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

Chapter 311 It’s better to miss each other than to meet each other

The contrast between cuteness and innocence is deadly.

It's rare to see Sister Dai laugh so heartily and freely.

It's rare to see her so playful.

Even though she was laughing at herself.

Mingchen really wanted to spank Lingyu's bottom, but for some reason, he felt that Lingyu was incredibly cute at that moment.

Mingchen's eyes hardened, and he glared at her fiercely: "You just wait."

He gritted his teeth and said, "I'll practice my magic tonight and show you!"

The fascinating history passed down through generations always inspires endless imagination.

Extraordinary events are destined to be unimaginable in how they were accomplished; the details are unknown to anyone, but we can use our imagination to create more exciting stories through artistic embellishment.

Mingchen never expected that while he was still alive, he would hear a story about himself.

What was originally just an ordinary taming of a mount on the grassland has been exaggerated into the way it is now.

The white wolf is a coward, spineless. He'll behave as soon as Fuyao glares at him, and she'll shatter his dream of becoming the wolf king with a single swipe of her paw.

No storyteller is as imposing and domineering as this.

Mingchen felt strangely embarrassed. Despite his thick skin, he felt a sense of awkward shame.

As the storyteller passionately recounted his exaggerated tale, his toes kept digging into the ground.

However, the little white dog at his feet listened with great interest.

Yes, yes, that terrifying beast is me!
As expected of the capital city, the people here cook delicious food and speak pleasantly.

I love it here!
It tilted its head back, panted with its tongue lolling out, and wagged its tail rapidly, looking very energetic; it couldn't help but want to howl.

The storyteller's shouting is unprofessional; listen to my howling!
How impressive!

However, after listening for only a short while, he was smacked on the head by his own boss: "Lie down properly! All you do is eat and sleep all day! What are you looking at?!"

White Wolf:......

Clearly, this is deliberately picking a fight.

I hate this world of tyranny.

The three-headed demon wolves, having failed in their mission, sat dejectedly in a corner.

However, before he could feel wronged for long, he wrinkled his nose and suddenly raised his head.

Their eyes regained their sparkle.

"Sir/Madam, your food is here!"

The waiter brought some of their signature dishes and delivered them to Mingchen's place.

"Let me tell you, this dish is our signature dish, back in the day..."

The waiter was a chatterbox, and he enthusiastically introduced the dishes to Mingchen.

Mingchen simply waved his hand and smiled, "I know, I know, I'm a regular here."

He was the one who came up with these dishes; no one knows them better than him.

The waiter paused for a moment, then asked, "Oh?"

Are you a regular customer?
Why don't he remember it?

People like that should be easy to remember.

Mingchen did not reveal his identity, but simply took out some change and gave it to him: "Thank you for your hard work. Here, this is a reward."

"Sir, this is..."

What a generous person!
The waiter grinned, carefully pocketing the tip, his tone even more enthusiastic: "Thank you, thank you..."

Mingchen kicked the greedy wolf, then placed a piece of meat in Lingyu's bowl and asked him, "Tell me, what story is this storyteller telling?"

"Haha, sir, this is a specialty of our Xiangmanlou restaurant; you won't find it anywhere else!"

"This story was created by our shopkeeper by combining the stories from the original storytelling, and it is called The Tale of Heroes in Turbulent Times."

The waiter glanced around, then lowered his voice to Mingchen and pointed overhead: "That Divine Marquis has a real-life counterpart... our Marquis..."

Mingchen: ...

"If you like it, you must come to our restaurant more often to hear it. Our manager hasn't finished writing this story yet!"

"Cuckoo~"

Just then, Ling Yu, who was usually quiet, couldn't help but laugh.

The quirky humor of the older sister.

She kept nodding to the waiter, "I'll do it, I like listening!"

Seeing that his specialty was being recognized, the waiter couldn't help but feel a little proud: "Hahaha~ Madam, just you wait and see~ If you come often, I'll get to know the storyteller and tell you new stories in the future."

Mingchen glared at Ling Yu, then turned to the waiters and said, "Aren't you afraid of being punished for talking so recklessly about the people above you?"

The waiter paused, then chuckled dryly, "We didn't name names, and we only said nice things, praising our Marquis for his heroic spirit. Surely someone like that wouldn't make things difficult for us nobody?"

“Our manager admires that person the most. He said that person is not petty and will definitely like him.”

Upon hearing this, Ling Yu, who was opposite Mingchen, laughed even more heartily.

Mingchen: ...

As for the development of folk art, Mingchen really can't say anything.

Instead of running his restaurant properly, Zheng Yang from Goucao spends all his time fussing over these useless things.

"Go and do your work."

"Hey~ Alright, please enjoy your meal, sir."

The waiter left with a smile.

He received a considerable amount of reward money and seemed to be in a very good mood.

In comparison, Mingchen is not so beautiful.

Public executions evoke a strange sense of shame.

"Still laughing! Still laughing!"

Mingchen glared fiercely at his silly older sister: "Give me some food!"

Ling Yu felt that Mingchen was very cute at this moment, a bit like when he first learned to ride a horse.

She kept laughing, looking at him mischievously: "Hehehe~ Alright, Lord Divine Marquis has given the order, this humble servant dares not disobey~"

Mingchen: ...

"I'm warning you, sister, you're not allowed to tell anyone about what happened today! Not even Fuyao!"

"Otherwise, you'll face family discipline!"

Even someone as cheerful as Ling Yu is laughing like this.

If word gets out, spreads to those he knows well, and even reaches the imperial court, who knows what expressions others will have!

Anyway, His Majesty will definitely give him a good talking-to in private.

Fuyao is determined to fly here every day to listen to audiobooks.

"No, no, my lord, please forgive me, I'm afraid I cannot agree to this."

"Let them use family discipline then."

She'd be suffocating if she didn't share this with her family.

When she gets back to Jiqu, she still needs to talk to her parents-in-law!

Mingchen: ...

Seeing Ling Yu's nonchalant attitude, Ming Chen felt somewhat helpless.

The little white dog at his feet stared at him expectantly. Mingchen glared at it angrily and tossed it two pieces of food: "Eat your food!"

"Three-headed Demon Wolf!"

The legendary three-headed demon wolf beast was not angry at all. Instead, it wagged its tail and excitedly swallowed the delicious food whole, its clear eyes revealing pure respect for the food.

"Sir, please take care! Come again!"

After a satisfying meal, Mingchen paid the bill and took his leave.

It was the same guy, smiling and waving at Mingchen.

Mingchen raised an eyebrow and asked him, "Hey buddy, is your manager very busy? Why can't I see him?"

The waiter paused, forced a smile, and said dryly, "Sir, you don't know, our manager... has encountered some difficulties and is unable to receive guests."

"Since you are a regular customer, you must know that we were previously..."

This restaurant was founded by Mingchen.

It might be wise to reveal the truth now, since Qian Yuan has already returned the capital to its former state.

However, this wasn't a good reputation some time ago.

The restaurant went through a difficult period; several elderly people died, and the manager, Zheng Yang, had his leg broken. The restaurant barely managed to survive.

Things only gradually improved after the fall of the Chen state.

Mingchen's position is a bit too high right now.

Even if they returned, the dynasty had changed.

Unable to ascertain Mingchen's attitude, the restaurant dared not make a fuss about the Marquis of Jing'an's reputation, so the waiters spoke vaguely and did not use the Marquis of Jing'an's name for high-profile promotion.

Those who know, know; those who don't, don't need to know.

The waiter, assuming that Mingchen recognized his manager, asked, "Should I go and inform him for you?"

Upon hearing this, Mingchen lowered his eyes and said, "Forget it, forget it, let's not see it!"

"Could you pass on a message to him for me?"

The waiter was taken aback, somewhat confused, but still nodded: "Okay."

Immediately, they stared blankly at the unusual figures of the two people and the dog walking into the distance, gradually disappearing from sight.

……

"Manager, we have two special guests visiting our restaurant today."

In the study, a middle-aged man with a long beard was intently writing on a piece of paper.

The stories told by the storyteller during the day were clearly written by him.

Hearing the waiter's call, he paused for a moment, dipped his pen in ink, and asked calmly as he wrote, "Oh? Who is it?"

"They were a couple, very young, not yet thirty, and they had a white dog with them." "The man was handsome, the woman was beautiful, they had an extraordinary demeanor, and they were generous with their money."

"The woman had a vertical scar over her eye."

"That young man claims to be a regular customer of our shop, but I have never seen him before."

Upon hearing this, the man who had been calmly writing instantly widened his eyes and turned around abruptly: "What?!"

He turned around, but couldn't stand up. He couldn't support himself, and the chair wobbled, almost causing him to fall.

The waiter rushed forward to help him up: "Hey... Boss! Be careful!"

However, Zheng Yang didn't care at all. He just grabbed his arm and asked urgently, "Where are they now?"

"Um...they've already left."

Zheng Yang paused, loosening his grip on the waiter's sleeve, seemingly with some regret: "Gone?"

Seeing Zheng Yang's excitement, the waiter realized that the two people today might not be ordinary people.

He added, "However, that young master asked me to pass on a message to you."

Zheng Yang looked up excitedly again: "What?"

He said, "You've worked hard. I'm glad Yueyang still has a home to return to."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper swayed slightly and murmured softly, "Is that so...is that so...there's a home to go back to."

As the man left, he and everyone else shouted that they wouldn't sell the restaurant and that they were waiting for his return.

Now... that promise has finally been fulfilled.

It seems that all this perseverance has been for this day.

Mingchen actually underestimated the impact his status had on these people.

This shopkeeper had personally witnessed how Mingchen rose from a scholar to his current position, one that could shake the world.

He knew what a hero Mingchen was, and he admired and was amazed by him.

Mingchen gave them a livelihood amidst the dust of the world, and also gave them the opportunity to leave their mark on history.

Therefore, it is only natural to respect him and admire him.

He grinned and smiled unconsciously: "Song Cong, from now on, we will publicly announce that the original founder of our restaurant was Marquis Jing'an, the name was given by Marquis Jing'an, and all kinds of dishes were invented by Marquis Jing'an."

The waiter was taken aback for a moment, then nodded: "Yes."

"When these two arrived, did they say anything?"

“After they arrived, tell me all the details.”

Upon hearing this, the waiter thought for a moment and said, "They came in and sat in the lobby, ordered a few of their signature dishes, and also asked about the book Mr. Zhang mentioned."

Zheng Yang's eyes lit up, and he asked with some anticipation, "Oh? What is their attitude towards storytelling?"

The waiter thought for a moment and said, "I can't tell what that young master is thinking. He seems a little curious about it."

"But the woman really liked it; she kept smiling and said she wanted to come and listen often."

"Really!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yang was even more excited and burst into hearty laughter: "Hahaha! Great!"

That person is quite flamboyant and unrestrained; they probably enjoy being fawned over.

It seems they want me to keep up the good work!

He will definitely continue to work hard!
He wanted his story to spread throughout Yueyang, to be compiled into a book, and to be passed down through generations.

The waiter rarely saw his boss with such an expression, and tentatively asked, "Boss, who...who are they?"

Zheng Yang raised an eyebrow: "You're late, you haven't seen him before. Don't you know who founded this restaurant?"

The waiter was startled: "What?"

"This...you mean, that person..."

The shopkeeper said with great certainty, "It's true, there's no mistake!"

The guy had actually had this idea in mind, but he couldn't believe it. Now that Zheng Yang had confirmed it, his eyes narrowed and his breath caught in his throat for a moment.

He unconsciously touched his chest.

He still had the money that official had given him!
That hero who stirred up the world, ascended to the rank of marquis at a young age, and became second only to the emperor, was actually such a person.

……

"Have you not seen the shopkeeper who helped you write the book?"

On the street, Ling Yu was in a great mood, and her whole demeanor became more playful.

He asked Mingchen in a teasing tone.

Mingchen simply glared at her fiercely: "My lady, it seems it's been a long time since I've asserted my authority as your husband~"

"Hmm~"

The bad guy's eyes looked dangerous. Ling Yu pursed her lips, understanding what he meant.

It looks like things won't end well tonight.

Mingchen shrugged: "The restaurant is theirs now. Meeting them again won't bring back the feeling of those days. Am I supposed to put on airs like a marquis to receive their respect? Or should I just forget it..."

"It's better to cherish the memory than to meet again. Let's leave it at that."

Suddenly, the two of them paused simultaneously, as if sensing something, and looked in the same direction.

royal palace.

The divine power was overwhelming, and the immense power of heaven and earth converged.

Xiao Xinyue...made a move?

……

"A cuckoo taking over the nest?"

Xiao Xinyue is much more honest than some people with ulterior motives imagine.

When they met Mingchen that day, they talked about the strange man from earlier that day, and the so-called celestial omen.

She and Mingchen had no secrets about such matters.

If this lazy fellow really harbors ambitions to usurp the throne, then she'll accept it.

Upon hearing this, Mingchen raised an eyebrow, then said with a serious expression, "I never expected that our dynasty would have such a hidden danger!"

This thing is only good for fooling idiots.

So-called omens can be created by oneself.

For example, when Xiao Xinyue ascended the throne in Ji Qu, Ming Chen even created a scene of phoenixes singing during Ji Qu's coronation!

What's a few nesting birds?
If celestial omens were so useful, why wouldn't they predict great chaos in the world, the collapse of the country, the displacement of hundreds of millions of people, and the destruction of their homes and families?

Ultimately, it's nothing more than a tactic used by those in power to deceive those below.

"Your Majesty, Chen has reported that I believe Lord Lu of the Censorate harbors treacherous intentions and may even be plotting rebellion!"

Seeing the man's serious expression, Xiao Xinyue rolled her eyes at him.

"Lord Lu is just a bit too straightforward. Did he say a few words about your laziness before the New Year?"

Why be so petty!

"He's a fifty-eight-year-old man with no cronies. How can he stand your insults?"

The dove occupies the magpie's nest.

Besides Mingchen and Lingyu, who else has this ability?!
Even a fool knows that they're talking about Mingchen.

They even staged this whole thing to discredit the ministers who had impeached him.

What a petty person, and he holds grudges!
“You can’t say that, Your Majesty! You are truly wronged. How could I possibly use my position for personal gain? Every word I said was sincere.”

"Let me tell you, I've heard of a time when a senior official outlived three emperors, then murdered one in the street and usurped the throne. You can't ignore that!"

Xiao Xinyue glared at him: "You're talking nonsense!"

She was an expert in history and had never heard of such a thing before.

This scoundrel doesn't even bother to think before he makes up lies.

"Ah~"

"My loyalty and sincerity are unwavering, yet His Majesty does not believe them—I am heartbroken!"

"Alright, alright~ Stop acting!"

"In your opinion, who is this strange man?"

"That's enough joking around," Xiao Xinyue waved her hand and asked somewhat seriously.

Mingchen shrugged: "I don't know."

To say I don't know is not entirely true.

But there's no basis for it, and there's not much to say.

In the end, it was nothing more than a disgusting probing question.

He could roughly guess something; it might be related to the existence behind the Northern Fierce Tiger Lord.

The heaviest pillars of Qian Yuan are now supported by Xiao Xinyue and Ming Chen. To cause the two to drift apart is tantamount to severing one of Qian Yuan's arms.

This is extremely advantageous for their biggest rival, Bei Lie.

The monarch, being supreme and the focus of everyone's attention, is destined to be suspicious and dislikes ministers whose achievements overshadow his own.

Anyway, it won't cause any harm, so it's good to annoy the two of them a little.

Even if you don't believe it at the time, you will still plant a seed and reflect on it from time to time to verify it.

To outsiders, Mingchen's status is extraordinary, and he has single-handedly achieved countless great feats... This is the inescapable knot in Qianyuan's life.

Even now, the court officials are still speculating about Xiao Xinyue's inner thoughts and trying to figure out the future of Mingchen, this great tree.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Xinyue was somewhat special.

Who told her she was a woman? And coincidentally, she was in love with someone and relied on someone?

Such emotions are not appropriate for an emperor, but Xiao Xinyue cannot control them; that's just how she is.

The two of them climbed their way up from the very bottom to where they are now, and their trust in each other is unbreakable.

Mingchen spoke candidly with Xiao Xinyue about the Blood-Clad Army, and Xiao Xinyue did not hide anything from Mingchen about the strange man Jie Zhao from today.

"That's it..."

(End of this chapter)