Chapter 75 Emotions are the easiest thing to manipulate.
Shen Churong eventually came to visit.
It really wasn't because of Li Yuanyou's few words of advice.
However, Li Yuanzhao had saved his life after all, and now that he heard she was ill, he should visit her out of both courtesy and reason.
Besides, he was genuinely worried about her.
Although this worry seemed to have no basis in reality, he couldn't even wait to go back to his residence to change after his shift. He rode straight here without even changing out of his black official robe.
The gatekeeper recognized him and, after announcing his arrival, did not dare to delay and quickly led him inside.
This princess's residence is extremely large and luxurious.
The attendant led him through several corridors and around a lush bamboo forest, where the view suddenly opened up before him.
There was a lotus pond in the mansion, and the lotus flowers in the pond were in full bloom at this time.
Pink and white petals dot the emerald green lotus leaves. A gentle breeze blows, and the flowers and leaves sway, creating a particularly pleasant scene.
In the pavilion in the middle of the lake, there was a cool couch covered with a bamboo mat. Next to the couch, there were two large vats of ice, and wisps of cool air wafted out, dispelling the surrounding heat.
Li Yuanzhao did not appear to be as seriously ill as the rumors suggested.
He was sitting leisurely on a cool couch, playing chess with someone, his posture relaxed.
Lin Xuean knelt obediently beside her, holding a round fan and gently fanning her.
On the other side, Chen Yanqing sat across a low table from her, studying the chessboard with his head down, occasionally looking up to whisper a few words to her.
Surrounded by beautiful wives and concubines, he looked as content as a picture of leisurely living, showing no trace of "illness caused by worry".
Shen Churong stood at the entrance of the pavilion, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.
Li Yuanzhao looked up and saw him, a faint smile spreading across his lips. His tone was natural and friendly, "Chu Rong is here?"
Shen Churong had never heard Li Yuanzhao call him so intimately before, and for a moment he was at a loss for words.
It was the attendant beside him who said, "General Shen, please."
He composed himself, stepped into the pavilion, and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.
"Having heard that the Princess is unwell, I have come to visit her."
Li Yuanzhao gave Chen Yanqing a look, and the latter frowned slightly, but immediately stood up and gave up his seat.
"sit."
Li Yuanzhao raised his hand.
As Shen Churong sat down as instructed, his gaze inadvertently swept over her clothes.
Today she wore a light blue silk dress, the material so thin it was almost transparent, and the belt around her waist was not tied, the hem of the dress hanging loosely.
The moment she raised her hand, the wide sleeve slipped down, revealing a section of her fair arm. Shen Churong felt a sudden warmth in her heart and subconsciously looked away.
Li Yuanzhao seemed to sense his unease and said casually, "I've been lazy due to illness, please excuse my poor performance."
"It's alright..." Shen Churong's gaze fell on the edge of the chessboard, his voice slightly hoarse, "Is Your Highness's health... any better?"
“Much better.” Li Yuanzhao looked at him meaningfully. “Just call me sister. We are family. Calling me ‘Your Highness’ all the time makes us seem distant.”
Upon hearing the word "sister," Shen Churong's face flushed instantly, even her sun-tanned bronze complexion turning slightly red.
Although they are close relatives, they have always been estranged.
From as far back as he could remember, he only called her "Princess" or "Your Highness," never even "Cousin," let alone such an intimate "Sister."
But for some reason, he suddenly remembered what the emperor had said: that Li Yuanzhao liked obedient and sensible people.
He tried to open his mouth, the word "sister" swirling on his tongue.
But it was as if there was an inexplicable ambiguity hidden within, making his throat tighten and preventing him from uttering a sound.
Seeing that he was so embarrassed that a thin layer of sweat was seeping from his forehead, Li Yuanzhao said considerately, "If that's the case, then forget it. I won't make things difficult for you."
The subtle hint of disappointment in her voice stung Chen Churong like a needle.
He looked up abruptly, almost blurting out, "Sister!"
He was stunned as soon as he finished speaking.
Upon hearing this, Chen Yanqing and Lin Xuean both looked up at him, their eyes filled with a dark and ambiguous meaning.
Shen Churong's courage vanished instantly. In all these years, he had never encountered such a humiliating moment. At this moment, he wished he could crawl under the chessboard.
"Pfft..."
Li Yuanzhao finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.
This trick to amuse men is actually quite interesting.
She suddenly realized that what was said in the storybook was not untrue.
As a man, Chen Yanqing used countless women to climb the social ladder, yet he still dared to claim it as destiny.
Why can't a woman take advantage of a man?
She wants to climb higher and firmly hold onto that position, which inevitably means she'll have to use many men.
Among them, emotions are the easiest to manipulate, but also the least reliable.
However, it's good enough if it works for now.
Chen Yanqing found this scene extremely irritating.
She's always like that.
As long as one harbors a mischievous intention, one completely disregards the feelings of others.
Anyone with eyes could see that Shen Churong's tension and eagerness just now showed that he was truly in love.
But in Li Yuanzhao's eyes, it was nothing more than an interesting toy.
This Shen Churong, though seemingly brave and capable, is so easily teased; it's clear at a glance that she has him firmly in her grasp.
Just how many people does she need to control to be satisfied with the throne?
Chen Yanqing took a deep breath and repeatedly told himself: It's just an act.
She once said that she was the most "special" in her heart.
Don't worry about it, don't worry about it.
He should show some tolerance.
But the fingertips hidden in the sleeves still tightened slightly uncontrollably.
Lin Xuean lowered her eyes, concealing the complex emotions that flashed across them.
After a moment of silence in the pavilion, Li Yuanzhao broke the silence first, "You didn't come here today just to visit, did you?"
Shen Churong forced down her frantically beating heart and explained, "The Second Prince asked me to pass on a message to Your Highness... Sister."
"Oh? What did he say?"
Li Yuanzhao picked up the teacup, his expression changing slightly.
“He said… he was very worried about you and would come to visit you as soon as he got out. He also told you to take good care of yourself and not to be too sad.”
Shen Churong repeated Li Yuanyou's words, and added at the end, "I think the Second Prince really cares about you."
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanzhao chuckled and said, "The bond between my brother and me is naturally very strong."
Shen Churong vaguely felt that something was wrong. If their feelings were so deep, why didn't she ask him more questions about how he was doing in the palace?
Li Yuanzhao took a sip of tea and said slowly, "I didn't know you were so close to him that you would be willing to come and deliver a message for him?"
Shen Churong choked for a moment, her cheeks instantly burning.
He didn't come specifically on behalf of the Second Prince.
He was clearly concerned about her illness and had rushed over under the pretext of sending a message.
But when the words reached his lips, he didn't know how to say them, and could only mumble, "Second Prince... The Second Prince is indeed very anxious in the palace, and has repeatedly begged me to come and deliver a message. I... I cannot refuse."
Li Yuanzhao hummed in agreement and then fell silent.
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