Upon hearing this, Jiang Nuan couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth.

What a talented person! With such high awareness, they must be kept here!

"It's good that Grand Secretary Liu has such good intentions, but unfortunately..."

"What's a pity?" Liu An asked nervously. "Does Madam think I'm useless?"

“No, that’s not it,” Jiang Nuan said sadly. “I want to find an all-around steward who can impart knowledge, farm the land, manage household affairs, and handle external matters. Too much trouble would be too disrespectful to the Grand Secretary, so let’s forget about it.”

If she were to put on airs and act all high and mighty, Jiang Nuan would despise herself, but in order to exploit Liu An a little more, she simply decided to be shameless.

That's how you use your skin—to maintain appearances on ordinary days and to use it as a shield when needed.

“I am capable,” Liu An said, straightening his chest. “How can one govern the world if one cannot even sweep one’s own house? Although I am not talented, I am more than capable of serving as the chief steward of the Huang family.”

Liu An looked somewhat dazed.

He was prepared to work in the fields, even if it meant working himself to death, but things took an unexpected turn and he became the manager.

Although they still have to farm, their titles sound better than before, and they have more power than before.

It sounds trivial, but it's not troublesome to deal with.

"Really? Isn't that too much of a stretch?" Jiang Nuan emphasized again.

"I won't force you, Madam. Rest assured, I will manage the household affairs properly."

“In that case,” Jiang Nuan smiled sincerely, “the Huang family will have to trouble Grand Secretary Liu in the future.”

"Madam, you may call me Liu An. I will soon no longer be a Grand Secretary."

After saying this, Liu An's feelings were very complicated.

There was both reluctance and melancholy about leaving the imperial court, and excitement and anticipation for the future.

"Alright, I'll call you Liu An from now on."

I don't intend to hide this from anyone.

When Butler Cao found out, he was so shocked he almost bit his tongue off. "Madam, does Grand Secretary Liu intend to stay here?"

“Yes,” Jiang Nuan smiled innocently, “she insisted on staying here, and I had no choice but to agree.”

"How could this be?" The steward thought to himself, "Does he even remember that he is a Grand Secretary of the Great Zhou Dynasty?"

Things have really gotten worse.

The fact that a high-ranking Grand Secretary of the Great Zhou Dynasty was abducted by his wife to serve as her steward caused an upheaval in the court.

“Who knows what he’s thinking,” Jiang Nuan stood up. “You already know what happened, so hurry up and inform your master.”

After saying that, he left unhurriedly.

She's in a very good mood right now; keeping Liu An around means she can still give Ji Xuan something to do.

After Jiang Nuan left, Butler Cao did not dare to delay and immediately reported the matter.

Upon receiving the message, Ji Xuan, who always prided herself on her composure, couldn't help but twitch at the corner of her mouth.

"This time, Lady Jiang has really caused me a lot of trouble."

"What's going on?" Qi Yong frowned. "What's she doing?"

She kept Liu An to serve as the Huang family's steward.

"Make Grand Secretary Liu the chief steward?" Qi Yong asked incredulously. "Are you kidding me? She actually made a Grand Secretary of the Great Zhou the chief steward of the Huang family?"

They actually compared the Huang family to the Great Zhou Dynasty.

This woman really dares to think!

Qi Yong was so angry he almost ground his teeth to powder.

“As expected,” Ji Xuan chuckled, “there is nothing in this world that she wouldn’t dare to do.”

Giving her the identity of a banished immortal only made her more audacious.

Ji Xuan regretted it.

He felt like he had dug a hole and buried himself.

“This is outrageous, far too much,” Qi Yong said indignantly. “They’re even targeting important ministers of the state! Your Majesty, this matter cannot be left unresolved.”

Although he disliked the three pedantic men, he also knew that these three had made invaluable contributions to the Great Zhou Dynasty, far beyond what a eunuch like himself could compare to.

These are the pillars that stabilize the Great Zhou Dynasty. With them by our side, the Great Zhou Dynasty has been able to weather storms and remain prosperous.

“Qi Yong,” Ji Xuan said helplessly, “This was proposed by Grand Secretary Liu himself, and his letter of resignation will arrive in a few days.”

Although he didn't believe it at all.

However, on the surface, there is indeed nothing to hold against them.

“There’s something fishy going on,” Qi Yong said bitterly. “If it weren’t for Lady Jiang’s scheme against Grand Secretary Liu, I would have used my head as a stool.”

“You think Liu An doesn’t know?” Ji Xuan couldn’t help but shake his head. “He’s willing.”

He's a high-ranking official, after all. How could he not see through this little scheme? It's just a matter of one willing to give and the other willing to receive.

The fact that he did this shows that the Huang family does indeed have something attractive about them.

Taking a deep breath, Ji Xuan suppressed her heartache and calmly ordered, "Issue an imperial decree to summon Grand Secretaries An and Zhong to the Imperial Study for a meeting."

"Yes, ma'am."

Upon hearing this, the two Grand Secretaries, An and Zhong, immediately turned pale.

I thought Qi Yong was already enough, but this guy is even better, he's dragged himself into it too.

"Nonsense, utter nonsense!"

An was deeply saddened and extremely disappointed.

If I had known it would end like this, I would have preferred to send that damned eunuch Qi Yong.

I didn't manage to steal the chicken, but I lost the rice. Is there anything more upsetting than this?

“Your Majesty,” Grand Secretary Zhong said coldly, “we must not let them run amok.”

The Grand Secretary of the Great Zhou Dynasty went to work as a steward for someone else. Liu An may be shameless, but they are!

If people in the future compare a high-ranking Grand Secretary to a lowly manager, he will be furious!

"What are your thoughts, my two esteemed ministers?"

"Call the people back first, and then calm them down slowly."

“I’m afraid that won’t work,” Ji Xuan said helplessly. “Grand Secretary Liu has made up his mind to retire. The rest of the group is already on their way back, and only he has stayed behind.”

"No," Grand Secretary Zhong said angrily, "we must bring him back, even if we have to carry him."

What's so good about the Huang family? What's so worth keeping? Isn't being a Grand Secretary better?

Do you really think the Lady Protector of the Nation is a banished immortal?

Even if he is a banished immortal, what does that have to do with him?

Was he kicked in the head by a donkey? Or has he read too many books and his brain is full of mush?

He didn't believe that Liu An could adapt to the change from a powerful and popular Grand Secretary to a neglected and easily bullied steward.

“That’s what I think too,” Chief Minister An agreed wholeheartedly. “Liu An is the Grand Secretary of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He should take on the responsibilities of a Grand Secretary and uphold the reputation of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He absolutely cannot act recklessly as he pleases.”

When he gets back, I'll definitely give him a good talking to.

The chief minister regretted it. If he had known that Liu An was so unreliable, he should not have let him join the cabinet and drag everyone down in the first place.

Who would have thought that someone praised by both the government and the public would fall so low?

Thinking of this, An Zhufu felt even more distressed.

Consequently, their anger also turned against Jiang Nuan, the newly appointed Protector of the Nation.

“You two ministers are right,” Ji Xuan said, then changed the subject and expressed his concerns, “However, if Grand Secretary Liu does not want to come back, even if he is forced to, it will not end well.”

Such a great scholar, with his illustrious reputation, cannot be arbitrarily insulted by others as long as he does not make any serious mistakes.

Upon hearing this, An Zhong and the other person were speechless.

They certainly understood this principle, but for the time being, they couldn't think of a better approach than this forceful one.

After a moment's thought, An Zhufu said in a deep voice, "Let's try this for now. If it doesn't work, I'll go there myself!"