When You Don't Like It

Luo Zhao stood where she was.

The bloody scratch on her neck had coagulated and no longer bled.

Yet she could feel a faint, stinging pain, like tiny needles piercing the thinnest layer of her skin.

She did not raise her hand to touch it.

She merely stood there, looking at Emperor Luo.

Emperor Luo had already settled back onto the soft couch.

He wore no shoes; his cloud-brocade boots embroidered with dragon patterns still lay isolated by the couch.

But he had regained his imperial composure.

His back was straight, his gaze as calm as an ancient well.

That brief moment of panic from earlier, the loss of decorum when he rushed over barefoot, the softness in his voice when he quietly asked if it hurt.

All of it was tucked away, hidden in depths only an emperor could reach.

And Luo Zhao remained standing in place, motionless.

If she were to act like an ordinary daughter and step forward to seek her father's comfort at this moment.

Then she would not be fit to be the Crown Princess.

Luo Zhao lowered her eyelashes, completely concealing the complex emotions in her eyes.

All that remained was meticulous reverence.

She gathered her robes and bowed.

Her posture was perfect, her angle precise, without a single superfluous movement.

"Your daughter has offended you today, and begs Imperial Father for a heavy punishment."

Emperor Luo looked at Luo Zhao.

He looked at her bowing figure, her unwavering posture, and the profound calmness beneath her lowered lashes.

With a hint of displeasure, he said:

"Zhao'er."

"You are the Crown Princess."

The statement was short, a mere few words.

But its meaning ran deep.

A Crown Princess should not offend the sovereign in such a manner.

A Crown Princess should not use such methods to force the ruler's hand.

A Crown Princess should not die for love for anyone.

Luo Zhao kept her head bowed; she did not look up.

She simply replied respectfully:

"Your daughter understands Imperial Father's meaning."

"I am the Crown Princess."

"A Crown Princess will not fall in love with anyone, nor should she."

Emperor Luo's brow furrowed slightly.

He looked at Luo Zhao, at this daughter with her head bowed, her posture respectful, and her tone steady.

Since she understood this principle.

Then who was it that just pointed a sword at herself, claiming she would die for love?

And for whom was that bloody mark on her neck left?

A flash of doubt crossed Emperor Luo's eyes.

But he did not ask.

Because in the next second, Luo Zhao spoke.

"Therefore, Imperial Father."

"Your daughter has not actually fallen in love with Gu Chengyin."

Emperor Luo's brow furrowed deeper.

He watched Luo Zhao slowly raise her head, watched those phoenix eyes meet his gaze.

There were no ripples in her eyes, only calmness.

"To me."

"Gu Chengyin is merely my Junior Preceptor, nothing more."

Emperor Luo said nothing, merely looking at Luo Zhao, waiting for her to continue.

Meeting his gaze, Luo Zhao continued:

"My actions just now were born of desperation in a moment of urgency."

"Although I do not harbor feelings for Gu Chengyin."

"I do not wish for him to die by the hands of others."

Emperor Luo narrowed his eyes, his gaze turning complex.

He heard the hidden meaning behind these words.

No love.

But not wishing for him to die by others' hands.

What did this mean?

It meant Gu Chengyin was her sword.

A sword in hand can go unused, can be hidden away, or even snapped by one's own hands in the future.

But it cannot be destroyed by someone else.

Because it was her sword.

That exceedingly faint smile resurfaced on Emperor Luo's lips.

He did not interrupt, just continued to listen.

Listening to Luo Zhao continue:

"As a Junior Preceptor, Gu Chengyin is exceptional, and he has personally taught me many principles,"

"They are engraved in my bones and heart; I dare not forget them for even a moment."

"As a close official, he is the sharpest sword in my hand."

"It is undeniable that..."

"With Gu Chengyin around, I will become a truly outstanding Crown Princess."

These words were spoken plainly, so plainly that there was no concealment at all.

Emperor Luo looked at her, the light in his eyes flickering slightly.

He said nothing, just waiting for the 'but'.

Sure enough.

Luo Zhao paused.

Then her tone turned cold.

That coldness was not feigned; it was a chill seeping from her bones.

There was not the slightest trace of emotion in her voice.

Only resolve.

Unparalleled resolve.

"But, this has a time limit."

"When my tutelage is complete..."

Luo Zhao's gaze locked with Emperor Luo's.

No evasion, no retreat.

Only absolute determination.

"Your daughter."

"Will kill Gu Chengyin with her own hands."

As her words fell.

The warm pavilion plunged into silence.

This silence was heavy.

So heavy that one could hear the faint crackling of the burning candles.

So heavy that one could hear the whimpering of the night wind sweeping past the window.

So heavy that one could hear Emperor Luo's breathing pause slightly.

He looked at Luo Zhao.

Looked at this biological daughter he had raised with his own hands.

Looked at the deep determination in her eyes.

Looked at the completely unwavering curve of her lips.

Looked at her calm, water-like demeanor as she spoke of killing Gu Chengyin with her own hands.

Something flickered in Emperor Luo's eyes.

It was satisfaction.

Extreme satisfaction.

"So Zhao'er has harbored this intention all along."

Emperor Luo's voice carried undisguised approval.

"It seems We have meddled too much this time."

"Indeed."

"Gu Chengyin is a fine talent, one might even call him a genius."

"But such a genius."

Luo Zhao's voice paused slightly.

"Would never be content living under another's roof."

He looked at Luo Zhao, complex emotions in his gaze.

It was the expectation of an emperor for a future emperor.

"Zhao'er."

"You have grown up."

Luo Zhao listened to these words.

Listened to Emperor Luo's praise.

Her expression did not change in the slightest.

There was neither joy nor trepidation.

Only a respectful calm.

As if the words just spoken were merely a routine report.

As if the matter of personally killing Gu Chengyin had nothing to do with her.

Emperor Luo looked at Luo Zhao's posture.

The satisfaction in his eyes deepened.

He nodded and said:

"Since that is the case."

"We shall no longer interfere in the matters between you and Gu Chengyin."

What did no longer interfering mean?

It meant the kill order was completely voided.

It meant that from this day forward, Gu Chengyin's life and death would be decided by Luo Zhao.

Luo Zhao lowered her eyes, gathered her robes, and bowed.

"Your daughter."

"Thanks Imperial Father for his immense grace."

Emperor Luo waved his hand: "Go."

Pausing, he added:

"Have the imperial physician take a look at the injury on your neck."

Luo Zhao nodded slightly.

"Yes."

......

Upon seeing Luo Zhao emerge from the warm pavilion, Shangguan Yunying immediately went to greet her.

"Your Highness."

Luo Zhao nodded slightly without speaking, silently walking toward the palace path.

Shangguan Yunying followed behind with great concern; she wanted to ask how things went.

But seeing that Luo Zhao's complexion was not good, she didn't dare ask too much.

Just then, Luo Zhao, walking ahead, suddenly spoke.

"Yunying, do you know what a Crown Princess is?"

Shangguan Yunying froze, but before she could reply, she heard Luo Zhao continue:

"A Crown Princess."

"Can like anyone, and can kill anyone."

"When she likes them, she can die for love for them."

"When she doesn't like them."

Luo Zhao's voice sank:

"She will personally send them on their way."