After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 502 Boarding the Pirate Ship

"Ahem, um, sir. What my mother said is exactly what I meant."

The Second Prince's feigned composure crumbled when his eyes met Jiang Xiaoqi's. There was no way around it; this was the help he most desired.

I realized that my previous act of feigning ignorance was indeed a bit excessive, contradicting the principle of "moving heaven with sincerity" that I had been told behind the scenes.

But I had no choice. Although I had read his policies and knew of his talent, I still wanted to see him in person to understand what kind of person he was.

His attitude toward the court, his views and impressions of the other princes, and his expectations for the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

These strategies cannot be fully understood by simply looking at cold, hard arguments; one must get to know the person personally.

Fortunately, not too much time was wasted, since Lord Jiang's teaching attitude has always been to share everything without reservation.

One's attitude towards scholarship reveals their attitude towards life, and undoubtedly, the Second Prince's opinion of Jiang Xiaoqi grew even higher.

In fact, based on just one aspect, Jiang Xiaoqi has already surpassed many others.

That was the attitude towards the Second Prince, who was considered an "idiot"—a sincerity that showed no prejudice or discrimination. The Second Prince felt that even he, who had been acting for many years, could not perfectly portray that.

Then there's only one reason: it wasn't acted at all.

Rather, Lord Jiang was originally a very good and kind person. How bad could a person who is inherently good be?

At most, he would just refuse his and his mother's offers of recruitment, but that wouldn't do.

Seeing Jiang Xiaoqi freeze for a moment, the Second Prince composed himself with the most sincere expression and stepped forward.

Of course, he didn't dare to take Jiang Xiaoqi's hand.

Jiang Xiaoqi instinctively wanted to take a step back, but there was a grand chair behind her, leaving her nowhere to retreat.

The Second Prince earnestly said, "Sir, I sincerely hope that you can lend me a hand and work together for the future well-being of the Great Zhou."

If you are willing, I will certainly stand shoulder to shoulder with you to govern the country and bring peace to the world, so that we can share a peaceful and prosperous future for the Great Zhou Dynasty and let the people live and work in peace and contentment.

I dare not guarantee that I will do a better job than my father, but I can say that, both now and in the future, I will value the people's livelihood more than the third and fifth princes.

Jiang Xiaoqi mentioned the term "people's livelihood" in his policy essays.

Of course, he only dared to mention one of the three points; the other two would probably be difficult for the modern era to accept.

If I actually wrote it down, I might lose my head.

Upon hearing this term, Jiang Xiaoqi recalled his essay for the imperial examination.

Unexpectedly, the Second Prince actually read it, and judging from his expression, he seems to have understood it.

Having an emperor who values ​​the people's livelihood is indeed a blessing for the common people.

"Sigh...why does it have to be me?"

Jiang Xiaoqi was helpless.

"In this court, I estimate that you are the only official who doesn't mind that I am a mentally challenged child."

That's it? You can't just keep picking on one sheep...

wrong!

It's impossible that he was the only one; the Second Prince is lying!

I found it strange that Scholar Qiu was parachuted into the Hanlin Academy. What mistake did he make? Why was he given the title of Inspector Scholar?

Lord Qiu has been serving as an official in the provinces; could this be a demotion in name only, or a promotion in reality?

Furthermore, Lord Qiu's several attempts to test the waters were indeed aimed at winning over officials for a certain important figure.

Who did I think Scholar Qiu was working for back then?

Anyway, I didn't connect it to the Second Prince. Now that I think about it, Lord Qiu's behavior is neither like that of the Third Prince nor the Fifth Prince.

Heh, so it turns out he's the one who's been hiding the deepest secrets of the Second Prince.

Since there is Scholar Qiu, there might also be Scholars Zhang, Wang, Li, and Zhao.

Then why say he's the only one in the court?

Is he the only one who's easy to fool and play with?

For some reason, after the Second Prince said those words, Jiang Xiaoqi's expression became even more unpleasant.

He regretted not having enough brainpower when he needed it most, and now he wished he could make his brain work at lightning speed to figure out what Jiang Xiaoqi was really thinking and what she was worried about.

Now that he has revealed his true colors, has the advantage of being the legitimate daughter of the Empress, and has the support of the Empress, what exactly is Lord Jiang worried about?

Does it mean you feel you're not capable enough?

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Chen Lin couldn't help but tug at his prince.

"Huh?" The second prince looked bewildered, as if his foolishness had returned.

Well, there's absolutely no chemistry between them, Chen Lin thought helplessly.

He shouldn't have spoken on this occasion. Although he was never treated as an ordinary palace servant, eunuch, or slave in front of the Empress and the Second Prince, Lord Jiang was not like them.

At this moment, a junior eunuch spoke up, which was, in a way, presumptuous and against the rules.

However, the Empress seemed to be watching her own son's misfortune, and the Second Prince seemed to suddenly lose his composure. This lowly man could only step forward to ease the tension.

Chen Lin cleared his throat and said softly, "Lord Jiang, my prince truly appreciates you. If you can help him, he will be even more powerful."

The court now holds sway over the realm, and with His Majesty in charge, things are not yet clear. But what will happen one day...?

Alas, if something were to happen, the court would be thrown into turmoil, and opium would be burned everywhere; it would be the common people who would suffer.

Even I, a mere servant, know that whenever there is a change of government, bloodshed is inevitable. If only the people involved die, that's fine.

Yet, many innocent people are always implicated, even those who have never participated in anything.

Not to mention those officials who chose the wrong side, or even those who never expressed neutrality—after the new ruler took office, which of them could have a good ending?!

One move can affect the whole situation; blood can stain the palace inside and out.

But is such a tragedy truly unavoidable by human effort?

If the ruler is not a murderer, but someone with a broad vision, and seizing power without resorting to war, wouldn't it allow the people of the Great Zhou to shed less blood?

If there is internal strife, resolve the issue within the same family and avoid involving innocent people.

If people are going to die, let the one in power, surnamed Zhao, die.

This is what Chen Lin wanted to say, but he couldn't say it so bluntly.

After all, the second prince also shares the surname Zhao.

Jiang Xiaoqi never expected that a mere eunuch could say such things; he could be considered a eunuch with the world in his heart.

But are these the thoughts of the Second Prince or the little eunuch?

The second prince finally stopped malfunctioning and smoothly resumed the conversation.

"What Brother Lin said is also what I was thinking. Sir, in order to save lives and reduce bloodshed in the Great Zhou Dynasty, I hope you can help us!"

In his haste, he blurted out "Brother Lin," which made Chen Lin's face darken.

Jiang Xiaoqi was quite surprised. Brother Lin?

It seems this second prince is indeed extraordinary. Perhaps I can be bold and take a risk?

Ugh……

"Your Highness, I only represent myself, not the entire Jiang clan. If you agree, then I agree..."