightly to Duan Qianjun: "My lord."

This was his personal physician, but he also served other purposes besides practicing medicine.

Duan Qianjun stood up and slowly paced around Qinglan a few times, looking her up and down. Then he pressed her down into the exquisite pear wood chair, pinched her face from behind, and looked her up into the bronze mirror: "The feng shui of Dasheng is indeed good for people. You've only been here for a few years, but your face has become more and more delicate."

"I didn't mean to wrong you, Qinglan, but you'll help me, won't you?"

Qinglan lowered her eyes slightly, revealing neither joy nor anger. She simply pursed her lips and remained silent for a long time.

Duan Qianjun wasn't in a hurry to urge her. He observed her flawless face with great interest, and finally met Qinglan's gaze in the bronze mirror.

After a long time, Qinglan finally gave in.

“Once we finish this, we can go back to the Western Regions, right?” she suddenly asked. Duan Qianjun was stunned for a moment. The woman in the bronze mirror before him had tears welling up in her eyes.

"Qinglan, don't cry." Duan Qianjun's eyes darkened. He rested his chin on her shoulder and whispered comforting words in her ear: "This road is about to come to an end."

"I promise you, we will definitely get home."

Just one step left.

He knew that Pei Qi would stop him from coming to Jinjiang, and he also knew that Jiang Mingcang was only cooperating with him for the sake of the Gu soldiers, and might even kill him after the mother Gu was completed, but he didn't care about any of that.

After news of the Empress Dowager's death reached the capital, he knew that every step he took from here on would be a trap. Rather than waiting for an opportunity to die, he decided to take a gamble by taking advantage of the variable that was Jiang Mingcang.

If they win, the Western Regions will no longer be subject to others; if they lose…

I believe there will be another person who will replace him and spare no expense for the Western Regions.

Qinglan felt a stinging sensation in her nose, closed her eyes tightly, and swallowed back the tears that were about to fall.

She wanted to ask something more, but in the end she only answered with one word.

"it is good."

"I will find Yun Zhichen."

Only after hearing her answer did Duan Qianjun straighten up with satisfaction.

The attendant handed him a bronze mask with intricate and exquisite patterns, symbolizing his identity as the High Priest of the Western Regions.

He placed the mask on the table in front of Qinglan and said, "After the Ten Thousand Gu Return to the Nest, you should wear this."

Duan Qianjun left the mask with her and left decisively, but Qinglan still choked up and replied with a "yes".

She slowly touched the bronze mask, her heart turning completely cold.

The "Return of Ten Thousand Gu" technique is a Gu art that only the High Priest of the Western Regions is qualified to practice. She was raised according to the standards of a High Priest from a young age, but it wasn't until she actually sat in the position of High Priest that she realized that this mask would be a lifelong constraint for her.

The Return of Ten Thousand Gu to the Nest is a supreme skill that the High Priestess of the Western Regions can only use by expending her vital energy to control the Gu. After each Return of Ten Thousand Gu to the Nest, her face would become ferocious and ulcerated due to the depletion of her vital energy. She could only recover little by little by relying on the secret medicine behind this mask to nourish her.

Therefore, the High Priest of the Western Regions could never get rid of this disgusting mask in his entire life.

As far as the Western Regions were concerned, Duan Qianjun was a good leader. He had seen her terrifying appearance after the Ten Thousand Gu Return to the Nest technique was used. Perhaps out of pity, after Duan Qianjun succeeded as the leader of the Western Regions, he never let her use the Ten Thousand Gu Return to the Nest technique again.

It also allowed her to briefly leave the mask behind.

Perhaps the leader had no other choice but to make her do this today.

So be it, isn't it all for the sake of the Western Regions?

The sins committed by the people of the Central Plains should be borne by them.

Qinglan wiped away her tears, hugged her mask, and stood up, her eyes now filled with icy coldness.

When she left the Western Regions, she had long been prepared for this day, but it came so late that she thought...

It will never come.