The playboy county magistrate

"You go there yourself and bring Miss Gu over from the Imperial City Guard. We'll leave directly from the manor later and won't make a special trip to the Imperial City Guard."

Thinking of his mother Zhang's red eyes, Li Xuanzhi knew he would have to comfort her for a while before leaving the capital.

Gu Pan'er was extremely vigilant, fearing that someone might sneak up on her to threaten Li Xuanzhi. She didn't get a good night's sleep, and was constantly on edge.

Now that Tang Zheng, an acquaintance, had come to pick her up, he was acting on Li Xuanzhi's orders, which made Gu Pan'er feel much more relaxed.

However, she couldn't help but blush when she heard Tang Zheng mention going to the Marquis of Chengen's mansion.

I'm really not ready to meet your parents right now. What if your aunt doesn't like me...?

In other words, it was Tang Zheng who came to pick up Gu Pan'er. If it had been Uncle Wang instead, Gu Pan'er's little thoughts would definitely not have been hidden.

Meanwhile, at the home of the headmaster of Baima Academy, distinguished guests arrived.

"Your Majesty, why did you return so suddenly today?"

The headmaster of Baima Academy, who was also the Empress's grandfather, walked in with a smile and gently tapped his son on the head with the rolled-up bamboo slip he was holding.

"Before, when she was stuck in the palace, you longed for her every day, craning your neck to look towards the palace. You didn't want to leave even after court. Now that your precious daughter has finally returned home, you complain about her sudden return. How come you're saying such mean things?"

The Empress's mother, the wife of the head of the Hanlin Academy, also came in carrying fruit that had just been delivered from the estate.

"Exactly! At least you can greet your daughter from afar every now and then, but I honestly only see her twice a year."

Despite the Empress's high and mighty status, the family remains warm and harmonious.

Only when she returned to her maternal home could the Empress truly relax.

After all, in the palace, besides being the emperor's first wife, she was also the empress of the entire Dayong Dynasty, and she had to be extra careful about her every word and action.

At this moment, the Empress, just as she had before her marriage, smiled and moved closer to her mother, gently hugging her mother's arm and acting coquettishly.

"Mother is still the best. Father hardly recognizes his daughter anymore, and he keeps bringing up that old saying about the difference between ruler and subject."

"You don't listen to your father. He's been spending all his time at the Hanlin Academy and he's almost gone crazy. Come on, let's go back to your room and talk."

To everyone's surprise, the Empress did not immediately agree. Instead, she gently shook her mother's hand.

"I am returning to my parents' home this time on behalf of His Majesty's request."

"What?"

"His Majesty's request?"

"If you have anything to say, Your Majesty, just give the order. There's no need for such a formality as requesting."

The Empress cleared her throat and glanced mysteriously in the direction of the door.

The woman who had watched the Empress grow up and was now a stewardess who had followed her into the palace was smiling and nodding. She immediately led her servants out.

Only when the master was left alone in the room did the empress straighten her posture and look seriously at her grandfather.

"I wonder what my grandfather thinks of Li Xuanzhi?"

The Empress must find out her family's attitude towards Li Xuanzhi before deciding whether to continue.

If Li Xuanzhi's family didn't approve of him, or if they disapproved of his actions, and were ultimately forced by royal authority to do something against their will, the Empress would naturally be unwilling.

Even knowing that Li Xuanzhi had a bright future and was destined for greatness, and even if her family might regret it later, she still needed to find out beforehand.

After all, some things depend on fate; you can't force them.

If you have too strong a purpose in everything you do, and you end up with a resentful couple, it's better not to start in the first place.

This would also prevent the marriage from turning into a feud, leaving no opportunity for future interactions, which would truly be a case of losing more than one gains.

As it turns out, the headmaster of Baima Academy, the Empress's grandfather, was exceptionally intelligent to become a man with so many students.

"Li Xuanzhi is a good kid. I told you before that you can't judge a book by its cover. Sometimes, acting like a playboy doesn't necessarily mean you're a real playboy."

"Now think about it carefully. With Li Xuanzhi's talent and ability, let alone the fact that you can't find someone as outstanding as him among the spoiled brats, even among the elite families who have devoted all their efforts to cultivating him, how many could match his methods and courage?"

"On the contrary, the waters of the Chengen Earl's Mansion run deep. The reason why Li Xuanzhi pretends to be a playboy is probably to avoid the turmoil and crisis brought about by the position of heir."

The Empress's father nodded vigorously upon hearing this, "That Li Xuanjing doesn't have any reputation for being famous at a young age. When he first entered the Hanlin Academy, I was quite optimistic about him."

"But as time went on, I felt more and more that he was just average in talent and ability. I was even planning to talk to His Majesty privately after a while and find Li Xuanjing some kind of sinecure like his father, the Earl of Chengen. I really couldn't see much ability in him, and he was definitely not good at doing great things."

At this point, the Empress's father, who was also the head of the Hanlin Academy, suddenly stopped talking.

Why did you suddenly bring up Li Xuanzhi? Could it be...?

The Empress's mother's eyes suddenly lit up. "Given Li Xuanzhi's current age and his past reputation in the capital, he should be unmarried. Did you return today just for this?"

The Empress smiled and nodded vigorously. "I have a younger sister at home who hasn't been introduced to anyone yet. I was thinking that with such a talented young man around, such a good match shouldn't be missed."

The Empress did not mention that Princess Changning had also taken a liking to Li Xuanzhi, so as not to let them overthink it and instead benefit other outsiders with different intentions.

"Go and call the Sixth Miss over. Tell her that her elder sister, the Empress, is returning to her parents' home and wants to have a word with her younger sister."

The Empress smiled as she watched her mother's head maidservant walk quickly out, and a moment later a pretty young girl walked in with light steps.

……

The atmosphere at the Empress's family home was getting better and better, while the Cheng'en Earl's residence was completely shrouded in grief.

"Can we go to Pingzhou a few days later? Your injury hasn't fully healed yet. The new policies can't be done in a day or two. If His Majesty is really worried, he can send a trusted confidant to keep watch for a few days. You should be allowed to leave the capital only after you've fully recovered."

Madam Zhang cried so bitterly that she was trembling all over.

It's impossible for Li Xuanzhi not to feel heartbroken. That's why he said something right in front of his father that almost caused his father to have a stroke.

"Mother, if you are really worried about your son, go back now and pack your bags, and come with me to Pingzhou."