Chapter 49 Your Majesty, This Is the Stinking Scent of Love

However, this was merely a silent complaint echoing within the Martial Emperor's own mind.

Li, the young man, had suffered severe injuries. The imperial physicians had brought out the finest medicinal herbs from the national treasury to treat him, yet he could not hope to get out of bed and walk around for at least ten days, or even half a month.

As for doing anything else, it was entirely out of the question.

"Oh? The door is open? Could you see if the landlord has come over?"

From behind the folding screen came Li Xuan's voice.

The Martial Emperor's eyes widened in sheer disbelief. Damn it!

You insolent brat!

Do you even hear yourself?

You are asking my daughter to go and look?

If she could even see, would she ever have set her sights on you?

Yet, unexpectedly, Princess Sirou actually went to check.

"I looked... there's nobody there!"

Princess Sirou giggled, turning her head back to smile at Li Xuan, who was lying in bed.

"Hahaha..."

The young man and woman burst into hearty laughter once more.

Princess Sirou, in particular, laughed so hard that her waist bent.

The Martial Emperor wore a complicated expression. Was it really necessary?

Laughing this happily?

I have spent countless fortunes, yet I have never seen you smile with such genuine joy.

This cheeky rascal is deliberately teasing you, and yet you are still laughing this brightly?

"Ahem..."

The Martial Emperor gave a light cough.

Upon hearing her imperial father's voice, Princess Sirou's smile faded, and her brow furrowed.

The words "What are you doing here?" were written unmistakably across her face.

Watching this, the Martial Emperor felt so depressed he was practically on the verge of vomiting blood.

"Oh? Has the Chief Eunuch arrived?"

Inside the room, Li Xuan was quite familiar with the voice of the Chief Eunuch.

The Martial Emperor raised an eyebrow at his daughter, turned around, and sat down on a chair, addressing the inner room: "Indeed, it is I who have arrived. And this young lady is?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Sirou's face first showed a trace of bewilderment, which was quickly replaced by a thrilled smile.

Seeing this smile, the Martial Emperor almost had his psychological defenses shattered on the spot.

Seriously... is this really necessary?

Although I have heard of young women leaning outward and favoring outsiders, I have never seen one leaning quite this desperately!

"This young lady is..." Li Xuan hesitated slightly.

Princess Sirou's delicate brows furrowed slightly, but she quickly heard Li Xuan say: "She is this humble official's fiancée."

Her delicate brows instantly relaxed and blossomed with joy, much like willow leaves meeting the spring breeze.

The Martial Emperor's expression was exceedingly unnatural.

This is your fiancée?

Then shouldn't you come out and pay your respects to your father-in-law?

Damn it!

The Martial Emperor cursed several harsh profanities in his heart before managing to stabilize his crumbling composure.

"Oh! Is that so..." A trace of minor disappointment stirred within the Martial Emperor.

"Chief Eunuch, this humble woman will pour you some tea."

Princess Sirou raised an eyebrow with a smile, carrying a somewhat deliberately provocative air.

"You—" The Martial Emperor hurriedly started to rise from his seat, only to be quietly tugged by the hem of his robe by Head Eunuch Li standing beside him.

Just as the Martial Emperor's anger was about to flare up, he watched his daughter—despite being blind—move with precise dexterity to brew the tea. She then brought it right before him, bowed slightly with a smile, and seemed to silently boast:

"Chief Eunuch, please enjoy the tea!"

The Martial Emperor froze completely, momentarily forgetting even to reach out and take the cup.

Since when did Sirou acquire such a skill?

How could I, her own father, be completely unaware of it?

Could it be... that I truly have shown too little concern for my daughter?

Thus, Head Eunuch Li gently tugged at the Martial Emperor's sleeve once more.

The Martial Emperor did not blame this considerate old servant. After all, pulling on a monarch's sleeve was an offense punishable by death in the presence of other emperors and ministers.

However, coming from an emperor who used to be a lowly concubine-born prince, this was entirely normal.

Back when he was still an impoverished prince whom anyone could bully at will, Li Jinzhong had already started tugging at his sleeve to advise him on how to advance or retreat.

The Martial Emperor reached out to take the teacup, drawing a deep breath to calm his surging emotions.

"Chief Eunuch, please do not mind. Though my wife is blind in her eyes, she is not blind in her heart. She possesses a pair of eyes that others cannot see."

Li Xuan's voice drifted from inside the room.

Watching the expression of utter satisfaction on his daughter's face, the Martial Emperor felt an even more complicated mix of emotions.

He cradled the teacup, falling into a sudden and profound silence...

Throughout all the years his daughter had grown, this was the very first time she had ever poured him a cup of tea!

Damn it!

The apple of my eye has been reduced to a serving maid right here in your home.

The most fatal part of it all—

Sirou actually seemed to rather enjoy it?

So be it...

Could this perhaps be the legendary feeling of everyone needing to be respected and needed?

I...

I could give you anything in this world.

Yet, as a father, there was simply no way I could bear to let you serve tea and water while knowing full well that you are blind.

This brat...

The Martial Emperor cast a glance past the folding screen, grinding his teeth in resentment. He truly had never treated his own daughter as a blind person!

Taking a gentle sip of the tea, the Martial Emperor watched his daughter turn around to "find" a chair and sit down, and a sour ache welled up in his heart once again.

He even felt as though the entire room was suffused with a cloying, bitter-sweet scent.

"Chief Eunuch, this humble official is unable to rise and welcome you, so please forgive my discourtesy."

From within the room came Li Xuan's voice.

The Martial Emperor rolled his eyes and said, "Think nothing of it."

Head Eunuch Li raised his sleeve to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. It's a good thing you can't get up; otherwise, you wouldn't be able to get up again after what I'm about to say.

Huh?

That sounded rather convoluted!

Thinking to himself, Head Eunuch Li decided he ought to create some private space for the sovereign and his daughter to converse.

"That family outside is your landlord. Later, they will be sending food over to you. Will your wife be going out to help with the cooking as well?"

Head Eunuch Li truly was an expert in phrasing. A single sentence instantly made three out of the four people in the room harbor a deep resentment toward him.

You want my daughter to act as a kitchen maid?

Are you blind?

Didn't you see that she cannot see?

You are asking my fiancée to tend the fire as a maidservant? Do you honestly think she isn't blind?

Deputy Chief Eunuch, I truly never expected you to be someone who turns a blind eye to reality!

Well, if it isn't Head Eunuch Li, trying to pass off this princess as a common village woman, are you?

Just you wait, you haven't heard the last of this!

...

Li Xuan spoke up just before the Martial Emperor could reply: "Ah, the Deputy Chief Eunuch has arrived as well? Please forgive this humble official for not rising to offer greetings. I cannot bear to let my wife's hands touch the kitchen work, as it would harm her delicate skin. Later on, I will simply ask the landlord to hire a couple of maidservants to attend to chores in our home."

The Martial Emperor's lips twitched as he shot a reproachful glance at Head Eunuch Li.

Are you the only damn person here who knows how to speak?

Shut that stinking mouth of yours already!

I haven't even given this kid the relocation funds I promised him yet!

And you expect my daughter to live with him in a place this small and dilapidated... well, perhaps it isn't entirely dilapidated, but still!

Head Eunuch Li understood the implications of the Emperor's glaring looks all too well.

"You certainly cherish your wife deeply."

The Martial Emperor offered a sarcastic remark before standing up and saying, "Madam Li, accompany me outside. I shall lead you to select a few capable servants."

Princess Sirou hesitated for a moment, but Li Xuan had already expressed his thanks.

With that, the Martial Emperor stepped forward, took Princess Sirou by her right hand, and led her toward the doorway.

Princess Sirou let out a soft huff, but in the end, she did not refuse her imperial father's kind gesture.

Upon stepping outside, the snowy courtyard was densely packed with imperial guards.

Old Man Jiang's family had already been quietly escorted away by the imperial guards earlier and settled elsewhere.

"Sirou, tell me honestly, do you truly intend to marry this fellow?"

"I must ask Imperial Father to mind his phrasing. What do you mean by 'this fellow'?" Princess Sirou said with an unpleased tone. "At the very least, in his heart, he does not treat me as some high-and-mighty, untouchable imperial princess, but genuinely regards me as an equal."

"Furthermore, Imperial Father is well aware of this person's talents."

"If he lacked genuine ability and learning, how could Imperial Father have ever employed him from the Golden Pavilion?"

"Imperial Father, since you also know that he possesses true talent, don't you think that keeping him as a mere hundred-man commander of the disciplinary guards is an egregious case of a bright pearl cast in obscurity?"

Upon hearing this, the Martial Emperor tilted his head, staring at his daughter with a depressed expression.

Why are you lobbying for an official position for him so soon?

Aren't you even going to consider whether I can accept this or not?

Must you be so abrupt, without any preamble whatsoever?

"Imperial Father, are you listening?"

Princess Sirou urged impatiently.

Her tone bore an uncanny resemblance to—Old man, why hasn't the transfer gone through yet!