Shu'er herself was unaware that the actions of the princes had earned her a great deal of hatred.
However, I imagine that someone like her wouldn't care.
She devoted herself solely to staying by her mother's side, waiting for her father to return home.
He knew that she originally wanted to go to the border to visit her father, but her mother refused outright.
The border was treacherous, and the Ye family refused to allow their daughter to leave.
One morning, in the main hall,
The Emperor addressed the princes and ministers personally:
"My sons, among you, whoever can lead the army in person and fight alongside General Li, forcing the Northern Qi army to retreat for an extended period, I will appoint that person as the Crown Prince!"
Previously, he was reluctant to let his princes go to their deaths, but now it's different.
The border is now secure.
Moreover, many of his sons have already come of age and have improved their martial arts skills.
It's time to put them to the test.
These words caused an uproar throughout the hall.
At that time, the princes were eager to try.
He, the second prince of Dongjin, He Lin, was the first to step forward.
He asked:
"Father, do you still stand by what you said before?"
He knew that a king's word was law, but in his father's eyes, sometimes it really was just a joke.
"What did you say?"
"Li Wenshu's position as the Crown Princess".
"That... naturally counts. However, you are neither good at literature nor martial arts, and you have no strategy or tactics. If you go to the battlefield, you will only be sent to your death."
His father, the emperor, poured cold water on him, leaving him feeling utterly disheartened.
He thought that his father was blaming him, questioning him directly, and not giving him a way out.
Then, the eldest prince stepped forward and said, "Father, I request to fight!"
The position of Crown Prince is what my eldest brother has always dreamed of.
The third prince was a step too late, and his expression turned forlorn.
"Haha, it's still my eldest son who truly wins my heart!"
The Emperor readily agreed, as his eldest brother had always been his choice for Crown Prince.
He was dejected and resentful, and his inner ambition swelled even more.
The eldest prince personally led 50,000 soldiers to the border.
To everyone's surprise, the eldest prince left in high spirits.
The return trip was incredibly humiliating.
The eldest prince was nearly captured alive by Chu Huai Ren. As soon as he returned, he went to report to the emperor.
"Father, news of the war has arrived again. The Northern Qi army is like a ferocious beast; we cannot defeat them. General Li is on the verge of collapse and needs your support!"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor was filled with worry. "You are my most valued son. How could you have ended up in such a sorry state? You have disappointed me greatly."
"I am grateful for Father's favor, but I am incompetent," the eldest prince said with a look of shame.
After a long pause, the Emperor summoned all his princes and asked for their opinions. "My sons," he said, "which of you can still share my burdens?"
The third prince, thinking of Li Wenshu's future position as crown princess, immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:
"Father, I request permission to fight!"
Without a second thought, the Emperor readily agreed.
"Granted! If you return victorious, I will appoint you as Crown Prince!"
The third prince seemed surprised that his father would agree so quickly and so firmly. He shook his head.
"Father, I do not want the position of Crown Prince, I only want Shu'er."
——————
Looking back, He Lin's heart was filled with bitterness and desolation.
He glanced down at the seat to his side.
Where are General Li and Jin'er now...?
He had no idea when they left.
He knew that Shu'er disliked the royal family and did not want to get involved in royal conflicts.
But he somehow managed to drag her into it, leading to utter ruin.
He is guilty,
If the man who marries her is the third prince...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
