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

Chapter 298 Su Mo publicly reveals his identity as the Imperial Tutor!

Ye Wenshan's method of consecrating the signboard shocked not only Su Mo and the onlookers, but also cultivators at the Guiqiao Realm like Nangong Sheyue and Lin Moyin.

Even Empress Leng Liuxi, a True Person of the Heavenly Infant Realm, showed a slight look of surprise.

"Is this the Seven Gates Star-Connecting Formation?" The Empress's gaze fell suspiciously on Ye Wenshan.

Su Mo was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected Ye Wenshan's supernatural ability to have such a unique aspect, and even the Empress seemed unsure about it.

Ye Wenshan nodded and said in a deep voice, "You have excellent eyesight, sir!"

"What I use is the Seven Gates Star-Pulling Formation."

The Empress frowned slightly: "The Seven Gates Star-Connecting Array borrows the power of the stars in the heavens and can instantly unleash an extremely dazzling light, making it impossible for people to see."

"But from what I see, Master Ye's formation is different from the ordinary Star-Tracing Formation?"

Ye Wenshan glanced at Su Mo subconsciously, then nodded and said, "This humble one's Star-Tracing Array is indeed different from ordinary Star-Tracing Arrays."

"I have recently gained a deeper understanding of the way of astrology and comprehended the principle of the cycle of stars, so I devised this formation."

"This formation uses starstone powder as its core, which can continuously gather the power of stars and release light that never fades."

The Empress's heart skipped a beat: "Could it be used for nighttime lighting?"

Ye Wenshan thought for a moment and said, "It should be possible."

"However, we must use star stones as materials to gather the power of stars."

"Or, using something rich in spiritual energy as the array's core would result in significant energy loss and insufficient light, so it's better to use candlelight for illumination."

The Empress nodded slightly and said no more.

The Empress knew of several magic arrays that could emit light.

But as Ip Man-shan said, it was all a losing proposition.

For example, the starstone powder that Ip Man Shan just sprinkled was worth several hundred taels of silver, and it was estimated to last for only one or two years, which was more expensive than lighting oil lamps or candles directly.

To put it bluntly, it's not as cost-effective as candles.

Su Mo didn't think as much as the Empress did.

Such a signboard brings advertising value far exceeding that of three or five hundred taels of silver.

Especially since it's a luxury store he owns!
He finally couldn't help but ask, "Could the Painter possibly use the same supernatural powers and methods as Master Ye?"

Ye Wenshan snorted: "Do you think everyone knows the Starry Sky Technique?"

"If it weren't for your reminder... that gave me some pointers, I wouldn't have been able to figure out this Star-Connecting Formation!"

The implication is that the Confucian painter Gai Zong could not possibly possess such skills!

Zhong Yin, Leng Li, and the others gasped in surprise, looking at Su Mo with disbelief.

Ye Wenshan is widely recognized as the top academic figure in the Great Martial Starry Sky, yet he claims that Su Mo gave him pointers? He even went so far as to change "remind" to "give pointers"!
Could it be that Su Mo is also proficient in the study of stars, and is even on par with Ye Wenshan?
Only Nangong Sheyue looked at Su Mo with a strange expression.

She witnessed Ye Wenshan consulting with Su Mo about astrology!

Su Mo was just about to ask Ye Wenshan to also bless the clothing shop's signboard.

Suddenly, without any visible movement, Gai Zong appeared mysteriously outside Su's Department Store with a single step.

This incredible feat of shrinking the distance to an inch shocked the onlookers once again.

Among the crowd were some discerning individuals who exclaimed in amazement, "Master Hua Ru truly lives up to his reputation as a Golden Core cultivator; his Shrinking Earth Technique is indeed incredibly powerful!"

"Even a Grandmaster of the Divine Realm can use the Shrinking Earth Technique, but to instantly traverse a distance of ten zhang, only a Golden Core cultivator can do it!"

"That old man's magic that made the signboard glow looked pretty powerful!"

"It seems that the old gentleman who painted the painting knows that old man?"

"Old man? Do you know who this old man you're talking about is?"

"Uh? Could it be that you know, brother?"

"Hmph! That's Ye Zhenren, one of the Seven Great Confucian Scholars! Do you think the Painting Scholar wouldn't recognize him?"

"Ah! Is he the scholar Ye Wenshan?"

"Could the four characters 'Su's Department Store' have been written by Shu Ru himself?"

"It is said that the scholar can sell a single character for ten gold pieces! This character is indeed magnificent, with strokes like dragons, and his calligraphy skills can be described as unparalleled... Well, that's the content... It's hard to put into words!"

"Ip Man Shan? He's not..."

The speaker suddenly panicked and quickly covered his mouth to shut up!

Many people in Beijing know the inside story of Ip Man Shan's imprisonment!
That's a huge taboo, you can't even mention it, let alone with so many Imperial Guards here!
Wang Wensheng, standing across the street, was also utterly shocked as he watched Ye Wenshan perform the blessing ceremony for Su's Department Store!
To everyone's surprise, Su Mo managed to invite Ye Wenshan over!
This kid is indeed quite skilled. No wonder the Vice Minister specifically instructed me not to use any unconventional methods to deal with him!

After Gai Zong arrived, he first looked at Su Mo, then solemnly bowed to Zhong Yin and Princess Baicheng, saying, "I greet the Minister, Princess Baicheng, and all the other officials!"

He then bowed respectfully to Ye Wenshan, saying, "Junior Gai Zong greets True Man Ye!"

Ye Wenshan snorted.

They completely ignored Gai Zong, who had come uninvited.

Although Gai Zong was also at the Golden Core stage, even if his cultivation level had fallen to the Golden Core stage, he was still far superior to ordinary Golden Core cultivators.

At his level, he can do whatever he wants, regardless of who you are or what you are. He doesn't care about what others think!
So what if Gai Zong was one of the Seven Great Confucian Scholars along with him?
They're from different generations!
In fact, if Su Mo hadn't pointed out that he had misinterpreted the stars...

Ye Wenshan would rather go to jail than bow down to the Empress!

Otherwise, where do you think his reputation for integrity and uprightness comes from?

Gai Zong disagreed.

Ye Wenshan knew his temperament very well. Finally, his gaze fell on Su Mo, and he said indifferently, "So you are Su Mo, the scion of Gufeng Mountain County?"

Ye Wenshan was clearly not a suitable candidate for the Gai Zong sect. Su Mo was still hoping that Ye Wenshan would bless his shop's signboard, so of course he wouldn't give face to this so-called Hua Ru.

Moreover, this guy was clearly invited by the Wang family to challenge him.

He snorted and said coldly, "So you are Gai Zong?"

"As a great Confucian scholar, how can you not understand the proper etiquette of distinguishing between superiors and inferiors, daring to address me in such a manner!"

Upon hearing this, Nangong Sheyue and the others suddenly adopted strange expressions.

Among the scholars who had come with Gai Zong, one of them suddenly shouted angrily: "Master Gai is a senior official of the imperial court, while you are merely a county magistrate. How dare you be disrespectful to Master Gai!"

Su Mo was taken aback upon hearing this: "A traditional Chinese medicine doctor?"

He turned to look at Ye Wenshan: "Is his medical skill very high?"

Ip Man Shan's face immediately darkened.

Su Mo, a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, asked such a foolish question, which made him feel truly ashamed!
Leng Liuxi couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, "It's Zhongyi Dafu, the 'Yi' in filial piety, brotherly love, loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, and righteousness."

Su Mo was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "What rank is the Zhongyi Dafu?"

Leng Liuxi explained, "The Zhongyi Dafu is a civil official, holding the rank of fourth grade."

Su Mo blinked: "Where is the magistrate of Gufeng Mountain?"

Leng Liuxi smiled again and said, "Your county magistrate title does not include the words 'founding county,' so you can only be a fourth-rank official. If you were a county magistrate of a founding county, you would be a fourth-rank official."

Su Mo was dumbfounded: "So, you're saying my official rank isn't as high as his?"

Leng Liuxi covered her mouth and smiled: "It seems so."

Gai Zong looked at Su Mo speechlessly, then waved his hand: "You are unaware that I have relinquished my official title. As the saying goes, ignorance is no excuse, and I will not take it to heart."

Su Mo looked at Gai Zong and nodded: "I really didn't know you were a civil official. Although you don't have much real power, you still have an official rank..."

Gai Zong's expression immediately darkened slightly.

The scholars who followed were even more furious!
You didn't know before, but now that you do, how dare you speak to Mr. Gai like that?
Just as the scholars were about to rebuke Su Mo, Su Mo suddenly turned to Gai Zong and asked, "I still have a question. May I ask, Grand Master of the Palace, who is superior, the Imperial Tutor or the Grand Master of the Palace?"

Even with his good temper, Ren Gaizong couldn't help but snort coldly: "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, so it is even more honorable for His Majesty's teacher to be your teacher!"

Su Mo breathed a huge sigh of relief: "You scared me to death!"

"Fortunately, the Imperial Tutor is more esteemed than the Grand Master of the Central Righteousness!"

"And another thing!" Su Mo suddenly sneered, "I don't know whether a fourth-rank official like Zhongyi Dafu should bow and greet someone wearing tiger robes!"

"I happen to have a tiger-patterned robe bestowed upon me by His Majesty. Why don't I wear it out and show it to the Imperial Physician Zhongyi?"

Gai Zong's face darkened, but he said calmly, "What an arrogant brat!"

"His Majesty bestowed upon you the tiger-patterned robe, which is an honor that should make you even more respectful and humble, not something for you to use to bully others!"

He paused slightly, then looked coldly at Su Mo, cupped his hands towards the direction of the imperial city, and said solemnly, "Although I am not talented, I am still fortunate to have been favored by His Majesty and bestowed with a tiger robe!"

Su Mo...

He subconsciously looked at the Empress, only to see her covering her mouth and chuckling!

He could only say to Gai Zong in an annoyed tone, "Since you know you're incompetent, don't come out here and embarrass yourself. You've been lecturing for three days straight, aren't you afraid of misleading students!"

Upon hearing this, Gai Zong's face suddenly darkened!
Su Mo then added, "I won't use my status as Imperial Tutor to pressure you. Go back quickly, and don't come here foolishly to become the scapegoat for the Wang family!"

Gai Zong stared at Su Mo in astonishment for a moment, then asked with a grim expression, "You are the Imperial Tutor?"

Ye Wenshan also showed an expression of utter shock.

Even though he had served three dynasties, was the Director of the Imperial Observatory, and was a True Person of the Heavenly Infant Realm, he was still dumbfounded and stared wide-eyed at Su Mo!

Su Mo bowed respectfully towards the imperial city, saying, "I am deeply honored by His Majesty's trust and have come to formally acknowledge me as your master with the six rites of apprenticeship!"

Gai Zong and Ye Wenshan's expressions changed.

The same applies to scholars and students outside!

The onlookers were stunned, staring at Su Mo in disbelief, gasps rising and falling in waves!

Such a thing is certainly not something that can be made up; doing so would be punishable by confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan!
How did a boy who hadn't even worn a crown become the emperor's tutor?

Has the Empress gone mad?
Gai Zong's expression shifted rapidly!

Why didn't Wang Hao mention such an important matter to me?
Did he think that he wouldn't dare to come and lecture just because he heard that the other party was an imperial tutor?

Is this a questioning of one's own character and morality?
If I had told myself earlier, I wouldn't have lost face so badly, being publicly scolded by a junior and losing all my dignity!
After a moment of silence, he flicked his sleeve and left the crowd without saying a word!

The scholars who accompanied them exchanged glances.

In the end, they could only leave disappointed!

Wang Wensheng, who was watching from the opposite side, felt a sense of foreboding and hurriedly chased after Gai Zong.

Unfortunately, Gai Zong disappeared in the blink of an eye!
Su Mo withdrew his gaze and sighed, "Alas, this is the magnanimity of a great Confucian scholar—far too narrow-minded!"

The Empress and Nangong Sheyue remained silent.

This guy doesn't even realize how infuriating his words are!
Even they were almost driven to their deaths by Su Mo several times!
It even made Wang Yao and Wang Zongwang faint from anger!

It's a pity that someone with such eloquence isn't a court official.

Su Mo's gaze suddenly fell on Ye Wenshan.

Ye Wenshan sensed something was wrong, but Su Mo chuckled and said, "Master Ye is a true Confucian scholar, and he certainly wouldn't be as narrow-minded as Gai Zong!"

Ye Wenshan asked warily, "What do you want to do?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "Master Ye's Seven Gates Star-Connecting Formation has truly broadened my horizons!"

"After Princess Leng cuts the ribbon, could you please trouble Master Ye to also bless the clothing shop's signboard... no, to set up the Seven Gates Star-Connecting Array!"

Ip Man Shan's face darkened!

Su Mo added, "Also, there's a plaque for the women's clothing section behind the clothing shop. I'd appreciate it if you could help Master Ye with that as well."

Ip Man Shan was utterly speechless.

If the Empress hadn't been there, he would have definitely lost his temper!
Zhong Yin felt sweat beading on his back!
Luckily, I don't know any immortal arts or magic!

He knew that these seven star-guiding formations were Golden Core level formations, and each use would cost several hundred taels of silver!
Su Mo actually used it to consecrate the shop... ptooey, ptooey, ptooey! He used it to consecrate the shop sign and even create a magic array!
The key point is, it would be too embarrassing if word got out!

Zhong Yin had no idea what Ye Wenshan was thinking.

So what if a Confucian painter comes from the other side?
He's already a big shot, yet he still resorts to underhanded tactics to steal the limelight from Gai Zong?

Getting entangled with Su Mo now would just be asking for trouble!

Ye Wenshan's face turned ashen, and he said decisively without hesitation, "Don't even think about it..."

Su Mo uttered four words softly: "Universal gravitation."

Ip Man Shan: "Do whatever you want!"

The entire audience froze instantly, staring dumbfounded at the former veteran of three reigns, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau Chief known for his unyielding integrity in the court!
Princess Baicheng cut off the red silk and lifted the red cloth, revealing seven large characters inside: Su's Wool Clothing Shop!

Ye Wenshan gave a low snort.

Seven characters would require at least seven hundred taels of silver worth of starstone powder!
But without hesitation, he waved his hand, scattering starstone powder onto the plaque. At the same time, he used his magic to instantly set up a magic array to consecrate the plaque!
The women's clothing department signboard has too few characters, just three: "Lirenfang" (丽人坊).

With a dark expression, Ye Wenshan resorted to his old tricks again, and the three characters "Lirenfang" began to gleam with gold.

He then cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the Empress and said, "This humble subject has business to attend to and must take his leave!"

Seeing Ye Wenshan leave, Zhong Yin hesitated for a moment. He wanted to follow, but then he remembered what Zhong Li had said and decided to stay.

Ok……

When we get to Su's Department Store, we can buy a few reams of cold Su paper to show our attitude before leaving.

I'll just buy one wool robe.

After Ip Man Shan blessed the shop, onlookers were still peering in from outside, clearly more interested in watching than buying anything.

Su Mo had expected this.

He immediately instructed the managers of the two shops to put up a sign outside.

"Grand opening special offer! All goods are 10% off!"

Then, smiling at the Empress and the others, he said, "My lords, why don't you come and have a look at Su's Department Store, which is run by this humble maid?"

The Empress glanced at Su Mo with a disgruntled expression.

It was a shop run by a maid.

Do you think you're blind?

It's clearly Su's Department Store!
She chuckled lightly, "You think I get a 10% discount too? I don't have much money!"

Su Mo gritted her teeth and said with heartache, "30% off!"

Then, with a bitter face, he said, "If I lose any more, I'll really lose money!"

The empress gave a smug snort, then strode swiftly into the shop.

Zhong Yin and the others naturally followed the Empress inside.

Then, everyone's eyes widened instantly, staring in utter shock at the item displayed in the center of the shop!

Isn't this a bookstore?

Where is the book?
Where are the Four Treasures of the Study?

Why are they selling items like this?