As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 44: The Covered Card
"Sir, the Beilie envoy was not killed by Xinyue. Is it possible..."

There is no family affection in the royal family.

But is there really no such thing?

In fact, it is not necessarily.

Xiao Yu was in poor health in his early years, and after giving birth to a son, Xiao Zhengyang, he had no other children.

Things got better after he ascended the throne, and he began to give birth more frequently.

Xiao Zhengyang is much older than his younger brothers and sisters.

The eldest, the second princess Xiao Xinyue, is nine years younger than him.

Xiao Zhengyang's status as the crown prince was unshakable, so there were fewer conflicts, and he raised his younger brothers and sisters.

The eldest brother is like a father, so the relationship is naturally closer.

Especially my sister who has the same father and mother.

He couldn't bear to see his sister suffer any more.

"No."

But before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Mingchen.

"It doesn't matter what the facts are; what matters is what everyone thinks the facts are."

"Your Highness, don't you understand the reason?"

It's just an excuse for war, the facts don't matter at all.

The second princess did not kill the envoy at all.

It's just the result of some people's joint efforts.

But that's the reason.

If you want to blame someone, blame Qian Yuan for being weak, or blame yourself for being unlucky.

Xiao Zhengyang: ...

Facing the honorable prince, Mingchen spoke without any politeness.

And Xiao Zhengyang... had nothing to say.

People are knives and servants, and I am fish and meat.

Of course he knew what Mingchen meant, but he said it out loud only in the hope that the ethereal demon in front of him could give him the best of both worlds.

My sister has endured enough, and now she has to bear the consequences.

As an older brother, he couldn't even protect his sister.

The feeling of powerlessness and frustration is so real.

He pursed his lips, clenched his fists, and finally uttered a word: "Okay."

There must be a way, but Mingchen didn't want to mention it and let the prince figure it out himself.

She is just a princess and has no value in herself. There is no need to pay too much for her.

Besides, going the same way as him doesn’t mean you will definitely die.

“Until it’s done, it’s all talk.”

It was late at night and Mingchen wanted to leave.

He glanced at the bird by the window and said, "We'll talk about what Your Highness can give us later."

Xiao Zhengyang, who was still feeling aggrieved, heard that Mingchen wanted to leave, and hurriedly said, "Sir, I don't know your name or your appearance yet..."

There was something surreal about what happened tonight.

Mingchen is a mysterious person with unknown origins.

How can I find this person in the future?
How can you grab the life-saving straw if you can’t even see it?
Mingchen smiled and said, "Your Highness, I don't do meaningless things."

"We'll meet again, and you'll know who I am."

He glanced at the sleeping Crown Princess and said, "No one else will know about this when I come to the Crown Prince's Mansion tonight."

"Your Highness, you haven't even ascended the throne yet!"

"A new emperor chooses new ministers. I am your covered card. Your Highness, it is up to you to decide when to reveal it."

The Prince is a long-term investment.

In the court, faction and background are very important.

If he is the prince's man, then it is difficult for him to be the emperor's man.

Mingchen didn't want to stand on the prince's side for the time being, or rather, he didn't want others to know that he had invested a little on this side.

He wants the present and the future.

"..."

Xiao Zhengyang was silent.

He was thinking about the meaning of Mingchen's words.

A breeze blew by, and the ghost disappeared.

"gentlemen?"

Xiao Zhengyang paused and asked tentatively.

This time, there was no reply from that frivolous person.

"Susu."

At this moment, the aroma of bamboo wine filled my face and the odor of alcohol filled my nose. In an instant, my tired spirit was lifted and my weak body seemed to feel a little lighter.

The white bird flapped its wings, holding a wine glass in its claws, and slowly flew to Xiao Zhengyang.

What is amazing is that under such conditions, the wine in the glass remains stable, without spilling at all, and without even causing ripples.

"Is this for me?"

I've seen a lot of strange things today.

Seeing this magical little bird, Xiao Zhengyang was quite calm.

Presumably, it was left by that magical person.

He didn't know if the bird could understand human language, but as he spoke, he reached out and took the wine glass from the bird.

'Yes, it's for your little brother!'

The bird completed its mission, and then rushed out of the room happily, turning into a stream of light and disappearing into the sky.

Xiao Zhengyang stood in the dim room, holding a wine glass, a little absent-minded.

If it weren't for the real touch of the wine glass in his hand and the rich fragrance filling the room, he would have thought that what had just happened was just an illusion.

"Will we see the covered card again...? Who could it be, sir?"

He thought for a moment and murmured softly, "Imperial Examination..."

The sudden appearance of this strange man completely disrupted Xiao Zhengyang's thoughts.

He didn't even know what Mingchen looked like, let alone his background.

No matter how Mingchen spoke from the heart, he could not completely trust the other party.

He didn't discuss topics that would be disadvantageous to him or leave him with something to hold against him. Firstly, he didn't want to, secondly, he didn't dare, and thirdly, he couldn't.

A hundred years after his father passes away, he will eventually become the monarch.

In fact, land is not the ultimate bottom line in his mind.

But Qianyuan is in danger now, and Xiao Zhengyang is already standing on the edge of a cliff.

He didn't have much room to choose.

He must have Mingchen to help him.

He needed to take a gamble, as he had already given the utmost sincerity and trust to this mysterious genius.

If this person is an enemy, then he will admit it.

Penetrating to this point, one can gain such talent and wisdom.

It’s not unfair that I lost.

But now it seems... it seems more likely that we are friends.

The clear and mellow aroma of wine wafts out, refreshing the heart.

Looking at the wine rippling in the glass, Xiao Zhengyang put it to his mouth and drank it all.

Good wine!

Maybe...should he be more courageous and bolder?
The worries that had been bothering him for many days seemed to disappear suddenly, his thoughts became clearer, and Xiao Zhengyang felt a little light-hearted.

"What does it smell like?"

The Crown Princess, who was sleeping on the chair, rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked around, her head a little confused.

"Ah... Your Highness, this..."

Everyone said they would stay with His Highness, but they ended up falling asleep without knowing when.

She let out a soft cry and quickly stood up.

But the room was dark.

"Your Highness? Why are the lights out?"

"Is there anyone coming?"

She looked at His Highness standing by the window with his Mosuo wine glass, and kept coming closer, asking with some concern: "Your Highness, what's wrong with you? It's getting late, let's get some rest."

I don’t know if it was her illusion.

I always feel like someone has been in the room, and the air is filled with a fragrant scent.

Her Highness seemed a little different.

"it is good!"

Xiao Zhengyang didn't know what science was.

But, as my husband said, we can't stay up late anymore.

It's time for him to take a rest.

"Ah? Oh...Okay!"

Xiao Zhengyang agreed so readily that the Crown Princess was dazed for a moment.

Something must have happened just now!
At the same time, on the other side,
On the deserted street corner, a figure gradually emerged from the shadows.

A white bird fell from the sky and landed on his shoulder.

"Prince..."

The prince is still a little cautious~
I don't have enough courage or determination to go all in.

Look at myself, I haven’t even become an official yet, but now I have already put all my nine clans on the gambling table.

(End of this chapter)