Chapter 164 People always want more the less they have.
It snowed in the capital on the winter solstice.
Snowflakes, like goose feathers, fell softly, soon covering the vermilion palace walls and glazed tile roofs with a layer of white.
Li Yuanshu was wrapped in a pale yellow cloak, the soft white fox fur on the brim of the hood hanging down beside her cheeks, making her already delicate eyebrows and eyes even more lively.
But her almond-shaped eyes were filled with an unyielding sorrow, which seemed out of place for her sixteen-year-old age.
She had come to her father's palace to see him for five consecutive days, but he had not seen her.
Today, as soon as she arrived at the entrance of her father's palace, she saw a young palace maid kneeling in front of the steps.
She was wearing a thin autumn coat, her hair was covered with white snowflakes, and her body was shivering in the snow.
Li Yuanshu couldn't help but ask, "Why are you kneeling here?"
The little palace maid looked up at the sound, her face red and purple from the cold, and her lips chapped and peeling.
Upon seeing that it was the Third Princess, she hurriedly tried to kowtow but failed to kneel properly, swaying before managing to steady herself.
"Your Highness, Third Princess, Eunuch Xu said... the medicine I served was too hot and burned His Majesty. He has punished me by making me kneel in the snow for three hours before I can get up."
Her teeth were chattering as she spoke, clearly she was freezing.
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanshu frowned.
How hot can a bowl of medicine be? It won't kill anyone. Why is Father Emperor more delicate than her?
Her gaze swept across the horizon; the sun had already sunk more than halfway down, and it looked like the sky was about to darken completely.
The snow was still falling, and the snowy night was only going to be colder. Kneeling for three hours would be half-dead, let alone for a frail palace maid, even for a strong man.
"Get up," she said directly.
The young palace maid was so frightened that she quickly lowered her head even further. "Your Highness, this servant dares not... If Eunuch Xu blames me, this servant cannot bear the consequences."
Li Yuanshu said, "If Eunuch Xu asks, just say that I told you to get up."
Although she did not wield the same power as Li Yuanzhao, nor was she as favored by her father as Li Yuanyou, as a princess, she still possessed a certain amount of authority in protecting a punished palace maid.
These words were like a reassuring pill. The young palace maid staggered to her feet, her voice filled with gratitude: "Thank you, Your Highness, Third Princess!"
Just then, the palace door creaked open from the inside.
Eunuch Xu walked out from inside the door, saw the Third Princess outside, and then looked at the little palace maid standing beside her. His expression changed almost imperceptibly.
The young palace maid trembled with fright and hid behind Li Yuanshu.
Seeing this, Li Yuanshu explained to Eunuch Xu, "It was I who made her get up. The night was deep, the snow was heavy, and the cold was bone-chilling. Since she has already admitted her mistake, I think this punishment is enough."
After saying that, she winked at him again, "Eunuch Xu has always been lenient with his subordinates, so surely he wouldn't just watch this little palace maid freeze to death in the snow?"
Eunuch Xu quickly put on a respectful smile: "Of course, it is our blessing that Your Highness is so considerate of us servants. This old servant thanks Your Highness on her behalf."
Li Yuanshu turned to the side and whispered to the palace maid, "Go back quickly, put on some clothes, don't catch a cold."
The young palace maid, feeling as if she had been granted a pardon, clutched her frozen legs and limped away.
After everyone left, Eunuch Xu asked, "I wonder what important matter Your Highness has brought here at this hour?"
"Is Father feeling any better?" Li Yuanshu looked into the hall, his eyes filled with worry.
"His Majesty took his medicine and just fell asleep," Eunuch Xu reported truthfully.
Li Yuanshu nodded. "In that case, I will stand at the door for a while and wait for Father to wake up."
Eunuch Xu hurriedly advised, "Your Highness, the snow is so heavy and the wind is so strong. We don't know when His Majesty will wake up. Why don't you return to the palace and wait? Once His Majesty wakes up, this old servant will immediately send someone to inform you."
Li Yuanshu was adamant, saying, "I am worried about Father's health and I must wait for Father to wake up in person."
"Your Highness, if you catch a cold, we servants cannot bear the consequences," said Eunuch Xu, his tone full of unease.
Li Yuanshu said considerately, "I know my body; I won't get frostbite. Besides, if I do get frostbite, it's because I'm being willful, and it has nothing to do with you. Eunuch Xu, you can go about your business; don't worry about me."
Seeing her stubborn appearance, Eunuch Xu sighed helplessly and compromised, saying, "Alright, Your Highness, please come in with this old servant and sit in the side hall for a while."
Upon hearing this, a triumphant smile flashed in Li Yuanshu's eyes, but he quickly put on a docile expression and said, "Then thank you, Eunuch Xu. You are so kind."
Li Yuanshu sat down, drank two cups of hot tea, and ate a plate of hibiscus pastries before he heard a faint sound coming from the inner hall.
Immediately following were the hushed voices of palace servants: "His Majesty has awakened." "Quickly summon the imperial physician."
Li Yuanshu immediately stood up and quickly walked into the inner room.
Sure enough, the Emperor had already gotten up and was leaning against the cushion, being served medicine by palace servants.
In the candlelight, his face was ashen, his eyes were sunken, and he exuded an air of withering.
Li Yuanshu suddenly realized that his father had aged so much in just half a month.
It looks... like its time is almost up.
Her eyes stung, and tears streamed down her face. She rushed to the bedside, asking, "Father, are you feeling better?"
Li Ye had just woken up and was still a little dazed. His cloudy gaze fell on his daughter, and he hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Yuan Shu, what are you doing here?"
Li Yuanshu held his withered hand, "Your daughter was worried about your health and wanted to see you in person, so she waited outside for a long time."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Xu, who was standing to the side, twitched his eyelids.
Li Yuanshu continued, "Father, these past few days, I have been worried day and night, eating vegetarian food, praying to Buddha, and copying scriptures, only praying for your safety and a speedy recovery. But Father, is it that I haven't done enough? Why are you still not getting better?"
As an emperor, Li Ye grew up in the treacherous royal family and never experienced pure parental love.
After becoming a father, aside from genuinely loving Li Yuanzhao, he mostly treated his other children with the coldness and aloofness of an emperor, showing little warmth.
Even now, they are full of vigilance and fear towards Li Yuanzhao.
But people tend to want more the less they have.
Hearing her daughter's heartfelt words and seeing her red-rimmed eyes from crying, her usually hardened heart softened for once.
He raised his hand and gently touched the top of his daughter's head, his voice hoarse as he advised, "Father is alright, you'll feel better after taking the medicine."
Li Yuanshu looked up and asked innocently, "Really?"
Seeing her worried expression, Li Ye slowly nodded. "Why would Father Emperor lie to you?"
Li Yuanshu smiled, but the corners of her mouth drooped again as tears began to fall: "Shu'er thought that Father Emperor didn't want Shu'er anymore."
"Why do you say that?" Li Ye frowned, his tone tinged with confusion.
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