What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 247 The Empress finally revealed her identity!
Su Mo stared in disbelief at the system interface that suddenly popped up on his screen.

There was no notification when Lin Moyin's favorability rating exceeded 50%.

90% of the rewards are only for newcomers!
The Empress is only 50% complete, and she's already here?

After reading the system prompt, Su Mo subconsciously swallowed, his expression suddenly turning strange.

[Hint! The target's affinity level has reached 50%!]

Congratulations! You have acquired a 600-ton ancient warship and a set of warship blueprints. You can collect them at Shenluo Bay in Wanghai County within six months. (To be claimed)

The reward was a 600-ton warship and its blueprints?
In this era, a 600-ton warship was absolutely a behemoth.

Historically, Spanish galleons were between 150 and 600 tons!

Su Mo originally planned to build a large ship to go to sea.

But when Zhang Xuzu and his men were asked to find the boatman, they still couldn't get any information.

Moreover, since the capital city is not located by the sea, it is not easy to find a suitable place to build a shipyard. If it were located in a coastal prefecture, Su Mo would be overwhelmed with the task.

The great river of Gufeng Mountain flows into the Luo River, and then directly into the sea.

Whether it's the Gufeng Mountain River or the Luo River, the water is extremely deep. Theoretically, as long as the river conditions are thoroughly explored, it wouldn't be impossible to build a ship on Gufeng Mountain.

However, it is now the dead of winter and the river is frozen, so there is no way to explore the riverbed.

Su Mo had tried drawing blueprints for ships, but when he actually started drawing, he realized that the difficulty far exceeded that of drawing waterwheels or bicycles.

Lacking sufficient knowledge of shipbuilding, it's really difficult to reconstruct ocean-going ship blueprints based solely on memories of some blueprints I've seen online.

Unexpectedly, the system suddenly rewarded me with a 600-ton warship, along with a set of warship blueprints!
Su Mo was both amused and exasperated.

Just as I made a major breakthrough in conquering the Empress, the system rewarded me with a sea ship.

Is this telling myself that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger, and I must be ready to run away and go to sea at any time?

Su Mo then looked at the collection address.

Shenluo Bay in Wanghai County.

The method for receiving the sweet potatoes is the same as last time.

Su Mo from Wanghai County does know about it.

It is more than 500 li away from Shenjing. On the way back to Taihe County, follow the Luo River until you reach its mouth.

Su Mo of Shenluowan is nowhere to be found.

Su Mo is experienced now.

If I can get to Wanghai County and find Shenluo Bay within six months, I will have a 90% chance of finding a warship, which may even be a stranded warship.

There's plenty of time, so there's no rush to collect the warship rewards.

Perhaps in three to five months, when the weather warms up and the river thaws, the warships can be sailed directly back to Shenjing or even the fiefdom of Gufeng Mountain.

The Empress was also a little stunned as she looked at Su Mo, who had a calm expression.

Her pretty face revealed a complicated expression.

Even with a hint of hesitation and trepidation.

Su Langjun truly treated me well; he even thought of me when making paper, naming the paper "Lengsu Paper".

Upon returning to Beijing, he came to visit me as soon as possible.

Even if he had some selfish motives, he would frankly tell himself, but he... had always concealed his identity as the emperor.

You treat me with sincerity, but I deceive you in return.

What if Su Mo learns of my identity in the future and becomes distant...

Should I be honest with Su Mo?
The more the empress thought about it, the more conflicted she became.

She really enjoyed being with Su Mo.

Everyone else treated her with awe because she was the ruler, but Su Mo alone treated her as a close friend.

What if, once the young master learns of my true identity, he treats me with respect but not affection, just like everyone else...?

Su Mo had just snapped out of her daze from looking at the system panel.

He noticed that the Empress was looking at him with a complicated expression, as if she had something on her mind and was hesitant to speak.

I was taken aback.

Normally, if I were to give the Empress a peerless weapon to deal with powerful clans, she would be overjoyed, given her ambition.

Why is it that they've adopted this attitude?

Su Mo carefully reviewed her words again.

It seems fine.

Movable type printing, combined with cold-pressed Suzhou paper and the military power under the Empress's control, could indeed deliver a fatal blow to the powerful clans, completely striking at their core!

He hesitated for a moment: "Uh... sir, what's wrong?"

The Empress was also a decisive person. She gritted her teeth slightly, looked directly at Su Mo, and said softly, "If I have lied to you, my lord, would you forgive me?"

Su Mo's expression immediately changed.

What does this mean?
Could it be... that I should confront myself?
Su Mo considered many possibilities.

For example, accidentally encountering the Empress and her ministers meeting.

Or perhaps the Empress suddenly summons him, and he finds her to be cold and aloof; he would need to show some kind of shock to make it appropriate.

But I never imagined that the Empress would, under such circumstances, reveal her identity to me without warning, just like the system that's acting crazy.

It completely deviates from the typical plot of the novel!

There should be a lot of build-up before a twist, making it seem more convoluted and surprising!

For a moment, Su Mo really didn't know how to deal with it.

After hesitating for a moment, Su Mo smiled wryly and said, "If you have something to hide from me, my lord, you must have your reasons and difficulties. How could I possibly blame you!"

The Empress gently nodded her head, her lips slightly parted: "My name is not Leng Xixi!"

She paused slightly: "I am Leng Liuxi, the Emperor of the Great Wu!"

Su Mo...

What kind of shock should I show? Or should I immediately kneel down and prostrate myself?
Where is my third uncle?

Come and teach me!

urgent!
Seeing Su Mo's astonished expression, the Empress suddenly covered her mouth and laughed: "Is Su Lang quite shocked?"

"I never imagined that I was the Emperor of the Great Wu?"

When Su Mo saw the Empress reveal her identity and address him as Su Lang, he breathed a slight sigh of relief and said with a wry smile, "No wonder you were able to promote me when you asked me to!"

"Should this humble subject kneel down and pay homage to Your Majesty now?"

He paused, then added, "Your Majesty, I truly have no experience in paying homage to Your Majesty!"

The Empress was instantly amused by Su Mo, and her heart, which had been pounding with anxiety, was finally at ease. She chuckled and said, "Never mind!"

"Since we are alone, I will excuse you from the kneeling ceremony."

He paused, then added, "If there are other ministers present, Your Highness should still pay homage to me."

Su Mo stared intently at the Empress, then blinked: "I truly did not expect that Your Majesty is actually the Great Martial Saint."

"I was disrespectful to Your Majesty in the past. Will Your Majesty punish me for it?"

Leng Liuxi's pretty face hardened as she said, "Hmph! You've been bullying me all this time, are you scared now?"

Seeing that Su Mo seemed somewhat frightened, Leng Liuxi quickly added, "Well... I forgive you!"

Su Mo blinked quickly: "Really?"

Leng Liuxi was furious: "My words are law, how could I lie to you!"

Su Mo thought to herself, this isn't the first time she's lied to herself!
But I certainly wouldn't dare say it.

After a moment's hesitation, he continued, "From now on, I will certainly treat Your Majesty with the respect due to a subject, remain loyal and devoted, and do my utmost to serve Your Majesty!"

"No!" the Empress blurted out.

Su Mo stared at the Empress in astonishment: "Is it not allowed?"

"Then how should I treat Your Majesty?"

Leng Liuxi thought for a moment: "What happened before will continue to happen in the future!"

"Uh... it's still best not to be rude when others are around!"

Su Mo replied, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

The Empress snorted, seemingly displeased: "As I just said, when no one is around, my husband and I will act as before!"

"I am not happy now!"

"I will punish you!"

Su Mo was dumbfounded: "Punish me? I was just fined half a year's salary, and you want to punish me again?"

Leng Liuxi rolled her eyes at Su Mo: "You think I don't know? Would my lord even care about that meager salary from the imperial court?"

"I'll punish you... tonight, you must stay with me... yes, you must guard me while I sleep!"

She paused, fearing Su Mo might misunderstand, and quickly added, "I haven't had a good night's sleep for quite some time!"

Su Mo was speechless.

It turns out that the Empress also knew how harsh she was to her court officials; the salaries of officials in the Great Wu were almost the same as those given to beggars.

He said with a bitter face, "I understand!" "I'll go and sleep with you now, sir..."

Su Mo stared intently at the Empress: "Still on the bed in the back palace?"

The empress's pretty face flushed red instantly. Too lazy to pay attention to this scoundrel, she turned around and walked into the back of the hall with her skirt fluttering lightly!
Su Mo sighed inwardly.

Although he had known the Empress's identity for a long time, he pretended not to know until the Empress revealed it herself. Now that the Empress had taken the initiative to come out, he could no longer pretend not to know.

What else can you do?

Go sleep with someone!
Despite the Empress revealing her identity, she seemed no different from before.

Turning around the screen, the gauze curtains had already fallen, with only a section of jade-like, slender hand peeking out from behind them.

Su Mo strode over, sat on the brocade stool, hesitated for a moment, and then reached out to grasp the Empress's soft hand.

The empress seemed to tremble slightly.

Then there was no further movement.

After a cup of tea, a slightly heavier breathing reached Su Mo's ears.

The Empress had already fallen asleep.

Bored, Su Mo forced himself to stay awake for a while. Seeing that the Empress seemed to be sleeping soundly, he simply lay down on the edge of the spring bed and fell asleep without realizing it!
The gong sounds at midnight.

The sleeping empress twitched her eyelids slightly, then opened her phoenix eyes.

Seeing that his hand was still being held by Su Mo, he lay down on the edge of the bed with his hand as a pillow, just like last time.

The Empress's lips curved slightly, revealing a smile.

With his other hand, he brushed Su Mo's neck.

Repeat the old trick.

Her pretty face suddenly showed a slight surprise.

Su Mo's self-protective magic seemed to have increased significantly, and the resistance on the side of her neck nearly doubled.

However, the Empress didn't pay too much attention to it.

It is estimated that Su Lang's cultivation and magical power have improved again during this period.

With a slight increase in magical power, Su Mo's five senses were sealed.

Only then did she withdraw her hand.

With a flick of her sleeve, Su Mo landed on the bed.

She personally covered Su Mo with the brocade quilt, and Leng Liuxi's pretty face instantly turned cold and stern as she slowly walked out of the inner palace.

"Send word: Nangong Shoots the Moon!"

An Wu, who had been waiting outside the palace, entered silently, bowing his head and not daring to look directly at the Empress: "This old servant obeys the decree!"

None of the court officials who were required to attend court slept in late.

Especially high-ranking officials in the Phoenix Cry Division like Nangong Sheyue.

Not long after, Nangong Sheyue went to Linhu Palace to pay homage to the Sage!

Leng Liuxi pointed to the large wooden box containing the copper movable type: "Take it to the craftsmen's camp of the Phoenix Cry Division and order the craftsmen to make a dozen more. I have a great use for it!"

"This matter must be kept strictly confidential. If it is leaked, I will hold you responsible!"

Nangong Sheyue immediately became solemn and said in a deep voice, "Your subject obeys the decree!"

Leng Liuxi nodded gently: "I still need to prepare for the morning court session. You may leave now."

There were no palace maids or eunuchs serving her inside the hall, so Nangong Sheyue had to go up there herself and take the box.

His gaze inadvertently swept over the small wooden box, and he immediately looked surprised.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

This large wooden box must have been a gift from Su Mo!
Judging from how much His Majesty values ​​the contents of the box, it's clear that Su Mo has presented His Majesty with another great gift!
Nangong Sheyue hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty..."

The Empress frowned slightly: "Is there anything else?"

Nangong Sheyue gritted her teeth and said, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, may I borrow this copy of Romance of the Three Kingdoms from this box for a moment?"

The Empress was stunned upon hearing this.

It was rare for Nangong Sheyue to ask for a favor, and it turned out to be about a storybook?

It shouldn’t be!

Nangong Sheyue has always been extremely conscientious about the duties between ruler and subject, so why would he speak so carelessly today?
A cold glint flashed in the Empress's eyes as she stared directly at Nangong Sheyue: "Do you know the origin of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?"

Nangong Sheyue dared not conceal the truth from the Empress: "Your Majesty, I am aware of it."

"The Romance of the Three Kingdoms was written by Su Shi, with his concubine Xue Yishu and Meng Yuankai's daughter Meng Danying acting as ghostwriters."

She paused, then continued, "This Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a remarkable book, which consumed a great deal of Lord Su's energy and is the culmination of all his learning!"

The Empress was even more astonished when she heard Nangong Sheyue say this.

Nangong Sheyue actually called it a strange book, and even said that it had consumed a lot of Su Lang's energy and gathered the essence of Su Lang's learning.

Could it be that this storybook contains a hidden meaning and is not simply meant to amuse?

Of the two gifts Su Lang gave me, the truly valuable one was not the copper movable type, but rather this storybook that I had never valued.

"Continue!" the Empress said in a deep voice.

Nangong Sheyue quickly replied, "When I visited Lord Su's residence, I inadvertently came across this book."

"This book has deeply moved the envoy, and he can hardly contain himself!"

As she spoke, she took a deep breath and said, "After reading this book, I discovered that the late-stage Guiqiao Realm key points, which had not loosened for a long time, are showing signs of loosening!"

"Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty to borrow this book and see if you can gain any insights from it and break through your current level!"

The Empress's phoenix eyes flashed with a sharp light: "Young Master Su... the book written by Su Mo can actually help a cultivator at the Returning Aperture Realm like you to improve your cultivation level?"

Nangong Sheyue nodded emphatically: "Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you!"

She did not deceive the Empress.

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms is truly wonderful! The book is full of battles of wits and courage, grand and magnificent, and features a variety of benevolent, righteous, loyal and brave generals. Nangong Sheyue was extremely excited while reading it!
Even the Dao barrier that had been firmly blocking the progress of cultivation seemed to loosen.

If Su Mo hadn't presented the Romance of the Three Kingdoms to the Empress, Nangong Sheyue could have directly asked Su Mo for the manuscript.

But that's no longer possible.

Because the various strategies, tactics, and tactics of war, as well as the emperor's mind, contained in the book are even more terrifying than the Thirty-Six Stratagems!
He was a commander of the Fengming Division.

What's the meaning behind asking Su Mo for the manuscript of Romance of the Three Kingdoms in private?
Want to learn the various political strategies and imperial tactics, and rebel to become king?

Nangong Sheyue could only ask the Empress for the book directly, while also making it clear that he was not seeking it for the purpose of rebellion!
Upon hearing Nangong Sheyue's reply, the Empress's expression instantly turned serious.

The Returning to the Aperture Realm is the ceiling for most cultivators.

Above that is the Golden Core realm, the true immortal power!

The book written by Su Mo can actually enable a cultivator at the Returning Aperture Realm to gain enlightenment and enter a profound state of enlightenment?
This is no joke!
If it truly had such miraculous effects, the number of Golden Core cultivators in the world could probably multiply instantly!

With a solemn expression, the Empress picked up the book and turned to the first page.

Then I gasped.

The words on the homepage are incredibly powerful and awe-inspiring!

As the Great Wu Empress, Leng Liuxi wields the divine artifacts of the state, and the impact of this statement is ten times greater than that of Nangong Sheyue!
"As the saying goes, the world, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of unity, tends to divide..."

Once the empress saw it, she couldn't take her eyes off it.

After an unknown amount of time, An Wu finally couldn't resist entering the hall and was slightly taken aback when he saw Nangong Sheyue kneeling on the ground with a book in his hand.

He then said softly, "Your Majesty, it is time for the morning court session."

The Empress didn't even take her eyes off the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and subconsciously waved her hand: "No morning court today!"

Anwu...

After the Empress finished speaking, she realized something was amiss and finally looked away from the book.

Seeing that Nangong Sheyue was still kneeling on the ground, he thought for a moment and pointed to another volume of Romance of the Three Kingdoms: "Take it back and read it, and don't lose it!"

"Go back!"

Nangong Sheyue hurriedly kowtowed to thank the Empress.

They took the movable type and the scroll and left Linhu Hall.

Seeing that An Wu still hadn't left, the Empress frowned slightly: "Is there anything else, An Wu?"

An Wu hesitated for a moment: "Your Majesty, is there really no morning court today? The civil and military officials are already waiting at the Meridian Gate."

The empress was immediately conflicted.

Finally, he snorted and said, "Let's move to the Ziwei Palace, change our clothes, and go to court!"

He had only taken two steps when he turned back to look at An Wu: "Instruct the palace officials to have all the officials report quickly if they have anything to say, and to dismiss the court early if they have nothing to say!"

Anwu...

It was obvious that the usually diligent empress was in a hurry to leave court and return to read books.

What book could have made the Empress say that she would not hold court this morning?
Lord Su, oh Lord Su!
What exactly did you offer His Majesty?

If the court officials find out, how can you escape the label of a treacherous minister?

(End of this chapter)