Women dressed as men: powerful officials

Chapter 201 Survival is the most important thing

When Wu Shiming returned home, the yard had been cleaned thoroughly.

The light in the wishing room was still on.

He walked past, hesitated for a moment, then turned back and knocked on the door.

Only when he heard Xuyuan say "Come in" did he step in.

Xu Yuan was reviewing her lessons when Wu Shiming arrived. She put down her book and said directly, "I saw that you didn't come back at night, so I thought you must have eaten out, so I didn't leave any food for you."

"I've already eaten." Wu Shiming closed the door and folded his hands. After struggling for a moment, he said, "Xuyuan, I have something to tell you."

"what's up?"

Under the dim light, Wu Shiming's face was hidden in shadow.

Xu Yuan saw this and said, "You and I are close friends, just tell me what's on your mind. I've already told you that if you're undecided, you can ask me. If you run into trouble, I'll help you."

"I know, it's because you've been so good to me that I don't want to involve you." Wu Shiming looked at Xu Yuan and finally made up his mind and said, "The prince wants to see you."

"Prince?"

Xu Yuan suddenly thought of the Crown Prince Beiyuan whom he met at the snow-viewing banquet during the day.

Did the prince notice her too?

Xu Yuan was slightly stunned.

After entering the capital, she did not act low-key, because only by standing out from the crowd could she avoid the risk of assassination, but this was not high-profile enough to attract the prince's attention.

Or……

Is it because of Zhang Yue?

Xu Yuan's heart tightened: "Tell me in detail."

"The prince wants to see you. I guess he wants you to be his advisor."

Wu Shiming decided to speak frankly, and he did not hide anything. He said directly: "In the past few years, the prince has been secretly cultivating his own power and has also hired many counselors in the palace. Do you still remember the anonymous person who won the second place in the poetry competition you participated in?"

Xu Yuan reacted quickly: "Is he the prince's man?"

"Yes, he is the prince's counselor. He was born in a poor family and has no official position. It is not easy for him to enter the palace directly. Therefore, the prince asked him to participate in the poetry meeting to make a name for himself in the capital. He never thought..."

Wu Shiming looked at Xu Yuan with a somewhat obscure look in his eyes.

"I was the first one that time." Xu Yuan nodded.

"That's right. Actually, at that time, many people in the capital city noticed you, including the people in the Three Dukes' Mansion. They all wanted you to become their disciple, but you didn't rely on anyone and just focused on doing your own thing. The prince thought you had a stubborn character, and as the saying goes, too much stubbornness can easily break, so he didn't have the intention to win you over. But in the past two days, the wind has changed."

Hearing this, Xu Yuan understood. She said, "Is it because my brother might become a general heading south?"

Wu Shiming nodded, but did not say what the prince said about killing Xie Xiaocheng. Instead, he said, "You and Zhang Yue are brothers, and you have a deep brotherly love. One is good at literature, and the other is good at martial arts. You each have your own strengths. No one in the court would not be concerned about you, including the prince. If Zhang Yue holds the border, and you become the top scholar next year... then your choice will most likely determine who will be the next crown prince."

Although he didn't have much contact with Xu Yuan, Wu Shiming always had a feeling of fear.

Making a wish is so smart.

Not only is he smart, but he also has the right time, place and people.

She was like a wise minister sent by God to assist the wise ruler.

Perfect.

"You overestimate me."

"Whether it is an overestimation or not, I naturally don't know, but I want to tell you that it is no good to offend the prince. Even if you don't want to be loyal to the prince, you must go to the appointment with the prince tomorrow."

"Why?"

"The prince is not as benevolent as people say. He has always been unscrupulous in order to achieve his goals. If you offend the Grand Marshal's Mansion, you can still survive. If you offend the prince, you will die."

Wu Shiming looked at Xu Yuan, and his voice sank again: "I don't want you to get involved, but I can't let you get away with it."

"It doesn't matter. Things will work out when the time comes. There is always a solution." Xu Yuan smiled with relief.

"You are quite free and easy."

"Why bother yourself with trouble today when you will have trouble tomorrow?" Xu Yuan asked in return.

No matter what, since the prince wants to win her over, he will not take action against her.

Who said that only the prince could use her?

Maybe she was taking advantage of the prince.

"That's right." Wu Shiming nodded. When he saw Xu Yuan's carefree smile, he couldn't help but ask, "Why don't you ask me why I know the prince?"

"Everyone has secrets. If you don't want to tell me, I won't ask you. But if you want to tell me, I'm all ears."

Hearing Xu Yuan's words, Wu Shiming was slightly stunned. After a moment, he stood up and said, "It's a bit cold. I'll go get some wine."

Knowing what Wu Shiming wanted to do, Xu Yuan nodded and said, "Okay, I'll light the stove to warm the wine."

Wu Shiming quickly fetched some wine, heated it on the stove, and then said, "I'm an orphan, and have been a beggar since I was young. Probably because I'm very good at reading people's expressions, I've lived a pretty good life. Gradually, I've gained some fame in the casino."

"Later, someone introduced me to the prince. He said that he was rich and I was smart, and if we did business together, we would definitely make a lot of money."

"Your Highness is right. I know nothing about other things, but I am second to none in business. Soon, I made a lot of money for the Prince, and my business grew bigger and bigger, to the point where the amount was unimaginable."

"The prince needs to support his staff, manage his subordinates, and open warehouses to store grain. Each of these requires money. He can't do without me, but you also know that ways to make money quickly all have a price. But thanks to him being the prince, I have gained a lot of convenience."

Wu Shiming took a sip of hot wine, and his voice became erratic: "But no matter how powerful I am, I can't change one thing. He is the king and I am the minister. Without the prince, Wu Shiming will definitely accomplish nothing."

"But there is only one Wu Shiming in this world."

Xu Yuan looked at Wu Shiming and said in an especially firm voice: "The prince who leaves Wu Shiming will not be able to keep his position as the crown prince."

The prince's status was gained through money.

Without Wu Shiming's money-making efforts, the prince might not even have a reputation for being benevolent.

I don’t know what the ministers in the court were thinking. They actually thought that such a person could be the president.

No wonder the Third Prince Bei Yao was able to overthrow the Crown Prince in just a few months.

"You're right. The prince can't live without me either, so he has to protect me."

Wu Shiming looked up at the beams and said in a faint voice: "But the man who is going to die for me is also my brother."

Hearing this nonsensical remark, Xu Yuan was stunned. After thinking seriously for a long time, she asked, "Is the prince going to stop after finding someone to take the blame?"

"Human ambitions will only expand. The prince is beginning to prepare for a rebellion."

"That's impossible. He's already the crown prince. As long as he's done nothing wrong, who can depose him? When the emperor dies, he'll be the next emperor. Wouldn't treason be courting death?"

Wu Shiming looked at Xu Yuan and said, "But he has been the crown prince for more than ten years. Now the emperor is in his prime. How many more decades do you think he can wait?"

After hearing Wu Shiming's words, Xu Yuan fell silent.

It is undeniable that Wu Shiming is right.

Human desires will never diminish, they will only expand.

"Xuyuan, listen to my advice. No matter what happens tomorrow, you must not disobey the prince. Staying alive is the most important thing."