chapter27

But there was no other way. He could only delay time like this, hoping that Lord Lu would arrive soon.

"I have not married any husbands yet." Ran glanced shyly at Simeon and lowered her eyes.

"Miss Ran, do you remember? If a woman has not married at least five husbands before the age of twenty-five, the court will force marriages to fill the gap."

Hearing this, the adviser's expression did not change, but inside he was very happy. When Ran came to register her household, she already said she had memory loss. Now hearing she had no husbands, there was much he could do.

Since learning she was the female ruler, almost everyone talked to her about marrying husbands and taking servants. At first it was Madam He, now even the adviser spoke of it.

Is it such a terrible crime to not marry five husbands?

Thinking of how rare and precious a female ruler was in this world, Ran lowered her head helplessly. It really was!

"A husband should be someone you love. If the court forces a marriage, you won't even know what kind of man it is. Blind marriages mean no feelings between them. Wouldn't that just create resentment?"

People here held ideas from hundreds or thousands of years ago. Ran felt she couldn't change that. But if she had to marry a man she never met, she would never agree.

So now she had to find ways to avoid it, one day at a time.

No one there expected her to say that. In their eyes, husbands were just for fun and to earn silver coins. No one cared if they were happy. If they were unhappy, they would just find someone else to please them.

After all, there were many husbands in this world. Someone would surely make them happy.

Her words made the adviser's heart tremble. His gaze toward Ran also changed.

But no matter if Ran wanted it or not, the law could not be broken.

No one could disobey the law, not even the royal family.

Seeing Ran's clear eyes, the adviser sighed helplessly. "Fine, fine! Although the law cannot be broken, considering you have suffered greatly and lost memories, I won't make things hard for you. I will give you more time.

In two months the new year will come. I will give you half a year. If by April, when the weather warms, you still cannot marry at least five husbands, I will follow the law and arrange forced marriages for you. No excuses will be accepted then."

Getting half a year was more than Ran expected. She nodded excitedly.

She would delay this matter first. As for what happens later, she would think about it then.

"But I have one condition!" The adviser saw her happy face and slowly took a sip of tea before speaking.

"You speak, sir!" Ran smiled and nodded.

"With the female ruler's beauty, ordinary husbands cannot match her. To help you find a suitable husband within half a year, you will need to live at the Deer Academy for six months.

You know, the Deer Academy is famous across Jiangnan. The young men there are talented and outstanding. Surely you will find someone you like."

Ran did not expect the adviser to suggest this. After hesitating, she said, "Sir, you know spring exams will be held in a few months. If I, a female ruler, live at the academy, it will affect the students' studies. If it harms the exam results, wouldn't that be a serious crime?"

"You don't need to worry about that. I have a solution." The advisor saw the rejection on her face but remained calm and said, "You can disguise yourself as a man and enter Yulu Academy to study with the students. As long as you go in as a gentleman, you won't disturb their learning."

During this time, you just need to observe the gentlemen in secret and find someone you like. When the spring exams are over, we can arrange your marriage. What do you think?"

Ran didn't expect the advisor to have thought so far ahead. She cursed the old fox in her heart but still smiled and nodded in agreement.

The advisor could tell she was unwilling, but it didn't matter to him. He believed that once she entered Yulu Academy and interacted with the talented gentlemen, she would find someone she liked. Maybe she'd even come back to thank him.

With that thought, the advisor smiled even more, and even the ends of his mustache trembled slightly.

"Then, can you write the marriage contract for us now?" Ran took a deep breath, her face holding a forced smile.

"There's no rush for that!" The advisor smiled and waved his hand, then said seriously, "Everything will wait until half a year later. At that time, I'll write the marriage contract for you and the others together."

Hearing this, even Ran's fake smile nearly slipped. She took several deep breaths to calm her irritation and forced herself to stay composed.

She couldn't make a move now. She was just an ordinary person, even if she was the most noble woman in this world. If it were only her, she could act and then leave.

But now she had people she cared about and couldn't act carelessly. If she did anything improper, it could bring trouble to the Simeon family.

Nearby, Simeon and the village chief turned pale when they heard the advisor's words. They clearly understood what he meant. Ran wouldn't be engaged to anyone for the next six months.

Everything would wait until then.

But by that time, who would become her rightful husband was completely uncertain. And they had no power to stop it.

While they were talking, a guard quickly ran to the backyard and arrived at Qingwu Courtyard. He looked anxious and said to the servant at the gate, "Please ask Servant Zhu to report this. The advisor has urgent business and sent me to notify the young master."

"Please wait a moment, Attendant Sun. I'll go inform the young master right away!" Servant Zhu saw how anxious he looked and quickly ran into the courtyard. He went to the main room door and respectfully said, "Young master, Attendant Sun has arrived. He said the advisor has something important to report to you."

"Let him in." A clear voice sounded from inside the room.

"Yes, young master." Servant Zhu bowed and stepped back. Then he brought the guard inside.

"Greetings, young master." The guard bowed respectfully to the young man in green robes.

Reuben set down his brush and looked at the guard calmly. He asked with a soft tone, "Why did my little father send you over in such a hurry?"

He understood his little father well. He was someone who liked peace and quiet. If it weren't something urgent, he would never send someone to call him like this.

That's right. The adviser used to serve Lady Wen's husband, but since she had no children for many years and spent a long time assisting the magistrate with official duties, the two became as close as brothers. So the adviser treated the magistrate's only son as his own child.

Since Reuben came here three years ago after his engagement was broken off, he became quiet and withdrawn. They always tried to cheer him up, but nothing worked.

Now that they had finally met a Lady Monarch with all the right qualities, he naturally didn't want to give up easily. He was confident that as long as Reuben saw Ran, he would be drawn in by her looks. Her beauty was far too outstanding.

"What happened to Little Dad?" Reuben asked urgently before the guard even spoke, unable to hide the anxiety in his voice.

"…Young Master, it's best if you see it for yourself." The guard, following the adviser's instructions, sighed in a troubled manner and replied with hesitation.

Seeing that nothing could be learned from the guard, Reuben's face showed worry. He no longer questioned the guard and hurried toward the main hall.

As he walked away, the guard who had been bowing quickly straightened up. He couldn't help but recall that stunning glimpse in the hall earlier. A blush spread across his serious face.

That Lady Monarch was incredibly beautiful. The adviser glanced at Ran, who was starting to show impatience. He couldn't help but sneak a look toward the inner courtyard.

They couldn't delay any longer, but Reuben was still nowhere to be seen. The adviser started to grow anxious. Just as he was about to rise and send the guest away, a figure in white strode quickly into the hall.

Ran looked up on instinct. The person was a handsome man dressed in a white brocade robe. He had a tall, straight build, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a high nose bridge.

His long black hair was tied up with a jade crown, making him look younger. He had clearly rushed over, since he was slightly out of breath. His eyes locked on the adviser and only relaxed after seeing he was unharmed.

"Sir, may I ask why you called me here?" Because someone else was present, Reuben simply gave the adviser a respectful bow. He asked the question with graceful manners.

"Ahem." The adviser felt a bit guilty under his dark gaze. Knowing Reuben would be upset about being tricked, he quickly changed the topic.

Pointing to Ran sitting nearby, he said, "Reuben, this is Lady Monarch Ran. Come and greet her." Although annoyed about being tricked, Reuben didn't want to embarrass the adviser here.

Now that he saw the adviser was fine, he finally noticed the beautiful Lady Monarch sitting in the hall. "Reuben greets Lady Monarch Ran." Reuben gave her a quick glance before lowering his eyes.

He didn't dare look again and bowed respectfully. "Well met, Young Master Reuben." Ran immediately stood up and gave him a slight nod with a smile.

It wasn't that she lacked manners. She simply didn't know the proper etiquette in this place. If she messed up, it would take a lot of explanation and might cause embarrassment.

Following the rule of "less is better," Ran decided it was safer to stay cool and distant. That way, nothing would go wrong. Most Lady Monarchs here acted high and aloof anyway.

Even if she had only nodded or done nothing at all, no one would think anything was off.

Ran's polite demeanor caught everyone off guard. Even Reuben couldn't help but glance at her a few times. Although he tried to do it subtly and thought no one noticed, the adviser sitting in the high seat saw it clearly.

He nodded knowingly, certain he hadn't misjudged it. Ran's looks were indeed hard for any man to resist. The adviser laughed as he stepped down from his seat and approached them.

He gave Reuben a meaningful look, and when he saw Reuben's slightly embarrassed expression, he turned to Ran with a smile. "Lady Ran, let me introduce you. This is Reuben, Young Master Reuben."

"He is currently a teacher at White Deer Academy. If you need anything there, you can go to him." Then he turned to Reuben with a serious look and said, "Reuben, Lady Ran is already twenty years old but hasn't married yet."

"She had an accident recently, so I gave her half a year to find someone she likes. Given her qualities, I believe ordinary men aren't worthy of her. So I arranged for her to disguise herself as a man and join White Deer Academy."

"She can meet more talented young men there. You should look after her while she's there." Reuben looked at Ran in surprise. He didn't expect her to be twenty already, especially since she looked so young.

And she wasn't married yet? Ran noticed his gaze but didn't avoid it. She simply gave him a calm nod.

She was used to it by now. Everyone reacted the same when they learned she was twenty and still unmarried. Please, did anyone think she didn't want to?

She was a grown woman, of course she had those needs. But before the apocalypse, she had been focused on her studies, trying to improve herself. Just as she finished her education and looked forward to a sweet romance, the apocalypse began.

Human nature during the apocalypse was terrifying. Forget love, even survival was tough. Every day was a struggle to avoid zombies, search for food, and guard against dangerous people.

In that kind of situation, falling in love would only get her killed faster. At that moment, the adviser turned to Ran with a smile and handed her a letter. His gaze was kind as he said, "Lady Ran, give this letter to the head of White Deer Academy tomorrow."

"He'll arrange everything for you. He's an old friend of mine and will take care of anything you need." "Alright. Thank you, sir."

Ran took the letter with both hands and sincerely thanked him. She then slipped the letter into her pocket, though she actually put it into her storage space. With an apologetic look, she said, "Sir, I might need a few more days before going to the academy."

"Why's that?" The adviser didn't mind whether it was sooner or later, but he still asked with curiosity. "Do you have something else to handle?" "Yes."

Ran nodded with a smile. "I've been building a house recently, and it will be finished tomorrow. I need to settle the payment with the master who worked on it."

"Also, the elders and neighbors in the village have helped me a lot. I'd like to set a few tables in the new house to thank them and hold a housewarming banquet." "So that's it."

The adviser hadn't expected her, as a lady, to be so thoughtful, even planning a housewarming banquet.

"I wonder which day Lady Ran plans to hold the banquet. We'd love to share in the joy too. I hope Lady Ran won't mind!" the advisor said with a smile.

Even Reuben, who had been quiet, lifted his head and looked at her with hopeful eyes.

"This matter of warming the new house was already something I felt sorry to bother everyone with. But since the advisor brought it up, if I refuse, it would seem like I don't appreciate kindness." Ran thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "How about the day after tomorrow? It just happens to be the start of winter, and everyone can gather and celebrate together."

"Good! Then we'll definitely come to offer our congratulations that day!" the advisor said, smiling as he stroked his beard and subtly tugged on Reuben's sleeve.

Reuben noticed his motion and smiled softly. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Lady Ran."

"No need to be so polite with me!" Ran replied with a smile, chatted with them briefly, then left the yamen with a stack of freshly issued household registrations.

The advisor and Reuben personally walked them out of the front gate.

As soon as Ran stepped outside, she saw a crowd of young men almost about to rush in through the gate. She pressed her lips together and quickly got into the carriage with the guards escorting her.

She understood that women were rare and cherished here, but she hadn't expected the men to be this crazy.

Now she finally understood why female lords needed to be heavily protected by layers of guards whenever they went out.

The carriage slowly pulled away from the government office, but quite a few young men continued following it from a distance.

"Enough! Stop looking! She's already gone far!" The carriage had already turned the corner, but Reuben still hadn't looked away. He stared at the place where it had disappeared like a stone carved with longing.

"If you like her, then make good use of the chance!" the advisor teased with a laugh. "Lady Ran is so beautiful. Even when she was dressed like a man before, she still caught many people's attention.

I heard that once she accidentally bumped into Lady Bao. People thought she'd be punished, but surprisingly, Lady Bao took a liking to her instead. That story was talked about for several days. Just think how charming she must be!

If you keep hesitating, someone else will snatch her away!" the advisor said earnestly beside him.

Reuben's mind filled with her image again. Now, hearing that even other female lords liked her, he felt his heart grow heavy.

Thinking about her alluring figure, breathtaking looks, and gentle nature, his heart pounded uncontrollably.

But when he thought about his own identity, he felt ashamed and shrank back. He lowered his eyes to hide his feelings and said flatly, "I'm just a man who got rejected in public. My name and dignity are already gone.

Someone like me could never deserve her."

After he spoke, he took one last deep look at the direction where the carriage disappeared, then turned to head toward the backyard with dim eyes.

"You... what are you even thinking!" the advisor was so mad at his attitude that he stomped his foot.

Just a while ago in the main hall, everything had seemed fine. The way he looked at her had even softened.

How did his thoughts turn around again so suddenly?

The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he got. Though he knew the pain and defensiveness in the boy's heart, one couldn't live forever trapped in the past and constant self-denial.

Thinking of this, the advisor sighed helplessly and could only curse the Third Princess silently for ruining people's lives.