I Am Truly Not a Treacherous Minister Your Majesty

Chapter 66.5: Giving a Way Out

Finally, Xia Yuxiao couldn’t bear it anymore.

It wasn’t that she was admitting defeat. To be fair, Qin Ji, although his actions were a bit outrageous, as an emperor, how could she easily care about these things? So she was…

Ah, so angry!

The more Xia Yuxiao thought about it, the angrier she became. She knew that this guy was deliberately causing trouble and wanted to find a way to warn him, but he gave her no chance. She couldn’t mess with him privately, and it was even more impossible in the court.

Qin Ji was a minister, and it was fine for a minister to do some work, with the emperor covering for him.

But how could an emperor do such things?

If Xia Yuxiao suddenly said to the ministers in the court, “I’m getting married.”

That would instantly become a sensational event in the Great Xia, possibly even causing national turmoil.

So, Xia Yuxiao could only find an opportunity to reconcile with Qin Ji.

In Xia Yuxiao’s view, there weren’t many ways to reconcile. Either she could soften her tone in her words, or find an opportunity to give him a meritorious task and reward him as compensation.

Or she could take a third approach directly.

That is a reward, but not a public one, just a small gift.

Upon careful consideration, she did have something to give.

Thinking of this, Xia Yuxiao felt a bit reluctant.

After all, it was too precious. If she gave it away casually, what would become of the imperial power…

However, harmony in the court was most important now. Although Qin Ji had calmed down a bit and wasn’t causing trouble, who could guarantee he wouldn’t start again?

Indeed, it should be given away.

Judging from his needs all along, he would definitely like this thing.

With reluctance and a bit of unwillingness, Xia Yuxiao asked the maids to bring her a pack of Liangchun Mountain tea.

Wuwuwu, another pack gone. This year’s quota was one less pack each time…

But, thinking that this pack could ease the other’s displeasure, forget it, it’s just a pack of tea, what’s the big deal.

“Hurry, take this tea to Qin Ji and tell him this tea is sweet and fragrant, a must-try.”

Calling over the guards, Xia Yuxiao instructed them.

Seeing the guards’ strange expressions, Xia Yuxiao couldn’t be bothered to answer them. As long as the item was delivered, it was fine. Fortunately, Qin Ji was now staying at the Zongzheng Mansion, making it convenient for her to send things.

…………………………

Inside the Zongzheng Mansion, Qin Ji, who was handling his official duties, suddenly saw a Suolong Guard appear before him.

Ling Yan beside him was stunned for a moment, then almost immediately prepared to draw her sword. But fortunately, Qin Ji was quicker, pressing her sword back just as she was about to draw it.

The Suolong Guard was just a guard by Xia Yuxiao’s side, and to be honest, he had people planted within the Suolong Guard. Their visit might not be a bad thing.

The Suolong Guard, clearly unaccustomed to such tasks, held the tea pack, hesitated for a moment, then said in an extremely stiff tone:

“By the emperor’s decree, this tea is sweet and fragrant, a must-try.”

“???”

Hearing the words “by the emperor’s decree,” Qin Ji immediately stood up and assumed a respectful posture, only to be left awkward by the following words.

Ah, really? The emperor sent a Suolong Guard to deliver a decree, just to have him try some tea?

Moreover, why give him tea for no reason? He hadn’t even finished the last batch. He did like tea, but he couldn’t eat tea leaves as meals every day, could he?

However, despite his doubts, he had to comply: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness. I will do my utmost to repay Your Majesty’s favor.”

“Alright, Grand Marshal, the item has been delivered. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

The Suolong Guard placed the exquisite tea pack on Qin Ji’s desk and turned to leave.

“Hey, wait, did the emperor say anything else?”

“Just that.”

“Ah?!!” Qin Ji was utterly confused. He held the tea pack in a daze for a long time. The tea pack was extremely exquisite, with golden characters engraved on it, reading “Imperial Tribute.”

Ling Yan beside him was also dumbfounded.

Is this emperor an emperor or a tea merchant, sending imperial tribute like this?

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At least say a few more words, right?

“Um, Your Majesty, what does this mean?”

Qin Ji was really a bit confused.

He had long since calmed down. Now, many things were actually already planned to be done. Why did the emperor send him tea? And if it was to apologize, wouldn’t it be better to just say so? Or if Your Majesty was afraid of losing face, you could just say a few words like “I hope we can work together in harmony,” right?

Sending a pack of tea and saying this thing is a must-try, this way of showing goodwill is a bit unique.

However, since the emperor sent imperial tribute, what else could he do? The tea was indeed good tea, and it seemed that the emperor had put some thought into it, so he could only accept it.

“Young master, if you keep working for a few more years, can we switch to running a teahouse?” Ling Yan couldn’t help but laugh.

“I think it’s very possible,” Qin Ji said.

However, if it was really a gesture of goodwill, it meant that the things he had been doing were not in vain. At least she knew to slightly ease the atmosphere between them.

“To be honest,” Ling Yan said thoughtfully, looking at the pack of tea, “if the emperor is willing to reconcile with you a bit, that’s a good thing. This way, you also have a… um, a step down?”

This step, for Xia Yuxiao, was just a casual gesture, but for Qin Ji, it was indeed a good opportunity.

It’s almost enough, scaring her once or twice is enough. If he did more, what if the little girl got a psychological shadow? Especially this time with the grain collection, it almost interfered with the lifeline of the Xia Kingdom. It must be said that the emperor’s heart was indeed strong enough to endure this.

“Alright then, I’ll write a memorial to thank her. This can be considered a witness to our reconciliation.”

Qin Ji chuckled, then ground the ink and wrote the memorial.

It was time to stop. He was not a real treacherous minister. It was better to do less of these things that repeatedly poked the emperor’s heart. Otherwise, if they really fell out, it would be uncomfortable for both sides.

After writing the memorial, he sealed it and handed it directly to the servant beside him, then lay down on his bed.

“Ling Yan, help me massage my back. I’ve been sitting here for so long, my back is sore. At this rate, I’ll die on the job for Da Xia one day.”

He had no intention of usurping the throne. As long as he ensured that the emperor didn’t dare to mess with him or couldn’t kill him, it was enough. The emperor’s position, if he took it, might not be well managed. If he wasn’t careful, he might blow up the country. The pressure was too great.