The strongest devouring system in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 523 Pay the price

Zhang Shaoqing sighed at Situ Minyue's adorable appearance.

Zhang Shaoqing suddenly thought of something: "Chen Er, although we haven't known each other for long, I really admire your courage and perseverance. If I'm gone one day, I hope you can take good care of Situ Minyue."

Zhang Shaoqing spoke very calmly, as if he were talking about someone else's affairs.

Everyone was startled by Zhang Shaoqing's nonsensical words. However, the first thing they thought of was whether Zhang Shaoqing had realized something or guessed that the Empress Dowager was going to take action against him. Otherwise, why would he make such a statement?

However, when Chen Er saw Zhang Shaoqing's pleading eyes, his heart melted. Chen Er clasped his hands slightly and said very respectfully.

“Lord Zhang Shaoqing, you are my senior in both sentiment and reason. If you are gone one day, I will take care of Situ Minyue as if she were my own family.” Chen Er paused slightly before continuing.

“But I hope that day never comes, because I firmly believe you won’t die before me, so you don’t need to worry.” Chen Er’s words made Zhang Shaoqing’s blood boil, and Zhang Shaoqing patted Chen Er’s shoulder hard.

“That’s right, the young man is right. Evil can’t prevail over good. Even if the Empress Dowager and Wei Zhongxian are arrogant, they can’t do as bad things as these people do.”

"Heaven has recorded everything. I believe that one day, this couple will pay the price for what they have done."

Zhang Shaoqing shouted these words, which startled Chen Er and Situ Minyue. Both of them rushed forward and covered Zhang Shaoqing's mouth, especially Situ Minyue, whose voice even changed.

"Father, are you drunk? You're making a scene here. If either the Empress Dowager or Wei Zhongxian hears you saying these things, do you think you'll survive?" Situ Minyue's complaints made Zhang Shaoqing roar to the sky.

At this moment, Chen Er learned a spirit from Zhang Shaoqing: a spirit of fearlessness and willingness to sacrifice for the Ming Dynasty at any time. Perhaps he himself lacked this spirit.

But right now, the person who's feeling the most upset is Qin Luoshen.

Qin Luoshen was fiddling with the hem of her clothes, completely baffled as to what Zhang Shaoqing meant by what he had just said.

If Zhang Shaoqing dies, then Chen Er should take care of Situ Minyue. Does that mean Situ Minyue should also marry Chen Er? Otherwise, why should Chen Er take care of Situ Minyue?

Of course, Qin Luoshen was not an unreasonable woman. Although she was feeling quite upset, she managed to suppress it. Suddenly, Chen Er thought of something and looked at Zhang Shaoqing.

“Lord Zhang Shaoqing, we should not delay. Let’s go see the Emperor first. We have just returned from the Jiangnan region. We should at least ask the Emperor for some reward. I believe the Emperor will not refuse.” Chen Er’s words made Zhang Shaoqing smile helplessly.

"Actually, if His Majesty wanted to reward us, he wouldn't have waited until now. To put it bluntly, His Majesty is willing but unable to do so now. In addition, the war power is now entirely in Zhang Xingchen's hands, which makes His Majesty a little wary."

Zhang Shaoqing said helplessly.

Just as Chen Er was lost in thought, the eunuch glanced inside and sighed helplessly.

"This Lord Zhang Xingchen is really something. At this crucial moment, the Emperor was already a little worried about him, yet he still dared to invite Wei Zhongxian and the Empress Dowager over for drinks. Isn't he trying to cause trouble?" The eunuch's words were very cold, and Chen Er quickly explained.

"Don't talk nonsense. The fact that the Empress Dowager came uninvited has absolutely nothing to do with Lord Zhang Xingchen," Chen Er said firmly, but this only earned him a glare from the eunuch.

"Let Lord Zhang Xingchen and the Emperor say these things. Anyway, the Emperor is already furious. You should go and see him quickly." After the eunuch finished speaking, he walked forward. Chen Er suddenly had an idea and slapped his thigh.

"Oh no, it seems Zhang Xingchen has been used by Wei Zhongxian. That damned Wei Zhongxian, he really is something else." Chen Er thought of something.

The fact that the Emperor appeared in the restaurant means that he is now fully aware of what happened that day.

So, is Zhang Xingchen drinking with the Empress Dowager now a way of subtly indicating that he will stand with the Empress Dowager and Wei Zhongxian in the future? It's like choosing a side; Zhang Xingchen has now chosen to stand with Wei Zhongxian.

How could the Emperor not be wary? Chen Er's fears had come true. If Zhang Xingchen was indeed under the Empress Dowager's protection, then Zhang Xingchen was safe for the time being.

But now your Empress Dowager is completely using Zhang Xingchen to retaliate against the Emperor.

To put it bluntly, Zhang Xingchen now is like having mud on his crotch; even if it's not excrement, it's still excrement. The emperor was inherently suspicious and liked to make wild guesses.

However, Zhang Xingchen was stubborn and chose to take sides at this crucial moment. Moreover, it was very obvious that Wei Zhongxian had completely taken advantage of him.

After Chen Er thought of this, he prepared to run in and tell Zhang Xingchen, but Zhang Shaoqing stopped him.

"Chen Er, I know what you're thinking, but I have to tell you, don't be fooled by Zhang Xingchen's simple mind and seemingly reckless nature. Everyone has another side, and everyone can change."

"Especially me, the so-called Minister of War, has a better understanding of power. I almost lost myself in power back then, let alone Zhang Xingchen."

It was obvious that Zhang Shaoqing's words were sarcastic. If someone else had said that, Chen Er would have turned against him based on that one sentence alone.

But now that these words came from Zhang Xingchen's mouth, even if Chen Er was indignant, he could only smile wryly.

After bidding farewell to Qin Luoshen and Situ Minyue, the two quickly followed the eunuch to the restaurant. At that moment, the restaurant was bustling with noise, and the emperor, dressed in plain clothes, sat in a corner not far away.

He was drinking alone, and the people around him didn't even glance at him.

If these common people found out that the man drinking next to them was the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, what would happen?