Chapter 053: Promotion

Because Liu Hanxi participated in the conversation between the new Minister of Rites and the Emperor, discussing topics of international trade and cultural exchange, she offered many constructive suggestions. When the Emperor asked her where she learned all this, she finally had the opportunity to bring Ran Xingtou forward.
Two people analyzed the various positions of six departments at home and made a complete career plan, something they had never done in detail while working in modern times.
Since the Yushen Kingdom still implements the system of recommendation followed by examination, one must first have connections before relying on skills. Ran Xingtou's abilities are definitely sufficient, but previously, he only had the teaching path, which is clearly not enough. Now, with Liu Hanxi as a stepping stone, he will surely rise step by step.
Looking at the current six vacancies, the Ministry of Rites has the most positions from the sixth to the third grade, especially since a new official has just taken office. It is essential for them to not trust the existing structure, and adjusting and appointing their own people is a necessary procedure.
The two analyzed the matter of international communication seriously based on the information obtained by Liu Hanxi. While Liu Hanxi discussed theories without having joined the situation of Yushen Kingdom and its neighboring countries, Ran Xingtu was well-versed in these matters. He offered very constructive suggestions by combining her ideas with reality.
Through a letter sent by the eunuchs in the palace, I successfully encountered the Emperor and the Minister of Rites on my way to visit the princess.
Thus, with this push, the Minister of Rites came to the Ministry of Works to request personnel. The Ministry of Works pretended to be reluctant and even sent people three times to persuade them, before finally releasing the person. The Ministry of Works is the stronghold of Liu Hanxi, and everyone cooperated quite well.
Ran Xingtu became the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites before the Qixi Festival, holding the official rank of Zheng Liu Pin.
LIu Hanxi exhaled a breath of relief; at this point, even if she left the Zhao Wang Mansion and could no longer enter the imperial palace, her ownership of land and shops, along with her connection to a sixth-rank official, meant she could live comfortably.
Even if she has to leave, her reasons are sufficient. Where can one find such a husband, right?
Tomorrow is the Qixi Festival, and he really won’t show up until the fifteenth, which is his mother's birthday. He wouldn't even wait a few more days! So, how could she possibly be in his eyes?
Six outsiders living in the Zhenwang Mansion, Liu Hánxī, Rán Xīngtú, Jīngniáng, Jī Yǎ, Lóu Fèngzhì, and Bái Liè are currently gathered in a small courtyard.
This courtyard has few rooms, and if each of the six has one room, it would nearly be full. Though there are no grand corridors and multiple entrances like a large mansion, there is a small garden where Jīngniáng can plant flowers—small and warm. More importantly, the people in this house are all ones who love and support each other; Liu Hánxī believes this is what truly makes a home.
On the table in the hall was a spread of delicious dishes made by Jing Niang herself, and everyone was gathered around the table.
"Starting today, we have a home," Liu Hanxi said with tears in her eyes.
"Yes, we have our own home now," Ran Xingtuz replied. He declined the more grand and luxurious residence arranged by the Ministry of Rites, choosing a very low-key approach to his position, which further won the favor of the Minister of Rites.
“Come on, don’t cry. Today is a happy day; we have a home, and Xingtu has been promoted to a sixth-rank official! From now on, we should smile every day!” Lou Fengzhi stood up and said, feeling the warmth of home for the first time. When Liu Huanxi asked him to take care of Ran Xingtu and Jingniang, he felt the heavy yet warm burden on his shoulders.
“I'm happy as long as there's meat to eat!” Ji Ya also raised her wine cup.
“Is that all it takes for you?” Bai Lie transformed into human form, and the affection in his eyes could no longer be hidden.
“Then, if everyone has meat to eat, we'll all be happy!” Ji Ya added, finally making everyone burst into laughter.
After having dinner, Ran Xingtú sent Liu Hánxī back to the Yán Wangfu. Since they hadn't officially divorced yet, she thought it would be better to stay in the Wangfu. On the other hand, Ji Yǎ was unwilling to leave Jing Niang, so she chose to remain in that home.
Bai Lie must follow Liu Hanxi to protect her. Although he feels a little reluctant, he still leaves with Liu Hanxi.
“Brother, I can only help you up to this point. Your future career depends on yourself. You have the talent; don't waste it,” Liu Hanxi said.
“Without you, what use is my talent, even if I have plenty?” Ran Xingtu felt a deep sense of emotion.
In the past, he had always protected Miss Liu Qi, but now it was Miss Liu Qi who was protecting him.
“I am not the Seventh Miss.” Liu Hanxi said.
“I know.” Ran Xingtang replied, “No matter whether you are or not, you will always be my sister, and I will protect you with my life.”
“I’m so afraid that one day I will suddenly leave. Fortunately, before finishing these things, I haven’t left.” At first, she hoped to return to the modern world, but now she felt somewhat reluctant.
“Are you really going to leave the Wangfu? You should at least see him before making a decision.” Ran Xingtian walked with her to the wall of the Zhen Wangfu.
“Yes, I'm going to leave. I have someone in my heart now, and I can't let go of anyone else.” Liu Hanxi smiled.
“What if it's a road of no return?”
“A road of no return? I never had a path to return to, I can only keep moving forward, whether it's a day, a month, or a year, it's all fine.” Tears slid down Liu Huanxi's face.
After helping Princess Yi eliminate the ghosts, she began to feel that her body was starting to have issues. Her heart occasionally ached, and today, her head started to hurt even more, as if someone was trying to tear her apart.
也许，这就是身体那阴气灵力正在抢占她的思想与灵魂吧。
She didn't tell anyone. She thought that if she were to die, she would do so quietly! To a place she liked, waiting peacefully for that moment to arrive, hoping not to hurt anyone in the process.
```htmlTomorrow is the Qixi Festival, and there's one last thing to do. If this goes well, I can die peacefully, and that is to let Ran Xingtou meet the princess.
“You promised me, for these three days, you wouldn't do anything else, just accompany me!” Liu Hanxi paused under the signboard of the Zhen Wangfu and instructed Ran Xingtou.```
“Got it, I'm just taking a break.” Ran Xingtu smiled and nodded.
“Get a car ready to pick me up early tomorrow! And remember to wear the outfit I prepared for you; tomorrow you’ll wear the ivory white one, the day after that the blue one, and the day after the day after that the mouse gray one.” Liu Hànxī thought of the clothes again.
```html“Got it, you've mentioned it many times. But if you look good in what you wear, why do I need to specify the color?”
“Don’t ask, there’s a reason I want you to wear it. Also, the jade and the headpiece are chosen by me for you!”```
“Got it, if I make a mistake tomorrow, you can punish me. Now go rest!”
Liuhuanxi thought for a moment, feeling that there was nothing else to explain, and then entered the Wangfu.
The Wangfu was rather desolate without Ji Ya's presence.
Liuhanyi went to rest early. For the final battle, she needed to conserve her energy. In ancient times, she was accustomed to going to bed at dark and rising at dawn, so she didn't need an alarm clock; there was no such thing as staying up late anymore.
“Hey! Stinky cat!” Bai Lie was lying at the door of Liu Hanxi when he first heard someone call him softly, followed by a dead fish being "smashed" right in front of him.
“Are you crazy?” Bai Lie often learned this kind of language from Liu Hanxi, and he whispered a curse.
“I'll give you some to eat.” Ji Ya said, squatting on the wall.
“You eat it then! It’s raw!” Bai Lie replied.
“Tch, still picky! Just you wait.” Ji Ya's red figure flashed and appeared in front of Bai Lie. She chanted a spell, and in an instant, the fish was enveloped in a ball of fire, transforming it into a piece of charred carbon.
“It's cooked, eat!”
White Lie scratched at it with his claws, and the fish's tail fell off.
“Ex…exquisitely crispy on the outside and tender on the inside,” Ji Ya stammered.
“What are you doing giving me fish at this hour?” White Lie felt warm inside.
“Jiang Niang didn't cook fish tonight because she couldn't buy any during the day. I know you love to eat it, so I just went to the lake and caught one.” Ji Ya chuckled.
Bai Lie then noticed that her clothes were deep red; it turned out that they had become wet in several places.
He transformed into a human shape, tightly wrapping her in his embrace, then retracting his fangs, he kissed her fiercely.
Ji Ya's eyes widened as she felt the kiss from the human form of Bai Lie, unsure of how to react.
“I am a divine beast, but I love you, this witch. You have two choices: one is to kill me, the other is to love me.” Bai Lie released her and stared into her eyes, asking.
“But can you really do it?” Seeing her still in a daze, he asked again.
```htmlJiya shook her head.
“That means you love me, and I love you too.”
Bai Lie kissed her lips deeply once again, and she gently closed her eyes, filled with sweetness.```