Chapter 118 Fighting for His Highness
Just then, Chen Yanqing's voice came from outside the door, "Your Highness, General Shen has arrived."
Li Yuanzhao concealed the coldness in his eyes, regaining his usual indifference, and said, "Enter."
In fact, Shen Churong only needed to send people to guard the princess's residence in shifts.
But these past few days, he seemed to have found some free time, coming every day, simply wanting to find an opportunity to speak a few words with Li Yuanzhao alone.
Today, he finally found an opportunity to talk to Li Yuanzhao alone.
However, just thinking about the question he was going to ask today made him a little uneasy, unsure whether he should speak.
"Sit down," Li Yuanzhao gestured to him, then turned to Chen Yanqing and instructed, "Serve tea to General Shen."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
As soon as Shen Churong finished thanking him, she met Li Yuanzhao's ambiguous smile.
He immediately realized his mistake and awkwardly corrected himself, "...Thank you, sister."
Li Yuanzhao smiled slightly, "I should be thanking you. These past few days, thanks to Chu Rong's mediation, I've made things very convenient for you."
"It's nothing, just a small favor, nothing to mention," Shen Churong quickly replied.
Then he remembered something, "Actually, I should be more grateful. If it weren't for Lord Su by my sister's side giving me advice, I might not have been able to subdue those veteran cops in the army so smoothly."
He was young and inexperienced. Even though he had a father who had guarded the border for decades and an aunt who was the Empress and had won countless battles and was highly respected, the "arrogant and fierce soldiers" in the army did not respect him.
Even though he had only been in the Imperial Guard for three days, some veteran leaders started causing trouble, slacking off during drills, and even spreading rumors in the camp that "this young upstart can't keep things in check," clearly trying to give him a hard time.
Just when he was at his wit's end and didn't know how to deal with it, Su Qingci, who had never had any dealings with him before, secretly sent someone to deliver a note with three countermeasures written on it.
He was in a terrible predicament and had no choice but to try anything, even if it seemed hopeless.
First, as she suggested, he invited five veterans who had fought alongside Empress Shen to drink and eat meat, humbly asking them for advice on military administration and listening to their complaints and suggestions.
Later, during archery training, he volunteered to compete with the best archer in the army.
Although he couldn't defeat Li Yuanzhao, he had trained hard day and night since childhood and had some skill. In the end, he successfully won over the group.
Finally, he even submitted a memorial to the emperor, detailing the problems of the Imperial Guards' outdated equipment and poor food, and actually managed to secure funding for the soldiers.
After a series of combined measures, the atmosphere in the military completely changed.
The veterans, mindful of their past friendship and his sincerity, were willing to follow his orders; the younger soldiers, grateful for his efforts in securing benefits, were completely convinced of his worth, and no one dared to embarrass him in public anymore.
Shen Churong knew that Su Qingci had no dealings with him and would never help him for no reason; it must be the Princess's order behind it.
He felt he had no way to repay such a great kindness, especially considering the life-saving grace he had received before, and dared not accept her thanks.
Li Yuanzhao raised an eyebrow noncommittally, then asked, "Has Uncle sent any letters home recently?"
In fact, her correspondence with Shen Guojiu was probably more frequent and intimate than that with her biological son, Shen Churong, but Shen Churong was kept in the dark all along.
Shen Churong nodded. "There was indeed a letter. My father mentioned in his letter that the Emperor seems to intend to issue an edict summoning him back to the capital."
Li Yuanzhao already knew about this.
It's just that the border war has been quelled, and it's the Emperor's usual practice to discard those who have helped him after he's done his bidding.
Now that Shen Guojiu holds the power of 100,000 troops at the border, and Shen Churong commands 50,000 imperial guards in the capital, how could he, who has always been suspicious, possibly feel at ease?
That's why they were so eager to summon Shen Guojiu back to the capital; they had a very clever plan.
However, things won't be as easy as he expected.
Shen Churong continued, her tone slightly complicated: "In his letter, Father... specifically instructed me to... listen to my sister."
It wasn't until he received this letter from his father, in which he was instructed to always prioritize the Princess's wishes, secretly protect His Highness, and obey His Highness's orders, that he suddenly realized that his father had long been Li Yuanzhao's man and was wholeheartedly trying to help her seize the throne.
In fact, even without his father's instructions, he had already fallen for her, but saying it out loud in public made him feel a little embarrassed.
Li Yuanzhao, however, seemed to suddenly become interested and asked meaningfully, "Then will you listen?"
Shen Churong felt uneasy under her gaze, his ears burning, and he stammered, "How could I dare disobey my father's command?"
These words sounded grand and dignified, as if spoken reluctantly.
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanzhao did not respond, but simply picked up his teacup and took a small sip, revealing no emotion.
Shen Churong sensed that she seemed dissatisfied and became anxious, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.
To break the awkward silence, he hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking, "I've heard... that Your Highness has a male concubine who looks quite similar to me?"
He regretted it as soon as the words left his mouth.
These words were too abrupt and unbecoming of his status, but he couldn't help it.
Li Yuanzhao frowned slightly. "Who told you that?"
Shen Churong truthfully replied, "A few days ago, I ran into His Highness Prince Cheng at Chunjing Tower and heard what he said when he was drunk."
Li Yuanzhao glanced at Chen Yanqing outside the door and immediately realized what was going on.
She put down her teacup and said calmly, "Oh, there is such a person."
Shen Churong's heart suddenly raced, and his fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the teacup.
It's actually true! Could she really be...?
He mustered his courage and pressed on, "May I be so bold as to ask you, sister, why?"
Li Yuanzhao raised his eyes, meeting his gaze with a half-smile, and softly asked, "Why... do you think that is?"
This seemingly plausible rhetorical question, coupled with her current expression, left Shen Churong no choice but to think carefully.
It turns out that the person he admires really does have feelings for him!
Seeing that his suspicions had been confirmed, his heart pounded like a drum, and a surge of intense joy welled up inside him.
Overwhelmed with excitement, he couldn't contain his feelings, being under eighteen years old. He stood up abruptly, leaned down, and quickly planted a warm kiss on Li Yuanzhao's cheek.
Li Yuanzhao paused for a moment, then a faint smile appeared in his eyes.
This silly child is so easy to fool.
After Shen Churong calmed down, she became a little embarrassed and stood there with her cheeks flushed, not even knowing where to put her hands.
Li Yuanzhao then suppressed his smile and asked expressionlessly, "The path to becoming an emperor is lonely and difficult. I hope there is someone who can always stand behind me, steadfast in both good times and bad."
“That person,” she said seriously, “could it be you?”
Upon hearing this, Shen Churong's expression changed drastically.
He knew the weight of those words.
Without hesitation, he knelt on one knee, his expression solemn, and spoke each word clearly.
"Whether in times of peace and prosperity or amidst bloodshed and danger, Shen Churong is willing to draw his sword and fight for Your Highness until death."
Looking at the sincerity in his eyes, Li Yuanzhao finally said with satisfaction, "Good!"
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