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

Chapter 258 What Kind of Hero Is Hero?

Qingcang, the Crown Prince's residence.

Qin Qi buried himself in his desk and wrote furiously.

He was very diligent in his duties as crown prince, studying hard and taking things seriously.

Although he was not very old, he was more mature in his dealings than many of the veteran officials in the court.

After sending Mingchen back, he was able to see his father safely, which could be considered as putting his matter to rest.

In a few days, he will leave Beijing to go to another place to deal with the canal repair project.

Mingchen's candid advice gave him a lot of inspiration. He needed to fix some loopholes in the project to prevent problems from arising when the water supply was completed in the future.

Today, the sky is clear and the breeze is gentle.

It seems a special guest has arrived at the Crown Prince's residence.

"Your Highness, the First Prince has arrived."

The waiter gently knocked on the study door, and the young man reminded Qin Qi.

Qin Qi was taken aback: "Royal sister?"

Fifteen minutes later, in the main hall.

Qin Qi, having composed himself, looked at the woman approaching gracefully and asked, "May I ask what brings you to my residence, Your Majesty?"

This older sister is a tyrant in the palace. Even though he is the legitimate son and the crown prince, he has been bullied by her since childhood.

He knew this guy was the type who wouldn't come to him unless he needed something, so why was he here today?
"Waiter, what's wrong? Can't I see you if there's nothing wrong?"

Qin Xuan held the little fox in her arms, raised her eyebrows, and seemed like a proud phoenix, showing no trace of the docile demeanor she displayed in front of Qin Lou.

He dismissed the surrounding servants with a wave of his hand, clearly intending to discuss something private.

Qin Qi sighed helplessly and said to Qin Xuan, "Royal sister... I'm already the Crown Prince, don't call me that, it's like calling a waiter in a restaurant! People will laugh at us if they find out!"

"How can that be? Do you still expect me to address you as Your Highness? Who would dare to spread that word?"

"Do royals have to float in the sky? Our family is so harmonious! We share the same father and mother, why can't we be closer?"

Qin Qi: ...

This royal sister is quite reckless. Qin Qi sighed, "Tell me, what brings you here?"

Qin Xuan looked around and lowered her voice: "I heard that Ming Chen, the Marquis of Jing'an of the new Qian Yuan, has come to our Qingcang City. Is he staying here with you?"

"Ok?"

Qin Qi narrowed his eyes upon hearing this and said in a low voice, "How did you know, Imperial Sister?"

Mingchen is indeed living here.

This trip was a private one, representing only Mingchen himself.

There is no official business involved, which does not represent Qian Yuan, and naturally there is no need for a grand display.

Although there was no deliberate attempt to conceal it, few people knew that Mingchen had come, let alone that he was at the Crown Prince's residence.

How did my elder sister get involved with Mingchen? Where did she get this information?
"Guess."

Qin Xuan understood immediately and said to Qin Qi, "I saw him in the palace yesterday..."

In just a few words, she told Qin Qi about her intrusion into the Tiger Palace.

Qin Qi frowned upon hearing this, looked up at his elder sister, and kept nagging, "You, you... Royal Sister, how could you trespass into the Tiger Palace? There's a limit to everything. You... you're just being arrogant because you're favored! Luckily, nothing serious happened. What if something had really happened?"

"We are royalty, unlike ordinary people. Countless eyes are watching us all the time!"

"You must understand that every time Father Emperor dotes on you and spares you, it's at the cost of his own dignity! If things get out of control one day, even if he wanted to protect you, he wouldn't be able to!"

"I……"

This younger brother has been intelligent and sensible since he was a child, and he does everything perfectly.

Meeting his eager gaze, Qin Xuan felt a little guilty.

Although her father had forgiven her, she had still done something wrong: "I understand..."

Qin Qi sighed: "I'll talk to Father Emperor about this for you later."

"No, that's not what I'm talking about."

The topic almost went astray because of her younger brother. Qin Xuan shook her head and said, "Father made a bet with Mingchen, and I was the stake."

“My father lost and wants to marry me to him.”

"I want to see him and talk to you about this."

Qin Qi's eyes widened, and his voice suddenly rose several decibels: "What?!"

He knew that his father was fond of martial arts and loved to have a fight.

It's also possible that I'll fight Mingchen.

But he didn't know that Mingchen had made such a promise with his father.

Today, Mingchen acted as if nothing had happened, not mentioning the matter at all, and leisurely went out for a stroll.

It's said that she went to... a brothel?
"really?!"

"really."

Tell me more about it!

Qin Lou's sudden inspiration has put those below in trouble.

The Crown Prince frowned and asked Qin Xuan, "Did you see the details of their duel? Did Father Emperor deliberately lose to Mingchen?"

this point is very important.

He needed to determine whether Qin Lou truly wanted to facilitate the marriage.

Only by discerning Qin Lou's true thoughts can we continue to weigh the pros and cons.

"Forehead……"

"I do not know either."

"It shouldn't... have been intentional, right?"

Qin Lou also uses tricks and schemes.

But I wouldn't use it in this kind of situation.

He deliberately lost the duel, which not only humiliated him but also damaged their relationship.

"Not on purpose? Did he see you? Did he talk to you about his attitude? Does he really want you to marry Mingchen?"

Qin Qi and Qin Lou held different views on this matter.

This matter may have some benefits, but it is mostly based on assumptions, and there are problems with the details.

Qin Xuan shook her head: "I don't know, but he admires Mingchen."

"I originally thought he wanted me to be an inside man or to kill someone, but all he wanted was for me to get married properly."

Qin Qi: ...

This old lady, you still want to kill me?

Qin Qi's expression turned serious as he said to her, "Elder sister, if this matter truly comes to fruition, you must not harbor any evil thoughts towards him. Treat him as if you have married an ordinary nobleman. Love and respect him, and never hate him because he is from an enemy country. Remember this!"

Qin Xuan didn't take it seriously: "Is he really that good?"

The Emperor is one, and so is this younger brother.

Everyone values ​​this person so much.

In her view, that person had only offered a plan; who knew whether he meant well or badly?
That irrigation canal is still floating in the air; whether it will actually be able to carry water is another matter entirely!

As for the story of eight hundred men venturing into the Xiongnu grasslands, that's utterly absurd; it's simply impossible.

It must be a rumor. Perhaps he just took eight hundred people for a stroll around the border and came back to spread his reputation and enhance his image.

Looking back, he didn't really accomplish anything.

Seeing that his sister looked down on Mingchen, Qin Qi said seriously, "He is a man who appears only once every thousand years. He is better than a thousand armies and ten thousand horses. He is better than all the ministers in my court. If he were born in my Beilie, my Beilie could sweep across the world in less than five years."

"what?"

Qin Xuan was surprised that Qin Qi would give Ming Chen such a high evaluation.

This is absolutely outrageous. How can there be such a person in the world?

Is there really one person who can jeopardize the fate of a nation?
"Then why not kill him! Letting him go is like releasing a tiger back into the mountains!"

Qin Qi: ...

He shook his head and sighed, "Sister, you don't understand him. Let me tell you..."

Qin Xuan's understanding of the issue is still superficial.

Qin Qi didn't know what the future held, but if there was a possibility of marriage, he needed Qin Xuan to understand Ming Chen better, to understand his talents and value.

There were no outsiders in the main hall.

Qin Qi spoke eloquently, deeply dissecting his view of Mingchen to Qin Xuan.

From the very beginning, when Mingchen committed murder in court, to devising a plan, to leaving Beilie and vying for control of the Central Plains...

Each and every single thing was analyzed in detail to deeply understand the intentions behind Mingchen's every step.

"That day I met him at the canal construction site. I asked him a question, and he told me..."

Later, when he met Mingchen by the canal, Qin Qi told her everything they had said.

Qin Qi had always recognized Mingchen's talent and ability.

The all-night discussion in the tent beside the canal fortifications deeply shocked Qin Qi, overturning and reshaping his image of Mingchen.

His virtue and talent are unparalleled.

Upon hearing this, Qin Xuan swayed, her eyes seemingly vacant: "This... he really said that? Why would he say that?"

"We are the enemy!"

Qin Xuan was thinking about how to get rid of Ming Chen from beginning to end.

However, he learned from his own younger brother that the people of this enemy country were not stingy in helping them.

That water canal project truly seemed to be for the benefit of the country and its people.

She couldn't understand.

Looking at his dazed sister, Qin Qi sighed softly, "Sister, we need to broaden our horizons and think more long-term."

"Bei Lie hates Qian Yuan, and Qian Yuan hates Bei Lie. The feud is hard to resolve, but we cannot be bound by appearances."

"Qian Yuan, Qian Huang, Ming Chen... they are our opponents, but not our enemies."

“My father’s ambition is to unify the world. He simply hopes that he will be the one to unify it, or at the very least… someone else. I didn’t understand this before, but lately I’ve gradually come to see some of what my father is thinking.” “Then have you thought about what to do after unifying the world?”

"What if Qian Yuan wins? What if Bei Lie wins?"

"How do we address ethnic integration? How do we deal with the devastation of a country ravaged by war? How do we resolve the numerous ethnic conflicts? Do you know the answers to these questions?"

“Mingchen is not someone who can be restricted by nationality. He must survive. His survival is a good thing for both royal courts and for the people of both countries.”

"He was a man of great love, a hero, and destined to be remembered in history."

"do you understand?"

To be honest, Mingchen himself didn't know that he was so highly regarded in his nephew's eyes.

If Qin Qi knew that his 'uncle' was greedy for money and power and also lustful, wouldn't he be in for another shock?

"This...this...is he really that kind of person?"

Qin Qi's mouth was full of praise, almost making Mingchen sound like a fairy.

Qin Xuan stood there, stunned, her eyes vacant, and kept speaking in a dry, monotone voice.

She believed Qin Qi wouldn't lie to her.

Mingchen's abilities and spirit underwent a complete transformation in her mind, leaving her naturally shocked.

Putting everything else aside, as Qin Qi said, Ming Chen is indeed a hero, an outstanding man, and marrying him seems to be a rare and wonderful match.

The little fox nestled in her arms, its ears perked up, seemingly listening with great interest.

Its bright little eyes darted around, full of intelligence, and it was hard to tell what it was thinking.

What kind of person can be considered a hero?
A person who is upright and incorruptible and serves the country and its people is a hero!

Those who fight on the battlefield and are unparalleled in bravery are heroes!

Everyone has their own definition of a hero.

According to Qin Qi's description, Mingchen seems to be a hero in every aspect and from every angle.

Finally, Qin Qi looked into his sister's eyes and said, "In terms of status and talent alone, my sister, Mingchen is a good match for you."

Qin Qi could naturally guess his father's intentions.

If they are truly in love, then there are no minor problems, and everything can be done as the Emperor wishes.

But if...

Qin Xuan lowered her head, gently stroking the little fox's head, and murmured absentmindedly, "Do I really want to marry him?"

This expression, however, did not seem to be the admiration of a beauty for a hero, nor the shyness of a young girl in love, but rather... it seemed to be the sorrow of losing hope and accepting fate.

Mingchen is very handsome, so his appearance passed the test.

A handsome young man in a turbid world, the jade-faced Marquis of Jing'an.

His face, radiating with peach blossoms, was enough to make the girl happy.

I suppose my elder sister saw it at the palace.

He showered his sister with praise, but he didn't seem to see the expression he wanted on her face.

This was not quite what Qin Qi had imagined.

His appearance, talent, charisma, background, status... he was first-rate.

Mingchen embodies the fantasies of every young girl in love.

As a young man, Qin Qi didn't understand what Qin Xuan was thinking.

He frowned slightly and asked her, "Doesn't my elder sister like him?"

Qin Xuan raised her head, her eyes as clear as water, and said softly, "He is a hero unparalleled in the world. His abilities can change the world, his brilliance is unmatched, and he is perfect without the slightest flaw. Does that mean I have to like him?"

"Forehead……"

Qin Xuan's question stumped Qin Qi.

"Can liking something be controlled? Do you need to set fixed boundaries and prescribe everything to make someone like it?"

Qin Qi sighed upon hearing this and looked at his sister, asking, "Does Your Majesty not like him? Or perhaps, does Your Majesty have someone else in your heart?"

"Is that Jiro Taniguchi?"

Qin Qi was not very old, and Qin Lou was very strict with his education, so he basically didn't have much free time.

But I've also heard some rumors about my elder sister.

After all, the families of these powerful and wealthy people often gossip about all sorts of random things when they have nothing else to do.

It's just a story about a scholar and a princess, about pursuing love, writing poetry... and a whole bunch of tedious tales.

The person involved may think it's romantic, but to outsiders it's just another story, nothing more than fodder for conversation, and time will eventually wash it all away.

Tian Hong was a veteran general, holding a high position and wielding great power. He was full of merit and honors. He knew that his son was useless, but he still shamelessly asked his father, the emperor, for a marriage proposal.

However, the emperor didn't like Tian Erlang very much, so the matter was dropped.

Qin Xuan's eyes flickered upon hearing this, but she simply shook her head: "My feelings are not important."

However, Qin Qi shook his head quite seriously: "No, it's very important!"

"I believe that your father loves you dearly, so he chose a good marriage for you from his perspective. Otherwise, he would not have refused General Tian's marriage proposal. If you have someone in your heart and do not like Mingchen, you are destined to suffer. Mingchen is not from a humble family, Jiqu is far away, and he is not afraid of the Northern Lie imperial power. Moreover, he is already married, and his story with General Ling is still talked about. I don't know if he likes you. If he doesn't like you, it will be difficult for him to lower himself to pursue you."

“You are quick-tempered and a bit spoiled. If you and your husband are not on good terms, and war breaks out between the two countries in the future, your positions will be even more awkward. I’m afraid you might do something irrational and cause a disaster. Your father and I are too far away to help you.”

Qin Xuan was lost in thought and didn't even react when Qin Qi called her spoiled.

“A forced marriage will never be sweet, feelings cannot be forced, and if the marriage is not happy, then no matter what your purpose is for the country or for the future, all of Father’s goals will be achieved.”

Surprisingly, this young crown prince seems to be more thoughtful than Qin Lou.

Qin Xuan was also somewhat bewildered by what she said: "Then... what should I do?"

What else can she do?

Her father doted on her, but she knew there were some things she couldn't cause trouble for.

Qin Qi thought for a moment and asked, "Have you observed Mingchen's attitude? Has Father told you about Mingchen's attitude? How does he treat you? Is he determined to marry you?"

Qin Xuan paused for a moment upon hearing this, then said, "I don't know either."

What a terrible teammate; he knows absolutely nothing when asked.

Qin Qi was also somewhat helpless.

Qin Xuan said weakly, "However, my father said that he was stunned when he saw me, and seemed to be interested in me. I don't know if it's true or not."

"Is it?"

Qin Qi frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Could Mingchen really be interested in his own sister? Can't he see the underlying issues and future troubles?

Whether it was the younger brother effect or not, Qin Qi felt that his older sister wasn't very attractive.

I wonder what Mingchen sees in his older sister.

He said to Qin Xuan, "If you don't like it, just tell me, and I'll talk to Mingchen and then to Father. If that doesn't work, I can ask Mother to speak to you."

"I think Mingchen is reasonable and reasonable, and he is not a lustful or treacherous person. Harmony in the family is the foundation of everything. I will explain the pros and cons to him, and he should not force me to do anything."

"It's just a small prize in the martial arts competition, and Father hasn't issued an edict to make it known to the world. There's still room for maneuver in this matter."

Upon hearing this, Qin Xuan suddenly looked up and exclaimed with delight, "Really?!"

"Good little brother, it's no wonder your older sister has always doted on you since you were little."

"I don't like him! Even if he's a hero, even if he's done something outrageous, I still don't like him."

Qin Qi: ...

Does "love" mean you've called me "Little Er" since I was a child? Or does it mean you make me take the blame for everything I do wrong?
However, Qin Qi then changed the subject: "But, Your Majesty, there are some things we should discuss beforehand."

"I've ruined one of your marriages. I've already told you about Mingchen's talent; he's worlds apart from Tian Erlang. He's already famous throughout the world and is known to all. His future is bright, and he's destined to shine in this world."

Upon hearing this, Qin Xuan lowered her eyes and muttered softly, "It's not like we're made of mud..."

"Clouds and mud are few and far between!"

Qin Qi ignored her grumbling and continued, "To be honest with you, Tian Erlang may like you, but his talent is not enough to support the Tian family. If he works hard and enters officialdom through proper channels, that would be fine. Otherwise, even if I rise to power in the future, I will not value him because of you. If you marry him, you will have no worries about food and clothing, but you will not be able to gain fame and recognition."

"Feelings can change at any moment, and I dare not say that you will definitely be happy in the future. If in the future, you do not have a smooth journey on the path you have chosen, and you see Mingchen as someone you can only look at but not reach, I hope you will not regret it, and you will not blame me."

Upon hearing this, Qin Xuan raised her head, her gaze resolute and unwavering: "Don't worry, it was my choice, and I will never regret it!"

Looking at his sister's resolute expression, Qin Qi could only sigh inwardly.

maybe!
No one knows what the future holds, nor whether the choice is right or wrong.

Father is right, and perhaps my sister is right too.

I just hope my sister will never regret it in the future.

He lowered his eyes and sighed softly, "At least, if you stay in Qingcang, my father and I can protect you from being bullied by outsiders."

Qin Xuan trembled upon hearing this, staring blankly at her younger brother, a mix of emotions surging within her, and her nose felt a little sore.

"Wait a minute, Qin Xiaoer, what did you just say about me? Did you say I was spoiled and willful?"

You'd better explain yourself to me properly!

However, the next moment, she blinked, rubbed her hands together, and glared at Qin Qi as if she were being fierce.

Qin Qi: ...

Look at yourself, did I say anything wrong?
As the siblings were laughing and joking, a startled cry suddenly came from the main hall of the Crown Prince's residence.

"ah!"

"Yingxue!!!"

"Stop!"

The servants working in the Crown Prince's residence were stunned for a moment. They felt a gust of wind on their faces, and a flash of red light appeared before their eyes. They didn't even see a hair clearly before they disappeared from sight.

What the hell has gotten out?

"Yingxue!!!"

Qin Xuan ran out, shouting loudly.

The yard was empty; there was no sign of that mischievous fox again.

How come this thing runs so fast?

Who can catch it?!

(End of this chapter)