Leng Jinghua and Lu Yurong stood up at the same time.
"What?!" Leng Jinghua screamed.
The green-robed Scribe whispered, "It's news from the Imperial House."
"Impossible!" Leng Jinghua slammed the stone table and yelled, "It can't be him!"
Lu Yurong calmed down and asked, "Are you sure it's him?"
"Not yet." The green robed guard said in a low voice, "The Emperor is hesitating. He has this thought."
"Mm, I understand. You may leave." Lu Yurong waved her hand.
The green-robed guard quietly retreated out of the pavilion, left the back garden, and disappeared.
Lu Yurong looked at the furious Leng Jinghua and said gently, "Uncle-in-law, don't panic. The Emperor hasn't made up his mind yet."
"What does Father mean?!" Leng Jinghua took a deep breath and sat down slowly. "Everyone knows that Chu Li is loyal to King Ping, but Father wants to make him the commander of the Secret Guardians Hall. What is he trying to do?!"
Lu Yurong frowned and was puzzled.
Logically, the Emperor would not use the Art of Balance on the Crown Prince because it was unnecessary. As an Enlightened Master, he was not afraid that the Crown Prince would make him a mere figurehead. Besides, it was only for ten years.
Chu Li offended the Emperor because he wanted to defend King Ping. He was sent to the Imperial Mausoleum and almost never made it back. Everyone knew that Chu Li was on King Ping's side. If he became the commander of the Secret Guardians Hall, it would not benefit the Crown Prince at all.
The news from the palace would not be fake. They would not spread the news if they were not confident.
She pondered for a while and looked up. "Uncle-in-law, the Emperor might be testing Chu Li."
"Why would he?!" Leng Jinghua frowned. "Father doesn't need to test him!"
Lu Yurong said, "Who knows what the Emperor is thinking? But no matter what, he won't let Chu Li take over the Secret Guardians Hall."
Now that she had sobered up, she suppressed her worries.
Chu Li was not the Emperor's confidant. Even if the Emperor was an Enlightened Master and fearless, he would not let Chu Li take over the Secret Guardians Hall. It was equivalent to the Secret Guardians Hall losing their eyes and ears.
Leng Jinghua sighed. "The last time I was banished to the Imperial Mausoleum, it was actually Father who punished me too harshly, and I've let Fourth Brother down as well. This time, he might be making it up to me. No, I have to go to the palace to see Father!"
Lu Yurong shook her head and smiled, "If uncle-in-law enters the palace, I'm afraid I really have no hope."
"… Are we just going to watch it happen?" Leng Jinghua was unwilling to give up.
Lu Yurong nodded, "I'm afraid the Emperor also wants to see Chu Li's background."
"I'd love to see it too!" Leng Jinghua scoffed.
— —
By noon, the news that Chu Li was going to take over the Secret Guardians Hall had spread and everyone knew about it.
After that, everyone knew the specifics of the situation. It was said that Princess An personally went to the palace to meet the Emperor and explained the benefits of Chu Li taking over the Secret Guardians Hall. He was brimming with talent and was fair in his conduct. Everyone respected him, and the Secret Guardians Hall would change from the gloomy atmosphere of the past to become dignified and imposing, forming an effective deterrent.
After the Emperor heard it, he felt that it was reasonable and said that he needed to consider it and could be used as a backup. After that, he would consider other candidates and make another decision.
However, everyone felt that Chu Li was the most confident in getting the position of commander among all the candidates. Firstly, he was already a centurion of the Secret Guardians Hall, so he was familiar with the process. Secondly, he was so talented that no one could compare to him.
The others had not been tested, so they could not be sure if they were more suitable than him.
Therefore, everyone confidently said that Chu Li would definitely become the new commander of the Secret Guardians Hall.
Chu Li was not in Fairy's Capital, but he hurried back from the Yi Public House the next morning and went straight to the palace to meet the Emperor.
Imperial House, Chong Wen Hall
The morning air was exceptionally cold. It was already winter, so Chong Wen Hall was extremely spacious but warm. Once one stepped in, one would be enveloped by the hot air, and one would want to take off all their clothes.
The Emperor, Leng Wufeng, was sitting behind the dragon table. He was dressed in a bright yellow robe and was carefully sizing Chu Li up.
He was thin and short, and looked like an ordinary rich man. There was not a trace of sharpness in him, and he did not look like a master. Only Chu Li had experienced how terrifying he looked when he transformed into an Enlightened Master.
Chu Li entered with a cold air and fist saluted. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"You came back in such a hurry. Did you hear the news?" Leng Wufeng put down the memorial and asked lazily.
Chu Li replied, "Yes."
"How is it?"
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I can't be the commander." Chu Li shook his head.
"Oh …?" Leng Wufeng scoffed. "Princess An praised you to the skies."
Chu Li said, "Princess An meant well. She felt that King An's Imperial Residence has lost its support and needs a sufficient official position to support it so that it won't be bullied."
"Mm, I understand." Leng Wufeng said, "That's why I didn't say much. Although she doesn't know martial arts, she's very knowledgeable. What she said makes sense, so I have nothing to say!"
He was very satisfied with this daughter-in-law of his. She was far-sighted, intelligent, powerful, and righteous. Other princesses could not be compared to her. Not only was she loved by the Empress, but he liked her too.
It was a pity that King An was unlucky and died young, or he would have been a good wife.
After she entered the palace and met him, she analyzed one by one, taking care of public and private affairs, leaving him speechless. He could not refute or deny it, so he could only delay it. He also wanted to take the opportunity to see what Chu Li and King Ping were thinking.
Chu Li said, "Even if there are many reasons, I still can't take over the Secret Guardians Hall."
"It's good that you understand." Leng Wufeng nodded.
He was quite satisfied that Chu Li knew when to advance and when to retreat.
Chu Li said, "In the eyes of the Emperor and the courtiers, I'm King Ping's man. If I take over the Secret Guardians Hall, His Highness the Crown Prince will lose face. Everyone will also wonder about the Emperor's attitude toward His Highness the Crown Prince."
Leng Wufeng nodded slowly.
Chu Li said, "If that's the case, I'd like to recommend someone."
"Who?" Leng Wufeng asked.
"Lu Yurong." Chu Li said, "The Young Lady of the Ren Public House. She's loyal and capable. She's not inferior to men. I've been her rival, and we've fought countless times without a clear winner."
"It's rare that you think of her." Leng Wufeng shook his head. "But she's a woman after all."
"She's more powerful than men." Chu Li chuckled. "If everyone thinks this way and underestimates her, Lu Yurong will soon make them realize how wrong they are!"
"If she takes over the Secret Guardians Hall, won't the Li Dynasty laugh at us for having no one!" Leng Wufeng said.
Chu Li said, "The Li Dynasty's Holy Church of Light's Saint is more powerful, and she's also a woman. Let them fight and see who's better."
"Haha, interesting!" Leng Wufeng laughed out loud.
He suddenly felt that Chu Li's recommendation was not out of good intentions. Women understood women the best, and no matter how powerful a man was, he would not be able to guess what a woman would do. In that case, if he wanted to go against the Holy Church of Light, he would need an extremely intelligent woman!
Chu Li said, "Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince trusts her the most. Other than her, His Highness the Crown Prince will inevitably overthink."
"Hmph." Leng Wufeng scoffed.
Chu Li smiled. "As for me, I'm just a peasant in a remote village, and I can't stand being restrained."
"Mm, alright, let Lu Yurong do it." Leng Wufeng grinned. "She owes you a favor."
Chu Li said, "I have a personal grudge against her, so I'm recommending her purely out of the public interest."
"It's rare for you to be so considerate." Leng Wufeng nodded slowly.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
