After the Disabled God of War Became My Concubine - Chapter 178

Qi Min was speechless, but Jiang Suizhou stepped forward, stopped in front of him, nodded with a light smile and greeted, “Qi-daren.”

Qi Min’s gaze paused on him and Huo Wujiu for a moment before he sat up straight and spoke, “… Your Highness, please have a seat.”

Jiang Suizhou responded and sat down on the chair in front of Qi Min.

“I’m here today to discuss some matters with Qi-daren,” Jiang Suizhou started warmly.

Qi Min stayed silent for a moment and said, “I have heard some rumors these days. I did not want to believe them initially, but now it seems that the rumors are true.”

Jiang Suizhou roughly knew what he was talking about.

Huo Wujiu had now occupied the imperial city. The Emperor was dead, but nobody knew if he, Jingwang, was alive or dead. The imperial palace was not some off-the-beaten-path mountain range, so people’s lives and deaths were always clear.

Since his death was unknown, then he must be alive.

Everyone knew how complicated the relationship between Jingwang and Huo Wujiu was. Now that Huo Wujiu was in power, he detained Jingwang, but didn’t kill him. Of course, the reason behind this was quite worthy of scrutiny.

Jiang Suizhou guessed it, so when faced with Qi Min’s questioning, he was frank.

“If rumors have it that General Huo saved me from the fire, then the rumors are true,” Jiang Suizhou said frankly.

Qi Min stared at him for a moment.

“So, all the arrangements in the capital and outside the capital these days were also your idea, right?”

Jiang Suizhou nodded.

“Are you here today, also to persuade me on Huo Wujiu’s behalf?” Qi Min asked right after.

Jiang Suizhou still did not deny it.

He knew that Qi Min was broad-minded in his words and deeds, so he was not in a position to beat around the bush with him.

Seeing his acquiescence, Qi Min let out a deep sigh.

“I knew it. Such a thing was not something he, Huo Wujiu, could do.” He said, “But, Your Highness, I originally thought that you were thorough and understanding, but now it seems that you are very muddled.”

When Huo Wujiu, who was next to Jiang Suizhou heard this, he felt that he was such a nag and unpleasant to the ears. He clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Jiang Suizhou raised his eyes and glanced at him.

When their eyes met, Huo Wujiu froze, somewhat unconvinced. However, he still pursed his lips and heavily tilted his head to the side.

He promised Jiang Suizhou before they took the trip today that he would not clash with Qi Min.

Jiang Suizhou withdrew his gaze and looked at Qi Min again.

“What makes you say that, Qi-daren?” he asked.

The silent exchange between him and Huo Wujiu just now, even if it was subtle, had not escaped Qi Min’s eyes. When Qi Min looked at him again, his gaze was a bit complicated. He paused for a moment before speaking in a deep voice, “Your Highness, family and country should not be confused with personal feelings.”

Jiang Suizhou retorted bluntly, “But this Prince did not make these decisions because of personal feelings. Likewise, this Prince has come to ask you to return to the court today, also not because of personal feelings.”

“Then what’s your reason for doing so?” The volume of Qi Min’s voice rose a bit.

Jiang Suizhou sat there with a calm and honest expression.

“This Prince did it for my own sake,” he replied. “The reason I came to persuade you is for the imperial court.”

“The imperial court?” Qi Min smiled instead of getting angry. “Your Highness, where is the imperial court today? If you tell me at this time that you are about to ascend to the throne as Emperor, then this old man has an imperial court. If you’re not, then where is this humble servant’s imperial court?”

Speaking of this, he changed his tone, “You’re no different, you know? The late Emperor turned his back on you, while Pang Shao was arbitrary and despotic, but the great kingdom still exists. This is your home and my country. Now that you have ruined your own country, why have you not destroyed your home? Now, why are you rushing to persuade this old man to join you and serve the Huo family’s court?!”

When he reached this point, he became a little emotional and coughed violently.

After a moment, he stopped coughing and said under his breath, “A good woman does not serve two husbands, and a good minister does not serve two masters. Your Highness, the one standing behind you today is Huo Wujiu, so you don’t have to waste your breath. Please go back.”

After Jiang Suizhou listened to him, he stayed silent for a moment, and then stood up.

“Then this Prince will not bother Qi-daren,” he said, “But since you have nothing to do in your spare time, there are some trivial matters that you can think about.”

Qi Min looked up at him.

“If a woman is entrusted to someone else, must she waste her life for an unrighteous man? When a good minister hasn’t met a wise master, will he watch the lands of his country suffer in utter misery, even if he is visionary? Is this his loyalty?”

Qi Min didn’t speak.

Jiang Suizhou continued, “As far as I am concerned, women don’t have to preserve their chastity after the death of their husband. Since men cherish time and want to build a successful career through meritorious accomplishments, then women should not waste their time in vain either, and just be worthy of their desires. Ministers, above all, should not tie themselves to a certain dynasty, a certain Emperor. If this so-called loyalty is to bind yourself to a sinking ship, then forget it.”

After his speech, he took a step back.

“If Daren’s heart wants to repay the Great Jing and the late Emperor, then this Prince will never persuade you again. But if your heart is for the people of the world, then you only need to be loyal to the people of the world. You don’t have to care about what kind of person is sitting on the throne.”

His gaze was calm but firm.

“Just like me, my home and country are just a vast land I’m stepping on right now. It’s a state under the sky, and it has nothing to do with anyone else.”

——

Huo Wujiu was silent on the way back.

Jiang Suizhou asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Huo Wujiu turned his head and looked deeply at him for a spell.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Suizhou was puzzled.

Huo Wujiu leaned over and embraced him quite naturally into his arms.