In a chaotic and famine-stricken era, I picked up an empress to be my wife.

"Which matter?"

"It's about that promise you made to Bai Moli to recommend you to Princess Gaoping," Dugu Meng stammered.

"I haven't forgotten this matter, but before doing this, I need to confirm again what your relationship with Princess Gaoping is. Did she participate in your assassination attempt?"

This matter may seem like I'm fulfilling a promise I made to Bai Moli, but in reality, it's about helping you get in touch with Princess Gaoping and rescuing you from danger.

"If she was involved in the hunt for you, then contacting her would be like walking into a trap," Shen An replied in a deep voice.

Dugu Meng sighed and said, "Shen An, not everyone is a utilitarian, heartless bastard. Princess Gaoping is my aunt, and she has taken great care of me since I was a child. Even after I grew up, she still supports me in everything."

Even to put it bluntly, our interests are intertwined; her targeting me brings her no benefit whatsoever!

"So your answer is that she would never harm you, right?"

"Well, so help me this time. Once I return to the capital, I will definitely bring you unexpected benefits, strengthen your team, and improve your status!" Dugu Meng promised.

Shen An, however, rested his chin on his hand and said, "Actually, there is another way to help you return to the capital."

Which road?

"I can send a group of men to break through the encirclement and escort you back."

"The forces we can command now are completely different from when you first appeared," Shen An replied.

"The chances of success are too low. Li Huaiyi is probably still waiting for me at various checkpoints. Even if I get past Li Huaiyi, there may be assassins in other prefectures who want to kill me."

If you escort me away, those rebels might very well label you a rebel and gather armies from all sides to kill you.

At that time, your people will most likely be killed in the encirclement and suppression by various armies!

"But Princess Gaoping is different. I—no, the Emperor—had her plant her people in every prefecture. With her people providing cover, the success rate of her escape would be far greater than yours," Dugu Meng said, shaking her head.

"Actually, there is another way, which is to continue waiting. When I kill Li Huaiyi and take over Yangnan Prefecture, my reputation and military strength will make it no problem to escort you away!"

"This method is also the safest, guaranteeing you won't be betrayed again!" Shen An added.

Dugu Meng felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

This shows that Shen An has always wanted to help her.

He just hadn't said it before.

She actually wanted to stay here forever. Since her father passed away, she had never felt the warmth of being protected by a man.

Here, she can enjoy herself forever.

Here, she can still feel that she is a woman.

However, the capital city is now as calm as still water, and she needs to know what exactly happened.

She herself may not be able to change things, but with Princess Gaoping's help, she will surely be able to return to the throne and take control of the Great Liang.

"Let's contact Princess Gaoping through you and Bai Moli," Dugu Meng decided.

"Since you've made this choice, I can't object anymore. I'll help you with this."

"Shen An, thank you!"

"No need to thank me."

Shen An meant what he said sincerely. It wasn't that he had feelings for Dugu Meng, but rather that after seeing her body, he had vowed to return her safely, even at great cost. He wouldn't ask Dugu Meng to thank him or anything like that.

As for the return, it would be better if there was one, but he wouldn't insist if there wasn't!

After discussing it with Dugu Meng, Shen An summoned Bai Moli.

When Bai Moli returned, she saw the human heads hanging on the city wall. Even though she had expected it, she was still shocked when she actually saw them.

I think Shen An is too audacious. Isn't he afraid of retaliation?

Upon arriving at Shen An's residence, Bai Moli bowed and greeted him, saying, "Bai Moli greets you, County Magistrate Shen."

Shen An tasted the tea that Hei Lao Liu had brought over today and asked, "You said before that you wanted to recommend me to Princess Gaoping. Tell me, how do you plan to recommend me?"

Bai Moli's face lit up with joy: "County Commandant Shen, I know one of Princess Gaoping's subordinates. If I submit your portrait and your poems, and Princess Gaoping is interested in you in the end, she will send someone here on her own initiative."

At that point, the recommendation will be considered successful.

"That's not troublesome, but I'd like to know, if you recommend her and I'm unwilling to develop that kind of relationship with her, what will be the consequences?" Shen An asked.

"That shouldn't be a problem, right? I'm just recommending you. If Princess Gaoping wants you, she'll still need your permission, won't she?" Bai Moli's tone was light and airy, clearly indicating that she herself wasn't sure.

Shen An felt that if she took a liking to him, it would definitely cause a lot of conflicts.

However, since he had already promised Dugu Meng, he decided to bite the bullet and do it.

"Alright, I'll have someone send you the portrait and some of my poems later. You can go now!"

"yes!"

Bai Moli was overjoyed. In her eyes, Shen An not only had amazing talent, but also an indescribable charm and handsome features. She believed that as long as she recommended him to Princess Gaoping, he would be fine.

She will surely catch the eye of Princess Gaoping, and a bright future awaits her.

After Bai Moli left, Shen An found a painter to paint her portrait and wrote several poems, which he then had given to Bai Moli.

After finishing all this, it was already late. He told Dugu Meng that he had finished and then went to the city wall, gazing in the direction of Yangnan Prefecture.

He now resembled a vampire craving blood, yearning for Li Huaiyi to send troops.

At that time, we will slaughter them without leaving a single survivor!

He was determined to make a name for himself, Shen An, in this chaotic world!

"You haven't had dinner yet, have something to eat." Dugu Meng carried the food box and slowly walked to Shen An's side.

Although she lowered her voice, she couldn't hide her gentle tone.

Shen An snapped out of his thoughts and turned around. Dugu Meng was holding a food box, a tender smile on her beautiful face.

This caused her image to overlap once again with Shen An's girlfriend from his previous life.

Memories of the past flooded back; she, too, had once brought him meals, just like Dugu Meng.

This softened Shen An's gaze: "I'm really hungry. Let me try your cooking and see if it's improved."

"It's definitely improved! Xiaoqi and Xiaolong finished the other two portions." Dugu Meng confidently brought out her dishes, which were all very ordinary home-cooked dishes, but they smelled surprisingly good.

Shen An sat on the ground, took only one bite, and then his appetite was whetted, so he couldn't help but eat it in big mouthfuls.

After he finished eating, he patted his stomach and said, "Dugu Yue, you're truly a culinary genius! Whoever marries you will be guaranteed happiness!"

Dugu Meng's heart warmed again. She had previously thought that if she were to regain the throne, she would have Shen An have a child with her, and in the future, she would announce that the child was born to her imperial concubine.

At this moment, when Shen An brought up the matter of future marriage, she blurted out, "Shen An, as the saying goes, 'those near the water get the moon first.' You're asking me to marry someone else, why don't you try to fight for it yourself? Why don't you be the one who can be happy?"