Chapter 1309: On Choosing a Son-in-Law

It was now mid-autumn, and the weather had turned noticeably cooler. The traveling court was near the sea, where the wind was strong and the air cold—for Emperor Liu, this made his physical discomfort all the more pronounced.

Nightfall brought an even stronger autumn wind, rustling the grass and trees around the traveling court and waking Emperor Liu from his deep sleep. Though he had slept less than two hours, most of the fatigue from the sea voyage had dissipated—more importantly, there were matters weighing on his mind.

The lamplight flickering within the imperial tent was dim and uncertain, as if afraid of disturbing Emperor Liu's rest. The spacious imperial tent felt empty, with only Emperor Liu alone inside.

Likely influenced by the assassination attempt on Yelu Jing, Emperor Liu now permitted no one to approach while he slept. All guards had received strict orders that anyone daring to enter without announcement could be cut down on the spot. Guards who failed to prevent such intrusions would also face the death penalty.

His somewhat muddled mind could not discern the time. Emperor Liu called out toward the entrance: "Someone come!"

The one who entered was Yan Tuo, who had come into the tent the moment he heard the call: "His Majesty commands!"

"What hour is it?" Emperor Liu sat barefoot on the edge of the bed.

"Just past the hour of Xu!" Yan Tuo replied.

"Have you been keeping watch outside all this time?" Yan Tuo was not always in attendance, so seeing him arrive so quickly, Emperor Liu could not help but ask.

Hearing the question, Yan Tuo was secretly pleased—his suffering in the autumn chill had not been in vain. With a humble smile on his face, he bowed and replied: "His Majesty has returned from sea and has not yet taken the evening meal, so this humble one waited outside, ready for any summons!"

Glancing at Yan Tuo and seeing his diligent, attentive manner, Emperor Liu smiled and said: "With you saying that, I do feel hungry!"

"What would His Majesty like to eat? This humble one will arrange the meal at once!" Yan Tuo immediately asked.

"Tell the imperial kitchen not to fuss—a bowl of plain congee and two coarse cakes will suffice!" Emperor Liu instructed.

"Yes!" Familiar with Emperor Liu's style, Yan Tuo said nothing more, simply acknowledging the order.

"While I was asleep, did anyone come to see me?" Emperor Liu asked.

"The elder lady came once!" Yan Tuo reported.

"Oh? Why was I not informed?" Emperor Liu said casually.

Yan Tuo hurriedly explained: "Upon learning that His Majesty was asleep, and to avoid disturbing Your Majesty, the elder lady did not allow me to report it, and returned to her own tent!"

"It seems my elder daughter still dotes on her father!" Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled and said: "Go, summon Liu Jia here!"

After waiting about two quarters of an hour, the eldest Princess Liu Jia arrived, dressed in a plain brocade green silk skirt with an outer robe draped over her—still that natural beauty, youthful and radiant.

With the palace attendants having added more candles, the tent was now brighter. Emperor Liu, wrapped in a cotton robe, sat on the bed soaking his feet and reading, looking thoroughly at ease, while a palace maid carefully cleared away the used bowls and chopsticks.

"Father!" Liu Jia approached, calling out sweetly.

"You're here! Sit!" Emperor Liu put down his book, pointed to the chair beside him, and smiled affectionately.

Liu Jia's bright eyes darted about. Seeing that the palace maid had just added two ladles of hot water, she gestured for her to withdraw. Liu Jia then crouched down, rolled up her sleeves, reached into the water to test its temperature, and then took Emperor Liu's feet into the water, gently massaging them.

Noticing her actions, Emperor Liu was mildly surprised and teased: "What's gotten into you today? How is my elder daughter being so filial and considerate?"

Hearing this, Liu Jia replied in a coquettish tone: "Does being filial to one's father require picking a special day?"

"Heh heh!" Emperor Liu chuckled twice, studying his beloved daughter with a kindly gaze tinged with obvious curiosity: "Yan Tuo tells me you came looking for me. Speak—what is it?"

Lifting her eyes to meet Emperor Liu's, Liu Jia was finally a bit embarrassed. She averted her gaze and said in a low voice: "Word is spreading in the traveling court that a victory was won in Liaodong."

"That is indeed true!" Emperor Liu nodded, though his look at Liu Jia now carried a hint of amusement: "Since when did you start taking an interest in the affairs of the front lines?"

Noticing Emperor Liu's gaze, Liu Jia's pretty face flushed slightly—whether from shyness or the steam rising from the basin, she stammered: "That... that Li Jilong, he's fine, right?"

Having said this, Liu Jia let out a great sigh of relief as if a burden had been lifted, then stared straight at Emperor Liu, hoping for an answer.

"So—it's not the war you care about, but the man fighting it..." Emperor Liu teased with a measured, lilting tone.

Hearing this, Liu Jia also opened up and answered boldly: "That's right, I do care about Li Jilong!"

"Now that's my elder daughter—frank and open. That shy, bashful look from before really didn't suit you!" Emperor Liu chuckled.

However bold she might be, she was still a young girl—even with first love blossoming, her skin was still thin. Seeing Emperor Liu's endless teasing, Liu Jia immediately protested, calling out in a sweet, cloying tone: "Father!"

"Alright! No more teasing you!" Emperor Liu's face returned to calm, and he replied: "Rest assured, your beloved is safe—not only that, he's earned no small merit in battle. In the great battle at the Liao River, he commanded his men with valor and reaped considerable gains! Your judgment is good—you've chosen your father a son-in-law who excels in both letters and arms, with both wisdom and talent!"

Hearing Emperor Liu say this, Liu Jia visibly relaxed, her jade cheeks growing redder and her beautiful eyes sparkling with a strange light. Seeing this, Emperor Liu felt a pang of jealousy—his elder daughter had truly given her heart to that Li Jilong...

His expression turning serious, Emperor Liu called Liu Jia over and said in a grave tone: "Let me ask you—if Li Jilong turned out to be gold on the outside but straw within, and performed poorly on the battlefield, what would you do then?"

Hearing this, the young girl was immediately pulled from her beautiful expectations back to uncertain reality. Her delicate brows knitted together, and she shot Emperor Liu a somewhat displeased glare, but still thought it over seriously before answering firmly: "If that were the case, then he would not be worthy of being my Imperial Son-in-law!"

Emperor Liu was somewhat surprised by Liu Jia's decisiveness: "So certain?"

"Mm!" Liu Jia nodded firmly again and said: "If I am to marry, the man must be a hero or a gallant—at the very least he must possess outstanding ability! If Li Jilong proves unworthy of his reputation, then I misjudged him, and there's no need for regret!"

Looking at the eldest Princess, who had bared her heart in just a few words, her beautiful features radiating heroic spirit, Emperor Liu felt a wave of emotion—his elder daughter would surely become a remarkable woman in the future.

Putting away the deliberately stern expression on his face, Emperor Liu nodded and replied: "Well said. My daughter is not someone any ordinary mortal man can marry!"

After a moment's thought, Emperor Liu continued: "However, although Li Jilong has performed well so far, it is still not enough to marry my daughter! It seems I must find a way to give him some more trials—consider it a test. If he passes, then when I return to court, I shall issue an edict and arrange your wedding!"

Liu Jia was momentarily stunned, then quickly recovered. Forgetting her shyness, she urged: "Father, war is fraught with danger. Whatever you arrange, do be careful—what if..."

Seeing her concerned reaction, Emperor Liu felt another surge of jealousy.

Though his daughter's springtime longing for a husband left Emperor Liu with complicated feelings, the fact that she had personally washed and massaged his feet—for that filial devotion alone—brought him considerable comfort.

In truth, Emperor Liu was thoroughly satisfied with Li Jilong as a son-in-law. This was a man of general's mettle he himself had singled out—a future pillar of the Great Han.

But as he had said, to marry his most beloved eldest Princess, this northern campaign would be the final test—and they would see how he performed...