I attained immortality through meditation in the Great Qian Dynasty.

"I think Minister Murong has probably been taken hostage by that Golden Core expert."

"How dare a mere Vice Minister of Rites offend the Duke of Anguo's mansion and the General of the Valiant Cavalry's mansion?"

Immediately, all sorts of speculations came flooding in.

……

Meanwhile, Zhao Zian was enjoying fragrant tea served by a maid in the Vice Minister's residence.

The little fox nestled on his lap, swishing its tail.

A slight smile played on his lips.

He was very satisfied with this first move.

The real fun begins in the next part of the game.

Murong Qingxue sat opposite him.

Her life changed from that moment on.

All these changes stemmed from the man in front of them.

She felt a greater sense of trust and reliance in her heart.

At this point, Murong Qiming, the Vice Minister of Rites, had no other choice.

He had no choice but to follow Zhao Zian's path.

In any case, the Murong family must not fall.

He also wouldn't allow his children to hinder his path to officialdom, not even his own daughter.

……

After Zhao Zian entered the Vice Minister's residence.

Besides enjoying tea and playing with the little fox every day, he also guides Murong Qingxue in her martial arts practice.

The little fox lay on his lap, wagging its tail from time to time.

"Focus, go a little deeper."

Zhao Zian's voice was very calm.

Murong Qingxue sat cross-legged on the futon, her brows furrowed.

Under Zhao Zian's guidance, the faint spiritual energy within her body circulated through her meridians.

She is highly talented, but her perseverance is stronger than that of many others.

Zhao Zian was very satisfied; on the path of cultivation, perseverance was more important than talent.

He secretly observed the movements of various forces in the capital.

The waters of this capital city are deeper than I imagined.

Murong Qingxue has finally completed another cycle of the Heavenly Cycle.

"How do you feel?"

Zhao Zian asked.

"My body feels lighter, but... I always feel a bit sluggish, making it difficult to break through."

Murong Qingxue's voice was soft.

Zhao Zian shook his head.

"Don't rush. Cultivation is not something that can be achieved overnight. Your foundation is weak, so it's already quite an achievement."

"It'll just take a bit longer these days."

……

In the Duke of Anguo's residence, Duke Li Shengde sat on a sandalwood chair.

Several confidential reports lay on his desk.

"Evidence of Murong Qiming, the Vice Minister of Rites... embezzling disaster relief funds, receiving personal instructions from the Minister of Revenue, and even colluding with merchants from the southern border regions?"

Li Shengde picked up the secret report.

I thought Murong Qiming was just a petty official who changed his mind depending on the wind.

I never imagined that I would get so much filth over the years.

"Yes. According to investigations, Murong Qiming has bought many properties in the capital over the years."

"On the surface, it was done by his current wife, but the source of the funds is actually unknown."

The trusted confidant knelt down to report.

"What a shrewd man, Murong Qiming!"

Li Shengde was so angry that he laughed instead.

What he wanted was this leverage that he could use against someone.

Zhao Zian is a man who stirs up trouble in the capital. How dare they touch his government office?

He wanted the entire capital to see the consequences of offending the Duke of Anguo's mansion.

He gave the order.

"Prepare some generous gifts; I'm going to pay my respects to the Minister of Rites."

"Murong Qiming, it's time to clean up the house."

"Inform the Minister that the Duke of Anguo's residence requires a clean and respectable household."

"As for Zhao Zian, who is at the Golden Core stage..."

"Hmph, if you know what's good for you, get out of the capital."

"Those who don't know their place, I have my own ways to let them know that the Golden Core stage is nothing special in the capital."

He clenched his fist, ready to strike Zhao Zian, and wanted to make Murong Qingxue his son's furnace.

He intends to suppress the furnace scandal with an even stronger stance.

Let the entire capital remember the majesty of the Duke of Anguo's mansion.

……

The Minister of Rites, Zhou Mingyuan, had white hair and beard.

Duke Anguo, Li Shengde, came in person.

They said they had found some dirt on Murong Qiming, which put him in a difficult position.

"Your Excellency, Murong Qiming is of shallow character and unfit to be an official."

"He never expected that the Daoist family would harbor such a powerful figure who could wreak havoc in the capital. Is he in league with them?"

Li Shengde's voice carried a command.

Zhou Mingyuan understood that Li Shengde's visit was not for the sake of the wine.

It's not that I'm afraid of the Duke of Anguo's mansion.

Rather, it was because Murong Qiming's incriminating evidence did indeed violate the laws of the imperial court.

If we investigate the matter thoroughly, Murong Qiming will inevitably have some incriminating evidence against him.

"The Duke of Anguo is absolutely right."

Zhou Mingyuan said helplessly.

"This humble official will certainly investigate thoroughly."

"However, there is also a Golden Core expert among them, so this matter needs to be discussed further."

Li Shengde said coldly.

"A longer-term plan? That's exactly what I want!"

"Your Excellency, you only need to order Murong Qiming to immediately drive away that sorcerer and hand over Murong Qingxue to quell the rumors."

"As for his possessions, I can let him suppress them for now. If he doesn't know what's good for him..."

His words sent a shiver down Zhou Mingyuan's spine.

This time, the Duke of Anguo's mansion is really serious.

……

The study of the Murong family mansion.

Murong Qiming's expression changed upon hearing the message sent by Zhou Mingyuan.

The words of the Minister of Rites echoed in my ears.

The Duke of Anguo's mansion has so many subordinates, and they are threatening him.

"Release Young Master Zhao? Hand over Qingxue?"

Murong Qiming slumped into the chair, his whole body trembling.

He thought that having Zhao Zian as a powerful figure would bring him a turning point.

But he never expected to plunge himself into an abyss.

He hadn't expected the Duke of Anguo's mansion to have such power.

He felt under immense pressure.

Career path or daughter?

This unacceptable choice caused him unbearable pain.

But soon, his eyes hardened; he couldn't fall!

The Murong family must not fall!

He stood up and paced around the study, trying to come up with a solution.

Either offend the Duke of Anguo's mansion, or let Zhao Zi'an turn against you, or...

Can he really use Zhao Zian's power to completely break free from the control of the Duke of Anguo's mansion?

The thought flashed through my mind, but it was too risky.

……

Murong Qingxue also sensed these things.

The father looked gloomy all day long, and the servants were very careful.

She could see the threat posed by the Duke of Anguo's mansion; her father might kick her out for the sake of the family's interests.

Murong Qingxue followed behind Zhao Zian, and the little fox rubbed against her.

"Young Master Zhao, I...I'm a little scared."

She understood that she was a pawn of her family and could be abandoned at any time.

Zhao Zian stroked the little fox's fur, looking at Murong Qingxue's face.

He had already guessed that the Duke of Anguo's mansion was about to make a move.

I just didn't expect that we would find something on Murong Qiming so quickly.

This was somewhat unexpected, but it actually boosted his fighting spirit.

He knew that Murong Qingxue needed his support right now.

"What are you afraid of?"

"With me here, your Murong family will not be shaken by anyone."

"You will not become someone else's victim."

Murong Qingxue raised her head.

Zhao Zian smiled slightly.

"The Duke of Anguo's mansion wants your father to expel me and hand you over, simply to suppress that scandal and restore their prestige."

"They wanted to portray the Murong family as a coerced entity that had no choice but to obey orders."

But I don't want them to have their way.

He picked up the teacup on the table.