Chapter 388: The Thirty-first Day in the Struggle for Supremacy World

Chapter 388: Day 31 of Transmigrating into a Hegemony Story

Dong Yi looked at her son, whose bearing was extraordinary and demeanor grave and composed, feeling both pride and tenderness in her heart.

Pride in her son's achievements, tenderness that he bore such heavy responsibilities at such a young age, without even a single person by his side to tend to his needs.

"Chuwei." Dong Yi set down her tea and snacks, her tone gentle and concerned: "You are past twenty now, and the foundations of your three-province domain are steadily established. This great matter of marriage... it's time to start considering it."

An Yi was just picking up a piece of pastry. At her words, his movements did not pause—he brought the pastry to his mouth, chewed slowly, and swallowed before looking up at his mother: "Mother, why do you suddenly bring this up? With so much to rebuild and restore, and affairs of state keeping me busy, I have no time to attend to personal matters."

Is this a marriage push?

He thought this was the first time anyone had pressured him about marriage.

It was novel, but he didn't like women, so he naturally wouldn't marry.

"That's not the right way to think." Dong Yi gave him a reproachful look: "Marriage and career are the great matters of life. As the lord of the three provinces, you need a capable helpmate by your side, to manage the household and bear heirs, so you can have peace of mind. I know your ambitions are lofty, but the more so, the more you need someone who truly understands you."

She paused, a hint of expectation in her eyes: "These past few days, several ladies have sent over their calling cards, mentioning privately that they have daughters of suitable age, with excellent looks, talent, and moral character... Would you like to meet them? Or should your mother first look them over for you?"

An Yi chuckled inwardly. He knew his mother genuinely had his best interests at heart. In this era, it was perfectly normal for a man of eighteen or nineteen to be discussing marriage, and given his current status and position, marriage would inevitably be a political alliance that could shift the balance among various powers.

"Mother..." An Yi set down the pastry and wiped his hands with a handkerchief, his tone soft: "I know what you're thinking, Mother, but the situation is not yet stable, and the various powers are tangled in complex ways. To discuss marriage now would be to pull one thread and unravel the whole web. Besides, I have my own ideas on this matter. There's no need to rush into marriage."

He turned his head to look at the peach blossoms blooming in the garden, his voice calm: "Mother, please set your mind at ease. When the time is right, I will give you a proper answer."

Dong Yi looked at her son's profile, knowing his mind was already made up, and that what he said made sense. She didn't press further, only sighed: "You've always been headstrong since you were young. Fine, I won't push you, but you must keep it in mind and not let it pass you by."

"I know, Mother." An Yi turned and gave his mother a reassuring smile.

The mother and son chatted about everyday matters for a while before An Yi took his leave.

Comments section:

"Ah! The Lord isn't going to get married, is he?! What about the male lead?! (screams)"

"Even if the Lord and the male lead get together, he'd still have to marry, wouldn't he? He needs his own heir!"

"So frustrating! Is the male lead really doomed to be a concubine?! (face turning pale.jpg)"

"Of course! He can't have kids!"

"Bai Ji, you're so useless! Can't even have kids! (that expression.jpg)"

"...No way, I came here after hearing about them to see the cute couple being all sweet. If he really takes a wife, I'm going from fan to hater!"

"Cute couple? Are they even a couple? Don't make me laugh!"

"If he doesn't marry, who's going to be his heir?"

"Adopt one! You idiot!"

"No! I won't accept it! How can the male lead really be someone's concubine! How are we straight guys supposed to relate?"

"Would you be able to relate if he were the head wife? Are you really straight?! (horrified) (horrified)"

"Wait... the Lord refused though... Could it be for Bai Ji? Seriously, so touching!"

"Ew ew ew~ Don't flatter yourself. I think the Lord just doesn't want to marry!"

"..."

An Yi chuckled out of nowhere.

----------

However, word of this "marriage discussion" somehow still leaked out, however vaguely.

An Yi investigated and found that it had originated from the families who had tried to arrange a marriage with him.

An Yi: "..."

Despite An Yi's clear statement that he wasn't considering it for now, the rumor that "Lord An seeks a wife" still quietly circulated in certain circles across the three provinces, even reaching the ears of some who took note of it.

Bai Ji was one of those attentive people.

He was now stationed at the Yangyi Prefectural Office, where An Yi worked, assisting with confidential matters and thus extremely well-informed.

When this vague and unconfirmed piece of news reached his ears, in that instant, he felt his heart go cold.

His fingertips trembled, and the tip of his fine wolf-hair brush dragged an abrupt, ugly streak of ink across the paper, marring the entire page of neat handwriting.

Marriage... taking a wife...

These two words pierced his ears, stabbed into his heart, bringing a sharp pain so suffocating it stole his breath.

He should have thought of this long ago! The Lord's position was now secure, and as he grew older, marrying and having children to carry on the family line was only natural for anyone!

What was Bai Ji, anyway? A shadowy strategist, a subordinate harboring indecent thoughts, daring to hope that the Lord—a bright moon hanging high in the heavens—would stop for him?

Even if the Lord's attitude had softened recently, even if he truly had formed a bond with the Lord, the Lord would still... marry, wouldn't he?

But if the Lord married... and had a legitimate wife, and perhaps even a legitimate heir in the future... then what reason, what right would Bai Ji have to remain by the Lord's side, enjoying that little bit of special attention?

Would he become a "complication" the Lord needed to avoid, a "favorite" who might invite the mistress's suspicion?

Just imagining such a future was unbearable to Bai Ji.

In the depths of his heart, countless dark thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

He couldn't sit idle! He had to find a way! Eliminate those potential marriage candidates? Or... make the Lord completely abandon the idea of marriage?

However, when he raised his head, his gaze fell upon the calligraphy hanging on the wall across from his desk—written by An Yi's own hand—and all his dark thoughts melted away like snow under the scorching sun.

He couldn't.

He couldn't use those underhanded schemes against the Lord, couldn't do anything that might harm the Lord, damage his reputation, or compromise his interests.

That would be worse than death.

Bai Ji sat rigidly in place, staring at that glaring streak of ink on the paper, his face pale enough to be frightening, his fingertips icy cold, his breathing labored.

The soldier who had delivered the message stood nervously in place. He didn't understand why the strategist's expression had turned so terrifying.

He held his breath, hoping the strategist wouldn't notice him.

----------