"Minister Meng, 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.