Chapter 294: Chapter 294 - 286: Failed Request

Yun Han was shocked, furrowing his brows hesitantly, "What do you want the Yun Family’s military power for?"

Shen Qingli bit her lip, looking pitiful, "The Empire is currently in turmoil, the people are in fear, yet I hold no real power in my hands. Unlike my sister Shen Tang who has the support of the Lu Family, I... I really don’t feel secure."

"Even when the Imperial City was in chaos, I couldn’t make the slightest effort. The people and all the aristocratic families are surely disappointed in me, which is why I lost the election."

"Yun Han Brother, please give me military power. As long as I have the support of the Yun Family’s military power, I can definitely turn the situation around!"

Yun Han furrowed his sword-like brows, staring deeply at her, and a hint of absurdity appeared on his stern face.

He didn’t expect to hear such a bizarre theory from Shen Qingli’s mouth.

For a moment, he didn’t know whether to think she had been a princess for too long, too comfortable and never having experienced the cruelty of the battlefield, to actually think that possessing military power could win the people’s hearts?

Or if she was simply too arrogantly self-assured, lacking a clear understanding of her own capabilities.

Clearly, in his mind, Shen Qingli should have been a beautiful, intelligent, and reasonable woman, so how could she say such incomprehensible things?

Seeing Yun Han’s hesitant expression, Shen Qingli felt even more angry and questioned angrily, "Lu Xiao was able to give military power to Shen Tang, so why can’t you give it to me? Do you not love me at all!"

She had long been dissatisfied with this, but previously, due to saving face and maintaining her persona, she hadn’t confronted Yun Han directly.

But now, Shen Qingli was utterly furious, not caring about anything else.

Her questions pinned Yun Han to the spot like nails, slicing him like a knife. He stood stiff and cold, staring incredulously at his partner, "Qingli, what on earth are you saying?"

He had never considered handing over military power to her, as this was how every Head of Yun Family had done it for generations.

All the family heads of the major families did the same.

Only by holding the military power in one’s own hands can one feel at ease; otherwise, in the event of a divorce, not only is one’s own future lost, but also the future of the entire family.

No matter how deep the affection, as a rational family head, it is impossible to gamble the future of the entire family on a woman.

The senior members of the family and all the Great Elders would never agree either.

Lu Xiao’s previous actions indeed surprised Yun Han, but that was the other’s choice and had nothing to do with him.

But he never imagined that Shen Qingli would use it to compare the two of them.

This was publicly humiliating the pride of a male, and questioning the basis of their relationship.

Suddenly, Yun Han felt a twinge of disappointment and sadness. Wasn’t his willingness to give up the family and risk his life to save her enough to prove his feelings and care for her?

How could she say such things to him?

In the midst of her fury, Shen Qingli didn’t notice the change in the man’s expression and insistently said, "You married me, everything about you should be mine. Why haven’t you handed over the military power yet? Your reluctance means you don’t trust me, you don’t love me at all!"

"The words you said at the wedding, about loving me wholeheartedly, were all lies, weren’t they?"

Yun Han’s chest heaved violently with anger, his deep black eyes fixed on the hysterical Shen Qingli, flecked with bloodshot veins.

These repeated provocations were almost fatal for someone as proud as he was, but somewhere deep inside, Yun Han’s instincts urged him not to make a fatal mistake.

Finally, Yun Han calmed down, his voice low and a bit hoarse, "...Sorry, the military power is in my father’s hands, I don’t have the authority to use it."

The same reason again!

Shen Qingli almost wanted to slap him in anger, exasperated, "Your father is almost sixty years old, and now he doesn’t even have any superpowers. He can’t suppress the people below anymore. He should have handed over the position of Family Head to you a long time ago, and the military power should be yours!"

"If you go ask him now, he would definitely give it to you..."

"Shen Qingli!"

This time Yun Han was truly angry, sharply interrupting her.

Yun Han clenched his fists, biting out his words, "Father is still alive, and he’s in good health, what do you mean by this? Are you so eager to get the military power? When you married me, did you do it because you liked me, wanted to be with me, or to get the Yun Family’s military power?"

[Ding! Warning to host, Yun Han’s affinity is showing signs of significant decline, please save the situation immediately!]

Hearing the system’s urgent warning, Shen Qingli’s face changed drastically, her anger instantly doused as if with a bucket of cold water, leaving her chilled to the bone.

She quickly stopped the conversation, panicked and hurriedly apologized, "Yun Han Brother, I didn’t mean it like that, of course I wish father lives a long life!"

"I’m sorry, I was too impatient. I just wanted to do more for the people..."

Yun Han looked at her, speaking lowly, "Qingli, you are my partner. I love you, everything I have can be yours, but the military power belongs to the family, it’s not mine alone."

"Even if I become the Family Head in the future, I cannot hand over the military power to you."

Shen Qingli suppressed her resentment, her long lashes falling slightly, and said with guilt and sorrow, "I understand, I’m sorry. It was my fault, I shouldn’t have said those things to you."

"Yun Han Brother, don’t be mad, you’re the one I love the most!"

She flashed him a gentle and considerate smile, as if nothing had happened, as if everything earlier was just an illusion.

Yun Han’s gaze on her was somewhat strange, a peculiar feeling stirring within him, making Shen Qingli seem inexplicably unfamiliar at that moment.

But out of trust in his partner, he suppressed this feeling, albeit leaving slight ripples in his heart.

Not wanting to lose both man and military power, Shen Qingli didn’t bring up the subject of military power again.

The latter half of the discussion concluded smoothly.

Shen Tang successfully won the qualification of inheritance.

The moment the final result was announced,

Shen Qingli was still unwilling to accept.

She publicly protested, "I don’t agree with this result, it’s not fair!"

The crowd looked at her, puzzled.

Shen Qingli scanned the room and spoke elegantly, "If I remember correctly, there are 251 noble families with voting rights in the Empire, yet today only 214 are present, the voting isn’t even complete!"

"Considering the votes of the absent families, Shen Tang hasn’t received more than half of the votes, this election result lacks authority and shouldn’t be valid!"

Someone said, "In these unusual times, unusual measures are necessary, Princess Qingli’s words are unreasonably rigid!"

Not to mention that the Empire lost some territory, with two noble families with voting rights still missing and some local noble families ignoring the situation, not even attending the council.

Most people present were well aware that in the current chaos of the Empire, some noble warlords harbor ulterior motives, wanting to seize the opportunity to establish their own rule, divide up the territory, how could they possibly come to vote for a new lord?

Precisely for this reason, they urgently needed to elect a new lord to take office, otherwise, the future of the Empire would be shattered!

Many present were extremely dissatisfied with Shen Qingli, even some family heads who voted for her were annoyed, speaking such mindless words in public was simply disgraceful!

Seeing that her words were ineffective, Shen Qingli felt even more ashamed and furious, but the outcome was decided, and her protests were futile.

Ultimately,

The council officially established Shen Tang as the heir, assuming part of the authority with a coronation ceremony to be held a month later.

It seemed this matter was finally settled.

But just a few days later,

Rumors suddenly began to circulate in the city.