Teasing the First Dragon at the Start

Fu Su nodded slightly and said in a soft voice, "Smooth and tender, a rare delicacy, truly a masterpiece."

Hu Yi looked stunned for a moment, then asked with a strange expression, "Really?"

Even Bai Su, who was standing to the side, showed a hint of surprise on her face. She hadn't expected Fu Su to have such a unique taste.

Fu Su finished eating in a few bites, then looked at Bai Su with some curiosity: "No one in the palace can make such delicacies. You're not from the palace, are you?"

After a moment of contemplation, Bai Su explained, "I am Bai Su, a commoner. I have come here specifically because I have been summoned by His Majesty."

A hint of surprise flickered in Fu Su's clear, autumn-like eyes: "You are that great talent from Handan City?"

Bai Su was taken aback: "Your Highness knows me?"

He had never met Fu Su before, and this was his first time in Xianyang. How did she know him?

Fu Su seemed to see through Bai Su's thoughts and said, "Although this is our first meeting, I have heard about your deeds. Horseshoes, bellows, and the work-for-relief method—these things must have been made by you."

Bai Su scratched her cheek and said with a smile, "I only did some trivial things."

Fu Su took two steps forward and approached directly.

She took a deep breath and said seriously, "No, I have carefully studied what you invented. It has a significant impact on the national strength of the Great Xia, especially the recent reform of military rations, which has helped the Great Xia to launch a northern expedition against the Xiongnu, solve the problem of the northern lands, and prevent the Xiongnu from growing stronger."

"This achievement is enough to earn you a promotion and a fief of five hundred households. Among the younger generation in the Great Xia, few can compare to you. You don't need to be so modest."

Bai Su stared at the face so close to hers and couldn't help but pause for a moment, "Is...is that so?"

Her personality seems a bit too rigid.

However, it must be said that her serious expression is quite cute.

Her face was exquisitely beautiful, her skin seemed flawless, her eyebrows were delicate, and her eyes, clear and bright, were full of seriousness. Her nose was delicate and her lips were luscious. Her dignified and proper demeanor made her exceptionally radiant and captivating.

Why are you standing so close?

Like a little she-wolf protecting her possessions, Hu Su squeezed between the two and shielded Bai Su behind her.

Fu Su paused for a moment, then took a few steps back, seemingly unaware that she had been too close.

She pondered for a moment and said, "I just wanted to see what kind of person this talented man who helped you win against me twice was. After meeting him today, I can see that he truly lives up to his reputation."

"I wonder if you would be willing to join my ranks, young master? Compared to Hu Yi, I am more capable of helping you advance in your career and achieve great things."

Hu Yu frowned deeply: "What did you say? Bai Su is my man, he won't help you, right, Bai Su?"

After saying that, she turned her head and looked at Bai Su with a threatening gaze, appearing fierce.

Bai Su was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "I'm sorry, I'm used to a carefree personality and don't have much interest in an official career, so I have no intention of changing my allegiance for the time being."

After all, he had already promised to marry Hu Yi, so naturally he couldn't help Su to bully her.

Besides, he's already latched onto Zheng Jie's coattails, so why settle for second best and try to cling to Fu Su's thinner leg?

Fu Su was unaware of his true thoughts and believed that Bai Su was a loyal and righteous person.

She slowly stood up and then said, "Is that so? That's such a pity. Young master will definitely regret today's choice in the future."

Bai Su asked in confusion, "Regret?"

Fu Su looked intently at Bai Su with her clear, autumn-like eyes and said seriously, "Young master, although you are talented, you are still too young. I have a group of court officials and Confucian scholars supporting me."

“If you, young master, become my enemy, you will not be able to win this struggle for the throne.”

Hu Yu scoffed dismissively, "Hmph, we'll see who wins and who loses."

Fu Su turned her head, and the two sisters looked at each other. In a daze, it seemed as if there was a clash of lightning and thunder, and the roar of dragons and tigers.

Bai Su, standing next to him, scratched her cheek with a strange expression.

He thought to himself that from the very beginning, he had never intended to get involved in the power struggle between the two of them. In fact, he had only one thought from the beginning to the end.

That is, one day, I will make the two of them call me father.

Of course, he was not a pedantic person.

If one day I achieve great merit and stand shoulder to shoulder with Zhengjie, and marry their mothers, then in private they will call me Father, and I will address them as Princesses.

It's not impossible for us to each use our own names.

Chapter Sixty-Eight: A True Judge of Character

The next day.

The dark sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

Bai Su got up very early, not because he had any excellent sleep habits, but because...

"Sir, these are the clothes you're to wear today."

"Master, breakfast is ready. Come and eat quickly."

There, two identical girls were busy in the room, obediently placing the cooked porridge on the table, their bright eyes looking at Bai Su.

The two looked to be no more than fourteen or fifteen years old. They were twin sisters named Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao.

This was a pair of maids that Sister Zheng gave Bai Su along with a mansion.

After all, he would be living in Xianyang for a long time from now on, and would often have to go to the court to handle government affairs, unlike before when he was a carefree hermit. In this huge mansion, he would have to arrange some servants to take care of things.

As for why they sent a pair of twin girls instead of some capable servants,

That's because Sister Zheng had already figured out that Bai Su was a pervert with no resistance to good looks.

She did not agree directly to betroth Hu Su to Bai Su, but instead asked him to make corresponding achievements before she would hold a wedding for him.

To prevent Bai Su and her group of lazy, rouge-like horses from thinking that the carrot dangling in front of their heads was too far away and unreachable, thus giving rise to the idea of ​​slacking off.

We need to feed him some hay so that Bai Su will behave and be willing to serve her.

These twin sisters were specially found by Sister Zheng. They were not only beautiful and obedient, but also very diligent, and proficient in all kinds of laundry and cooking.

Bai Su looked at the delicate-looking twin sisters in front of her with a serious expression.

He sighed softly: "Your Majesty, do you think you can win me over with this?"

Da Qiao blinked and asked nervously, "Master, what's wrong? Don't you like plain porridge? Then I'll make you a new pot."

Hearing her sister say this, Xiao Qiao, the younger sister, also showed a hint of fear on her face, afraid that Master Bai Su would not want them and would sell them to someone else.

After all, it's not easy to find such a young, friendly gentleman who is also highly regarded by His Majesty.

"Ahem, who said I don't like it? I love plain porridge the most."

Bai Su looked at the two adorable girls in front of her, and without the slightest hesitation, sat down at the table and started eating.

At the same time, I couldn't help but sigh in my heart, "Sister Zheng really has a good eye for people."

While he was eating breakfast.

Suddenly, a loud sound came from outside.

"Young Master Bai..."

Bai Su was startled and almost choked.

He turned around with a displeased expression, only to see an envoy dressed in court attire standing outside the door, fawningly saying, "Young Master Bai, it's getting late, time to go to court..."

Bai Su reluctantly drank the last mouthful of porridge, gave some instructions to the Qiao sisters, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, and then stood up.

"Then I'll trouble you, messenger."

As the saying goes, "He who eats another's food is bound to him; he who takes another's gift is bound to him." Since he had accepted Sister Zheng's reward, he naturally couldn't be absent from work when it was time to clock in.

The envoy was flattered to see Bai Su being so easy to talk to, after all, she was a favorite of His Majesty.

Once on the carriage, I chatted with the envoy along the way and inquired about a lot of news from the court today.

It turns out that Zhengjie had already discussed the plan to attack the Xiongnu with Wang Jian, Meng Yi, Li Si and other important officials in the court.

The army is now sharpening its swords, ready to march north immediately, but it lacks a legitimate pretext for its attack.

Therefore, today, Zhengjie, along with Li Si, Wang Jian, and others, are preparing to put on a show in front of all the civil and military officials...

The story unfolds as the Xiongnu invade the Central Plains, threatening the livelihoods of the local border people. Our Great Xia is forced to retaliate, but inadvertently goes too far, reaching the northern deserts.

Firstly, it was intended for the dove-like officials in the court who advocated recuperation and opposed war.

Secondly, it was told to the people of the world and to the historians.

After all, for many years, the Great Xia had been known as a nation of tigers and wolves, and in the eyes of the people of the six kingdoms, it had a terrible reputation for only knowing how to farm and fight, and not caring about the lives of its people. It had been difficult to win the hearts of the people.

A legitimate pretext could unite the people of the six kingdoms and lessen their resentment towards the Great Xia.

At the same time, it would leave a better reputation for Zhengjie in the history books, so why not?

After realizing that today's court assembly was just a charade, Bai Su lost interest and went directly to an inconspicuous corner of the main hall.

He leaned against the palace door, yawned wearily, and closed his eyes, squinting.

Because of his low rank, he stayed at the very back of the crowd, and no one paid him any attention.

The court assembly had already begun.

"Your Majesty, I have important matters to report," Meng Yi stepped forward and bowed.

Through the beaded curtain, Zhengjie pretended to know nothing and asked with some surprise, "What can I do for you, my dear minister?"

Meng Yi cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, the Xiongnu’s power is gradually growing and they have begun to infiltrate southward, attacking our borders, plundering our grain, and killing our people. I beg Your Majesty to send troops to punish the Xiongnu and punish these barbarians.”

Zhengjie raised her delicate eyebrows, as if she had just heard the news, and said coldly, "Such a thing has happened. What a bunch of Huns, they've really gone too far."

General Neishi Teng stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the army to the north to attack the Xiongnu."

Some dove-like officials in the court who advocated recuperation and opposed war sensed something was amiss when they saw this situation.

Imperial Censor Feng Jie hurriedly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I feel that this matter is somewhat unreasonable. I hope Your Majesty will not act impulsively."

Meng Yi raised an eyebrow and rebuked, "What impulsiveness! The Xiongnu have already invaded our doorstep. Are we just going to sit idly by and hand over our land to them?"

Feng Jie broke out in a cold sweat and said angrily, "Meng Yi, don't make false accusations. I just think this is illogical. The Xiongnu were driven out of the Hetao region by General Meng Tian with 300,000 cavalry several years ago."

"Now they are no longer a threat. What ability do they have to threaten the Central Plains? Besides... with hundreds of thousands of troops marching out of the border, the daily consumption of supplies and provisions is astronomical."

"Our Great Xia has just unified the world. The people are impoverished and the national treasury is empty. It is the time to recuperate and rebuild. At this time, we should focus on the affairs of the Central Plains and not recklessly launch wars against other countries."

Then, another civil official stepped forward.