Chapter 108: Chapter 108: Who Kicked Her?
What surprised Emperor Wu Su was that someone had dared to resort to assassination.
To attain a coveted high position, one had to accept the attendant risks. This was true for everyone in the Phoenix Palace.
The tallest tree catches the most wind, enough to tempt fools into action.
The Imperial Harem was too deeply entangled with the imperial court. The more "glorious favor" Princess Consort Wei received, the more jealousy and hatred she endured behind her back.
However, most influential families were wary of Wei Ting and didn’t dare to go too far. Besides, Wei Liru herself was exceptionally sharp and wouldn’t be easily lured into a trap.
’It seems these people are truly getting desperate.’
Wei Liru had been lucky this time. If Ji Qingwu and Qingyun hadn’t stumbled upon the scene and averted the disaster for her, she would have been injured at best, or dead at worst.
At this thought, the corners of Emperor Wu Su’s mouth turned down.
’Ji Qingwu’s appearance and her accurate identification of the beast’s tracks were the biggest variable in this affair.’
’If it had been Princess Consort Wei present when Qingyun fell from her horse today, she certainly wouldn’t have risked a rescue—just as she chose self-preservation when Yuan Heng fell into the water.’
’Then again, that is the way of a clever person, the way to survive in the palace.’
’But even someone like Princess Consort Wei could barely manage to protect herself in the palace.’
’With Ji Qingwu’s soft and kind-hearted nature, if she were to enter the palace, she’d be eaten alive by those wolves and tigers, with not even a bone left to show for it.’
Emperor Wu Su watched the flickering candlelight and pinched the bridge of his nose.
He hadn’t yet figured out the best place for Ji Qingwu. If he sent her away, he would be too anxious and miss her terribly. But if he kept her by his side, he would worry even more.
’My worry is that she has no ability to protect herself in the palace.’
’Constantly relying on others for protection isn’t a long-term solution. I will grow tired, and I can’t be everywhere at once. She needs to walk to my side on her own, step by step, and of her own free will.’
Reaching the pinnacle of power was like standing on a mountain peak. The view was magnificent, but you were surrounded by clouds and mist, unable to clearly distinguish friend from foe. One needed eyes that could pierce through the haze.
That was why Emperor Wu Su had such a profound impression of Ji Qingwu’s pure, clear eyes.
An Emperor’s dominion might look like a glorious empire on the surface, but it was built upon a mountain of bones and endless machinations.
Even the person sleeping beside you was not always trustworthy.
Ji Qingwu wasn’t "clever" enough, and it was precisely this lack of shrewdness that was so reassuring.
’But as for now... it’s impossible to know who holds a place in her heart.’
’But if I were to force her to stay by my side...’
The mere thought gave Emperor Wu Su a headache.
If others were to see through his intentions, the Phoenix Palace would be upended by jealousy, without Ji Qingwu having to do a single thing.
And then there was the Empress Dowager, who would surely stir up some trouble.
It wasn’t just the palace, either. In the world beyond, the ever-watchful Xijin might even send assassins after her.
’Our current arrangement... is the only option when I have no foolproof plan to protect her.’
Emperor Wu Su’s expression turned cold. ’So what if her heart belongs to someone else? I will drive him out sooner or later!’
While waiting for her to completely let go of this person in her heart, he would make thorough plans for the future. There was no rush. He had patience.
Li Yuzong entered from outside the tent and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the Eldest Princess and the Prince Consort request an audience."
Emperor Wu Su was not surprised that the Eldest Princess had come. "Send them in," he said.
As Princess Hua Chang and the others entered the main tent, Emperor Wu Su’s gaze swept past the figure in green, and his expression warmed slightly.
He raised a hand. "Dispense with the formalities. Be seated."
The military treatise Emperor Wu Su had been reading earlier was put away, leaving only an inkstone, brush, and ink on the long desk.
There was another long table in the tent for holding councils.
Ji Qingwu quietly followed beside Princess Hua Chang. Once the princess was seated, Ji Qingwu stood near her.
A flicker of clear displeasure crossed Emperor Wu Su’s eyes. Wei Chi Lianping, ever perceptive, said, "Miss Ji, please come over here and switch places with me."
Ji Qingwu obediently moved to stand beside the Emperor.
Emperor Wu Su lowered his gaze to the rosewood tabletop. "Have you caused trouble again?"
The Emperor’s question made Ji Qingwu falter. She answered uncertainly, "N-No, I don’t think so."
"Then why are you standing there like you’re being punished instead of sitting? My neck is getting sore from looking up at you."
Ji Qingwu blinked but said nothing. ’He was clearly looking at the table, not at me.’
She pulled out a chair and sat down lightly.
Princess Hua Chang’s expression was solemn, her tone devoid of emotion. "Your Majesty, I heard that beasts from the hunt ran into the women’s hunting grounds today. Did something serious happen?"
Wei Chi Lianping looked at her, astonished.
The Eldest Princess never involved herself in matters of state. To be more precise, she was indifferent to just about everything. ’So why is she bringing this up now?’
’Even if she was curious, she shouldn’t ask His Majesty so directly.’
The Emperor glanced at her. "I have already dispatched General Wei Chi to handle it."
The implication was clear: he didn’t wish to discuss it further with her. If she wanted to know more, she could ask her Prince Consort when she returned home.
But Princess Hua Chang’s expression was stern. "My husband is about to depart for the Northern Border. He is reckless by nature. Perhaps Your Majesty should refrain from involving him in dangerous tasks such as fighting wild beasts."
’How dare she tell the Emperor what to do?’
Under the table, Wei Chi Lianping kicked Princess Hua Chang’s foot.
He was trying to get her to stop talking recklessly. If His Majesty became angry, nothing serious would happen to his own sister. But if the Emperor’s wrath fell upon him instead, what would he do if he was immediately packed off to the Northern Border Camp?
Princess Hua Chang’s expression remained unchanged.
But Ji Qingwu’s eyes suddenly went wide.
She felt a sharp pain on the top of her foot.
’Who kicked me?!’
’Was it the Prince Consort across from me, Princess Hua Chang, or the Emperor to my left?’
Ji Qingwu thought it over and decided Emperor Wu Su was the most likely culprit. After all, he was the only one who enjoyed teasing her like this.
She shot a look at the man to her left.
The reproachful look that flashed in her eyes made Emperor Wu Su raise an eyebrow. His rising temper was instantly quelled by that single glance.
Although Wei Chi Lianping didn’t know he had kicked the wrong person, the end result was much the same.
The Emperor showed no sign of displeasure, his expression remaining neutral. Wei Chi Lianping let out a breath. ’Thank goodness. I won’t have to pack my bags tonight.’
The atmosphere in the tent grew tense.
Li Yuzong, quick-witted as ever, took a set of seasonal blue-and-white polychrome cups with a floral pattern from a wooden box. Since it was June, the pattern was of lotuses. He placed a few cups on the table and poured tea for the Emperor first.
The fragrance of tea filled the air as steam gently rose.
Emperor Wu Su rested his fingers on the teacup, his tone reasonably pleasant. "Elder sister, did you come here specifically to complain on General Wei Chi’s behalf?"
Princess Hua Chang thought of the wound on Wei Chi Lianping’s thigh, and her chest tightened with frustration.
She said, "Your Majesty, the imperial court is full of talented individuals. It is not necessary for my husband to be the one to go. Moreover, he is about to depart for the Northern Border. On the battlefield, blades have no eyes, and entering the fray while injured is even more perilous. Your Majesty has fought in battles; surely you understand this."
Wei Chi Lianping was inwardly baffled. ’What’s gotten into Princess Hua Chang? Did she come here today just to lecture the Emperor?’
’She’s his own sister; it’s not like she doesn’t know Emperor Wu Su’s domineering personality and how his word is law. Why does she keep provoking His Majesty?’
He once again stretched his foot out under the table.
