Chapter 531 A Real Man Must Have Ambition

Chapter 531 A Real Man Should Have Ambition

*Slap! Slap! Slap!*

Ruo Xi Baby squeezed through the crowd and walked up to the Qiongqi. She grabbed its wings, climbed onto its back, and then raised her hand to deliver several sharp slaps to the Qiongqi.

The blows left the Qiongqi dizzy, and it quickly folded its wings, covering its head.

"Stop hitting me, little master! I was just playing around! I don’t eat people—I’ve never eaten people!" the Qiongqi cried.

"Hahaha, so cute!"

"So this big bird is raised by the Little Princess! So cute, smart, and beautiful!"

"Right! If it took human form, it would definitely be handsome. I’ve heard many Divine Lords look incredibly dashing after transforming. If the Qiongqi Divine Lord transformed, it’d surely be a looker!"

Xiao Yuze and Xiao Yu Heng exchanged a wry look.

Xiao Ruilin shook his head and clicked his tongue. "Tsk, these people! Just moments ago, they were calling the Qiongqi the ugliest, the most hideous bird, and now they’ve changed their tune!"

"Little lord, what you heard earlier wasn’t about the Qiongqi! We were talking about others—that owl and mountain sparrow over there!"

"Yes, yes! Little lord, you don’t understand—we worship the Divine Lord!"

"The Qiongqi Divine Lord was so majestic and heroic just now! Without him, we wouldn’t have been saved so easily! Of course, it’s because he’s the Little Princess’s beast that he’s so powerful!"

The Qiongqi sighed in exasperation as it looked at the people.

"Little master, look at these commoners—they’ve really outdone themselves. Their flip-flopping is something few can rival!" The Qiongqi drooped its wings, allowing Ruo Xi Baby to slide down quickly.

Ruo Xi Baby slid down from the Qiongqi’s wings and looked at the people. "Let my brothers handle things here!"

The people turned their gazes to the three children standing nearby—all princes and lords from Great Wei. They weren’t sure who to entrust with this task.

"Anyway, managing East Ming is something my uncle can handle. Just pick one of my brothers!" Ruo Xi Baby pointed at them.

The brothers immediately whined.

"Xier, your brother is supposed to return and assist your uncle in managing Great Wei. I can’t stay here!" Xiao Yu Heng said.

"Uh, Xier, your third brother is still young. I’m clueless about ruling—I only know how to use poison!" Xiao Yuze added.

"Little sister, of course you wouldn’t want to part with your brother, right? I’ll just become a general and protect you. Let Uncle assign me to guard a border—that’s enough!" Xiao Ruilin chimed in.

The people of East Ming were at their wits’ end. They felt these children were nothing like those from East Ming—or even the Great Wei of the past.

Great Wei’s succession wars were something known to all under heaven.

Most children born into royalty were subjected to rigorous training from birth. Their mothers and factions within the palace would drill them in all manner of skills, schemes, and tactics. Some didn’t even survive to adulthood, dying young in the power struggles.

Yet here were three princes, all refusing the vast territory of East Ming—and all for the sake of the Little Princess. They were cunning and strategic, yet unmoved by power. Such children were both lovable and reliable.

"Very well, Heng'er," Xiao Yin said, glancing at the crowd. "You’ll take charge here. Your mother will remain to assist you. Once you come of age, Consort will return to Great Wei. The border affairs and military matters here can be handled by the prime minister and General Lü."

"Father, but you once said I should focus on managing Great Wei properly. If I wished, I could pass it to Xier in the future and support her as empress. That’s what I want too! I’m not suited to governing such a vast nation—I’m only fit to protect Xier!" Xiao Yu Heng then turned to the people. "I’m afraid I’ll mess up East Ming and bring ruin to its people!"

"They’ll trust you. These past two years, I’ve hardly stayed in the palace—you’ve been managing everything. And you’ve done excellently! Great Wei’s economy, irrigation systems, and farmlands are all thriving under your orderly arrangements." Xiao Yin’s words were also meant for the people and court officials of East Ming.

"We beg His Royal Highness the Prince to stay and help us rebuild our failing nation!"

"Yes, we beseech His Royal Highness the Prince to save us!"

The entire court and citizens of East Ming knelt together.

If there was anyone left who could save the now-ruined East Ming, it would likely only be the royal heirs of Great Wei.

The East Ming prime minister had heard Xiao Yin's words and fully agreed that Xiaoyu Heng should stay.

"Your Royal Highness the Prince, you are the highest authority here. If you stay, this old minister will give his all, even if it costs his remaining life, to assist you in restoring East Ming!" the prime minister declared.

"Ah, but..." Xiaoyu Heng looked at his father, mother, Xiao Xi'er, and his two younger brothers—these were all loved ones he couldn’t bear to leave!

If he remained in East Ming, he would have to stay here for the foreseeable future, with no chance of returning for years.

"A real man must have resolve—you can do this!" Xiaoyu Heng said to himself.

"My son, your mother will still be here with you, along with your grandfather and Minister Chen. We’ll handle everything just fine!" Virtuous Consort stepped forward and reassured him.

Hearing how capable Xiaoyu Heng was and that Virtuous Consort would stay to assist, the citizens immediately kowtowed again.

"We beseech Your Royal Highness the Prince to help us!" the people cried in unison.

In truth, they all knew that if the Prince stayed, Ruo Xi Baby would not abandon them. Disasters like East Ming’s upheaval could be prevented.

"In three years, East Ming’s upheaval will be catastrophic, so you must prepare in advance," Virtuous Consort said, looking to Xiao Xi'er for approval. After receiving a nod from Xiao Xi'er, she continued, "We will depart immediately for the south. If all goes well, you can all relocate to Southern Mingyue Kingdom in two years. Once the disaster passes, we will return!"

"Is there truly no other way?" someone asked.

"This is our only option. Starting next month, every household must register. When we return, we will rebuild East Ming!" Virtuous Consort declared.

"That works. East Ming is already in ruins. Moving away temporarily and returning when it’s safe is a smart plan!" Everyone nodded in agreement.

Such an idea had been unthinkable before. As ordinary citizens, they lacked the means to leave or anywhere to go.