The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 1034 - 235: General Protectorate_3

Chapter 1034: Chapter 235: General Protectorate_3

Pei Qin glanced at the roof... The roof was too high, and she coughed softly, "This one and this batch of bullets can go to the Emperor!"

"I see you seem reluctant to part with them!" Emperor Chu Wen’s eyes flickered with satisfaction.

"Not at all! Both can be given to the Emperor!" Pei Qin gritted her teeth.

Emperor Chu Wen smiled and graciously said, "With your modest skills, you should keep one for self-defense!"

"Thank you, Emperor! Thank you, Emperor!" Pei Qin eagerly took one and secretly pocketed the bullets as well. Damn it! Having to be grateful for keeping her own things!

"You may leave. Follow me to the early court tomorrow!" Emperor Chu Wen took the handgun and let her off.

Pei Qin hastily complied and withdrew.

Before she reached the door, Emperor Chu Wen added, "Tonight, think carefully about the Crown Prince’s candidates, as I will ask you at the early court tomorrow!"

Pei Qin tripped over the threshold and fell flat on her face in a dog-eating-dirt fashion.

Emperor Chu Wen was stunned for a moment, then burst into roaring laughter.

Furious, Pei Qin picked herself up and angrily returned to the veranda room. To hell with thinking! Her chest was already flat from constantly binding it, and now it’s even flatter from the fall!

Lu Hai, also embarrassed, quickly followed her back.

Pei Qin, having almost lost all her dignity anyway, entered the room and askewedly eyed Lu Hai and Liu Feng, "Do men prefer larger or smaller breasts?"

Lu Hai’s lips twitched, "I’m a woman."

Pei Qin’s gaze turned to Liu Feng.

With an indifferent face, Liu Feng briefly glanced at Lu Hai’s chest. Like master, like guard.

Sensing his gaze, Lu Hai glared back, "What are you looking at!?"

Liu Feng coolly withdrew his gaze.

Seeing the drama unfold, Pei Qin, without minding her own embarrassing moment, stroked her chin and pondered. Although Lu Hai was not young, Liu Feng was also unmarried, and at thirty, well, there could be potential!

Lu Hai knew her too well and, seeing her eyes wander, coolly reminded her, "The early court tomorrow."

Pei Qin glared at her, "Lu Hai! You’ll end up an old maid!"

"I am a widow, and I have no intention of marrying again," Lu Hai responded coldly.

Pei Qin saw Liu Feng glance at her, his expression even colder. Hmph, we shall see! Sleep! To hell with the early court! To hell with the candidates! Whoever has the capability let them rise!

The very person who hadn’t given it a thought slept soundly.

Having witnessed the comical scene, Emperor Chu Wen also overslept for an hour.

At the early court, the Emperor suddenly vomited blood and fainted, terrifying all the court officials, who had not seen him for days. Everyone secretly speculated that the Emperor’s sudden illness might be the end of him, causing many chancellors to hastily pick sides.

Pei Hansan, having returned from suppressing bandits, stayed directly in the palace. As the Emperor was still attending the early court, groups of officials gathered, whispering and aligning their stances within their respective factions.

"Proceed to the court—"

"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!"

The calls of allegiance rose, tinged with excitement. The Emperor attending today meant that the Crown Prince’s candidate would be announced!

Dressed in the bright yellow dragon robe and despite his sickness, Emperor Chu Wen remained imposing, "My beloved officers, you may rise."

"Thank you, Emperor!" The officials stood up.

"Regarding Beloved Officer Pei’s recent suppression of the rebels..." The first matter at the court was to summon Pei Qin for her award.

Pei Qin, clad in soft armor and with a grave expression, ascended the hall passing by the multitude of officials, feeling utterly chilled. The aging Emperor surely must be delusional? Knowing she was a woman yet still summoning her to receive the title. If her disguise as a man was exposed, wouldn’t it be the end for her!?

She calculated inwardly, not remembering a word of the imperial edict—it spoke of her developing ’Thunder Cannons’, mortars, their contemporary and future benefits, how she had repelled Wa Ci and reclaimed the lands, commending her with great merit and appointing her as...

"General Protectorate! Quickly, accept the decree!" Shi Rui, noticing she was lost in thought, called out to her. Quite capable indeed, a woman being appointed a second-rank general, and she was daydreaming upon receiving the decree, oblivious to its significance!?

Restraining her facial twitches, Pei Qin reached out to accept the decree, "Thank you for Your Magnificence’s grace! Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!" Damn it, rewarding her with all sorts of things was fine, but appointing her to continue as a general, what was the point!? Tasking her to establish the Mortar Barracks and the Manufacturing Bureau, what was the point!? To protect the nation? With her frail physique, how could she!? Damn it! Assigning her to manage the Manufacturing Bureau, was she to work there for a lifetime!?