Chapter 86 One of a Kind I thought you were fearless...
Qian Qingling fell silent, gazing at the distant crowd, her voice bitter: "Someone that even this general cannot do anything about."
Xing Fei was quite surprised: "What kind of person is he that even you can't control?"
Her eyes widened suddenly, as if she had remembered something, and she asked incredulously, "Could it be that you are referring to Commander Ye? She also has feelings for Young Master Su?"
Qian Qingling shook her head, not answering Xing Fei's question, but changing the subject: "How is the investigation into the secret passage entrance going?"
Xing Fei was not a boorish man who couldn't read between the lines. He immediately understood that the general didn't want to continue talking about Young Master Su, so he stopped asking questions, suppressed his curiosity, and consciously brought the topic back to the main point.
She leaned close to Qian Qingling's ear and whispered, "It's still under investigation. People from the Censorate have also gotten involved. But don't worry, apart from Commander Ye, Commander Liu Lan, and you and me, who know the inside story, no one else knows that our real purpose is to find the secret passage. The Censorate, like other departments, thinks that we are conducting a routine investigation to apprehend hidden criminals."
General Qian patted Xing Fei on the shoulder with satisfaction: "Well done."
After saying that, she whispered an instruction: "This matter is of utmost importance and must not be compromised."
Xing Fei solemnly replied, "Your subordinate understands, and will certainly not disappoint the general."
"Okay." Qian Qingling quickened her pace, and after walking for a while, she turned back and said, "I have something to do tomorrow, so I might not be in the city. I'll leave the rest of the arrangements to you."
Xing Fei straightened his back and said solemnly, "Your subordinate obeys. General, please go ahead and do your work. No matter how it progresses, I will report to you in detail when you return."
General Qian replied succinctly, "Agreed."
The scene of the two walking on the street was seen by Fu Yun from the second-floor window.
Fu Yun took a sip of tea and casually said, "That seems to be General Qian and Deputy General Xing."
Zhilan followed his gaze to the street below, put down her chopsticks, and said calmly, "It's time for the shift change."
Upon hearing this, Fu Jun sighed and said, "They work hard, rain or shine."
Zhilan raised her eyebrows slightly and looked calmly at Fu Yun: "Only by protecting the lights of every household and safeguarding the peace of one region can the country be prosperous and the people at peace."
Fu Yun knew that Zhi Lan was right, but there was another deeper meaning in his words, which Zhi Lan probably wouldn't understand if he said it directly.
He just felt uneasy that a grown man was enjoying the stability brought about by the hard work of women, while women had to take turns guarding the city through wind and rain.
Although he had already realized after arriving here that women were no less capable than men and had a heart full of loyalty and courage, if men could also share half of the pressure, wouldn't they not have to work so hard and be able to catch their breath when men were covering for them?
Perhaps because Fu Yun's expression was too solemn, Zhi Lan's eyes deepened: "You are quite sentimental."
Fu Yun poured Zhi Lan a cup of tea: "It's not that I'm feeling sentimental, it's just a pity that I can't do my part."
Zhilan shook her head with a faint smile, somewhat helpless and amused: "How can a weak man like you, who can't even kill a chicken, defend the city? If you encounter a stormy weather with wind and rain, you'll be bedridden after just one soaking."
Fu Yun: "..." This is even worse than Lin Daiyu!
When will people's opinions change? He's really not that weak, okay?
He coughed lightly and declared, "I'm really not that weak. I've been resting for a while now and I'm much better. I wouldn't say I'm full of energy, but I'm certainly in good spirits."
Zhilan's smile deepened: "Is that so?"
With a hint of sarcasm in his tone, he said, "Compared to how frail you were before, you are indeed a bit stronger now. At most, you're just delicate and frail, but that's enough to marry you and have children."
Fu Yun's breath hitched, and for no apparent reason, her ears felt hot. She picked up her teacup, her breathing slightly rapid, and drank it all in one gulp.
Zhilan's gaze fell with interest on Fu Yun's reddened ears, a sly smile flashing in her eyes.
Fu Yun wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that Zhi Lan's words just now had a flirtatious tone.
But then I thought again, maybe that's impossible! Perhaps Zhilan was just saying it casually. After all, in matriarchal countries, when men reach marriageable age, they are betrothed to suitable families to have children, just like in ancient patriarchal countries. Now it's just the other way around.
Although he knew in his heart that it was because of the disparity in the status of men and women in this country that men were treated as the weaker party, he still felt a kind of indescribable shame. It wasn't that he felt ashamed or embarrassed, but rather that he felt awkward and embarrassed.
He put down his teacup with an embarrassed expression, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet, pondering what expression he should adopt to appear calm.
As the CEO of a listed company, even though I've never had a serious girlfriend, I can't be inferior to an ancient person who is much more reserved than modern people, right?
He replied with feigned composure, "Your Majesty, please don't joke with me. I'm simply not cut out for raising children. I might cause chaos and uproar in the whole family. I'd better not go and cause trouble for others. Earning more money is the priority. With money, you can do many things. There's more than one option in life: starting a family. Building a career is just as meaningful."
Zhilan's smiling gaze gradually calmed down, a vague, dark light appearing in her eyes. Her tone also softened as she said in a deep voice, "You think marriage is meaningless, and making money is what matters?"
Fu Jun's heart skipped a beat. He could clearly feel the low pressure emanating from Zhi Lan. He thought to himself, "It's true what they say, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger."
After all, as the ruler of a matriarchal society, it would be a great act of rebellion and heresy for a man to repeatedly express his unwillingness to marry and have children in front of her, and to have no intention of continuing the lineage of any family.
Seeing Zhilan's downcast gaze, Fu Yun felt inexplicably guilty. Perhaps he shouldn't have expressed it so bluntly. Zhilan was, after all, the ruler of a country. He couldn't let her take advantage of him just because she had treated him fairly well.
He didn't know why, but he didn't really want to upset Zhilan. Perhaps he couldn't bear to see the hardships she faced as the ruler of a country!
I just want to see her happy smile, so that she can feel more relaxed when she's with me.
Then he explained gently, "Actually, it's not black and white. In my opinion, these two are not in conflict. If you can meet a compatible person, marriage will naturally have its advantages. The eternal law that lovers will eventually become a couple is also the most beautiful wish in this world."
Zhilan's cold expression softened slightly: "I thought you were planning to become a nun, but I suppose you can't escape the expectation of worldly love. With your looks, what difficulty would it be for you to meet a suitable lover?"
Fu Jun shrugged, looking slightly helpless, and said, "I am just an ordinary mortal, and naturally I cannot escape the seven emotions and six desires. I just don't want my marriage to be purposeful, and I don't want to settle for someone just to get married."
Zhilan pondered for a moment, then tried to explain: "So, it's not that you don't want to get married and have children, but that you have very strict requirements for your wife. She must be someone you want to marry or someone you love very much. Otherwise, you would rather remain unmarried for life. Do I understand correctly?"
Fu Yun thought for a moment. Although the wording wasn't entirely correct, the meaning was pretty much the same, so she agreed with Zhi Lan's analysis: "I guess so! I don't want to marry someone I've only met a few times and have no emotional foundation with. Of course, this is just my personal opinion, and it doesn't mean that this kind of marriage is wrong. After all, there are many people who marry first and then fall in love."
Let Zhilan think he has high standards! That way, she'll have a reason not to get married in the future. She can just say she doesn't have anyone she likes.
Little did Fu Jun know that his soft heart and compromising attitude this time had planted a magical seed in the heart of the Empress, who originally had no feelings for children.
To find true love in this cold and indifferent world, to bring warmth and reliance to each other for a lifetime, and to help each other through troubles—this would be the greatest blessing in life.
Perhaps, as Mr. Su said, having a soulmate who understands and cherishes you, who is tolerant and considerate of you, and who will grow old together is the most beautiful thing in the world.
Thinking of this, the coldness in Zhilan's eyes completely melted away, and her voice softened considerably: "You are still young, but life is very long. Don't be discouraged. You will definitely meet someone you want to marry."
Fu Yun nodded, no longer dwelling on the topic, and casually said, "Don't just talk about me, talk about yourself!"
Zhilan asked in surprise, "Me? What can I say?"
She paused, as if she had thought of something, and then added rather unhappily, "All I do all day is deal with those stubborn old guys."
Fu Yun looked up at Zhi Lan and asked him something he had always been curious about: "As the ruler of a country, don't you have other duties besides politics?"
"Anything else?" Zhilan was even more confused now: "Besides those old ministers who are giving me a headache, what else could possibly trouble me? I really can't think of anything."
Fu Yun asked, "Aren't all the women in your harem obedient? Won't they cause trouble?"
Isn't it said that once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea, where palace intrigues and conspiracies never end?
Don't men ever engage in palace intrigue?
Probably not? Men's possessiveness is much more intense than women's. Once they discover that another man has taken advantage of their woman, they'll probably not stop until they've destroyed him.
Zhilan was slightly taken aback, then a deep glint flashed in her eyes, and she asked with a half-smile, "Are you asking about my servants?"
Fu Yun nodded, genuinely curious: "Won't they fight over you?"
Zhilan chuckled upon hearing this: "I have never been to the inner palace, so they can't see me. How could they possibly cause conflict for me?"
"Huh?" Fu Yun didn't expect this answer: "Then wouldn't they just be wasting their time alone in the harem? Isn't that a waste?"
Such good laborers should be properly trained and sent to the battlefield to contribute their modest efforts to the matriarchal nation.
Zhilan sighed and said bluntly, "These men were forced upon me by those old ministers who rely on their seniority. Naturally, I will not let them have their way. Besides, I have already made it clear to them that I will not favor any of them. If they want to leave the palace, they can do so at any time. If they marry someone else, I will prepare a generous dowry to ensure that they and the mistress's family will have a worry-free life for the rest of their lives. If they are smart enough, they will know what to do."
Fu Yun couldn't help but feel a deep respect for her. He hadn't expected Zhi Lan to be even more composed than he had imagined. With so many handsome men in the harem, she remained completely unmoved. She was simply amazing.
Zhilan's eyes shone with determination: "When the court is stable in the future, I will no longer be forced by external forces and will definitely send them home. At that time, I will also find someone I love, marry him into the palace, and give him the love that is unique in the world."
Fu Yun's breathing became erratic, and her heart inexplicably quickened. She subconsciously replied, "That day will come."
Zhilan looked at Fu Yun deeply and said softly, "Thank you for your kind words. I also believe that day will come soon."
Fu Yun didn't reply, but stood up slightly stiffly: "I'm done eating. I feel a little full, so I'm standing up to digest."
Seeing this, Zhilan glanced at the sky and stood up as well: "It's getting late, we should go back."
Fu Yun had been waiting for her to say that, and immediately strode towards the door: "Then I'll go settle the bill."
Zhilan watched Fu Jun's retreating figure and couldn't help but chuckle: "I thought you were fearless, but it turns out you can be shy too."
Fu Yun stumbled and almost fell, but luckily she instinctively reached out and grabbed the handrail, which helped her regain her balance and avoid embarrassing herself in front of Zhi Lan.
He quickly pretended not to hear and fled downstairs to the counter to pay.
Zhilan insisted on accompanying Fuyun back to the clinic, and Fuyun could not dissuade her, so she had to give in to her wishes.
When the two returned to the clinic, Guard Zhang and Guard Fang were already restless and were about to go out to find Fu Yun.
Seeing Fu Yun finally return with the masked man in black, Guard Zhang's eyes sharpened, as if facing a formidable enemy. Guard Fang, on the other hand, was much calmer, nodding respectfully to Zhilan as a greeting.
Zhilan glanced at the two guards with a detached air, not caring about their attitude. She simply waved to Fu Jun and left with a carefree air.
Fu Yun turned to the guard Fang, intending to ask her to escort Zhi Lan back to the palace, but inadvertently discovered in a hidden corner that a masked man in black, dressed like the Empress, was following her at a distance, showing no murderous intent, clearly protecting her safety in secret.
Fu Yun felt relieved, thanked Guard Fang and Guard Zhang for their hard work, and then stepped into the clinic.
Upon entering the room, I discovered that Su Zi had already woken up.
Author's Note: The training camp and other projects will now get to the main focus, and of course, the emotional entanglements between the main characters and the love stories of other important characters will not be neglected.
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