Chapter 42 Extra 2

The fact that this old man still has the nerve to recommend her at this moment suggests that he is not impressed by her talent, but rather wants to use this opportunity to kick her out of the center of power.

They are narrow-minded, even smaller than a pinhead.

Before Ling Wei could respond, Gu Qingyan stepped forward to object: "Your Majesty, this is unacceptable! Lord Ling is an official from the capital; it would be inappropriate to suddenly send him to the harsh borderlands. Moreover, the situation at the border is complex and unpredictable..."

Lord Wang immediately interrupted, saying with righteous indignation, "Hanlin Gu is mistaken! Lord Ling is exceptionally capable; how could he be someone who fears hardship and fatigue?"

Just because Lady Ling is a woman, does that mean she should be pampered and kept in the capital?

Now that I have taken office, I should naturally share the nation's burdens; how can I be treated differently?!

He truly lives up to his reputation as a seasoned expert in officialdom; no one understands women's rights and their application better than him.

The previously flexible and adaptable top scholar, Wan Xiuzhuan, now under Ling Wei's supervision, had witnessed her abilities and immediately stepped forward to retort: ​​"Lord Wang! This is a crucial border region, and the selection of personnel should prioritize experience! Lord Ling's talent lies in planning in the imperial court; how can we waste such a talent?"

Despite his father, Minister Gu's, surprised gaze, Gu Qingyan stepped forward without hesitation: "Your Majesty, if it is necessary to send someone to the border, I am willing to go."

Minister Gu: "..."

Gu Qingyu, who was standing to the side, also stepped forward resolutely and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I am also willing to go!"

Ling Wei is the head of the female officials, and she cannot be transferred. This is exactly what the conservatives want to see—to purge them one by one from the court.

Minister Gu: "..."

Go, all of you go, go as far away as possible.

The court immediately erupted into a noisy argument.

The Empress remained calm as her gaze swept over the arguing crowd before finally settling on Ling Wei.

Su Jingyu anxiously winked at Ling Wei, and Shen Qinglan also shook her head slightly.

Among the ranks of military officers, Xie Zhuo, dressed in the uniform of a third-rank general, stood silently. Since that time in the imperial study, he had not taken the initiative to communicate with Ling Wei, as if they were strangers.

Ling Wei took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go."

After the court session ended, the Empress summoned Ling Wei to the Imperial Study.

"Don't tell me you didn't see through those old scoundrels' provocation." The Empress frowned.

Ling Wei calmly replied, "I know."

"You knew that, yet you still jumped in?"

"Your Majesty, if the trade between the four border cities is established, it will be a crucial cornerstone of your grand ambitions, and it must be controlled by an absolutely trustworthy person. This is indeed a risk, but also an opportunity."

A bright and fervent light ignited in Ling Wei's eyes: "Furthermore, if we can take this opportunity to educate the barbarians and protect the peace and stability of our dynasty for generations to come, wouldn't such an unparalleled achievement, worthy of being recorded in history, be the lifelong wish of a commoner like myself? Your Majesty should be happy for me."

The Empress stared at her: "Do you have the life to go and the life to return?" She paused, "Let Qinglan lead troops to escort you."

Ling Wei shook her head: "No. The capital is the foundation. Qing Lan is in charge of the Imperial Guards, which is your last line of defense. It must not be moved lightly. Your Majesty, rest assured, I am not so fragile. I still hope to return in the future and continue to assist Your Majesty in creating a prosperous era."

The Empress remained silent for a moment, then finally acquiesced.

Suddenly, her tone changed, becoming slightly teasing: "How about... we let that Xie family boy accompany you under the guise of escorting you?"

Ling Wei was taken aback: "Didn't His Majesty promise Duke Xie to let Xie Zhuo stay in the central government? If he is sent out, the old Duke will probably be so angry that he will smash the palace gates."

The reason why Duke Xie was willing to step down back then was because of this promise.

If the Xie family has a successor to revitalize the family, they will no longer have to be like a cornered beast, leading the family in a final desperate struggle.

After all, although the Empress held the Zhenbei Army in her hands, the Duke of Xie had been in charge of the Jinwu Guard for many years, and his deep roots could not be underestimated.

If one is too hasty in discarding someone after taking office, those former subordinates and protégés who are still observing will inevitably feel insecure.

At that time, the court will be in turmoil and the border defenses will be unstable, which is beyond the capacity of a new emperor. This is also the empress's appeasement strategy.

The Empress raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Am I the kind of person who forces people to do things against their will? What I mean is, let him go with you 'voluntarily'."

Ling Wei: "...Your Majesty, we haven't spoken for two years."

The Empress chuckled: "Then let's give it a try? Maybe they'll be willing?"

Ling Wei lowered her eyes and sighed, "I... I'll give it a try."

Deep down, she truly didn't want things to end with him. If he still harbored resentment, it might mean that their feelings for each other hadn't completely faded.

The Empress looked on with an air of anticipation: "I await your good news."

Ling Wei recalled something, her expression darkening slightly: "Your Majesty, after Duke Xie resigned, did Xie Zhuo...?"

The Empress's smile faded: "Hmm. I heard that he was punished by family rules after returning to the manor and lay in bed for a long time. Someone in the Xie family always has to bear the consequences of failure."

She looked at Ling Wei, "What's wrong? Feeling sorry for her?"

Ling Wei clenched her fists slightly.

She remembered that when Xie Zhuo came to court later, his face was pale, his back was straight, but he refused any of her concern or approach. Her visiting card to the Xie family was also lost without a trace.

The system clicked its tongue in her head: "(`へ′*)ノ So, is it time to start the 'chasing-her-husband-in-the-cremation' mode? Go, Weiwei! Let him see how powerful you are!"

Ling Wei smiled bitterly: "After all, I owe him something regarding the succession struggle."

Although she gained the unparalleled glory of having her own page in the family genealogy, she could only lie in her luxurious mansion in the future, reminiscing about her dead love...

But who can say that love and sex cannot coexist?

system:"......"

That's a bit shameless, girl.

A few days later, Gu Qingyu accompanied Ling Wei to the market to buy the things she needed for her post at the border.

Inside a clothing store, Ling Wei was drawn to a thick yet exquisite fur-trimmed cloak and was examining it when Gu Qingyu pulled her aside to look at some other fabrics. Ling Wei then put the cloak aside for the time being.

When she returned to buy it, she saw a bright-faced young girl holding the cloak and examining it closely.

The tall, imposing figure beside the girl was Xie Zhuo.

"Brother Azhuo, is this pretty?" the girl asked with a smile, her eyes full of dependence.

Gu Qingyu spoke up to remind her, "Miss, we were the ones who first took a liking to this cloak."

The girl and Xie Zhuo turned around upon hearing the voice, and Ling Wei also recognized the other party as Princess Yongjia.

Gu Qingyu greeted Xie Zhuo upon seeing him, "Cousin—"

Upon hearing this, Xie Zhuo nodded slightly to her, then coldly swept his gaze over Ling Wei beside him without lingering, his expression utterly unfamiliar and devoid of any emotion.

Princess Yongjia's eyes lit up when she saw Ling Wei. Far from being displeased, she smiled with surprise and respect: "It's Lord Ling!"

She quickly handed over the cloak, saying, "I didn't know you had taken a liking to it first, please don't be offended. Please come in—"

Xie Zhuo's gaze fell gently on the princess's head, and he said softly, "If you like it, I'll have the shopkeeper make another one."

Two years have passed in the blink of an eye, and the boy of yesteryear has grown into a twenty-two-year-old young man.

The tempering in the military camp made his shoulders and back broader and more upright, shedding the last trace of immaturity, and his brows and eyes settled into a calm and aloof demeanor. Only when looking at the person in front of him did his tightly pursed lips soften slightly.

The princess gently tugged at his sleeve and said reproachfully, "There's no need for that. Lord Ling's work is far more important than mine! How could I compete with her?"

As he spoke, he earnestly handed the cloak to Ling Wei.

Her tone was sincere and full of goodwill: From the day Ling Wei stepped into the court as a female official, she became the pride of countless women.

If Gu Qingyan is the model for all scholars, then Ling Wei is the deity who illuminates their path.

Ling Wei smiled slightly, her gaze gently falling on the princess's bright face, and said softly, "Princess is too kind. This cloak is brightly colored and complements your youthful beauty. I was just looking around casually, so if you like it, please accept it."

Her praise came from the heart, without the slightest hint of reluctance.

Upon hearing this, the princess looked at Ling Wei with an expression of admiration and shyness: "Lord Ling is so kind! But... is Your Excellency going on a long journey?"

Her casual question caused a slight pause in the air.

Ling Wei was unwilling to say more, and only smiled slightly: "Just some official business."

Seeing this, she didn't linger any longer. She nodded gently to the princess, settled the bill with the shopkeeper for the items she had previously selected, and then calmly left the shop with Gu Qingyu.

As she walked out of the store, she never looked back at the two figures standing side by side.