I embezzled 100,000 taels at the beginning, and the empress begged me to be more greedy

"Jiang Zuo?"

Another call brought Jiang Zuo back to his senses.

He adjusted his breathing, walked out and said, "I'm here."

This was the first time that Jiang Zuo was interacting with Chen Qingyun as a monarch and his subject. At this moment, he felt like a piece of candy was stuck in his throat, and he didn't know whether it should be sweet or painful.

Thinking that the woman he had been thinking about day and night was now the empress of Yan State, he couldn't help but feel a little more unfamiliar.

At this time, Chen Qingyun had a calm expression, his eyes never leaving Jiang Zuo, and said: "My dear Jiang, you have made great achievements in the war and cleared the hidden dangers in the south for the court. You have made great contributions. I have appointed you as the King of Hannan and granted you the Three Officials."

Jiang Zuo was not present at the previous court meeting, but now that Jiang Zuo came in person, Chen Qingyun repeated the reward.

The so-called gift of three officials was the highest reward unique to the State of Yan.

First, the title of King of Hannan was bestowed upon Jiangzuo, which his descendants could inherit permanently and could have a small amount of military power; second, Jiangzuo would enjoy rewards from the court for life, and could receive ten thousand taels of silver and some treasures every year, although Jiangzuo did not care about the ten thousand taels of silver; third, the Jiangzuo clan could be exempted from all death penalty crimes except treason.

This is the lifelong goal of court officials. Jiang Zuo is still young, but he has won such an honor. How can others not be envious?

Especially the Right Prime Minister's party, their hearts were filled with complicated feelings at this moment, filled with hatred.

Even Lu Jun, the right prime minister who served three dynasties and worked diligently for many years, had never received such a reward.

After hearing Chen Qingyun's words, Jiang Zuo was already in a daze, and scenes of his time with "Miss Siyue" in Anding County kept flashing through his mind.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the silent Jiang Zuo.

"Hurry up and thank him." Chen Xiu on the side reminded quietly.

Jiang Zuo recovered and leaned forward and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Today, he lacks his usual calmness and his face is obviously nervous.

"Lord Jiang, this is your first court meeting, so there is no need to be too reserved. Is it because you are tired from traveling? You should have a good rest after today's court meeting."

At this time, Chen Qingyun spoke again.

This sentence made Jiang Zuo even more nervous.

Jiang Zuo was completely stunned when he saw the woman who had been so close to him sitting on the dragon throne.

At this moment in the court, almost everyone's attention is on Jiang Zuo. How could he not be restrained?

After a pause, Jiang Zuo said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

After a while, Chen Qingyun looked away, thinking of something important, and said, "I want to nominate Jiang Zuo as the chief minister of the cabinet. What do you think?"

To nominate Jiang Zuo as the prime minister of the cabinet is something Chen Qingyun has always wanted to do, and now he has finally found the opportunity.

The ancestral laws of the Yan State did not stipulate that a prince could not be the chief minister of the cabinet.

After hearing what His Majesty said, many officials looked at each other and then echoed in unison.

"Your Majesty is wise."

"Prince Hannan is an excellent candidate for the Cabinet's Prime Minister."

Given Jiang Zuo's contributions and the empress's trust in him, no one present dared to object; everyone agreed unanimously.

After all, the position of Prime Minister of the Cabinet has been vacant for a long time, and a capable person is indeed needed to share the pressure with the empress.

Seeing the atmosphere in the court, Jiang Zuo couldn't help but complain in his heart: "Damn it, everyone is praising me to death, right?"

Now he is in a very high position and cannot step down calmly.

If I refuse in public, wouldn't that be disrespecting the empress?

In the past, Jiang Zuo would have definitely refused, but the woman he was facing at this moment was the Siyue he had been thinking about day and night. No, her identity was not Siyue, but the empress!

"I will definitely not disappoint your majesty."

Jiang Zuo replied respectfully.

Looking at Jiang Zuo below the stage, Chen Qingyun could hardly hide the smile in his heart.

According to the procedure, Chen Qingyun took the lead in praising Jiang Zuo, and then began to let other ministers make reports.

As for what was said at the court meeting, Jiang Zuo had no intention of listening. His brain was now blank and could not accommodate any other voices.

I don't know how long it took, but I finally heard Chen Qingyun say, "Dismiss the court."

The ministers dispersed, but Jiang Zuo still stood there.

Chen Qingyun paused for a moment and glanced at Jiang Zuo, but did not give any further instructions and left directly.

Looking at the empress's departing figure, Jiang Zuo's heart was still confused.

The scene before my eyes seemed like a dream.

I don’t know whether it is a sweet dream to reminisce about, or a nightmare.

"Jiang Zuo, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell today?"

The Ninth Prince Chen Xiu on the side asked with concern.

Jiang Zuo shook his head: "Maybe it's because it's my first time attending court, and I'm not used to it yet."

Chen Xiu said: "From now on, you will be the chief minister of the imperial cabinet. You will go to the palace to see the emperor every day. You can slowly get used to it."

After hearing what the Ninth Prince said, Jiang Zuo felt even more depressed.

Originally I just wanted to make some money and enjoy a comfortable life soon, and I never thought that I could go to Beijing and become the Prime Minister of the Cabinet.

Jiang Zuo was extremely reluctant.

But on second thought, if I could enter the palace every day, it would mean I could meet Chen Qingyun every day.

"Since Siyue is the empress, can't I just live off her?" This thought suddenly came to Jiang Zuo's mind.

The woman he loves is the most powerful person in the world today. Isn't this more exciting than living in seclusion in the countryside?

If he didn't have to be the prime minister of the cabinet, Jiang Zuo would be willing to stay with Chen Qingyun.

"Let's go."

Seeing Jiang Zuo still standing there in a daze, Chen Xiu took him and prepared to leave the hall.

At this time, the chief eunuch came to Jiang Zuo and said, "Prime Minister Jiang, please stay. His Majesty has ordered that Prime Minister Jiang come to the Imperial Study to meet His Majesty."

Hearing this, Jiang Zuo didn't know whether he should be looking forward to it or feel a little nervous.

Chen Xiu beside him warned: "When you meet His Majesty, you must be careful with your words and actions. Your identity is quite special now, so you can't be like before."

Chen Xiu has been with Jiang Zuo for half a year and is very familiar with Jiang Zuo's careless personality.

But the Ninth Prince obviously didn't know what the true relationship between Jiang Zuo and the Emperor was.

Jiang Zuo nodded silently, followed the guard and headed towards the imperial study.

When I arrived at the imperial study, it was empty.

"Please wait for a moment, Prime Minister Jiang. His Majesty will be here soon."

The chief eunuch said this and then closed the door.

Looking at the environment of the imperial study and the piles of memorials and books, Jiang Zuo found it hard to imagine how busy a woman like Siyue would be on a daily basis as an emperor.

But if you think about it carefully, she was able to stay in Anding County for such a long time before, so she shouldn't have been busy with government affairs every day, right?

Jiang Zuo really didn't envy the emperor's life.

But now his plan, including proposing marriage to Siyue, is obviously impossible to complete.

You have to know that Miss Siyue, whom Jiang Zuo loves, is the emperor of the dynasty. What kind of standards are required to propose marriage to the emperor...

Jiang Zuo had no choice but to give up.

Now the only possibility for him and Chen Qingyun to get married is that Jiang Zuo becomes the empress's male favorite, or even a concubine...

If you think about it, it's really complicated.