Chapter 227 Choosing a Husband
As Shen Xu exited Yan Ying Hall, he encountered Shen Chu Rong.
Shen Churong, still clad in the armor of a commander of the Imperial Guards, hurried along, but stopped abruptly upon seeing his father.
"Father, what are you doing here?"
Shen Xu said, "I have something to discuss with His Highness. What about you? Why aren't you at the Imperial Guards camp at this hour? What are you doing here in the palace?"
Shen Churong explained, "I just finished patrolling inside and outside the imperial city with my men, and I came here to report the defense deployment to the Princess."
Looking at his son's sharply defined face, Shen Xu couldn't help but nod slightly: "Not bad! Chu Rong, you've really grown up a lot this year. You haven't disgraced the Shen family."
Being praised by his father like this, Shen Churong scratched his head a little embarrassedly.
Shen Xu reached out and patted his shoulder, his eyes becoming unusually solemn. "My son, after the coronation ceremony, I will be returning to Youzhou. You will be alone in the capital. You must protect your sister, understand?"
Shen Churong was stunned for a moment before realizing that the "elder sister" her father was referring to was His Highness the Crown Prince.
He suppressed his shyness and his expression became serious.
"Father, rest assured, I will protect Your Highness with my life! I will not allow anyone to harm Your Highness in the slightest!"
"Okay, go ahead."
Shen Xu responded with satisfaction and stepped aside to make way.
After watching Shen Churong enter the room, Shen Xu slowly withdrew his gaze and looked at the snow-covered sky.
Sister, back then you fought alone while I was at the border, unable to be by your side, and you were harmed by villains.
Now my son will surely stay by your daughter's side and protect her on her journey.
The justice you have sought throughout your life will eventually be achieved.
After Shen Churong entered the hall, Li Yuanzhao was already sitting behind his desk dealing with official business.
He didn't dare to disturb them and stood by and waited for a while.
It wasn't until Li Yuanzhao finished reviewing the memorials in his hand, put down his pen, raised his hand to rub his temples, and then looked up at him, his voice carrying a rare hint of weariness.
"How are things going?"
Since returning from the disaster relief efforts in Weizhou, Shen Churong had been watching her closely and saw that she was so busy every day that she had to handle state affairs during the day and review memorials at night, without even a moment to rest.
Several times when he passed by Yanying Hall on his way to duty, he saw that it was brightly lit with candles.
Her tireless work made him feel terrible, but he knew he couldn't help much. He could only put more effort into the defense and share her burden.
Shen Churong composed himself and said, “Your Highness, the defenses inside and outside the capital have been arranged according to your requirements. The Imperial Guards are on duty in shifts, ensuring that not even a mosquito can get in on the day of the coronation ceremony.”
Li Yuanzhao nodded slightly. "What about Ganlu Hall?"
Ganlu Hall was the emperor's sleeping quarters.
After the grand court assembly, she sent someone to take the seriously ill Li Ye back there.
They claimed it was for recuperation, but in reality it was imprisonment.
"A team of elite men was also dispatched to guard the area. They are all my trusted confidants, and they will take turns guarding it day and night. No one will be allowed to enter or leave at will, and no unrelated persons will be allowed to get close to His Majesty."
"Good." Li Yuanzhao nodded in satisfaction. "You'll need to put in a lot of effort for the grand ceremony on the fifteenth of the first lunar month. In particular, the deployment of the Imperial Guards must not be compromised in any way."
Shen Churong knelt on one knee and said, "Your subject obeys the decree! I will certainly not fail in my mission!"
"Well, if there's nothing else, you can go now." Li Yuanzhao waved his hand and picked up a memorial again to read.
Shen Churong stood up, took a few steps, then stopped, looking at Li Yuanzhao as if he had something to say.
Noticing his hesitant expression, Li Yuanzhao put down the memorial and asked, "What's wrong? Is there anything else?"
Shen Churong's eyes darted away as he asked in a low voice, "Your Highness... I've heard that Your Highness is choosing a husband."
Li Yuanzhao replied casually, "That's true. We'll choose one imperial consort to manage the harem, two concubines to assist him, and a few servants to attend to him. We won't need too many people."
Upon hearing this, Shen Churong's face instantly lost some color, his once straight shoulders slumped, and he lowered his head.
Seeing his dejected appearance, Li Yuanzhao put down his pen and beckoned to him, "Come here."
Shen Churong didn't understand, but still walked to the desk as instructed.
As soon as he stood still, Li Yuanzhao reached out and grabbed his scarf.
With a quick pull, the distance between the two instantly closed, their heads facing each other, their eyes meeting.
Shen Churong's heart skipped a beat, his cheeks instantly burned, and his breathing became rapid.
Li Yuanzhao asked in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Chu Rong, do you want to enter my harem?"
Shen Churong paused for a moment, then slowly nodded.
Li Yuanzhao: "If you want, I will choose you."
Shen Churong was shocked, her eyes filled with astonishment and ecstasy as she looked at her.
But soon, this feeling was replaced by hesitation.
Of course he wanted to stay by her side, to be with her day and night, but...
Seeing that he remained silent, Li Yuanzhao continued, "But Chu Rong, I must remind you. Once you enter my harem, you must abide by the rules of the harem and can no longer interfere in court affairs. You can no longer be that spirited young general, wielding swords and galloping across the battlefield. Are you really willing?"
Shen Churong's eyes dimmed.
His dream was to conquer vast lands for her, expand her territory, and be her sharpest sword and strongest shield.
To ask him to be someone who can only wait for the emperor's favor and affection in the harem, frankly speaking, no matter how much he likes the prince, it seems difficult for him to accept.
Moreover, he had just promised his father to protect His Highness. If he had no power, what could he use to protect him?
Li Yuanzhao had already seen through his thoughts. "Chu Rong, to me, the men in the harem are nothing more than bed warmers. I can have many of them."
She stared into his eyes. "And you, there's only one of you, understand?"
A light rekindled in Shen Churong's eyes, and he bowed deeply to Li Yuanzhao: "Thank you, Your Highness! I understand!"
Li Yuanzhao slowly released his grip, turned around, and leaned back in his chair.
You can have many men, but good ones are few and far between.
For her, putting the most suitable person in the most useful position is not a waste.
...
A few days later, the edicts for appointing the crown prince and posthumously conferring titles on the emperor were drafted by the Secretariat, approved by the emperor in red ink, reviewed by the Chancellery, signed by the prime minister, stamped with the official seal by the Ministry of Personnel, and finally affixed with the emperor's jade seal, completing all the legal procedures.
This edict was posted on the palace gates, in front of the vermilion gates of the central government offices, and on the bulletin board of the Jingzhao Prefecture.
Then, the messengers on horseback quickly sent copies to all prefectures, counties, and districts across the country.
From then on, the whole world witnessed the birth of the first female emperor and the first female crown prince in history.
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