Early April, Starry Empire, Imperial Capital
"Have you received any solid intelligence regarding the news that the Chu family has developed a T4 Vermilion Bird-class medium-sized interstellar cruiser?" Second Prince Qin Ming asked, looking at his trusted confidants.
Marshal Huang Zhixiong stepped forward and said with doubt, "So far, we have not received any conclusive information about this T4 Suzaku-class medium-sized interstellar cruiser."
I suspect... this might be a smokescreen released by the Chu family.
After all, developing and manufacturing a T4-class interstellar warship is no easy task.
So far, our Star Empire has only developed two T4-class interstellar warships.
And all of them have some problems.
Take, for example, the Chu family's T4 Borei-class heavy interstellar battleship. Although it has strong combat power, it is expensive to build, has a long construction period, and consumes huge amounts of resources and energy.
It is not a T4 interstellar warship that can be mass-produced.
Looking at our own T4 Star Emperor-class medium-sized aircraft carrier starship, due to technological barriers, the size of the ship has always been an insurmountable obstacle.
It cannot be built into a heavy aircraft carrier starship, and the performance of its starfighters is somewhat flawed, failing to reach the level expected of a T4-class starfighter. There's also the issue of the starship unmanned aerial vehicle control system.
Many people echoed this sentiment, believing it to be nothing more than false information released by the Chu family to intimidate them.
Governor Azure rubbed his chin and said worriedly, "Although we do not currently have any concrete evidence about this interstellar warship..."
However... it can't be said to be completely fake.
After all, it is well known that the Chu family has always invested heavily in starship research and development. Apart from the royal family, their investment in the Starshine Empire can be said to be the largest.
North Star Academy has a long-term cooperative relationship with them.
It has its own complete starship military industrial system.
Therefore, we cannot let our guard down.
"I think we shouldn't worry too much about this for now. After all, even if they really do have a T4 interstellar warship, how many can the Chu family produce in such a short time?"
Three? Five?
Ten ships?
At this scale, it's nothing compared to our massive interstellar fleet.
We just need to continue sending people to investigate.
The most important thing right now is still about the Purple Perilla Starfield!
With mid-May approaching, the Third Prince's wedding date is drawing ever closer.
I believe it is now time to begin preparations for the Third Prince's wedding procession.
"Only if we can win over the Su family of the Purple Perilla Star Region will His Highness Qin Ming be able to truly establish himself in the Empire."
"I need to discuss the timing of my younger brother's marriage with my mother."
"However, you can start preparing now. After all, this is a royal wedding, and we can't afford to be careless!" Second Prince Qin Ming relayed the order.
"yes."
After the meeting ended.
The Second Prince Qin Ming walked out of the main hall, boarded a luxurious hovercar, and headed to the backyard of the palace to meet his mother, the Queen Mother.
That was originally the Empress's residence, but the Empress had been temporarily residing at Chu Changhe's residence.
So Consort Zhen simply usurped the throne and directly entered the empress's palace!
This intention is already being hinted at to everyone.
"Your Highness the Second Prince has come to pay his respects to Consort Zhen." A maid's voice called from outside the house.
A short while later, the palace gates opened.
Qin Ming walked in, and a faint, refreshing fragrance filled the air. He saw his mother sitting next to the coffee table, rubbing her temples.
"Mother, are you feeling unwell?"
Consort Zhen shook her head and said, "It's nothing, I just probably didn't rest well last night and I'm a little tired."
"Ming'er, you're very busy these days, what brings you to my palace?"
"It's because of my younger brother's marriage. The ministers are asking when my brother will go to fetch his bride," the Second Prince Qin Ming inquired.
Consort Zhen thought for a moment: "This matter is indeed important, as it concerns the stability of your future power."
We can't let the Su family think we're being negligent. Although Su Lan is just the Su family's illegitimate daughter, at least for now, her public identity is that of the Su family's 'precious daughter'.
And Tiger likes it too.
The etiquette must be fully prepared.
The departure time is set for mid-April, which will allow Tiger to visit important nobles in various places on your behalf.
This is also to prepare for our grander strategy later on.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will make the arrangements immediately. Please take care and rest well." The Second Prince Qin Ming took his leave.
The palace gates were closed.
Consort Zhen seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, when at that moment a pair of large hands placed on her waist from behind.
Didn't you get enough rest last night?
Consort Zhen rolled her eyes: "Don't you know whether I slept well last night or not, you rascal?"
"Hoo hoo hoo, who can blame me for being so alluring, sister-in-law?" Prince Yan sniffed Consort Zhen's jade-like neck with a lecherous look on his face.
Consort Zhen blushed: "Don't be silly, Ming'er just left."
If Ming'er finds out, you'll be in big trouble.
"So what if they found out? I'm practically his father now, aren't I?" Prince Yan said with a wicked smile, pressing his body even closer to Consort Zhen's back.
"You rascal!" Consort Zhen glared at Prince Yan in shame and anger, already used to his underhanded tactics.
"But seriously, you really have to help Ming'er this time!"
"Ming'er is at a critical juncture, which will determine whether he can successfully control the situation after he succeeds to the throne!" Consort Zhen looked at Prince Yan with a serious expression.
Prince Yan's expression remained unchanged. He lowered his head and whispered, "Of course, I already said so."
He's like a son to me, so his affairs are naturally my affairs. If I don't help him, who will I help?
And you are still my precious treasure.
Now, I and my Snow Swallow Starfield are your strongest support!
Consort Zhen rolled her eyes.
"As long as you help Ming'er maintain his power, I promise you I will not treat you unfairly in the future!"
You can still be your carefree prince.
"And I... am still yours..." Consort Zhen's eyes were alluring.
"Then I'd like to see your sincerity," Prince Yan said with a wicked smile.
Consort Zhen understood immediately and lay down on the table with her back to Prince Yan. She turned her head and gently bit her red lips as she looked at Prince Yan. In this situation, Prince Yan turned into a fierce tiger descending the mountain!
It's worth noting that this coffee table was originally Emperor Xingyao's office.
Thinking of all this, Prince Yan's eyes became even more ferocious, like a tiger's.
If the outside world knew about the spring scenery inside the palace, they would probably be quite astonished.
Consort Zhen, who spread rumors that the Empress, the mother of the little princess, had an affair, actually had such a shameful secret about her.
In this way...
This also made many people understand why Prince Yan would so resolutely support and endorse the Second Prince Qin Ming.
It turned out that it was his mother who persuaded her brother-in-law.
