Chapter 44 The Emperor

"Oh, it's really different now that you've got some powerful backers. You even dare to challenge me," Madam Wang said coldly.

"I just hope that Madam can put aside some prejudices."

"Then you can go and live in the Chunlai Courtyard in the south. I'll send two servants to help you move your things."

"Then many thanks for Madam's concern."

Madam Wang gave Jiang Li a deep look, snorted coldly, and then went back into the mansion, not wanting to pay any more attention to Jiang Li.

Jiang Li put his hands behind his head, feeling relaxed.[I don't know what Yun Tian's plan is. Well, never mind. I'd better hurry up and improve my cultivation level. Then, even if the family rules are really enforced on me, I won't end up disabled and will suffer less.]

Since the Jiang Mansion had a martial arts tradition, the family rules were relatively cruel. For minor offenses, one's spiritual power would be taken away and they would receive thirty strokes of the cane. For serious offenses, the punishment could be as many as a hundred strokes. If a martial artist received such a punishment, even if they didn't die, they would be bedridden for ten days to half a month.

After leaving the Andingguo Mansion, Princess Le'an couldn't help asking,"Yun Tian, Yun Tian, what's on your mind? What on earth is your good idea?"

Yun Tian chuckled and said,"Last time, the emperor asked me what reward I wanted. I didn't mention it at that time. Well, it just comes in handy now."

"Right! Why didn't I think of that? I can just ask my imperial uncle for this. My imperial uncle loves me the most. Such a small request surely won't be a problem!"

Yun Tian looked at Princess Le'an with an ambiguous gaze and said,"Really didn't think of it?"

Princess Le'an immediately understood what he meant. Her face flushed slightly and she said in a flustered and annoyed manner,"You talk too much."

After giving Yun Tian an angry yet coquettish glare, she smiled and quickly got on the carriage."Leave this to me. You don't need to get involved. You'd better think carefully about what reward you want from the emperor!"

Then she ordered the servants,"To the imperial palace!"

Yun Tian watched Princess Le'an leave with a smile.[Well, I won't compete with this girl for the credit.]

After that, he also got on the carriage and headed back home.

Princess Le'an made her way all the way to the entrance of the imperial palace.

She got off the carriage, passed through the imposing palace walls, the vermilion gates, and the heavily guarded imperial guards at the entrance, and finally reached her destination, the imperial study.

After the palace attendants announced her arrival, she couldn't wait to step into the imperial study.

Emperor Xuanyuan was sitting behind the desk reviewing memorials.

He was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe embroidered with golden dragons that seemed to be baring their fangs and brandishing their claws, as if they were about to take flight. He wore a crown with strings of beads hanging down, which covered part of his face, but his deep and sharp eyes shot out through the beads.

"Imperial Uncle!" Princess Le'an's clear voice rang out in the imperial study. Hearing the sound, Emperor Xuanyuan turned around. Princess Le'an quickly ran up to Emperor Xuanyuan and threw herself into his arms.

Xuanyuan Tian stroked Princess Le'an's head with his hand, and immediately a kind smile appeared on his face."It's Princess Le'an. Why do you have time to come to the palace today?" As he spoke, he put down the vermilion brush in his hand.

Princess Le'an raised her head, with a flattering smile on her face. She took Emperor Xuanyuan's arm and said in a coquettish tone,"Imperial Uncle, I've come here this time to ask you for a favor. You must promise me!"

Emperor Xuanyuan smiled and nodded, looking at her fondly."Oh? What is it that makes you so eager? Tell me about it. As long as it's not an excessive request, Imperial Uncle will naturally agree to it."

Princess Le'an rolled her eyes, cleared her throat, and began to speak."Imperial Uncle, do you remember the incident when I had a competition with Wei Wanrou last time? It was that Jiang Li who helped our imperial family a great deal. If it weren't for him, our imperial family would have lost a lot of face!"

Emperor Xuanyuan frowned slightly, as if he was recalling something. After a moment, he nodded."Well, I do remember such a thing. Jiang Li is indeed a brave young man."

Seeing that Emperor Xuanyuan had remembered it, Princess Le'an became even more enthusiastic and continued,"Yes, Imperial Uncle. Look at how outstanding Jiang Li is! And he's also a scholar. I've heard that he's about to take the imperial examination in spring, and everyone is really looking forward to his performance.

However, for such an outstanding talent, his father doesn't allow him to practice martial arts!

You don't know that Jiang Li's mother passed away a long time ago, and he's been having a really hard time in the Jiang Mansion!

So, I, Le'an, would like to ask Imperial Uncle to issue an imperial edict to allow Jiang Li to practice martial arts, so that he can achieve greater things in the future and serve our imperial family."

Emperor Xuanyuan listened to Princess Le'an's account, gently stroked his chin, and after pondering for a moment, said,"I've also heard a little about this matter. It's rather strange that Jiang Zhenting doesn't allow his son to practice martial arts. However, since Jiang Li is so outstanding, he really shouldn't be buried."

When Princess Le'an heard what Emperor Xuanyuan said, she knew there was hope. She quickly seized the opportunity and gently shook Emperor Xuanyuan's arm. She opened her eyes wide, looked at Emperor Xuanyuan expectantly, with a shrewd glint in her eyes, and said with a pout,"Imperial Uncle, please promise Le'an, okay?"

Looking at Princess Le'an's eager look, Emperor Xuanyuan couldn't help laughing. There was a teasing smile in his eyes. He slightly raised his eyebrows and curled the corners of his mouth as he teased,"Haha, I think you're really concerned about this Jiang Li. Could it be that you've taken a liking to this young man? Why don't I arrange a marriage for you two?"

When Princess Le'an heard this, she immediately remembered being teased by Imperial Prince Yun Tian in the carriage just now. Her face flushed instantly. She stamped her foot and said in a coquettish manner,"Imperial Uncle, what are you talking about! I just think that Brother Jiang Li is a rare talent and I want to help him. It's not what you said at all!"

Seeing Princess Le'an's shy appearance, Emperor Xuanyuan laughed even louder."Alright, alright. I won't say it anymore. Since you've pleaded for him like this, it's hard for me to refuse. I'll ask Jiang Zhenting to allow Jiang Li to practice martial arts later."

Seeing that Emperor Xuanyuan had agreed, Princess Le'an beamed with joy."Thank you, Imperial Uncle! Imperial Uncle is the best! Then I'll take my leave now and wait for your good news back home." After saying that, she saluted again and hurriedly left the imperial study.

After Princess Le'an left, the smile on Emperor Xuanyuan's face gradually disappeared. He sat back behind the desk again, and his eyes became deep and cold, as if he had become a different person.

He said to the chief eunuch beside him,"Tell me, is it a coincidence that Jiang Li and Princess Le'an are so close, or is it that Jiang Zhenting has instigated it?"

The chief eunuch bent slightly and replied respectfully,"This old servant doesn't know. However, I've heard that Jiang Li is very good-looking. It's understandable that Princess Le'an has taken a liking to him!"

"You old thing is really smooth-tongued!"

"This old servant wouldn't dare! However, Your Majesty's imperial might is as vast as the ocean.

Those court officials would surely not dare to despise Your Majesty's imperial might and will surely be loyal to Your Majesty!"

Emperor Xuanyuan narrowed his eyes slightly and snorted coldly. He thought to himself,[Loyal? That's not necessarily the case. In this imperial court, who doesn't want to seek more benefits for themselves?

The reason why Jiang Zhenting doesn't allow his son to practice martial arts probably isn't that simple.]

"Jiang Li! Since Princess Le'an has come to plead for him with me, then let's first see what abilities Jiang Li really has. If he can really be used by me, then that would be best."

The chief eunuch quickly nodded in agreement and said,"Your Majesty is wise. If Jiang Li knows that Your Majesty thinks so highly of him, he will surely do his best to serve Your Majesty."

Emperor Xuanyuan didn't say anything more. He just sat there quietly and continued to review the memorials, but clearly his mind was no longer on the memorials.