Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1062 Restrain your behavior and be cautious in your words and actions

King Jiuyan quietly observed Zhou Zhengqing's every expression, every movement, and the subtle pauses in every word he uttered.

He saw surprise, joy, and fear—all the reactions a young person should have.

But what lies beneath this facade? Is this young man who stirred up trouble in Nanjing really as innocent as he appears?

At this moment, Jingren, who had been sitting quietly to one side and almost ignored, suddenly leaned forward excitedly, his face beaming with genuine and undisguised joy.

"This is great news!" Jingren's voice was clear and bright, full of youthful vigor, which contrasted sharply with the oppressive atmosphere in the restaurant. As a member of the younger generation of the royal family, he had not yet been completely corrupted by politics and still retained some innocent enthusiasm.

His reaction was the most sincere among those present; he was genuinely happy for Zhou Zhengqing and Youzi's marriage.

"It should have been done a long time ago!" Jingren continued, completely oblivious to the faint glance that King Yasuhiko cast at him. "Yuko's eyes light up every time she talks about Takasaki-kun! Since they're mutually attracted, why wait until next year's cherry blossom season? If you ask me, the sooner the better!"

He turned to Zhou Zhengqing, his eyes full of sincere blessings: "Tuoren, you don't know how complicated the old rules and etiquette in the palace are."

"The sooner you get married, the sooner you and Yuko can break free from these constraints and live your own lives!"

These words are naive, frank, and even somewhat "out of place".

In such a witty and cryptic dinner, such a pure expression of emotion seemed out of place.

But it was precisely this abruptness that gave Zhou Zhengqing a slight jolt.

Jingren is sincere.

He was genuinely happy about his upcoming marriage and sincerely wished the couple well.

At this calculating table, such sincerity is like a ray of sunlight in a dark room—dazzling, precious, yet dangerous, because it exposes the speaker's unguarded heart.

Prince Kyohiko coughed lightly, his voice not loud, but enough to make Prince Keijin realize his lapse in composure. The young prince immediately suppressed his excitement, sat up straight, but the light in his eyes had not completely faded.

Zhou Zhengqing spoke up at the right moment, bringing the topic back to himself, which not only eased the awkwardness of Prince Jingren, but also brought the focus back to his own reaction: "Your Highness Jingren's care is deeply appreciated."

However, as His Highness Prince Kyohiko said, the rules of the royal wedding are very strict, and Takumi is unfamiliar with many things, so we need your guidance.

He sat down again, his posture respectful: "Since His Majesty has given the decree, the Takasaki family will naturally cooperate fully with the Imperial Household Agency's arrangements. However..." He paused, a troubled look on his face: "As for China..."

King Jiuyan gave Zhou Zhengqing a deep look, his gaze like an X-ray, seemingly trying to pierce through flesh and bone.

After a long silence, he slowly smiled and said, "Don't be nervous. His Majesty only asked me to inform you to prepare. The specific time is still being discussed with the Takasaki family and will take some time to determine. You just need to prepare immediately."

This period of time is sufficient for you to complete the relocation of the Military Police Headquarters and hand over specific matters; it will not have any impact.

He took a sip of sake, letting the rest of his sentence unfold slowly in the aroma: "His Majesty's intention is that you, as a member of the royal family by marriage, serve the empire."

This was a clever way of putting it, but ultimately it was a demand for Zhou Zhengqing to temporarily withdraw from China.

Zhou Zhengqing understood. The Emperor was not at ease letting Jingren watch over him and keep him in line for a while. He had personally given him something to do.

Marriage is a major life event. Even if I wanted to cause trouble, not only the Emperor, but even the Takasaki family wouldn't allow me to act recklessly.

"I understand." Zhou Zhengqing lowered his head, his posture respectful: "I will follow Your Majesty's arrangements."

“That’s right!” Jingren couldn’t help but interject, his face breaking into a smile again: “We must have a grand wedding! I’ve heard that it’s popular to have weddings in churches in Europe now. Although we don’t need a church, we can have a wedding that combines Western and Japanese styles…”

“Your Highness Jingren, we are not ordinary people. Rules are rules, and we cannot act recklessly.” Prince Jiuyan interrupted again, his voice now carrying an undeniable air of authority.

Jingren fell silent, but the excitement in his eyes had not completely subsided.

Prince Kyohiko raised his wine cup, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: "Today's discussion has been excellent. Takuto is about to marry Princess Yuko, a joyous occasion indeed."

Come, let us drink a cup together for this.

Everyone raised their glasses. Zhou Zhengqing also raised his glass, looking through the liquid at everyone present: the unfathomable face of Prince Kyohiko, the silent yet thoughtful expression of Terauchi Hisaichi, the pure joy of Prince Kagehito, and his own blurred reflection in the glass.

"Thank you, Your Highness," he said softly, then tilted his head back and drank it all.

The liquor goes down your throat, spicy yet with a sweet aftertaste.

But this sweetness was fleeting, quickly replaced by more complex flavors: the taste of power, the taste of transactions, the taste of being moved on the chessboard.

The news that the wedding was moved up changed everything.

The wedding, which was supposed to take place next spring during cherry blossom season, has been moved up.

Zhou Zhengqing put down his wine glass, his face still bearing the perfect smile. But in his heart, he had already begun to recalculate, rearrange his strategy, and re-examine every piece on the chessboard and every possible path.

The game continues. Only the rules have quietly changed.

We can't continue the topic of my own marriage. Everyone here is an elder, and if we continue, I'll only get lectured!

He put down his wine glass and said, "Your Majesty's concern is deeply appreciated. As for the marriage with Princess Yuko, I will certainly follow Your Majesty's and the Imperial Household Agency's arrangements."

His voice returned to a steady, calm tone, his rhythm control was impeccable, and he expressed absolute obedience to the royal decision.

Then, he changed the subject, adding a touch of appropriate self-reflection to his tone. The self-reflection was profound but not humble, sincere but not obsequious: "In Nanjing last time, I did not act properly and failed His Majesty's trust and expectations. In the future, I will restrain my behavior and be cautious in my words and actions."

He spoke the words "restrain your behavior" with neither too much emphasis nor too little, as soft as a feather falling to the ground, yet they could be clearly heard in the quiet restaurant.

What is meant by "convergence"? To what extent should it be converging? Does it mean completely stopping, or temporarily lying low?

Should we change our approach or our target?

None of these things are explicitly stated, but it is precisely this strategic ambiguity that is often the safest and most maneuverable in political dialogue. It is a blank check, and the amount and method of cashing it are left to future negotiations.

"Hahahaha!" Terauchi Hisaichi's laughter rang out without warning, as if he had thought of something extremely funny. The laughter was deep and penetrating, spreading like waves in the ornately decorated restaurant, strangely intertwining with the crackling sound of the fine firewood burning in the fireplace.