Martial Cultivator

The Great Liang Emperor's eyes were deep and contemplative. There were things he could say to his empress back then, but after her death, there was no one else he could talk to. In recent years, he often dreamed of his younger days, when he never imagined he would become emperor. He just wanted to spend his life with that woman.

“Dad, the Youngest probably doesn't want to be emperor. Can you protect him when the time comes?”[1.]

“When the time comes, Dad will already be dead. How can I protect him? Besides, sometimes, it's not up to us whether we want something or not.”

“I introduced him to Chen Chao that stinking brat. Do you think Chen Chao can protect the Youngest?”

“That kid's temperament has changed a bit since his trip to Sword Qi Mountain. As long as Ol'Third doesn't harm him, it's possible.”

“Dad, can you protect that Chen Chao that stinking brat? Our family owes his family a lot.”

“Hasn't Dad protected him enough? Do you think just anyone can make Dad issue a decree to Sword Qi Mountain?”

“Dad, I actually know that you're protecting him not because you feel guilty towards their family, but because you think he is similar to you, right? The eldest, second, and youngest are not like you, Dad, only that stinking brat is.”

"Aren't you a clever one."

“Of course, when I was little, to get Dad to spend time with me, I used to hide your things.”

“Then you did a disservice to Li Heng. He got punished quite a bit back then.”

“Then can Dad apologize to Uncle Li on my behalf?”

“Nonsense, where in the world does an emperor apologize to a subject?”

“But Uncle Li isn't just any subject, I've always viewed him as an uncle since I was a child.”

“You can tell him that yourself.”

“Hehe, Dad, how long has it been since I called you ‘Dad’?”

“I can’t remember, but whether you call me that or not, Dad will always be your Dad.”

……

……

“Yuan’er, Dad might be a good emperor, but I'm definitely not a qualified father. If you blame me, I won't hold it against you. But there's something I need to be honest about. If that incident were to happen again, even though it would pain Dad, I'd still have to make the same choice.”

The Great Liang Emperor's gaze softened, and he reached out to gently ruffle his daughter's hair.

“Dad, I'm not a child anymore, why are you still ruffling my hair?” Although Princess Anping said this, she did not shy away.

“Yes, you're not small anymore. That little girl who could barely speak has grown up.”

The Great Liang Emperor smiled and said softly, “When you see your mother, tell her that Dad is doing well and hasn't missed her.”

Princess Anping replied with a sweet smile, “That would make Mom sad.”

The Great Liang Emperor said gently, “But if I don't say that, she'll worry.”

……

……

As the Great Liang Emperor stepped out of the palace, he encountered Chen Chao and Xie Nandu who happened to be walking over. They both bowed slightly in greeting. The Great Liang Emperor glanced at the saber hanging from Chen Chao's waist but said nothing, and then slowly left with Li Heng.

Chen Chao and Xie Nandu entered the palace, and only then did Princess Anping slowly stand up, smiling at the pair.

Chen Chao looked at Princess Anping's pale face and softly called, "Elder Sister."

Princess Anping smiled warmly and said, "Good boy."

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Xie Nandu spoke calmly.

"Stinking brat, go and wait outside. This imperial highness has something to say to your wife."

Princess Anping waved his hand. But seeing that Chen Chao did not move, she feigned anger, "What? Are you not going to listen to your big sister anymore?"

Chen Chao felt helpless and could only withdraw.

Only then did Princess Anping smile and take Xie Nandu's hand, lifting her sleeves to reveal the jade bracelets on both wrists.

"These two bracelets, one was my Imperial Mother's, and the other was my Aunt's. They were sisters. There's actually another bracelet with another elder of mine, but she probably threw it away long ago. The three sisters originally intended to pass these bracelets on to their daughters-in-law. But since both of these are given to you, it seems that besides Chen Chao, my Imperial Mother also liked you very much. Since my Imperial Mother liked you so much, this imperial highness has nothing more to say."

Princess Anping smiled and said, "This imperial highness knows you're one of the few talented women in our Great Liang. That boy is also quite good and will likely achieve great things in the future. You have grand ambitions, but when two people are together, quarrels and disagreements are inevitable. Whether it's a fight or something else, don't say hurtful words. Some words might be regretted once said, but once they are spoken, the harm caused to the other person is hard to forgive. If this happens too often, even the two most in love might eventually part ways."

Xie Nandu looked at Princess Anping, wanting to say something. But after thinking it over, she just nodded slightly.

"Chen Chao that stinking brat has had a hard life these past years, living in solitude. He seems indifferent to many things, but in reality, he is guarded against many people and finds it difficult to trust someone wholeheartedly. But once he trusts someone and falls in love, if that person disappoints him, that kid will be deeply hurt. You understand many things, but you may not truly grasp these principles," Princess Anping said with a smile. "Don't think I'm nagging. My Imperial Mother must have told you a lot. This imperial highness will say it again because I'm afraid that due to some incident, you two won't end up together."

Xie Nandu nodded and said, "I understand."

"The books say, if you cannot help each other in times of need, it's better to forget each other and wander the world. But in reality, forgetting each other and wandering the world is a very cruel thing. If possible, it's best to hold each other's hand and never let go."

Princess Anping said softly. "You two have many things to do, but if, in the end, you find there is no one close to you, you will only understand that feeling truly at that time."

"These principles have been told to that stinking brat many times. This time, I'm telling you again because this imperial highness truly wants to see you both doing well."

Princess Anping said self-deprecatingly, "It's probably because I didn't get what I wanted, so I hope those close to me won't repeat my mistakes."

Xie Nandu thought for a moment and asked, "Is there anything else Your Highness wishes to do?"

"What I want to do can't be done, so there's nothing left," Princess Anping said with a tired smile. "Let's leave it at that."

Xie Nandu nodded, bowed, and took her leave.

After a while, Chen Chao slowly walked in.

Princess Anping rubbed her forehead rather wearily and teased, "Say what you need to say quickly, then go find your wife. I've seen you so many times these days. If it weren't to see that girl, I wouldn't even bother to meet you."

Chen Chao said softly, "After that meal, I went back and wrote a letter to him."

This sentence stirred Princess Anping's emotions more than anything said today.

She glanced at Chen Chao, saying with some anger "Who told you to tell him?!"

Chen Chao did not speak.

Princess Anping looked at Chen Chao. After a long silence, she still looked at him with hope and asked, "Did he reply?"

Chen Chao shook his head. "No."

"He didn't come." Chen Chao's voice trembled when he spoke, knowing this news would likely be a heavy blow to Princess Anping.

Contrary to expectations, Princess Anping smiled, "I already knew this would happen. If he wanted to contact me, he wouldn't have waited until today."

Chen Chao was puzzled, "Isn't that guy a bit heartless?"

Princess Anping shook her head, "He must be doing something else, though I don't know what. But I know that if it weren't for this matter, he wouldn't have married, nor would he have refrained from writing to me."

Chen Chao hesitated, wanting to say something but holding back.

Princess Anping smiled and asked, "Do you think your big sister is defending a heartless man?"

Chen Chao remained silent. Even if he thought so, he could not say it.

"Do you think you know him better than I do? I know he wouldn't do that. Not coming or writing is because he has more important things to do." As Princess Anping spoke, her eyes grew dim. "But if he came, I would be happy. Still, I can't let his work fail because of that."