Hua Liuli sneaked into her courtyard, her hand hadn't even touched the door to the room.
She stiffened and slowly turned her head to look at Wei Mingyue, who was standing under a tree. She walked over to her with a dejected expression and said, "Mother."
"Very well, at least you remembered to come back before curfew," Wei Mingyue walked over to the stone table and sat down, pointing to the stone bench next to her, "Sit down, we need to talk."
"I was thinking that the weather is getting warmer and wanted to buy some rouge and powder to use," She took out a box of rouge from her sleeve, "This is a gift from me."
"You went out early in the morning to buy rouge and only returned after curfew. One would think that you went to make rouge, not to buy it," Wei Mingyue took the rouge and put it in her own sleeve, "I heard that Princess Shunan had some conflicts with Royal Princess Leyang?"
Hua Liuli lowered her head and remained silent.
"Enough with your pitiful act. I don't want to delve too much into your matters, I believe you have discretion in your actions," Wei Mingyue said, "I came to find you for an important matter."
Hua Liuli quickly sat up straight. As long as she wasn't punished to copy books, everything would be fine.
"The Emperor wants your father to take charge of the Imperial Guard in the capital and has given him command over the neighboring six counties' guards as well," Wei Mingyue's expression turned solemn, "You need to be careful in your future actions."
"Did Father accept the order?" Their family was already in a delicate situation. After the war, their parents retired from the military, not wanting the Hua family to become a thorn in the Emperor's eye.
Although the Emperor trusted the Hua family, they, as loyal subjects, needed to be tactful. They shouldn't let this trust disintegrate into suspicion due to their own arrogance, leading to a rift between ruler and subject.
Wei Mingyue shook her head, "As a loyal subject, it is only right for us to share the worries of the ruler. But this important position, our family can't easily accept it, at least not readily."
The way rulers and subjects interact was something that every member of the Hua family learned from a young age.
Blind obedience was the worst approach, while trying to please the ruler wasn't the best either. The key was to strike the right balance -- to know when to advance and when to retreat, to invest genuine feelings but not forget everything -- in order to protect the family to the greatest extent.
"You have learned the ways of a ruler and a loyal subject by my side since childhood, but I hope you will never need to use them in your lifetime." Wei Mingyue reached out and touched her daughter's head, "Only when there is peace in the world, with no more wars, can our family truly retire from the military. You have suffered in these years."
If Hua Liuli were an ordinary noble girl, she wouldn't have been left alone in the military camp at such a young age, even risking her life as bait for the sake of the people's safety.
Outsiders thought that the Hua family treated their daughter like a precious gem, but they didn't know the cruelty and helplessness of leaving their ten-year-old daughter in the military camp.
Hua Liuli held her mother's hand and smiled playfully, "Mother, from the day I was born until now, I have never felt wronged."
She remembered her father rolling up his pants and catching fish for her at the fish pond. She remembered her dignified mother on horseback, looking back even when they were far from the city gate, just to catch another glimpse of her standing at the city gate.
Later, when they returned victorious, she went up to her mother with a bow and arrows and said, "Mother, I just stopped a few scouts who were trying to infiltrate the city." Her mother, a deputy general at that time, hugged her tightly and burst into tears in front of everyone.
And there were her three older brothers, who managed to find her good food during the most scarce times.
Whatever she wanted to do, whatever trouble she caused, they accompanied her through it all. When she said she wanted to raise male companions, her brothers even saved up money for her.
She was born when her parents were defending against foreign enemies and grew up under the care of the soldiers and civilians on the border. She had never felt that she had been wronged.
"It's precisely because you never feel wronged that I feel you are wronged," Wei Mingyue looked at her daughter tenderly, "If you like someone, go ahead and like them boldly, without any concerns," Wei Mingyue was worried that her daughter would bury her feelings for the Crown Prince for the sake of the family, leaving a lifelong regret.
"Huh?" Hua Liuli was puzzled. Why did her mother suddenly mention liking someone?
"Mother," Hua Liuli looked at Wei Mingyue suspiciously, "I am only fifteen. You're not trying to marry off your daughter, are you?"
"Nonsense," Wei Mingyue thought Hua Liuli was pretending to be foolish, "Just remember, don't make yourself suffer. Your father and I fought on the battlefield for the sake of the people's peace and prosperity, not to let our children suffer for a lifetime."
She understood every word, but why did they carry such profound meanings?
Hua Liuli felt that there must be some misunderstanding between her and her mother that couldn't be explained. But seeing her mother's appearance, it seemed like she had already decided that she was lying.
Oh well, her mother is so beautiful, whatever she says must be true.
Early the next morning, Hua Yingting entered the palace and squatted outside the Imperial Study waiting for an audience with the Emperor. Several other officials were also waiting outside. They exchanged a few words with each other before respectfully standing in place, waiting for the Emperor's summons.
"Daren," Zhao Sancai walked out with a smile, "The Emperor and Crown Prince have important matters to discuss. If you have no urgent matters, please come back in the afternoon."
After thinking for a moment, the officials all tactfully left.
"General," Zhao Sancai called out to Hua Yingting, who was about to leave with the other officials, "The Emperor invites you inside."
"Is it appropriate for me to go in now since the Emperor and Crown Prince have important matters to discuss?"
"Others may not, but the General certainly can," Zhao Sancai bowed, "The Emperor said that there's no need for formalities among ourselves."
Hua Yingting felt something was amiss upon hearing this. It was good to be trusted by the Emperor, but using the term "among ourselves" so casually?
Pretending not to notice General Hua's doubts, Zhao Sancai smiled and led him into the Imperial Study, then quietly stepped aside.
When Hua Yingting entered the study, it seemed that the Emperor and Crown Prince were discussing something. Upon seeing him come in, both of them smiled.
"Zhen's beloved subject, have a seat, and let's talk," without waiting for Hua Yingting to finish his formalities, Emperor Changlong beckoned for him to sit down.
"Your Majesty, I came today for the matter of the Imperial Guards in the capital," Hua Yingting got straight to the point, "It is an honor for me that Your Majesty is willing to entrust such a great responsibility to me, but this matter involves the safety and well-being of Your Majesty and the people of the capital. In my personal opinion, Your Majesty should think twice before proceeding."
"What do you mean by this, Zhen's beloved subject?" Emperor Changlong wasn't angry at Hua Yingting's refusal to accept the appointment as Commander of the Imperial Guards in the capital. He smiled and said, "Zhen's beloved subject, you have defeated the enemy forces led by Jinpo. Can't you handle these mere 30,000 Imperial Guards?"
"Your Majesty, you understand what this loyal subject means," Hua Yingting scratched his head with a smile. When he was young, he was handsome, and even now, approaching the age of fifty, he still looked better than his peers when he smiled. "Today, with Your Majesty and the Crown Prince present, I will dare to say something audacious. I am capable of fulfilling this leadership role, but Your Majesty should not entrust it to me. It concerns your safety, so please think twice before proceeding."
There was a moment of silence in the study, then Emperor Changlong burst into laughter, "Other officials in the court should be the ones saying this, but instead, they didn't say anything. Only you are worried about these matters."
A subject like him, why wouldn't he be reassured?
"Your Majesty, I am speaking of a serious matter," Hua Yingting helplessly said, "I hope you can take it seriously."
"When you deceived Zhen into climbing trees to fetch bird nests, did you make Zhen take it seriously?" Emperor Changlong laughed and coughed lightly twice, "Now you finally understand."
"When we were young and ignorant, we were fearless," Hua Yingting showed a trace of nostalgia on his face and couldn't help but smile, "But Your Majesty, you truly lack talent when it comes to climbing trees."
The two of them spoke lightly, but they didn't mention an event related to climbing trees.
Back then, when the demonic concubine sent someone to assassinate Emperor Changlong, who was the Crown Prince, Hua Yingting hid him in a tree and single-handedly killed dozens of top assassins. In the end, Emperor Changlong only suffered minor external injuries when he climbed down from the tree.
However, Hua Yingting was covered in blood and had injuries that took quite some time to heal.
Shortly after the assassination attempt, the late Emperor fell ill, to the point where he didn't even have the energy to attend court. Emperor Changlong, as the Crown Prince at the time, naturally had to assist in state affairs. The demonic concubine went crazy and wanted to kill him to ensure her own child's succession.
Hua Yingting and Wei Mingyue guarded him day and night, not allowing anyone to harm him in the slightest.
People in the world often feel that as an emperor, the least liked individuals to him would be those who had seen him in his most miserable state.
Emperor Changlong didn't agree with this statement. When he was at his most miserable and pathetic, those who were willing to risk their lives for him were the most worthy of being his close friends.
Over the years, Hua Yingting and Wei Mingyue never mentioned their past favors in front of him, but every letter they wrote from the border and every item they sent made Emperor Changlong feel the warmth of their youth.
Thirty years ago, during the assassination attempt, he told Hua Yingting not to worry about him and leave quickly.
Hua Yingting pulled him onto the tree and said word by word, emphasizing the bond between life and death. How could there be a reason to escape halfway?
This bond lasted for thirty years.
"Yingting, Zhen trusts you," Emperor Changlong patted Hua Yingting's shoulder, "You guard this capital for Zhen and help Zhen protect the imperial family too."
Hua Yingting fell silent. He stood up and bowed to Emperor Changlong, "Your Majesty, with your genuine trust, I am willing to repay it with my life."
"Zhen wants you to keep your life well. When we are seventy or eighty years old, we can drink tea and play chess together, regardless of the affairs of the state," Emperor Changlong had already begun to envision his retired life in his mind.
"Your Majesty, that may not be feasible," Hua Yingting chuckled, "I have already promised my wife that when we grow old, I will accompany her to travel and enjoy the mountains and waters. If Your Majesty doesn't mind, you can join us."
Emperor Changlong: "..."
But he was afraid that Wei Mingyue would smash a stone table in front of him.
The Crown Prince silently stood aside. When he saw Hua Yingting's tea cooling down, he attentively approached and replaced it with a fresh cup of tea.
"How can the Crown Prince do such things?" Hua Yingting quickly stood up and took the teacup with both hands.
Emperor Changlong chuckled and said, "This child, you taught him when he was young. In a way, he is your student. There's nothing wrong with a student offering tea to his mentor." He glanced at the Crown Prince and thought, there was only so much he, as a father, could do for his son.
"Great General, what Father said is true," the Crown Prince said with a smile, "Benwang was your student when Benwang was young. As the saying goes, 'One day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father'. In that sense, Benwang could be considered half your son."
What half a son?
Would he dare to treat the current Crown Prince as half his son?
He wasn't even his son-in-law. In the common people's eyes, only sons-in-law were considered half a son.
"Crown Prince, you're joking. I dare not," Hua Yingting said, the more polite and humble the Crown Prince was, the more complicated Hua Yingting's mood became. Such a good young man, if he was harmed by his own daughter, could he live with his conscience?
Of course, he couldn't.
He picked up the tea personally brewed by the Crown Prince and took a sip. It was just the right temperature, with a delicate and pleasant fragrance. Good tea.
The Crown Prince smiled as he watched Hua Yingting drink half a cup of tea, his smile filled with delight.
"Your Majesty, I have a suggestion," Hua Yingting put down the teacup and saw the Crown Prince smiling at him. He quickly returned a smile and then slightly nervously shifted his gaze away from him, looking at Emperor Changlong, "I will take on the role of Commander of Imperial Guards, but I'm afraid I'll be too busy to handle everything. Why not choose two vice commanders to assist me?"
"Do you have suitable candidates in mind?"
"I've been away from the capital for many years and don't know much about the city. It puts me in a difficult position, Your Majesty," Hua Yingting paused, "However, I think Kang Wang can serve as one of the vice commanders."
Kang Wang is cautious and timid and doesn't have much presence in the capital. But he has one advantage: whatever His Majesty says, he will do.
When the Crown Prince dealt with a few corrupt officials who encroached on common people's territories, Kang Wang was so scared that he gave up all the land he had claimed, fearing blame.
"Kang Wang?" Emperor Changlong pondered for a while, "Let Zhen ponder about it."
Hua Liuli sneaked into her courtyard, her hand hadn't even touched the door to the room.
She stiffened and slowly turned her head to look at Wei Mingyue, who was standing under a tree. She walked over to her with a dejected expression and said, "Mother."
"Very well, at least you remembered to come back before curfew," Wei Mingyue walked over to the stone table and sat down, pointing to the stone bench next to her, "Sit down, we need to talk."
"I was thinking that the weather is getting warmer and wanted to buy some rouge and powder to use," She took out a box of rouge from her sleeve, "This is a gift from me."
"You went out early in the morning to buy rouge and only returned after curfew. One would think that you went to make rouge, not to buy it," Wei Mingyue took the rouge and put it in her own sleeve, "I heard that Princess Shunan had some conflicts with Royal Princess Leyang?"
Hua Liuli lowered her head and remained silent.
"Enough with your pitiful act. I don't want to delve too much into your matters, I believe you have discretion in your actions," Wei Mingyue said, "I came to find you for an important matter."
Hua Liuli quickly sat up straight. As long as she wasn't punished to copy books, everything would be fine.
"The Emperor wants your father to take charge of the Imperial Guard in the capital and has given him command over the neighboring six counties' guards as well," Wei Mingyue's expression turned solemn, "You need to be careful in your future actions."
"Did Father accept the order?" Their family was already in a delicate situation. After the war, their parents retired from the military, not wanting the Hua family to become a thorn in the Emperor's eye.
Although the Emperor trusted the Hua family, they, as loyal subjects, needed to be tactful. They shouldn't let this trust disintegrate into suspicion due to their own arrogance, leading to a rift between ruler and subject.
Wei Mingyue shook her head, "As a loyal subject, it is only right for us to share the worries of the ruler. But this important position, our family can't easily accept it, at least not readily."
The way rulers and subjects interact was something that every member of the Hua family learned from a young age.
Blind obedience was the worst approach, while trying to please the ruler wasn't the best either. The key was to strike the right balance -- to know when to advance and when to retreat, to invest genuine feelings but not forget everything -- in order to protect the family to the greatest extent.
"You have learned the ways of a ruler and a loyal subject by my side since childhood, but I hope you will never need to use them in your lifetime." Wei Mingyue reached out and touched her daughter's head, "Only when there is peace in the world, with no more wars, can our family truly retire from the military. You have suffered in these years."
If Hua Liuli were an ordinary noble girl, she wouldn't have been left alone in the military camp at such a young age, even risking her life as bait for the sake of the people's safety.
Outsiders thought that the Hua family treated their daughter like a precious gem, but they didn't know the cruelty and helplessness of leaving their ten-year-old daughter in the military camp.
Hua Liuli held her mother's hand and smiled playfully, "Mother, from the day I was born until now, I have never felt wronged."
She remembered her father rolling up his pants and catching fish for her at the fish pond. She remembered her dignified mother on horseback, looking back even when they were far from the city gate, just to catch another glimpse of her standing at the city gate.
Later, when they returned victorious, she went up to her mother with a bow and arrows and said, "Mother, I just stopped a few scouts who were trying to infiltrate the city." Her mother, a deputy general at that time, hugged her tightly and burst into tears in front of everyone.
And there were her three older brothers, who managed to find her good food during the most scarce times.
Whatever she wanted to do, whatever trouble she caused, they accompanied her through it all. When she said she wanted to raise male companions, her brothers even saved up money for her.
She was born when her parents were defending against foreign enemies and grew up under the care of the soldiers and civilians on the border. She had never felt that she had been wronged.
"It's precisely because you never feel wronged that I feel you are wronged," Wei Mingyue looked at her daughter tenderly, "If you like someone, go ahead and like them boldly, without any concerns," Wei Mingyue was worried that her daughter would bury her feelings for the Crown Prince for the sake of the family, leaving a lifelong regret.
"Huh?" Hua Liuli was puzzled. Why did her mother suddenly mention liking someone?
"Mother," Hua Liuli looked at Wei Mingyue suspiciously, "I am only fifteen. You're not trying to marry off your daughter, are you?"
"Nonsense," Wei Mingyue thought Hua Liuli was pretending to be foolish, "Just remember, don't make yourself suffer. Your father and I fought on the battlefield for the sake of the people's peace and prosperity, not to let our children suffer for a lifetime."
She understood every word, but why did they carry such profound meanings?
Hua Liuli felt that there must be some misunderstanding between her and her mother that couldn't be explained. But seeing her mother's appearance, it seemed like she had already decided that she was lying.
Oh well, her mother is so beautiful, whatever she says must be true.
Early the next morning, Hua Yingting entered the palace and squatted outside the Imperial Study waiting for an audience with the Emperor. Several other officials were also waiting outside. They exchanged a few words with each other before respectfully standing in place, waiting for the Emperor's summons.
"Daren," Zhao Sancai walked out with a smile, "The Emperor and Crown Prince have important matters to discuss. If you have no urgent matters, please come back in the afternoon."
After thinking for a moment, the officials all tactfully left.
"General," Zhao Sancai called out to Hua Yingting, who was about to leave with the other officials, "The Emperor invites you inside."
"Is it appropriate for me to go in now since the Emperor and Crown Prince have important matters to discuss?"
"Others may not, but the General certainly can," Zhao Sancai bowed, "The Emperor said that there's no need for formalities among ourselves."
Hua Yingting felt something was amiss upon hearing this. It was good to be trusted by the Emperor, but using the term "among ourselves" so casually?
Pretending not to notice General Hua's doubts, Zhao Sancai smiled and led him into the Imperial Study, then quietly stepped aside.
When Hua Yingting entered the study, it seemed that the Emperor and Crown Prince were discussing something. Upon seeing him come in, both of them smiled.
"Zhen's beloved subject, have a seat, and let's talk," without waiting for Hua Yingting to finish his formalities, Emperor Changlong beckoned for him to sit down.
"Your Majesty, I came today for the matter of the Imperial Guards in the capital," Hua Yingting got straight to the point, "It is an honor for me that Your Majesty is willing to entrust such a great responsibility to me, but this matter involves the safety and well-being of Your Majesty and the people of the capital. In my personal opinion, Your Majesty should think twice before proceeding."
"What do you mean by this, Zhen's beloved subject?" Emperor Changlong wasn't angry at Hua Yingting's refusal to accept the appointment as Commander of the Imperial Guards in the capital. He smiled and said, "Zhen's beloved subject, you have defeated the enemy forces led by Jinpo. Can't you handle these mere 30,000 Imperial Guards?"
"Your Majesty, you understand what this loyal subject means," Hua Yingting scratched his head with a smile. When he was young, he was handsome, and even now, approaching the age of fifty, he still looked better than his peers when he smiled. "Today, with Your Majesty and the Crown Prince present, I will dare to say something audacious. I am capable of fulfilling this leadership role, but Your Majesty should not entrust it to me. It concerns your safety, so please think twice before proceeding."
There was a moment of silence in the study, then Emperor Changlong burst into laughter, "Other officials in the court should be the ones saying this, but instead, they didn't say anything. Only you are worried about these matters."
A subject like him, why wouldn't he be reassured?
"Your Majesty, I am speaking of a serious matter," Hua Yingting helplessly said, "I hope you can take it seriously."
"When you deceived Zhen into climbing trees to fetch bird nests, did you make Zhen take it seriously?" Emperor Changlong laughed and coughed lightly twice, "Now you finally understand."
"When we were young and ignorant, we were fearless," Hua Yingting showed a trace of nostalgia on his face and couldn't help but smile, "But Your Majesty, you truly lack talent when it comes to climbing trees."
The two of them spoke lightly, but they didn't mention an event related to climbing trees.
Back then, when the demonic concubine sent someone to assassinate Emperor Changlong, who was the Crown Prince, Hua Yingting hid him in a tree and single-handedly killed dozens of top assassins. In the end, Emperor Changlong only suffered minor external injuries when he climbed down from the tree.
However, Hua Yingting was covered in blood and had injuries that took quite some time to heal.
Shortly after the assassination attempt, the late Emperor fell ill, to the point where he didn't even have the energy to attend court. Emperor Changlong, as the Crown Prince at the time, naturally had to assist in state affairs. The demonic concubine went crazy and wanted to kill him to ensure her own child's succession.
Hua Yingting and Wei Mingyue guarded him day and night, not allowing anyone to harm him in the slightest.
People in the world often feel that as an emperor, the least liked individuals to him would be those who had seen him in his most miserable state.
Emperor Changlong didn't agree with this statement. When he was at his most miserable and pathetic, those who were willing to risk their lives for him were the most worthy of being his close friends.
Over the years, Hua Yingting and Wei Mingyue never mentioned their past favors in front of him, but every letter they wrote from the border and every item they sent made Emperor Changlong feel the warmth of their youth.
Thirty years ago, during the assassination attempt, he told Hua Yingting not to worry about him and leave quickly.
Hua Yingting pulled him onto the tree and said word by word, emphasizing the bond between life and death. How could there be a reason to escape halfway?
This bond lasted for thirty years.
"Yingting, Zhen trusts you," Emperor Changlong patted Hua Yingting's shoulder, "You guard this capital for Zhen and help Zhen protect the imperial family too."
Hua Yingting fell silent. He stood up and bowed to Emperor Changlong, "Your Majesty, with your genuine trust, I am willing to repay it with my life."
"Zhen wants you to keep your life well. When we are seventy or eighty years old, we can drink tea and play chess together, regardless of the affairs of the state," Emperor Changlong had already begun to envision his retired life in his mind.
"Your Majesty, that may not be feasible," Hua Yingting chuckled, "I have already promised my wife that when we grow old, I will accompany her to travel and enjoy the mountains and waters. If Your Majesty doesn't mind, you can join us."
Emperor Changlong: "..."
But he was afraid that Wei Mingyue would smash a stone table in front of him.
The Crown Prince silently stood aside. When he saw Hua Yingting's tea cooling down, he attentively approached and replaced it with a fresh cup of tea.
"How can the Crown Prince do such things?" Hua Yingting quickly stood up and took the teacup with both hands.
Emperor Changlong chuckled and said, "This child, you taught him when he was young. In a way, he is your student. There's nothing wrong with a student offering tea to his mentor." He glanced at the Crown Prince and thought, there was only so much he, as a father, could do for his son.
"Great General, what Father said is true," the Crown Prince said with a smile, "Benwang was your student when Benwang was young. As the saying goes, 'One day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father'. In that sense, Benwang could be considered half your son."
What half a son?
Would he dare to treat the current Crown Prince as half his son?
He wasn't even his son-in-law. In the common people's eyes, only sons-in-law were considered half a son.
"Crown Prince, you're joking. I dare not," Hua Yingting said, the more polite and humble the Crown Prince was, the more complicated Hua Yingting's mood became. Such a good young man, if he was harmed by his own daughter, could he live with his conscience?
Of course, he couldn't.
He picked up the tea personally brewed by the Crown Prince and took a sip. It was just the right temperature, with a delicate and pleasant fragrance. Good tea.
The Crown Prince smiled as he watched Hua Yingting drink half a cup of tea, his smile filled with delight.
"Your Majesty, I have a suggestion," Hua Yingting put down the teacup and saw the Crown Prince smiling at him. He quickly returned a smile and then slightly nervously shifted his gaze away from him, looking at Emperor Changlong, "I will take on the role of Commander of Imperial Guards, but I'm afraid I'll be too busy to handle everything. Why not choose two vice commanders to assist me?"
"Do you have suitable candidates in mind?"
"I've been away from the capital for many years and don't know much about the city. It puts me in a difficult position, Your Majesty," Hua Yingting paused, "However, I think Kang Wang can serve as one of the vice commanders."
Kang Wang is cautious and timid and doesn't have much presence in the capital. But he has one advantage: whatever His Majesty says, he will do.
When the Crown Prince dealt with a few corrupt officials who encroached on common people's territories, Kang Wang was so scared that he gave up all the land he had claimed, fearing blame.
"Kang Wang?" Emperor Changlong pondered for a while, "Let Zhen ponder about it."
