Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

After the second and third rounds of testing, the final result was that only three people met the physical requirements.

They are Mu Changge, Shu Yingwen, and a passerby named Wang Xianglin.

In addition to personal qualities, the royal family also places great importance on the ability to produce offspring when selecting a son-in-law.

Those who are born with castration, have physical ailments, or are destined to die young are absolutely ineligible to be candidates.

As the three knelt before Jiang Mengxuan, Ye Mo immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister has completed his duties. The rest is up to Your Majesty to decide."

"Prime Minister Ye, you've worked hard. I've ordered the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a meal for you. After you've eaten, please return to your residence and rest."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. This old minister takes his leave."

Ye Mo maintained his cupped-hands posture as he backed out of the palace gate step by step.

Once he left, Jiang Mengxuan turned her attention to the three selected individuals.

It must be said that, putting aside everything else, the three talented men in the Water Warm Palace are absolutely top-notch in terms of looks alone. They would definitely be the kind of men who would be completely devoured by women if they were in a group of them.

The three sat upright, heads bowed, even their breathing deliberately adjusted, for fear of offending the empress in the chief seat.

Shen Lang stood in front of Jiang Mengxuan, looking at the group with great displeasure.

Hurry up and choose, so I can go back and eat. I haven't eaten a single bite since this morning, I'm starving.

After a short while, Jiang Mengxuan spoke: "Before I give you the questions, let me make it clear that marrying into the royal family is not as easy and glamorous as you might think."

Every word and action of theirs would be strictly restricted and constrained, and everything had to be done according to royal etiquette and standards, unlike the freedom and unrestraint they felt outside the palace gates.

Aside from your status as royalty, you will have to shoulder and lose a great deal.

Now, I will ask you one more time: are you truly determined to marry into the royal family, even if it means being bound to them for life?

I want to hear your most honest answers.

Shu Yingwen was the first to bow and say, "I am honored to be married to Your Majesty and spend my life with you."

It is a blessing I have accumulated over many lifetimes that I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty, and to stay by your side for eternity.

These words are very touching.

However, Jiang Mengxuan showed no emotion whatsoever.

Mu Changge replied solemnly, "Your Majesty, I have admired you since I was a child. From the moment I was born and became aware of things, I have been prepared to serve Your Majesty."

Even if I lose everything, I am willing to stay by Your Majesty's side for life, dutifully fulfilling my responsibilities as a good son-in-law.

After saying this, he also opened his arms, cupped his hands, and bowed.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xianglin immediately pledged his loyalty: "Your Majesty, I feel the same way. Whatever Your Majesty asks me to do, I will do my utmost to please Your Majesty."

Listening to the three people's words, Jiang Mengxuan's expression remained unchanged.

"In that case, I will set the question."

Jiang Mengxuan turned to a page: "The so-called new dynasty, new atmosphere, please consider the current situation of Great Chu..."

I have outlined preliminary plans for the future, and I humbly request that you all provide me with a satisfactory answer.

At dusk, I will await your replies in the Imperial Study.

"It's time for dinner. Gentlemen, please proceed to Huanyu Pavilion for your meal. I'm feeling a bit tired; you may all leave."

"May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."

After the three bowed, they all stood up and left.

Watching the three figures disappear into the distance, Jiang Mengxuan fell into deep thought.

The late emperor once told her that her husband should not be too capable, because that would likely threaten her throne and cause her to lose power.

The key to choosing a husband is whether he is obedient and follows one's wishes.

but……

She really needs a husband who can truly help her, and of course, this husband must be absolutely loyal to her.

But where in this world is there such a perfect thing?

While she was thinking, she inadvertently glanced at the drowsy Shen Lang.

Upon closer inspection, Jiang Mengxuan discovered that Shen Lang's appearance was in no way inferior to Mu Changge and Shu Yingwen.

Moreover, he possessed a masculine aura that neither of the two of them had.

"Shen Lang."

A soft call immediately pulled Shen Lang back from his dazed state.

"The humble position is here."

"Who do you think is the most suitable to become the royal son-in-law among these three?"

Shen Lang frowned.

This is a question that could cost you your life...

No, it's a question about running away. You, Jiang Mengxuan, might not be able to kill me.

"Your Majesty has made your own decision. I am an outsider and not familiar with them. How can I presume to play matchmaker?"

Jiang Mengxuan smiled faintly: "It's alright, just say whatever you want to say, I will pardon you."

Shen Lang frowned, intending to give a few more perfunctory replies.

But after thinking about it carefully, putting aside their identities, the person sitting up there was just a girl a year younger than me, so why should I be afraid of her?

So he cupped his hands and replied, "That depends on Your Majesty's definition of a son-in-law."

Should one find someone capable, obedient, or with influence and connections?

But regardless of which one, the key is that the husband Your Majesty seeks must be absolutely on your side.

"Tell me more specifically."

Jiang Mengxuan leaned back in her chair with her legs crossed, clearly showing interest in what Shen Lang was saying.

Shen Lang replied, "For example, right now, His Majesty and Prime Minister Ye's faction can be described as outwardly united but inwardly divided, while Prime Minister Ye's faction is powerful."

How Your Majesty's husband should choose depends on his stance. Regardless of the reason, the emperor's son-in-law must be of one mind with Your Majesty and stand together through thick and thin.

This is the most suitable approach. Compared to that, ability is secondary. After all, His Majesty wouldn't really rely on a bunch of guys who want to live off women.

"What earth-shattering things could I possibly accomplish? This is merely my humble opinion; if I have said anything incorrect, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

After saying that, he bowed and saluted, inwardly cursing: I've already said what I wanted to say. If you dare to mess with me, I'll just take you down with me.

Jiang Mengxuan shook her head: "I didn't expect Commander Shen to have such insights. From what you said just now, it seems that you don't think highly of these candidates for the emperor's son-in-law. Is that so?"

Shen Lang: "Those three selected candidates for the Emperor's son-in-law, judging solely by their appearance, would not be an exaggeration to say they are all handsome and dignified."

"But as for whether I can help Your Majesty plan for the future of Great Chu, please forgive my boldness, but you really can't count on me much."

Jiang Mengxuan: "From what Commander Shen said, it seems he is more capable than them?"

"I don't dare to do this in a humble position."

Shen Lang replied calmly.

"However, these candidates for imperial sons-in-law all learned about the affairs of the world from aristocratic academies."

How can someone who has never truly experienced the people's plight describe national policies and plans?

As I predicted, what you said was all official policy documents and arguments, offering absolutely no help to the development of our nation.

"develop?"

This was the first time Jiang Mengxuan had ever heard this novel term.

What is development?

“The most suitable governance strategy is determined by combining data from various aspects such as economy, military, people’s livelihood, industry and commerce, agriculture, taxation, population, and environment, and is collectively referred to as development.”

This was the first time Jiang Mengxuan had heard so many terms. Although she didn't fully understand their meaning, she roughly grasped the concept, which seemed to be similar to national strength.

"Then how should it be developed?"

She became increasingly interested, and even had a premonition.

Shen Lang might truly bring about unprecedented changes to the Great Chu.

But Shen Lang poured cold water on Jiang Mengxuan at this crucial moment.

"Your Majesty, I am but a lowly centurion of the Jingwei Guard. How could I possibly plan the development path for the Great Chu?"

Jiang Mengxuan was taken aback, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly said, "Commander Shen, it's getting late, why don't you go to Huanyuxuan for your meal?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang's eyes lit up immediately: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take my leave now."

Without a moment's hesitation, he turned and ran out of the palace gate.

Little did he know that after he left, a slight smile appeared on Jiang Mengxuan's lips.

"Your Majesty, shall we take a gamble?"