The empress disliked my achievements for overshadowing her own, so she turned her attention to the N

Qin Qingmin glanced at the still-warm corpse on the ground, swallowed hard, and gave a bitter laugh: "Your Highness is joking. I am still quite healthy and have not reached the point where I need to recuperate at home."

Chen Nan said solemnly, "Since that's the case, does Qin Xueyuan have something to say to me while he's standing so far forward?"

Qin Qingmin looked embarrassed. He hadn't expected that Chen Nan's two sentences would completely shut him down, leaving him with no excuse.

However, Chen Nan did not dwell on this issue.

He addressed the assembled officials solemnly, saying, "Yang Fuku is dead, and Prime Minister Changsun is unfortunately seriously ill. The national treasury and the imperial treasury will be temporarily managed by me from now on."

"Anyone who wants to enter or open the gates of the two treasuries must obtain my permission."

These words shocked the crowd even more.

They had considered that Chen Nan might give these two positions to people close to him, but they never expected that he would actually take such an important position.

Among the crowd, Qin Qingmin, in particular, stared at Chen Nan with a resentful look in his eyes.

If Chen Nan were to truly secure these two positions, it would mean that all military and political power, along with the people's livelihood in Northern Wei, would be concentrated in Chen Nan's hands.

When that time really comes, what use will we have for these ministers?

They could only work step by step, waiting for Chen Nan's orders at any time. Whatever Chen Nan told them to do, they had to do.

This was certainly not the situation Qin Qingmin wanted to see, and his mind began to race.

Chen Nan didn't give anyone a chance to object. After making the announcement, he continued, "Today's court assembly is over. Any ministers who have different opinions can come to me privately."

"Qingyu and Hongze stay behind; the rest of you may return to your residences."

Chen Nan had already given the order to leave. Apart from the two he had mentioned, the others hesitated for a moment. Qin Qingmin glanced at the civil officials one by one before reluctantly bidding farewell to the main hall.

Qingyu and Hongze, who were mentioned by him, straightened their chests. They both knew that he was going to talk to them about Sucheng.

After everyone had left, Chen Nan waved to the two of them.

The two understood each other and took a few steps closer to Chen Nan. Qingyu couldn't help but ask first, "Your Highness, shouldn't I be the one to guard Su City?"

Knowing the relationship between Hongming and Chen Nan, he was naturally worried that this matter wouldn't fall on his shoulders, which is why he was so anxious.

Hongze was naturally unwilling to let such a great opportunity fall into the hands of others, and said frankly, "Your Highness, why don't you let me go this time? I am more familiar with the situation in Sucheng than General Qingyu."

While the three were still discussing military matters in the main hall, Qin Qingmin hurriedly entered the Qin residence, followed by the household steward.

"Where is the young master?" Qin Qingmin asked in a low voice, suppressing his anger.

"Master, the young master is still in his room. He hired two new courtesans last night, so he probably hasn't gotten up yet." The butler noticed Qin Qingmin's unusual behavior and spoke more directly.

Upon hearing this, Qin Qingmin, who had been looking sullen, suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahaha, this is truly a stroke of luck!"

He had been thinking about how to stop Chen Nan in the imperial court, but he couldn't come up with a good solution.

It was impossible for the local officials of Northern Wei to accomplish this task alone, so he naturally thought of the forces behind him.

Unfortunately, he has never known what kind of power was behind him.

When the envoy from Western Shu visited him earlier, he already had a guess in his mind.

He also knew that Liu Banggua and others were imprisoned in the Weidu Prefecture jail.

Unfortunately, that place was Chen Nan's territory, and he couldn't get in without a legitimate reason.

And right now, his grandson Qin Guangming is a perfect excuse.

Thinking of this, Qin Qingmin's sharp eyes fixed on the butler in front of him, who, filled with doubt, involuntarily took a few steps back: "Master, why have you been staring at me like that..."

Qin Qingmin smiled kindly: "How long have you been following me?"

The butler was taken aback, then sighed. Sure enough, it had come to this in the end.

He knew that as Qin Qingmin's butler, he was someone who could be pushed out at any time, but he never expected that day to come so soon.

He took a deep breath and said resolutely, "Sir, just tell me what you need me to do, and I will do it without complaint."

Qin Qingmin was taken aback, and then realized that the butler had clearly misunderstood him.

He then explained, "Don't worry, I don't need you to convict me."

"Besides, given Chen Nan's personality, if he really wanted to kill me, he could easily find two reasons to kill me in court. He wouldn't give me the chance to find someone to take the blame."

It must be said that although Qin Qingmin didn't particularly like Chen Nan, he understood his personality very well and could even guess what the other person was thinking.

The butler suddenly realized that his master did not want him to take the blame at all, nor did he need him to take the blame.

He grinned and said, "As long as you need me, my life is yours."

Qin Qingmin looked at the butler with a hint of appreciation, even though the butler had misunderstood his meaning.

However, being able to face death so calmly is much better than most people.

Moreover, the fact that he was willing to take the blame for it is even more commendable.

"Don't worry, I don't need you to do anything difficult."

"I will go to the inner hall to rest later. While I am resting, you will personally go to the Weidu Prefecture to report to the authorities!"

"Wei Du Prefecture? Report to the authorities?" The steward's eyes were filled with confusion.

He didn't understand why he had to report to the authorities, and he was even more confused as to why he had to go in person to do so.

Qin Qingmin then spoke up: "Didn't you just say that the young master found two new entertainers yesterday?"

Upon hearing Qin Qingmin mention Qin Guangming, the butler's face filled with terror, and his body even trembled slightly.

"Master, how about I have one of the servants in the manor take care of it?"

"What? You're willing to die in my place, but you can't report this to the authorities?" In an instant, Qin Qingmin's face was filled with coldness.

He could understand this situation; after all, he was his own grandson.

He knew Qin Guangming's personality well; he was the kind of person who was a complete troublemaker.

If he finds out that the housekeeper reported this to the authorities, who knows what kind of trouble he might cause.

However, Qin Qingmin did not trust anyone else to handle this matter, so he specifically requested that the steward handle it personally, since this matter was related to his future plans.

Thinking of this, his tone softened, and he even began to persuade: "You can rest assured to handle this matter. I will personally talk to that brat and make sure he doesn't hold a grudge against you."

Having heard this, the steward had no choice but to agree: "In that case, I will go and report to the authorities immediately."

Ultimately, he didn't want to go in person at all, but Qin Qingmin had spoken, and he didn't even have the right to refuse.

The other party also forbade the servants in his household from handling this matter, knowing that it was very important.