Too high to reach

Chapter 89 was quite unexpected.
The next day, Li Jing entered the palace and reported his trip to Cangzhou to the emperor.

Although he had just returned to the capital, he had only just taken over the Cangzhou camp.

But the power they coveted must have been something they had researched beforehand, and they certainly had their own people with them.

So when I went there, there was no need for a familiarization process; I took over the job in no time.

What we're presenting now is not a perfunctory effort. It offers affirmations, points out problems in various aspects, and outlines methods for improvement.

The Emperor felt a complex mix of emotions upon seeing this: He's really fast!
"The important thing is that what appears to be normal loss of grain and military equipment is suspected to be theft and private sale by the guards, and it has been going on for a long time. Although the quantity has not caused any fundamental damage, if this continues, it will become the biggest oversight. I have already left people behind to inspect and rectify the situation. We can go and inspect again later. Father, because of this, I am worried that the same problem may exist in the western suburban camp. Perhaps... I should take some time to go there again?"

The emperor's eyelids drooped as he looked at what he had written, concealing his anger...

Still not enough? Asking for more?

This piece of shit!
"Father, you may consider what I said again. Now I have a private matter I would like to discuss with you..."

The Emperor immediately breathed a sigh of relief and raised his eyes: "Private matter?"

"Yes, it's a personal matter. So you come to Dad about personal matters!"

The Emperor was somewhat surprised and stared intently at Li Jing, his eyes gleaming.

"On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month..." Li Jing recounted the events in a straightforward manner, without any personal emotion mixed in: "Afterwards, someone investigated. This girl is..." He then briefly mentioned the Mo family's background.

Finally, he sighed again: "A fifteen-year-old girl, because of my son's improper rescue, not only is her marriage blocked, but there are also some bad rumors... In that case, why don't we let our son marry her?"

"What did you say? Who are you going to marry?" The Emperor was momentarily confused. "You mean... that silly girl who fell down... the second daughter of a scholar and clerk?"

"Yes." Li Jing looked at the Emperor calmly.

"Get out!" That was all the emperor said.

“Father…” Li Jing’s face showed a hint of dejection: “What I mean is… this girl, her family is neither wealthy nor powerful, and she’s quite dim-witted. With a princess like this, I’m sure many people would feel more at ease!”

"you shut up!"

The Emperor's face darkened, his anger rising. He pointed at Li Jing's nose and began to berate her: "Who's stopping you from finding someone? As soon as you returned, I told you that you could choose any noble lady you wanted! There's a whole stack of names in the Empress's palace too..."

"Even the worst one is a hundred times better than what you're describing! What are you trying to achieve by making this scene? Hmm? To humiliate yourself and smear my reputation?! To make your mother blame me for neglecting her son?!"

Li Jing replied with some helplessness, "Your subject dares not."

"Dare not? I think you're quite bold!" The Emperor slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups jump, and almost blurted out: You know how to ask me for military power!

Even the Crown Prince doesn't dare to open his mouth! You're still not done!

"Your Highness, that is a first-rank imperial consort, and you're asking for a commoner? How can you even say that!" The Emperor realized he had spit out a few drops of saliva and felt somewhat embarrassed.

“Father, if you really don’t want to agree, that’s fine. I will take her into my household. But Father, please don’t urge me to get married anymore. Let the Empress Dowager and the Empress put it off. I don’t want to get married.”

The emperor wanted to hit him: "This is ridiculous! Even if you're a prince, or a commoner, you still need a wife!"

"It's not that I don't want to get married... it's that I don't want to get married right now!" Li Jing's explanation sounded somewhat weak.

The Emperor looked at him, and suddenly a wild idea popped into his head: "Is she as beautiful as a celestial being?" What if she's like Consort Dong...?

The image of the prematurely deceased Consort Dong flashed through his mind; even after so many years, it still caused him a pang of heartache.

If he encounters a woman like that...

Li Jing suddenly burst into laughter.

It was a bright, cheerful laugh, unlike his usual cold and sarcastic demeanor.

This bastard!

"What beauty? My son just... doesn't want to waste too much energy on this. He just wants to find someone from a simple family with a simple temperament. She doesn't dare to disobey her son."

"What a joke! You? Who would dare?! Did Zhou ever defy you back then? Have any of the women in your household ever disobeyed you? This is a royal bride! Stop talking nonsense! You must get married! And you must find someone of equal social standing!"

Li Jing remained silent.

"I've heard that the Grand Princess intends to give you her granddaughter."

"This...where did you hear that from?" Li Jing looked at the Emperor with some surprise. The Emperor stroked his beard without speaking, feeling somewhat smug.

Do you really think I know nothing?

Li Jing smiled again: "Father, why don't you ask the Empress and the Crown Prince if they are willing?"

The Grand Princess's son has soldiers and mines in Shaanxi; he's no pushover. It's just that when he extended his reach north, he caused trouble, and I had to help him resolve it! If they really get married, the relationship will be unbreakable!

The Emperor was even more furious: "You scoundrel! The Empress treats you with utmost care, and the Crown Prince is kind and friendly to you. How could you think of them like this? Do you have a heart?"

“Father, I am the legitimate son of your first wife. I am born noble! Isn’t it only natural that they treat their son well?” Li Jing said calmly and composedly.

"You! You bastard, how can you say such things..." The Emperor was utterly helpless, his finger trembling as he pointed at him.

Suddenly I felt: This bastard, it would be better if he married someone who can't even lift a finger.

Please don't cause any more trouble. That experience was like being skinned alive. I'm getting old, and I can't take it anymore...

"Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived!" a young eunuch at the door announced.

"come in!"

The Empress, seemingly oblivious to the conversation between the father and son, entered with a smile on her face.

"Your Majesty," she said with a smile after bowing according to protocol, "Did I disturb your conversation, my son and I?"

Li Jing rose and bowed.

The Emperor snorted coldly, "It would have been better if he hadn't said anything! Every time he opens his mouth, he's just trying to anger me!" This tone made the Empress's hand tighten in her sleeve…

"Then why don't you tell me? I'll speak on his behalf for you..." The Empress said naturally and kindly.

The Emperor glared at Li Jing, and seeing that he had no intention of speaking, he pointed to the Grand Eunuch Liu beside him: "Speak!"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Eunuch Liu gave a troubled, wry smile. "Your Highness, Your Highness!" He bowed first, then said cautiously, "When Your Highness was speaking to the Emperor just now, this servant only overheard a few words. Perhaps there were some errors. Your Highness, please correct me if I'm wrong, and don't blame this servant!"

So he recounted what had happened. Of course, he knew what he shouldn't say.

The Empress looked surprised, and inwardly she was too. She turned to Li Jing: "Seventh Prince, are you serious?"

Li Jing only smiled and did not answer.

The Empress looked at the Emperor again, as if she had just confirmed the matter. After thinking for a moment, she said, "The matter was sudden. It was Qilang's good fortune that saved her life. Only her family should come to thank you. Why should you bear any consequences? If you are so inclined, it would not be unreasonable to take her into your household."

After she gives birth to children, she will be granted the title of Lady. This would be an immense blessing for both the girl and her family.

The Emperor nodded: "Did you hear that? That's the right way!"

The Empress continued with a smile, "As for the position of Princess Consort, His Majesty's opinion is my opinion. The marriages of princes and princesses are also my responsibility. Your Majesty, this girl is indeed unsuitable."

The emperor nodded in agreement.

"Father, I'm not that interested in matters of love. Dealing with Lady Zhou is exhausting. I can never figure out her thoughts; it's pointless. Lately, things are chaotic around me; it seems everyone's after the position of Princess Consort..."

The Empress's expression remained unchanged as she listened silently.

"Rejecting any of them is troublesome..."

The Emperor calmed down considerably, appearing quite dismissive. "The choice is made. I will grant the marriage! What trouble will you face? Who would dare blame you?"

“Father, the first marriage is decided by the parents, and the second marriage is decided by oneself. I don’t want another unhappy couple to appear.”

The Empress shook her head in disagreement: "Back then, Zhou Li was the most outstanding noble lady in the capital! Her background, appearance, and talent were all impeccable. She was virtuous, filial, and not jealous—she was universally praised! Your Majesty, if you say that the two of them don't get along, it must be Qi Lang's fault." She pointed at Li Jing with some anger.

The Emperor was pleased to hear this, "I've met that girl too. Not only is she exceptionally beautiful and charming, but she's also gentle in nature. Do you think I don't know about your cowardly temper? No matter who says it, it's your fault! Besides, the dead should be respected, so let's not mention it again!"

Li Jing listened, and although he didn't object, it was clear that he hadn't taken it all in.

The Empress looked at the Emperor, then at Li Jing…

"Your Majesty, how about this..."

(End of this chapter)