lcionline Chapter 432 Planning
Chapter 432 Planning
Chapter 432
Qin Chuan sat across from her, gazing at Luo Shuiyao with a burning gaze. The candlelight danced beneath her eyes, highlighting her lively expression as she spoke, making her look completely different from her usual gentle and demure self.
He subconsciously wanted to ask, but the words just formed in his throat, but when he saw the heroic spirit hidden in her eyes, he swallowed them back. His fingertips unconsciously caressed the rim of the teacup, the coolness of the celadon seeping into his palm, but it couldn't suppress the shock that surged in his heart.
He suddenly overturned all his previous thoughts - it was not that she had changed, but that he had never truly understood her.
The wisdom and generosity hidden beneath the gentle smile, the foresight and insight inadvertently revealed in the words, all silently tell us that the woman in front of us has the demeanor of a woman who is as good as a man, just like a secluded orchid in a deep valley, with her own elegance in silence.
After Luo Shuiyao said what was in her mind, she did not wait for his response. She just picked up the teacup and took a sip, letting the fragrance of the tea spread between her lips and teeth.
The flickering candlelight cast her silhouette on the mottled wall, like a watercolor painting.
After an unknown amount of time, Qin Chuan suddenly straightened his back, and with his bony hands, he placed the teacup heavily on the table. The tea that splashed forth shimmered in the candlelight, a silver glint that seemed to convey his unconcealed admiration. "Miss Luo's method is truly brilliant!"
His eyes were blazing, and his voice was filled with a sigh. "A woman like you, with both a sharp mind and the talent to govern a country, cannot realize her ambitions in the court because of her status as a woman. I believe this is a loss for our Great Zhou."
Luo Shuiyao hadn't expected him to say something so astonishing after a long silence. In an era where men naturally enjoy many advantages, such insight and understanding are truly rare. If he were just an ordinary man, how could he have managed Baihua County so well?
It is rare that he sees no distinction between men and women, and feels genuine pity and regret for women trapped in secular rules.
She chuckled softly, her eyes lowered. "There are so many talented people in this world. Compared to them, I am just a drop in the ocean. County Magistrate Qin, there is no need to feel sorry for me."
As she finished speaking, her fingertips unconsciously stroked the rim of the cup, and she concealed all her complicated emotions in a gentle smile.
Qin Chuan nodded, his expression solemn. "Both men and women are born of their parents. There are men with extraordinary abilities, and naturally there are women as well. It's a pity that there are so many incompetent people in this world. They use various excuses to trap women in the harem, not only depriving them of the opportunity to broaden their horizons and fight for their rights, but also mocking them for their short-sightedness."
His tone grew colder, and a hint of anger ignited in his eyes. "Even as a man, I find it deeply hateful."
After he finished speaking, he sighed softly, a look of helplessness on his face. "But I am too insignificant. Facing these deep-rooted worldly shackles, I can do nothing but feel filled with resentment."
These words made Luo Shuiyao look at him with even more respect.
Seeing his genuine expression, without a hint of pretense, her admiration surged. How could such a brilliant and compassionate figure remain unknown in the past she knew so well? Could it be that in the original novel, he and the heroine had no connection, thus completely obscuring such a figure's brilliance from the pages of the novel?
Luo Shuiyao's fingertips unconsciously stroked the edge of the teacup, but her thoughts drifted away.
Well, if she couldn't figure it out, then forget it. A book only took up a tiny space; how could it possibly capture such a vast world? Why should she immerse herself in the original novel? Everything now was clearly completely different from the original.
"I know that Lord Qin is a gentleman, and I also know that you love the people like your own children. If not, how could you be so loved by the people here?"
Luo Shuiyao's eyes were bright, and she raised the teacup in her hand slightly. "However, these old rules were not formed overnight. They are shackles passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years. If Lord Qin really wants to change, why not climb higher, higher..."
Her tone was gentle but firm. "When you have the power to make decisions, if you can still maintain your current integrity, it will be a great blessing for all women in the world. On behalf of all women in the world, I will offer tea instead of wine to Sir Qin."
After saying that, he raised his head and drank the tea in the cup. The remaining tea at the bottom of the cup glowed faintly under the candlelight, as if hiding thousands of expectations.
Qin Chuan was affected by her emotions and tone, and his expression instantly became serious. He looked directly into Luo Shuiyao's eyes, his gaze firm: "Although I don't know what the future holds, I promise today - if such a day ever comes, Qin will definitely live up to my promise today and live up to the trust placed in me by you."
As soon as he finished speaking, he picked up the teacup, gestured to Luo Shuiyao from a distance, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.
Luo Shuiyao looked at him so solemnly and suddenly smiled, her eyebrows and eyes curved like crescent moons. Unlike her usual gentle smile, the smile at this moment spread from her eyes, filled with relief and anticipation. "In that case, let's get down to business."
She tapped the table lightly with her fingertips, gathering her thoughts scattered in the candlelight. "I have a plan for Baihua County here, from renovating scenic spots to attracting merchants, from special festivals to transportation... I wonder if Lord Qin would be interested in listening to it?"
"It's my honor." Qin Chuan saw her get straight to the point and immediately put away his solemn expression. He leaned forward slightly and pretended to listen attentively.
Luo Shuiyao had already repeatedly deduced the overall plan in his mind, and now he spoke out, from the renovation and layout of the core landscape in the center of Baihua County, to the tourist routes connecting the surrounding villages; from the design of the cluster of characteristic inns, to the festival activities during the changing flower seasons, all poured out like pearls and jade.
The sparks from the candle wick gradually dimmed, the sound of the clock ticked in the night, and before I knew it, it was already late at night.
Only when the candle burned to the edge of the lampstand did Luo Shuiyao pause in her torrent of tales. She took a sip from the now-cold teacup and, observing Qin Chuan's lowered head, his expression heavy with thought, knew he was still absorbed in the magnificent scene he had just described. So she sat quietly, not disturbing him any further.
Qin Chuan's brows would sometimes furrow slightly, as if he were considering the difficulties of the plan, and sometimes they would relax, as if he had foreseen the future prosperity of Baihua County. After sorting out all his ideas in his mind, he slowly raised his eyes and looked at Luo Shuiyao, who was sitting quietly.
Then he stood up from the stool and stood to one side. Before Luo Shuiyao could react, he bowed with both hands, leaned forward slightly, and bent deeply.
This sudden action really startled Luo Shuiyao. She quickly stood up and asked with a puzzled look on her face, "Master Qin, what are you doing?"
Unexpectedly, Qin Chuan did not stand up to respond, but bowed again.
Seeing this, Luo Shuiyao instinctively stepped forward and stretched out her hand to stop him. As soon as their wrists touched, Qin Chuan took a step back as if he had been electrocuted, his expression slightly flustered.
Luo Shuiyao finally reacted, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment - in her haste, she had forgotten the taboo of physical contact between men and women.
Qin Chuan instinctively stepped back, fearing he might have offended the beautiful woman. Seeing Luo Shuiyao's uneasy expression, he realized his actions were indeed inappropriate. He hurriedly explained, "Miss Luo, I'm truly sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I hope you'll forgive me."
Luo Shuiyao shook her head, looked at his guilty eyes, and said softly, "There's no need for that."
Qin Chuan breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she showed no anger. He quickly explained, "Miss Luo has been very kind to the people of Baihua County, and now she has devoted so much time and energy to the affairs of this county. As the magistrate of Baihua County, I should offer this generous gift to you on behalf of the people as a token of our gratitude."
Luo Shuiyao shook her head, her expression calm. "I'm not raising these issues today entirely out of selflessness. I have my own considerations. Sir Qin, there's no need to be so."
Without waiting for Qin Chuan to ask further questions, she continued calmly, "I have now fully planned the future of Baihua County. However, if we want to put these plans into action, I believe that Lord Qin is also aware that your efforts alone are far from enough. As it happens, I can provide both human and material resources. I wonder if Lord Qin is willing to cooperate with me?"