"Earlier, the Think Tank asked if Your Majesty here had someone in mind, as I heard that some court ministers suggested it was time for Your Majesty to choose a Court Consort." Lu Zhu mentioned this matter to Ah Chen upon returning to her side, "Judging from the Think Tank’s troubled expression, it seems he’s worried about the selection and is pondering what kind of person would be suitable for Your Majesty."

The pen in Ah Chen’s hand paused, and now she understood why Fan Shi had been acting somewhat strange before—this was the reason.

With many things currently keeping her busy, she might have really forgotten about it if Lu Zhu hadn’t mentioned it.

"I told the Think Tank that if he has someone to recommend, that would be best, as anyone he recommends wouldn’t be lacking." Lu Zhu added.

However, Ah Chen laughed. That’s probably what made Fan Shi feel troubled, wasn’t it?

Lu Zhu was curious: "Why is Your Majesty laughing? Could it be that Your Majesty already has someone in mind?"

"Yes." Ah Chen replied. The person who could stand by her side had never changed and never would.

Yet choosing a Court Consort couldn’t simply be for the sake of selecting a successor.

For Canglan Country, finding a successor isn’t difficult. If someone is favored, they can be directly brought over, trained, and cultivated. She’s not even afraid of making mistakes because she isn’t an ordinary person. If one isn’t suitable, she’d abolish and train another one. As long as she lives, she won’t die, and the margin for error is high.

Of course, with both herself and Fan Shi around, the person they cultivate won’t be inferior.

The day this country was named Canglan Country signified her deep commitment. Not only will she make Canglan Country powerful, but she will also try to implement some transformations to bring more ideas to the world, ensuring that the current prosperity and peace aren’t ephemeral.

Like how today’s Canglan Country has a Female Official, it will have one tomorrow, and the day after, and for long after. There can’t be a sudden force to suppress it all, heralding endless oppression.

What needs changing is not only the environment but also the mindsets. Once a mindset takes root in people’s hearts, suppression becomes ineffective. If people start desiring such beliefs, only resistance awaits.

The future holds many unforeseen events, and possibly many disputes will still arise, but she will try to do as much as possible.

Lu Zhu, however, was a bit surprised: "Your Majesty, which young lord is it?"

She followed Your Majesty daily and hadn’t really noticed anyone.

Ah Chen merely smiled without answering, leaving Lu Zhu itching with curiosity as she thought over everyone she could imagine, yet couldn’t figure out who.

"What kind of man do you think Your Majesty would like?"

"Surely not someone weaker than Your Majesty?" Lu Zhu said.

Hong Zhu, hearing this, rolled her eyes: "What kind of daydream are you having? Is there someone stronger than Your Majesty?"

Lu Zhu fell silent, for indeed, she hadn’t seen anyone yet.

Hong Zhu huffed: "It doesn’t matter what kind, as long as Your Majesty likes him. With Her Majesty’s skills, it doesn’t matter what type; as long as she’s happy, someone who can make her laugh is good enough. Why does he have to be stronger than Her Majesty?"

Lu Zhu pondered on this and found it reasonable.

When she encountered Fan Shi, Lu Zhu remembered the matter and told him, "Think Tank, Your Majesty already has someone in mind, so you don’t have to worry for now."

Fan Shi, who was in a good mood, suddenly felt troubled—who could it be?

"Who is it?" He asked with a straight face, seemingly very serious.

Lu Zhu had no doubts, considering Fan Shi to be highly concerned about this. She shook her head: "Your Majesty did not disclose their identity, perhaps it’s a young lord from the Capital City."

According to her thinking, if the person was from around here, Your Majesty would have already asked someone to mention it, and there would have been some hint by now. After all, she and Hong Zhu are close to Her Majesty, and such a matter might even be entrusted to them.

Fan Shi’s expression was somewhat distracted, filled with thoughts about whom she might have her eyes on.

Finally, he couldn’t hold back anymore and quickly headed towards where Ah Chen was. The people guarding outside the hall, upon seeing him, immediately invited him inside.

Ah Chen looked up and saw Fan Shi’s serious appearance and found it amusing, having some guesses about his intentions.

"Does the Think Tank have something to discuss?"

Fan Shi said, "Your Majesty, I heard you already have someone in mind. May I know which young lord it is? I can... look into them for you, see what they’re really like behind the scenes; some people appear fine but are merely pretending, and in reality, are quite the opposite."

Ah Chen supported her chin and gazed over at Fan Shi.

Such a gaze gave him a feeling of being seen through. No, it’s him who has ulterior motives, hence the guilty feeling—how could Her Majesty know what he was thinking?

"As the Think Tank mentioned, it’s important to investigate thoroughly. This person has a rather mysterious background, and there’s a lot I still don’t understand," Ah Chen said, "I’ll leave this matter to you to investigate thoroughly and uncover all his information."

Fan Shi gritted his teeth. He didn’t believe this person was flawless; surely, there must be something wrong with him.

"Your Majesty, who might this person be?" he asked, suppressing his displeasure.

If the person can truly withstand scrutiny, then he would be admirable and worthy of her favor. Though displeased, Fan Shi hadn’t considered doing anything behind the scenes—after all, whom Your Majesty fancies is as such.

As for whether the other party is willing or not, Fan Shi scoffed. Would anyone be unwilling? Besides, Her Majesty wouldn’t forcefully take anyone.

Ah Chen, looking at Fan Shi, said, "This person is called Fan Shi."

Fan Shi: ???

He paused, his palms clammy with sweat: "The same name as me?"

"He also has a scribe named Song Jie, whose handwriting is like chicken scratch," Ah Chen added with a smile in her eyes.

Boom—

Is the person Her Majesty fancies him?

What did he do to deserve this!

In an instant, Fan Shi’s mind was blown into emptiness, and his face flushed red, yet he didn’t avert his eyes when facing Ah Chen’s gaze, and the two of them steadily stared at each other for quite a while.

"I will quickly gather information on Fan Shi."

Leaving this sentence, Fan Shi withdrew and left the great hall, feeling a bit regretful—shouldn’t he have been in such a hurry to leave?

Returning hurriedly to his place, Fan Shi leaned over his desk, writing down his information, not even noticing when Song Jie approached him.

It wasn’t until Song Jie’s puzzled voice spoke up: "Sir, what are you writing? It seems to be your information and entire history. Are you planning to write an autobiography?"

Fan Shi looked up, cursing: "Who let you in here? Why are you so quiet when you walk? Your tutor is writing, and you’re peeking. Go write a hundred pages of calligraphy."

Song Jie looked utterly speechless. Wasn’t he confined in the study to practice writing? Ever since they arrived in the Capital City, the pages of calligraphy he owed had been accumulating. Would he ever finish them in this lifetime?

Days later, a booklet appeared in front of Ah Chen.

She glanced at Fan Shi, standing nervously before her, and flipped through the booklet. From the initial self-introduction to the detailed experiences that followed, everything was meticulously accounted for.

"An autobiography?"

Fan Shi was solemn: "Personal information."

"It’s slightly detailed," he added.

But it was indeed a bit too detailed; the name of a dog he’d once kept was unnecessary information.

Ah Chen suppressed a smile and then asked, "Is this person named Fan Shi willing?"

Fan Shi looked utterly serious: "Willing."

To receive such favor from someone like her, how could he not be willing?