21st Century Necromancer

807: Chapter 803: Persuasion 807: Chapter 803: Persuasion The Empress Shoken’s conversation with Minami seemed quite normal, just like how everyday customers would make small talk with her.

However, apart from the regular customers, their group, consisting of three demigods and three legendary figures, each of them immediately recognized that Empress Shoken was actually a ghoul.

So, the moment she began speaking to Minami, all six of them instinctively focused their attention on her.

Even though none of the six people turned their gazes toward her, Empress Shoken could clearly sense that if she made any unusual move, the three demigods and three legendary figures sitting nearby would react in an instant.

Still, it was clear that Empress Shoken wasn’t here to stir up trouble.

She leisurely ate the food in front of her while casually chatting with Minami.

Their conversation was nothing more than what an ordinary elderly woman might discuss with a young girl.

Yet, Empress Shoken subtly steered the topic toward finding a partner.

“Young lady, do you have someone special in your heart?

At your age, you should consider finding a boyfriend!” Empress Shoken’s demeanor was very amiable, just like a caring grandmother concerned about an unmarried junior: “Girls should marry early, you know.

Nowadays, society keeps talking about how women should be independent and not rely on men, and that’s not entirely wrong.

But while you might feel fine being single now, how about when you’re older?

When you’re seventy or eighty, and there’s no one to take care of you or any children around, that would be very lonely!

Look at how many elderly people die alone in today’s society—it’s often because they lack the companionship of family or offspring.

Getting married early and having someone to share your life with ensures that, no matter what, you’ll have someone to rely on when you’re old.”

“Uh, this…” Minami felt a bit awkward under Empress Shoken’s speech but still replied politely: “Ma’am, I haven’t really thought about that for now.

After all, I’m still young, so I plan to consider it in a few years.”

Hearing Minami’s response about waiting a few years, Empress Shoken could easily tell it was just an excuse.

She wasn’t surprised but felt a tinge of helplessness as she thought about His Majesty the Emperor’s personality.

Sighing inwardly, she resolved to continue persuading Minami.

Yet before she could open her mouth again, Jounouchi Hiromi, sitting nearby, suddenly chimed in: “Minami, good men don’t wait around for people.

You say you’ll wait a few years, but by then, all the good ones will have been snatched up!”

As she spoke, Jounouchi Hiromi grabbed Chen Yu’s arm, using her own example to make her point: “Just look at me and Mr.

Chen Yu.

Back then, he barely paid me any attention, but now see how happily we’re living together?

A woman’s happiness comes from fighting for it herself, not sitting around waiting for it to come to her!”

“When did I ever ignore you?” Chen Yu, being thrown under the bus by his own wife, could only respond with a helpless smile and mutter softly.

After all, Jounouchi Hiromi was pregnant now.

Worried about affecting her mood, Chen Yu could only go along with whatever she said as much as possible.

“Have you forgotten how many times you rejected me back when I was chasing you?

Especially when I proposed, and you deliberately made me cry—have you forgotten that too?” Jounouchi Hiromi, perhaps wanting to get back at Chen Yu for the times he turned her down or made her cry, or perhaps just giving him a hard time, criticized him as she twisted his ear lightly.

Although she twisted Chen Yu’s ear, there was more affection in her action than force.

It was playful, not painful.

Faced with Jounouchi Hiromi’s playful scolding, Chen Yu could only feign surrender with a wry smile: “Ouch, ouch, ouch!

Honey, let go!

I was wrong, okay?”

Seeing the interaction between Chen Yu and Jounouchi Hiromi, everyone in the small shop couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Even the busy shop owner in the kitchen chimed in: “Doctor Chen, you and your wife sure are loving!”

To this, Chen Yu and Jounouchi Hiromi simply exchanged smiles without saying much.

Their love didn’t need anyone’s validation after all.

Of course, Chen Yu and Jounouchi Hiromi weren’t showing off their affection without reason.

They were trying to inspire Minami, after all.

While Minami looked at the couple’s interaction with envy, Empress Shoken was even more so.

As the Empress of Japan’s first Emperor with real power since the fall of the ancient imperial authority, Empress Shoken had enjoyed immense prestige during her life.

While this brought her tremendous wealth and honor, it also deprived her of experiencing an ordinary person’s life.

Flirting, bickering affectionately?

In her youth, traditional rules and rituals constrained her.

Later, during the Meiji period, with the Emperor being a headstrong and autocratic man, Empress Shoken merely played the role of a dutiful spouse and had no desire to meddle in his affairs.

Affectionate interactions or displays of intimacy between a husband and wife?

Those were out of the question.

Thus, seeing Chen Yu and Jounouchi Hiromi so affectionate filled Empress Shoken’s heart with envy.

“What an enviable couple!

You two must be incredibly happy together, with such a strong bond,” Empress Shoken couldn’t help but praise them.

She then turned to look at Minami: “Young lady, don’t you want to experience such happiness and love in your own life?”

Faced with these words from Empress Shoken, Minami could only lower her head shyly with a bashful smile, unable to respond.

The other customers, however, joined in teasing, with a few even suggesting introducing potential matches for Minami.

After the commotion, Empress Shoken finished the food in front of her.

She gracefully dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief, gestured to her attendant to settle the bill, and continued advising Minami as she left: “Young lady, you really should start thinking about your future.

Not getting married may seem fine now, but as you grow older, you’ll realize how lonely it can be.”

Having said her piece and not wanting to overdo it, Empress Shoken rose and left the small shop with her attendants serving her.

Chen Yu and his group, seeing this, quickly finished their own meals, settled their bills, and left the shop as well.

“Mr.

Kai, could I trouble you to escort my wife back home?” Chen Yu turned to the knight standing beside Artoria, requesting politely.

The knight beside Artoria nodded, placing his hand over his chest in a respectful salute: “It would be my honor to protect your wife.”

Jounouchi Hiromi, knowing her current pregnant state made it unsuitable for her to accompany Chen Yu everywhere, didn’t insist on staying.

She simply said to him, “Take care, darling!”

Chen Yu nodded in acknowledgment before turning his gaze to Artoria and Joan of Arc.

Extending an invitation to them, he asked, “Would the two of you mind joining me in meeting that ghoul from earlier?”