Chapter Sixteen: A Heart-to-Heart Between Father and Daughter

His Majesty the Second Emperor listened to Li Junxian’s account with a peculiar expression. When Li Junxian finished speaking, the emperor stroked his well-groomed beard thoughtfully and asked, “Junxian, do you think... is it possible that that scoundrel Fang Jun truly is... a ‘Rabbit Lord’?”

At this point, the emperor had a rough understanding that Fang Jun might be opposed to the marriage, but he had yet to realize that Fang Jun’s deliberate provocation of Li You into a fight was a form of self-disgrace.

If Fang Jun knew the emperor’s thoughts, he would surely be overjoyed, for there would be no need to cause trouble everywhere. Simply raising a couple of pristine “Rabbit Lords” in some remote mansion and letting the rumors spread would naturally accomplish his goal.

No matter how magnanimous the emperor was, he could never tolerate his son-in-law being someone who fancied “Rabbit Lords,” much less being one himself.

No one would accept such a thing, and His Majesty was especially unwilling. After all, Gaoyang was his beloved daughter—how could he possibly push her into a fiery pit and force her to endure a life of lonely nights?

Li Junxian smiled wryly. “Your Majesty, how could I possibly know?”

The emperor’s displeasure was evident. “I ask you to speak plainly, yet you keep hemming and hawing like a cautious gourd. Do you think I am some tyrant like Jie or Zhou who punishes for mere words?”

These were harsh words. Li Junxian quickly knelt on one knee, trembling with fear. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I truly do not know whether Fang Jun prefers men or women…”

“Hmph?”

The emperor glared. Was this the same old evasive routine?

Li Junxian had no choice but to say, “However, from Fang Jun’s bearing and demeanor—head held high, confident stride, clear and open expression—he exudes a robust masculinity, not the type to be lewd or secretive…”

He genuinely wished to stay out of it, but the emperor pressed on relentlessly, and further evasion might provoke his anger.

The emperor pondered for a moment, then said, “I see it the same way as you. I fear Fang Jun’s words are meant to give Gaoyang an illusion—that he is that kind of man—so she will voluntarily break off the engagement.”

After much thought, this was the only explanation the emperor could come up with, and it only deepened his vexation.

I am the sovereign of all under heaven; all lands are my domain. My daughter is naturally a golden branch and jade leaf—perhaps even a celestial fairy could not compare.

Though young, Gaoyang’s delicate features and elegant bearing mark her as a peerless beauty destined to be one of the finest. Noble and exquisite, how many such matches exist in the world? Countless young scholars dream of such a union, yet that wretched Fang Jun disdainfully rejects what is offered on a silver platter?

“Truly ungrateful!”

The emperor bellowed in anger, causing Li Junxian to tremble in fright and fall silent.

The emperor’s temper was well known, and Li Junxian, having served him for years, understood it well. Yet with age, the emperor’s anger had softened, replaced by an increasingly imposing dignity.

Still, such an outburst was rare in recent years.

Li Junxian inwardly mourned Fang Jun: may he have the best of luck...

“Who’s ungrateful? How dare they anger the father emperor…”

A delicate, clear voice rang out at the gate of the Taiji Palace.

The emperor looked up and frowned. “Shu’er, this is a military and state stronghold. How can a mere woman enter unbidden? This is sheer nonsense!”

Who wouldn’t tremble before the emperor’s anger?

Yet Princess Gaoyang was fearless, her smile radiant as she walked in.

Li Junxian bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Princess Gaoyang smiled gently. “General Li, no need for formalities.” She went straight behind the emperor, ignoring his dark expression, and placed her hands, as white as jade, upon his shoulders. Her ten slender fingers pressed lightly, beginning to massage.

Even the strongest steel can be softened by gentle hands.

The emperor, though vexed, found his spirits eased by his daughter’s tender care, and he chuckled softly, closing his eyes to savor her somewhat unpolished massage technique.

Li Junxian stepped back quietly, keeping his composure as best he could.

“Father, am I doing well?” the princess asked coquettishly, her tone openly seeking approval.

The emperor smiled. “Not bad. Massage requires practice to perfect, but in all the world, the only ones who will be served by my daughter are myself and her future husband. It is a pity your mother passed away early…”

His words carried a hint of melancholy.

Princess Gaoyang’s mother was once a low-ranking palace maid. Because of giving birth to Gaoyang, she was elevated to the rank of concubine, but fate was cruel; she died from postpartum hemorrhage. Moved by gratitude for bearing his child, the emperor granted her the exceptional title of Ninth Concubine.

The emperor’s character was contradictory: ruthless to his brothers, harsh to enemies, yet deeply caring for his children and indulgent toward his old comrades. He was one of the rare monarchs who could “share fortune and misfortune.”

He lavished great care and careful guidance on his children.

Since Princess Gaoyang was born motherless, the emperor paid her particular attention, with female attendants reporting on her daily comings and goings. As she matured into a striking beauty—intelligent and lively—the emperor’s affection only grew.

Yet this very love made the palace wary of the motherless princess; even her occasional mischief went unchallenged, fostering a proud and headstrong nature that the emperor had not foreseen.

In truth, while his love for his children was commendable and marked him as one of the few empathetic emperors in history, his methods of education were flawed. Just look at his brilliant sons who met tragic ends…

Princess Gaoyang pouted. “There is no fiancé. Even after marriage, I absolutely will not serve him. Aside from Father, no man on earth can make me willingly serve!”

Though her words were full of petulance and arrogance, the emperor was heartened and laughed aloud. “What about that Fang Yiai, the one you said you’d always spoil, protect, and think the most handsome?”

The princess stopped massaging and lightly tapped his shoulder, frowning in irritation. “Don’t mention him! That shameless man, I’d rather die than marry him!”

The emperor snorted. “Parental arrangement and matchmaker’s words—how can you simply refuse marriage?”

Princess Gaoyang turned to face him, looking up with reddened eyes and misted gaze, biting her soft, petal-like lips. “Father, I beg you, please don’t make me marry Fang Yiai. Marrying him would be like falling into a fiery pit for life… I’ll marry any other man, just not him. Father, I beg you…”

Seeing his daughter’s tearful, aggrieved expression, the emperor’s heart, though as hard as iron, trembled ever so slightly before he regained his composure.

“Shu’er, you are a sensible daughter. I have always believed that if you were a son, you would be no less than any of your brothers. But alas, you are still a daughter… and as a daughter, you must obey your father’s command. You should understand—how could I push my own daughter into a fiery pit?”

His tone was solemn.

This was the doctrine of the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, which every woman must follow, whether a golden branch or a humble commoner.

Obey father before marriage, obey husband after marriage, obey son after husband’s death.

No matter how much he adored Princess Gaoyang, the emperor could not transgress this fundamental rule.

The matter of marriage was absolutely not hers to decide.

Seeing that softness failed, the princess’s pride flared. She stiffened her neck and said, “Father, you speak so nicely, but isn’t it just to curry favor with Uncle Fang that you’re offering up women? Golden branches or not, they’re all just objects in the end, used as chips for your imperial ambitions!”

The emperor’s fury erupted. “Who are you talking to?”

Princess Gaoyang bit her lip stubbornly and met his gaze. Tears spilled like pearls down her smooth, fair face.

At that moment, two delicate children entered the hall.

The boy, about ten years old, with clear and refined features, bowed respectfully. “Your child greets Father Emperor.”

The little girl bounced over and threw herself into the emperor’s arms, tugging at his beard. She glanced at the tearful Princess Gaoyang and then sweetly said, “Father, Sister Seventeen doesn’t like the Fang family’s brother. Why don’t you just marry me off to Sizhi?”