I Am A Corrupt Official, Yet They Say I Am A Loyal Minister!

Chapter 16 – Whoever dies or is injured, it’s all for the sake of the people!

Li Shi Shi really detested corrupt officials.

Because she was originally born into a gentry family, with a loving mother and a doting father.

Her father was a fifth-ranked official who once aspired to be a clean and upright good official.

However, being in the murky and corrupt officialdom environment, he was unconsciously influenced and became a corrupt official.
After his wrongdoing was exposed, he was executed by the court and lost his head.

Her life also underwent a huge change.
Her mother couldn’t take the blow and died of illness, while she was also labeled as an official prostitute because of her father’s stain.
Fortunately, she was redeemed by the Hundred Flowers Brothel, otherwise the outcome would have been unimaginable.

Therefore, she really detested corrupt officials and corruption and bribery!

An extreme abhorrence from the bottom of her heart!

So, to let her offer herself to a corrupt official, was absolutely unacceptable!

Especially someone like Lin Beifan, who was a new official but already a huge corrupt official, she was even more unwilling!

“I’m sorry, miss, I brought up your sad past!” Xiao Cui apologized.

Li Shi Shi put on a forced smile, took Xiao Cui’s hand and gently said, “It’s alright, Xiao Cui, I’m just feeling a bit nostalgic, it’s all in the past!”

The two women had lived together since they were young, officially they were mistress and servant, but they were actually as close as sisters.

One look and one sentence, they understood what the other was thinking.

“Miss, since you don’t want to choose the top scholar, how about we choose another ideal husband!” Xiao Cui said.

“Who else is there? Gao Yanai has already issued a statement, and no one dares to come under his pressure! Looks like I can’t get out of his palms in my lifetime!” Li Shi Shi’s face was bitter.

When she thought about her life, it was almost always accompanied by hardships.

Sometimes, she even considered ending it all.

But there were still things she couldn’t let go of, like Xiao Cui.

After all, if she was gone, Xiao Cui wouldn’t have anyone to protect herself anymore.

“Miss…” Xiao Cui opened her mouth, her eyes filled with worry.

Li Shi Shi thought for a moment, her gaze becoming resolute, “Alright, let’s just choose this top scholar!”

“Miss, you really detest corrupt officials, why…” Xiao Cui was surprised.

“Compared to that useless Gao Yanai, the newly crowned top scholar Lin Beifan is an outstanding man.
He’s talented and handsome, and the empress favoured him! Since that’s the case, why wouldn’t I choose a good man to marry?” Li Shi Shi said.

“Moreover, if I marry the top scholar, they’ll definitely be at odds with each other! One is the son of a second-rank official, and the other is a favorite of the empress, someone will be injured when they fight! Whoever dies or is injured, it’s all for the sake of the people!” Li Shi Shi smiled wryly, “This may be my only value!”

“Miss…” Xiao Cui tried to dissuade her.

“Xiao Cui, don’t try to dissuade me, my mind is made up!”

At this moment, Lin Beifan was drinking flower wine when suddenly a commotion broke out.
“Miss Shi Shi is coming out!”

“Everyone look, Miss Shi Shi is coming out!”

“What a beautiful person!” Lin Beifan turned his head and saw a stunning and gentle woman walk gracefully onto the stage.
She emanated an air of elegance and refinement, nothing like a brothel woman.
Lin Beifan couldn’t help but secretly admire her, what a beauty! No wonder so many people are infatuated with her, unable to free themselves from her allure!

Meanwhile, she also happened to turn her head and look at Lin Beifan.
In her heart, she thought, what a handsome gentleman of this troubled world, and on top of that, such a charming youth! Coupled with overflowing talent, she wouldn’t be ashamed to dedicate herself to him.
If only, he wasn’t a corrupt official, that would’ve been nice!

At this moment, Li Shi Shi had already come to the center of the stage, her vermilion lips lightly curled, and her voice was mellifluous.
“I am Li Shi Shi, and I offer you a song!”

“Great! Miss Shi Shi, please!” everyone applauded.

“I’ll perform shamelessly!” Li Shi Shi sat down and a pair of slender jade fingers lightly floated on the strings of the qin.
After a moment, a mournful and beautiful song was played.

Everyone listened in trance-like bliss, the lively brothel became quiet, and only the sound of the qin was left.
Lin Beifan sipped his wine quietly as he admired the performance.

One had to admit, Li Shi Shi played the qin really well, and she looked good too.
Compared to the stars of another world who only had good images but no actual talent, she was much stronger! She was good-looking and also had more talent than you! Comparing the two horizontally, you would be instantly reduced to ashes!

But he didn’t know if it was an illusion, Lin Beifan couldn’t help feeling that Li Shi Shi was looking at him intentionally or unintentionally.
Her gaze was strange, a mixture of admiration and regret.

As the song ended, the whole hall cheered.
“Great! Played really well!”

“Still Miss Shi Shi’s music that moves my heart the most!”

“Reward her greatly!” Li Shi Shi bowed and thanked everyone respectfully.

“Thank you all for your love! And thank you all for your continued support! However, today may be the last time I present my performance!”

Everyone was shocked, “Why?”

“Because…” Li Shi Shi smiled slightly, “I have already found a good man! From now on, I will follow my husband and raise my children.
And I will not give my performance anymore! Please forgive me!”