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

Chapter 314 I can't get anything out of Su Mo!
Leng Liuxi originally planned to soak in a hot soup and then use insomnia as an excuse to ask Su Mo to sleep with her.

Unfortunately, man proposes, God disposes!

After taking off my clothes, I soaked in the hot spring bath for a while. It was so comfortable that I became sleepy and fell asleep in the bath.

I don't know if it was because the hot spring water helped me sleep, or because the room was so well soundproofed that there wasn't much noise.

Anyway, when Leng Liuxi woke up in the bath, she found that the giant candle had burned out.

A faint sunlight streamed into the bathroom through the blurry, multicolored glass window.

It's probably already past Chen Shi (7-9 AM)!

Leng Liuxi was slightly taken aback.

Even though I rarely dream of the bloody former crown prince anymore, I still only sleep for about two hours a day.

I slept soundly for more than three hours today!
The Empress hadn't slept so comfortably in a long time, except when Su Mo was sleeping with her!

She stepped out of the bath.

After hesitating for a moment, I picked up a folded wool bath towel from the shelf next to me and wrapped it around my neck.

She walked barefoot to the washbasin.

But then I noticed that there was also a glass mirror, nearly two feet in size, in the washbasin.

A gentle yet slightly pale face was clearly reflected in the mirror.

Yes, her figure is excellent, clearly visible in the mirror, probably no worse than Lin Moyin's!
Leng Liuxi couldn't help but let out a soft hum.

That bastard never tells the truth!

Previously, it was mentioned that the glass mirror in the dressing box was the largest.

Then, turning around in the bathroom, there was an even bigger one!

However, Leng Liuxi was also slightly surprised.

The person's face in the mirror looked much better, with a slightly rosy glow.

Su Mo said that getting enough rest is good for your health, and she was right.

The suggestion to reduce the number of morning court sessions must be genuinely for one's own benefit.

This time, we'll forgive him for deceiving the emperor!
If you dare to do this again...

snort!
I... I'll just forgive him one more time!
As the empress thought this, she looked at the washbasin inlaid with tiles.

It also has two extremely luxurious gold faucets!
Turn on the valve and spring water flows out; amazingly, one is warm and the other is cool, which is very convenient.

Even the imperial palace wouldn't dare use it like this!

The Empress is angry again!

On one side of the washbasin, several clean white face towels and silk scarves were hanging.

On a shelf on the table were several animal hair brushes and a jar of salt, clearly for cleaning teeth.

In another wooden box was a white-tinged green paste that emitted a faint minty scent.

The empress, however, was unaware of its purpose.

On one side of the washbasin, there were also items used by women for applying makeup.

The perfume bottles were neatly arranged, each with a different label, and there were at least seven or eight different scents, making the Empress's teeth itch with envy.

Despite Su Mo sending her perfume from time to time!

But it only has one orchid fragrance!
He prepared seven or eight different perfume scents for Lin Moyin!
The Empress was furious!
After washing up, the Empress picked up each perfume bottle, uncorked them, and smelled them one by one.

In the end, I chose the orchid scent and put a few drops on the back of my hands and other areas.

My whole body smelled delicious.

Wrapped in a bath towel, she pushed open the door and left the bathroom. The empress then opened the wardrobe.

The room was filled with dozens of robes, both men's and women's, in a wide variety of styles, many of which were things you'd never even seen in the Lirenfang shops.

There were silks, satins, brocades, and embroidered gauzes, as well as ordinary cloth robes, and most of them were plain white wool fabrics, with bright and dazzling colors.

What's most infuriating is that there are still many small garments that are extremely frugal with fabric!

The Empress couldn't help but snort again.

What a pleasure-seeking fellow.

The robes here alone, if taken to a clothing store, would probably not fetch more than a thousand taels of silver!
She didn't stand on ceremony with Su Mo and directly chose silk underwear and wool lining to wear.

I originally planned to wear a plain white horse-face skirt, but I found that the horse-face skirts were all quite long and a bit narrow, so I could only sigh and change into a more gentle and elegant ruqun instead.

The size of the ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) is also slightly long, but at least it's looser. It doesn't matter if it's a bit long, since it's common for the hem of a skirt to reach the ground anyway.

Then, Leng Liuxi chose a wool cloak dyed sky blue and draped it over her shoulders.

"I wonder if that bastard is up yet! Humph! He's definitely not up yet, that bastard sleeps until the sun is high in the sky every day!"

Seeing that Su Mo hadn't come to knock on the door to greet her for so long, Leng Liuxi simply waved her hand and summoned the magic weapon, Xuan Tian Jian.

The next second, her pretty face suddenly turned bright red!

He hurriedly retrieved the Mysterious Heaven Mirror!
My heart was pounding wildly!

"To...to...to sleep without clothes on, how shameless!"

Leng Liuxi gritted her teeth and spat out a curse!
The Xuan Tian Mirror has a strong ability to spy, but it also has many limitations.

For example, the scope of observation is limited, and if there is any interference from magic, it is difficult to see what is happening.

In fact, anyone with a little common sense would set up a soundproof array or similar device when discussing important matters in private to prevent others from spying on them using calligraphy.

However, Su Mo's residence didn't even have a magic array set up, so how could it possibly prevent the Empress from spying on it?

……

Su Mo slept soundly, even dreaming of Lord Qianhu.

Then, the man riding on Lin Qianhu's back instantly transformed into Nangong Qianhu's pretty face.

Just as Su Mo was stunned, he was shocked to see Nangong Sheyue shouting at him with a mixture of shame and anger, holding two crescent-shaped short blades in her hands, looking like she wanted to take his life!
Su Mo woke up with a start.

Then we heard a loud knocking on the door!

Su Mo blinked in confusion, then suddenly realized that this was not the Su residence in the capital.

He lives in his big villa on Gufeng Mountain.

The key point is, it seems the Empress also sleeps here!
Could it be that the Empress has risen up?
What time is it now!
The villa was warm in winter and cool in summer, and Su Mo slept more comfortably than in his house in the capital. He slept wearing only his boxer shorts, which was quite comfortable.

He quickly put his robe back on and was about to open the door when he suddenly realized something was wrong!

A hot-blooded young man gets up early in the morning, and a certain part of his body is usually quite unsightly.

Su Mo could only tentatively ask, "My lord?"

Perhaps it was his wife who went to Lonely Peak Mountain.

Unfortunately, a cold, harsh voice came from outside the door: "It is I!"

Su Mo was taken aback.

Why did Leng Liuxi sound like she was about to explode? She hadn't offended her at all!
Even the Empress has morning grumpiness?

He could only say, "Please wait a moment, sir. I'll go wash my face first."

Leng Liuxi had a black line on her forehead.

I am the Emperor of the Great Wu!

He actually made me wait outside!

This guy is the only one in the world who's so audacious!

However, upon recalling the scene she had seen in the Xuan Tian Mirror, her pretty face flushed red again, and one could imagine how embarrassed Su Mo must be.

Finally, he couldn't help but laugh: "Su Lang, please take your time washing up."

"It's getting late, I must return to the capital!"

Su Mo...

Looking down, the tent was clearly visible!
Should we open the door, or should we not open it?
Thankfully, Leng Liuxi's next words came: "I am leaving now, my lord, there is no need for you to see me off!"

Then, there was no more movement outside the door.

Su Mo hesitated for a moment, then opened the door a crack and stared in disbelief at the Empress, who was dressed neatly and standing behind the door with a smile.

Su Mo quickly bent down slightly to avoid revealing an unseemly posture, and looked at the Empress with great frustration: "My lady...didn't you say you were leaving?"

Leng Liuxi chuckled softly, "This concubine is leaving."

"But I just thought of something and turned back."

Su Mo was both amused and exasperated: "What has come to mind, sir?"

Leng Liuxi let out a soft "Uh": "My lord said earlier that he would leave the bedroom to me, and that I would not be allowed to stay there in the future."

"The clothes in the wardrobe also need to be changed!"

Su Mo stared wide-eyed at the Empress: "Your Majesty, you're not serious, are you?" Leng Liuxi said calmly: "If my lord is reluctant, you can build me a palace nearby."

Su Mo...

The Empress then said, "My lord, you shall later send craftsmen to the palace to rearrange my Ziwei Palace, just like this house."

Su Mo was dumbfounded.

Didn't the Empress always say that she was pleasure-seeking and had no ambition?
Is this a case of "the magistrate is allowed to set fires, but the common people are forbidden to light lamps"?
He hesitated for a moment: "Sir, this will cost a lot of money..."

"Tiles, mirrors, faucets, etc., are not cheap..."

Before Su Mo could finish speaking, Leng Liuxi blinked her pretty eyes and said, "This concubine has no money!"

"We just hosted a banquet for all the officials, and we've spent all our money!"

She paused, looking at Su Mo with great confusion: "Isn't my lord rich?"

Su Mo was dumbfounded.

What business is it of hers if it's money she earned through hard work?

But before he could speak, the Empress had already vanished!

Su Mo suddenly had a million curses to say in his mind!

Well, let's just consider it a free model room. If any court ladies or royal noblewomen come to the Empress's Ziwei Palace, who knows...

Ok?
It seems that even if a noblewoman went to the Ziwei Palace, she would certainly not go to those secluded places.

It looks like this money was wasted!

……

Officials enjoyed annual leave, but palace eunuchs had virtually no holidays.

Even during the Lunar New Year, he spent most of his time in the palace.

This was especially true of Ning Jing, the inner minister.

However, with officials on leave, there was much less to do in the inner court.

Ning Jing had thought he could rest for a few days.

In the middle of the night, he heard an urgent report from his eunuch that An Wu had brought a lot of men into the palace!

What shocked Ning Jing even more was that these people were actually escorted into the palace by the Left Guard of the Imperial Guard!

Throughout the entire world, there is only one person who can mobilize the four guards of the Imperial Guard and the Feathered Forest Guard.

The current sage, Leng Liuxi!
Ning Jing's heart was instantly filled with a storm of emotions!
Such a momentous matter as allowing men into the harem—yet I, the Imperial Secretary, knew absolutely nothing about it!
In the past, Su Mo was fine; he was the Empress's male favorite, and the fewer people who knew about him, the better.

Anwu is enough to handle it.

Nowadays, many men are entering the palace, mostly farmers and commoners, so they certainly cannot be the empress's lovers.

There's no way to hide it forever!

He had absolutely no idea what was happening.
Ning Jing broke out in a cold sweat instantly!
The Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs may seem to wield immense power, but all of his authority comes from the Emperor.

Once the emperor loses his favor, the head of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs will be less important than a dog on the street, and his fate will be extremely tragic.

He suppressed his shock and, with a grim face, instructed his trusted aides to gather information.

At the same time, he went out personally to see what had happened.

Unfortunately, he went to An Wu.

An Wu, who always seemed amiable, was now extremely serious and did not let out a word!

Until dawn, Ning Jing only knew that the Imperial Guards had sent bamboo baskets covered with strange vines to the palace from who-knows-where.

Subsequently, many rooms were emptied, and eunuchs and palace maids were summoned to dismantle beams and remove tiles.

Finally, thick wooden planks were placed over the main house, and a large amount of silk and satin cloth was brought in from the storeroom to cover it.

Ning Jing was dumbfounded by An Wu's actions.

Ning Jing, sitting in the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, had a gloomy and uncertain expression.

It was already past Chenshi (7-9 AM), and although he knew the Empress did not need to attend court today, Ning Jing gritted his teeth and ordered his trusted servant, "Bring Ye Wenshan's memorial!"

"Our family wants to meet the Emperor!"

……

As soon as the Empress returned to the Ziwei Palace, she heard Zhao Hanxiang, the chief censor, report: "Your Majesty, Princess Baicheng is requesting an audience and has been waiting outside the palace for more than an hour."

The Empress was slightly taken aback: "What brings Princess Baicheng to see me?"

Zhao Hanxiang quickly and respectfully said, "I heard it is Princess Qi's sixtieth birthday, and Princess Leng needs to go back to congratulate Princess Qi on her birthday, so I came here to bid farewell to His Majesty."

The Empress nodded: "Someone, come and serve me... never mind."

Since there was no need to summon ministers, the dresses and clothes Su Mo prepared for Lin Moyin were quite comfortable to wear, and the Empress was too lazy to change back into her dragon robe or her usual everyday clothes.

"Summon Princess Baicheng!"

The official in charge of remonstrance left the palace to summon Leng Li.

Princess Baicheng, who was unusually tall, walked into the Ziwei Palace with a solemn expression.

Then, upon seeing the Empress wearing a ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), he was immediately taken aback.

The Empress looked at Princess Baicheng with some surprise.

She always wore armor, and even carried that hideous bronze mask with her at all times.

At this moment, she changed into a fitted woolen horse-face skirt and wore a woolen cloak, which made her less austere and more feminine.

The Empress couldn't help but laugh and said, "Was this the dress that Su Qing gave to General Leng?"

Princess Baicheng immediately replied solemnly, "This is a skirt that Su Zi asked me to wear to promote wool sweaters, not a gift to me."

"I am preparing to return to Qi County today, and I will take this opportunity to wear this garment and promote the wool sweater."

The Empress nodded: "The dresses designed by Su Mo are indeed beautiful. The wool sweaters will definitely sell well. As for the new army's funding, General Leng can ask Su Mo for it in the future!"

She paused, then said, "It's Princess Qi's sixtieth birthday. After you return to your residence, Leng Qing, please remember to send my regards to Princess Qi."

As she spoke, she waved her hand, and a brocade box was sent from the palace.

"This is the character for longevity that I wrote myself. I wish Princess Qi a long and healthy life."

"Leng Qing, please deliver this to Princess Qi on my behalf!"

Leng Li immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of my mother!"

The Empress thought for a moment.

I feel like giving only a "longevity" character as a gift seems too stingy.

He immediately said, "Didn't Su Mo say that he was going to prepare a birthday gift for Leng Qing to present to Princess Qi?"

Leng Li frowned slightly: "Prince Su said it would take a few days. I need to return to Qi County first. However, I have also arranged for someone to send the congratulatory gifts back to Qi County as soon as they are ready."

She paused slightly, then added, "I also intend to go to Lonely Peak Mountain later."

"If the son of the Su family is truly unable to prepare a birthday gift, then another option must be chosen."

The Empress nodded and smiled, "It would be good to go and see Lonely Peak Mountain."

"His fiefdom is full of good things; he's sure to find something that Princess Qi will like!"

After a pause, he suddenly said, "Leng Qing, go and see the guards of Su Mo's fiefdom, and see if you can learn his secret methods of training soldiers from Su Mo."

Princess Baicheng was immediately taken aback: "What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?"

"I do not understand."

The Empress explained, "I see that the guards of Lone Peak Mountain are very elite, perhaps no less so than the Imperial Guards!"

"In such a short time, he has transformed ordinary farmers into battle-hardened elites. Su Mo must have a secret method!"

Princess Baicheng was dumbfounded!

After hesitating for a moment, he asked tentatively, "Why doesn't Your Majesty personally inquire with County Magistrate Su?"

"If even His Majesty is unwilling to tell me, how can I possibly find out?"

The Empress said irritably, "He's very wary of me; it's hard to get anything out of him!"

"Give it a try, it might work. Anyway, it's free to try!"

Princess Baicheng...

Why does this sound so familiar?
It sounds like someone's catchphrase.

She naturally dared not say anything more and could only respectfully take her leave!

After Princess Baicheng left.

Leng Liuxi originally wanted to go and see how the sweet potato greenhouse was set up.

Then the eunuch came to report that Ning Jing, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, requested an audience with the Emperor!

(End of this chapter)