Chapter 140: The Queen Mother

Li Fu had to attend court today, so he got up very early. When the palace maids were helping Li Fu get dressed, sleepy voices floated out faintly from inside the thick bright yellow curtains.

"Come back here after you finish your court session. I have something to discuss with you."

Li Fu said okay and went out.

After the morning court session, Li Fujing returned to his bedroom. Chu Ran had also gotten up. She had put on her white inner shirt and her hair was tied up on top of her head, but she had not yet put on her crown.

Chu Ran grabbed Li Fu's arm, asked him to sit down next to him, and then took out the clothes that had been prepared long ago.

"How do you like this dress?"

The clothes were indigo in color, without any patterns embroidered on them. It was just an ordinary piece of clothing, but it was new. However, Li Fu could tell at a glance that this was the most common clothing for eunuchs in the palace and could be seen everywhere.

It is not difficult for Chu Ran to make such a piece of clothing.

"Can."

Li Fu didn't know what Chu Ran wanted to ask, so he answered very cautiously.

Chu Ran shook his head, "I don't like this dress. I like red."

After thinking for a while, Chu Ran added, "The fabric must be the best brocade, and the color must be black, dark gold, or vermilion. It can't be so plain, it must have some patterns, such as using gold thread, embroidering some python patterns, Taotie patterns, etc. Oh, there is also a belt missing. An ordinary belt will not work. It must be made of white jade, which looks noble and elegant."

The palace had clear social classes, and the cost of clothing, even the small patterns on the clothes, reflected a person's social class. Chu Ran described it in such detail that no one could fail to hear that this was clothing that only the factory masters of the East Factory could wear.

"Why are you asking this suddenly?" Li Fu didn't plan to guess and asked him directly.

Chu Ran smiled and sat down in front of Li Fu. He said shyly, "Do you think that the clothes I just mentioned would look good on me?"

Li Fu stared at Chu Ran in silence.

"Chu Ran."

"Um?"

"These past few days, I have been thinking about this question, what position should I assign to you?" Li Fu looked into Chu Ran's eyes and slowly told Chu Ran what he was thinking. "There are six ministries in the court, and in addition to the six ministries, there are nine temples and five supervisory offices, including many local official positions. I know you have always been unwilling to stay in the palace. The palace is like a prison to you, so maybe it would be best for you to go to the local area."

"But I can't bear to leave you." Li Fu continued slowly and deeply: "I want to keep you by my side, but I'm afraid you won't be willing. This is my own selfish desire."

"I know."

Chu Ran is not a fool. He can guess some of Li Fu's actions in recent days.

That's why Chu Ran suddenly brought up this matter. Since Li Fu couldn't make a decision, let Chu Ran help him make the decision.

But how could Li Fu not know what Chu Ran was thinking?

"So, the decision is yours." Li Fu held Chu Ran's hand, "I respect your thoughts and opinions. If you really don't want to stay in the palace... I can also..."

"Is it really possible?"

Li Fu pursed his lips, his cold eyes flickering unsteadily.

"Li Fu, is it really possible?" Chu Ran asked again.

"If I leave the capital and leave you, is it really okay?"

"Can't."

Li Fu seemed to be unable to bear it and hugged Chu Ran tightly. Every time Chu Ran asked him "Is it really okay?", he felt a piercing pain deep in his heart.

Can't.

Not at all.

Chu Ran gently stroked Li Fu's back and could clearly feel the man's back trembling under his palm.

Li Fu, who would feel uneasy even if Chu Ran got up at night and left for a while, could really accept Chu Ran leaving the capital and being away from him forever?

Chu Ran sighed, "Why do you think I came back?"

After a long while, Chu Ran said in a deep voice: "It's for you."

All along, what Chu Ran wanted most was freedom.

The palace was indeed a place without freedom, but now, for Chu Ran, the palace is no longer a prison, but his home.

And this is only because of Li Fu's existence.

No one can leave home for a long time without returning home.

"Li Fu, I don't want to be a homeless person."

The arm around Chu Ran's neck tightened again, as tight as a steel rope, as if it was going to strangle Chu Ran and sink into his flesh.

This hugging posture reminded Chu Ran of many years ago, when Li Fu was still very young and his arms were so short that he could only hug Chu Ran's neck. When Chu Ran was happy, he would let him hug his neck and hug him from one side to the other.

Still the same as when I was a kid.

I never show my vulnerable side easily, and I only reveal a little when I really can't bear it anymore.

"I'm not an ordinary eunuch." Chu Ran thought for a moment and said with some pride, "I'm the most powerful eunuch in the palace."

Chu Ran is not keen on power, but he has never experienced the feeling of being admired by others.

He also wanted to experience it.

He had thought before that if he became a great eunuch like Zhao Zhongyi, how many people would come to him every day to please him.

Ah, it makes me happy just thinking about it!

"You don't have to be a eunuch." Li Fu said slowly: "I think Shen Minghan's previous position is good enough. And it happens that no one has replaced him in these years. Why not..."

"Oh, forget it."

Chu Ran patted the back of Li Fu's hand and said with self-awareness: "I know my own weight very well."

Chu Ran is not stupid, but he is not the smartest person either. There are many people in this world who are smarter and more capable than Chu Ran. That position should be held by someone who is suitable for him.

"Don't be a tyrant who indulges in beauty." Chu Ran glanced at Li Fu, and that look was very meaningful.

Li Fu quickly pushed Chu Ran down on the bed and bit the skin on Chu Ran's collarbone with his teeth.

"I said you are like a dog, you like to bite people so much."

Li Fu raised his head and glanced at Chu Ran, then lowered his head again, "How dare you call me a dog."

Chu Ran patted Li Fu's head soothingly, lying down casually, and said lazily: "Then you can exterminate my entire clan."

"Okay, I will issue an order tomorrow to exterminate all nine generations of your clan."

"Let's kill him. There is a man named Li Fu among the Nine Clans. Don't leave him out."

Chu Ran turned over and pressed Li Fu under him.

"So powerful." Li Fu's deep eyes seemed to contain a faint smile. He grasped Chu Ran's tight waist with his big hand, which was dangerous and tempting. "Empress, mother, mother."

Chu Ran's breathing quickened, and a feeling of shame surged into his heart. He lowered his head and kissed Li Fu's lips hard, then bit him as if to vent his anger.

"Shut up and don't say anything."