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

Chapter 282 The Empress's Becoming a Disciple Shakes the Capital!
Upon seeing this scene, even Ning Jing, with his deep thoughts and ability to keep his emotions hidden, couldn't help but show surprise and doubt!
However, being the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Ning Jing quickly recovered from his initial surprise and subtly shifted his gaze away.

Of course he knew who the little girl riding on Su Mo's shoulders was.

As one of the few people who know the relationship between Su Mo and the Empress best.

Ning Jing had already thoroughly investigated Su Mo's situation, and he hadn't even missed Qin Bi'er and Chen Qianyu, who had only recently arrived in the capital.

What surprised him was not the little girl's identity.

But this little girl was actually able to ride on Su Mo's shoulders!
She was just a widow's daughter, with no blood relation to Su Mo. The young widow, Qin Bi'er, didn't even have a formal title; they just held a few tables of banquet as a formal initiation ceremony.

Su Mo dotes on her daughter so much?!
Ning Jing instantly came to a conclusion.

Su Mo is a sentimental person, and that young widow holds a very important place in his heart!
Ning Jing sighed inwardly.

I suspect many people misjudged it.

They thought Su Mo only cared about Lin Moyin, the commander of the Imperial Guard, and completely underestimated the influence of the young widow on Su Mo!

No wonder that when he was just a menial servant in the yamen, he was so angry that he took action for this widow and fought to the death with Ma Yingshi, who was then the clerk of Changping County!
Seeing that Ning Jing and the other eunuchs were all looking at the top of her head, Su Mo quickly took the little doll off her neck.

After pinching her chubby little face, he said softly, "Dian Dian, Daddy has a friend visiting. Why don't you go back to Mommy's with Uncle Wang?"

Dian Dian opened her eyes wide and looked at Ning Jing and the others with curiosity.

Then, in a childish voice, she said, "Dian Dian will listen to Daddy! But Dian Dian still wants to play in the mud with Daddy... just once, okay?"

Su Mo laughed heartily: "Great!"

"Daddy loves my sweet little Didi the most!"

"Daddy will have someone build a huge sandpit for Dian Dian, so she can play however she wants!"

After saying that, Chao Wangxiu said, "Uncle, please take Dian Dian back."

Wang Xiuzhi didn't really want to deal with the palace eunuchs either. He nodded, but he still greeted Ning Jing before taking Xiao Diandian's hand and returning to the inner quarters.

After Wang Xiuzhi left, Ning Jing withdrew his gaze, suddenly smiled, and took the initiative to say, "Lord Su, may I ask whose child this little girl is? She is quite beautiful."

He paused, then added curiously, "What does it mean that this girl calls Lord Su 'Papa'?"

"This official greets Chief Inspector Ning." Su Mo cupped his hands and smiled at Ning Jing, "I apologize for the humble address, Chief Inspector Ning."

"Her name is Diandian, and she is my daughter... 'Papa' is just a joking nickname I use for her, it's what my father means."

Ning Jing's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't know where his father would be called "baba".

However, Ning Jing was still quite surprised when Su Mo openly stated in public that the little girl was his daughter.

He took a breath, his expression suddenly turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "So that Lord Su may know."

"Our family has come here on a royal command."

"First of all, I congratulate Lord Su on gaining the Emperor's trust and being appointed as the Imperial Tutor!"

Ning Jing's words revealed an undisguised envy.

Despite his great power as the Grand Eunuch of the Inner Court, he was ultimately just a servant of the emperor.

The young man before me, who has not yet reached adulthood, is already the Imperial Tutor. His status is so noble that he is second only to the Emperor and above all others, and his future is limitless.

He is not comparable to a eunuch like him.

No matter how much power he holds, once the emperor loses his favor, he will instantly fall from the heights to the depths.

Those who are lucky may die peacefully, but the glory they brought in life will vanish in an instant, and their family's prestige will be gone.

As the Imperial Tutor, Su is likely to be praised by the world even after thousands of years, and his blessings will continue to extend for generations to come, protecting his descendants.

Ning Jing looked at Su with mixed feelings.

At this critical juncture, the Empress bestowed upon Su, the Imperial Tutor, an honor whose meaning was self-evident.

If Su Mo can marry His Majesty in the future and give birth to a dragon prince for the Empress, he might even become the Supreme Prince of the Great Wu!

Of course, if that were to happen, it would certainly be another bloody battle.

The Leng family clan would never sit idly by and watch Su Mo's son ascend the throne.

If Su Mo succeeds, his family will prosper forever; if he fails, the entire clan will be wiped out!
Ning Jing withdrew his complicated gaze and said in a deep voice, "His Majesty instructed me to come and assist Lord Su. If Lord Su has any needs, please just give me your orders."

Su Mo said with a serious expression, "Master Ning's words are too heavy; how could I dare to accept them!"

"I come from humble origins and have never been a teacher, so I am unfamiliar with the etiquette of apprenticeship. Now that Lord Ning has personally come to guide me, I should follow his instructions."

Ning Jing nodded, about to speak.

Suddenly, hundreds of elite armored soldiers, divided into two teams, rushed toward the Su residence with murderous intent.

Leading the procession was none other than Zhang Zong, the former Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Military Governor's Office, who had just left the Dali Temple not long ago!

Such an elite army suddenly mobilized on a large scale within the city, which was quite rare and naturally attracted the astonished and suspicious gazes of countless people!

Along the way, many mansions had their doors half-open, with people secretly watching what was happening inside.

Su Mo looked suspicious.

Ning Jing smiled and explained, "Lord Su, please don't worry."

"When the emperor travels, he appoints Lord Su as his tutor, so his safety is of paramount importance."

"The former military governor's office bears the heavy responsibility of protecting the imperial city and safeguarding the emperor, so it is natural that they need to come in advance to make proper arrangements to prevent those with ill intentions from disturbing the emperor's presence!"

Su Mo and Ding Yu were both stunned when they heard this.

Su Mo, in particular, thought that the Empress would act discreetly as before, using the alias Leng Xixi to meet him outside the palace, and that this time the apprenticeship would be the same.

This move was nothing more than putting on a brave face and intimidating powerful families like the Wang family.

Su Mo never expected that the Empress's entourage would be so grand.

In that case, wouldn't everyone in the capital know that he has become the Imperial Tutor?
How is this any different from announcing it to the world?
I go!

How can I then develop my resources stealthily and quietly make a fortune in the future?
The elite troops from the former military governor's office trotted over. Su Mo also saw Zhang Xuzu, Cao Feng, and a few other men following closely behind on bicycles not far behind…

Just as Su Mo was speechless.

With her beautiful face and aloof demeanor, Nangong Sheyue rode her snow-white steed swiftly from another direction.

Behind them were dozens of black-armored female cavalrymen exuding a murderous aura!
Su Mo was at a loss for words.

No wonder Leng Liuxi used to travel incognito!
This time, they came to my residence openly and legitimately. Not only did the former military governor's office mobilize, but the Fengming Division also sent so many elite troops!
Just one more... damn!

Su Mo was about to say that only one Imperial Guard was missing.

In the blink of an eye, a group of elite officers from the Five Military Bureaus, dressed in red robes and carrying straight swords at their waists, appeared.

Led by a middle-aged man with a hooked nose dressed in a flying fish robe, they quickly headed towards their house!

Although Su Mo was not part of the five core institutes, Lin Moyin became the commander of the right institute, so Su Mo naturally had some understanding of the situation of the other four institutes.

The Jinyiwei, dressed in flying fish robes and with hooked noses, was none other than Tu Juejue, the top-ranked commander of the five core schools!

Su Mo was completely speechless this time.

However, the five core offices were mainly responsible for the emperor's ceremonial guard and protection, and commanded the officers and soldiers.

Since the Phoenix Cry Division has shown up, how could the people from the five core institutes not come!
The five core institutes and the six subordinate institutes have different statuses.

Nowadays, the number of Jinyiwei (Imperial Bodyguards) is becoming increasingly bloated. Many noble families send their idle sons to the Jinyiwei. Many of these relatives are assigned to the six subordinate units, and they are mainly responsible for trivial matters.

Therefore, Su Mo dared to suggest to Wei Zhengguang that the strongmen from the Left Office deliver express packages to earn extra money!

The truly major cases are basically handled by the five core offices and the Northern Garrison Command!
These are the core departments of the Imperial Guard in the capital.

The lowest-ranking officers in the five core units of the Great Wu Imperial Guard are all captains, which shows the difference between them and the six subordinate units!
Zhang Zong, Nangong Sheyue, and Tu Jue each led one of the three armies.

They arrived at Su Mo's residence almost simultaneously.

Su Mo took the initiative to greet the three of them, but Nangong Sheyue and the others didn't even glance at him before setting up their own defenses.

The three have clearly defined roles.

The Imperial Guards were in charge of the outer perimeter checks, and even the guests at the Baiyujing Restaurant, which was located in the front and second courtyards, were driven away by the Imperial Guards!
The Imperial Guards also entered and inspected the surrounding houses!

Zhang Zong led his elite vanguard troops to completely surround Su's residence.

Nangong Sheyue, with an expressionless face, led dozens of black-armored female cavalrymen to thoroughly inspect the interior of the Su residence several times!
Not only the servants of the Su residence, but also Liu Siyun, Qin Bier, and others were questioned and searched!
Su Mo, standing to the side, had a black line on her forehead!
Did the Empress come to become a disciple?
Is this some kind of self-inflicted torment?
This isn't the first time she's come back; why haven't we seen her like this before?
Is it really necessary to make such a big fuss over just changing one's identity?

With a Celestial Infant Realm cultivator and An Wu protecting her closely, how could the women and servants in her own residence possibly harm a single hair on her head?
I originally thought I should make proper preparations to welcome the Empress's arrival.

Now it seems I can just lie down and be fine.

Ning Jing and his group of eunuchs also took care of all the details!

Zhang Xuzu, Cao Feng, and others tried to enter the Su residence, but Zhang Zong rudely drove them away!

The events at the Su residence alarmed countless people, and the news spread to various factions in the capital at an extremely rapid pace.

For example, there was Zhong Yin, the Minister of War; Xiao Yuan, the Grand Secretary; and Wang Hao, the Second Grand Secretary…

Everyone was shocked!

Xiao Yuan, in particular, had no idea what had happened.

How could I, the Grand Secretary and head of all officials, be unaware of such a momentous event as the Empress leaving the palace?

If the Empress secretly left the palace, Xiao Yuan could pretend he didn't know.

After all, for a Heavenly Infant True Person like the Empress, the palace walls were nothing more than a facade.

But to leave the palace so openly and without informing the civil and military officials is simply too much!
Where is this cabinet?

This is no joke, and we must never set this precedent!
Having just returned to his residence and not long after changing out of his official robes, Xiao Yuan immediately darkened his face and ordered someone to put his official robes back on him before heading straight for the palace!

On the way, they unexpectedly met Wang Hao and Cui Xuan, who were also heading to the palace!

Upon arriving at Xuanwu Gate, Xiao Yuan and his companions discovered that Yang Ji, Wang Hua, and Yuan Xingdao were already waiting outside the gate!

"Lord Wang, Lord Yang, Lord Yuan, what exactly happened?"

Xiao Yuan's face darkened as he looked at Wang Hua and Yang Ji, the two members of the imperial faction.

Wang Hua looked at Xiao Yuan with a wry smile: "I just received the news myself. His Majesty is going to visit the Su residence tonight!"

"As for what happened, I really have no idea."

Yang Ji's face also looked very bitter.

The Empress left the palace, and he, the nominal member of the Imperial Party, was left without a word, which seemed to indicate a bad situation!

Is the Empress starting to distance herself from him?
"Lord Xiao, please do not be anxious. I have already instructed the city guards to inform His Majesty..."

Before Yang Ji could finish speaking, Zhao Hanxiang, the petite chief censor, walked out of Xuanwu Gate with a blank expression.

"His Majesty has decreed..."

Xiao Yuan and the others immediately knelt down.

"His Majesty said that during my recent trip out of the palace, I discovered a wise man hidden in the countryside. After careful examination, I found that he is indeed a man of great learning and exceptional knowledge..."

"Therefore, I have decided to take a wise man as my teacher and learn from his knowledge in order to better govern the country. My beloved ministers need not worry, I will be back soon..."

Zhao Hanxiang paused with a strange expression, then continued, "His Majesty also said that the Grand Secretaries are surely aware of this man's talent and learning."

"At the morning court tomorrow, if any ministers impeach me for this matter, all the Grand Secretaries must explain it clearly for me."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan and the others were stunned, then their expressions changed drastically, realizing that something was wrong!

Have I fallen into a trap?
The Empress has secretly arrived at the Su residence and has even completed the apprenticeship ceremony!

　Ahem, yesterday's chapter was over 3,000, so I'm even. This chapter doesn't count as today's; I'll post another one tonight!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)