Chapter 43 The Rain Keeps Falling The Rain Keeps Falling

The officials immediately returned to normal and continued to discuss matters.

These were all minor topics, praising the peace and prosperity of Da Qi to whitewash reality. In truth, the inside had been hollowed out by corruption and was in a precarious state.

Yue Shen propped up her head, lazily yawning, her almond eyes drooping sleepily.

Yu Ye whispered beside her: “This Rong Fei really has skills. This is just her first time serving in bed, and Her Majesty is already uninterested in the morning court. What will happen in the future?” Qin Qing took it all in, the corner of his mouth curling up disdainfully, his eyes revealing a hint of interest.

Lan Xuezhao?

The person sent by the King of Dian was indeed interesting.

The officials buzzed on for a while, Yue Shen listening while yawning repeatedly, and after a long time finally asked: “Anything else?” Her eagerness to end court and snuggle with her beauty was evident.

Those below said nothing, so Yue Shen hurriedly stood up: “If there’s nothing else then let’s end court. What do you think, Father Empress?” Qin Qing sat leisurely behind the beaded curtain, nodding unhurriedly. The soft light reflected on his smoothly contoured profile, exquisitely beautiful.

“Oh right.” Yue Shen had walked half a step, then suddenly retreated.

“That Qiu Shuzhi, she rendered meritorious service in protecting the imperial carriage. I want to reward her. What should I give?” Yue Shen frowned slightly, the phoenix hairpin by her temples swaying gently, reflecting her bright almond eyes like snow: “Let’s appoint her as Upper Cavalry Commander.”

Yu Ye’s eyes widened.

Upper Cavalry Commander? A fourth-rank official position, but a ceremonial military post. Only a title without real power, with less authority than even a Qianhu.

Yu Ye inwardly cursed, this trick of apparent promotion but actual demotion was played quite skillfully.

“That’s fine.” Qin Qing’s expression was indifferent, but his eyes revealed a hint of languid nonchalance.

Yu Ye was shocked. It was one thing for Yue Shen to propose reducing Madam Qiu’s power, but why did the Empress Dowager go along with it?

Yue Shen smiled with satisfaction, her almond eyes bright: “Since Father Empress also agrees, draft the edict immediately.” Yue Shen dismissed the morning court, and the officials left one by one, leaving the vast Fengtiandian Hall permeated with cold.

“Empress Dowager, Her Majesty’s proposal is clearly meant to demote Madam Qiu’s position and strip her of power. Why did you still agree?” Qin Qing lowered his eyes lazily: “Isn’t being an Upper Cavalry Commander good?”

“But that’s just an empty title without real power.”

Qin Qing stood up leisurely, his smile weary yet arrogant: “Whether there’s real power or not is up to this grieving one to decide.” It’s good to go to the Yulin Army too. Staying in the imperial guard means she can often enter the palace, so he can see her daily, not having to lick loneliness while gazing at the high walls of the Forbidden City, without even the right to be jealous knowing she’s gone to the pleasure houses to enjoy herself.

Yu Ye was slightly stunned, so this was the Empress Dowager’s intention.

With the imperial edict issued, Qiu Shuzhi consciously packed her things and prepared to leave. She had only stayed at the Shuntianfu for a few months, just starting to sort out many old cases, and now had to leave before even settling in.

Gu Zheng didn’t show up, probably hiding in his room laughing at her now.

After all, Upper Cavalry Commander was a famously empty title. With her departure, some at Shuntianfu were happy and some were sad, while others felt it was a pity and spoke up for her, as she was one of the few at Shuntianfu who actually did real work.

However, Qiu Shuzhi didn’t feel that becoming an Upper Cavalry Commander was a bad thing.

Anyway, Gu Zheng was always trying to trip her up, there would inevitably be a day she couldn’t guard against it, so it was better to leave early.

Moreover, with Da Qi in this state, something was bound to happen sooner or later. Even if Upper Cavalry Commander was just an empty title, being able to get into the army might not be a bad thing.

Qiu Shuzhi pondered in her heart whether the little emperor had the same idea.

The people in officialdom were all shrewd, and everyone knew when there was even the slightest movement, let alone Shuntianfu which could be considered a place where power intersected in the capital.

Yesterday the little emperor favored Rong Fei, and today anyone with even a bit of connection knew about it, all rushing to report the good news to Jiang Si.

But none of this had anything to do with her. She calmly packed her things and left Shuntianfu.

The next day.

She rode her horse to report to the Yulin Army. The Yulin Army was the emperor’s imperial guard, deriving its name from the meaning “wings of the nation, as lush as a forest”.

Today’s Qiu Shuzhi wore a light red outfit, her hair tied up in a high ponytail, with loose strands hanging by her temples. She had shed her gentle and calm scholarly air, appearing more like a general in her prime.

When she arrived outside the military camp, she saw the guards standing crookedly, and inside the camp there was no sign of training. Instead, groups of three to five were sitting on the stands gambling, and even male prostitutes were openly coming and going.

The military flags were tattered, the troops scattered, and morale was lazy. Where was the former appearance of “wings of the monarch”?

Qiu Shuzhi felt pained. In the past, the Yulin Army positions were hereditary, and every soldier was an elite warrior. How unlike now.

She stood at the entrance of the camp for quite a while before a guard slowly came over: “Which official’s son are you? Do you have a report to enter the Yulin Army?” “Madam Qiu!” Ji Mei ran over excitedly.

Qiu Shuzhi was quite surprised: “Ji Mei? How did you get into the Yulin Army?” “Madam, you don’t know, since I went with you to Yanshun County last time and rendered some service, the higher-ups transferred me to the Yulin Army.” Ji Mei smiled shyly: “Actually, I benefited from your influence. I haven’t even gone to your residence to thank you yet.” Qiu Shuzhi patted her shoulder lightly: “What are you saying, with your martial arts skills, entering the Yulin Army was only a matter of time.” Ji Mei’s lips curled up slightly: “Yesterday I heard you were being transferred to the Yulin Army, so I’ve been waiting at the camp entrance since early morning.” “Sister Mei, who is this?” Seeing Qiu Shuzhi and Ji Mei chatting so happily, the guard’s attitude instantly changed.

Ji Mei’s expression changed, and she shouted: “Quickly kneel down, this is the newly arrived Upper Cavalry Commander Madam Qiu!” The Upper Cavalry Commander and the Yulin General jointly supervised the army. Although one was an empty title and the other had real power, both positions were at the top of the military. How dare a mere guard offend her.