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

Chapter 199 The Empress's advertisement is amazing!
Su Mo returned home with two black-clad "bodyguards," feeling both amused and exasperated.

The two women in black were petite and, while not stunningly beautiful, were quite pleasing to the eye and could be considered charming and delicate.

She just talked to them, completely ignoring Su Mo.

Even though he was right behind Su Mo, he was like a ghost, unable to sense any presence or hear any footsteps!

They must have practiced a special method to conceal their aura.

Su Mo secretly marveled at the strength of Fengming Division; these two unassuming young women were definitely no less powerful than himself.

No wonder Nangong Sheyue asked them to protect him!
I walked back to the Su residence via Zhuque Avenue.

The patrolling soldiers on the street stopped Su Mo several times because he was dressed in eunuch robes.

At this time of day, it was indeed suspicious to see a eunuch and two women walking down the street.

Su Mo took out the token of the Director of Ceremonial Affairs before leaving.

When they returned to the house, they looked back and realized that the two women had disappeared at some point, probably hiding somewhere in the corner of the courtyard.

Su Mo frowned slightly.

After passing through the inner courtyard and entering the inner hall, they saw that the windows of the inner hall were bright and the inside was well lit.

Su Mo couldn't help but become suspicious.

In this freezing weather, it's almost midnight, who would still be in the inner hall?
Pushing open the door, Su Mo was taken aback: "Mo'er's here?"

Inside the main hall, the Commander of a Thousand Households was seated.

In addition, there was Xue Yishu holding a book, Liu Siyun looking at account books, and Jiang Lan pouring tea for the commander.

Upon seeing Su Mo return, still dressed in eunuch robes, Lin Moyin's pretty face instantly turned suspicious.

Jiang Lan and Liu Siyun stepped forward and brushed the fine snowflakes from Su Mo's hair and shoulders.

Xue Yishu hesitated for a moment, put down her book, and stepped forward to help Su Mo straighten his robes.

Lin Moyin glanced at Su Mo's eunuch robes, then at the ivory token at his waist, and frowned, asking, "My lord, what's going on here?"

As she spoke, a cold glint flashed in her eyes, and she asked in a low voice, "Did you return home alone, sir?"

Su Mo opened his arms, letting Jiang Lan and the others take off their eunuch robes and change out of their official boots. He gave a wry smile and said, "Don't ask about that. It's a long story."

“Two of the Phoenix Cry Division’s attendants have returned.”

"Hmm... no need to pay them any attention."

Lin Moyin nodded.

Su Mo picked up the teacup, took a sip of hot tea to warm himself, and noticed some melon seeds and snacks on the table. He casually grabbed a handful before asking, "How is the matter with the sect?"

Lin Moyin hummed in agreement: "It's nothing serious, I've already taken care of it."

While cracking sunflower seeds, Su Mo smiled and said, "That's excellent."

He immediately frowned: "Then why aren't you resting yet?"

"You don't need to wait for me to come back next time."

Lin Moyin's pretty face turned resentful: "My lord and Commander Leng are parading around in the streets, attracting the attention of thousands. How can I sleep?"

He paused, then couldn't help but ask curiously, "That strange object, is it the bicycle you mentioned earlier, sir?"

Su Mo casually replied, "Yes, it was just made."

Lin Moyin chuckled and exclaimed in admiration, "My lord is truly remarkable. I have never seen such a peculiar carriage before."

"Such a rare item must be kept safe and protected from theft."

She paused, then continued, "Where is your bicycle, my lord? I'll go and put it away for you right away."

Su Mo...

Lin Moyin raised an eyebrow slightly: "Why does my lord have such an expression?"

"Could it be that Leng Baihu took our bicycle?"

Su Mo was both amused and exasperated.

Lord Qianhu is good in every way, except he's jealous.

He straightened his face and said, "Commander Leng has taken good care of me. Giving her a bicycle is something I can decide!"

Seeing Lin Moyin's pretty face suddenly darken, Su Mo quickly added, "Once the bicycle is remade, I will give it to you!"

"One person, one car!"

Liu Siyun and Jiang Lan's eyes lit up instantly.

Xue Yishu also secretly swallowed.

Although they had never seen a bicycle in person, they had heard others talk about how amazing it was.

That cold car, carrying its own man through Zhuque Street, attracted the attention of the entire city and became the talk of the town. Naturally, the three women also wanted to own one!
Only Lord Qianhu remained silent with a dark expression.

Su Mo snorted, "I'm tired! Which of you will serve me in bed?"

"Whoever serves the emperor in bed gets the bicycle first!"

Lord Qianhu's face remained dark!

Su Mo's gaze fell on Jiang Lan.

Jiang Lan was immediately startled: "This servant will prepare a bath for the master!"

After saying that, he fled as if he were running away.

Su Mo's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. He was about to turn his gaze to Liu Siyun when Liu Siyun immediately exclaimed in panic, "This servant is preparing a change of clothes for my lord..."

Then they also escaped from the inner hall.

Xue Yishu was shocked and her pretty face flushed as she looked at Su Mo, her voice stammering, "My lord, I'm going back to my room to read..."

Although she was engaged to Su Mo, she was, after all, a lady from a prominent family with strict upbringing, and naturally had not yet consummated her marriage with Su Mo.

He was so frightened by Su Mo that he fled in panic.

Su Mo...

Their gazes fell upon Lord Qianhu.

Previously, with Xue Yishu, Liu Siyun, and others present, Lin Moyin had to maintain the dignity of the first wife.

Now that everyone else had fled, the commander couldn't help but panic as he saw Su Mo closing in.

"My lord, please don't do anything rash. I...I'm going to rest!"

Her own area was still in great pain, and facing the unconventional Su Mo alone, how could she dare to linger any longer and challenge Su Mo's limits!
Su Mo...

Looking at the empty inner hall.

I suddenly remembered an animated film I watched when I was a child.

I didn't understand before, but I do now.

The animated film is called: Three Monks!
However, Su Mo eventually got to drink the water.

How could a lowly maid like Jiang Lan resist the master's tyranny!

……

The next morning, Su Mo was woken up by a knock on the door.

Su Mo thought that Nangong Sheyue had come to keep his promise, and secretly sighed that Fengming Si Qianhu was indeed a man of his word.

It turned out that Zhang Xuzunas was the one who came.

Others include Han Yu and Cao Feng.

Suspicion began to creep into my mind.

Why are these guys here again, disturbing my sleep so early in the morning?

Su Mo had no choice but to instruct the gatekeeper to invite Zhang Xuzu into the main hall and greet him.

He then instructed Jiang Lan to bring him water and salt to wash his face, and he washed up.

While pondering how to get a toothbrush and toothpaste ready (she really wasn't used to brushing her teeth with salt), she asked Jiang Lan, who was helping her get dressed, "Is Madam awake yet?"

Jiang Lan said softly, "When I went out to prepare hot water for my husband earlier, I heard from Madam Xue that the First Madam had returned to her post at the Right Palace."

Su Mo frowned.

I originally wanted Lin Moyin to go to Lonely Peak Mountain to see what was going on with the demonic python.

However, since I've already gone to the right post, I'll just wait for Nangong Sheyue.

After dressing Su Mo, Jiang Lan fastened his belt and tied his hair. Hesitating for a moment, she suddenly said, "My lord, what about the bicycle..."

Su Mo laughed heartily, reached into the maid's robe, and weighed the two round jade bowls in his hand: "Master keeps his word, I will send you one another day."

Jiang Lan blushed and quickly said, "Master, you've misunderstood."

"I was thinking of giving the bicycles to the Madam and the others first, and I... I can ask for them last."

Su Mo smiled and said, "Master knows his own limits."

As he spoke, he casually touched his chin, finding it incredibly smooth. Su Mo's face immediately darkened.

He finally grew a beard to make himself look a bit more mature and composed.

As a result, the results of more than half a month were ruined by Nangong Sheyue!
At my age, is it easy to grow a beard?
His sullen expression made Jiang Lan chuckle: "The old man looks even younger after shaving!"

Su Mo retorted irritably, "What do you know! What the master wants is maturity and composure!"

"Go, go, go back to work at the restaurant!"

Jiang Lan, suppressing a smile, gave Su Mo a curtsy and said, "This servant takes her leave."

Su Mo watched Jiang Lan's retreating figure, then shook his head with a wry smile.

She is Chef Bai Yujing!
Baiyujing's profits far exceeded those of Yanyulou, mainly due to Jiang Lan.

Su Mo was quite indulgent towards such a thoughtful, sensible, capable maid who could also make a lot of money for her.

I'll find an opportunity to take her in later and give her a proper status.

When passing by the Intermediate People's Court.

Jiang Laoshi squatted on a small stool, keeping a watchful eye on the outside of the greenhouse.

The White Tiger Pill lay lazily to one side.

Upon seeing Su Mo appear, Jiang Laoshi immediately ran over to greet him.

The White Tiger Pill seemed to come to life instantly, rushing towards Su Mo and affectionately rubbing against his calf, making Jiang Laoshi quite envious.

Su Mo nodded to Jiang Laoshi: "Well done, keep it up. When the sweet potato vines grow well, you'll be richly rewarded."

As he spoke, he patted the White Tiger Pill's head, then casually grabbed two wild rabbits from the cage in the corner and tossed them to the White Tiger Pill to hunt for itself.

Finally, I went into the greenhouse to check on the sweet potatoes.

Several more purple buds have sprouted. The purple buds that grew yesterday are now almost the length of a finger, and the leaves have also grown quite a bit.

The growth rate is incredibly rapid.

After checking the sweet potatoes, Su Meng went to the main hall.

Upon seeing Su Mo, Zhang Xuzu and the others immediately greeted him with broad smiles.

"Lord Su, we've arrived again!"

Zhang Xuzu took the initiative to greet him, then paused slightly, his gaze falling on Su Mo's chin: "Lord Su, where's your beard?"

He then clicked his tongue in admiration, "He does look much younger; Lord Su is indeed a young man of great promise!"

Han Yu also laughed and said, "Lord Su has not yet come of age, yet he is already a marquis of the Great Wu and a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. We are truly envious!"

Cao Feng and the others also showed expressions of envy.

Although they were legitimate sons, the family's noble title was destined to be inherited only by the eldest legitimate son.

With no hope of a career in government, he naturally felt envious.

Su Mo's face darkened, and she said irritably, "I shaved it off yesterday."

He then asked, "Brother Zhang, why are you here again? Have you already found a shipbuilder?"

Zhang Xuzu quickly waved his hand: "How could it be so fast!"

"We have heard that yesterday, Lord Su and... Lord Leng rode a strange object in the city, attracting the attention of everyone."

He paused slightly, then continued, "We have heard of this and are quite curious. May I ask, Lord Su, what is this?"

Cao Feng chimed in with a laugh, "That's right!"

“My servants happened to see your strange object, sir, and when they came back and told me about it, their expressions of surprise made me curious as well.”

Su Mo was both amused and exasperated.

These nobles arrived early in the morning, only to find out it was for bicycles.

It seems that yesterday's advertising was quite effective.

He smiled and said, "That's called a bicycle. I just invented it."

His gaze swept over Zhang Xuzu and the others, and he said, "However, only one vehicle was built, and it has already been taken by Lord Leng. I wished to show you all my skills, but I am afraid I will disappoint you."

Zhang Xuzu immediately took a deep breath.

However, he also guessed that the Empress must have taken the bicycle.

Such a rare and unique item should undoubtedly be enjoyed by the Empress first!

He pondered for a moment and said, "Could Lord Su recreate it?"

Su Mo frowned: "It's not that we can't build it, but it's extremely troublesome, requires a lot of refined iron, and is very costly, so we don't plan to build it anymore."

As he spoke, he looked at Zhang Xuzu suspiciously: "Could it be that Brother Zhang also wants this bicycle?"

Zhang Xuzu immediately nodded and said, "That's right!"

"We all want them, so please, Lord Su, have more made. You will certainly not be shortchanged!"

Su Mo hesitated for a moment: "Brother Zhang, you really aren't joking with me?"

"It would probably cost two or three hundred taels of silver to build such a bicycle!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xuzu was immediately taken aback.

He and the other three exchanged glances before frowning and saying, "A bicycle costs two or three hundred taels of silver?"

Su Mo nodded: "To be honest, this bicycle is not only technically complex, but it also requires a precious soft steel and is made using a secret method!"

"Therefore, only one was built as a gift for Lord Leng, and there are no plans to build any more."

He paused, then continued, "I'm explaining this to Brother Zhang to avoid you all thinking I'm stingy and unwilling to spend..."

"Alright, I'll have another one built. You can take turns having fun. Let's not talk about money anymore."

Zhang Xuzu laughed and said, "Bicycles are so difficult to build, how could we let Lord Su spend so much money!"

He thought for a moment, then said generously, "As you say, sir, two hundred taels of silver per vehicle, and I want ten!"

Su Mo seemed surprised: "Ten bicycles, that's two thousand taels of silver!"

"Brother Zhang, are you sure you're not joking with me?"

Zhang Xuzu's expression turned serious: "How dare I joke with you, sir? I really want ten!"

He paused, then added, "I will have a servant bring the silver to you shortly!"

Han Yu and Cao Feng exchanged glances secretly.

The price of the bicycles exceeded their expectations.

But Zhang Xuzu wasn't stupid; he must have known there was profit to be made, which is why he asked for ten vehicles right away!
Besides, it's only two hundred taels of silver.

Giving this bicycle as a gift will surely please people more than giving two hundred taels of silver!
Putting everything else aside, just bringing the bicycle home and presenting it to your parents will surely earn them a newfound respect for their son.

Therefore, the two of them said in unison, "Lord Su, I also want ten!"

Wen Bi and Li You gritted their teeth: "I want... five vehicles."

Their financial resources were not as good as Han Yu's and others'. They had just received their share of the soap dividends, as well as the money invested by Han Yu and others.

I can still afford a thousand taels.

Su Mo hesitated for a moment before finally nodding: "In that case..."

Before he could finish speaking, a cold voice suddenly came from outside: "Three hundred taels of silver for each bicycle!"

Su Mo was taken aback and subconsciously looked up.

A red figure appeared on the wall. It was Fengming Si Qianhu, dressed in a bright red horse-face skirt, who leaped down from the wall.

Lord Qianhu strode into the main hall, looking at Zhang Xuzu and the others with a blank expression.

He repeated, emphasizing, "A bicycle costs three hundred taels of silver!"

Su Mo swallowed hard.

The value of a bicycle lies in its technology.

If we really calculate the material cost, a cart weighing a hundred pounds, even if it were all made of refined iron, how much would it be worth?
At most twenty taels!

They feel like they're being incredibly greedy if they set a price ten times higher than their own.

Unexpectedly, Nangong Sheyue was even more ruthless than him, raising the price by 50% right off the bat!
Zhang Xuzu and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.

She glanced at Nangong Sheyue, who had scaled the wall, and then at Su Mo.

"Lord Su, this..."

Su Mo shrugged, looking quite helpless: "As for the bicycle business, I promised to give it to Lord Nangong..."

The implication was that trying to negotiate a lower price was futile; it would be pointless to approach this official.

We need to find Commander Nangong!

However, judging from Lord Nangong's expression, as if the whole world owed her three hundred taels of silver, it seems... probably... unlikely that she'll actually get it cut...

(End of this chapter)