Otherworldly Companions: Every Handsome Man is Extraordinary

Jiang Yu sat upright in her chair, her delicate chin slightly tucked in, her perfect smile flawless. She answered confidently, without a trace of restraint or nervousness.

The emperor's gaze became even more satisfied.

“They’ll need a while to verify the data, so let’s talk about something else first.” The emperor raised his hand and summoned a servant. “I noticed you haven’t touched the tea on the table. Do you not like it? The royal chefs in the palace make delicious berry ice cream. I’ll have a servant bring you some.”

The elegantly dressed noblewoman beside the emperor glanced at her husband with some surprise. Other lords did not receive this treatment. So she also put away her indifference and looked at the young girl sitting not far away.

"The tea in the palace is of the finest quality, and I certainly do not dislike it. It's just that I haven't had a chance to taste it yet. However, it would be a great honor to have the opportunity to try the palace's delicacies, so I will gladly accept your offer." Jiang Yu's words were thoughtful, affirming the tea in the palace while generously accepting the emperor's kindness. This humble yet dignified attitude was all the more endearing.

"Lord Jiangyu is not only exceptionally handsome, but also remarkably capable at work," a minister said gently, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses and holding a form in his hand.

"The Empire had already sent special personnel to collect data from various places and report it up. The data brought by Lord Jiang Yu is completely consistent and much more detailed. It seems that Hollandpur County's tax revenue has increased significantly this year, and the people's lives have also improved significantly. Before, we only had data, but now that we have seen Lord Jiang Yu's report, we know the detailed plans and measures for governance. It is truly an excellent decision."

Jiang Yu had done his homework in advance, knowing that although this elderly minister with his meticulously combed white hair looked gentle, he was actually the most intolerant of any wrongdoing. He was in charge of the empire's finances and taxation, and was the chief tax minister. Every year, he would scold several young lords who did not engage in production and indulged in sensual pleasures, causing their territories to have deficits in their accounts.

Many of the older lords who are recalled to the palace each year for admonishment are on his list.

Jiang Yu looked at the tax minister who had praised her so highly, her heart filled with joy, but on the surface she was humble and embarrassed: "I am so young, how could I have such ability? It is all thanks to my husbands, who advised me and formulated these comprehensive policies. I was just helping out."

"Lord Jiangyu, there's no need for modesty. Your husbands are indeed outstanding, and your contributions are indelible." After saying this, the tax minister nodded slightly to the emperor, indicating that there were no problems with the documents and materials.

"That's incredibly swift! Several lords were delayed quite a bit before, always missing this or that. Even though they're young, they can't be so careless. The lords themselves are young and inexperienced, and the husbands they've chosen are also incompetent. If everyone were like Lord Jiang Yu, it would save us a lot of trouble," the emperor exclaimed.

He then waved his hand, refusing the minister's offer to hand him the materials: "I don't need to look at them. If you say there's no problem, then there's no problem. I'm not as professional as you in this area."

"Lord Jiangyu, I heard that you didn't submit any materials to participate in the Partner Selection Conference this year?" The emperor asked casually, resting his chin on his hand and leaning back on his throne.

But Jiang Yu tensed up immediately. She knew that the time for reporting on her duties was precious, and that every question the emperor asked would be meaningful. Could it be that he had some thoughts about her marriage?

"My husbands and I are only in our first year of marriage, and we spend very little time together with one of them, so I don't plan to choose a partner for the second year." Jiang Yu spoke frankly, with a touch of shyness that suggested she had a very good relationship with her husbands and didn't want to hurt them because of the blissful honeymoon.

The emperor clearly believed him, but he couldn't quite recall who Jiang Yu's husband was, so he asked, "How many husbands do you have? I vaguely remember that there might be some young men from our Great Ocean Empire?"

“Your Majesty, I have two husbands: Fan Qingyin, the divine envoy of the Fan family of the Aurora Empire, and General Lin Yi of the Lin family of the Ocean Empire,” Jiang Yu replied respectfully.

"Ah, so he's Lin Zhiwei's son. General Lin Yi is a young hero, quite remarkable, with a limitless future. But considering his family background and qualifications, his ranking in your eyes wasn't very high back then, was it?" His Majesty the Emperor was somewhat puzzled.

Before Jiang Yu could speak, the elegant and beautiful woman beside the emperor spoke up, which was rare for her: "Who wouldn't like a dazzling young general?" When she noticed Jiang Yu looking at her, she gave a strange smile: "I do know a little about him. After all, Lord Jiang Yu was a big favorite in the last Partner Selection Conference. I'm just being gossipy, so I paid a little attention to it."

Now even the emperor turned to her: "Oh? Tini, I didn't know you would pay attention to these things. Tell us about it."

Lady Tiny pursed her lips and smiled: "I wonder if Your Majesty is aware of the Kong family of the Forest Empire?"

"The Kong family? The Kong family that always produces commanders?" the emperor asked curiously.

"That's right. Lord Jiangyu's number one choice at the time was Kong Yiche, the son of Commander Kong."

Jiang Yu slightly tightened her fingers, a warning bell ringing in her heart. Why was this Mrs. Tini suddenly bringing up Kong Yiche? It was just that this big shot from the Kong family had been appearing far too frequently these past two days, with one person after another trying to steer the conversation toward him.

"Such a brilliant and outstanding person, he was the dream lover of countless young girls. I heard that the Kong family had chosen someone else for his marriage alliance, but he himself defied all objections and chose our Lord Jiang Yu." As he spoke, he looked at Jiang Yu again.

Jiang Yu paused for a moment, then forced a smile and said, "I am unaware of such a situation. Apart from a slight interaction at the partner selection conference, I have absolutely no connection with this Mr. Kong Yiche."

"He is now the youngest commander in the Forest Empire, and his father is the commander-in-chief of the Forest Empire. The Forest Empire should be grateful to you, otherwise, if he and you had successfully become partners, wouldn't the Forest Empire have lost such a young prodigy?" Unable to discern whether Madam Tiny's words were good or bad, Jiang Yu chose to lower his head and remain silent.

The emperor remarked, "It sounds as if we're climbing the social ladder. Choosing Lin Yi is fine too; we know our own son well."

Jiang Yu wanted to stand up and applaud His Majesty the Emperor. He was right. Since Commander Kong Yiche was so outstanding, why choose such an unknown woman like her?

Lady Tini's expression stiffened for a moment, but quickly returned to normal: "It's not that we're trying to climb the social ladder, it's just that they haven't given up on our Lord Jiang Yu."