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

Chapter 218 The Empress's Identity is Finally Revealed

When Su Mo saw the mission details, a bitter and complicated expression appeared on his face!
The task panel still shows the name as "Cold ???", but the task prompts completely reveal Cold's true identity!
The phrase "Xuanwu Gate Incident" has been mentioned!

Sure enough, my guess was correct.

No wonder he dared to say he would send Zhang Shouning back!

No wonder the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard could kill so easily!

No wonder he can get promoted whenever he wants and be taken into the harem whenever he wants!

As the Great Wu Empress, she naturally has this ability!

Su Mo composed himself and focused his gaze on the mission panel.

[Cold? ? ?]: Fengming Division Hundred-Household Officer? ? ? (33%)

[Task]: The Unspeakable Secret of Coldness (Hidden Task)
[Requirement]: Eliminate cold-heartedness.

[Hint]: The Xuanwu Gate Incident, cold? ??? Every night when I fall asleep, I dream of two bloodied elder brothers standing in front of my bed, which often wakes me up in fright, resulting in extremely poor sleep quality!

[Note]: Although calming incense can help with sleep, long-term use can put a great strain on the heart and may lead to cardiac arrest!
[Tip]: Mental illness requires mental medicine!
[Reward]: Unknown
[Punishment]: Unknown
[WARNING]: This is a hidden mission with a duration of one year! The host can choose to accept or refuse. If no choice is made after 15 minutes, the mission will be abandoned by default.

[WARNING]: This task may have unforeseen and serious consequences!

……

Su Mo's face was a little pale.

No wonder the mission is called "Unspeakable Secret," and it's a hidden mission! Two warnings in total!

The Xuanwu Gate Incident! The Empress murders her brother and seizes the throne!

A taboo within a taboo!

Let alone touching on this matter, even saying a word about it would likely result in the execution of the entire family!

In the past, there was no penalty for failing a mission, but this mission has an extra penalty option, which shows how dangerous it is!

These three tips, in particular, seem to be of little use!
The idea that the last heart ailment requires a heart remedy is utter nonsense!
How can you help the Empress resolve her inner turmoil if you don't mention the matter of murdering her brother to seize the throne? If you do mention it, congratulations, you're very likely to receive a luxurious one-day tour package for your whole family at the Meridian Gate!

There is simply no solution!

However, the greater the risk, the greater the reward!

Su Mo checked the Empress's favorability rating again!
33%!

Although it doesn't seem quite safe yet!

But Su Mo gritted her teeth and clicked to accept the task!
You'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't accept the hidden quest!

What's more, it's a hidden mission for the Empress of the Great Wu Dynasty! The biggest boss of the Great Wu Dynasty!

Once you successfully conquer your target, you can live a carefree life for the rest of your days!

Anyway, there's a year!
Try to raise your favorability rating to over 60% before starting the mission; you shouldn't have to worry about your entire family being wiped out.

Moreover, by then, a safe haven at sea should have been prepared.

Seeing that Su Mo's face had suddenly turned pale, Leng Liuxi asked with concern, "What's wrong, Su Lang?"

Su Mo took a deep breath and waved her hand: "It's nothing!"

Leng Liuxi frowned slightly: "You still say it's nothing, but your face has turned pale!"

"Is my lord perhaps unwell? You may tell me."

She hesitated slightly before saying, "I know some imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital; I can summon them to examine you, my lord."

Practitioners rarely fall ill, but when they do, it is quite a difficult situation to deal with.

The Empress was grooming Su Mo to be the future Grand Secretary and Imperial Advisor, and was extremely concerned about Su Mo's health.

Su Mo smiled wryly and said, "My lord, I am really alright."

"I just can't sleep well and am often awakened by nightmares in the middle of the night. My mental state is a little poor, but I should be fine after a few days of rest."

Leng Liuxi was taken aback upon hearing this, her pretty face darkening slightly before she looked at Su Mo with a solemn expression: "The omen in the dream is a warning from heaven, Su Lang, you must not take it lightly!"

She paused, then said, "I have some calming incense that can help you sleep. I will send it to your residence later."

Upon hearing this, Su Mo quickly shook his head and said, "Thank you for your kindness, sir!"

“A mental illness requires a mental cure; tranquilizing incense only treats the symptoms, not the root cause, so I have no need to use it.”

He hesitated slightly before adding, "Furthermore, I have heard the old man with the white beard say that this calming incense is not a good medicine."

"If one relies on this method to sleep for an extended period, it will cause significant damage to the body, especially the heart, and may even..."

A sharp glint flashed in the Empress's eyes, and she said coldly, "Even what?"

Su Mo looked at the Empress in surprise, seemingly puzzled by her expression, but his expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "It could even cause cardiac arrest and sudden death!"

The Empress stared intently at Su Mo, her voice turning cold and sharp: "Does the old man with the white beard really say that?"

Su Mo nodded: "That's exactly what he said."

"If Lord Leng hadn't mentioned this calming incense, I wouldn't have remembered it either!"

The Empress remained silent for a moment, then looked at Su Mo with her phoenix eyes half-closed: "May I ask, Su Lang, what else did that white-bearded old man say? Was it related to the calming incense?"

Su Mo scratched his forehead and said with a wry smile, "I just mentioned it casually, I didn't say anything else."

He glanced at the Empress, seemed to hesitate for a moment, and finally gritted his teeth: "Please forgive my rudeness."

"I see that Your Excellency's face is pale and your lips are slightly purplish. From a medical perspective, this is a sign of impaired heart function."

"Sedative incense, sir, you must not use it indiscriminately!"

The Empress gave Su Mo a deep look, and her favorability rating above her head jumped slightly, actually increasing by two points. Then she smiled and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Su Lang."

"I have never used that calming incense."

After pausing, he asked curiously, "Judging from what you've said, Master Su, you are also proficient in medicine?"

Su Mo quickly replied, "I only know a little."

This is absolutely true!
With the advancement of medicine in later generations, various disease cases can be found online, and most people can buy medicine and treat their illnesses at pharmacies on their own.

The problem is, there are no Western medicines here!

At most, you can use some alcohol to disinfect or some allicin to reduce inflammation.

Yes, they also know how to extract artemisinin, which is used to treat malaria.

It seems that nitroglycerin, which is used to treat heart disease, is also considered a Western medicine?

Of course, Su Mo also knew a little about the methods of preventing plagues, since many time-traveling predecessors had mentioned methods of preventing or even treating plagues in their books.

Hmm... add smallpox prevention with cowpox and that should be it.

Asthma prevention, dust and pollen allergies, etc. are not mentioned.

Su Mo really only knows this much.

I can only say I have a superficial understanding.

Leng Liuxi frowned, speechless as she looked at Su Mo.

Another one who knows a little bit!
Her expression turned sour, and she looked at Su Mo with a wry smile: "My lord Su said that this is a sign of impaired heart function. If that is really the case, how should it be treated?"

Su Mo had no idea whether her heart disease was congenital, acquired, or caused by the calming incense.

Therefore, he smiled wryly and said, "This humble servant only knows a little bit about this."

After a moment's hesitation, Su Mo gritted his teeth and said, "However, I have heard the old man with the white beard mention a medicine that can quickly relieve heartache and chest tightness, but..."

Nitroglycerin is highly effective for angina pectoris.

It can also reduce the workload on the heart, increase blood supply to the heart, control abnormal blood pressure, and improve symptoms of heart failure.

Su Mo originally intended to keep it for self-defense in the future.

However, seeing the system task notification, I felt it was better to take it out, lest the Empress accidentally die suddenly.

This is a powerful ally I finally managed to latch onto.

If the Empress were to die and someone else were to become emperor, not to mention whether they would target her, the idea of ​​continuing to make money and get promoted would be a pipe dream!

Sure enough, the Empress finally couldn't hide her anxiety and hurriedly asked, "What medicine is Su Lang talking about?"

Su Mo frowned: "Actually, this humble servant doesn't know what this medicine is called either."

"How about this……"

"I will refine some later for your self-defense, sir."

Although nitroglycerin is dangerous, if the concentration is controlled and it is made into tablets with starch, and if it is stored carefully, it is virtually impossible for it to explode.

The Empress nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, Su Lang."

She paused, then suddenly became curious and asked, "Could you tell me about the nightmare that you mentioned earlier, Su Lang?"

"Many officials in the Imperial Observatory are skilled in dream interpretation; perhaps they can find the cause of the young master's nightmares and eliminate the hidden danger."

Su Mo waved her hand: "No need!"

He then explained, "When I was young and ignorant, I killed two long snakes. Recently, I saw the white snake spirit in the mountains, and last night I dreamed of those two long snakes covered in blood."

Upon hearing this, the Empress's expression changed drastically, and her body, hidden under her cloak, trembled slightly.

A flash of murderous intent appeared in his eyes, then vanished in an instant. He coldly said, "Then kill the White Snake Demon as well!"

Su Mo was immediately startled.

What a ruthless empress! No wonder she dared to murder her brother and seize the throne!

He quickly waved his hand and said, "No!"

"As I said, a mental illness requires a mental cure!"

"Even if we kill the white snake, it will probably be of no use. There might even be another white snake in my dreams!"

The Empress frowned deeply: "Could it be that I've been tormented by the vengeful spirits of those two evil snakes all this time?"

Su Mo forced a smile: "I think those two long snakes weren't really trying to bother me, otherwise they wouldn't have appeared only after they saw the White Snake Demon."

"It's probably because they're afraid I'll continue to kill my own kind."

"If we treat the White Snake Spirit kindly, her vengeful spirit will dissipate in time!"

After a long silence, the Empress said softly, "If that's the case, I won't say any more."

"If the vengeful snake dares to appear again after some time, then kill the white snake spirit!"

"Kill it until it's afraid, then it won't dare disturb your peaceful dreams any longer."

Su Mo could only nod: "Thank you for your guidance, my lord!" The Empress had lost the mood to share the joys of the court with Su Mo and looked out at the sky.

"I must return to the city."

“My lord, remember to make the medicine that the white-bearded old man mentioned… Hmm, my lord, you don’t need to tell anyone else about this.”

After a pause, the Empress felt uneasy and added, "Even your Commander of a Thousand Households is not allowed to tell!"

Su Mo nodded quickly: "This subordinate will keep it in mind!"

After giving Su Mo her instructions, the Empress took Su Mo to a side hall to find Zhong Yin and return to the city.

Zhong Yin noticed that Su Mo's expression had softened considerably for some reason.

Before leaving, he looked at Su Mo with a serious expression: "Su Shanzi, this artisan camp is extremely important. You must take strict precautions and not let outsiders steal the secrets of the military equipment, otherwise this Minister will not spare you!"

Su Mo nodded solemnly and said, "Your Excellency, rest assured, I will not give outsiders any opportunity to take advantage of this!"

Zhong Yin nodded slightly.

He realized that labeling Su Mo as a treacherous minister was indeed inappropriate.

Su Mo didn't even know the Empress's identity, so how could he be guilty of flattering her?
After the Empress and Zhong Yin left the government office, Su Mo looked at Yin Rou suspiciously: "Why is Zhong Yin's attitude so much better?"

Yin Rou quickly explained, "Minister Zhong asked me many questions about my teacher and the artisan battalion."

"They must know that the Artisan Battalion is in its current state entirely because of you, Teacher, which is why they have changed their attitude towards you."

After pausing, he suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "He took Master's Thousand Character Classic textbook, saying he would study and ponder it when he got back."

Su Mo frowned slightly.

The textbook has pinyin annotations, but I doubt Zhong Yin could understand it anyway.

These are all minor details and insignificant.

The most important thing is the chilling hidden mission!

He suddenly asked, "How many chain-driven bicycles were built?"

Yin Rou quickly replied, "We've built one chain bicycle, but we haven't put a serial number on it yet."

"Five axle-type bicycles have been made. The third son of the Duke of Ning has a note from his teacher and wants to take one."

Su Mo nodded: "The chain-link bicycle has serial number 002. I'll pick it up later!"

Yin Rou responded and left.

Su Mo was the only person inside the government office.

Su Mo took a deep breath, opened the task panel again, his brows furrowed, and focused his attention on the three prompts!

The first clue is the cause of the Empress's nightmare.

The second hint is likely that the system is worried about the Empress suddenly dying.

I have already reminded Leng Xixi, or rather, I should say Leng Liuxi.

As long as she stops using tranquilizers, the possibility of her dying suddenly is unlikely.

The key to the task lies in the third clue.

"A mental illness requires a mental cure?" Su Mo murmured.

The Empress bears many traces of historical emperors.

She was the first female emperor, just like Wu Zetian, and as stingy as Zhu Yuanzhang.

But more often than not, it's similar to Li Er, who murdered his brother to seize the throne!

It is said that Li Er also had nightmares and had difficulty falling asleep. In the end, he called someone to act as a door god and guard the door to solve the problem.

Clearly, this is unofficial history and should not be taken seriously.

Given the Empress's ruthless and decisive nature, this was definitely not going to work.

The system can't possibly ask me to coax her and stay with her until she falls asleep, can it?

The more Su Mo thought about it, the more her head spun.

It seems that we have no other choice but to use that method.

Li Er, who seized the throne by killing his brother, eventually proved with his achievements that he was more suitable to be the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. In the end, he truly became an emperor for all ages and was known as the Heavenly Khan!
Help the Empress create a prosperous era of the Great Wu Dynasty, and achieve a reign of peace and prosperity like that of the early years of the Phoenix (Zhenguan era).

Proving that she is truly suitable to be the Empress of the Great Wu should resolve the Empress's inner conflict and cure her heart ailment.

The problem is, there's not enough time!

The mission is limited to one year!
No matter how arrogant Su Mo was, he would never think that he could help the Empress create a great Wu Dynasty in just one year!

Su Mo thought about it for a long time.

It seems the only option is to take a roundabout route to achieve our goals.

He pondered the plan for a long time and felt that it was highly feasible while greatly reducing the level of danger.

We can handle it!
When Yin Rou brought over the bicycles with the numbers printed on them.

Su Mo originally intended to ride her bike back to the city.

However, considering it would attract too much attention, they decided against it.

Let Zhang Xuzu, that spoiled brat, handle the show-off and advertising; I need to keep a low profile!

The black carriage that the Empress left behind is still there.

There were also two exceptionally fine black horses, with not a single stray hair on their bodies.

Su Mo simply moved the bicycle onto the carriage and drove it back home.

Jiang Laoshi was taken aback when he saw Su Mo driving the carriage back.

"Jiang Laoshi, move the bicycle from the car to the back courtyard..."

Su Mo had just given Jiang Laoshi instructions when he suddenly saw Lin Moyin walking out of the greenhouse.

"Hmm? Madam, what brings you back?"

Although the Fengming Division is in charge of the case concerning the Fu family compound, Lin Moyin is unlikely to relinquish it easily.

Lin Moyin smiled slightly: "This is none of my business over there."

"I was just thinking of going to Lonely Peak Mountain to see Siyun, but I didn't expect you to be back too, my love."

Lonely Peak Mountain was her own fiefdom, and as the eldest wife, she couldn't rest easy without going there herself.

As she spoke, Lin Moyin looked curiously at the bicycle that Jiang Laoshi had brought down, her eyes lighting up slightly: "Is this a bicycle for me?"

"I just saw Zhang Xuzu showing off in the city, he was so smug!"

She stepped forward gracefully, admiringly fiddling with the novel bicycle, but couldn't figure it out. Finally, she turned her head to Su Mo and asked, "My lord, how do you ride this bicycle?"

Su Mo coughed twice: "Um... this car is for Shu'er."

Lin Moyin was stunned, her pretty face immediately turned cold, and she glared at Su Mo through gritted teeth.

Su Mo said solemnly, "My lady, I need Shu'er's help with something!"

"It's very important!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Moyin frowned slightly: "Is what you said true, my lord?"

Su Mo nodded emphatically.

Lin Moyin nodded and gave a soft "Mmm": "This bicycle can be given to Shu'er."

He paused, then reminded Su Mo, "She's reading a storybook in her room."

Su Mo was taken aback: "Madam isn't angry?"

Lin Moyin rolled her eyes at him, annoyed: "Does my lord think I'm someone who doesn't know what's important?"

Su Mo chuckled and stepped forward to give Lin Moyin a quick kiss: "My wife is so kind!"

Lin Moyin's pretty face instantly turned red, and she quickly pushed Su Mo away: "Stop fooling around, someone's watching!"

Su Mo turned around and looked at Jiang Laoshi: "You saw it?"

Like a blind man, Jiang Laoshi stretched out his hands and groped around, muttering blankly, "I just got sand in my eyes, how come I can't see anything?"

"Sir, where are you?"

Su Mo...

Too lazy to deal with this dishonest fellow, I told him to keep an eye on the greenhouse, and then pushed my bicycle to the back of the house.

Lin Moyin rode her crimson horse and inspected her fiefdom on Lonely Peak Mountain.

Su Mo arrived at the east wing and knocked on Xue Yishu's door: "Shu'er, open the door!"

Soon, Xue Yishu pushed open the door and came out, holding a storybook in her hand.

His gaze naturally fell on the bicycle immediately, and he couldn't help but exclaim with delight, "Young master, is this a bicycle?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "Yes!"

"Like it?"

Xue Yishu nodded repeatedly: "I like it!"

Su Mo smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it!"

Xue Yishu was overjoyed and was about to get her bicycle when she suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, "Does Sister Lin have one too?"

Su Mo waved her hand: "This is our family's first bicycle, she said you can have it first!"

Xue Yishu was immediately taken aback.

Su Mo then added, "Giving you the bicycle is no problem, but I have one condition!"

"You have to do something for your husband!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Yishu's pretty face instantly turned bright red, and she lowered her head, no longer daring to look at Su Mo!
My lord... my lord... have you finally lost your temper?

What if my parents find out?
Rejecting her lover?

What if the young master gets angry?

Just as Xue Yishu was feeling extremely conflicted, her heart was pounding like a deer.

Su Mo said, half-laughing and half-crying, "What are you thinking! I have something else I need your help with!"

　The story is no longer interrupted! Can you guys give me your monthly votes?

　　
　
(End of this chapter)