Cassian was feeling annoyed today because the senior ministers were pressuring him to choose a wife. But meeting this little ghost girl somehow made him feel a bit lighter.
The Great Zhou dynasty had reached its fourth generation with Cassian. He had no children and, though he was over thirty, he still didn't have a wife.
Prince Allennon and his younger brother were the sons of Seryo, Cassian's older brother. Seryo had no desire for the throne. After getting married, he went to the borderlands to defend the empire. He was later killed during a rebellion. Before his death, he had written to Cassian, asking him to adopt his two sons.
To calm the court and because Cassian himself wasn't interested in romantic matters, he agreed. He felt deeply indebted to his brother.
Seryo had been gone for five years now, and the borders had only recently been secured. The old ministers in court had once again started requesting Cassian to take a wife.
In the Great Zhou, there were more men than women. Women could marry several men, with only one as the main husband. Even among royalty, sharing a wife was normal. The difference was that noble women were of higher status than those of common birth.
"You're Liliana, right? What's your family name?" Cassian leaned down a little. Even though she was floating, she was still shorter than him. She looked small and gentle. From this angle, he could see her pale, delicate neck clearly.
He felt strangely frustrated. Why couldn't he see her face clearly?
"I don't know my family name." She lowered her head and shrank her neck. The way he looked at her was a bit weird. Was he thinking of chopping off her head?
But she was already a ghost. Chopping wouldn't work.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." The eunuch's voice called urgently from a distance.
Their conversation was interrupted. Cassian frowned slightly. "Little ghost girl, follow me. Don't wander."
Liliana nodded. She was thinking of finding a chance to sneak away, but remembering that Cassian had spirit masters with him, she thought it would be risky. If she got caught, that would be bad. So she gave up on that idea.
"Eunuch Kerian said the Chief Minister has something important to report. He's waiting outside the imperial study."
Arthur, the Chief Minister, was talented from a young age. He wrote poetry at nine, passed the imperial exam at thirteen, winning top scores in all sections. He later became an official, improved the election system, and governed the Wei and Nan regions, bringing peace and prosperity. He was only twenty-one, the youngest and most capable Chief Minister in the entire empire.
Liliana followed quietly behind Cassian. Along the way, she behaved very obediently, though she did try to tug his sleeve once.
It was strange. Earlier she could touch him, but now she couldn't. She had to figure this out. Maybe she could become a next-level super ghost.
In the distance, a young man in a red robe bowed. That must be Arthur.
Cassian gave a small nod. A palace attendant opened the door and they entered the study. Arthur followed behind.
After the emperor walked in, Arthur stood up straight. Liliana followed Cassian and finally got a clear look at the young man in red.
So handsome. She silently admired him. He wore a red official robe with a white inner layer. His figure was tall and straight, like a peak in the mist. His face was fresh and elegant. He didn't have the boldness of Prince Allennon or the commanding presence of Cassian. He was calm and graceful, like a breeze in spring.
So good-looking. When he looked up, her heart skipped a beat.
She had to admit, the men in this world were all stunning. Any one of them could completely outshine the so-called pretty boys in her original world.
Arthur walked behind the emperor with steady steps, but deep down, he felt something was off.
He had always been observant and sharp. After spending time at court, he became even more sensitive to subtle changes.
Just now, he thought he smelled something — snow pine mixed with tuberose. The scent was quiet and fresh. It wasn't the usual musk used in the palace.
But it disappeared almost instantly.
He pushed aside his odd feeling.
Cassian was now sitting at the desk. He had sent all the servants away.
"What urgent matter do you have, Ziqi?" Ziqi was Arthur's courtesy name.
Cassian was a bit displeased. He had just seen the little ghost girl drifting too close to Arthur. If he hadn't glanced over, she would've been floating right beside him.
The normally composed emperor realized he had been distracted by this ghost girl all day.
Especially now. She was looking down at her floating feet, fiddling with her fingers, standing quietly in the corner.
He had only looked at her once. Was he that scary? Did his expression really look so terrifying? Why was she standing so far from him?
Liliana shrank her neck. A ruler's mood was hard to guess. She had only glanced at that good-looking young man, but Cassian's glare just now felt sharp enough to cut her.
Could it be that there was something between the two of them that couldn't be said out loud?
She couldn't help it. In her past life, besides writing papers, one of her few hobbies was reading novels. Her interests were broad, and she wasn't picky. She read a bit of everything, including love stories between men.
There were plenty of such novels, and even in real history, there were unspoken stories between kings and their trusted ministers.
Cassian still called Arthur "Little Brother Ziqi," and it was hard for Liliana not to overthink it.
Liliana, lost in her wandering thoughts, was now silently watching the two men not far from her.
She was truly curious about what kind of relationship they had.
"Your Majesty, a report has arrived from the northern scouts. It seems the northern tribes are showing signs of unrest."
Arthur bowed, standing a short distance to Cassian's left. At that moment, he was a bit closer to Liliana.
Again, he caught that faint scent of cedar in the air.
"This spring brought heavy snow in the north. The grasslands are barren. Since they live by herding, if they can't eat, it's only natural they'd try to stir trouble by coming south," Cassian said calmly. "What do you suggest?"
Arthur replied, "Your Majesty, of the four corners of the land, only our Great Zhou is currently flourishing. The northern tribes were severely weakened in the last campaign. Right now, they dare only test the waters and can't yet form a real threat. At the moment, besides strengthening our own borders, we should give them a warning."
Liliana was surprised. Not only was this handsome man graceful like a breeze under the moonlight, but even his voice was pleasant and magnetic.
"You are absolutely right. Instruct the men stationed at Yumen to stay alert. Have the officials allocate a batch of military funds to Yumen."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Arthur, today many ministers pressed me to marry. What are your thoughts?"
Arthur answered, "Marriage is a major matter in life. Now that Your Majesty has come of age, the ministers are only acting out of concern. But Your Majesty is the ruler of the nation, and I do not dare to speak carelessly. The emperor's marriage must be steady and carefully chosen. There are very few suitable unmarried women in the capital. Since this would be the position of main consort, for unmarried women, their family background must be considered. For those previously married, aside from their family, we must also consider their former husband's situation. Every detail must be weighed. Though the land is relatively peaceful, the northern tribes have recently stirred again. The southern clans have stayed quiet, but the matter of hostages must be addressed soon. For now, national affairs should take priority."
Liliana thought this man was truly impressive. He spoke smoothly and logically. It sounded like the emperor didn't actually want to get married, and now he had a perfect excuse.
"What you said is exactly what I think," Cassian nodded. Yes, using national affairs to quiet those ministers was the only real excuse he had.
"It is only a humble suggestion," Arthur said as he straightened up. He was just a subject, a sword in the emperor's hand, a chess piece on the board.
"Do you have anything else to report?"
"No, Your Majesty."
"One more thing. The crown prince is no longer young. He shouldn't continue attending the noble academies. He needs a tutor. I've thought it over. Would you be willing to take the position?"
"Thank you for Your Majesty's favor." After Cassian waved his hand, Arthur bowed and left. As he exited the palace, the gentle expression he wore disappeared.
The once bright and graceful Arthur now had a tense expression, his brows clouded with gloom. He glanced back toward the palace, lifted the curtain, and entered the carriage.
"Was he good-looking?" Cassian asked while picking up the memorial on the table after Arthur left.
"Who was good-looking?" Liliana scratched her head.
"That official just now."
Small Scene 1:
Cassian: Does that annoying man look better than I do?
Liliana: Can't help it. He just fits my taste.
Small Scene 2:
Cassian: Arthur, go and become the crown prince's teacher.
Arthur: Perfect. That gives me more chances to be close to my wife.
Prince Allennon: Don't underestimate me just because I'm young. Big sister clearly belongs to me.