The male supporting character was actually myself.

"Let alone a letter from home, even if I disguised myself as Shangguan Yuntao and secretly met with him, I'm confident that the kid wouldn't recognize me!"

"Your Excellency is wise." The man in black robes raised his hands in congratulations, "Shangguan Xuanyu is far away in the capital of the enemy country, and all the information he knows is what you want to pass on to him."

He is still proceeding with his original plan to approach Miss Shen as a breakthrough point. Once the Crown Prince successfully ascends the throne and quells the domestic rebellion, the intelligence stolen by Shangguan Xuanyu should then come in handy.

Huang Xiuqi smiled slightly upon hearing this and handed over the confidential report he had read, saying, "Put it away."

"Yes!" The man in black robes took the scroll and left.

The only sound in the empty hall was the flickering of the candlelight. After a moment, Huang Xiuqi sighed deeply.

He vividly remembered Shangguan Yuntao striding confidently through the gates of the Imperial City Guard, just as he himself had been, with a heart set on serving the court. When exactly did this path begin to stray?

It was when the daughter had been thinking about His Highness the Crown Prince and wanted to talk to him whenever she had the chance.

Or was it when his spies informed the late emperor that he was already dissatisfied and wanted the younger generation to replace him?

Even without Shangguan Xuanyu, other young people will take his place. He can guard against that straightforward father and son, but how can he guard against all the young people? He only regrets that he is over fifty years old and has no children. Qianqian is spoiled and not good at political maneuvering, so she cannot take over the position of Director. He can only think more about the future.

Once a person develops selfish desires, they can no longer maintain absolute neutrality and loyalty.

"Brother Yuntao, you are very lucky to have chosen a path you will never regret until death." He murmured to himself, as if he could see Shangguan Yuntao's serious face staring at him in the candlelight. Huang Xiuqi narrowed his eyes, shook his head and sighed, "I hope you can bless Xuanyu so that he knows nothing and is content with the status quo."

Otherwise, for the sake of the Huang family's glory and bright future, I would have no choice but to see it through to the end.

Ignorance can sometimes be a blessing; hopefully, that child will understand this.

Just as the court is in chaos, but the people in the city are still living peacefully, one can only remain unaffected by chaos if one stays out of it!

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Development of the Male and Female Protagonists

Time flies like an arrow.

Nearly a year has passed in the blink of an eye, during which many major events have occurred in both countries.

Before the Crown Prince of Yong'an could fully recover from his serious injuries, he ascended the throne with the strong support of the Imperial City Guard. He then married Huang Qianqian, the daughter of the head of the Imperial City Guard, as his empress. On the surface, the new emperor's ascension to the throne appeared glorious and he was able to rule in his own right. However, Huang Xiuqi was ruthless and had the Imperial City Guard under his control. The Crown Prince's serious injuries had left him in poor health, so he was powerless to act and gradually became a puppet emperor.

This power was completely under the control of Huang Xiuqi and his daughter;

The second prince, who held military power and a portion of the national treasury, was able to challenge the new emperor in court and proclaimed himself a peer king, controlling most of Yong'an Kingdom.

The remaining two princes were slightly less powerful, but they could still barely protect themselves because they had military power.

The three forces fight and restrain each other, yet none of them can swallow the others up. They can only slowly work together and wait for a delicate balance to be formed.

Huang Xiuqi clearly had more ambitions. While letting his daughter control the harem and monitor the new emperor, he continuously activated the spies planted by the Imperial City Guard to gather intelligence and gradually erode the other two forces. For a time, the capital city of Yong'an was filled with suspicion and fear.

The people in the city were inspected every few days, and if they were even slightly offended, their entire families would be executed. Making a living was extremely difficult and the people were filled with resentment.

In contrast, the Southern Qi Dynasty was much more peaceful and joyful.

Ever since Jiang Chen tested the Emperor's bottom line regarding the Regent, he felt that being in a high position and focusing on infrastructure development was much more interesting and efficient than staying in one corner to govern.

So, taking advantage of the time when the male and female protagonists were developing their relationship and the enemy was embroiled in internal strife, he began to invest heavily in infrastructure.

Refined salt, refined sugar, soap, perfumed soap, cosmetics, educational toys, and all sorts of novelties were produced one after another and incorporated into the business plan to begin production and sales.

Abolishing exorbitant taxes and levies, supporting family-run workshops, and punishing corrupt officials by confiscating the vast amounts of land they had seized...

As the Spring Festival approached, the Minister of Revenue, who was in charge of the national treasury, happily submitted the annual financial report. After more than half a year of expanding trade, the revenue contributed to the national treasury by the merchants alone had increased by 80% compared to the previous year!

"Young master, what are you thinking about?" Seeing his young master standing by the window for a long time without moving, Ah San thought that he was probably homesick because the New Year was approaching, so he went up to ask.

Shangguan Xuanyu, dressed in a white fox fur robe, looked elegant and noble. He turned around and sighed slightly, saying, "In the year or so since I came to Southern Qi, a lot has happened. Thinking about it, my Yong'an Kingdom is in dire straits, and we have been stuck in our ways, busy with internal strife, completely unaware of what the enemy country is doing."

Before coming to Southern Qi, I had reviewed all the materials recorded about the regent in the Imperial City Bureau. I thought he was proficient in military strategy and political tactics and good at scheming. I never expected that his talent in civil administration was even more astonishing!

The government investigated corrupt officials and exposed corrupt elements, taking back all the land that had been consolidated into the imperial court and distributing it to the farmers according to their population. Aside from the annual grain tax, the rest belonged to the farmers—what a bold reform!

Food is the most important thing for people. With land to grow grain and the grain in their own hands, they are full of energy.

Those families who are not allocated land can learn various handicraft skills for free, apply for a family-based handicraft workshop license, and the relevant departments also provide raw materials and recycling channels at the beginning of their business.

Each and every one of these incidents terrified me!

With such pillars of society in charge of the nation, capable of reforming and transforming the living conditions of ordinary people, how could a country not grow prosperous and powerful?

"Is it really that serious?" The Indian man shook his head blankly and said, "I haven't noticed any major changes. On the contrary, the strict investigation in the spring caused panic and resentment among the people, and many people were killed!"

“Even in prosperous times, severe punishments should be used. How can we eradicate the deeply entrenched corrupt officials who protect each other without swift and decisive measures? Qingluan showed me the accounts in the Regent’s study. Just the confiscation of a minor official of the seventh rank yielded tens of thousands of taels of silver.”

It could feed so many ordinary people and build so many sturdy dikes!

Not to mention how much the national treasury would be replenished by uprooting those fallen trees.

Ah San scratched his head, clearly not feeling much about it. "Although a seventh-rank official is not a high-ranking official, he is still the head of a county. I remember when I heard the master say that the magistrate of our small Bai Niao County in Yong'an presented the Second Prince with a birthday gift worth ten thousand taels of silver."

I suppose all officials are pretty much the same. If you search the home of the magistrate of Shiratori County, you could probably find tens of thousands of taels of silver..."

Shangguan Xuanyu sighed deeply, "But Yong'an has never rectified its officialdom, nor has it ever conducted a thorough investigation from top to bottom! Father's passion and loyalty have ultimately been misplaced."

When the old man's body was mentioned, Ah San lowered his head slightly, feeling somewhat sad.

After a moment of silence, Shangguan Xuanyu said quietly, "If Yong'an had attacked Southern Qi directly back then, without giving the country any breathing room, the outcome would have been uncertain. Now, Yong'an is in turmoil, and Southern Qi is implementing sweeping reforms. Given time, it will surely surpass Yong'an and may even annex it!"

Ah San, I don't know if the path I've chosen is right or wrong. Do you think my parents, watching from heaven, would be very disappointed if they knew I'd become like this?

“Young master, if the master and madam really knew all this, they would be very pleased.” Ah San bowed and said solemnly, “Before leaving the capital that day, the master and madam both told me to persuade you not to be arrogant and to protect yourself before being loyal to the country.”

What they wanted most was for the young master to be safe and sound!

Therefore, given the current turmoil in Yong'an, and the fact that the young master, as a pawn, has been abandoned in the enemy capital, it is already quite remarkable that he has won the heart of Miss Shen, who has pledged herself to him.

“Yes, I’m getting engaged to Qingluan in two days.” Shangguan Xuanyu looked down at the jade pendant tied to his waist and said with a smile, “At that time, we really won’t have to worry about being betrayed.”

The sixteenth day of the twelfth lunar month is an auspicious day.

Early that morning, before dawn, the streets of the capital were already brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

The Regent Prince's most beloved younger sister is engaged to Young Master Yu today. This matter has even alarmed His Majesty the Emperor, who has rarely appeared since ascending the throne, and he personally issued an imperial decree to grant the marriage.

Starting the day before, the Regent's Palace set up alms booths on the street to distribute wealth and pray for blessings.

Today, all the shops along the main street from Lanyuan to the Prince's Mansion will be closed. Jiang Chen distributed red envelopes to the merchants early in the morning, waiting for the auspicious time to hold the engagement ceremony at the ten-mile red bridal procession.

"Host, is the male and female protagonist development plan for this mission world almost finished? Meow~" The little white cat squatted on his shoulder and stuffed exquisite pastries into its mouth one by one, meowing sweetly as it ate. "Burp~ So delicious!"

The scriptwriting team has completely given up; they probably don't even know how to write the script anymore.

Hopefully, they won't complain about us again this time. Otherwise, if the main system finds out you've ruined both the male and female leads, it might get angry.

Jiang Chen, dressed in a handsome and domineering official robe and adjusting his cloak, frowned slightly upon hearing this. "How did I manage to ruin the male and female leads? Saving a love-struck girl is an incredible act of kindness!"

As for the male lead, Shangguan Xuanyu, he is not useless now and will not be useless in the future.

Didn't you see how attentively Qingluan listened to the materials she showed him and the reform policies she explained to him?

Don't worry, even if he wants to become useless, after we get engaged and get married after the New Year, I'll properly mold him.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Three Imperial Edicts

The fluffy little dumpling perked up its ears, hugged a plum blossom-shaped pastry, and meowed, "What else does the host want to do? Why do you need to polish the male lead? Isn't it good as it is now?"

"Okay?" Jiang Chen looked at it blankly. "When Shangguan Xuanyu received the fake letter and package, weren't you watching from the side? He carried the burden for the country but did not receive the treatment he deserved. Instead, his whole family was killed because of the political infighting. A family of upright and loyal officials was completely wiped out, and even he became a pawn."

That's a blood feud that wiped out his entire family! Xiao Bai, you don't really think that just because he seems to be living a peaceful life and preparing to marry his beautiful wife, he can really put that hatred behind him, do you?

"That's true..."

"Shangguan Xuanyu is a man of both courage and strategy. Don't forget, he's the real protagonist, and he's got that halo. Abandoned by his country, his family wiped out, and his faith shattered, he certainly won't be content with the status quo. So, what I need to do is find an opportunity to break through this barrier!"

Jiang Chen looked at himself in the huge glass mirror that covered the entire wardrobe, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

At the same time, Shangguan Xuanyu was standing in front of the mirror, looking at himself in the auspicious clothes of the Southern Qi Kingdom, like a groom. The cheerful drum music in the courtyard could be heard in his ears, but in a daze, the kind faces of his parents flashed through his mind.

"Father, Mother, your unfilial son!" He took a deep breath, his eyes slightly red, and murmured to himself, "The enemy capital is surrounded by spies again. To protect myself, I cannot set up memorial tablets for you, cannot observe mourning, and cannot burn paper money to inform you of my engagement and marriage. My parents have been gone for almost a year, but I have not given them a proper burial. I even have to force a smile and put on a fake appearance for others."

"Your child knows his sins, please forgive him, Father and Mother!"

Everyone says that Young Master Yu is very lucky to have won the heart of such a noble person as Miss Shen. Who can know how he has endured so much pain and heartbreak all this time? Every night he dreams of Yong'an, and he feels that his so-called faith and loyalty of the past twenty years were all a joke!

My father was full of patriotic fervor, but has anyone seen or remembered him?

He was fair and honest, but in the end he was killed by a thousand arrows!

My mother was diligent and kind, compassionate towards servants, and cared for the poor and elderly. Do those she helped remember her?

Her only son was hiding in the enemy capital, living in constant fear and anxiety. Her husband died tragically and, with no one to turn to for help, was strangled to death, barely managing to avoid even having his body intact!

The Shangguan family, with over a hundred members, was wiped out in an instant by a fire, leaving no trace of their bodies. How many resentful souls roared and howled amidst the ruins, and how many people spoke out for them?

And what about those who persecute loyal and virtuous people?

Huang Xiuqi rose to power by virtue of his daughter becoming empress, and now, as the emperor's father-in-law, he exercises the emperor's authority.

He probably planned this path long ago; the Crown Prince, being mediocre and inflexible, was indeed easier to control. With his daughter, who had practiced martial arts since childhood, secretly providing assistance, the father and daughter soared to great heights, firmly grasping glory and power in their hands.

Despite such despicable behavior, the entire Imperial City Guard still obeyed Huang Xiuqi's orders, degenerating from an institution that assisted the emperor in controlling the capital and even the whole country to serve the dynasty and the common people into Huang Xiuqi's one-man show.

He slaughtered loyal and virtuous people and eliminated hostile forces for him, even turning the sword against innocent civilians.

What is there to serve in such a cold and ruthless court?

Shangguan Xuanyu ran his fingers across the cold glass mirror, his gloomy expression gradually softening into a cheerful one. "Don't worry, once I marry my beautiful wife and step into the enemy's court, I will make you wish you were dead."

Until then, you must all stay alive!

Unlike her brother and fiancé, who each had their own thoughts, Shen Qingluan was the only one who was genuinely happy for today.

She hadn't been able to sleep well last night. The thought of getting engaged today and being able to marry according to the current dynasty's customs after the New Year made Shen Qingluan beam with joy.

Fortunately, her maid Honglian kept urging her to go to sleep quickly, otherwise she would probably have dark circles under her eyes on this festive day.

"Miss, the auspicious dress specially made for you by Banyan Tree is truly beautiful!" Honglian helped her dress and put on the imperial phoenix crown, and then put on the remaining gold hairpins, hair ornaments and other head ornaments. After examining her for a moment, she smiled and said, "You are truly a beauty that would shame the moon and flowers. No wonder Young Master Yu is so devoted to you."

She goes out to play every few days, writes poems and paints, and her suitcase is almost overflowing!

"We got engaged today, and we can get married after the New Year. What a wonderful thing it will be for this perfect couple to finally be together!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingluan smiled shyly, her face flushed. "My engagement is settled today, and you also have good news. During my time with Young Master Yu, I witnessed your interactions with Xiao Wu. Honglian, it's wonderful to have someone you like who also likes you!"

The other day I spoke with my brother, and he's willing to betroth you to Xiao Wu. Once I'm married, you can be freed from your slave status and be with your beloved. At least we, master and servant, will have a happy marriage, which would be a beautiful story.”

Upon hearing that the young lady was going to release her from slavery and arrange a marriage for her with Xiao Wu, Honglian was so shocked that she stood there stunned for a moment.