Chaos of Ming 1628

"My lord, the lady has arrived!"

The doorman ran away without even realizing it; how could we dare to be careless when such an important person is here?

Zhou Jiyuan was teasing the birds in the courtyard when he heard this. He didn't panic at all, as if he had expected it: "I will bathe and burn incense, and wait for you, Madam."

The largest room in the mansion.

Flower petals floated in the large bathtub, steam rising from it. The room was filled with a delicate fragrance, carrying a faint scent of sandalwood.

Today, Zhou Ji is dressed exceptionally well, making herself look quite presentable.

Madam Ke walked in, glanced at the scene inside, and frowned slightly. Although she was seething with anger, she suppressed it and maintained a calm expression.

She stepped into the room, her slender fingers tracing the table: "Lord Zhou, what is the meaning of this?"

"Madam, this was originally prepared as your lodging. How could someone of your noble birth go to a place like a post station?"

"It was also that young master by your side who interfered, causing you to suffer all this for nothing."

Zhou Ji hurriedly knelt down and immediately pledged his loyalty: "My admiration for you is as long as the river. Please give me a chance to become your loyal servant."

Ms. Ke glanced at him sideways, her heart pounding like a hot tin roof, but she forced herself to remain calm: "I can consider it, provided that we find Xiao Jun immediately."

Even if you have to mobilize everyone you have.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Ji not only refused, but also laughed when he heard the request.

He bowed again, full of confidence: "If Madam came for him, then this matter is settled."

"He has truly betrayed your trust in him, Madam. Not only did he fail to complete the task you entrusted to him, but he also ran away out of fear of being scolded."

Ms. Ke had only come here to take a look after hearing from Sun Qing.

I never expected to hear such outrageous words.

Despite her anger, she remained remarkably calm: "So, you know what happened?"

Zhou Ji slapped his head twice, his voice deafening: "Madam, I have always wanted to follow you. But that boy is unreliable, and I am really worried that he will disappoint you and ruin your plans."

"Therefore, Your Majesty has already sent someone to take over the carriage and ensure a safe journey."

Mrs. Ke's hand suddenly clenched. She used so much force that she even broke a fingernail.

Despite the excruciating pain, a smile appeared on her face, and her voice grew even more alluring: "Oh? So, Lord Zhou knows about my affairs?"

"Madam, with me here, you can rest assured. I will not inquire about the reasons; I am simply doing my duty for you."

Ms. Ke nodded, then suddenly laughed.

He waved his hand and said, "Alright, Lord Zhou is being very filial, and I'm not one to spoil the mood."

"Then please take a bath, Madam..." Zhou Ji was overjoyed, quickly kowtowed, and sensibly took his leave.

The eunuch was ashen-faced and drenched in cold sweat. The door closed, and he paced anxiously in the room, muttering repeatedly, "I told you, he couldn't be trusted. Now look what's happened, who knows where those pregnant women have gone?"

"Perhaps we should inform Lord Tian!"

Mrs. Ke's face darkened further: "Have they arrived?"

"Reporting to Madam, they are probably already at the door." The eunuch suddenly felt a chill down his spine, realizing his rudeness, and quickly stood up and bowed.

"Hmm!" Mrs. Ke nodded in response.

She placed her slender fingers on her waist, untied her pockets, and walked toward the bathtub.

for a long time.

A knock came at the door: "Madam."

Hearing the sound, the door suddenly opened. Before the sedan bearer, Old Tian, ​​even entered, a fragrant scent wafted to his nose, and a soft body was already in his arms.

At this moment, however, Madam Ke was not dignified. Her hair was wet, and she wore only a thin garment, the collar of which was half-open. Even at this age, she still possessed a captivating charm that was hard to ignore.

Moreover, that soft, gentle voice was enough to make one's heart tremble.

For a moment, Old Tian was at a loss for what to do with his hands, and his throat went dry: "Madam, what happened?"

"It really is..." Mr. Ke drawled, "A tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by dogs."

Old Tian's expression hardened: "But which day of the week?"

Madam Ke raised her hand to cover her face, her voice turning cold: "Geng'er, kill him!"

Post station.

The beautiful young woman with the long sword in her hand has returned.

Dressed entirely in red, her ponytail spiked high, she looked completely different from when she was dressed as a man. Although men's clothing made her appear more dashing, Sun Qing preferred this feminine attire.

"I'm exhausted. I'm going to sleep for three days and three nights. Don't bother me." Shen Junru entered the room and went straight to Sun Qing's bed.

He held the sword to his chest, then lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

"Junru," Old Yu sighed, watching from the side, "how can a woman be so casual? Where is the slightest bit of ladylike decorum?"

Old Yu was scolding.

"Let her be!" Sun Qing stepped forward to stop her, his eyes inadvertently revealing a doting look as he looked at Shen Junru: "She's been exhausted these past few days, let her get some sleep."

"After all, it's best for her not to show her face in public these next few days."

Old Yu remained silent, his gaze shifting between Sun Qing and Shen Junru.

"If that's what you say, then so be it!" Old Yu walked back to his seat and leaned against the ground. "As long as I have wine to drink, this old man is fine."

"Don't you want to ask me what I want to do?" Sun Qing suddenly asked.

Old Yu waved his hand: "Young master has lofty ambitions, but this old man only needs a drink to drink."

"I was born a commoner, yet every step I take is a perilous journey. From the bottom of my heart, I do not wish to live like this," Sun Qing confessed.

At first, he just wanted to live. As long as he left Xingtai, everything could start anew. Even if it wasn't like in the movies, where he became famous and wealthy through his inventions, at least he could survive, avoid conflict, and find a way back.

But now, he is already deeply embroiled in the vortex. Since he cannot escape unscathed, why not have the power to protect himself?

"What does the young master wish to do?" Old Yu asked casually.

Sun Qing smiled: "To become an official!"

"What?" Old Yu's voice rose, and he scrutinized Sun Qing again, frowning. "Young master, do you have any official rank or are you preparing to take the imperial examinations?"

"Su Jiuda spent his entire life trying to obtain official rank, but what rank did he actually achieve?" Sun Qing chuckled. "Old Yu, I want to be an official. This is my path!"

He finished speaking and offered no further explanation.

Old Yu frowned deeply: "Become an official? With the eunuch faction still in power, how can you become an official?"

Having said that, he laughed gratingly, with a hint of sarcasm: "Don't forget, you're a member of the Sun family! How do you expect to enter the court as an official without any official rank?"

Sun Qing remained silent.

Old Yu's words made sense. He also knew that the faction was responsible for preventing people from becoming officials. But does that mean the eunuch faction couldn't let people become officials?

At least for now, Wei Zhongxian still holds power.

He might already be a frightened bird, and even more eager to take remedial action. At this moment, why couldn't Sun Qing go all out and burn his bridges?

Before dusk had even fallen, pedestrians on the street began to panic.

Meng Zhaoxiang and Su Jiuda rode in a carriage at breakneck speed, and when they arrived at the post station, they stumbled and ran inside.

Upon seeing Sun Qing, he forgot to bow and hurriedly shouted, "Something's happened!"

"Please don't rush, gentlemen. Sit down and catch your breath before we talk," Sun Qing said, getting up to serve tea.

Su hurriedly shook his head: "Young Master Sun, this is not the time for tea."

"Just now, news came from the government office that Zhou Ji committed suicide!"

Meng Zhaoxiang hurriedly added, "I sent someone to inquire, and he hanged himself, leaving behind a self-reproach edict."

"The above is his confession of his crimes, clearly explaining how he used the money to seek wealth and harm the people."

"Oh!" Sun Qing responded indifferently.

Su became extremely anxious: "Young Master Sun, you should know that Zhou Ji is a coward who fears death; he would never commit suicide. It seems someone..."

He stopped talking.

Sun Qing smiled, her eyes crinkling as she looked at the two of them and said softly, "So, I should be next, right?"