Chapter 1103: Hair-Pulling Tear (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

Upon hearing this, Gongxi Chou was filled with grief and reflection.

"What my elder brother says is true; I was indeed thinking in an unhealthy way."

To follow human desires is to follow one's nature and heart; to act in accordance with desires is to follow the natural order. Since they are all "desires," what distinction is there between high and low, noble and base? Is admiring the powerful and worshipping money necessarily more respectable than romantic love? Gong Xi Chou never thought there was anything wrong with bedroom arts, but given Mama's special status, putting her alongside this term was indeed somewhat blasphemous; he had acted inappropriately.

Ji Moqiu countered, "Why would it be unhealthy?"

Gong Xichou: "..."

Ji Moqiu picked up a round dumpling and took a small bite: "Desire is the most primitive and basic instinct of all living things. Even Your Highness is not exempt from this."

Gong Xichou: "...What do you mean?"

"It just means you're overthinking it, not that you're wrong."

One sentence silenced Gongxi Chougan.

Ji Moqiu was amused by his reaction: "You grew up in the clan, don't you know that while the clan members' marriages are not restricted, the high priest needs to consult the gods? Serving the gods means being their servants, and marrying without their permission is a betrayal."

Gong Xichou: "..."

Of course he knows.

I didn't think there was anything wrong with this rule before, but now I find it a bit strange. No wonder it's been criticized as an evil god.

Gong Xichou silently turned his gaze to Mama, who was frowning for some reason: "So, in layman's terms, being a high priest is like being a concubine of some unknown master? Uh, or perhaps serving the king?"

“That’s how it is nominally.” Ji Moqiu realized he might have misrepresented the situation after speaking, and then deliberately explained, “The divine pronouncements of gods worshipped by people are often imposed on them by believers based on their own needs and speculations, a typical example being the River God taking a wife. Believers use the name of the gods to fulfill their own desires and needs in order to exploit and oppress the local people, and the Gongxi clan is no exception! From the perspective of the clan’s interests, the High Priest’s position is indeed ‘a companion offered to the gods,’ but from Your Highness’s perspective, it is not so. The High Priest’s position changes according to Your Highness’s needs.”

Gong Xichou vaguely understood: "So..."

"If Your Highness desires sexual desire, then sexual desire falls within the scope of service." Ji Moqiu's emotions appeared very calm. "Unfortunately, since its birth, it has never taken the initiative to issue this divine decree. I don't know if it's because it doesn't like it, or because it has no interest in this path."

Even though each high priest was chosen by the will of God.

Ji Moqiu sighed as he spoke, as if he were troubled: "Your Highness was born into a mortal body and now that your hegemony is just beginning to take shape, if you want to follow the world and have more descendants in the future... it's just a pity that the Gongxi clan is now depleted of people. Apart from you and me, who are still virgins, there is no third one."

Then we can only choose from outside the clan.

Gong Xichou: "..."

He almost choked on the red bean glutinous rice ball. Gong Xichou patted his chest and forced himself to swallow the ball: "Brother, big brother, please stop talking, you almost sent your little brother away!"

Ji Moqiu's subtext is terrifying!

In Mama's words—

Even gold miners can't find such miraculous gold!

Is this the cultivation and awareness required to become a high priest? Gong Xichou vaguely understood why he wasn't chosen back then; it was something he never dreamed of! Ji Moqiu looked at his younger brother, who was almost coughing up tears, and said, "You're not healthy."

He only regretted that the Gongxi clan offered His Highness too few choices, while Gongxi Chou, on the other hand, immediately imagined something exciting.

Gong Xichou: "..."

Ji Moqiu frowned: "Besides, you're getting old."

Gong Xichou, who was overage: "..."

He snatched the dumpling from Ji Moqiu's hand and stuffed it into his mouth with a huff: "Brother, guess why I call you brother?"

Naturally, it's because Ji Moqiu is six years older than him.

We cannot deny our responsibility simply because growth was interrupted in the middle.

Ji Moqiu seems to be very concerned about her age.

When Gong Xichou tried to snatch the dumpling a second time, Ji Moqiu struck him with his wooden staff, but Gong Xichou, a martial artist, reacted swiftly, dodging and then reaching out to avoid it. Ji Moqiu raised an eyebrow, thinking, "Who doesn't know martial arts?"

The two deliberately restrained themselves from making any noise while fighting, and did not disturb Shen Tang.

Shen Tang didn't have time to pay attention to them at the moment.

She is concerned about Bai Su.

When Kang and Gao were at war, there were too many things to do on the front lines, and Shen Tang simply didn't have time to ask Gu Chi for clarification—what exactly was going on between him and Shao Xuan! When did these two start making a move?

I've known Gu Chi for eleven years.

They couldn't find a single clue about them.

These two are well hidden.

Bai Su had assumed Shen Tang wanted to discuss something important with her and was on high alert, but to her surprise, the latter hesitantly asked about her private relationship with Gu Chi. She was taken aback for a moment, but then nodded firmly and readily admitted to the matter.

She has no choice but to admit it.

Gu Chi's true feelings were heard by hundreds of thousands of people.

Shen Tang asked, "When did this happen?"

Bai Su thought carefully: "During the Dragon Slaying Squad."

Before that, we just had frequent interactions.

As a pillar of the women's camp, Bai Su carries a heavy burden of pressure. Even though she could begin cultivating not much earlier than Lu Ji, the expectations placed on her by the outside world are different from those of Lu Ji and Zhao Wei. This difference is both a pressure and a motivation.

Everyone sees her putting in ten points of effort, but behind the scenes she has to put in a hundred, or even two hundred! Zhao Feng and Gong Shuwu have given her a lot of support in the path of martial arts, guiding her to avoid many detours, but they are also her colleagues!

If Bai Su wants to be on equal footing with them, she cannot rely on them too much, nor can she allow outsiders to underestimate the strength of the women's camp.

Bai Su used to work as a Robin Hood-like figure, but after leaving the government, she became accustomed to being alone, taciturn, and disliked interacting with people except for work-related matters. She could only process her emotions on her own.

Gu Chi couldn't stand it and tried to comfort her.

Bai Su was initially wary—don't be fooled by the gentle demeanor of Chu Yaoqi and the other scholars towards their lord; they were not so easy to talk to, especially their colleagues and subordinates. Just facing them would put others under psychological pressure.

It was only after several communications that Gu Chi's intentions became clear.

Bai Suxin appreciated this kindness.

Shen Tang's brows furrowed deeply, almost forming a knot, and her tone turned icy: "You two started because of this?"

At first glance, Gu Chi's behavior seems perfectly normal.

He takes the initiative to care for and comfort his colleagues; he's a really nice person.

But from the perspective of male-female relationships, isn't this taking advantage of one party's vulnerable period when they are emotionally exhausted and have no one to rely on?

At such moments, it is very easy to win the gratitude of the other party.

Shen Tang clearly disapproved of this behavior.

Bai Su said, "Of course not."

After that, their relationship remained that of ordinary colleagues, with her interactions with Gu Chi limited to official business. What truly made Bai Su develop feelings for Gu Chi that went beyond mere camaraderie was when she accidentally saw Gu Chi's manuscript, the story of which was incredibly captivating.

Shen Tang: "..."

Gu Chi didn't enjoy the embarrassment of being exposed, nor did he snatch the manuscript back. Instead, he asked Bai Su for her opinion.

Bai Su said, "I scolded him for not doing his proper job."

Shen Tang scratched the tip of her nose: "Actually, it's alright."

Earning royalties within the system is also permitted.

Gu Chi asked Bai Su: "In Shao Xuan's view, what constitutes a proper profession?"

[The things you genuinely want to do, and believe are right.]

Gu Chi nodded: "Then that will be my main job."

Whether assisting his lord in expanding territories or governing a region to ensure peace and prosperity, Gu Chi's purpose in doing all this was simply to ensure that all people could live and work in peace and contentment. Only when everyone was like this would they have the leisure to stop and listen to those strange and fantastical stories.

Perhaps only in a world where everyone is happy and healthy can he see the warmth and light in people's hearts. Fame and fortune are not what he truly seeks; they are merely necessary steps on the path to achieving his true calling.

Bai Su was slightly taken aback by this.

It seemed like she was getting to know Gu Chi for the first time.

It was during this conversation that she began to pay attention to Gu Chi.

She noticed that no matter the day, Gu Chi was always alone, while she, though also alone, still had the graves of her blood relatives to visit, so at least she wasn't a rootless duckweed. Gu Chi knew Bai Su's changing feelings best. However, for some reason, he didn't respond, pretending not to know anything about it.

In other words, Bai Su was the one who took the initiative first, and Gu Chi only took the initiative after they broke the ice. Before the "Dragon Slaying Incident," it was just ambiguity; only after the incident did they confirm their feelings for each other.

Speaking of the Dragon Slaying Bureau...

Shen Tang seemed to remember something.

She remembered that Bai Su always wore a jade pendant with the character "Gu" engraved on her waist when she went to and from court. At the time, she didn't think much of it and simply assumed that Bai Su's relatives were surnamed Gu, or that it had some other meaning.

Looking back now, wasn't this a blatant token of love?

So it wasn't these two hiding something, but that I was blind?

Shen Tang patted his forehead.

"...Okay, I guess I can only blame myself for being too thick-skinned."

They didn't even notice such an obvious flaw.

"You two haven't planned to get married after all these years?" Although it's just a ceremony and it doesn't really matter whether it's held or not, Gu Chi comes from a prestigious family, and Bai Su's upbringing is not something that can be easily ignored.

If you choose to give up because of your concern for Shen Tang, there's no need for that.

Bai Su said frankly, "Let's wait until the world is at peace."

In addition, there is another reason.

The Kangguo court was not a simple environment either.

Civil and military officials each had their own circles of friends.

Typical examples include Chu Yao, Chu Jie, and Wei Shou; the Qin Li, Zhao Feng, and Xu Jie brothers; Kang Shining and Yan, who are from the same hometown and are among the few trusted confidants from aristocratic families in the court; Lin Feng and Luan Xin also belong to this circle; Xun Zhen and Xun Ding, father and son, one a scholar and the other a warrior... Compared to them, Jiang Sheng, Liao Jia, and others are more solitary and each has their own active circle of friends. If you really want to nitpick, they are all troublesome.

There are also scattered factions, large and small, within the court.

The Lord can control them, so he will not suppress them.

She can manage him, but what about the future crown prince?

Who can predict the future with absolute certainty?

Bai Su didn't doubt her colleagues' integrity and loyalty, nor did she doubt that they might lose their original intentions. However, many things are beyond the control of one person's will. To use Chu Yao as an imperfect example, if Wei Shou and Chu Jie both believed that the lord was unjust, would they allow Chu Yao to continue assisting the lord at the expense of their own group's interests? If the lord's distribution of benefits is unequal, wouldn't the other members of the group have their own opinions?

As the core of a group, once it grows to a certain size, decisions concerning the group are no longer dictated by the core figure. What truly guides the group's direction is the interests of everyone involved. Those who oppose these interests will be eliminated and discarded.

Bai Su didn't want to cause any more trouble.

Gu Chi is a loner, but she isn't.

Bai Su's influence is concentrated in the women's camp. It may seem insignificant, but don't forget that she has been in control of the women's camp since its inception. Everyone who comes out of the women's camp, whether they are soldiers or doctors, knows Bai Su and no one disobeys her.

These people, scattered, are like stars in the sky.

The proportion of female soldiers in various military prefectures has been increasing.

These soldiers were also part of Bai Su's hidden forces.

Once her relationship with Gu Chi becomes public through marriage, Bai Su is certain that people will gather around them in various ways, becoming her allies while also hindering her progress. When the interests no longer concern her alone but the livelihoods of hundreds or even thousands of families, can she still live freely and easily?

After weighing the pros and cons, Bai Su chose to maintain the status quo.

Shen Tang remained silent for a long time after hearing this.

He raised his hand and gently patted Bai Su's shoulder.

He promised: "If he betrays you, I, as your lord, cannot help you fight him, but I can reward you with a few male concubines."

Actually, as the Grand General of Kang, Bai Su could easily send her clansmen to her doorstep if she so desired, with families lining up from her general's mansion all the way to the city gate. It wasn't up to Shen Tang to bestow male concubines upon her. Bai Su still smiled and accepted, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After talking with Bai Su, Shen Tang sighed deeply.

He fell into deep worry and reflection.

She wondered if she was being too oblivious.

Why didn't we notice anything unusual between these two before?

Shen Tang rested her chin on her hand and ate one glutinous rice ball at a time.

"Shaoxuan, I'm curious, what do you like about Wangchao? And what about romantic feelings between men and women?" She tried to put herself in their shoes, but inexplicably found that no matter how she tried, she couldn't reach the same conclusion. Gu Chi had been caring and comforting towards Bai Su, and she had also tried to comfort Bai Su as a confidante boss, so why hadn't she felt any sparks?

Bai Su approves of Gu Chi's story writing, but hasn't she provided him with enough creative ideas? Let alone support him, she almost forced Gu Chi to let her draw illustrations for his pages for free, but he refused to comply.

Why do these two people seem to click?

What, is Shen Youli immune to allergies?

That beautiful, confident face was troubled by emotions for the first time.

Bai Su: "..."

This is a difficult question to answer.

Shen Tang was there, counting each finger one by one.

"Tell me, Wu Hui would often take my measurements and prepare three meals a day for me. Yuan Liang, the former lord of Qi Sha, followed me for eleven years, and he even prepared a saddle for Hei Mian Lang... Han Zhang, well, putting aside the fact that he has such a big son, just look at how much money I've spent on him. Isn't it said that where there's money, there's love? Ji Shouwen, I've never looked down on him all these years, isn't that true love? Gong Su, I even had a head-on battle with Wu Zhaode at the victory banquet for Gong Su, isn't that love? Or is it that I've actually chosen the wrong gender? But I haven't been attracted to Tu Nanzhi, Zong Dawei, or the others either..." As she spoke, she began to cover her face, "I can't imagine the heart palpitations you're talking about, all I can think about is how to get them to work."

Such a strong obsession with making people work deserves to be hung on a street lamp.

Bai Su hadn't expected the topic to veer to this point, and she seemed to have unintentionally disturbed her lord's thoughts: "...This matter is all about fate. The reason you're not tempted now is simply because that person hasn't appeared yet. However, since you, my lord, possess the Kang Kingdom, you don't need to be tempted. As long as that person's appearance and temperament suit your taste, that's enough."

A person with a "love-struck" mind is someone even a dung beetle would despise for being brainless.

Bai Su didn't want to cause any major trouble.

Shen Tang was taken aback: "Just because it looks good to me is enough?"

Bai Su: "You are the ruler of the kingdom, possessing the entire land of Kang. Within its borders, you can take whatever you want. Isn't that a matter of course?"

|ω`)

I have a bold idea.