fynovel Chapter 12 Then you'd better take good care of me and not let me die.
Chapter 12 Then you'd better take good care of me and not let me die.
Just as I stepped down the white marble steps, a hearty laugh rang out.
"That was satisfying! Xu Ming, I've truly gotten to know you today! That was satisfying!"
Xu Ming looked up and saw the Second Prince Zhao Lie striding in from the side corridor.
He wore a dark red python robe with a gold belt around his waist. He walked with a powerful stride, the hem of his robe fluttering in the wind.
Zhao Lie was tall and strong, half a head taller than Xu Ming, and exuded a fierce and brave aura from years of battle.
The scar on his left cheek looked particularly menacing in the sunlight.
He walked up to Xu Ming in a few steps and slapped Xu Ming's shoulder with his large, fan-like hand.
The force was more like patting a wall than patting someone's shoulder.
Xu Ming stumbled and almost lost his balance.
"Those old bastards deserve to be dealt with this way!" Zhao Lie's fierce face was full of undisguised admiration, his eyes shining like two balls of fire. "You little brat, you're just my type!"
He looked Xu Ming up and down, as if he were looking at a fine horse he liked.
"If anyone dares to obstruct you while I'm handling a case, just say my name!"
This is blatant courting.
Xu Ming knew exactly what was going on.
The second prince, Zhao Lie, has long coveted the throne and has been cultivating his power within the military.
Although the Xu family had fallen on hard times, they still had many former subordinates in the army.
By winning over Xu Ming, one can win over many people.
Zhao Lie had calculated this very clearly.
Xu Ming's face immediately changed to one of flattery and surprise.
He rubbed his hands together, bent over, and his fawning manner was even more attentive than that of a waiter in a restaurant.
"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!"
Then, he leaned closer and lowered his voice mysteriously.
"Your Highness, His Majesty has personally granted permission for the women confiscated to be mine."
He winked and gave a lewd "you know what I mean" smile.
"If I see anything suitable—hehe, I'll send it to Your Highness."
Zhao Lie was taken aback.
Looking at Xu Ming's lewd yet serious expression, he was momentarily speechless.
For female relatives?
After a brief silence, Zhao Lie burst into laughter again.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"You're such a clown! You're really funny!"
Zhao Lie smiled and shook his head, then patted Xu Ming's shoulder twice more, this time with less force.
"Alright, I've got it."
He turned and strode away, but after a few steps, he turned back and glanced at Xu Ming again.
That look was like looking at a hopeless yet amusing fool.
Good for idiots.
Only idiots find it useful.
Xu Ming watched Zhao Lie's figure disappear through the palace gates, his fawning smile gradually fading away.
"Brother Xu."
A gentle voice sounded from behind.
Xu Ming turned around.
Crown Prince Zhao Chengqian had already approached without anyone noticing.
He was plump, dressed in an apricot-yellow python robe, with a jade belt around his waist. He walked with a leisurely gait, exuding an innate steadiness.
His face wore a kind smile that made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.
"Today in court, you were too sharp and outspoken, and I'm afraid you've become the target of everyone's criticism."
Zhao Chengqian walked up to Xu Ming, his tone concerned, like an older brother who truly cared about his younger brother.
"From now on, think carefully before you act, and never act impulsively."
He paused, then took a handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it over.
"I know you feel wronged. But you should understand the principle that too much rigidity leads to breakage."
His words were sincere and his feelings were deep.
Alarm bells rang in Xu Ming's mind.
A smiling tiger is more terrifying than a real tiger.
He mentally labeled the Crown Prince with this tag.
But on his face, he immediately put on a look of fear and bowed deeply to the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness is right! This humble subject... this humble subject was also pushed to the limit!"
"When I think of my father, my uncles, and my brothers who died on the battlefield..."
He blinked hard, trying to squeeze out a few tears.
After trying for a long time, my eyes only reddened slightly, but no tears fell.
Zhao Chengqian watched his clumsy performance, his smile unchanged.
He stuffed the handkerchief into Xu Ming's hand and patted the back of his hand.
"I understand. The Duke of Zhenguo is loyal and righteous, and as his son, it is only natural that you possess such courage and integrity."
He paused, then looked at Xu Ming with gentle eyes.
"However, being too rigid can lead to breakage. Sometimes, knowing how to leverage resources is the key to going further."
He lowered his voice.
"The gates of the Eastern Palace are always open to the descendants of loyal and virtuous officials."
The true intentions have been revealed.
Xu Ming knew exactly what was going on.
The crown prince was telling him—"Come to me, and I'll protect you."
Xu Ming's face immediately lit up with a look of deep gratitude. He took the handkerchief with both hands and clutched it tightly as if he had received some priceless treasure.
"Your Highness! You are such a kind person!"
His voice was trembling, and his eyes reddened even more.
"Don't worry, once I've finished copying... no, once I've solved the case and found some priceless treasure, I'll send it to you first!"
He took half a step forward and lowered his voice even further.
"You absolutely have to protect me!"
The smile on Zhao Chengqian's face froze almost imperceptibly for a moment.
He's courting political allies, not making deals with petty thugs.
Confiscating property, sending the first items to them, protecting me—this is hardly the dialogue of political allies.
This is a street thug paying homage to a powerful figure.
This Xu Ming is simply... hopeless!
Zhao Chengqian calmly withdrew his hand, pulling the hand that Xu Ming had gripped back into his sleeve.
"Brother Xu, you're very kind."
He said it casually.
Then he turned and left.
He casually tucked the handkerchief into his sleeve, watching the prince's retreating figure, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Not far away, the Third Prince Zhao Qi leaned against a vermilion pillar, taking in all of this.
He didn't speak, he didn't even move.
It just stood there quietly, like a snake lurking in the shadows.
A faint, cold smile graced his face.
"Xu Ming! Let's go drinking sometime!"
A loud, boisterous voice came from afar.
The Fourth Prince, Zhao Xiao, rushed over like a gust of wind, a carefree smile on his face.
He ran up to Xu Ming and patted his arm lightly.
"You were really something today! You really got those old men really angry!"
Zhao Xiao gave a thumbs up.
"I'll treat you to drinks another day, and you'd better explain to me why you came up with those words."
After saying that, he ran off like a gust of wind without waiting for Xu Ming's reply.
Xu Ming stood there, watching the Fourth Prince's departing figure.
Four princes.
A smiling tiger, a real tiger, a snake, and a naive and innocent girl.
He looked away and glanced down at the gold medal on his chest.
Then, he strode out of the palace.
Outside the palace gates, the sun shone brightly.
The Xu family's carriage stopped by the roadside, and a corner of the curtain was lifted, revealing a cold and aloof face.
Ye Qingqiu sat in the car, arms crossed, looking at him expressionlessly.
"You still know how to come out?"
There was a hint of impatience in her tone.
"I thought you'd been beheaded by the emperor."
Xu Ming jumped into the car and plopped down opposite her.
"You seem to be hoping for my death."
"Of course." Ye Qingqiu sneered, "If you die, no one will give me the pills."
"Then you'd better take good care of me and not let me die."