At His Majesty's words, all the princes and ministers around him looked at General Li with envy.
Because of their distinguished achievements, they didn't have such an honor.
Li Zheng's expression shifted slightly, his heart filled with unease.
He stood up, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Not yet."
Li Wenshu was startled, her body stiffening. As she looked up, she inadvertently glanced at the princes.
The eldest prince's gaze was gentle and tender, his intention to curry favor was all too clear.
The Third Prince murmured, "Shu'er." His heart pounded with tension.
Ever since he saw Li Wenshu once at the training ground, he had fallen deeply in love with her and longed for her day and night; even in his dreams, she was there.
The fourth prince fell in love with her, but he was too naive and shy to look directly into Li Wenshu's cool and aloof eyes.
The Fifth Prince carefully examined Li Wenshu, then shook his head. He dared not even dream of becoming the Crown Prince.
The sixth prince stared at Li Wenshu for a moment, then shook his head. He preferred gentle women and had no feelings for Li Wenshu.
The seventh and eighth princes glanced at Li Wenshu at the same time, thinking that they would have to please the Li family's daughter in the future. This future sister-in-law would one day become the empress.
The second prince was naturally unruly and dissolute.
Because his maternal family had little power, people around him did not think highly of him.
However, he didn't care what others thought of him.
He curled his lips at Li Wenshu, his eyes filled with fervent ambition and a determination to win.
Li Wenshu's eyes were indifferent, devoid of any emotion.
She thought His Majesty must be joking.
Once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea; she didn't like that kind of place.
Knowing His Majesty's thoughts, Li Wenshu did not take His Majesty's original intentions to heart.
Unexpectedly, His Majesty then spoke frankly to her father, saying:
"Like father, like daughter. General Li, I have long admired your daughter and wish to make her my future Crown Princess. I wonder, are you willing?"
The surrounding princes and ministers, who had initially felt envy, now harbored jealousy.
However, when they looked at Li Zheng again, their eyes became ingratiating.
General Li is the future father-in-law of the emperor.
Upon hearing this, Li Zheng felt a chill run through him.
What does Your Majesty mean by this? How can you decide on a Crown Princess before even choosing a Crown Prince? Isn't this putting his daughter in the spotlight?
He clasped his hands in a fist again: "Your Majesty, the future Crown Princess should be virtuous and kind, but Shuer does not have such talent."
"General Li, please don't be so modest. There is no daughter as outstanding as yours in the entire city of Shangjin."
Li Zheng: "Shu'er is only skilled in martial arts; she is not proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. You should choose someone else as the Crown Princess."
His Majesty rose, his gentle expression turning serious.
He flicked his sleeve and said, “General Li, don’t think I haven’t heard that your daughter, at the age of twelve, dared to challenge an enemy general single-handedly and even killed him with a single spear thrust.”
Such heroines are truly pillars of the nation; how could I not entrust them with important responsibilities?
She doesn't need to be proficient in things like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She only needs to manage the entire harem well, and in the future, she will surely be able to assist me, Dongjin, in defeating generals and enemies.
After the New Year, she will come of age and it will be time to choose a good husband.
If you refuse again, you are showing disrespect to the Dongjin royal family and to my princes!
Putting everything else aside, in terms of martial arts, Li Wenshu far surpasses all the princes.
Li Zheng insisted, "Shu'er lacks public morality and cannot be entrusted with important responsibilities!"
After he finished speaking, he suddenly understood.
His Majesty is trying to control him through his daughter.
Because of his immeasurable merits, his military power was bestowed by the late emperor. His Majesty's desire to dismantle it would likely discourage the generals.
The tiger tally in his hand could mobilize tens of thousands of soldiers.
His Majesty does not trust him.
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