Becoming the General's Unwanted Wife

It had been two months since the coronation incident and a new crown prince had already been crowned. Li Min was stepping out of his room for the first time since that day.

As they walked towards the court, Li Min heard incessant whispers from maids and guards alike. Chen Yanbei would curse at the women and hold the men by their collars, and Mu Cheng would have to coax him into calming down.

No one dared reprimand their behavior. They were his subordinates, after all. Even if he was now like a wounded lion, he was still a lion. Rats could mock a lion from afar but if they confronted him in person, they would be eaten.

This thought kept him satisfied. He reached to undo the blindfold and put it in his lapels. If he wanted to look pitiful, grey eyes were better. At least this way, he could see and be prepared. He was a seasoned blind man but this body was new to the business so he took great efforts to bump into things and people.

At last, afraid the prince would impale himself on a sword, Chen Yanbei grabbed his right arm to lead him.

When his entrance was announced, the court went as silent as a mass burial ground. He was led to the center of the hall by Chen Yanbei to pay obeisance to his father.

Chen Yanbei was about to lead him to the seat of the crown prince when Li Min squeezed his hand slightly. I am no longer the crown prince. Chen Yanbei's brows became stiff. He led him to the seat that was previously acquired by his younger brother, Li Wei.

"His highness, the Crown Prince, Li Wei, has arrived." The eunuch announced.

However, nobody was looking at the door. All eyes, including his father's, were on Li Min who held a gentle expression. He looked as if he was merely a kind older brother giving his new toy to the younger one. The crowd averted their gazes.

The new crown prince was Li Wei, his younger brother by blood. While he was already twenty-four, he was too impetuous. However, the court had no other candidates. His father loved his mother dearly and never took any secondary wives. He had even proposed a decree to ban second marriages to promote his devotion but it was heavily opposed and could not be passed.

However, a king's actions were a king's. Since the king took no secondary wives or concubines, the nobles couldn't either. The imperial officials could only let go of their large harems and devote themselves to their primary wives. Thus, the king was both hated and loved by the female population.

The court proceedings continued and many issues would remain stagnant until some brave official asked Li Min for suggestions. He had been taught as the crown prince by scholars, martial artists, and saints since childhood. Li Wei couldn't hold a candle to his wealth of knowledge and virtue.

However, many would throw jabs at him, asking him to see to this issue and that. Li Min only smiled politely while making a mental note of the particular officials for future reference.

After court, Li Wei came up to his brother and smiled. "When I become the emperor, I will make brother the prince regent."

Li Min smiled towards the sound of his voice and replied, "I will wait for the honor."

"Lanzhou, stay back." Came the Emperor's voice, stopping the two from conversing further.

"Royal father," Li Min bowed.

After they were alone in the imperial court, the emperor beckoned him forward, and, realizing his son couldn't see his, sighed softly.

"The Marquis of Longan, General Shen, has returned."

Li Min's brows furrowed as he searched through the new memories for this name. He remembered that, though he had met the man only a few times in passing, he had a strong impression of him in mind.

The king continued, "His position is strong. The public adores him and hails him as a war hero." He understood what his father said and also what he didn't say. He was afraid of the General's influence and wanted Li Min to tell him a way to curb it.

No, judging by his face, he already has a way in mind. Why, then, does he need him? "A general's flame may burn hot, but not long. It cannot challenge the sun." I say politely.

"Hah, when did we teach you how to be a flatterer?" You didn't. You taught this body to never lie. You made this body your puppet.

"Forget it, don't you think the Marquis is of age to be married?" An arrange marriage with a suitable pawn would be a good way to go. It would help keep his ambitions in check and prevent him from being an immediate threat.

The imperial court is a land built over quicksand. If you try to reach the top too hard, you will end up suffocated to death. The Marquis, from my memory, is too strong for his own good. A fruit tree cannot be allowed to grow in a flowering garden lest it steal its glory. General Shen was a flowering tree that also bore fruits, he had to be cut at the bud.