It seems that the villain is targeting me.

Xiao Niao looked at her thoughtfully for a while, then asked Bi'er a slightly strange question: "You've been following me for so long, how do you feel?"

Bi'er looked at the bird blankly, not knowing how to answer this question.

Xiao Niao laughed: "Okay, then let me ask it another way - how does power feel?"

Bi'er was stunned.

How does power taste...?

That would be wonderful, of course.

"If you hadn't been sent here by Brandon, as a girl in the family, you would never have had the opportunity to be exposed to politics, nor would you have the opportunity to have an equal dialogue with officials at the table."

Xiao Niao looked at Bi'er, as if he wanted to look deep into her eyes: "According to your age, under normal circumstances, you should have been married off through a family marriage."

Yes, she knew very well that this was her future destiny - it was also the fate of most noble girls of this era - and even among the benefits that Duke Brandon promised to her father was a marriage with the Marquis's family.

This completely different way of thinking impacted Bier's three views, and she could not describe her feelings at that moment in any words.

"I know what you're thinking—don't worry, I'm not planning on killing you, and I'm not worried about what you might do to me."

Xiao Niao turned his back to Bier, seemingly defenseless.

Beau noticed with some confusion that Butcher's shoulders did not seem as broad as they appeared. When he turned his back, he even looked a little thin.

Xiao Niao leaned on the balcony railing, looking at the busy market in the distance, and said:

"You won't do anything, and you won't dare do anything, because once you leave me, you will forever lose the opportunity to obtain these powers, and you can only get false verbal promises from those in power."

"When you hold power, you'll discover you can actually accomplish a lot. Even powerful people will be wary of you. Power allows you to protect your family, rather than begging for mercy from those above you."

As he spoke, Xiao Niao turned around and looked at her, revealing a smile that was bewitching and seemed evil but not righteous.

"Power feels wonderful, doesn't it? Being able to easily control the fate of others feels great—that's right, because it is the most deadly poison in the world. Once you get involved, it's hard to quit and easy to relapse."

Bi'er seemed to be swept into a terrible flood. She could not control her body and she trembled under the baptism of strong emotions.

"Keep following me," Xiao Niao said finally, "Don't you want to know how far you can go in the end?"

Bi'er didn't know.

Beau could not think of anything, and she was unclear about nothing. She felt that the future that had been so clear to her since she was a child became blurred the moment Butcher looked at her.

Bier saw Xiaoniao put down the account book in his hand, slowly raised his head, and his eyes seemed to be smiling at her.

well-done.

Butcher was lip-syncing to herself, and she understood what the words meant:

Good girl, you did a great job.

Chapter 58 The system is worried about you

[…You still trust that little spy quite a bit.] The system's voice rang out in Xiao Niao's mind.

It murmured quietly: [Are you really not afraid that she will betray you? Bird.]

I don’t know if it’s an illusion, but Xiao Niao always feels that the system’s two sentences sound a bit sour.

"Well," Xiao Niao said without looking up, "If I kept worrying about my subordinates betraying me, I wouldn't be able to do anything else every day. Besides, she has already tasted power and there is no way she would want to go back to a position where she has to be manipulated by others in everything."

"Bi'er is a smart person. Don't you realize that she is eagerly seizing the opportunity to climb to a higher position? She has already been firmly tied to my boat."

The system thought: Is that what I'm talking about? I mean, look at that girl looking at you like she's about to lose her soul! Was it an accident or was it intentional?

Be careful! You're really going to attract perverts!

The system is deeply saddened.

However, Xiaoniao didn't notice what the system was thinking about. After looking at part of the account book, she waved to Bier and left silently just like when she entered the house.

She didn't check them particularly carefully - there wasn't much to see from just a few account books. Xiao Niao just checked whether the accounts were clearly recorded and whether the collection method complied with the rules she had set - and this could be done well as long as the people working had the right attitude.

She checked it out and was quite satisfied with the result.

As for the more detailed audit work, it will be done by a group of auditors under Xiao Niao, consisting of half-human and female officials.

In this regard, the bird also has the advantage of almost dimensionality reduction attack. For example: people in this era don’t know about things like Benford’s Law. No matter how those guys make fake accounts, they can’t escape the fate of being caught.

This group of auditing talents played a very important role in Xiao Niao's work. Just by checking the accounts, she arrested many noble lords who were engaged in smuggling trade.

Xiao Niao was not worried that these people would betray her after learning knowledge: whether it was a girl like Bi'er who came from an aristocratic class, or those half-humans who had just struggled out of hell, their loyalty to her was extraordinary.

The reason is simple

However: Apart from her, no one else would hire a girl as an official, and no employer would be willing to pay her the same wages as ordinary citizens.

In the face of interests, it is very difficult to maintain certain inherent old views.

"Those nobles really run their circles like an iron barrel. At the beginning, I really had a hard time because of this targeting."

Xiao Niao silently confided in the system, something she couldn't say to anyone else. "My position wasn't stable at the time, so I really couldn't do anything to them—but the strongest fortresses in the world are often breached from within."

"That's why you only hire girls from the nobility," the system reluctantly echoed Xiao Niao's words. "They come from wealthy backgrounds, enjoy a comfortable life, and due to family connections, most have received a good education, yet they lack the means to gain power—they are your natural accomplices."

Xiao Niao nodded without comment.

[Okay, where are you going now?] the system asked.

"I'll have to go into the palace. Lawrence will probably keep the general for questioning, and I'll have to report to him. Even if I don't go today, I'll probably get an order tomorrow," Xiao Niao said. "But I don't want to stay there for dinner. The palace food is terrible. I'll go after I finish my meal."

She slipped away halfway in order to come back to check on the operation of the mansion and to escape the palace banquet.

This is not a formal celebration banquet, but Lawrence will definitely keep the general until late today and will probably prepare a small-scale dinner.

The culinary tastes of the upper class of this era were truly lame. They would even roast a whole peacock and then dip its feathers before serving it on the table - the meat itself wasn't very tasty, and it was served mostly to give the guests a visual shock.

These people's preference for alcohol is difficult for modern people to accept. At that time, the most popular drink among the powerful class was spiced wine: honey and various expensive spices were added to high-end wine, and it would be heated and boiled before drinking.

Dishes that are meat-based and seasoned with a sour, salty, and sweet taste are also difficult to please Xiao Niao's typical southern taste.

She had been accustomed to eating light, refreshing, low-fat dishes since she was a child. Her favorite was the rose-red bacon stir-fried with pea tips, paired with various nourishing soups carefully prepared by her mother.

Xiao Niao actually has a good appetite and eats a lot, but after coming to this shabby place, she ended up starving herself and becoming thin.

The system always accommodated the bird in this regard. It said tolerantly, "Okay, no rush. Let's eat first and then go over."

------

-

Lawrence took General Banur to the conference room to discuss matters, while Gwen and her brother went to the side hall to meet their younger brother whom they had not seen for a long time. The three siblings had a good reunion.

After not seeing him for several months, Lucas looked taller. He was waiting on the sofa in the side hall where guests sat. After seeing his brother and sister, he took a long time to recognize them before he exclaimed in surprise.

"Sister! Brother!" Lucas excitedly stretched out his arms and waved at them: "Oh my God! I almost didn't recognize you!"

Upon hearing this, Gwen and Eric looked at each other - because they had been together day and night and were blood relatives, they had not noticed the changes in each other at all.

Reminded by Lucas at this moment, the brother and sister realized that they were very different from when they first set out.

Most basically, the childishness between the eyebrows of the two people has disappeared, and they are beginning to show a sense of maturity and stability.

Among them, Gwyneth has changed the most. The youthfulness of her girlish appearance has not completely disappeared, but the charm of a mature woman has gradually emerged. Her graceful and upright figure makes it difficult for people to have blasphemous thoughts, but it makes people involuntarily think of the legend about the goddess of beauty.

Gwyneth has grown taller and looks elegant and calm. Her every move and gesture exudes the majesty that comes from giving orders for a long time.

Before anyone knew it, Gwen had grown up. She was very beautiful... and it seemed that she had some worries that she couldn't tell her family.

Gwyneth pursed her lips, smiled and said to her brother, "You've grown taller too, Luca."

"Really?" Lucas was a little surprised.

"Oh, by the way, I heard about it all," he said, looking at his brothers and sisters excitedly. "You defeated the Galan people! Sister Gwen even defeated the Galan King in a single fight—quickly, tell me about it!"

Lucas was the only son in the family, so Grand Duke Banur was unwilling to take him out to take risks. Lucas himself protested repeatedly, but all were ruthlessly suppressed by his father.

As a result, when his brothers and sisters followed their father to fight against King Jialan, he had to stay at home and continue studying, and he was so bored that he almost grew mushrooms.

"I want to go to war, too," Lucas said aggrievedly, "At least, at least let me enjoy my hearing!"

Gwyneth looked at her brother who was as lively and cheerful as ever, and finally she felt like she was home.

"Okay, I'll tell you everything." Gwen couldn't help laughing.

Chapter 59: Lao Yezhu: I’m not drunk! Not drunk!

Just as Xiao Niao had expected, Lawrence specially arranged a small-scale dinner to entertain the general because he wanted to keep him for a long talk.

Because the meal was reserved for discussing serious matters, the nature of this dinner was actually a bit like a working meal.

The emperor did not invite any other guests. Apart from the Tudor family, only a few senior generals and ministers who accompanied him attended.

The eldest prince himself was not present at the dinner, and Gwen wondered whether this was a deliberate act of the Emperor or whether Charles himself was too ashamed to appear at the table.

Actually, no matter what the reason was, it was good - although she didn't care much about it now, if possible, Gwen didn't really want to continue dealing with Charles.

She shook her head and turned her attention to the sumptuous dinner.

Although Lawrence I downplayed the occasion by saying it was "just a simple meal," the sheer number of dishes served on the table was almost dizzying.

It was the first time for Gwyneth to taste authentic palace cuisine. The whole roasted lamb brushed with honey water and the sardine rolls wrapped in fresh bay leaves were particularly novel to her.

By the time she inserted the silver spoon into the last dish of cream - with sugar cookies at the bottom and thick puffed cream and toasted oatmeal on top - a guard came in and said that Prime Minister Butcher was waiting outside.

Gwyneth's hand paused subconsciously. She quickly glanced at the guard who came in to report, then quickly retracted her gaze. She pinched the spoon between her fingers and poked around in the plate, mushing the wheat ear pattern made by the chef.

Eric, the eldest brother who was standing right next to Gwen, was completely unaware of this - he had been seeing Gwen Xiaoniao frequently for almost half a year, but he hadn't noticed any clues at all!

Eric Tudor was even thinking: Wow, I didn’t expect Prime Minister Butcher to be such a nice person. He helps our Gwen with everything.

The younger Lucas keenly noticed his sister's abnormality - he looked at the mess of pastries on Gwyneth's plate with a thoughtful look.

On the other side, Lawrence, who was sitting in the main seat, laughed out loud after hearing the words of the guard.

The emperor seemed to be in particularly high spirits today. He hardly touched the food during the meal and just kept ordering his servants to pour him wine.

Then he talked to Grand Duke Banur beside him, while enjoying various fine wines as happily as a plowing ox drinking water.

The Emperor drank the iced ale, the Berdasco, and the aperitif white wine with great pleasure, and then began to sip the strong whisky without anyone's persuasion.

Lao Wild Boar didn't have any other hobbies. He had been worried about the war situation on the front line and was very restrained in drinking only a glass of hot mead every day.

But now the army had returned triumphantly, the empire had won a complete victory, the stone that had been weighing on his heart was gone, and his old friend was also unharmed - he had to celebrate no matter what.

The emperor had been holding back from drinking for too long, and after celebrating like this, he couldn't control himself anymore.

It was actually quite scary when Lao Yezhu really let go and drank. The servants who were pouring wine for him were afraid that the emperor would get drunk to death.

He loved fine wine, and when he was young he had an excellent alcohol tolerance - this excellent tolerance meant that if ordinary people got close to Lao Yezhu after he had drunk a lot, they would be drunk unconscious just by smelling the alcohol.

Lao Yezhu mumbled incoherently, ordering his guard to pass on a message to Xiao Niao: "Let...let Lord Butcher wait a moment. I...I'll drink some more sweet wine to sober up. I'll be right back later, hiccup, later."

The Duke of Tudor, who was standing by, almost lost all expression after hearing his old friend's sobering speech.

He sternly glared at the attendant who was about to continue pouring wine for the emperor, and quickly snatched the wine glass from Lawrence's hand, repeatedly admonishing him, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you have drunk too much. You can't drink any more!"

Lao Yezhu immediately lost his temper. He opened his eyes wide and looked forward fiercely: "Banu, you are talking nonsense. Who is drunk? I am not drunk!"

The attendant holding the wine jug reminded him tremblingly: "Your Majesty, that is a vase. The Duke is on your left..."

The emperor then held on to the table and staggered to the left. Banur quickly stepped forward and held him with his hand, holding the drunkard between his arms to prevent him from falling to the ground.

The Duke of Tudor was obviously a little embarrassed, but the courtiers were used to the emperor's behavior.

They skillfully took the drunken emperor from the panicked Grand Duke Banur. After a while, the kitchen brought out a bowl of oyster soup with broth as white as milk, steam rising from the surface, so delicious that it choked the throat.

The servant brought the sobering hot soup and coaxed the wild boar to drink it.

Generally speaking, under normal circumstances, no matter how drunk the emperor was, this bowl of hot soup would help him sober up, and after washing his face, he could start handling government affairs with a refreshed mind.

But I don’t know if Lawrence’s alcohol tolerance has deteriorated, or if he’s simply getting older and his body can’t handle it anymore, but the soup didn’t sober him up like usual.

After drinking the oyster soup, Lao Yezhu stopped making nonsense and sat back in his chair, crossed his hands peacefully on his chest, and fell into a sweet sleep.

Grand Duke Banur, whose face was covered with the smell of alcohol, wiped his face and couldn't help but sigh.

Forget it, let’s not even think about discussing any serious business now, everyone should just go home and take a shower and go to bed.

Now that the emperor was drunk, the only one who could take charge was the Duke of Bartholomew.

Grand Duke Nur.

Banur sighed and told several servants to take the emperor back to the bedroom to have a good rest. He turned around and looked at the ministers who were staring at him eagerly at the table, and he felt his head suddenly grow bigger.

These people exchanged glances with each other, and then looked at Grand Duke Banur at the same time, asking with their eyes: What should we do?

Grand Duke Banur didn't know what to do, and he really wanted to quit.