Chapter 114 Your Highness... Will you not want me?
Logically speaking, if someone is ordered to stay at home by the emperor, neither those inside nor those outside should be allowed to enter.
Unfortunately, it was Shen Churong who was ordered to guard the Princess's residence.
Less than a day after being confined to her residence, the Princess's mansion was bustling with people, even more so than the main street.
Shen Churong kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his mind, pretending not to see anything.
However, he could no longer ignore the figure before him.
It was pouring rain outside, and Lin Xuean's white clothes were already soaked through and clung tightly to her body.
His dark hair was soaked by the rain, with a few strands clinging messily to his pale cheeks and neck.
Even in his destitute state, he still possessed a broken and fragile beauty that evoked pity in people.
Shen Churong was not unaware of the relationship between Lin Xuean and Li Yuanzhao.
In the imperial court, Prime Minister Cui did not speak too bluntly, even in front of the Emperor and Minister Lin.
But among all the officials, who didn't know that this illegitimate son of the Lin family was the eldest princess's "intimate guest"?
If it weren't for this connection, how could he have become the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies in less than three months?
The eldest princess was also attacked by political enemies and even punished with confinement because of him.
Shen Churong never expected that at this critical juncture, this person would dare to openly come to see the Princess.
Aren't you afraid of being caught and having another charge against the Princess for "secretly meeting with a man during her confinement," which would implicate His Highness again?
Shen Churong sent his men to persuade him several times to leave quickly.
But this person was very stubborn and stood in front of the mansion gate, refusing to leave.
The rain intensified, and Lin Xuean's slender figure was almost blown over in the raging wind and rain.
Looking at that stubborn figure, Shen Churong finally let out a long sigh.
Well, he is His Highness's man after all. If something were to happen to him outside the manor, His Highness would probably be angry.
He personally stepped forward and led the person into the mansion.
At this moment, Li Yuanzhao had just finished washing up, changed into a pure white nightgown, and loosely tied his long hair behind his head with a plain jade hairpin. He was preparing to go to bed.
When Chen Yanqing came to report, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she said calmly, "Let him in."
When Shen Churong led Lin Xuean into the inner room, he immediately noticed Li Yuanzhao's attire.
His ears felt slightly hot, and he quickly looked away, not daring to look any longer.
He had never liked keeping his feelings to himself and had always wanted to find an opportunity to ask her clearly whether she truly had feelings for him.
He glanced at the disheveled Lin Xue'an beside him, seemingly more anxious than anyone else.
Forget it, he doesn't need to compete for favor with these little men.
"Your Highness, please rest early. I shall take my leave."
Shen Churong bowed respectfully, then turned and left.
Despite his anger and jealousy, Chen Yanqing had no choice but to obey and leave, closing the door behind him.
Once the door closed, only the two people remained inside.
Lin Xuean stumbled towards Li Yuanzhao, but stopped abruptly just before touching her, and knelt down in front of her with a thud.
His eyes were brimming with tears, filled with bewilderment and unspeakable grievance, and he stared at her without blinking.
"Your Highness..."
He opened his mouth, his voice hoarse beyond recognition.
Li Yuanzhao watched him silently.
Lin Xuean's official position was promoted by her father "on his own initiative," ostensibly as a reward for her meritorious service in negotiating peace with Tibet.
And now, less than a month later, he has directly ordered his dismissal.
Of course she knew that he was nothing more than a pawn, a sacrifice, in the game between her and her father.
The Emperor's actions were simply intended to convey a message to her through Lin Xue'an's sudden rise and fall.
He could easily promote or ruthlessly demote those around her.
At the same time, she used this opportunity to give a sharp warning to those court officials who intended to pledge allegiance to her and place their bets on her, making them realize who truly held the power of life and death and the authority to decide the fate of the world.
Seeing the person kneeling on the ground, his clothes still dripping wet, and the red and swollen finger marks on his face still visible, looking so vulnerable and dependent, she reached out and gently brushed her fingertips across his cold cheek. "Get up."
Lin Xuean got up as instructed, but because she was soaked, she dared not approach rashly. She carefully knelt on the footstool in front of the bed, showing a restrained and obedient demeanor.
What Li Yuanzhao liked most was his knowledgeable and sensible demeanor.
She pinched his flushed cheek and asked, "Did he bully you?"
Lin Xuean knew, of course, that her "him" referred to Lin Xueyan.
He nodded almost imperceptibly, his long eyelashes lowered, concealing the turbulent emotions in his eyes.
Li Yuanzhao chuckled, "Don't be afraid, I'll teach him a lesson for you."
He's just a minister; it's not difficult for her to make him suffer a little.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xuean could no longer hold back the grievances she had been suppressing.
On this day, from the cold stares of everyone when he was dismissed from his post at the Court of State Ceremonial, to the beatings and scoldings from his father at home, the mockery from his elder brother, and the despair in the ancestral hall, no one stood by his side, and no one said a word of comfort to him.
Upon hearing the princess's words, tears welled up in his eyes and rolled down his cheeks.
Li Yuanzhao was extremely patient at this moment, raising his hand to gently wipe away the tears on his face with his fingertips, a gesture that could be described as tender.
"Don't cry, it breaks my heart to see you crying."
Lin Xue'an raised her tearful eyes and asked the question that pierced her deepest fear: "Your Highness... will you abandon me?"
He has now been dismissed from office by order of the Emperor, and it is unlikely that he will have any chance to return to the court as an official. He has no other way out but to rely on her.
How could that be?
Li Yuanzhao leaned slightly forward and spoke softly.
Of course she knew that Lin Xuean was simply afraid that she wouldn't want him either, worried that his months of hard work would go down the drain and he would end up with nothing.
But she never cared whether the people around her had ulterior motives.
She only cared whether he was obedient, whether he listened to her, and whether he could make her feel comfortable.
He only needs to stay with her and he will have his own benefits.
If he still wants to be an official after she ascends the throne, she will grant him one.
If he doesn't want to be an official, she can take him into the harem and give him a title.
She was always generous to beautiful women, especially obedient ones.
These are things that need to be discussed with him later, of course, and need not be explained to him at this moment.
Li Yuanzhao's gaze fell on the reddened corners of his eyes, her tone carrying a hint of genuine pity, "Because of me, you have suffered injustice."
Lin Xuean quickly shook her head, her words earnest, "As long as Your Highness cares for me, this little grievance is nothing."
Li Yuanzhao lazily straightened up, his words ambiguous, "Go wash up. You can stay here with me tonight; you don't need to go back."
Lin Xuean naturally understood what His Highness's words meant.
His cheeks flushed instantly, and he quickly lowered his head, replying softly, "...Yes."
...
Although Chen Yanqing, who was on night duty, had already retreated to the corridor.
But even through the door, the faint sounds of whispered conversations and intimate whispers could still be heard from inside the room on the night breeze.
He stood frozen in place, his knuckles unconsciously clenching until they turned white.
In the end, he simply rested his head against the cold pillar and closed his eyes.
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