Chapter Fifteen: Bringing an Army to Demand Justice

Although Gu Li had come to apologize, her accusatory manner still made her sick to her stomach. If she was at fault, might one ask, as a mother, isn’t it even more irresponsible to allow a five-year-old child to go to the racetrack?

Fortunately, the emperor could no longer bear to listen.
“How can you blame Gu Li? It was those incompetent servants who failed to watch over their young master properly. Moreover, Gu Li was injured herself, and she even brought precious medicinal herbs as a gift…”
The emperor glanced at the tray carried by the palace maid, recognizing the rare medicinal herbs he had previously bestowed to his beloved daughter. They were meant to nourish her, and the Noble Consort had once reminded him that Chenhe and the little princess, being so young, also needed nutrition. He had casually distributed some at the time, but the bulk went to Gu Li. Who could have guessed that, by some twist of fate, they would end up with Chenhe and the little princess?

This only proved that his cherished daughter, though pampered and willful, was nonetheless sensible and kind-hearted, able to distinguish matters of importance and urgency. The emperor felt increasingly pleased.

Yet the Noble Consort, seeing those herbs, was filled with resentment. Both were princesses of equal status, yet Princess Danqing could receive such gifts without reason, while Princess Chenhe had to be frightened before she could receive them from Danqing? This Princess Danqing appeared to be offering medicine, but perhaps she had only come to mock them!

And what’s more, the emperor claimed Gu Li was injured as well?
How could a five-year-old child’s terror compare to a fifteen-year-old princess with a mere scratch on her palm? Wasn’t this blatant favoritism?

Indeed, in the emperor’s heart, no one mattered more than his Princess Danqing.

The Noble Consort knew this well, so she could not openly confront Princess Danqing, lest she provoke the emperor’s displeasure and lose more than she gained.

Thus, she quickly smiled, “I was simply too anxious, Your Majesty. Please don’t take it to heart, nor should the princess.”

Gu Li didn’t care at all; the Noble Consort was a master of acting, and Gu Li was content to keep up the performance for the sake of her father and mother. She merely smiled and nodded.

“Father, today’s events were thanks to General Chang’an’s timely intervention. Without him, both Chenhe and I would have lost our lives beneath the horses’ hooves.”

The emperor knew this well and nodded at once, “Rest assured, I am well aware. General Chang’an is young and talented, courageous and wise. I will surely reward him handsomely.”

Seeing her goal achieved, Gu Li bowed and took her leave.

Upon exiting the Noble Consort’s garden, Gu Li still worried about General Chang’an’s injury. She instructed a palace maid to fetch medicine from ‘Chaochun Residence’ and made her way to the general’s quarters.

Because General Chang’an was responsible for the safety of the southern summer retreat and had to ensure the emperor’s security, his lodgings were not far away. Gu Li led her maid inside, greeted along the way by guards who marveled at her beauty and presence, whispering their admiration. They all knew why Princess Danqing had come—their commander’s heroic rescue had become the talk of the day.

“Your Highness,”

Jasmine, unsettled by the curious glances along their path, tugged gently at the princess’s sleeve, unable to restrain herself. “Your Highness, if you are worried about General Chang’an’s injury, you could simply have the servants deliver the medicine. How could you come in person?”

After all, a princess was of noble birth; visiting a general like this would inevitably provoke gossip and harm her reputation.

“It’s fine. He was injured saving me. If I don’t come myself, it would be too cold-hearted.”

Gu Li paid no mind to the matter. Taking the medicine from the palace maid, she entered the room.