Chapter 48: Emperor Wu: Ah, I Am So Jealous!

A man of virtue…

Well!

You certainly have a keen eye for character!

Aren’t I the very model of a virtuous gentleman myself?

“Master Supervisor has shown me great kindness this time; I feel I ought to repay him properly,” Li Wenxuan declared in a tone almost like a solemn vow.

“Simply patrolling the streets to catch petty thieves or apprehend fugitives no longer suffices to express my gratitude. I compose poems and lyrics, and I am well-versed in statecraft strategies. There is no reason why I couldn’t help the Great Wu Kingdom flourish and become a paragon for generations to come!”

Princess Sirou was even more astonished. The tilt of her face only heightened her stunning beauty.

Li Wenxuan was no stranger to beautiful women.

But he had never seen anyone this breathtaking.

She was like a princess raised within the imperial palace itself—utterly incomparable to any nightclub’s “princess.”

Every frown, every smile, every movement was as if she had stepped out from a classic ink painting, a celestial being come to life.

And she hadn’t even fully matured yet, yet was already this beautiful?

If she were to blossom completely, wouldn’t she be nothing short of a marvel?

Thus,

Li Wenxuan resolved to cultivate a plan to nurture this enchanting wife.

Princess Sirou offered an even higher appraisal of Li Wenxuan: “I have heard that your poem ‘On the Golden Terrace, pledging loyalty to the sovereign, wielding the jade dragon to die for the king’ is exceptional. And your poems on plum blossoms are masterpieces…”

With assured tone, she continued, “I once thought you were merely a formidable martial artist, but it turns out you are a rare talent, skilled in both literature and warfare. Surely… Master Supervisor would be reluctant to see such a talent placed on the front lines of danger.”

“Moreover, your ability to govern the state far surpasses the mere task of capturing petty criminals as a local magistrate—it’s truly like a pearl hidden beneath the dust.”

Princess Sirou knew full well that the so-called Master Supervisor was eavesdropping outside.

Everything about Li Wenxuan had actually been told to her by Chief Steward Li.

Including the extremely secret fact that Li Wenxuan’s mother was a princess from the Jin Kingdom.

Li Wenxuan never imagined he could marry such an exquisite wife…

He was truly favored by heaven.

First, he was blown up by a bomb and given a second chance at life.

Then, he obtained such a beautiful wife…

Even if he could not see her…

What did that matter?

As long as she was as beautiful as a blooming flower, that was enough.

And for himself?

Of course, he would be the one to add the finishing touches!

“It’s no problem—I will send some money to Master Supervisor, use my connections, and surely there will be hope,” Li Wenxuan thought to himself.

After all, with his human ATM, money was hardly scarce.

But who had Princess Sirou heard this from?

Oh!

It must have been Master Supervisor who brought her back when he returned, and informed her of these matters.

Princess Sirou was slightly surprised: “Master Supervisor accepts bribes too?”

Outside, Chief Steward Li’s legs nearly gave way with fright.

Damn it, damn it! I have treated you well, and yet you speak of me like this in front of the princess!

When have I ever accepted bribes from you?

You—

“Princess, my loyalty is unwavering. Please do not listen to this young man’s nonsense!”

“You don’t understand, do you?” Li Wenxuan smiled. “That’s just how things are in officialdom…”

“Hm, officialdom is usually something I avoid meddling in,” Princess Sirou said softly, nodding gently, a smile gracing her lips as she asked, “Would you like some water?”

“A little—” Li Wenxuan replied, then quickly added, “But I’m afraid you’ll pour it up my nose.”

“Hee hee hee…”

Princess Sirou laughed joyfully. She rose and walked straight toward the folding screen.

Her pace was slow but steady.

Li Wenxuan’s eyes widened: “You can see?”

“No,” she replied without turning back, smiling. “But I have measured the room with my feet. From this chair to the curtain by the screen, it is exactly eleven steps.”

Hearing this, Li Wenxuan was even more amazed.

Princess Sirou walked directly to the fireplace. Chief Steward Li, peeking through the door crack, nearly had his heart leap into his throat.

When had the princess ever served someone like this?

Moreover, the kettle was boiling fiercely—any careless move could scald someone!

“Prin—”

Before he could even finish speaking, the princess’s movements, though slightly stiff, were steady and sure as she lifted the kettle.

With her other hand, she felt for the teacup’s position on the table, committing it to memory.

Then, gently tilting the kettle forward, she poured the boiling water with unerring precision into the cup.

Having done so, Princess Sirou gracefully set down the kettle, paused briefly, then walked precisely to the window. She scooped up a handful of snow, returned to the cup, dropped the snow in, and gingerly sipped.

The tea was already warm.

The young maiden in the flush of spring then cradled the cup and stepped back toward the room behind the screen.

Chief Steward Li’s expression was a complex mixture of awe and astonishment.

Even the emperor himself had never been treated so.

“You really managed to…”

Li Wenxuan began, only to have a small, warm hand cover his mouth.

Princess Sirou smiled: “Don’t move your mouth around; my aim is true.”

Li Wenxuan watched as the teacup was brought precisely to his lips, and with no error, she fed him the water.

Once done, the princess even thoughtfully wiped away the drip at the corner of his mouth.

“You have a remarkable skill!” Princess Sirou’s face carried a playful confidence, her gracefully arched eyebrows akin to willows stirred by the spring breeze, seeming almost alive.

“Of course! After being blind all these years, my reputation is not unearned!” he declared.

Their laughter filled the room, young men and women chuckling in unison.

Outside, Chief Steward Li momentarily lost focus.

He suddenly realized he had never heard the princess laugh so happily.

Yet, when she laughed aloud, it touched a wound, causing her to wince in pain.

Princess Sirou quickly asked with concern, “How are you? Can’t laugh, right? Has the wound split open?”

“Your Majesty? You…” As Chief Steward Li moved to open the door and check on Li Wenxuan, he suddenly noticed someone beside him—a presence he had not registered before.

Turning, he found it was the emperor himself.

The Martial Emperor’s expression was complicated as he looked inside, shaking his head and sighing deeply, his tone thick with jealousy that could supply the entire capital.

“I haven’t even tasted the water Sirou served yet!”

“It’s nothing… just that laughing hurt the wound,” Li Wenxuan explained with a wince, still smiling.

He also wondered quietly how this young lady had managed to call his name last night.

But now was not the time to ask.

Perhaps she had overheard someone mentioning him at the tavern and remembered his name?

That seemed the most likely.

“I won’t tease you anymore. When you’re better, take me to walk around the capital. I can’t see, but hearing you describe the scenery makes my heart so happy—”

Chief Steward Li didn’t catch the rest of the sentence because the emperor, now visibly irritated, pushed open the door and entered.

Why, indeed!

Had the emperor not treated him well all these years?

Had he not taken him to numerous places?

“You—”

“You’ve only known this brat for a few days, and yet, you’re already so open-hearted!”

“Your Majesty, now may not be the best time to enter,” Chief Steward Li whispered, tugging the emperor’s sleeve.

The Martial Emperor paused, seeming to realize his rashness, but thinking of his daughter’s close tone with this scoundrel, he clenched his teeth in anger.

“If I don’t go in now, I’m afraid the child will be born!”