It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the weather turned cooler obviously. When walking offshore, the wind was strong and the weather was cool. For Emperor Liu, his body felt less comfortable.
As night fell, the autumn wind became stronger, making the surrounding grass and trees rustle, and also awakened Emperor Liu from his deep sleep. Although I slept for less than two hours, most of the fatigue caused by going to sea was gone. More importantly, I still had something on my mind.
The flickering lights in the imperial tent were dim and the destruction was unknown, as if they were afraid of affecting Emperor Liu's sleep. The huge imperial tent seemed empty, except for Emperor Liu.
Probably influenced by the assassination of Yelujing, Emperor Liu now no longer allows anyone to approach him while he is sleeping. All guards have received strict orders. Anyone who dares to break in without notification can be killed directly. Guards who fail to stop a trespassing are also subject to death.
His slightly chaotic brain could not tell the time, so Emperor Liu couldn't help but call out: "Here comes someone!"
The person who entered was Yantuo, who entered the room as soon as he heard the call: "The official's orders!"
"What time is it?" Emperor Liu sat barefoot on the edge of the couch.
"It's not even half past half hour!" Yan Tuo replied.
"Have you been keeping watch outside?" Yantuo was not waiting all the time. Seeing how quickly he came, Emperor Liu couldn't help but ask.
Upon hearing this, Yantuo was secretly happy that he had not suffered the cold autumn weather in vain. With a humble smile on his face, he bowed and responded: "The official has returned home and has not had dinner yet, so I am waiting outside in preparation for summons!" "
After glancing at Yantuo and seeing his diligent and filial look, Emperor Liu smiled and said, "I feel really hungry after you said that!"
"Whatever the officials want to eat, I will prepare the meal immediately!" Yan Tuo immediately asked for instructions.
"Let the imperial chef not have to worry too much. A bowl of clear porridge and two rough cakes are enough!" Emperor Liu ordered.
"Yes!" Yantuo, who was familiar with Emperor Liu's style, had no unnecessary words and just obeyed the order.
"Did you come to see me while I was sleeping?" Emperor Liu asked.
"The eldest lady is here once!" Yan Tuo reported.
"Oh? Why not?" Emperor Liu said casually.
Yantuo hurriedly explained: "I learned that the official was sleeping, which would disturb the driver. The lady refused to report it and went back to the dormitory!"
"It seems that my eldest wife still feels sorry for his father!" Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled and said: "Go and call Liu Jia!"
After waiting for about two-quarters of an hour, the eldest princess Liu Jia arrived. She was wearing a plain brocade green skirt and a robe. She was still as naturally beautiful and youthful.
After the palace attendants added candles, the tent became brighter. Emperor Liu was wearing a cotton robe and sitting on the couch, soaking his feet and reading. He looked very comfortable. A palace maid beside him was carefully packing away the utensils. Finished dishes and chopsticks.
"Dad!" Liu Jia stepped forward and called sweetly.
"Here we come! Sit down!" Emperor Liu put down his book, pointed to the chair next to him, and smiled lovingly.
Liu Jia's clear eyes wandered for a moment, and when she saw that Gong E had just added two ladles of hot water and signaled her to step back, Liu Jia squatted down, rolled up her sleeves, put her hands into the water, tested the water temperature, and then put Emperor Liu's feet on it. He grabbed him into the water and gently held his feet.
Noticing his actions, Emperor Liu was surprised and said with a smile: "What happened today? My eldest wife, why are you so filial and considerate?"
When asked, Liu Jia responded in a sweet voice: "Be filial to your father, do you still have to wait and see?"
"Haha!" Emperor Liu chuckled twice and looked at his beloved daughter. There was a trace of obvious curiosity in his kind eyes: "I heard from Yantuo that you came to see me. Tell me, what's the matter?"
After raising his eyes and making eye contact with Emperor Liu, Liu Jia finally felt a little embarrassed. He looked away and said in a low voice: "It is said that the Liaodong side won the battle."
"It's true!" Emperor Liu nodded, but there was already a hint of amusement in Liu Jia's eyes: "When did you become concerned about the war ahead?"
Paying attention to the look in Emperor Liu's eyes, Liu Jia's pretty face turned red. She didn't know whether she was shy or was steamed by the hot steam in the basin. She hesitated and said: "Um, Li Jilong, are you okay?"
After saying that, Liu Jia felt relieved and breathed a sigh of relief, and then looked straight at Emperor Liu, hoping to get an answer.
"It turns out that what matters is not the war, but the people who fight..." Emperor Liu said with a smile.
Hearing this, Liu Jia also let go and boldly replied: "Yes, I care about Li Jilong!"
"This is my eldest lady. She is frank and generous. I'm really not used to the shy and shy look just now!" Emperor Liu exclaimed.
No matter how generous she is, she is still a girl after all. Even if she is in love for the first time, her skin is still very thin. Seeing that Emperor Liu kept teasing him, Liu Jia immediately refused and called out in a sweet tone: "Dad!"
"Okay! I won't make fun of you anymore!" Emperor Liu's face regained his composure and responded: "Don't worry, your sweetheart is safe. Not only that, he has also made a lot of military exploits. In the battle of Liaohe, he commanded his men bravely. Fighting, the gains are not small! You have a good vision, and you have chosen a son-in-law for dad who is both civil and military, as well as intelligent!"
Hearing what Emperor Liu said, Liu Jia was obviously relieved, her cheeks became even redder, and her beautiful eyes flashed with brilliance. Seeing this, Emperor Liu felt jealous. His wife was really attracted to Li Jilong...
His expression became serious. Emperor Liu called Liu Jia and said in a serious tone: "Dad, let me ask you, what will you do if Li Jilong is defeated on the outside and performs badly on the battlefield?"
Hearing this, the girl was immediately pulled back from the beautiful expectations to the uncertain reality. Her eyebrows suddenly furrowed and she glared at Emperor Liu with some dissatisfaction. However, she still thought about it seriously and replied definitely: "If that's the case, then He doesn’t deserve to be my consort!”
Emperor Liu was slightly surprised by Liu Jia's straightforwardness: "So sure!"
"Yes!" Liu Jia nodded simply and said, "If my daughter wants to marry, the person must be either a hero or a hero. At least he must have outstanding talents! If Li Jilong's name is not true, then I have misjudged the person." Not worth the pity!”
Looking at the eldest princess who expressed her true feelings in a few words, with her beautiful and jade face showing off her heroic spirit, Emperor Liu felt a little emotional. His eldest wife must be a wonderful woman in the future.
Putting away the pretended rigid expression on his face, Emperor Liu nodded and said, "That's right, my daughter is not something that ordinary people can marry!"
After thinking about it, Emperor Liu continued: "However, although Li Jilong is doing well now, it is not enough for him to marry my daughter! It seems that I have to find a way to give him some more training. Let's treat it as a test. If it passes, when you return to the court one day, I will issue an edict to organize your wedding!"
Liu Jia was stunned for a moment, then realized what she was doing. She didn't care about being shy anymore, and advised: "Dad, the war is fierce and dangerous. You have to be careful with your arrangements, just in case..."
Seeing his concerned reaction, Emperor Liu was immediately intrigued.
Although Emperor Liu's daughter was expecting a son-in-law when he was pregnant, which made Emperor Liu feel complicated, he was very happy to wash and massage her feet in person because of his filial piety.
In fact, Emperor Liu was very satisfied with Li Jilong, his son-in-law. This was the general he valued and would be the backbone of the country in the future.
However, as he said, he wants to marry his favorite princess. This Northern Expedition will be his final test. Let’s see how he performs...
