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

Chapter 320 The Empress's Confession Shocks Princess Baicheng!
Upon hearing Princess Baicheng's words, Su Mo was stunned and couldn't help but look Princess Baicheng up and down again.

The man who attempted to assassinate him was a Golden Core cultivator.

Even when Ye Wenshan personally intervened, he couldn't stop the other party.

Even though it's possible that Ip Man Shan didn't go all out, it's enough to prove how strong his opponent was!
Princess Baicheng rode a flying tiger and chased him for three hundred miles, destroying his treasure and injuring his arm.
Is she also a Golden Core cultivator?
More likely, it's the mid-to-late stage of the Golden Core realm?

No wonder he became the Pillar of the State of Dawu, commanding 100,000 elite troops, a figure feared by the Di barbarians!

I used to think that Lady Lin Moyin was incredibly powerful, able to kill enemies ten feet away with her sword, a legendary sword immortal!

Even Ning Xiaoxiao was considered a super expert in his mind.

As a result, within a year of arriving in Shenjing, he had already met several powerful figures at the Returning Aperture Realm and Golden Core Realm!

Not to mention beings like Leng Liuxi and An Wu who are at the Heavenly Infant Realm!
The heartland of the Great Wu Empire, a vital region of the empire, is indeed a place where hidden talents abound, with experts as numerous as dogs!
I still need to find a way to improve my cultivation level, and I cannot slack off on my dual cultivation with Lord Qianhu!
Princess Baicheng was unaware of the complex emotions Su Mo felt.

"Return to Your Majesty."

"This disciple should be at the early stage of the Golden Core Realm. He has many powerful treasures on him, and his magic is strange. He is extremely skilled in escape techniques and moves very fast. He should be a sorcerer from outside the realm."

"Although I have the upper hand, I cannot defeat them in the short term!"

She thought for a moment and said, "If I were to fight him with all my might, it would probably take at least an hour to kill him!"

The Empress frowned immediately: "This disciple is so powerful?"

She was well aware of Princess Baicheng's strength!

Looking across the world, apart from those few old monsters, among the younger generation, Princess Baicheng's strength is absolutely second to none.

In the eyes of ordinary people, Nangong Sheyue and Lin Moyin are considered top-notch cultivation geniuses.

But compared to Princess Baicheng, she is far inferior.

To paraphrase an old monster, others are practically begging the heavens to let them cultivate.

Leng Li was practically begging the heavens to let her cultivate!
Princess Baicheng is one of the most likely Golden Core cultivators in the world to advance to the Heavenly Infant Realm!

The Empress hesitated for a moment, then her gaze fell on the half-jade pendant: "Is this disciple a sorcerer from beyond the realm?"

"Why would an extraterrestrial sorcerer want to assassinate Su Qing?"

Princess Baicheng shook her head: "This humble subject does not know."

"In fact, I cannot be completely certain of the other party's identity; I can only judge from the spells and talismans."

She happened to be there and saw that someone dared to attack a high-ranking official of the court, so she decisively gave chase and killed him.

I have no idea what happened.

The Empress frowned even more deeply, and finally turned to look at Su Mo: "Su Qing, who do you think was responsible for this?"

"How did Su Qing offend the foreign sorcerer?"

He paused, his expression darkening slightly: "Could it be... the Wang family?"

Ye Wenshan's heart skipped a beat.

Her expression changed slightly, and she immediately looked at Su Mo.

Su Mo shook his head: "Your subject does not know!"

"I can guarantee that I have never had any dealings with people from outside the territory."

There are many people from outside the capital, such as the embassy near Datong Temple where foreign merchants and envoys reside.

But Su Mo never had any contact with him.

Su Mo frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "It is true that I have a grudge against the Wang family, but in this assassination attempt, the Wang family is the most suspicious."

"The Wang family is unlikely to be that foolish."

Ye Wenshan breathed a slight sigh of relief.

He didn't have any connection with the Wang family.

It's just that they don't want to see the court in turmoil.

Once the Empress and the royal family completely break off relations, it won't be as simple as the death of one or two people, or even one or two hundred!
What I fear most is that even though the Wang family was not responsible for this, the Empress will still use this as an excuse to pin the blame on them!

Fortunately, this kid looks young and frivolous, but he is actually calm and knows what's important!

Before Ip Man-shan could even finish catching his breath...

Su Mo changed the subject: "Of course!"

"The Wang family may also think in reverse, believing that they are the most suspicious of assassinating me, so others do not think it could be the Wang family."

Ye Wenshan couldn't help but glare at Su Mo!
He then bowed to the Empress in a deep voice and said, "In my humble opinion, it is too early to say who is pulling the strings behind the scenes."

"It's not too late to draw a conclusion after the Fengming Division and the Embroidered Uniform Guard have thoroughly investigated the situation."

The Empress nodded: "What Minister Ye says makes sense."

"I have ordered the Imperial Guards to thoroughly investigate this matter!"

As he spoke, he looked at Su Mo again: "Some villains are trying to harm Su Qing. Su Qing must be more careful in everything she does in the future!"

"Until the truth is fully investigated, Su Qing must not leave the fiefdom..."

She hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "I will also send An Wu to Lonely Peak Mountain, just in case!"

Ye Wenshan was immediately taken aback.

He was one of the few people who knew An Wu's background best.

When they besieged the Nine Dragons Demon Path, An Wu's strength ranked third or fourth among the nine.

He's even more powerful than when he was at his peak, not to mention that he's now fallen from the Golden Core realm!
The reason for this is unknown.

Before his death, Emperor Wu Taizu arranged for An Wu to be placed in the Eastern Palace.

On the surface, he assisted the then-Crown Prince, who later became Emperor Wu Taizong, but in reality, he served as a servant to the current Empress!

An Wu's contributions were immense in enabling the Empress to ascend the throne, and as a result, he earned the Empress's complete trust and always served as her personal protector!
The Empress is now actually sending An Wu to Gufeng Mountain to protect Su Mo?

Ip Man-shan was completely speechless.

If it weren't for the fear of gossip and the immense pressure it would put on Su Mo, the Empress would probably have dared to let Su Mo live in the harem!

Su Mo was also surprised.

However, having An Wu, a top-tier sorcerer, to protect me is naturally the best thing ever.

Su Mo was genuinely afraid of dying.

Even without the Empress's permission, he dared not leave Lonely Peak Mountain.

It seems that the Demon-Subduing Pestle can only absorb a large amount of incense and prayer power when it reaches Lonely Peak Mountain, thus maintaining the balance of prayer power being devoured by the Yellow Springs.

If I return to the capital, I will not have the help of the Demon-Subduing Pestle.

With my meager physique at the Divine Realm level, I'm afraid I'll be drained of my life force and become a cripple in just a few days!
He hurriedly bowed to the Empress and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you!"

He then solemnly replied, "Your Majesty's kindness moves me to tears and I will remember it forever!"

"I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to serving Your Majesty from now on!"

The Empress chuckled lightly: "Minister Su, remember what you have just said."

"If you diligently teach me your knowledge in the future, that will be enough."

Su Mo's expression was serious: "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's expectations!"

"If Your Majesty has any doubts, please ask me. I will answer everything I know without reservation!"

The Empress was in a great mood!

It will be easier to get information out of Su Mo from now on.

If he dares not to say it, he will bring it up himself!
She immediately noticed that Princess Baicheng and Ye Wenshan both had rather strange expressions. After thinking for a moment, she finally said, "General Leng, Supervisor Ye!"

"My two ministers, do you think I have been too fond of Minister Su?"

Princess Baicheng and Ye Wenshan were immediately taken aback.

They all hurriedly replied in unison, "Your Majesty, we dare not!"

Then, Princess Baicheng solemnly said, "Prince Su possesses extraordinary talent and is well-versed in the ways of governing a country. He is of great use to the country and His Majesty."

"Your Majesty's trust in him precisely demonstrates Your Majesty's thirst for talent and your effective governance, which is a blessing for the nation!"

Su Mo stared in disbelief at Princess Baicheng.

Is he even better at flattery than I am?

I hope you don't steal my title as a treacherous minister!
Ye Wenshan hesitated for a moment, then said, "The abilities of County Magistrate Su are truly beyond my expectations."

"His Majesty's trust in Su Xianzi is only natural."

The empress nodded slightly.

"Both of you are reasonable ministers, unlike some court officials who are inflexible and keep harping on Minister Su's background. I would rather Minister Su conduct business in the court than allow him to do so."

"but……"

She drew out her words slightly: "You two ministers may not know this, but my trust in Minister Su goes far beyond this."

"Have you two, my dear ministers, ever heard of sweet potatoes?"

Ye Wenshan and Princess Baicheng were immediately taken aback.

Especially Ip Man-shan, who is two or three hundred years old and has seen a lot, but he doesn't understand what "sweet potato" means at all.

He couldn't help but look at the Empress with suspicion: "Please forgive my ignorance, I have never heard of sweet potatoes!"

"May I ask Your Majesty, what is the meaning of 'sweet potato'?"

Princess Baicheng also looked at the Empress with suspicion.

The Empress said calmly, "This is the land and its people of the Great Wu! The destiny of the Great Wu for ten thousand years!"

Ye Wenshan and Princess Baicheng's expressions changed instantly!

A ruler's word is law, especially when it concerns the very foundation of the state!

These words, coming from the Empress, cannot be false!

What exactly is a sweet potato?
How could it possibly be connected to the fate of the nation and the destiny of the Great Wu Kingdom?
The Empress glanced at the three of them, her gaze finally settling on Su Mo's slightly embarrassed face, before she said, slowly and deliberately, "Sweet potatoes are a grain crop that yields tens of bushels per mu!" Ye Wenshan, Princess Baicheng…

The Empress then added, "These sweet potatoes were brought to me and to the tens of millions of people of Dawu by Minister Su!"

She gazed intently at Ye Wenshan and Princess Baicheng.

"Do you two still feel that I have shown excessive favor to Minister Su?"

"Those so-called important officials of the court who only know how to talk big have labeled Su Qing as a treacherous minister because of my favor."

"Don't you two gentlemen think this is a bit excessive, and that Minister Su has been wronged too much?"

Ye Wenshan became serious, took a deep breath, and said in a deep voice, "Is what Your Majesty said true?"

"Can sweet potatoes really yield dozens of bushels per mu?"

Although a king's word is his bond, Ye Wenshan found Leng Liuxi's words hard to believe.

If there were such high-yield grain crops in the world.

How could the people go hungry, let alone starve to death!
Leng Liuxi said calmly, "I saw this with my own eyes and also ate it myself!"

"I transplanted some of the sweet potatoes to the back garden, and the rest are now in Lonely Peak Mountain!"

Without hesitation, Ye Wenshan said, "Your subject requests to go and take a look!"

He paused, then continued, "If this is true, I will certainly clear Su Xianzi's name!"

Ye Wenshan declared resolutely: "Anyone who dares to lay a finger on a hair on Su Xianzi's head, I will make sure they die without a burial place!"

The Empress nodded slightly: "I have never doubted Ye Qing's loyalty and integrity, and his dedication to the country!"

"The sweet potatoes are located near this house!"

"I had originally planned to have my ministers go to Lonely Peak Mountain on the third day of the Lunar New Year to observe the auspicious signs together!"

As she spoke, her tone suddenly turned cold, and she said in a chilling voice, "I also suspect that the assassination attempt on Minister Su is related to sweet potatoes!"

Su Mo coughed and said, "I think this is unlikely."

"Then they killed me, but the sweet potato is still there!"

"Furthermore, I have kept this matter a secret, and not many people know about it."

The Empress waved her hand: "The other party may not know more about the sweet potato."

"Perhaps, he only knows that sweet potatoes are related to Su Qing, and thinks that killing Su Qing will destroy sweet potatoes!"

She did not suspect that the Su family had leaked the information.

Last night, the sweet potatoes were moved to the Imperial Garden. There's no guarantee that there aren't other forces or even spies from hostile empires within the palace!

Don't assume that secrets can be kept just because you're in the palace.

Throughout history, it's normal for the imperial harem to be riddled with problems; the Empress knew this all too well!

Countless eyes under heaven are fixed on that tiny plot of land belonging to the imperial palace!

Ye Wenshan said in a deep voice, "If that's the case, I humbly request Your Majesty to immediately dispatch a large force to protect them!"

Su Mo couldn't help but say, "Your Excellency, there's no need to worry."

"Sweet potatoes are very hard to grow, they won't spoil."

"Furthermore, I have made other preparations and have stored some potato seeds to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Ye Wenshan glared at Su Mo and said in a very serious tone, "Young Master Su, you are mistaken!"

"If there really is grain that yields tens of bushels per mu, then no amount of attention is too much!"

"This is the destiny of the Great Wu Kingdom!"

Having never experienced hunger, Su Mo found it difficult to understand the dedication and importance that people in this era placed on food.

You'll know if you look at your third uncle.

In the past, even if Su Mo dared to waste a single grain of rice, he would be severely reprimanded!
Princess Baicheng also said solemnly, "Your Majesty and Su Xianzi also wish to see the sweet potatoes that Your Majesty and Su Xianzi mentioned!"

Anyone who knows about sweet potatoes would love to see them for themselves!

The Empress looked at Su Mo: "What does Su Qing mean?"

Su Mo nodded: "Since the princess and the supervisor want to see it, then let's go and take a look."

"Hmm... I was just craving roasted sweet potatoes again..."

The words were not finished.

The Empress, Ye Wenshan, and Princess Baicheng all exclaimed in unison, "No!"

Su Mo...

The four of them then arrived at the nearby Shenma Rock.

Su Mo looked around and selected two sweet potatoes with withered yellow leaves and more than half of them fallen off.

"Princess, Supervisor, you may each dig up one."

"Don't ruin these potato vines. You can cut them off and continue planting them. One old vine can produce more than a dozen new vines."

Upon hearing this, Ye Wenshan was even more shocked.

Such a high-yielding crop, and it can be propagated so simply and quickly—it's simply unbelievable!

He didn't rush to dig up the sweet potatoes.

He first pinched a handful of soil from the ground and looked at it, then brought it to his nose and smelled it.

It's fairly fertile, barely qualifying as top-grade farmland, which is extremely rare in the mountains.

If used to grow rice or millet, with careful care, a yield of 1.5 shi per mu is easily achievable.

After checking the condition of the soil.

Ye Wenshan and Princess Baicheng exchanged a glance, then squatted down and carefully dug away the soil...

A quarter of an hour later.

Ye Wenshan looked at Su Mo with a solemn expression: "I'm not leaving today!"

"I'm going to stay here. Which white snake would like to make room for me?"

Su Mo...

Could it be that this old man has taken a fancy to my White Snake Spirit and is driven by lust?
He has a nice dream!

Princess Baicheng hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "This general will stay as well!"

Su Mo could no longer remain silent and hurriedly said, "No!"

"It's Princess Qi's birthday, how could the princess not go back to congratulate her!"

"Besides, with the Superintendent and Eunuch An here, who can touch even half a leaf of the sweet potato!"

"I have already asked someone to prepare a congratulatory gift for the princess, which should be delivered tonight."

I've already offended quite a few people; I shouldn't offend the royal family because of this.

To dissuade Princess Baicheng from staying, Su Mo's eyes darted around, and he smiled again, "To celebrate Princess Qi's birthday, I've specially designed a birthday cake, which I'm sure will please her!"

The Empress's eyes lit up slightly: "A birthday cake?"

Su Mo nodded and smiled, "Exactly!"

"In my hometown, there's a custom that you eat a birthday cake and make a wish on your birthday, and it will definitely come true!"

This birthday cake was originally prepared for Lin Moyin.

The commander is almost thirty; this was something Su Mo had only managed to glean with great difficulty.

Therefore, Su Mo decided to make her a birthday cake to celebrate, and take advantage of Lord Qianhu's surprise to take things a step further.

However, Su Mo never expected that he would suddenly advance to the Divine Realm, thus becoming able to legitimately cultivate with Lord Qianhu.

This little scheme is no longer of any use, so there's no harm in bringing it up now.

Upon hearing this, the Empress's eyes lit up even more: "Su Qing's rural customs?"

"You can make a wish while eating cake?"

Su Mo smiled and said, "You can make a wish, but whether it comes true is another matter."

"After all, ideals are lofty, but reality is harsh."

The Empress chuckled, "Su Qing is never serious again!"

"Hurry up! Make the cake!"

"I want to make a wish too!"

Su Mo...

I'm still injured, is it really okay to make me work like this?

In the past, I would have gone to the labor bureau to report her!
However, considering that the Empress had just suffered a major hemorrhage, he decided not to hold it against her.

What if they back out and refuse to pay for their own treatment?
It's rare to have everyone here today, and with the Lunar New Year just around the corner, it would be nice to make a big cake to celebrate.

Cream cakes are actually not difficult to make. You can find all the ingredients: just add egg whites and cooking oil to pure milk and whip it into cream.

The process is just a bit cumbersome and takes a bit longer.

Having Princess Baicheng work as her assistant would save a lot of trouble, and we could even call it teaching her how to make cakes.

Su Mo originally intended to invite Ye Wenshan back to the house.

But to my surprise, he refused firmly.

He even had the White Snake Spirit bring over a small stool, and sat down right next to the sweet potato field, staring intently at the sweet potatoes.

I suspect his mental illness has flared up again!
Don't forget that he, like Ding Yu, is a mental patient.

……

(End of this chapter)