In this era, almost all women in the world were used to male superiority and female inferiority. Even if they had thoughts, they had to suppress them. Only princesses, who were above everyone else, could live more unrestrainedly.
But it will still be a topic of discussion.
Princess Le'an simply didn't care. She kept her own male favorites, enjoyed her own happiness, and let others talk.
Chu Jinjin reattached the labels to the box. Although she came from the future and was open-minded, she couldn't be this promiscuous.
Despite her reluctance, Liu kept a copy, saying it might be useful in the future, such as for her granddaughter.
Before the Chu family, it was perfectly normal for elders to teach women about bedroom matters and give them a few textbooks like these; there was nothing to be embarrassed about.
Seeing what Liu had done, Li Dahua pitifully wanted a copy as well, wanting to practice martial arts manuals. However, Chu Jinjin forcibly suppressed her, not wanting to corrupt the child.
After a rain, the air suddenly felt like autumn.
There was no movement from Xiao Huai's side, nothing happened in any aspect, it seemed like the calm before the storm.
After Chu Jinjin recovered from her injuries, she started going to the shop every day.
Jie Du informed her in advance to be wary of ambushes from the Northern Army, and also reminded her that it was best to play it safe in the current world, and that cash would be the most important thing should war break out.
Moreover, the Chu family's business has more or less connections with the north.
It is necessary to plan ahead.
After discussing it with the family, they decided to transfer some of the shops before any rumors spread.
That day, as I came out of the shop, the first thing I saw was that tall and handsome figure.
Chu Jinjin certainly doesn't need protection; she's always the one protecting others. But Zhan Qin's method is a form of emotional protection.
When faced with something touching like this, Chu Jinjin wasn't very good at expressing herself: "You don't need to pick me up every day, what kind of accident could happen?"
Zhan Qin glanced at her: "You don't want me to pick you up?"
Chu Jinjin: "......"
We can't talk anymore.
In fact, after getting to know her better, Zhan Qin is usually not very good at talking. For example, right now, she is being unreserved by telling the truth, and she is being sarcastic. What if she really doesn't respond?
Chu Jinjin abruptly changed the subject: "By the way, the provincial examination is coming up soon, right? Aren't you studying hard? Don't be arrogant. You said you wanted to earn a degree."
Zhan Qin suddenly looked away, and after a long while, he said softly, "I don't want to take the exam anymore?"
Chu Jinjin was taken aback: "What, you're not confident?"
As it turns out, she wasn't very good at talking either.
Zhan Qin's expression held a hint of pride: "If I were to take the exam, I would certainly advance to the palace examination."
The so-called palace examination was a fierce competition among countless candidates, with the emperor personally selecting the top three. Even the lowest-ranking candidate was a Jinshi, thus officially entering officialdom.
Chu Jinjin believed it, and asked in confusion, "Then why not participate?"
After a long pause, Zhan Qin said, "I don't want to work for him."
Chu Jinjin almost couldn't keep up: "...What kind of jealousy are you getting?"
So much time has passed, and only now is there a reaction, and it's so severe that even fame and fortune are no longer desired.
"It's better not to take the exam. If you become an official, you'll be too busy to be home all the time." Chu Jinjin was very open-minded and comforted her. "The most important thing in life is to be happy. Actually, I don't want you to become an official and work for someone like Xiao Huai. Just thinking about it makes me uncomfortable."
Chu Jinjin's definition of good and bad is very simple.
It's not wrong for Xiao Huai to fall in love with her; that's his freedom. But to still have the idea of forcing things after saying all that is wrong of him.
Fortunately, she was skilled in martial arts. If she were an ordinary young lady from a wealthy family, she would have had no choice but to accept her fate.
My life is ruined.
Besides, she likes Zhan Qin. Whether he's a top scholar or a poor scholar, he's still the same person, and it won't make any difference. On the contrary, if Zhan Qin forces himself for her sake, that would be a bad thing.
Thinking about it this way, I suddenly felt much better.
“There are other reasons,” Zhan Qin said in a low voice. “When the late emperor was alive, the northern army had the intention to rebel and had always been a major concern for the court. However, neither side could afford to fight. The emperor has inherited the great cause for many years, but the country’s strength has decreased rather than increased. Originally, this delicate situation would have continued, but Jinjin, your sudden emergence has made the north feel a huge threat. They should take advantage of your instability to start a war first.”
Chu Jinjin was dumbfounded: "What happened again? What did I do?"
Zhan Qin gently patted her head: "It's my fault, I didn't think it through."
One of them, a powerful state in the north, considered itself a small country and had refused to be summoned by the imperial court for many years for various reasons. Even when they did come, the ones who came were insignificant illegitimate sons, who were not suitable as hostages.
However, troop strength remains a major weakness.
Then, besides the formidable and terrifying Chu Jinjin, there is also Li Dahua, a living killing machine. If the two join forces, the imperial court will be more than just a tiger with wings; they could simply send the two of them to lead troops and directly attack the court.
Chu Jinjin's head was buzzing: "So this is the main reason why Xiao Huai won't let go?"
Zhan Qin nodded deeply: "Jinjin hasn't realized her own importance yet."
Chu Jinjin swallowed hard.
Fortunately, Xiao Huai didn't know about hot air balloons.
Chu Jinjin realized, "That's not right. If you weren't confident before, you should be even less confident now that I'm involved. Why would you initiate a war? Wouldn't that be suicide?"
Zhan Qin pointed north: "Where is north of north?"
Chu Jinjin knew it all too well: "Northern Desert?"
That was my father's trade route.
"The Northern Army is going to join forces with the Northern Desert Army?" Chu Jinjin couldn't believe it and felt like he was going crazy. He had heard his father talk about the situation in the Northern Desert. The people were fierce, not to mention the army. Even toddlers who could barely run could ride horses and were skilled in archery.
However, the two sides were thousands of miles apart, and with today's transportation conditions, they would starve to death before even reaching halfway there.
With the Northern Army, things are different.
That's like having an extra transfer station.
Chu Jinjin felt a chill run down her spine: "If we really join forces, can we win?"
Zhan Qin's expression was unusually solemn: "I don't know. Our side has a geographical advantage, the Northern Desert's cavalry and archery are unparalleled, and the Northern Army is not a rabble either. I'm afraid it's a 50/50 split."
Chu Jinjin's heart sank.
She realized that Zhan Qin was trying to comfort her.
Xiao Huai wouldn't dare to easily attack even a single Northern army, let alone the even more powerful Northern Desert army. He probably wouldn't even have a 30% chance of success.
Chu Jinjin was no longer in the mood for sweet nothings and stared blankly at the gradually brightening lights of thousands of homes outside.
Mrs. Liu stood at the door to greet them.
Chu Jinjin's heart skipped a beat, and looking at her face, her bad premonition grew even stronger: "Mother, what are you doing here? What happened?"
“An old man came and said he was your father.” Liu glanced at Zhan Qin sheepishly. “I happened to be taking a walk in the yard when I thought, ‘I’ve never heard you mention him,’ and I thought he was a conman or someone looking for relatives, so…”
Chu Jinjin: "......."
Chu Jinjin's head was buzzing. She grabbed her arm and shook it hard: "You mean... you didn't hit her, did you?"
"Stop shaking him! Your hair's all messed up! You're going to shake your own mother to death!" Liu struggled free and shouted, "I didn't hit him, I just said a few unpleasant things."
Chu Jinjin: "......."
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