No Way, Even a Gentleman Must Be Guarded Against
In the first year, when Princess Liqian first met the so-called “Gentleman,” he stood tall and righteous, upholding justice. She sneered: “A false gentleman.”
In the third year, during the struggle for the heir to the throne, she lost everything by a single misstep, ready to die with her eyes closed—yet he alone stepped forward, risking his life and family to escort her safely back to the capital. She scoffed: “Still counts as a gentleman.”
In the fifth year, after a coup, she ascended the throne as empress. She bestowed upon him high office, wealth, noble marriage, and beauty—he rejected them all. She frowned slightly: “Truly a gentleman.”
In the tenth year, she awoke one morning aching all over, and cursed the man lying beside her through gritted teeth: “So much for being a gentleman!”
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“Three things can make the empire great again: the sword, your servant, and the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism.”
That’s what he said to the Empress.