Yes, Madam Prime Minister

Once outside, Ambrina whispered, "Ronan, did I not behave well?"

“There’s no need to worry too much. This is just the first time, and besides, you did quite well and were very energetic,” Ronan replied.

"Really?" Ambrina asked with a hint of skepticism.

“Of course, you have great potential,” Ronan said. “We have a long way to go; we’ve only just begun.”

Chapter 338 The First Wife and the Sister-in-Law—None of Them Are Normal

The establishment of the Ministry of the Interior has been finalized.

The Ministry of the Interior that Ronan cobbled together could be like the agency in "The Complete Collection of Soviet Jokes" that used a sword and shield as its emblem, capable of managing everything, or like the Ministry of Administrative Affairs in "Yes, Minister," capable of managing nothing.

Quantum states belong to this category.

In the evening, inside the princess's residence, there was a makeshift kitchen in the open air.

Ronan and Ambrina were cooking together, making crab meat lion's head meatballs. In front of them was a pot of clear chicken soup that was always just about to boil. The two of them were kneading a large chunk of minced pork with three parts fat and seven parts lean meat mixed with crab meat. The crab meat was freshly caught, steamed, and then extracted. The pork was imported from Libya. French chicken was good, and the beef was also good, but the pork was really lacking. Libyan pork was still the best.

Once you've roughly shaped it into a round shape, coat it with a little wet starch, then start shaping it into a smooth, round ball. Finally, stuff it with a little crab roe and cook it.

After playing for a while, Ronan let Ambrina play by herself, as he had to go and prepare other dishes.

For example, fried mushroom chips, and roasted meat with cream sauce.

Both dishes are relatively simple. The fried mushroom slices are a classic example; they can be considered both Western and Chinese dishes, with a crispy and juicy texture.

Creamy roasted meats are made by partially cooked chicken or beef, sprinkled with a little salt, pepper, and spice powder, then mixed with a creamy sauce made from flour, butter, and milk, and finally topped with a layer of cheese before being baked in the oven. It is a typical Western dish with a very rich aroma and flavor.

There's also a soup, which in Seris wouldn't really be called soup, because it's just small seafood made by Ronan using soy sauce and water. But here, it's considered soup.

"You two have quite the romantic flair. Would you mind adding an extra set of cutlery?"

A voice suddenly broke in, and when they looked over, Isabel was already standing in front of them.

Seeing the look in Ambrina's eyes, Isabel still spoke in a joking tone, "My dear sister, you won't be unwelcome to me, will you?"

"I'm already being very kind by not sending you to jail. You still want to come here and freeload?" Ambrina retorted.

Isabel showed no emotion whatsoever. Having lost everything, she was now in incredibly good spirits. "I'll be working for you for the rest of my life, my dear sister. What's wrong with eating a meal from you?"

Ambrina was quite surprised; she almost didn't recognize her younger sister. Isabel, who used to be so strong-willed and concerned about her image, had now become so shameless.

While operating two stoves simultaneously, Ronan offered a word of advice, "Anli, it's just one more person, it's no big deal."

"Tch, go get your own cutlery," Ambrina said to Isabel in an annoyed tone.

Isabel didn't respond and turned away.

As soon as she left, Ambrina washed her hands and then walked up to Ronan. "Don't you think she was different today?"

“Yes, he does like to joke around more than before,” Ronan said, before Ambrina stomped on his foot hard.

Ambrina looked up and stared intently into Ronan's eyes. "Is that what I meant? I meant she dressed like a woman today."

"Oh, I was busy cooking and didn't pay much attention," Ronan said, indicating that he hadn't noticed.

Ambrina pinched Ronan's waist. "Didn't you notice?"

“Okay, honey, I took a look, just one look,” Ronan confessed.

Although it's August, summer, the capital's latitude is similar to that of northeastern Seris, so it's not hot at all. The daytime temperature is only around 20 degrees Celsius. Isabel is wearing a fitted, bodycon dress with a pattern resembling blue and white porcelain. On her legs are a pair of silky, glossy, ultra-thin, skin-toned stockings. In the sunlight, the stockings covering her calves create a shimmering line. On her feet are nude-colored, lace-up, closed-toe high-heeled sandals. Only her heels and toes are covered by the shoes, leaving her entire instep exposed. The instep has a slightly oily sheen, yet the smooth skin of her instep can be glimpsed through the sheer stockings.

Isabelle's legs are the epitome of slender, well-proportioned, and fleshy. Despite being only 165 cm tall, they appear to be long and slender.

If you don't take a second look, is that still Ronan?

“I think she did it on purpose,” Ambrina said.

Ronan didn't respond; to do so at this point would only add fuel to the fire.

"What do you think she's thinking?" Ambrina then asked.

Ronan replied without any emotion, "I don't know." He was now a ruthless cooking machine, and he would never answer such a deadly question.

Ambrina, however, showed no intention of ending the conversation. "She wants to get into your bed." Ever since Isabel killed their mother, she had never hesitated to assume the worst about her sister.

Ronan put a plate of seasoned and cheese-topped meat into the oven. "No way."

“Why not?” Ambrina retorted.

Ronan started preparing the vegetable salad, while replying, "Anli, I'm a man who absolutely keeps his promises. Without your approval, I'm as tough as nails."

"Heh, let her come if she wants," Ambrina said, clenching her little fist.

Seeing Ambrina's expression, Ronan became serious and put down his kitchen utensils. "Anli, I won't say she's innocent, but I believe she didn't intend to do that. Don't let that affect you."

Ambrina sighed, then smiled. "Ronan, you've misunderstood. You know, I don't really have a relationship with my mother, and I know that wasn't her intention. I don't care about that anymore. You haven't had much contact with Isa, so you probably think she's just a bit extreme in some ways, but most of the time she's a very normal person. But I know her. Sometimes her thoughts are very unconventional, and in her current state, she's probably having some very strange ideas."

"A strange idea?" Ronan was bewildered by Ambrina's words.

“Yes.” Ambrina said with certainty, “She wants to get into your bed.”

"Huh?" Ronan exclaimed in surprise.

"Isn't your plan with Dinia to have her become prime minister and you become the Minister of the Interior? She's just a commoner now. If she doesn't get into your bed, how can she gain power in the future and realize the ideas in her head?"

"Wow, that's way too far away," Ronan exclaimed. Whose thinking is so out of control here?

“Even if it’s not like that, it won’t be too far off. Anyway, she just wants to get into your bed.” Ambrina insisted that this was the case.

Although Ronan thought Ambrina was overthinking things, he certainly wouldn't say that. Instead, he immediately pledged his loyalty, "Don't worry, Anri, my loyalty to you is boundless. You are the only sun in my heart."

“Ronan, what I mean is, if she wants to give you a ride, you should accept it,” Ambrina said.

Ronan almost thought she had misheard. She was stunned for a long time, still unable to understand Ambrina's logic.

it's actually really easy.

Ambrina was convinced that Isabelle was very dissatisfied with her loss and wanted to try again on a different track. So, let's go for it.

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Ronan asked.

“I don’t mind, why would you?” Ambrina retorted.

Chapter 339 Secret Collusion, Each with Their Own Hidden agendas, "Using war to promote peace"

The following night, a popular little tavern built by the river, usually semi-open-air and without private rooms, was found on the second floor by the window with a view of the river.

Inside the private box, Prime Minister Alexander was sitting with several other people.

Normally, such meetings should take place at home.

But Prime Minister Alexander was an extremely rare official of humble origin and incorruptible. His home was a small two-story house of less than 100 square meters, without even a courtyard. He had only two servants, one responsible for laundry and cleaning, and the other responsible for grocery shopping and cooking. Their cooking skills were only so-so, and they were really not good at entertaining guests at home.

Soon, the mussels cooked in wine, served as an appetizer, were brought out.

Prime Minister Alexander took matters into his own hands, and the others, including Finance Minister Bruno, Director of the Tax Collection Department of the Treasury Cheney, Director of the General Secretariat (also known as Chief Secretary Austin), and Minister of Territory Gary, also took matters into their own hands. However, they were all somewhat reluctant to do so, because they were all of noble birth, even if their ancestors were only minor barons. After ascending to high positions, they all became more particular about their status.

"Austin, we have a lot of disagreements at work, but we're good friends, right?"

The General Secretariat is indeed a unit directly under the Prime Minister, but it is ultimately part of the national bureaucracy and serves as the link between the Prime Minister and other government officials and civil servants in various departments. As the head of this agency, Austin and Prime Minister Alexander are at odds, and this is not only politically correct but also part of his duties.

Of course, as the Prime Minister said, they have a good personal relationship.

"Bruno, you know I don't like you. You have no political ambitions and are corrupt. I also know you look down on me, but you have to understand that too many people want you to leave your position, except me."

As a prime minister who wanted to get things done, he certainly didn't like a finance minister who didn't do anything. But he also understood that Bruno wasn't always like this. He got to this position because he achieved outstanding economic results when he was governor. He only became like this after he got to this position. The larger the power structure, the more intricate the internal relationships.

Bruno could only do two things in the Treasury: first, act as a peacemaker; second, embezzle and engage in corruption.

"Cheney, you are a very good person, and you are young. If possible, I hope that one day you can become prime minister."

This isn't just empty talk; after all, Alexander himself came from the tax system, and Cheney, who is now the third-ranking official in the tax system and is only 42 years old, used to be his subordinate.

However, Cheney remained completely unmoved. He knew that his career had come to an end. In a few years, his father would die, and he would inherit the title of Earl. He would then have to find a reason to retire due to illness, otherwise he would die a very ugly death.

“Gary, this is the first time I’ve invited you, and I’m very happy that you could come.”

"It is a great honor, Mr. Prime Minister."

Gary, the Minister of Territory Management, was the only one who answered immediately, because he was the only one present who could not accept Ronan's rise to power.

Ronan implemented a land-for-equity swap in Rennes. If he were to implement an even larger land-for-equity swap, what would happen?

The Territory Management Department is specifically responsible for coordinating and handling various issues related to noble fiefdoms. If a noble loses their land, is there any point in having this department? He himself may not care, but will his subordinates agree to it?

This is the same principle as Seris's "million canal workers depend on him for food and clothing".

The second dish, mashed potatoes baked with ground beef, was served.

A wide-mouthed cup, topped with spiced mashed potatoes and bottomped with lightly marinated ground beef, is a popular everyday dish in recent years.

After taking a spoonful and a sip of red wine, the Prime Minister continued, "Bruno, the Ministry of the Interior's construction spending must be sufficient, not insufficient, and the civil servants' salaries must not be compromised. However, the funding for one department must be handled with utmost care." The meaning was simple: salaries could be unrestricted, but funding would be strictly controlled.

“Cheney, the position of Director of the Inspectorate of the Ministry of the Interior is suitable for you. You have been doing similar work before, and I believe you can achieve results and go further.” Collecting taxes is already an offense to the nobility, but it is not enough. For a nobleman like Cheney, only by becoming a true lone minister and isolating himself from the bureaucracy can he rise to power.

"Gary, think of a way to build rapport with those people." Those people, of course, refer to the nobles. The wedding and the establishment of the Ministry of the Interior have already caused him trouble twice; there can't be a third time.

That's all I wanted to say.

Prime Minister Alexander was straightforward and had said everything he needed to say.

At this moment, the chief secretary, Austin, who had been silent all along, spoke up, "Mr. Prime Minister, it is very wrong of you to privately collude with high-ranking government officials like this."

A glint of cunning flashed in Alexander's wolf-like eyes. "In private? You're here, so this is public."

“Then I have no choice but to fulfill my duty and report it,” Austin said, taking a sip of his drink and sighing, “I never thought you’d be forced to this point in just a few months.”

Alexander remained calm. "I am not against reform, but neither His Majesty nor the future His Majesty has ever asked me for my opinion."

"You agree just because I asked you?" Austin retorted.

“I partially agree,” Alexander replied.

Austin laughed. "For our esteemed King, not completely agreeing is tantamount to completely disagreeing."

Alexander finished the meager amount of potato and ground beef in a few bites. “You have to realize one thing: my friends, whether it’s the future Emperor, Lady Dinia, or Mr. Ronan, they are all still very young. And with the current magical abilities of Lady Dinia and Mr. Ronan, they will probably live a long life. A long time is enough for them to turn some groundbreaking innovations into precedents. It’s hard to say whether that’s a good thing.”

“Since you know that, you should understand that you can’t beat them. Not only can you not shake their positions, but even if they fall, they can rise again. But what about you? If you fall, you’re gone forever.” Austin was now speaking entirely from a friend’s perspective.

“You overestimate me. I never intended to fight them.” As he spoke, the Prime Minister glanced at Finance Minister Bruno, a typical seasoned and opportunistic old hand. “I just wanted to create an opportunity to talk to these young people.”

Bruno was instantly relieved upon hearing this, dispelling a certain thought in his mind. He had originally planned to go to the princess's residence that very night to betray his teammates. As a corrupt and greedy person, he had previously angered Ambrina over the wedding incident. Once the prime minister fell from power, it wouldn't be surprising if he were the first on the list of those to be dealt with. How could he not surrender?

“Alexander, I’m good at conversations, let me handle it.” Bruno couldn’t help but volunteer.

“That’s wonderful,” the Prime Minister exclaimed, then raised his glass. “Cheers!”

"Cheers!" everyone said in unison.

Chapter 340 A Good Look, Evaluation, Picnic

On the same night, at the home of Agriculture Minister William, Foreign Trade Minister and Civil Affairs Minister Morris and Paul were guests in the drawing room.

All three are considered to be members of the king's faction, and precisely because they are members of the king's faction, they can completely stay out of this struggle.

"The Prime Minister or the Crown Prince?" Minister of Civil Affairs Paul asked suddenly after taking a couple of sips of his drink.

"This round should have been won by the Prime Minister, but in the end, it was our Mr. Wang Fu who won," Foreign Trade Minister Morris replied. "Being Prime Minister is a matter of a few years, but being Mr. Wang Fu is a matter of a lifetime."

“I don’t think so,” Agriculture Minister William said. “Don’t you think these two are very similar? They’re both good at using other people’s knives to cut other people’s flesh.”

Prime Minister Alexander, born out of wedlock, is the only prime minister to date who truly rose from the bottom. He relied on leveraging and inciting the power of others to fight against them, thus achieving his unique skill.

Coincidentally, Ronan is also this kind of person.

Foreign Trade Minister Morris maintained his opinion: "Like repels like, so isn't it inevitable that they will fight? For now, Ronan should not be a match for Alexander."

Agriculture Minister William shook his head slightly; that was the general rule.

But observing the process and outcome of the two confrontations between the wedding and the Ministry of the Interior, Ronan didn't exert much effort, and the Prime Minister didn't exert any effort at all; it's as if they were faking it.

"I don't think they'll really fight each other, but I still have more faith in the Prime Minister in this low-intensity struggle."

Agriculture Minister William said.

The other two nodded in agreement.

That night, countless central officials were discussing the conflict between Ronan, the princess, Dinia, and the prime minister's group, but the vast majority favored the prime minister's side.

It was late at night at Carl's mansion.

Carl, who had just finished showering, found his wife sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper, wearing a lace nightgown. "Lena, you weren't in the lab today?"

Lena didn't even look at Karl, continuing to read the newspaper, and said, "There's nothing I can do. We who are truly driving social progress are always subject to these middle-aged women buying groceries at the market, so sometimes I have to care about the situation of these idiots."

"Women who buy groceries" is how Lena refers to the politicians.