Chapter 60 How could someone like Li Yuanzhao get tired?
When Li Yuanzhao left Yanying Hall, he surprisingly felt somewhat tired.
The wind swirled up sycamore leaves, which landed on her shoulder; she raised her hand to brush them away.
Gazing at the deep twilight at the end of the palace wall, she suddenly had an absurd question.
I wonder if everyone in the world speaks to their father like this?
There will always be countless tests, countless doubts...
If she hadn't taken the initiative today and explained Xiao Duo's matter earlier, putting on an appearance of "willing to take responsibility," her father's suspicions probably wouldn't have dissipated so easily.
When she was little, her father would hold her on his lap, rub his stubble-covered chin against her cheek, and smile like an ordinary father. He would affectionately call her "Que Nu" and say that he would give her the best of everything.
But when did that intimacy turn into the estrangement we see today?
Did it begin when she first silenced the old minister in court? Or did it begin when the court officials started discussing in private whether the eldest princess could inherit the throne?
She didn't know.
All she knew was that from the day she realized she was not of royal blood, every time she looked into her father's eyes, it felt like she was licking blood from a knife's edge.
He is the ruler, wielding the power of life and death.
He was her father, bestowing upon her the highest status and honor.
He was like a sword hanging over her head, ready to take everything from her at any moment, even her life.
Moreover, regardless of whether she is his biological daughter or not, their relationship is destined to be more than just that of father and daughter.
He granted her military power as a member of the Imperial Guard and allowed her to participate in court affairs, yet he secretly supported others to check and balance her; he bestowed upon her fertile land and beautiful houses, yet he hid tests in every imperial decree.
He wanted her to be a sharp knife to eliminate his enemies, but he also feared that the knife was too sharp and would one day turn against him.
Therefore... the relationship between her and her father was destined to be nothing more than a power struggle between ruler and subject, and a life-or-death struggle.
She can only go forward and never turn back.
"Your Highness?"
A deep call came from behind him.
Li Yuanzhao took a deep breath, suppressing the fleeting fatigue and replacing it with his usual calmness, and turned to look.
It was Shen Churong.
He was still wrapped in bandages all over his body, with his left arm in a sling around his neck. He walked with a slight stiffness, which made him look somewhat comical.
She said calmly, "General Shen, are you going to see the Emperor?"
Shen Churong stopped and bowed to her, saying, "Yes, I just received a summons from the eunuch."
Li Yuanzhao smiled faintly, "Then General, please go quickly, don't keep Father Emperor waiting."
After saying that, she turned and left before Shen Churong could react.
Shen Churong remained standing there, stunned, her mind replaying Li Yuanzhao's appearance from just moments before.
That's so strange.
This was the first time he had seen Li Yuanzhao with such an expression.
His expression lacked its usual ambition; instead, it vaguely concealed a hint of... a weariness that he couldn't quite put his finger on.
It was like a taut string suddenly being released for a moment.
It makes one feel inexplicably...heartbroken.
"General Shen?" The eunuch, seeing him standing motionless for so long, whispered a reminder, "His Majesty is still waiting."
Shen Churong snapped out of her daze, suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, and nodded: "Understood."
He turned and stepped into the front of Yanying Hall, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the direction where Li Yuanzhao had left.
At the end of the palace road, that figure had long since disappeared.
Perhaps I misread it.
He wondered, how could someone like Li Yuanzhao be tired?
Once inside the hall, Shen Churong learned why the Emperor had summoned him.
They were actually going to promote him to commander of the Imperial Guards, in charge of the defense of the imperial city.
He was startled, almost thinking he had misheard.
Although he was young and impetuous, daring to fight on the battlefield and challenge Li Yuanzhao, he also clearly saw the power struggles within the imperial city.
The commander of the Imperial Guards may seem to wield great power, but in reality, he is in a precarious position.
They must be absolutely loyal to the emperor, but also balance the power of various factions. If they are not careful, they will be caught up in the struggle for the throne and their lives will be in vain.
Moreover, Li Yuanzhao had only been temporarily in charge of the Imperial Guards' defense for a short time, and now the Emperor was so eager to let him take over.
This move will only plunge his hard-won thaw in the relationship with Li Yuanzhao back into a stalemate.
He now truly no longer wants to be a pawn for the Emperor to use to control her.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty dares not accept the imperial decree!"
Shen Churong kowtowed on the ground, his voice filled with barely concealed fear.
"Oh? Why don't you dare?"
The Emperor looked at him and said calmly, "You have rendered meritorious service in protecting the Emperor and come from a military family. In terms of seniority and loyalty, you are not qualified to be the commander of the Imperial Guards."
Shen Churong knelt on the ground, his tone becoming increasingly earnest.
"The Imperial Guards are the shield of the Imperial City, and their importance is paramount. A single move can affect the whole situation. I am young and inexperienced. Although I have received His Majesty's favor, I fear that I will not be able to command the respect of the people, and I am even more afraid that any mistake will betray His Majesty's trust and entrustment."
His Majesty's tone softened slightly at this moment, carrying the warmth of an elder to a younger person.
"Chu Rong, you are my own nephew, and you have grown up in my presence since childhood. Do you think I don't know your character? If I can't even trust you, then who else in the entire court can I trust?"
He suddenly changed the subject, adding a hint of genuine regret: "Besides, you saved my life this time, and I originally intended to marry you to Que Nu, making you her consort. But she thinks you are too rough and says she wants someone more obedient and well-behaved."
Shen Churong was completely stunned upon hearing this.
He never intended to marry Li Yuanzhao.
He wouldn't even look at a woman who's constantly surrounded by male lovers.
But when he heard her reject him with reasons like "rough personality" and "not obedient enough," a strange anger suddenly surged up, stuck in his throat, and made his chest feel suffocated.
Well-behaved? Obedient?
He grew up in the military camp, where he learned how to protect his country and developed the courage to make decisive moves. When would he need to use "obedience" to please a woman?
In terms of loyalty, his loyalty to the Great Qi is evident to all; in terms of ability, he has never lost to anyone in the Imperial Guard, having slain generals and captured flags.
I never expected her to look down on me like this.
"In that case..." The Emperor looked at Shen Churong's slightly stunned profile, a barely perceptible smile appearing on his lips, "This position as Commander of the Imperial Guards is my compensation to you. You can accept it with peace of mind, and take good care of this imperial city for me, so as not to disappoint me."
Shen Churong took a deep breath, his chest churning with complex emotions.
There was unease at being thrust into the spotlight, helplessness at the inability to refuse divine favor, and a touch of competitive spirit stirred up by the situation.
Didn't Li Yuanzhao think he wasn't good enough?
Then he would make a show of himself and let her see whether he, Shen Churong, was just a rough man who only knew how to wield knives and spears!
He kowtowed again, his voice much calmer than before: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your trust. I will do my utmost and never fail Your Majesty's expectations!"
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