Chapter 26 Keeping you by my side as a guard is truly a waste of your talent.
Chen Yanqing was still somewhat shocked after the Second Prince left.
The first shock was that the dignified Second Prince actually sent male concubines to his own sister.
The second shocking thing was that Li Yuanzhao actually didn't accept it.
This is completely contrary to his understanding.
Rumors were rampant among the people that this princess had kept more than ten male lovers, just like her imperial aunt.
But during this time, he saw clearly that he was the only man by her side every day.
Could it be that... all those rumors are false?
Or perhaps, she still harbors those feelings for him?
The lack of any movement is simply a way of waiting for him to offer himself up as a concubine.
As night falls, the Xihe Palace is brightly lit, as bright as day.
After washing up, Li Yuanzhao, dressed in a light nightgown, leaned against the bed, holding a book in his hand, and read quietly.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she casually asked, "Has he been acting strangely lately?"
Although it wasn't explicitly stated who "he" was, Ru Mo instantly understood.
Since Chen Yanqing was released from the dungeon, the eldest princess secretly instructed her to keep a close eye on him and to report his whereabouts and the people he came into contact with every day.
He also secretly dealt with a group of palace maids who were flirting with him and guards who called him brother, finally clearing away the trouble caused by his inexplicable "charm".
“I keep an eye on him every day. Apart from serving you, he goes to practice his sword at dawn every day. He spends the rest of his time in his room and there is nothing unusual about him.”
She paused, then added, "By the way, he seems to be writing poetry every day lately. The other day, I saw some papers covered with writing on his desk, which looked like poems."
Li Yuanzhao raised an eyebrow, "Write a poem?"
She couldn't help but chuckle as she recalled the young men and women vying to present poems by the Qujiang Pool during the day.
Why is it that everyone is so fond of writing and painting?
That's interesting.
She twirled the edge of the book pages between her fingers. "Have you read those poems?"
“I didn’t look closely,” Ru Mo replied honestly. “I only caught a glimpse of a few lines, which seemed to be about… unfulfilled ambitions.”
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanzhao sneered, "As expected, he still harbors treacherous intentions."
Ru Mo asked with some doubt, "Your Highness, since you are so worried about him, why not just lock him up in the dungeon? Why keep him by your side and watch him every day?"
Li Yuanzhao looked up at her and explained with rare patience, "When you can't control something, keeping it close at hand is the most reliable thing to do."
Besides, is a dungeon always safe?
If someone like him were to have some other opportunity to escape without anyone noticing, it would only make things worse for her.
Rather than letting him lurk in the shadows and wait for an opportunity, it's better to keep him close by and watch him every day.
His every move is under control; even if he has ambitions, he can't cause any trouble.
Moreover, what in this world is more satisfying than trampling your enemy underfoot and watching him bow down and obey your every command?
Ru Mo bowed his head and replied, "Understood."
Li Yuanzhao looked at the book again.
After a long pause, she finally ordered, "Bring him here."
Chen Yanqing had just finished speculating when he was summoned to the Princess's bedchamber that night, which made him even more convinced that he had not guessed wrong.
She really just wanted her own body.
The moment he pushed open the door, his heart skipped a beat.
Li Yuanzhao was seen leaning against the bed, his moon-white nightgown loosely tied, revealing a section of his snow-white neck.
She rested one hand on her forehead, the other casually draped over the quilt, her gaze fixed on him with an ambiguous expression.
Chen Yanqing's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and he felt all the blood rushing to his head.
He composed himself, stood five steps away from the bed, and dared not move forward another step. He asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, what are your orders for summoning me here so late at night?"
Seeing his avoidance, Li Yuanzhao frowned slightly, his tone already carrying a hint of impatience and coldness: "Come here."
Chen Yanqing took two steps forward, one at a time, maintaining a safe distance, and kept his eyes down, not daring to look at her.
"Wasn't that last cut painful enough?" Li Yuanzhao's voice turned stern. "Didn't you hear what I said?"
Chen Yanqing's heart tightened.
He would never forget the excruciating pain of the knife slicing through his chest and abdomen in the dungeon, and he knew all too well that this princess was always a woman of her word.
Without further hesitation, he steeled himself and walked to the bedside. Under her piercing gaze, he slowly knelt on the footboard at the foot of the bed.
The next second, icy fingertips suddenly lifted his chin, the force not heavy, but carrying an irresistible meaning.
He was forced to raise his head, meeting Li Yuanzhao's unfathomable eyes.
Do you know why I called you here?
Her voice was soft, carrying the warm fragrance of the bedchamber, yet it made Chen Yanqing's heart race.
Chen Yanqing certainly knew.
A lone man and a lone woman, alone in a room late at night, and she was wearing such a thin nightgown...
What else could it be for?
It was simply that the princess could no longer restrain herself and wanted to do that shameful thing to him.
Chen Yanqing's eyes darted away. "...This subordinate does not know."
However, he was pondering in his heart whether he should pretend to comply and look for an opportunity to escape if she really forced him, or should he stand firm and preserve his innocence?
Li Yuanzhao looked at his tense expression and a hint of mockery flashed in his eyes.
"I heard you've been writing poetry lately?"
Chen Yanqing hadn't expected that she would call him over to ask this. "It was just for fun, nothing to mention."
"You've been by my side for some time now, and I've never been one to mistreat my subordinates. I've noticed you've been very obedient these past few days, so I'd like to reward you. Is there anything you'd like?"
Chen Yanqing was taken aback upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
He didn't expect the topic to suddenly shift to "what do you want," and his tense nerves suddenly relaxed, and he immediately brought it up again.
Is this a genuine offer of reward, or a test to see if they are truly trying to reward him?
"It is already a great blessing for me to be able to stay by Your Highness's side. I dare not ask for anything more."
Chen Yanqing looked at the faint smile on Li Yuanzhao's lips and felt that there was a hook hidden in that smile, making his heart flutter.
He dared not ask for a reward rashly, for fear of falling into some kind of trap.
Looking at his cautious demeanor, Li Yuanzhao's smile deepened. "Keeping you by my side as a guard is indeed a waste of your talent. How about I find you a better place?"
Chen Yanqing's heart skipped a beat, and she almost thought she had misheard.
I never imagined that my long-held wish would be fulfilled so easily.
If he could get her recommendation and become an official in the court, he was confident that he could climb the ranks step by step through his own abilities.
Li Yuanzhao continued, "You've seen it these past few days; I never speak empty words. But I wonder what you're really thinking?"
Her gaze swept over him almost imperceptibly, with a hint of inquiry.
Chen Yanqing felt a chill run down his spine under that gaze. "Your Highness... Your Highness, I dare not presume to make any plans. I will leave everything to your arrangements."
At this point, he no longer dared to actually ask for a reward.
This princess is a woman of deep thoughts. If she realizes that I am eager to escape, who knows what kind of unexpected events might occur.
It's better to stay by her side first, make her happy, and then pursue a better future.
Moreover, even he himself couldn't explain why he suddenly felt a little reluctant to leave.
Seeing that he was so sensible, Li Yuanzhao stopped probing and said, "If that's the case, then forget it."
She didn't really care what Chen Yanqing was really thinking, whether he was genuinely submitting or just pretending to flatter her.
The human heart is the most unpredictable thing in this world. Rather than trying to figure it out, it is better to hold the reins firmly.
As long as he outwardly has to comply and his words and actions are under control, that's enough.
Those hidden thoughts and feelings in her heart were not worth her time or effort.
Chen Yanqing looked up abruptly, his astonishment barely concealed in his eyes.
That's it?
He was so obedient that he received no reward, no instructions, and not even a single extra word.
"Stay by my side and I will not mistreat you."
Li Yuanzhao picked up the book again, his gaze fixed on the pages, no longer looking at him. "Go down."
"……yes."
Chen Yanqing's throat bobbed, but in the end he didn't dare to ask any more questions. He bowed and slowly retreated, gently closing the door behind him.
He stood under the eaves, gazing at the waning moon on the horizon.
He should have been happy to receive such a promise from her, but a strange sense of loss welled up in his heart.
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