The Choice Queen's

TCQ 67: Withstand Large Pressure

“Xiao Feng, I will not hold you back from seeking vengeance. But, you mustn't cross the boundaries I've set,” Nangong Zirui told Li Fengran.

“As a Stakeholder of the Sword, you can find a defense of yourself. You cannot and should not be oppressed by others. But as a woman and my people, you should know your limits in that defense. After all, she is the Queen officially chosen.”

Without saying anything, Li Fengran certainly understood very well. Nangong Zirui is King, he is wedged on many situations which make him have to have many options. Even if it was for a loved one, he could protect her, yet not forever be able to endure without regard to circumstances.

A King is involved in many relationships, and as for the matter of his own heart, he can only say it without being forthright.

Nangong Zirui was terrified, he was afraid that one day he could not protect Li Fengran. He was afraid that his existence would make Li Fengran fall into danger, but he was also unable to repel away Li Fengran from his side. Every time it parted and every night, he always thought about how to protect Li Fengran without hurting anyone else.

“I know. I can budge if it makes you difficult, Your Majesty,” Li Fengran said.

He knew Nangong Zirui wanted himself to stand on his own feet, standing upright fearlessly even though he was standing by the King's side. However, Li Fengran saw that Nangong Zirui was caught in many dilemmas.

Country, also his own feelings. He didn't want to let go of the two, and balancing them was quite a difficult thing.

Li Fengran could budge because he also did not want Nangong Zirui to have any trouble and confusion when he was forced to choose. As for Shen Lihua's provocation which made Su Min almost kill him, Li Fengran was indeed furious. But, he thought about it from Nangong Zirui's point of view.

Although the King did not like the Queen, but he also could not let her be bullied by a subordinate. Even if Nangong Zirui didn't think about it, what about the Queen Mother and the ministers?

Nangong Zirui shook his head. “I've said you can find a defense of yourself. My Sword Stakeholder is a strong human being and is not easily oppressed. It's just, there are some restrictions that I apply to you.”

“Your Majesty, is my existence making it difficult for you?”

“No. Absolutely not.”

“But I feel so. We might be able to apply some restrictions to ourselves.”

“You want to keep your distance with me?”

Li Fengran was silent. He did not want to make things difficult for Nangong Zirui, but he was also unwilling to step away from her. Ling Sui was right, they could not choose when it came to matters of the heart.

Originally Li Fengran was already determined to escape, but he was instead trapped in the charm and kindness of Nangong Zirui so now, he had difficulty controlling himself.

If he could, he wanted to escape again. But, where could he go? The only place that made him feel safe was at Nangong Zirui's side. Most importantly, can he do it?

“No matter what happens, never think to stay away from me, Xiao Feng,” Nangong Zirui explained his wish firmly. No, he was not going to let Li Fengran go from his side.

“Then what if Queen Shen did more than provoke? At that time, Your Majesty will find it difficult to find a decision because you are stuck in two situations,” Li Fengran said. He thought back to the possibility that Shen Lihua's actions might be more severe than just provoking people to harm him.

Nangong Zirui shook his head. “She won't be able to do that.”

“Why is Your Majesty so sure?”

Should Nangong Zirui tell her that other than him, there were others who were secretly thinking about Li Fengran and helping him take revenge?

At first Nangong Zirui was also unsure, but after he learned the ‘jing’ word hint that Su Min had left behind, his thoughts were on someone, and it was that person who could control Shen Lihua.

That person was one of the reasons why Shen Lihua did not act directly on Li Fengran and could only borrow the hands of others to harm him. If she told him, she was worried that Li Fengran would be frightened. It was not yet time for the woman to find out, and Nangong Zirui also needed solid evidence to convince her conjecture.

“You will know the reason later.”

“Cih, acting mysterious. Since Your Majesty didn't say it, then I can only guess that someone is controlling the Queen and she won't be able to act directly on me using her own hands.”

“Smart enough. Then, who are you thinking of?”

“I won't tell Your Majesty.”

“So, now you have the courage to play secret with me?”

“Your Majesty who started first.”

Nangong Zirui flashed his smile as he flicked at Li Fengran's forehead. He then laughed. He had a hard time holding back and maintaining a stance when dealing with Li Fengran.

As if, she could be herself and be who she wanted to be, expressing everything freely, unlike when she behaved in front of her ministers, mothers, and queens and concubines.

“Use that corset sword well and if you are done with your monthly guests, start working again,”.

“I know your arrival must have been bad news as well. Ah, my lunch days are almost over apparently.”

“You told Wang Bi that he ate a blind paycheck, then how is it different from you?”

Li Fengran pursed his lips, he looked at Nangong Zirui for a moment and said, “Alright, I understand, Yang Muliaku. I'll work wholeheartedly.”

“Not wholeheartedly nor is it okay. Most importantly you are happy and not depressed.”

Li Fengran turned to look at Wang Bi. He asked, “Easy Wang, who taught His Majesty to talk so sweetly to someone?”

“My Sword, Your Majesty is very smart. She doesn't need to be taught.”

“Because His Majesty is so smart and kind, then His Majesty should know that I do not want my holiday to be disturbed, right?”

Look, he drove out Nangong Zirui again! Nangong Zirui shook his head and turned to leave. But before that, he said first, “Ah, since you are being disrespectful by hugging my bodyguard, your end-of-month allowance will not be given. Wang Bi, have the Administration Ministry take it down.”

“Good, Your Highness.”

In his chair, Li Fengran screeched.

“The atmosphere is even worse than women who are coming months.”

*

Linghua Palace looked desolate, yet a gloomy and gripping aura could be felt by the servants who happened to cross the place. Sometimes they turned to see that the palace building was only illuminated by a slight candlelight.

“Didn't I tell you, don't touch the Sword Starter? Shen Lihua, it seems that you have completely forgotten.”

Shen Jinglang opened her hood, then she turned to look at Shen Lihua who was sitting with a shocked expression. The hot tea cup in his hand instantly spilled. He was very surprised because Shen Jinglang turned out to be coming this fast!

“Kakak, what do you mean?” Shen Lihua asked nervously, pretending not to know what Shen Jinglang meant.

Shen Jinglang grinned. He jumped up and grabbed Shen Lihua's neck, half strangling her. Shen Lihua did not have time to dodge, she coughed and tried to escape despite her futile efforts.

Shen Jinglang looked at him like a prey, but it was also accompanied by a feeling of disgust and hatred.

“Don't think I don't know that it was you who provoked Su Min until he acted and almost killed the Sword Starter!”

“That's you! Brother, you killed Su Min, right? You are also the one who had already given Su Ren the idea of killing Queen Ling, right? Everything you! Always you!”

“Your brain is smart, but it's a pity it's not used well.”

Shen Jinglang let go of his grip, giving room for Shen Lihua to breathe freely. No, he wouldn't kill him because Shen Lihua was still useful to him. Regarding the things he did and made him dislike, he could count them slowly.

“I originally thought it was just my illusion. But seeing you do that, I'm absolutely sure that you like it, Kak.”

“Really? Your brain doesn't seem as stupid as I thought, Sister.”

Shen Lihua clenched her hands. He endured anger and hatred. In the presence of Shen Jinglang, Shen Lihua was often helpless.

The person who became his half-brother had his weaknesses and he was his best chess piece. His every move was always not out of his sight.

Shen Lihua had to withstand such a huge pressure. Shen Jinglang liked Li Fengran, and he came over in anger. Shen Jinglang already knew that Shen Lihua was using Su Min to hurt Li Fengran. This made Shen Lihua even more resentful of that woman. Why did the man like Li Fengran so much?

She would have a hard time acting because her brother would be as strong as he could to help her seek vengeance. She was sure if not for her still being useful, her brother would definitely have killed her in the same way as he had done to Su Min.

Shen Lihua hid her fear. He asked with hard-earned courage collected, “Is it worth it? Brother, is it worth helping him get revenge?”

“Apply or not, none of your business.”

Shen Lihua laughed.

“You and I are no different. You like him, help him get revenge without him knowing. But did you know that his heart belonged to someone else? Brother, me and you are both pathetic.”

Shen Jinglang this time held herself back. Although he was provoked by Shen Lihua's words, but he knew venting it here would only be a disaster for him. Yes, she liked Li Fengran, but the woman did not know about it at all.

How pathetic? It was sad, but he was willing to do it. Li Fengran and Donghao's power, he wanted both.

If he had to compete, then he happily did. Even if he had to seize it by force, he would also do so.

“The peak spring festival is coming soon. Do what you're supposed to do. If you harass her again, it is not you who will suffer the consequences, but your family.”

Afterwards, Shen Jinglang left without a trace. Shen Lihua tightened her hands again. Shen Jinglang is really cruel! That man would make him submit in any way!