Cannon fodder dressed as a disabled marshal

A week passed quickly.

The place where I met Esther for the second time was not in the palace, but in a winery in the suburbs.

The privacy of this winery is well done, and Shen Qiran was let in with the invitation card sent to him by Esther.Someone led him into a gorgeous drawing room, where Esther was waiting.

The handsome blond man was sitting on a soft chair by the window, holding a glass of red wine, drinking leisurely alone.Seeing Shen Qiran coming in, those dark blue eyes locked on him immediately.

"Your Highness is safe."

Shen Qiran bowed his head and saluted, nervous.Although it was also a one-on-one private meeting in the Rose Garden last time, the sense of oppression brought by the open air and the closed space is completely different.

Esther nodded casually. He didn't rush to ask for information, and pointed to the piano next to him.

The communication between the second emperor and the ethnic group, sometimes just a look is enough, Shen Qiran understood it, he obediently sat down in front of the piano, and began to play music.

He played non-spiritual music. As Kenze said, the parasites have a special preference for his music. Esther closed his eyes slightly, and let out a pleasant sigh in the beautiful music.

Like the water plants sinking at the bottom of the river and floating with the waves, everything is immersed in the gentle and healing music, comfortable and lazy, no madness, no erosion, only eternal calm and peace.

It's just that the movement will eventually end, and after the sound of the music stops, everything is pulled back to the cold reality.

Esther opened his eyes. He drank the last drop of wine in the glass and looked at Shen Qiran.

"Where is he?"

"I couldn't find out the specific location." Shen Qiran lowered his eyes and said, "I have contacted Dr. Langdon several times and tried to trick him, but the information I got is limited. At present, I can only infer that they are far away from the Imperial Capital Star. On a lone star, the temperature there is much lower than in the royal capital, and the daylight hours are also very short."

There are countless such lone stars in the galaxies controlled by the Lyman Empire, and it is difficult to locate specific locations based on this vague description alone.Esther narrowed her eyes dangerously, and looked at Shen Qiran coldly for a long time.

"Did you really go out of your way to investigate?" he asked.

Shen Qiran didn't answer directly, and continued to say respectfully: "Actually, I contacted Shao Xing directly last week, and tried to find out, but he refused to tell me his location."

Esther was silent for a moment, then suddenly got up and came to Shen Qiran.The latter had a calm face, without any emotion on his expression.The room was eerily quiet, like the calm before the storm.

"I'll ask again," Esther began grimly, "are you really trying your best?"

"Your Highness," Shen Qiran raised his head and looked directly into the eyes of the second emperor, "I think we need to clear up some misunderstandings."

"What misunderstanding?"

Shen Qiran didn't speak, he took out a roll of paper from his sleeve, and handed it to Esther with both hands.The latter took it and opened it, and was slightly taken aback when he saw the four words in the title.

— This is a divorce agreement.

Esther glanced at Shen Qiran calmly, then lowered her head to browse.He read it quickly at first, but his speed became slower and slower, and his expression became more and more weird. After reading everything, Esther's eyes fell on the signature and signing time at the end, and he was silent for a long time.

"This is real?"

Shen Qiran nodded: "Yes."

Ethnicity cannot lie in front of the Second Emperor. Since the other party dared to show this, it must be true. Esther knew that his inquiry was unnecessary, but he couldn't help but confirm it—after all, the terms in this agreement were too It's unbelievable, at first glance, it looks like...

"He used to hate me very much." Shen Qiran said quietly, "Hated me to the bone, and almost strangled me to death. He signed this agreement because he wanted to humiliate me and break my desire to rely on him to make a fortune. He wanted the agreement to take effect. After that, they retaliated and tortured me even more violently, leaving me dead without a place to bury me.”

In the past, Esther would never believe this kind of words. Even when he just returned to the capital, he did see that the relationship between Shen Qiran and Shao Xing was not as loving and close as the rumors said, but he would never have thought that it would be so bad. the point.

But the ethnic group cannot lie in front of the second emperor. He secretly used the power of the second emperor, and the people in front of him never changed their faces, and repeated it calmly.

"What I say is true, Your Highness."

Because it is indeed true.

Shen Qiran knew that he couldn't lie in front of Esther, so he would tell the truth.

— Really, completely, the truth.

After confirming that what the other party said was true, Esther did not speak for a long time.

He is not a gossip person, but this revelation was a bit violent, he digested it for a while, and thought about it.

"You want to prove that your relationship with Shao Xing is not that good, so I can't expect to use you to get information and benefits from him?"

Esther looked at the person in front of him with a half-smile, but suddenly his expression changed, and he slammed the agreement in his hand.

"Shen Qiran, do you think I'm stupid! Your agreement was signed a year ago. Even though Shao Xing hated you very much at that time, anyone with a discerning eye can see how he treats you now."

Faced with the second emperor's anger, Shen Qiran's ethnic instincts made Shen Qiran's face turn pale. He suppressed the discomfort in his heart and continued to narrate calmly.

"Your Highness, do you know why he hated me so much at that time?" Without waiting for Esther's reaction, Shen Qiran continued.

"For some reason, he knew that there was an old relationship between you and me. He thought I was a pawn you placed beside him, so he hated me and was wary of me, and always wanted to find an excuse to get rid of me. I kept a distance from you before , I don’t want to get close to you, because I am afraid that he will find my fault and use this excuse to kill me.”

"Your Highness, if you were Shao Xing, and you used to have a grudge against me, even if the relationship has eased now, would you allow me to intervene in your confidential affairs casually? If I inquired about the news uncharacteristically, wouldn't you be angry immediately? Suspicion, and quickly guess who is behind the scenes?"

Esther was speechless for a moment.

It is said that the person who knows a person best is always his enemy. If Shao Xing really has doubts about Shen Qiran, a cautious and suspicious person like him will indeed not let Shen Qiran know his whereabouts easily.

From this point of view, it is difficult for him to be strong.

"Your Highness, it is my fault for not being able to solve your problems, but I can actually be more useful."

Shen Qiran suddenly took a step forward, leaned over and whispered something in Esther's ear.The latter's expression changed slightly, as if he was examining and evaluating a commodity, he stared at Shen Qiran for a long time.

"I thought," he said slowly, "you still love Shao Xing."

"Yes, I do love him." Shen Qiran said frankly, "But you told me that I should know how to leave a way out for myself. I have already figured it out, since I have become your ethnic group, you are my only way out road."

He got down on one knee, a gesture of submission.

"I have no other choice but to be loyal to you and help you."

Esther stared into his eyes, and Shen Qiran looked back at him calmly.After a long time, Esther stretched out a hand.

"I hope you can do what I want."

Shen Qiran held that hand, and kissed it back, swearing loyalty.

"I will be able to do what you wish, my lord."

****

From that day on, Shen Qiran became extremely busy.

He turned down the part-time job in the baking class, stopped the teaching of live teaching, and even asked for a long vacation from the military department, and stopped reporting to the Spiritual Power Research Center every day.Although he is still creating non-spiritual music, he has shifted more energy to a new field: the live performance of non-spiritual music.

He became a resident musician at Wangdu's famous music venue, where he played non-spiritual music composed by himself three days a week.Countless people came here admiringly, the venues were full, and tickets for the show were hard to come by. Mr. R's popularity rose sharply in Wangdu, and he soon became a well-deserved top player in Wangdu's music industry.

When not performing, Shen Qiran changed from the low-key and introverted past, and began to frequent various social occasions, becoming the darling of the celebrity circle in the capital.He is keen to attend every banquet, and even organizes his own banquet every week. The nobles and celebrities in the capital are proud to attend the dinner of the marshal's wife, but this noble lord is not committed to forming his own small circle. The people on his invitation list are varied, ranging from the royal relatives to the fallen nobles. He seems to treat everyone equally, and every guest who comes to his dinner will receive his warmest and most cordial reception.

Of course, the host’s music is indispensable for every dinner party. This “Mr. R”, who started from recording music, seems to have fully experienced the joy of live performance, and is willing to improvise a piece at any time.

Everyone felt Shen Qiran's change, but they didn't know why he changed.It wasn't until later that I heard that Marshal Shao Xing seemed to be temporarily transferred out to perform a special mission, and the return date was uncertain, and everyone suddenly realized: It turned out that the marshal's wife, who was alone in the vacant room, was too lonely, so she was keen on socializing, so as to dispatch her loneliness.

Shen Qiran naturally heard about these gossips and speculations, he smiled slightly and ignored them.The real reason, only Esther and Shen Qiran know——

That day, what Shen Qiran said in Esther's ear was:

——Your Highness, I can quickly increase your mental strength.

——Compared to inquiring about Shao Xing's whereabouts, it is more important to seize the time to make yourself stronger, isn't it?

——The strong is king, that is the eternal truth.

Shen Qiran was not boasting when he said this. He spent a week researching his own spiritual consciousness. After summarizing the results of many experiments, he came to a conclusive conclusion: his non-spiritual music is beneficial to the Zerg race. Should be much stronger than the spiritual music.

Kenze said that the parasites like to listen to his music, but Kenze couldn't explain the reason, but it was actually because of this kind of love, which came from "instinct".

The cornerstone of group consciousness is survival and reproduction. They prefer anything that makes them grow stronger. Non-spiritual music nourishes their spiritual consciousness better than spiritual music. Of course, they instinctively prefer this special music.

After becoming an ethnic group, Shen Qiran also understood: the conflict between Esther and Shao Xing was not due to the political disagreement he thought before, but the natural hatred of the race—it was the queen of the Zerg who hated Shao Xing, and her will influenced him. When it came to the second emperors who were the most eroded, every second emperor would have a natural hostility towards Shao Xing.Shao Xing is the enemy of the Zerg, and naturally also the enemy of Esther and the others.

But compared to the trouble with Shao Xing, Shen Qiran felt that Aise could not resist the temptation to become stronger. If he didn't want to make himself stronger, Aise would not attack Xia Shuyun so easily. After all, he would also eat cannibalism. Condemned and backlashed by group consciousness.

Sure enough, Esther was moved.

He acquiesced in Shen Qiran's behavior, and Shen Qiran did not disappoint him - the sea of ​​spiritual knowledge that had been stagnant for a long time finally surged with more power, the frequent performances in the playground, the lively and joyful atmosphere of the people in the banquet venue, all kinds of things Under the medium of music, emotions and emotions nourished Shen Qiran's sea of ​​spiritual knowledge, and were absorbed by his second emperor to gather new strength.

Esther's current level of spiritual power is SS level. Although the power is coming in continuously, it will still take some time before being promoted, so Shen Qiran is the first to break through the level of spiritual power.

Esther couldn't absorb all of his strength, and the remaining part was enough for Shen Qiran to jump directly from the mediocre A-level to the S-level, which was just entering the ranks of the strong.Of course, this kind of promotion across classes is undoubtedly dangerous. In order to keep it secret, Shen Qiran could not find any healer to assist him in his promotion, so he could only ask Esther for help.

Esther was not stingy with his help. His guidance helped Shen Qiran pass the most dangerous stage. After the promotion, Shen Qiran immediately knelt down at Esther's feet regardless of his physical weakness.

"Thank you Your Highness for your help." He said gratefully, "Today's kindness will never be forgotten."

Seeing the loyalty and gratitude in the man's eyes, Esther couldn't help but smile slightly.

So what if the struggle was fierce at first?After all, this person has become his most loyal servant.

Just like I used to be very naive, thinking that I could fight against group consciousness, but in the end I didn't want to bow to reality obediently.Everyone is destined to walk the same path as themselves, no one can resist, and it is impossible to resist.

The last trace of doubt in her heart disappeared, and there was a rare kind of tenderness in Esther's eyes: "You are my ethnic group, so I will naturally protect you."

"It is my great honor to follow you, Your Highness."

Shen Qiran lowered his head deeply, his face was hidden in the shadow, making it difficult to see his true expression.

***

Time passed smoothly, one month passed, two months passed, and by the fourth month, it was already the end of the year.Same as last year, on the last day of December, the Shao family gathered together. After dinner, everyone set off to Xingshan to pray for the new year.

"Xiao Ran, you really lost a lot of weight." In the car, Shao Yao looked at Shen Qiran worriedly, "Are you too tired from the performance? You don't need to work so hard, give yourself a vacation and rest for a while."

Mrs. Shao also held his hand, with a distressed expression on her face: "Ah Xing is not here now, if you are too boring Xiaoran at home, you can move to live with us for a while, there are many people and it is lively."

Not wanting to make these people worry, Shen Qiran didn't refute, but just smiled: "Okay, I'll think about it."

They came to the foot of Xingshan Mountain. The scene this year was the same as last year. Both sides of the main road were covered with beautiful lanterns, and there were hustle and bustle of people and moving heads everywhere.When everyone was about to go to the praying palace on the top of the mountain, Shen Qiran stopped.

"Sister Yaoyao, I want to walk around here, so I won't go up with you."

Shao Yao was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized and nodded: "Okay."

Shen Qiran said goodbye to several people, turned around and blended into the flow of people at the foot of the mountain.Looking at the back of the other party going away, Mrs. Shao sighed softly.

"That's the way Ah Xing and Xiao Ran walked last year, right?"

It has been four months in a row, and Shao Xing has not sent back any news. They don't know what kind of special task Shao Xing is performing. As his loving wife, Shen Qiran must be the one who is most worried, but young people have always Not to mention, even if they want to comfort them, they don't know how to speak.

Shao Yao also sighed: "Yes."

Shen Qiran walked down the mountain alone against the flow of people. Although he only came here once, he didn't get lost at all, and soon came to the lake where he and Shao Xing once stopped.

There are not many tourists here, and there are already many beautiful and bright wishing crystal balls floating by the lake.It was here last year that he met Shen Menglan. The other party threatened him with the excuse that the original owner and Esther had an affair. What did he say then?

It seemed to say, "I'm sorry, I'm so arrogant because I rely on Shao Xing to spoil me!" At that time, Shen Menglan's face turned green with anger.

Thinking of that funny scene, Shen Qiran couldn't help but raise the corners of his lips, and soon lowered them down slowly.

In the past four months, Shao Xing has not contacted him again. According to Langdon, he has entered the most dangerous stage and has not been able to wake up.Everyone in the know was worried about Shao Xing, but Shen Qiran was quietly relieved.

He didn't want Shao Xing to come back so soon.

Now he is no longer the person who used to cry out of breath in front of the holographic image, asking "when will you come back" over and over again.He knew that Shao Xing, the protagonist, would return one day, and what Shen Qiran was afraid of was that after that person reappeared, he would be shaken, reluctant, and want to give up that plan.

Of course, he was even more afraid that Shao Xing would be very disappointed with him if he found out that he and Esther were in frequent contact, and even return to hatred.

In the distant night, countless dots of brilliance rose slowly, and they were all signed papers that were released. Last year, he and Shao Xing also released their "marriage papers" in the same way. He still remembers the appearance of the cultured crystal butterfly flying into the night sky lingeringly.At that time, I only thought it was fresh and novel. Looking back now, I am afraid that Shao Xing had already treated him...

Shen Qiran stared blankly at the bright stream of light in the sky for a while, then he suddenly walked to the lake, leaned over and picked up a wishing crystal ball, injecting spiritual power.

The crystal ball flickered, and after the light dissipated, a thumb-sized lottery fell on his hand.Seeing the line of small characters engraved on it, Shen Qiran was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

He hadn't laughed so loudly, with such real emotion, in a long time.The momentary sadness and confusion just now were swept away, and he was suddenly full of courage and fighting spirit for the future again.

——【Where there is a will, there is a way. 】

He raised his hand and threw the signature into the air.It turned into a golden crystal butterfly, flew across the extremely dense night, and rushed to the distant galaxy of radiance.

***

The short New Year's holiday passed, and everyone quickly returned to the normal life track. Shen Qiran was still busy running around in the concert hall and social banquets. At the same time, he did not stop creating, and his high output made fans happy.

He also picked up a new habit: keeping a diary.

Of course, he can't write about things involving Zerg. Shen Qiran only writes some trivial things every day, just like a diary of a primary school student, where he went today, who he met, what he said, if he is in a good mood, he can ramble Write a few pages in a row, and when you are in a bad mood, just write it down.Some days later, at the beginning of spring, Shen Qiran canceled his long vacation and returned to the military research center of mental power.

Shen Qiran's main responsibility has always been to create non-spiritual music, to enrich and enrich the music library for research, and to do data work with assistants Anne and Krigan, so even though he hasn't been to the military for a long time, his absence has not hindered the work of the department. Stagnation.

After returning to the department, in addition to continuing to enrich the non-spiritual music library, Shen Qiran also participated in the research again.Annie and Kerry recently studied whether non-spiritual music has any effect on patients with "non-spiritual power". Shen Qiran also read a lot of materials along the way.

"Non-spiritual power" may be innate, but most of them are acquired, such as sudden accidents that damage the sea of ​​​​spiritual consciousness.Among them, the most famous case is the accident of His Royal Highness, because it was suspected that someone was secretly causing trouble. After the incident, the military department followed His Majesty's order and conducted a detailed investigation secretly. Shen Qiran relied on the authority of the head of the Spiritual Power Research Center , was able to borrow some confidential investigation documents at that time.

But he just took a look, and quickly returned the confidential documents after reading them, and turned more energy to studying the cases of ordinary patients.

At this time, nearly nine months have passed since Shao Xing left the capital to secretly upgrade his mental power level.

At the end of June, a major event that shocked the whole country happened in the Lyman Empire.One is also described in detail in the original book, but because of Shao Xing's absence, this time it is destined to change and be different——

His Majesty the King finally issued a formal edict, announcing that the eldest prince Aix would be removed from the title of prince, and the third prince Isaiah would be replaced as the new crown prince of the Lyman Empire.

The author has something to say: Ranran: I have no intention of falling in love, and I only focus on upgrading!

Thank you believer little angel for throwing mines!Thanks for the good guy Little Angel's Grenade!mwah!