You Were Supposed to Simulate Fate, But You Ended Up Running Away With All the Heroines

[Emperor Zheng heard of a saint in the common folk and offered the position of Grand Preceptor to recruit you.]

[Will you accept?]

‘Accept, of course!’

Although the title of Grand Preceptor was merely an honorary position given by the Emperor as a gesture of favor, without real power, it was still one of the Three Excellencies, an incredibly prestigious role.

With the status of Grand Preceptor, at least Li Wenfu would be wary and wouldn’t dare to move against him easily.

“I, Lu Ping, have returned!”

[You decide to return to the court. The people of Great Jing are overjoyed upon hearing this, placing high hopes on you to assist Emperor Zheng in ushering in a prosperous era.]

[Emperor Zheng accepts your proposal to establish an inner council. Apart from Li Wenfu and you, the other members are all wise individuals you meticulously selected, effectively curbing Li Wenfu’s power.]

[You clear up the administration, further cutting off Li Wenfu’s supporters, and propose a policy of merit-based appointments, where nobles are given preferential treatment but are not allowed to rule, further purifying the court.]

[Thanks to your foresight and early plans to build dikes and dams, the floods of the 517th year of the Jing calendar passed without incident.]

[The benefits of the border trade you proposed earlier have become apparent. The people of Great Jing and the Xirong have increasingly intermarried, showing signs of assimilation.]

[In the 518th year of the Jing calendar, peace reigns across the land. Emperor Zheng, now ailing, consults with you about the choice of a successor.]

[Who do you choose?]

“I choose the Han Marquis,” Lu Ping said calmly.

Emperor Zheng nodded. He was well aware that Luo Jinxuan was the most capable of his five daughters, but he still asked, “Why her?”

Lu Ping recognized the underlying message in Emperor Zheng’s question.

The discussion of the successor was essentially a test for him.

Which daughter was the most competent? How could Emperor Zheng not know?

He was afraid—afraid that Lu Ping might become the next powerful minister.

With public support and unmatched strategy, how could such a minister not make a ruler uneasy?

Lu Ping remained unflustered, confidently stating, “Because the successor can only be the Han Marquis.”

Emperor Zheng leaned forward, puzzled.

What kind of answer was that?

Lu Ping glanced around at Emperor Zheng’s attendants, who were promptly dismissed by the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, do you know why I accepted the position of Grand Preceptor that day?” Lu Ping asked.

Emperor Zheng furrowed his brow.

By that time, Lu Ping had already been revered as a saint by the people due to his teachings. The position of Grand Preceptor, though a lifelong pursuit for many, might not have held much allure for someone like Lu Ping.

“Could it be that your ambitions extend beyond Great Jing?” Emperor Zheng asked, coughing heavily, his trembling hand pointing at Lu Ping.

Lu Ping bowed and shook his head. “Your Majesty worries too much. I do have ambitions, but they are not for Great Jing.”

Emperor Zheng’s expression softened slightly, his breath steadying. “Then what is it?”

“Han Marquis Luo Jinxuan,” Lu Ping said, enunciating each word.

Emperor Zheng was momentarily stunned before breaking into laughter with Lu Ping.

Their laughter echoed for a long time, causing the servants outside the hall to glance at each other in confusion.

Lu Ping and Emperor Zheng had reached an understanding on the matter of the crown prince, and from the Emperor’s words, Lu Ping also learned of a romantic affair from Emperor Zheng’s youth.

The two felt a kinship, realizing that they were cut from the same cloth.

Back in the day, after securing the throne, Emperor Zheng had also been infatuated with the mother of the Han Marquis, so he fully understood the power of love over a man.

Thus, he was mostly convinced by Lu Ping’s claim of only being interested in the Han Marquis.

He even praised Lu Ping for his boldness in speaking the truth.

After all, in a feudal dynasty, loving a woman more than the empire was not exactly a commendable sentiment.

But Emperor Zheng’s mind was put at ease.

According to Lu Ping, the crown prince should be Luo Jinxuan, and could only be Luo Jinxuan. This meant that if Luo Jinxuan succeeded to the throne, Lu Ping would spare no effort to assist her, helping to establish a lasting foundation for Great Jing.

If the throne were to fall into other hands, Lu Ping’s influence was such that, even without the support of the court, he could still turn the tide.

There were still several years before Emperor Zheng’s eventual death.

Lu Ping did not rush things.

After all, this was his father-in-law; after working hard for most of his life, he deserved a few years of peace.

As for Lu Ping himself, ever since returning to court, he had been focused on strengthening the nation and weakening Li Wenfu’s faction.

He hadn’t had a chance to chat with Luo Jinxuan in quite some time.

Now that the overall situation was settled, it was time to find his Han Marquis and deepen their bond.

“The former scribe Lu Ping, now Grand Preceptor Lu—this marquis indeed did not misjudge you.”

Ever since Lu Ping had righted the wrongs and dealt several blows to Li Wenfu, Luo Jinxuan, who had previously lost to Li Wenfu twice, felt deeply gratified.

Her fondness for Lu Ping had naturally increased.

Furthermore, the series of policies Lu Ping implemented strengthened Great Jing’s national power, fully showcasing his talents in governance.

Luo Jinxuan was genuinely happy for Lu Ping.

The only concern was what would happen if Lu Ping had designs on the throne…

“Grand Preceptor, you truly are a talent of extraordinary vision. This marquis feels unworthy and can only lament not having a brother like you. Otherwise, Great Jing would have a bright future.”

Like father, like daughter—their worries were exactly the same.

Lu Ping replied, “Your Highness need not test me with words. This realm belongs to none other than you.”

“And what makes you so certain?” Luo Jinxuan asked, blinking at Lu Ping.

Lu Ping looked back at Luo Jinxuan and said, “Because, in my heart, I have long been of one mind with Your Highness. Whoever dares to covet the throne will be my enemy.”

It was a straightforward declaration, yet it seemed to carry deeper meaning.

Luo Jinxuan was still blushing with a maiden’s thoughts when the interface suddenly lit up.

[Lu Ping invites you to join him on a boat ride on the river.]

[Will you accept?]

“Accept!” Luo Jinxuan hurriedly responded, as if afraid the message would disappear. Realizing her eagerness, she blushed and lowered her head, saying nothing.

Shortly thereafter, a large ship, out of place for the time, appeared on the river outside the capital.

The ship drifted with the current under the clear autumn sky, and crowds of people gathered on the banks, shouting, “Greetings to the Han Marquis, greetings to the King Consort.”

How did the people know they were going boating?

And why were they calling Lu Ping the King Consort?

Luo Jinxuan hesitated for a moment, then clenched her delicate fist and glared at Lu Ping. “You…”

But Lu Ping grabbed her snow-white wrist, feigning nonchalance as he reminded her, “Your Highness, your people are calling for you. Shouldn’t you greet them?”

Turning his head, Lu Ping smiled to himself.

The Han Marquis’s hand was so soft, so smooth.

The ship exited through the west gate, following the river toward the south gate as night began to fall.

Luo Jinxuan was displeased by Lu Ping’s ostentation. Although she already knew his feelings, his elaborate arrangement today seemed to publicly declare their yet-to-be-confirmed relationship, forcing her hand.

As a royal princess, she did not appreciate being manipulated.

Just as she was about to use the setting sun as an excuse to order the ship to dock, the interface lit up again.

[Lu Ping has prepared a gift for you. Will you accept it?]

“Decline!”

It was already improper to share a boat with Lu Ping during the day. If she stayed with him for a night cruise, who knew what the people might think?

How could a princess tolerate being the subject of gossip?

However—

[Your intimacy with Lu Ping is too high, so you cannot refuse.]