Qin Zhao didn't rush to answer.

The capital was already very cold in late autumn, and charcoal braziers burned in every tent. Qin Zhao stretched his hands over the charcoal fire, warming them, and the flames flickered slightly on his handsome features.

After a while, he asked softly, "Do you think the current little emperor is worthy of being the ruler of a country?"

He still remembered that when the young emperor had just ascended the throne, Xiao Yue was quite disdainful of the child.

Xiao Yue thought for a moment and said truthfully, "I'm weak-willed and lack authority, but I haven't done anything wrong. Except..."

Except for dealing with Qin Zhao.

If it was really the young emperor who murdered Qin Zhao, then this was probably the biggest mistake he made after ascending the throne.

As a monarch, it is not wrong to be weak in character, but if one fails to employ talented people and is suspicious, it will be fatal to his subjects.

Xiao Yue's initial hostility towards Prince Rong stemmed from his fear that his regentship would threaten imperial power. It had now been proven that Qin Zhao had no such intentions, and as a student he had personally nurtured, he should understand this even more.

But even so, he still chose to hide his bow after the bird was killed.

How can one serve such a monarch with peace of mind?

He could even deal with his mentor who had taught him and was loyal to the court, so what about outsiders like them?

Xiao Yue has always known these things, but he has never dared to think about them.

Because, if the little emperor is really like this, Xiao Yue will definitely be the person most threatened at the moment.

After all, the young emperor already had the idea of ​​taking over his military power.

Qin Zhao's words had already given Xiao Yue a lot of thought. If the facts were really as he suspected, he would have only one way to return to the capital...

Raise an army to protect yourself.

The moment this word came out of his mind, Xiao Yue's back was soaked with cold sweat. He raised his head and looked at Qin Zhao who was sitting at the table.

But the latter just quietly roasted the fire.

Has this person thought of this step a long time ago?

Had he already calculated that if the young emperor really stood against him, Xiao Yue's only choice would be to rebel with him?

By then, it would not be Xiao Yue who would help him, but he who would help Xiao Yue.

...How terrible.

"Fuck, I feel like I'm on your pirate ship." Xiao Yue took a deep breath and wiped his face vigorously. "Have you been planning this for half a year?"

Qin Zhao just smiled and said nothing.

No rebuttal.

Xiao Yue felt a chill in his spine. This man now seemed much more reserved and difficult to fathom. The experiences of these years seemed to have changed him a lot, but it wasn't until today that Xiao Yue realized that this man had never changed at all.

He is still the scheming regent Qin Shu who has the power of life and death.

As if to sympathize with Xiao Yue's excessive anxiety, Qin Zhao said, "I've had people inquire about it. In recent years, there have been several good talents from the royal family's side branches. If they are well nurtured, they should be able to become great people."

"Just shut up."

Xiao Yue covered his face with his hands in pain: "If I dare to rebel, my father will definitely break my legs and kick me out of the house. I don't want to consider this possibility. Don't talk to me about this."

"There's nothing we can do about it. I'm sure the old general will understand." Qin Zhao actually spoke in a gentle and comforting voice.

When saying these words, Qin Zhao's attitude was always nonchalant, as if he and Xiao Yue were just chatting casually after dinner, and it was not a major matter of treason and regicide.

Qin Zhao said, "Besides, I'm still here. You can just lend me the person. You don't have to show up in person."

"You're making it sound more and more like the truth!" Xiao Yue finally lost her patience and shouted, "Anyway, let's wait until we meet the little emperor. I hope that brat will stand up for himself. How can you be so cold-blooded? After all, you raised that brat, and you've even figured out a plan for retreat after regicide... Does your husband know how ruthless you are?"