Yue Shen pressed down on the book in her hand, their knuckles touching. She asked, "Minister Qiu, do you know about the recent major event in the court?"
"Is Your Majesty referring to the matter of the top scholar Qin Shu?"
"Now the Qin family is advocating for Qin Shu's release, but the people are furious and demand a life for a life. The Emperor's crimes are punished the same as commoners. If We don't give the people an explanation, how can We face being the Emperor! What do you think We should do?"
This was an unsolvable problem, and it shouldn't be for a Hanlin Academy scholar to suggest a solution. Yue Shen asking like this was to test her attitude, to test whether the person before her was loyal to her.
The study fell into silence. Qiu Shuzhi remained silent for a while, then slowly said, "This subject thinks Qin Shu can be released."
"Release Qin Shu?" Yue Shen's eyes narrowed, revealing a hint of dangerous coldness.
"Qin Shu is the daughter of Minister Qin, her noble status naturally cannot be compared to the life of a male courtesan. If you want to appease the people's anger, you can exile her to the Baiyue country. Coincidentally, the King of Dian has just defeated Baiyue, so Qin Shu can be sent to Baiyue to receive the surrender ceremony. When Qin Shu returns to court, she will be a great meritorious official, and her merits can offset her crimes."
Yue Shen's lips curled into a cold smile: "What a good way to offset crimes with merits."
Is this the scholar she had tried so hard to retain! She thought she was an upright official of the minority faction, but it turns out she had already sided with the Qin family.
Yue Shen's face darkened, anger rising, about to erupt. But seeing Qiu Shuzhi's submissive appearance, that anger somehow couldn't be vented on her.
She took a deep breath to suppress the rolling dark clouds in her eyes, her tone carrying a hint of fatigue and disappointment.
"You may withdraw!"
Qiu Shuzhi hesitated to speak.
There were many eyes and ears in the palace, the Emperor's power was being undermined, and she was just a small official without real power. Going against the Qin family at this time would be seeking death.
She knew Yue Shen was eager to remove this imperial parasite, but the young Emperor was still too impatient.
Qiu Shuzhi withdrew from the study. Not long after she left, she heard the sound of things being smashed inside the Imperial Study.
She shook her head silently. She had said all she could say, hoping the young Emperor would understand the meaning behind her words.
"Did Qiu Shuzhi really say that?"
In Qingning Palace, Qin Qing reclined on a soft couch, his ink-black clothes making his skin appear as white as snow. His collar was slightly open, inadvertently revealing his delicate collarbone.
The attendant Yu Zhi respectfully answered, "In response to the Empress Dowager, Yu Ye heard clearly outside the study. Minister Qiu did say so, and Her Majesty was angered by it."
Qin Qing's lips curled into a smile: "Her Majesty thinks that by simply promoting someone talented, they can be used by her. How naive. However, this Qiu Shuzhi... seems to be a person who knows how to behave appropriately."
Yu Zhi smiled slightly: "Lady Qiu is wise beyond measure. How could she not know who the real backer is? She must be on your side, Empress Dowager."
Qin Qing's eyes glanced lightly: "What's this, are you interested in her?"
"This servant wouldn't dare. It's just that today, all the palace servants were talking about how the new Hanlin Academy's Lady Qiu is exceptionally handsome and particularly kind to the servants. That's why this servant..."
As he spoke, a faint blush spread across Yu Zhi's face.
Qin Qing recalled the elegant lady from the Qionglin Banquet, whose every move was refined and still amazed him. He lowered his eyes to conceal the emotions in them and said, "Qiu Shuzhi's beauty is indeed unparalleled in the world. You servants should keep your eyes in check and don't stare at her like hungry wolves."
He knew that the men in the palace were all lonely, and Yu Zhi and Yu Ye were young, at the age when young men fall in love. It was normal for them to admire Qiu Shuzhi.
But all women in the world are fickle, especially a renowned beauty like Qiu Shuzhi. She must have no shortage of male confidants around her. If one gives their heart to her, it will surely be broken in the future.
Yu Zhi lowered his head shyly: "This servant understands. This servant just thought that since Lady Qiu has shown goodwill towards us, we should reciprocate."
Qin Qing nodded slightly: "That's natural."
He had long wanted to win over Qiu Shuzhi. Now that Qiu Shuzhi had shown goodwill, he would not waste this opportunity.
Qin Shu had been spoiled by the Qin family and was a complete fool, not only useless but also causing such a big mess.
Jiang Si was also a force planted in the capital by the King of Dian, constantly opposing the Qin family.
Psst... Want the full novel early? Google 'novel title + yuushil'