It wasn't an apple that hit Newton.

But upon closer reflection, although he didn't consider himself arrogant, he did indeed look down on others. Perhaps it was because everything had gone too smoothly so far, perhaps it was due to modern prejudice, or perhaps it was because there was a life that didn't care about surviving.

Although a modern person, if thrown into ancient times, would shine as brightly as a firefly in the dark no matter how well hidden, that would be due to their knowledge and experience, and certainly not a reason to belittle them.

In short, this is bad, this is very bad. Even the strongest player can lose in a Diamond-level game, let alone someone who isn't even the strongest player.

Li Cheng fell into deep reflection.

Veronique continued speaking at a steady pace.

“I have met many arrogant people, but I don’t understand where your arrogance comes from.”

“If you don’t know me, I can understand it as arrogance born of ignorance, but you clearly know me and know who I am.”

"I'm curious whether you're an arrogant gambler or a humble king."

No, I'm just a transmigrator who got a little carried away... Li Cheng finally realized his attitude problem.

He suppressed his smile, bowed deeply again, and then looked into Veronique's eyes, saying sincerely, "I was just too young and impetuous. I hope Your Highness will not mind and can give me a chance."

Chapter Thirty-Four: Going to Work in the Sea

In reality, Li Cheng at most simply showed a lack of respect.

But in Veronica's eyes, Li Cheng was not someone she could talk to on equal terms, which is why she felt that Li Cheng was too arrogant.

However, Li Cheng realized from Veronica's words that he was actually too arrogant about this game called 'life'.

With his advanced foresight and the fact that his life was not in danger... Li Cheng was starting off with everything going too smoothly, as if he had a god-tier start.

For example, now, others are under her roof, without sufficient status or position, and without demonstrating their own value, yet they do not show the respect they should have for Veronica. This is an arrogant attitude towards life.

Although it was an accidental discovery, it did point out his problem... Li Cheng took a breath and expressed his respect to the Third Princess: "Your Highness, please give me another chance, I will seize it."

“I hope so, Mr. Albert Lee.”

Veronica nodded.

"Thank you very much for your generosity and kindness."

Li Cheng bowed again. "Then may I ask what Your Highness needs me to do?"

Locking him up here for two whole days and even coming over in person to talk to him, it can't be because he's handsome and has some ulterior motive, right? Actually, there's no need for that trouble. Just tell him, and he'll take the initiative to clear his name.

Seeing Li Cheng's cooperative attitude, Veronica smiled with satisfaction and said casually, "There's no need to rush. Let's chat casually—I heard you're currently collaborating with Viscount Stoller to develop a product called soap, which is selling like hotcakes."

Why are we chatting again? Can't we get straight to the point...? Li Cheng paused, then feigned interest and asked, "Have you already started selling them?"

"They started selling it the day after you were locked up, and the business was so good that I got tempted too."

Veronica made a rather inappropriate joke, then changed the subject, saying, "Speaking of which, I already knew about this, and it's related to that little girl from the Stole family."

Li Cheng, playing the straight man, asked, "Oh? What does this have to do with the Stole family?"

Recalling Anne, the Third Princess smiled slightly: "That little girl from the Stoller family was really amusing. It was a cultural salon hosted by the Duchess of Anderson, and she, a proper lady attending for the first time, handed out a tin box to every guest she saw, like a peddler who had sneaked in to sell his wares."

Sure enough, one shouldn't have too many illusions about this guy's improvisation... Li Cheng couldn't help but twitch his lips: "And then?"

"And then? None of the people at the salon gave her a friendly look, although I found it quite interesting. That thing called soap looked very magical, so I asked her about its origin and ordered a batch for the royal palace."

No wonder Annie was showing off how well things were going and how she had a big customer order as soon as she got back... Li Cheng gave a business-like smile: "Thank you for your patronage, Your Highness."

"You're welcome."

As Veronica spoke, she was also carefully observing Li Cheng's facial expression, but to no avail.

She looked away and continued, "I've also investigated the matter at the Great Hall of the People. It turns out that the paper was also related to you—I read the original text, and I must say, it's very well written. No wonder Hope was willing to risk discrediting it."

Li Cheng, without changing his expression, made up a story: "Of course, otherwise I wouldn't have acted impulsively and taken such a big risk in public to expose Hope."

"is it?"

Veronica remained noncommittal, and continued, "But I heard that the day before yesterday, a cute little blonde girl came to Cambridge and made a huge fuss, asking everyone she met if they had seen a tall, red-haired man named Albert Lee."

It's Newton... Damn it, I clearly sent Inman to inform her, why is she still here? Did that bastard not go at all? Sure enough, that guy is unreliable, he'll just renege on the money he owes him.

A barely perceptible tremor appeared at the corner of Li Cheng's eye, but he immediately suppressed it.

He asked casually, "And then?"

"later?"

Noticing this, Veronica's voice gradually turned cold as she said, "Enough time has been wasted. I don't think there's anything more to it."

Having seized upon her prey's weakness, Veronica finally revealed her fangs.

The chat was a pretense; the threats were the real purpose.

I actually fell for their trick... Fine, since you're so eager to find something on me, sooner or later I'll make sure you find something else on me.

Li Cheng lowered his head and silently made a vow in his heart.

"I understand, Your Highness."

He then raised his head, calmly facing Veronica, and repeated the question, "So, Your Highness, what do you require of me?"

Veronica finally took control of the conversation, revealing a confident smile.

She first waved for the maid to leave, and then said, "Hope is in prison."

Li Cheng nodded: "Yes."

“Hope was a very useful man, and I originally wanted him to do things for me, but now he’s in jail.” Veronica, like a teacher testing a student, asked, “If you were him now, and you were to do things for me, what would you do?”

Li Cheng understood that it was time for him to demonstrate his value, otherwise the consequences might not be much better than those for Hope.

If he succeeds, he will not only get out of his current predicament, but also hitch a ride on the Third Princess's coattails and become a young model at the club; if he fails, not only will he have to feed the princess, but he may also have to sell himself to pay off his debts and go to work in the sex industry.

—Don't get the wrong idea, going to sea means going out to sea to catch tuna.

He closed his eyes and fell into thought.

The Third Princess has done so much; her purpose must be far from simple, and it's very likely that she's after the throne.

In European history, most female emperors were princesses or queens who, after the death of their kings, when the heirs were too young or there were no suitable successors, stepped onto the stage of power and ascended to the throne.

However, given the current situation in England, the prince spends his days hunting and riding, which, while not particularly useful, keeps him in excellent physical condition. Furthermore, Charles II has a host of cousins ​​outside the capital, so this normal route is definitely not feasible.

The biggest obstacles to bypassing the prince and ascending the throne directly are the nobles and the church—the former being the foundation of the rule and not to be shaken for the time being, so the only option is to start with the church.

What a scholar can do at this time...

Holy crap, that's ruthless! They're trying to kill me!

After roughly sorting out his thoughts, Li Cheng cursed the Third Princess for her audacity while slowly opening his eyes, revealing a pained expression.

Veronica, who had been patiently waiting, smiled upon seeing his expression and asked, "Do you have a solution?"

"Ah."

Li Cheng said helplessly, "As a professor who is good at public speaking, guiding public opinion is Hope's greatest weapon."

Veronica said, "Continue."

Li Cheng knew he couldn't avoid it, so he sighed and continued, "So if I were Hope, the target of the public opinion I would guide would be the bishops of the state church."

Chapter Thirty-Five: The Church, the Nobles, and the Epilogue

In Britain, Catholicism is divided into two parts: the Church of England and Puritanism.

The Church of England was originally Catholicism. After Henry VIII broke with the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of England became a tool for the king to maintain his rule, while the church itself remained corrupt.

Puritanism, derived from the idea of ​​"removing the remnants of Catholicism from the state religion," demanded the abolition of episcopalism and idolatry, the reduction of religious holidays, the promotion of diligence, frugality, and forbearance, and the opposition to extravagance and indulgence.

However, at this time there was no Puritanism; everyone called themselves Protestants.

However, Protestants suffered persecution from the very beginning until the Glorious Revolution of 1688, when Parliament passed the Act of Tolerance, which allowed Protestants who did not adhere to the established religion to establish their own churches.

Li Cheng sighed inwardly at how distorted history had become, and said...

"First, I will start with the Church's inaction during this plague, expose their hypocrisy and ugliness, condemn their interference in secular affairs, advocate that human affairs should be resolved by human beings themselves, and support the Puritan advocacy of abolishing bishops."

“Those bishops, without engaging in production, possess enormous wealth and have invented numerous ways to make money.”

“Besides basic taxes, there are tithes, special contributions, and pardons. They auction off offices, sell indulgences, and peddle the relics of saints... Through these means of accumulating wealth, they maintain their extravagant lifestyles.”

As Li Cheng spoke, his voice involuntarily turned cold: "The bishop possesses far too much wealth, and I believe this wealth can help Your Highness consolidate your position."

He genuinely loathed these corrupt and disgusting churches.

Veronica listened with complete agreement. Li Cheng not only spoke to her heart, but even went a step further than she wanted.

The church has long been a malignant tumor on this land, parasitizing England and sucking its lifeblood. Getting rid of them will only make England better.

Most importantly, all of this was initiated by Li Cheng himself; she gave no hints whatsoever.

Veronica gave an approving smile: "Very good, continue."

"That's not enough, don't be too greedy..." Li Cheng gritted his teeth and continued, "Then, by criticizing the church, I will further promote the concept of gender equality. I think this should also be of some help to Your Highness."

Veronique remained noncommittal: "Continue."

Continue? That's going too far... Li Cheng helplessly shrugged: "Hope is just a professor."

Veronica smiled slightly and asked, "What if Hope were the principal?"

Li Cheng was stunned for a moment, and his mind immediately began to race.

What if I were the headmaster? The Third Princess's words don't sound like a hypothetical scenario... Wait, I remember Anne wrote in her letter that Headmaster Roberts had recently died of the plague, meaning Cambridge currently has no headmaster...

He suddenly understood a lot, such as why Hope was so eager to woo the Third Princess, and why the Third Princess would suddenly come to listen to a lecture by a Cambridge professor.

"Then I can do even more."

Although much is written, reality is but a fleeting moment.

Li Cheng quickly realized what was going on and continued, "Encourage research in natural sciences, encourage innovative discoveries like the law of universal gravitation, and use a wealth of facts to enlighten the public, so that from the most fundamental perspective, they can completely get rid of those quacks who keep spouting nonsense."

"These are the most fundamental and effective ways to prevent future regrets."

Moreover, this is much safer than giving a speech in person, without having to confront the church directly... Li Cheng added to himself.

Veronique coldly replied, "I can't wait that long."

They're determined to make me deliver it... Li Cheng sighed, "I'll do my best."

Veronica changed her mind again, saying calmly, "But there's no need to rush, I can wait a few years."

Li Cheng breathed a sigh of relief: "I understand, Your Highness."