However, he was shocked to realize that his father's insightful gaze had already pierced through his carefully constructed disguise and seen through the threads of defensiveness and suspicion deep in his heart.
His thoughts drifted involuntarily to the distant past, and such a thought involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
If Qin Qianluo were her father's son, she would probably never have the chance to sit on the throne, which symbolizes supreme power and glory.
Although he has never had much desire for power.
Ascending the throne was more out of a sense of responsibility and commitment to the country and its people, knowing that the throne carried the fate of the entire world.
But when she thought of how devoted her father was to Qin Qianluo, how he cared for her so meticulously, and how he even left behind such a secret order to protect her safety, she couldn't help but think of how her father had been so devoted to her.
It felt as if a heavy boulder was lodged in his heart, making it hard for him to breathe.
Moreover, this situation was not isolated; not only did the Emperor dote on Qin Qianluo, regarding her as the apple of his eye.
Even his mother often praised Qin Qianluo in front of him, lavishly complimenting her intelligence, wit, and liveliness, as if Qin Qianluo were their true pride.
At that moment, he stood there blankly in the palace, staring at the secret edict with an empty and bewildered look in his eyes.
His heart was filled with resentment, like a raging fire that almost consumed his reason.
His hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles turned white from the force, and his nails dug deep into his palms, yet he was completely unaware.
His heart was filled with helplessness and anger—helplessness at his father's decision and anger at his own inability to change it.
However, he knew better than anyone that he could not do anything to harm Qin Qianluo under any circumstances.
This is not only because the Emperor's secret decree was extremely weighty, like the Sword of Damocles hanging over our heads, and that disobeying it would inevitably lead to severe consequences.
Furthermore, it was because of the outstanding prestige and extraordinary influence that Qin Qianluo had already established both inside and outside the court.
Qin Qianluo demonstrated decisiveness in handling government affairs and composure in the face of complex situations.
Their wisdom and strategies in dealing with crises have already earned them praise and respect from many.
Her influence spread like ripples from the imperial court to the streets and alleys of the common people.
Like the roots of a towering tree, it is deeply rooted in every inch of this country's land and should not be underestimated.
Since then, his wariness of Qin Qianluo has not lessened at all; on the contrary, it has snowballed in his heart, growing ever stronger.
On many public occasions, he outwardly presented himself as someone who highly valued and strongly supported Qin Qianluo.
Whether it was a heated debate in the imperial court or a lively conversation at a palace banquet, he always showed agreement with Qin Qianluo's suggestions.
His face beamed with a genuine smile, as if he had complete faith in her insights.
He was generous in praising her achievements, his words full of admiration and affirmation, as if he regarded her as an indispensable pillar of the country.
However, only he himself knew that beneath this seemingly supportive and trusting facade, he was actually acting like a strict, almost harsh, examiner in secret.
He carefully observed Qin Qianluo's every move, trying to find even the slightest fault in her words and actions.
He was like a hunter lurking in the darkness, hidden in the shadows, always vigilantly waiting for Qin Qianluo to commit an unforgivable mistake.
Deep down, he desperately wanted to glean even the slightest hint of rebellion from Qin Qianluo's innermost thoughts.
He fantasized that this would prove his defenses were not unfounded.
It can provide a reasonable outlet for my long-standing anxiety and suspicion, and help me get rid of this tangled and contradictory state of mind.
However, as the days passed by unnoticed, Qin Qianluo remained steadfast in her dedication to the country and its people.
She would rise early every morning, busy between the court and the people, tirelessly devising strategies for the country's development and traveling far and wide to alleviate the suffering of the people.
She went deep into the fields to listen to farmers' concerns about farming; she wandered through the streets and alleys to understand people's needs for life.
Her thoughts were all about how to promote the prosperity of the country and how to enable the people to live a peaceful and happy life.
How can this country be revitalized and given new life and energy through her efforts?
In her limited free time, she only pays attention to some novel and interesting TV dramas.
It seemed that was her only pastime outside of her heavy workload, allowing her to find a moment of ease and joy amidst her exhausting hustle and bustle.
Her simplicity and sincerity, her dedication to the country and its people, formed a stark and intense contrast with his deep-seated defensiveness and suspicion.
This made him increasingly conflicted and torn, as if he were trapped in an inescapable cage, feeling both pain and helplessness.
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