Chapter 45 – Your Majesty, I, Meng Qingzhou, will no longer serve in office!

Chapter 45 – Your Majesty, I, Meng Qingzhou, will no longer serve in office!

"Meng Aiqing, do you have nothing to say? Do you truly wish to resign and retire?" Dongfang Liuli struggled to suppress her urge to lash out, forcing a reluctant smile.

Meng Qingzhou held a jade tablet in his hand and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, my abilities are limited and I fear I cannot fulfill such a great responsibility. I humbly request that Your Majesty select a more capable individual and allow me to retire to the countryside."

Having served as an official in the capital for just a month, Meng Qingzhou had narrowly avoided exposure several times. If he didn't escape soon, it was only a matter of time before his true identity was revealed.

It was easy to imagine that after today, the reputations of Minister Meng Qin and the Qian Yuan Sword Saint, this master-disciple pair, would spread throughout the land. At that point, countless eyes would be watching him, and various factions would dig into Meng Qingzhou's past, making it difficult to keep certain secrets hidden.

The events that transpired during the birthday banquet further solidified Meng Qingzhou's resolve to resign.

Meng Qingzhou was full of doubts.

'Why do Jiang Canghai and Qin Fenghuo, the two pillars of their respective dynasties, insist on attributing some unfounded merits to me?'

'What was the Empress's true reason for traveling such a long distance to personally extend an olive branch to me?'

'And why is the Empress willing to fulfill any request from the Qian Yuan Sword Saint, yet so reluctant to let me go, even at great cost?'

'What use am I as an official in the Great Jin?'

These questions had always weighed on Meng Qingzhou's mind, but he had no way to verify them, so he had never delved deeply into them.

Moreover, Meng Qingzhou always felt that Jiang Canghai, Qin Fenghuo, and the Empress, the top power figures in the Great Jin, had an ambiguous attitude towards him.

Qin Fenghuo, known for his fiery temper, would usually resolve any displeasure with a single sword strike, but in front of Meng Qingzhou, he acted like a kind and amiable grandfather next door.

Jiang Canghai, known for his deep scheming, never played tricks on Meng Qingzhou.

As for the Empress, she had always been ruthless and domineering, much like a tyrannical female CEO from his previous life. Yet, this strong woman always protected Meng Qingzhou. Although they rarely communicated, whenever faced with a choice, she would unhesitatingly choose Meng Qingzhou.

"Could it be that my charm and handsomeness have reached a level that transcends age and gender?"

"I can't understand when the plot started to go off the rails like this," Meng Qingzhou was utterly confused.

Since arriving in the Imperial Capital of the Great Jin, it was the first time he felt like he had lost control of his life's direction.

Hearing Meng Qingzhou's response, Dongfang Liuli felt a sudden emptiness in her heart, her expression turning despondent. She looked at him with a hint of sadness and couldn't help but ask, "What about your wife? She serves the court, and her family has been loyal for generations. Are you willing to abandon her?"

Having traversed the mortal world, the only things that held him back were the small courtyard of the Qin residence and the Green Tiles Small House in Present Village.

To truly let go, how could it be easy?

Dongfang Liuli's mood instantly brightened, like a little cat that had received a reward, feeling immensely satisfied.

She had deliberately given two options to test Meng Qingzhou's intentions.

If he chose to retire immediately, abandoning his wife (Dongfang Liuli) and children (Su Qingqiu, Sunlight Lord), it would mean that Meng Qingzhou didn't care about them at all.

Choosing to stay and serve as an official meant that they were very important to Meng Qingzhou, like real family.

After all, to make Salted Fish Meng give up his carefree life, it would take nothing short of the end of the world...

"This request counts as Meng Aiqing's. I will make an exception and grant it." Dongfang Liuli was still not satisfied. She turned her gaze to the Qian Yuan Sword Saint and said, "Qian Yuan, think of another wish, and I will fulfill it for you."

She hadn't forgotten the various doubts surrounding the Qian Yuan Sword Saint. Today, she had to confirm or dispel them, or she wouldn't be able to sleep.

The Qian Yuan Sword Saint scratched his head, feeling a bit troubled.

Your Majesty, you're too generous. Who keeps offering when the other party doesn't want anything?

I don't want anything!

I just want to end this birthday banquet quickly and go home to walk my dog!

"I have no other requests," the Qian Yuan Sword Saint said coldly and indifferently.

Hearing this, Dongfang Liuli's crimson eyes suddenly brightened. She straightened her body and stared intently at the Qian Yuan Sword Saint.

What a salted fish personality, just like Meng Qingzhou!

"Reveal your true form!"

Dongfang Liuli suddenly stood up, her slender, fair hand making a grasping motion in the air towards the smiling mask on the Qian Yuan Sword Saint's face.

With a cracking sound, the smiling mask shattered. Under the puzzled gazes of the crowd, the Qian Yuan Sword Saint slowly raised his head, revealing his true face...