Chapter 383: I Want to Take Them All!!
“Sir Lin, let’s talk about your past life,” the Empress said.
Lin Beifan was a bit puzzled. “My past life?”
“Yes! Your background is somewhat mysterious, but you know so much and have exceptional abilities. So, I’m very curious about what you were like in the past, and why you know so much,” the Empress said. As she spoke, she gently brushed her hair from her forehead, and her gaze seemed somewhat unnatural. Even her face turned slightly red. After all, they were going to spend a long time together, so getting to know each other better was important.
Lin Beifan furrowed his brows. “Your Majesty, about my past life…”
It seemed he was reluctant to talk about it.
The Empress suddenly felt sorry for him. Lin Beifan didn’t mention much about his past, but from what she had observed in recent years, he must have had a difficult life. He came from a humble background with no notable family or friends. He had only relied on his strength. To pass the imperial exams, he had worked tirelessly, studying late into the night. He had lived a frugal life, wearing ordinary clothes, residing in a dilapidated house, and mostly eating simple meals of rice and vegetables, rarely having meat. It was only after becoming the top scholar that his life improved significantly.
“Sir Lin, if you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t force you,” the Empress said, understandingly.
Lin Beifan shook his head slightly. “Your Majesty, it’s not that I don’t want to talk about it, but rather I don’t know how to begin.”
The Empress seemed puzzled. “You don’t know how to begin? You can talk about anything.”
“It’s precisely because there’s nothing to talk about that I find it difficult,” Lin Beifan’s expression turned a bit bitter. “Not to hide it from Your Majesty, but my past life was quite dull. The word ‘hardship’ defined my life, and there’s really nothing to talk about.”
The Empress chuckled awkwardly. “Cough…”
Lin Beifan looked concerned. “Your Majesty, are you not feeling well again? Are you experiencing another symptom?”
The Empress gave Lin Beifan a somewhat exasperated look, a mix of annoyance and amusement. “It’s all because of you. How can you boast like this?” She then started laughing.
Lin Beifan felt quite aggrieved. “But I was just telling the truth!”
“I can see that you must have been quite mischievous and troublesome in the past. Yet, you managed to live to this day, which means you must have had a rather comfortable life!” The Empress pointed at Lin Beifan and laughed.
Lin Beifan struggled for a moment. “Your Majesty, you can’t say that. In reality, my past was quite bitter.”
“Was it because of someone else’s suffering?” The Empress laughed heartily.
Lin Beifan: “……”
Lin Beifan’s eyes seemed filled with bitterness.
How did the Empress become so mischievous? She had uncovered his past so quickly; it wasn’t fun at all! After the laughter, the Empress was in a very cheerful mood and asked, “Sir Lin, let’s talk about the future. What do you think your future will be like? Or what kind of life do you want to have in the future? What are your dreams?”
Lin Beifan furrowed his brows again. “Your Majesty, I dare not say.”
The Empress hinted, “Is there some kind of hardship?”
“Indeed, there is hardship,” Lin Beifan said, his lips twisting slightly. “Please forgive my crimes first, and then I will dare to speak.”
The Empress spoke loudly, “Alright! I consider you innocent!”
“Your Majesty,” Lin Beifan sighed, “Ever since I entered the court as an official, I have been favored by you. You kept promoting me, bestowing honors and riches upon me endlessly, and I am deeply grateful for your kindness. However, all of these are not what I truly desire.”
The Empress asked, “Sir Lin, what is it that you desire?”
Lin Beifan cautiously glanced at the Empress and said, “Actually, my biggest dream is to not work every day but still receive a salary. So, Your Majesty, please grant me more vacation days. If I could have 20 days off per month, I would be content.”
The Empress coughed, looking somewhat surprised. “Cough…”
Lin Beifan panicked again. “Why are you reacting like this? Don’t scare me!”
“Are you trying to make fun of me?” The Empress scolded him with a hint of annoyance. “As the current Prime Minister and Supreme Commander of the military, you want to take 20 days off in a month? Who will handle state affairs then? I promoted you to this position to help me share the burden, and you want to rest? That’s quite an ambitious idea!”
Lin Beifan felt very wronged. “Your Majesty, it’s because you asked me to tell the truth…”
“You can say it, but I don’t agree!” The Empress said firmly.
“Oh!” Lin Beifan lowered his head.
“Sir Lin, it’s not just anyone who can aspire to reach your position, and yet you’ve achieved it. But you don’t seem to cherish it. How can I not be disappointed in you?” The Empress scolded him with a glare.
“Your Majesty, please stop. I know I was wrong,” Lin Beifan said, feeling very apologetic.
The Empress couldn’t help but burst into laughter and said, “Look at how pitiful you look… If there aren’t any major matters in the future, I can grant you some additional leave, alright?”
“Really?” Lin Beifan perked up.
“I promise,” the Empress said seriously. “Alright, let’s talk about something else.”
The Empress’s expression became somewhat unnatural, her eyes flickering. She asked, “Sir Lin, I heard you’re quite a romantic figure, with many close female companions. Tell me, what kind of women do you like?”
Lin Beifan blushed and said, “Your Majesty, why ask such personal questions?”
“Come on, I’m really curious,” the Empress pretended to be serious. In reality, she was feeling embarrassed, and her palms were sweaty.
Lin Beifan continued to blush. “Your Majesty, can we not discuss this?”
The Empress shook her head. “No, I really want to know.”
The Empress pondered for a moment and decided to take the initiative. “Sir Lin, do you prefer women like Li Shi Shi, refined and knowledgeable, gentle and considerate?”
Lin Beifan shook his head slightly.
“Not even that?” The Empress furrowed her brows slightly. “Do you prefer women like Mo Rushuang, strong-willed, justice-driven, with a heroic and valiant aura?”
Lin Beifan shook his head again. “Not that either.”
“Still not?” The Empress concentrated and asked, “Do you prefer women like Ziyue, captivating and enchanting, capable of seducing anyone?”
Lin Beifan shook his head once more. “Not that either.”
“Really? Then do you prefer girls like Yunying, cute and innocent, with a carefree spirit?”
Again, Lin Beifan shook his head.
“Still not?” The Empress asked again, “Do you prefer women who are authoritative, wield great power, and command the world?”
Lin Beifan shook his head again.
The Empress was puzzled. “None of the above? Your Majesty, what kind of women do you like?”
Lin Beifan, feeling shy, said, “Your Majesty, can we not discuss this?”
“No, I must ask!” The Empress insisted.
Lin Beifan, feeling even more embarrassed, said, “Your Majesty, can we please not talk about it?”
“No! You must say it. I command you!” The Empress ordered, her heart pounding nervously.
“Your Majesty, judging from your questions, it’s clear that you don’t understand men very well. My answer is…” Lin Beifan blushed and lowered his head, “I want to take them all1!”
The Empress coughed. “Cough…”
Lin Beifan panicked again. “Your Majesty, what’s wrong now?”
“Sir Lin, you might have really made me angry today!” The Empress scolded him, not in a good mood.
Lin Beifan felt very wronged. “It’s because Your Majesty insisted on me answering!”
“Couldn’t you have been a bit more tactful?”
“I was already being tactful! Whenever I talk like this with people, they want to hit me! Your Majesty, you are quite composed and sophisticated in handling this, which is already commendable!” Lin Beifan laughed.
The Empress felt warm inside. “Sir Lin, you have a good heart.”
At this point, Lin Beifan sighed. “Actually, when it comes to marriage and relationships, I don’t have a choice at all! Ever since I entered the court as an official, I’ve always prioritized state affairs. I’ve never actively sought attention from women. But fate has given me a handsome appearance, and I have become the center of attention wherever I go. There is no escape, and I have to passively accept it. It’s quite distressing!”
The Empress was annoyed! What kind of nonsense was this?
This was something that many men could only dream of, and you seemed a bit dismissive of it?
He doesn’t know the suffering of less fortunate men!
She clenched her fist suddenly, wanting to punch him to vent the frustrations of all the men in the world!
“Now, even the matter of marriage is decided by Your Majesty!” Lin Beifan, with a glimmer of hope, said, “Your Majesty, when will you release the restrictions on me? I’m not getting any younger; it’s time to get married!”
“This matter… let’s talk about it later!” The Empress’s eyes flickered, wanting to escape the topic. She said, “Alright, that’s enough. I’m tired now. Sir Lin, you may withdraw.”
“Your Majesty, can’t we chat a little longer? I have many things I want to tell you!” Lin Beifan said.
The Empress waved her hand, turned her head to the side, pretending to sleep, and said, “Let’s not chat anymore. Please withdraw quickly. I need to rest. If there are no major state affairs, don’t come to find me!”
“Oh, then I’ll come back another day!” Lin Beifan reluctantly left.
1. 小孩子才做选择题，成年人当然是全都要/Children choose, adults take them all!”
– This phrase is a popular internet slang term used as a response to difficult or indecisive choice questions. It’s commonly used in interactive discussions or topics where people are asked to make choices.
– The phrase is often employed humorously when faced with dilemmas, such as questions like “Do you prefer girls with short hair or long hair?” In response, people might use the meme “我全都要” (I want them all), indicating a playful or unserious attitude toward making a choice.
