After being exiled, I led my whole family to rebel.

Chapter 346: Extra CP Stew
The most lively event in Bianjing City recently is the young cadres’ hometown meeting.

Three years after the founding of the Hua State, the Empress was reluctant to marry, which led to the young cadres below not considering marriage until they were over 20 years old. This trend of late marriage and late childbearing even spread to the people.

For this reason, the reception desk at the entrance of the administrative building received the most letters calling on the empress to set an example and put an end to this unhealthy trend as soon as possible.

At this time, Xu Zhenying was already twenty-two or twenty-three years old, but she had been urged to get married for five years. She was a modern person at heart, and naturally had decided not to have children in this era, but she could not delay others. At least she had to build a good platform, and as for the rest, she could only take things as they came.

So she asked Empress Yuan Chun to help organize an exchange meeting for young cadres.

All unmarried cadres over the age of 18 in the city of Bianjing must participate.

When Empress Yuan Chun received the order, she naturally organized herself with great joy.

She went from being timid in the beginning to attending literacy classes, completing advanced courses, and even opening a technical school for girls.

Empress Yuan Chun has now finally established herself in the city of Bianjing with her own name. Nowadays, when people mention this former empress, few remember that she was Zhou Zhong's wife. Instead, most people call her Principal Yuan.

Empress Yuan Chun was an enthusiastic person, so she naturally enjoyed organizing these activities.

So, she actually pulled together the older ladies in the city of Bianjing and organized this grand blind date event. Oh, no, His Majesty said, it should be called an exchange meeting.

Arranged marriages are no longer popular nowadays.

Talking about blind dates always seems old-fashioned.

Empress Yuan Chun had decided early on to settle in an inner lake in the city of Bianjing. The trail along the lake was several miles long, with rockery and covered bridges built in the middle. It was warm spring, and the flowers on both sides of the trail were in full bloom, and it was the time of lush grass and flying orioles.

China has always advocated frugality, so Empress Yuan Chun did not dare to spend too much. She just made simple decorations, making some red silk, wooden signs, ceiling fans, etc. to show the liveliness.

On this day, the place was crowded with people early in the morning.

Many ladies in the city of Bianjing knew about this event in advance and were eager to attend. They drove their carriages here early with the mentality of watching the fun, and for a while the place was quite crowded.

However, the real owners have not shown up yet due to government affairs.

Since they had arrived early, they naturally had to help Empress Yuan Chun receive them.

What's more, you can directly occupy the second floor of the trail tavern, which is high above and allows you to take in the entire lake view.

"There are so many people here today, and they are all well-known figures in Bianjing City. I just saw Director Song from the Human Resources Department!"

"Oh, you guys don't know yet, but Secretary Xu is coming today!"

"Your Majesty's cousin?" Someone immediately said, smiling, "Speaking of which, Secretary Xu is probably a few years older than Your Majesty. She must be around 25 or 26 this year, right? Well, it's only because the world is good now. In the past, a girl of 25 or 26 would have to be raised at home for the rest of her life!"

"That's right. Your Majesty is already 23 this year, and there is still no choice for the empress. I heard from my daughter that Elder Lin and Madam Xu have been pressing hard in the past two years, and the empress is quite troubled."

The man asked curiously: "Your girl is..."

A woman in a green dress beside him smiled and explained, "Her daughter is working in the logistics department. You may not know this, but three years ago, in the Bianjing City Clerk Assessment, her daughter was the top scorer!"

The woman looked modest, but the smile on her lips made her look proud. "Hey, my girlfriend won't let me say this outside!"

"Oh, my dear sister, your daughter is so capable. You said you and I have known each other for a year or two, why didn't you tell me? Why, are you afraid that I will ask your daughter to do something for you? Don't worry, I'm not that kind of person!"

The woman blushed with embarrassment and quickly explained, "No, no, what are you talking about? Your son is also very capable, so he doesn't dare to show off in front of his sisters."

"My son is a director in the Ministry of Supervision, and he has been around for several years, but no one has mentioned him. He is nothing compared to your daughter becoming the top scholar!"

"All right, all right, ladies! Today we are here to see these young people dating!"

"Oh, come on, I'm still very interested in what Mrs. Gangshi said."

"Which one?"

"I mean, your Majesty's marriage..."

These ladies are either the wives of new noble families, or old noble families who were retained because of their good reputation when the city was conquered three years ago. These people who originally had no intersection with each other have become close in recent years because of various reasons.

In addition, the empress did not like the idea of ​​hierarchy and advocated the integration of all classes, identities, and nationalities. Otherwise, if it were in the past, these new nobles would not have had the opportunity to share the stage with these aristocratic families. What's more, like now, everyone is sitting together happily, eating melon seeds and watching the show.

They even talked about the empress's gossip and secrets.

The Empress's marriage is a top priority!

You also need to choose a royal husband——

The woman whose daughter won the imperial examination restrained her expression at this moment. After everyone's heads came closer, she lowered her voice and said, "I also heard by chance that there was a big commotion last year. Elder Lin brought some old officials and often knelt outside the Baohua Palace to force Your Majesty to agree to the open selection of the emperor's husband. They also said that if Your Majesty did not agree, they would not get up."

Someone gasped, "This old Lin... Well, it's not his fault. After all, the issue of the royal succession is of great importance. Throughout the dynasties, many countries were in turmoil because of the disputes over the royal succession. Old Lin also did it for His Majesty..."

Some people clearly disagreed. "Our Majesty...his character, mind, and methods are all extraordinary. He is not someone that can be manipulated by anyone...I think the forced marriage thing is a mystery. Didn't you see that Madam Xu didn't say anything in all these years?"

Although these ladies had never left their homes due to their old age, the Chinese society was more open than ever before, so even though they were not familiar with government affairs, they could read newspapers, gossip, and visit households, and were several times more sensitive to the affairs of the court than before.

"Isn't that the truth? Old Lin's tactics might work against the previous emperor, but against our empress... it's far from enough. According to my daughter... it's Old Lin's moral blackmail!"

"Then how will Your Majesty respond?"

The woman smiled in an unfathomable way. Seeing everyone's eyes on her, she felt proud and ashamed, "Your Majesty actually said that Mr. Lin is lazy and stupid!"

The people around were shocked.

Even the wife of Duke Pei, who was usually not close to them and was high and mighty, frowned nervously.

"How can Mr. Lin be so stupid?"

"Why is Mr. Lin so lazy?"

People kept speaking up for Mr. Lin.

"Your Majesty said that Mr. Lin couldn't think of any other way, so he threatened others with his body and hair, but was unwilling to put his mind to solve the problem. This is laziness. As for stupidity, it probably means that Mr. Lin has run out of tricks. He always uses these tricks. He only knows how to force his superiors, but doesn't know how to help them solve problems. This is stupidity. Mr. Lin was so angry that he stayed in bed for a month..."

"No wonder I heard that Elder Lin was ill some time ago. It turned out to be because of this!"

The women chattered and expressed their opinions.

Anyway, China has an open-minded culture that allows common people to discuss matters. Even rural women dare to go to the administrative hall and express their opinions in front of the empress.

These people didn't say anything excessive in private, so what crime have they committed?

"Hey, come to think of it, Madam Xu hasn't said anything yet. Although Elder Lin is loyal, it's not worth it to annoy His Majesty!"

"If you ask me, our queen is not an ordinary person. Her thoughts are more comprehensive than ours. Maybe she has already thought of someone to inherit the throne! Or maybe... Her Majesty wants to learn from Yao and Shun and abdicate the throne?"

These words immediately opened everyone's minds.

Learn from Yao and Shun to abdicate?
That shouldn't be possible, right?
Throughout history, people have fought tooth and nail for the throne, but no one has ever given up this vast territory.

Especially a rare and romantic figure like Her Majesty the Queen, who is rarely seen in a thousand years.

To be honest, although these old ministers did not like the constraints Xu Zhenying had imposed on them since she came to power, and even the slave tax, the big household tax, and the official assessment forced them to sacrifice everything to save the king, and they had finally managed to retain these wealth and status, they naturally couldn't help but complain about the empress's iron-blooded hand in private.

However, in the past few years, the city of Bianjing has undergone tremendous changes, with new and smooth cement roads, gradually prosperous business, the rise of women's colleges and technical schools, and even slaves who were released from their families and passed the examinations to become civil servants. These subtle changes have also made them aware of this new, free and fair atmosphere.

Although they had complaints about the empress, they also had to admire her.

Therefore, when it comes to the empress's abdication, many people even become nervous.

The city of Bianjing had finally enjoyed peace and stability for a few years, and they were still hoping that the empress would remain in power for a long time so that she could push the country into true prosperity.

Who doesn’t want their descendants to live in a peaceful era?

An old lady of high moral character reminded him, "Don't talk nonsense. It's fine to talk about news and family matters. Even if the atmosphere is open, this involves matters concerning the throne. You and I should still be careful and cautious."

The other women also realized that this topic was a bit sensitive, so they just kept silent.

"Is that Director Xu?" A woman pointed in the distance, and a man about twenty-five or twenty-six appeared at the entrance of the trail. He was wearing a white robe, but his hair was not tied up. He had the short hair style of Jinzhou Prefecture. At first, people in Bianjing City were not used to such a short hair, but after seeing it for a long time, they felt that this short hair style made both men and women look refreshing.

"It's him, it's him, he's here too?" a woman asked in surprise.

As your majesty's brother, although Xu Huiming did not hold a high official position, he became the most popular figure in Bianjing City as soon as he entered the capital because of his young age and self-discipline, and he was a student of the Zhou Dynasty.

Especially the old families who hope to marry into the upstarts.

The old ministers who came to convey the intention of marriage could be said to have broken down the door of the Xu family.

Some old ministers even wrote directly to Xu Zhenying, hoping that he would grant them the marriage, but Xu Zhenying ignored them.

Unfortunately, it is not known whether it was the Empress's intention or Xu Huiming's personal intention, but after these years, Xu Huiming's marriage is still unsettled.

However, after watching Her Majesty's actions, everyone gradually came to their senses. Apart from occasionally accepting the invitation of the ministers to be the master of ceremonies, Her Majesty never arranged marriages for anyone, nor did she participate in the marriages of the ministers' children.

In other words, Your Majesty never arranges marriages.

In this case, Xu Huiming is now so old, but still refuses to get married. It is probably his own personal choice.

"Alas, what a pity that such a promising and handsome boy has not yet married. If I were Madam Xu, I would probably be so worried that my hair would turn white."

A woman laughed and joked, "Isn't that right? Your Majesty has only one brother and one sister. The youngest sister is now sixteen and is studying abroad, traveling all over the country. I'm afraid that she won't get married for at least five years. This eldest son Xu is also twenty-five or twenty-six, and he is also lonely. The last time Madam Xu attended our Women's Promotion Association, she was still complaining, saying that among the four branches of the Xu family, your Majesty's family has no grandchildren, and even the marriages of several children have not been settled. She is also very anxious-"

The person who said this was General Bai's wife, so she was naturally well-informed.

"Hey, I heard that Director Xu seems to have someone in his heart, but the girl refuses to agree, so he is delaying the marriage."

"Someone in your heart? Who?"

"That's not clear. How can we talk about this?"

The woman's information was half hidden and half revealed, which made people feel itchy, but some sharp-eyed women guessed it quickly.

Speaking of which, who is Young Master Xu closest to?

In terms of government affairs, it is naturally Minister Feng'er.

However, those who could be guessed were relatives of very high-ranking officials, so they were naturally tight-lipped and just smiled without saying anything.

The old members of the Xu family's government team could all see that Xu Huiming was waiting for Minister Feng'er.

Some people even tried to persuade Feng'er indirectly in private.

However, Feng'er's words, "As long as Your Majesty doesn't get married, I won't get married either," left everyone speechless.

"Minister Feng'er is here too!" a woman shouted.

Sure enough, a thin woman walked in from the archway entrance. She was wearing a dark long coat and trousers, and her hair was tied into a bun at the back of her head. This hairstyle was popularized by Her Majesty the Queen. It is called "Bun", which is quite appropriate. Recently, many women have this hairstyle, which is clean, refreshing and easy to manage.

"Today's exchange meeting is interesting. Everyone wears masks. They can't recognize faces. Are they just relying on voices? This blind date...blind date, you have to see the face at least."

A woman laughed and said, "Sister Liao, your idea is outdated. If you look at their faces, they are all acquaintances and have contact in government affairs, so it will be difficult to take action. With masks on, no one knows each other, so we can just get to know each other again and avoid the embarrassment of acquaintances. I heard that this was His Majesty's idea."

When they heard that it was Xu Zhenying's idea, the women naturally didn't dare to say anything and started praising him.

"That's right. I just walked around the trail. Principal Yuan arranged a lot of games today, both literary and martial arts, and some level-breaking games. After going around in a circle, I can get a good idea of ​​the other person's temperament."

"After all that, do you want to guess whether His Majesty will come today?"

"I don't know whether His Majesty will come or not, but seeing that all the high-ranking and powerful people from the Xu family have appeared, I'm afraid that the ladies of the Xu family... and the Empress Dowager... are likely to show up."

Someone immediately corrected her: "Madam Ru, we don't have any Grand Empress Dowager in China! After His Majesty ascended the throne, he never conferred titles on any royal relatives. We can only call that person Madam Xu!"

"Yes, yes, it was my slip of the tongue. Please forgive me, sister." The woman knew how serious it was, so she just laughed it off and got away with it.

Of course, the people present would not hold grudges against others.

Even though Xu Zhenying never conferred any title on his family members, it did not prevent them from privately calling Xu Degui "the Supreme Emperor", Miao "the Empress Dowager", and Huang "the Grand Empress Dowager".

The women also didn't understand why Xu Zhenying insisted on his own way and refused to confer titles on anyone in the Xu family. This had been the case in every dynasty, so why did Her Majesty want to be different?

Aren’t you afraid that the Xu family will turn against you?
Not to mention the turmoil that occurred between Her Majesty the Queen and her ministers over the issue of "additional titles" when she ascended the throne.

Fortunately, the Xu family members were sensible and wrote letters to express that they did not want the titles. They also formed a united front and stood on the side of Her Majesty the Queen. Only then was the uproar over the coronation and enthronement ceremony barely settled.

However, this also shows Xu Zhenying's iron-blooded strategy.

With such wealth and glory right before their eyes, no one in the Xu family dared to ask for it. This shows that Xu Zhenying was strict with his family members, and also shows that the other members of the Xu family were afraid of Xu Zhenying.

The women were watching the show on the second floor not far away, while the parties involved had already entered the archway with hanging flowers one after another.

As soon as Feng'er entered the door, a staff member gave her a bracelet with a number and a mask.

"Girl, today is an exchange meeting for young cadres, and Principal Yuan specially asked us to prepare masks and number plates." Feng'er still found it a little strange. For a moment, the resentment in her heart that Xu Zhenying had rushed here for a blind date dissipated a lot.

All right, all right. His Majesty is no exception and was forced by Madam Xu to attend the exchange meeting. So, as a subordinate, it seems that there is nothing unacceptable for her to suffer with her superiors.

But no one can recognize each other when wearing masks, so how can they communicate during blind dates?
I don’t know what arrangements Principal Yuan made.

After Feng'er put on the mask, she slowly walked into the entrance of the Neihu trail. Soon, dozens of young cadres arrived one after another.

Although they were wearing masks, Feng'er could still recognize some of the people she had known for nearly ten years, such as Xu Yinxi, Qian Zhenniang, and Fang Ningmo.

Feng'er could recognize these people just by looking at their backs.

Perhaps he was also dragged here by His Majesty to suffer together?
But it was still fun to see her friends being urged to get married. Fortunately, Feng'er had no parents, so she didn't have the "fun" of being urged to get married.

Soon, several familiar girls met.

Feng'er looked at Xu Yinxi with a smile and said, "Why is Madam Lian so anxious? I remember Xu Lezhi gave birth to a son some time ago, and she was so proud of it. It's as if she is superior to others because she gave birth to a son. Madam Lian is already enjoying her grandchildren, why is she rushing you?"

Xu Yinxi smiled bitterly, "It was because Xu Lezhi became arrogant after giving birth to a son that even my mother couldn't stand it, and the mother and daughter became estranged. Now my mother is concentrating on her government affairs. If she sends money to him on time every month, maybe she can get a good result. She is now in high spirits and successful in officialdom. The only regret is that I didn't get married."

Qian Zhenniang spread her hands and said, "I was simply dragged here by His Majesty. His Majesty said that we should share happiness and hardships together—"

Xu Yinxi tilted her head and smiled, "Zhen Niang was an innocent victim of the fire. She was driven here by grandma! Grandma said that we old heroes are all girls in our twenties and should have gotten married long ago! Her sons had given birth to several children at her age, so she was the most active in this exchange meeting and wanted to tie all of us up."

Fang Ningmo said, "My elder sister got married a while ago, and now my mother is only focused on me. She even said that her mission will be completed after I get married, but I don't know who gave her the mission."

Feng Er laughed: "Sure enough, urging marriage is only fun when you look at other people."

"Oh, really?" Xu Yinxi raised her eyebrows. "I've heard rumors that my cousin is deeply in love with you and has been delaying the marriage just to wait for you. Even Third Aunt asked me to find out about it, so why don't you agree? If you agree, she will definitely make everything right and let you marry into the Xu family easily."

Fang Ningmo also laughed: "Speaking of which, Master Xu is really a young talent, with a great temper and good looks, and he is also infatuated with you. Why, Feng'er, do you still look down on him?"

Feng Er said seriously, "How can it be my turn to look down on others?"

"Then why are you still..."

Feng Er waved her hand, not wanting to say more. "Mr. Xu is a young man with talent, but that doesn't mean I have to agree to his good conditions. Marriage should be based on mutual consent."

Several girls seemed to be thinking about something.

It sounds like Feng'er has no interest in Xu Huiming.

Xu Yinxi pondered whether she should reply to Miao in this way, so that both Miao and her cousin would give up?
Xu Yinxi couldn't persuade him anymore, so she smiled and said, "It's rare to have such a gathering today, you should have a good time. Who knows, maybe you'll find someone you like here."

But Xu Yinxi couldn't help sighing in her heart.

Obviously, Third Uncle and Third Aunt were all looking forward to Feng'er marrying into the Xu family, but unfortunately, Feng'er and Xu Huiming were really not destined to be together.

Soon, the sound of drums came from the side, and the exchange activity officially began.

Feng'er looked around but didn't see Xu Zhenying.

She thought to herself: Could it be that His Majesty tricked these resentful creatures into coming to accompany him while he himself went into hiding?

This seems like something your majesty would do.

After all, since the founding of China, the country has been peaceful and prosperous, and development has been booming. It is inevitable that Your Majesty has the desire to slack off and often behaves childishly.

Meanwhile, Principal Yuan was already organizing the meeting in an orderly manner: "All the girls, please sit down according to the numbers on the wreaths on your wrists, and the gentlemen, please sit down one by one. You will sit face to face for about five minutes, and then you can go to the next seat. There will be games such as boat trips and pot-tossing. If you meet someone you like, please give the flowers in your hands to the girls, and the girls can give the wreaths to the gentlemen."

A grand blind date event just began.

Feng'er was not interested in these activities at all, so as soon as she sat down, she looked around for Xu Zhenying. However, she didn't find Xu Zhenying, but the voice of the man opposite her surprised her.

The person opposite smiled and said, "Since you have no intention of dating, why bother coming out?"

It was Xu Huiming!
I'm really afraid of what will happen.

And Empress Yuan Chun, who was not far away, actually gave Feng'er a wink.

Feng'er was speechless and choked.

God knows that she has been trying her best to avoid Xu Huiming in the past few years. I don’t know what’s wrong with Dean Pian Yuan, but he actually wants to help her to get married?
Why are there so many people in this world who match people up randomly?
No wonder His Majesty never grants marriage to others. If he chooses the wrong person, it will really destroy two families.

But since we are here, we should make the best of it. When they met, Feng Er could only greet him openly: "Master Xu."

Xu Huiming stared at her and smiled, as if teasing her, "I remember you used to call me by my name."

"That was a last resort when I was working for His Majesty outside to protect my identity. Please forgive me, Master Xu."

Two people were wearing masks and sitting face to face.

The same goes for everyone else. Everyone's five minutes have not yet been up, so Feng'er cannot change seats on her own.

She felt a little uneasy and pulled out her pocket watch to check the time.

After talking so much, only a minute has passed?
Seeing this, Xu Huiming asked, "You really don't want to be alone with me?"

Feng Er smiled, "No, it's just that the eldest master is overthinking it."

Xu Huiming seemed a little aggressive, "Then why do you keep avoiding me?"

"That's not the case either."

Facing Feng'er's perfunctory response, Xu Huiming seemed a little angry, "Feng'er!"

Feng'er was still nonchalant, and subconsciously took out her pocket watch to check the time, obviously wanting time to pass quickly.

Unfortunately, the pocket watch was grabbed by a big hand.

Looking up, meeting Xu Huiming's eyes, Feng'er's casual smile gradually faded, and then she said helplessly: "Master Xu, what exactly are you going to do? Between you and me, I have said everything I should say, what exactly do you want?"

Xu Huiming also sighed, "As smart as you are, how could you not know that I have been waiting for you. Feng'er, don't pretend to be ignorant when you know the truth."

Feng'er moved her hand away again, glanced at the time, and then closed the pocket watch.

The woman's eyebrows were light and she was no longer timid as she had been when they first met. There was a sense of vigor and vitality between her brows.

She had already risen to the top and was no longer the slave who followed the exile team cautiously and tried to please others.

"Master Xu, I have never pretended to be ignorant. I made my feelings clear a long time ago. I will not be with you. It is you who has been deceiving yourself and refusing to give up. You even used the Xu family to put pressure on me. I had no choice but to hide."

Xu Huiming grabbed Feng'er's hand and said, "I don't believe it."

"What don't you believe?"

"I don't believe you have no feelings for me at all. Feng'er, your eyes can't deceive anyone. You said I was deceiving myself, but who is the one deceiving myself between you and me?"

Feng Er sighed, with a hint of sadness in her eyes. She pursed her lips slightly, then slowly said: "Okay, I admit that I like you a little. Mr. Xu is a clean and honest man, a young man of talent, and we have been together for many years. It is natural for us to have feelings for each other."

Xu Huiming's eyes suddenly lit up.

"But... love is so illusory. To me, love is just the icing on the cake. In my life... I will not be bound by the word love. I have a wider world and unfinished business. These are thousands of times more important than being with you."

"I don't understand!" Xu Huiming was a little excited. In the spring season, willow catkins floated and landed on his head, which seemed like a dream.

The young boy of the past has also become a mature and stern man.

"Why... Being with me will hinder your career! I said, I won't restrict you in any way! Do whatever you want. After we get married, I will never ask you to do anything according to worldly standards, and I will not put any pressure on you to have children—"

Feng Er smiled generously. She pulled out Xu Huiming's hand, her expression very calm, even a little cold, "No. I like Master Xu, but I like my free life even more. It's good now, and I don't want to change it. Master Xu's affection, I will eventually let him down. You don't have to wait for me, in this life... I will never look back. Master Xu, if you really like me, you will be happy with my decision."

Xu Huiming's heart seemed to be hit hard in an instant.

He looked at the indifferent eyes of the man in front of him and felt that the past ten years were just like a dream.

Maybe... he will never understand Feng'er's decision in his life.

But he knew that the person in front of him was like the free wind, the birds in the forest, and the stream in the mountains, and he was not something he could control in his hands.

After all, I can't keep her.

As expected of someone brought up by Xu Zhenying himself, he is warm and cold, calm and cruel, has love for the world but is ruthless to individuals.

"Mr. Xu, you still have a long life ahead of you. There are many excellent girls here, and you don't have to be with me. You can still live your life with someone else. That's all I have to say. Please don't pester me anymore, and don't wait for me."

Feng'er said these words with a sense of relief, then suppressed the pain in her heart and turned her eyes away.

Forget it, forget it. Love is like a passing cloud, the most unreliable thing in the world. Especially for girls, everything seems perfect now, you and I are in love today, but what about tomorrow? Who can guarantee that they will not change their hearts for a lifetime? Even Feng Er can't do it, let alone others?
No matter how you look at it, there is a high possibility that marriage will be a loss for her.

Now is the best era. Instead of worrying about getting married, it is better to follow His Majesty and have a good time and make a name for yourself in history!
Her goal is the sea and the stars, not love between men and women.

time up.

Feng'er stood up without hesitation.

A light breeze blew.

Xu Huiming looked pale, as if he had just woken up from a dream, and there was only desolation left.

Soon, everyone moved in an orderly manner to the next person to communicate.

The activity is still going on.

Qian Zhenniang had official business to attend to, so she left hastily after only the first half of the game, but she did make an appointment with another man before leaving.

Unexpectedly, when he reached the archway with hanging flowers, he was blocked by someone.

Although this man was wearing a mask, it was not difficult to tell from his figure that he was a military general. He stood at the door with his hands behind his back, his eyes determined, as if he was waiting for her.

Qian Zhenniang looked at the familiar figure and asked tentatively, "General Xu?"

The man took off the mask, and underneath the mask, it was Xu Huijia's appearance.

He looks much more stable than before. The experience on the battlefield has made him grow rapidly, and now he looks like a battlefield hero.

Qian Zhenniang smiled: "Why didn't you attend the event?"

"It means nothing." Xu Huijia's eyes darkened when she saw that the bracelet on her hand had been taken off, because this meant that Qian Zhenniang had found someone she liked at least in the first round.

It was hard to tell whether Xu Huijia's tone was one of disappointment or mockery, "Aren't you going to do the same as Feng'er? Wait until His Majesty is married before getting married?"

Qian Zhenniang shook her head. "Feng'er and His Majesty both have unconventional ideas, but I am a very secular person. I want both a career and marriage. Besides, His Majesty once said that women's rights do not require sacrificing anyone to achieve them. Women's rights are... accepting the differences of every girl and allowing every girl to make different choices. So Feng'er chose not to marry for the rest of her life, but I want to choose someone to grow old with."

Xu Huijia was somewhat moved. After a moment's pause, she said sarcastically, "Does it mean that the No. 26 you chose can live with you forever? You don't even know what he looks like..."

Qian Zhenniang was stunned for a moment before she came to her senses and realized that the pair of eyes that had been staring at her from behind during the conversation were actually Xu Huijia!
She suppressed her displeasure, but still smiled: "It is because we cannot see each other's appearance that we can see each other's temperament more clearly. Appearance is external to the body, and it is more important for two people to have similar personalities."

Xu Huijia stared at her.

He remained silent for a long while.

Qian Zhenniang felt something was strange and naturally didn't want to stay with Xu Huijia for even a second longer. She bowed and was about to leave, but was grabbed by the man.

"Mrs. Qian Zhen, will you never forgive me for the stupid things I did?"

Qian Zhenniang was slightly stunned, then smiled: "General Xu, I have long forgotten those things in the past."

So, she just didn't like him.

If he missed it, he missed it.

No regrets for making a move.

Since then, I love Liang Ye without a heart, and let him go down to the west building with a bright moon.

It’s time to let go of all these years.

Xu Huijia slowly let go of her hand and said in a deep voice: "That man is Lu Shiwen, currently serving as a director. His parents died early, and he has only one younger brother who has passed the civil service exam. Although his family is poor, he has no burden, and he has a good character and is expected to be promoted. He is suitable for you... barely..."

Qian Zhenniang did not ask Xu Huijia why she was so familiar with this person. Her mind was a little confused, but she stopped herself from thinking too much and just said lightly, "Thank you."

Xu Huijia also smiled calmly, "Take good care of yourself."

"I will."

The two passed each other and went their separate ways.

The willow catkins are flying, but the figure is no longer visible.