Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

"Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will definitely apprehend the murderer and seek justice for His Highness Prince Jin!"

Xiao Zong gave a firm and resounding guarantee.

Xu Dahai: "..."

There's no need to be so loyal!

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Xu Dahai got up to take his leave. He had conveyed his meaning; whether or not Commander Xiao understood was up to him.

Xiao Zong escorted the man to the door, and when he turned back, Dou Zhao followed him in.

"Does Your Excellency truly intend to investigate?"

"The imperial decree cannot be disobeyed!"

"We did this, and investigating it would be like digging our own grave. Are we really going to hand over our brothers to take the blame?"

"What nonsense! My brothers have risked their lives for me. Even if I die, I will not betray them. His Majesty wants to investigate thoroughly because he still has designs on Prince Jin. Then let's stir things up and make sure Prince Jin never has a chance to rise again!"

Dou Zhao became interested. "How do we do it?"

Xiao Zong stroked the wolf-hair brush on the brush holder and slowly said, "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. A person's preferences won't change overnight. Put the house next to the Prince of Jin's mansion up for sale, and I guarantee someone will come to buy it within three days!"

"Are you saying that the Prince of Jin wants to keep a mistress in a golden house?"

“…You could say that.”

"Understood, I'll take care of it right away!"

"Wait, if Prince Jin really buys the house, remember to clean up any traces. Afterwards, secretly inform Eunuch Xu about this."

Dou Zhao was confused. "Eunuch Xu? Why should we tell him?"

Xiao Zong explained, "Just now, Eunuch Xu and I were talking, and he clearly felt pleased with what happened to Prince Jin. He subtly advised me not to get involved. Since he's so concerned, let's give him this opportunity to shine!"

Dou Zhao's mind raced for a moment before he realized what was going on.

"A eunuch dares to try and seize control of the government, how despicable!"

Xiao Zong nodded, "The eunuch faction is ruining the country. Xu Dahai and the Nine Thousand Years Old must be eliminated, otherwise the country will not be stable!"

"Rest assured, my lord, I will handle this matter perfectly and will not be traced back to us! However, I have a question: my lord... which prince do you support?"

After eliminating the Prince of Jin, only the Crown Prince, the Prince of Yong, and the eldest grandson of the Emperor remain, so there aren't many candidates to choose from!

Xiao Zong shook his head, "I am loyal only to His Majesty!"

After Dou Zhao left, he spread out a sheet of paper and wrote the four characters "Loyal to the Emperor and Patriotic." After finishing, he held the pen, staring at the vigorous strokes of the brush, lost in thought.

Just like in his previous life, His Majesty has never been able to make a decision regarding the selection of the crown prince. Several instances of deposing and installing emperors have shaken the foundations of the nation, leading to the country's fragmentation and turmoil.

Xiangxiang's child is not of royal blood, Prince Jin is the son of an enemy, Prince Yong is weak, and the eldest grandson of the emperor is arrogant, domineering, tyrannical and immoral. Choosing a general from among the dwarfs, how can one not be worried?

Perhaps we should really consider which prince we should support!

Back at the manor, although Xiao Zong pretended to be nonchalant, Su Zhi still noticed the worry in his eyes.

"I've rarely seen you so dejected. What happened?"

Xiao Zong pressed down on her hand as she poured the tea and helped her sit down.

"My child, among the princes, which one do you favor the most?"

Which one do you favor more?

Su Zhi blinked very slowly and analyzed, "Prince Jin is dissolute but talented; Prince Yong lacks his own opinions but is obedient and compliant; I haven't met the eldest grandson of the Emperor much, but from the Xing'er incident, I know that the Empress dotes on this grandson. If the late Crown Prince were still alive, the eldest grandson of the Emperor would definitely have become a good grandson who brings blessings to the people, but alas..."

Xiao Zong continued, "It's a pity that the late Crown Prince died young, and His Majesty neglected the Empress, and consequently disliked this grandson. The eldest grandson has been corrupted by eunuchs and palace maids, spending his days playing with cats and dogs, and can't concentrate on any of the classics. He knows nothing of etiquette and has no character; how can he be the ruler of the world!"

Are you worried about choosing a successor?

"Yes! If the position of crown prince is not determined, great chaos will surely ensue!"

Su Zhi rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought, her cherry lips unconsciously pouting slightly. Xiao Zong noticed this and became somewhat distracted.

Want to kiss.

He thought it, and that's what he did.

The woman was taken aback, then scolded, "I've thought so much about you, and all you can think about is this? That's too much!"

Xiao Zong chuckled and couldn't help teasing her, "What kind of thing? I'm not very knowledgeable, so please enlighten me, my wife."

Since Su Zhi became pregnant, the two have not had sex for more than four months. Even the doctor said he was being too cautious, but he was always afraid that Su Zhi was in danger, so he kept abstaining.

Saying such words at this moment caused the room to heat up instantly, and invisible sparks exploded between the two of them, making their breathing somewhat rapid.

Su Zhi leaned in and kissed him back, her eyes as gentle as the warm sun, almost melting away the entire winter chill.

She took his hand and led him step by step toward the bed, explaining the true meaning of those words through her words and actions.

The woman's body was full and alluring, smooth as jade. Xiao Zong's temples throbbed, and his breathing became even heavier.

In the end, reason prevailed, and he grabbed the layers of the dress and wrapped the woman up completely.

"not the right time yet."

Su Zhi did not refute him sharply, nor did she forcibly pull him away. Instead, she looked at him quietly as before and softly expressed her request.

"But I think..."

The flame in Xiao Zong's eyes was reignited. He gasped and slowly laid the person down.

"I'll be gentler."

The moon was high in the sky when the noise inside the house finally ceased. Xiao ordered someone to prepare hot water, and after bathing, the two of them ate dinner.

Su Zhi's cheeks were flushed, and her eyes seemed to be filled with spring water, making her even more radiant and beautiful.

Xiao Zong used one hand to pick up some food for her, while the other hand massaged her lower back, asking in a low voice, "Are you feeling unwell? Is your back sore?"

Su Zhi shook her head silently. Xiao Zong was too restrained. She had just had her fun, but he probably... wasn't quite done yet!

"If you're not feeling unwell, why don't you talk to me?"

Su Zhi bit her lip, and after a long while, asked softly, "You don't... do you...?"

there is nothing?

Xiao Zong was taken aback for a moment, then immediately realized what she meant and patted her head to comfort her, saying, "I'll have plenty of opportunities once it's born."

Su Zhi rarely called him "husband," but she asked, "Do you prefer a boy or a girl?"

“As long as it’s our child, whether it’s a boy or a girl, I’ll love them.” He paused, then continued, “Did your mother say something to you? Don’t overthink it. Didn’t we agree to live a life just for the two of us?”

"Ah."

My mother-in-law came to visit today, and when I learned from her that the two of them only wanted one child, my face immediately turned sour.

They subtly and overtly hinted to her that Xiao Shen's health was poor and he might have difficulty having children in the future, hoping she could produce an heir for the Xiao family. In short, they were hoping she would give birth to a son. She immediately retorted, stroking her belly and declaring that this pregnancy would definitely be a daughter!

Even after Qin Shi left in anger, Su Zhi was still upset. She had her maid take all the boys' clothes, shoes, and socks to the street to sell, leaving only the girls' clothes. Only then did she feel a little better.

She took Xiao Zong's hand and placed it on her belly. "I think it's a girl."

“That’s perfect. I’ll write to Yan Qiao in a bit and ask him to bring some novelties from girls when he returns to the capital to report on his duties.”

Su Zhi was jealous, "Only for daughters?"

Xiao Zong flicked her nose with his index finger and said with a smile, "You'll get your share!"