Xiao Ziyu and Zhou Xiong looked at each other. Only when they saw the name list did they realize that Li Mu had set a trap for them from the very beginning.
He was best at hiding his true intentions. On the surface, he seemed to be doing it for the good of everyone, but behind his back, he had a secret that no one knew. When everyone was discussing the imperial examination system, Li Mu had made a huge contribution. Everyone thought that he was working for the empress. No one expected that his series of actions, which seemed to be preparing for the imperial examination, was actually to trick the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat, Cui Ming...
Judging from the result, Li Mu was not trying to mediate between the two at all. His true motive was to promote his people to high positions and weaken the power of the two parties at the same time!
"I was careless!"
"I forgot. This little fox is cunning. How could he do such a thing without a motive?"
...
At this moment, the two of them, who belonged to different camps, felt a sense of sympathy for each other and shared a common hatred for the enemy.
However, in the next moment, the two of them snorted coldly at the same time and walked out of the Secretariat.
Not long after, in the Southern Park, Duke Manor of Nanyang.
The veins on Duke Nanyang's forehead throbbed. He gritted his teeth and said, "That damned Li Mu. He won't let us have what he can't have!"
Xiao Ziyu thought for a while and said, "The most important thing is that the position of Minister of Personnel was not taken advantage of by the Zhou Clan. Perhaps we can try to rope in Liu Qing. As far as I know, he hasn't been roped in by the Zhou Clan..."
"That's because the Zhou Clan can't rope him in." Duke Nanyang said in a deep voice, "Do you think we haven't tried to rope in Liu Qing? When he was promoted to Assistant Minister of Rites, we tried to rope him in, but he ignored us. In the past nine years in the imperial court, he has always been a loner and doesn't get close to anyone. He goes straight home after leaving the court. I invited him to banquets several times, but he rejected me..."
Xiao Ziyu shook his head and said, "Such a person can actually become the Minister of Personnel..."
An important position like the Minister of Personnel had always been fought for by different factions. For an official who had no faction and no backing, it was already a stroke of luck for him to become an assistant minister. It was almost impossible to be promoted to a Minister based on luck alone.
The position of Minister of Personnel could no longer be forced. He could only helplessly say, "Fortunately, nothing has happened to the Ministry of Justice. The Department of Worship is also under our control …"
At the same time, in the study of the Zhou Family's Minister Zhou Zhong, the four Zhou brothers fell into silence.
The Zhou family didn't suffer too many losses this time. Among the six ministries, the Ministry of Works had the least power. Thus, whether it was Zhou Ting's resignation as assistant minister or Zhou Chuan's dismissal, it didn't affect the Zhou family too much.
The Xiao clan, on the other hand, had lost the Ministry of Personnel. Their lifeline had been cut off.
However, this was not entirely good news for the Zhou family.
In the past, the Empress didn't care much about the fight between the old party and the new party, and she wouldn't intervene.
But now, she was deliberately suppressing the new party and the old party. This time, she appointed several important official positions, avoiding the officials of the new party and the old party.
She intended to cultivate her own forces, which was more significant than suppressing the other two parties.
"Could it be that she's really cultivating her own forces?" Zhou Chuan's face was full of doubt. He asked, "In the past, she only wanted to condense the next strand of Emperor's Qi as soon as possible and pass down the throne. She didn't care much about the fight between the two parties. Could it be that her thinking has changed?"
Zhou Ting said indifferently, "It's very possible. Ever since she began to favor Li Mu, she's changed more and more."
Zhou Xiong said with incomparable certainty, "I'm very sure that Li Mu must be behind Her Majesty's actions. This time, from the beginning to the end, was a trap set by him. I suspect that he wants to support his own party …"
"No matter what, Li Mu must be taken seriously …"
…
The Ministry of Rites.
In the assistant minister's office, Liu Qing was packing his things.
From tomorrow onwards, he would take up his post at the Ministry of Personnel as Minister of Personnel.
The Minister of Rites walked into the office and clasped his hands in greeting. "Congratulations, Lord Liu. Lord Liu's promotion speed is really fast …"
Rather complicated emotions flowed in the depths of his eyes.
In the short span of half a year, he had personally witnessed Liu Qing rise from a small Minister Counsellor of the Ministry of Rites to a Physician, Assistant Minister, and now, Liu Qing had become the Minister of Personnel. He held real power in his hands, and his status was firmly above his own. As Liu Qing's superior, he had mixed feelings.
Liu Qing also sighed emotionally. "Yes, I also didn't expect this place to rise so quickly …"
Northern Court.
Li Mu stood at the entrance of his house, watching Zhang Chun move in.
This time, not only had Old Zhang been promoted, his residence had also been changed from three entrances to four entrances. In addition, the Empress had also rewarded his family with two servant girls and two servants. The distance between the Zhang Residence and the Li Residence had also become closer.
At the housewarming banquet, he patted Li Mu on the shoulder and said, "Between us, there's no need to say anything unnecessary. Come, let's drink this cup."
There weren't many people at the banquet. Other than Zhang Chun's family, there were also Zhang Shan, Li Si, Li Mu, and Li Qing.
Since the last time he came to Luoyang, Zhang Shan hadn't gone back. He had never been to Luoyang before and was shocked by the prosperity of the streets. He had already asked Liu Hanyan for permission to open a branch here.
Coincidentally, Liu Hanyan also had the same idea, so he stayed for the time being.
After a few cups of wine, Zhang Shan looked at Li Qing and asked, "Boss, what do you plan to do next? Will you continue to stay in Luoyang?"
Li Si kicked him under the table, but it was too late.
Li Qing was silent for a moment, then said, "In two days, I should return to Mount Baiyun."
Li Si's lips moved slightly. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't speak.
He poured a cup of wine and said to Li Mu, "Here's to you."
The wine cups clinked. He gave Li Mu a meaningful look and said, "You guys have gone through a lot of trouble to get to where you are today. You must cherish the people in front of you …"
Zhang Shan raised his wine cup and said, "That's right. You and the shopkeeper have gone through a lot of trouble to get together. You must cherish her in the future …"
Li Si poured another cup of wine and said to Li Qing, "Here's to you, boss. I hope you can think carefully before you make a decision in the future. Don't regret it in the future …"
Zhang Shan agreed and said, "That's right. If you hadn't killed those corrupt officials, this matter would have been much simpler. You wouldn't have to stay in the Imperial Clan Temple. They would still be beheaded in the end …"
…
Ever since Li Qing came to the house, Li Mu had been sleeping in the study with Xiao Bai in his arms every day.
Not only that, on the second day after Li Qing came to Luoyang, Liu Hanyan removed all the festive decorations inside and outside the Li Residence, including the big red lanterns at the door. According to the customs of Luoyang, the lanterns with the word "happiness" on them had to be hung for three months for the wedding celebration.
He knew what Liu Hanyan meant. She was taking care of Li Qing's feelings. Li Qing's family had just passed away. For Li Qing, she chose to sacrifice herself.
At night, Li Mu was about to enter the study when he saw a figure standing outside the room.
Li Mu walked forward and asked in confusion, "Boss, why aren't you sleeping yet?"
Li Qing said softly, "I wanted to tell you that I'm going back to Mount Baiyun to cultivate tomorrow. I'm sorry to have disturbed you for so long …"
Li Mu looked at her and said, "What's there to disturb? This is your home. I'm going to ask Her Majesty to let her bestow this residence to you again …"
Li Qing shook her head gently and said, "I don't have a home anymore. I think that if Father knew in the underworld that the one living in the Li Residence was someone like him, he would be relieved."
Li Mu thought for a moment and said, "Lord Li hasn't been avenged. I'll let you see with your own eyes that they receive the punishment they deserve."
Li Qing finally looked nervous. She grabbed Li Mu's wrist and said, "You've done enough. Let's stop here. Father doesn't want anyone to avenge him. He only wants someone to be like him and do something for the people …"
Li Mu was about to explain to her, but he felt something and looked back.
In front of the Moon Gate, a figure stood there quietly.
Li Qing was stunned for a moment, then she let go of Li Mu's hand with a pale face and said, "Senior Sister, I …"
Liu Hanyan walked over and shook her head. "Junior Sister, you don't need to explain. I heard everything."
Li Qing lowered her head and said, "I hope Senior Sister can persuade him."
Liu Hanyan glanced at Li Mu and said to Li Qing, "Junior Sister should also understand him. He won't change his mind so easily."
Li Mu said, "Don't worry. Her Majesty agreed. There won't be any danger."
Liu Hanyan said to Li Qing, "With Her Majesty protecting him, Junior Sister doesn't need to worry."
Li Qing looked at Li Mu and didn't say anything. She said softly, "Then I'll go back to my room first. You … you should rest early."
Liu Hanyan suddenly said, "Junior Sister, wait a moment."
Li Qing turned around and asked, "Senior Sister, is there anything else?"
Liu Hanyan said, "There's a question I want to ask Junior Sister."
Li Qing said, "Senior Sister, ask away."
Liu Hanyan looked at her and asked, "Does Junior Sister also like Li Mu?"
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