Chapter 1203: Recommend

　　Leng Jinghua and Lu Yurong stood up at the same time.

　　“What?!” Leng Jinghua screamed out loud.

　　The green-robed scribe said softly, “The news came from the Imperial House.”

　　“It’s impossible!” Leng Jinghua slammed the stone table, and yelled, “It’s impossible that it’s him!”

　　Lu Yurong regained her composure, then asked, “Has it been decided?”

　　“Not yet, the emperor’s still hesitating, but he has that thought.”

　　“Mm, I see. You may leave.” Lu Yurong waved her hand.

　　The green-robed scribe left the gazebo quietly, then disappeared from the backyard.

　　Upon seeing Leng Jinghua raging with fire, Lu Yurong spoke gently, “Uncle-in-law, don’t worry, the emperor hasn’t decided.”

　　“What is Father thinking!” Leng Jinghua took a deep breath, then sat back down. “Everyone knows that Chu Li’s biased toward King Ping, yet Father wants to elect him as the commander of Secret Guardians Hall. What is he trying to do!”

　　Lu Yurong frowned as she was confused too.

　　‘Theoretically, the emperor needn’t balance out the crown prince’s power. As an Enlightened Master, the emperor shouldn’t be afraid that the crown prince will make him a figurehead. Besides, it’s only going to be for ten years.’

　　‘Previously when Chu Li offended the emperor by intervening the injustice done on King Ping, he was thrown to the Imperial Mausoleum, and almost didn’t make it back. Everyone knows that Chu Li’s on King Ping’s side. If Chu Li were to become Secret Guardians Hall’s commander, it won’t be favorable for the crown prince at all.’

　　‘But news from the Imperial House can’t be false. If the Imperial House wasn’t certain about it, they wouldn’t have spread it.’

　　Lu Yurong pondered, then looked up. “Uncle-in-law, the emperor might be testing Chu Li.”

　　“Why is he testing Chu Li!” Leng Jinghua furrowed his brows. “Father doesn’t need to do that!”

　　Lu Yurong responded, “Who can be sure about the emperor’s thoughts? But whatever it is, it’s unlikely that he wants Chu Li to manage Secret Guardians Hall.”

　　Once Lu Yurong realized what was going on, she no longer worried.

　　Chu Li was not the emperor’s confidant. Even if the emperor was fearless because he was an Enlightened Master, he would not let Chu Li be in charge of Secret Guardians Hall. This would only make Secret Guardians Hall lose its capacity to get information.

　　Leng Jinghua sighed. “Father punished Chu Li too heavily when he sent Chu Li to the Imperial Mausoleum, and he also feels guilty for treating Fourth Brother poorly. It’s very likely that Father’s doing this to compensate them. This won’t do, I must enter the palace to meet Father!”

　　Lu Yurong shook her head. “Uncle-in-law, if you enter the palace, I’m afraid that we’ll really lose all hope.”

　　“Are we supposed to just watch it happen then?” Leng Jinghua was not resigned to the outcome.

　　Lu Yurong nodded. “I think that the emperor just wants to look into Chu Li’s roots.”

　　“I’d like to see too!” Leng Jinghua scoffed.

　　…

　　By noon, everyone knew that Chu Li was going to take over the commander’s role at Secret Guardians Hall.

　　Eventually, people also knew what specifically happened. Consort An apparently entered the palace to meet the emperor and stated the advantages of putting Chu Li in charge of Secret Guardians Hall. She praised that Chu Li was extremely talented and just, thus he gained respect from many people. Moreover, Consort An claimed that Secret Guardians Hall would become majestic and that Chu Li’s presence would awe the people.

　　The emperor found it reasonable after hearing her explanation, hence decided to consider Chu Li as a backup choice, while taking other candidates into consideration before making a decision.

　　That being said, the people felt that Chu Li had the highest chance among all to become the commander. For one, Chu Li was already the centurion of Secret Guardians Hall and was familiar with the way things worked. On top of that, he had outstanding talents and was unsurpassed by others.

　　Since the other candidates were never tested, there was no guarantee that they would be a better fit than Chu Li.

　　Therefore, the people were confident that Chu Li was going to be the new commander of Secret Guardians Hall.

　　Chu Li was not at Fairy’s Capital at the moment. The next morning, he hurried back from Yi Public’s House to meet the emperor in the palace.

　　In Chong Wen Hall at the Imperial House.

　　The morning was extra cold due to winter. Nevertheless, while Chong Wen Hall was spacious and empty, it was extremely warm, so much so that Chu Li wanted to remove his clothes upon entering the hall.

　　Emperor Leng Wufeng, who wore a bright yellow robe, sat behind his desk and looked at Chu Li from head to toe.

　　Leng Wufeng looked thin and small, and appeared to be a normal wealthy man as he did not seem to be threatening at all. Apart from Chu Li who witnessed how frightening Leng Wufeng was when he transformed into an Enlightened Master, one could not tell that Leng Wufeng was a master.

　　Chu Li greeted with a fist salute, “Greetings, Emperor.”

　　“Did you rush back because you heard the news?” Leng Wufeng asked lazily.

　　Chu Li answered, “Yes.”

　　“What do you think?’

　　“Emperor, please forgive me, I can’t be the commander.” Chu Li shook his head.

　　“Oh?” Leng Wufeng scorned. “Consort An spoke very highly of you.”

　　Chu Li responded, “Consort was being too nice. She probably feels that King An’s Imperial Residence has no support now, and needs more officials to protect the people from being bullied.”

　　“Mm, I understand,” Leng Wufeng replied. “I didn’t say much about it. Although she doesn’t possess martial art skills, she’s quite knowledgeable. Her reasonings were so well thought out that I was at a loss for words!”

　　In fact, Leng Wufeng was quite proud of his daughter-in-law. Unlike the other consorts, Consort An was far-sighted and extremely intelligent, had many tricks up her sleeves but was righteous. Not only the empress, but Leng Wufeng was also very fond of her.

　　Unfortunately, King An died an untimely death and missed out on having a capable wife.

　　When Consort An entered the palace to meet Leng Wufeng, her analysis that took both public and private interests into account really left Leng Wufeng speechless. He could neither retort nor deny her facts, thus decided to delay this matter. Furthermore, Leng Wufeng also wanted to take this opportunity to find out what Chu Li and King Ping were thinking.

　　Chu Li said, “Even if there are various reasons, I can’t be in charge of Secret Guardians Hall.”

　　“At least you understand.” Leng Wufeng nodded.

　　Leng Wufeng was pleased that Chu Li had a good sense of propriety.

　　Chu Li mentioned, “Emperor, in the eyes of yours and the courtiers, I’m on King Ping’s side. If I take control of Secret Guardians Hall, it’ll damage His Highness the Crown Prince’s prestige, and the courtiers will doubt the way you treat His Highness.”

　　Leng Wufeng nodded slowly.

　　Chu Li continued, “Since that’s the case, I’d like to recommend someone.”

　　“Who?” Lu Wufeng was curious.

　　“Lu Yurong,” Chu Li replied. “The first lady of Ren Public House. She’s loyal and is very competent. Besides, a woman is not at all inferior to a man. In fact, I’ve actually fought against her multiple times, and we always come out even.”

　　“You actually thought about her, that’s hard to come by.” Leng Wufeng shook his head. “But she’s a lady after all.”

　　“She’s more skillful than a man.” Chu Li chuckled. “If the others belittle Lu Yurong in any way, she’ll show them how ridiculously wrong they are!”

　　“If I put her in charge of Secret Guardians Hall, the Li Dynasty will mock us for not having enough talents!” Leng Wufeng expressed.

　　Chu Li remarked, “The Saint from the Li Dynasty’s Holy Church of Light is a lady as well, and she’s more powerful than Lu Yurong. Let them fight to see if one is more superior than the other.”

　　“Haha, that’s interesting!” Leng Wufeng laughed out loud.

　　Leng Wufeng suddenly realized that Chu Li did not make the recommendation out of a good intention. Women understood each other the best, and men could never imagine what women were capable of doing. In that case, the Ji Dynasty needed an exceptionally intelligent woman if they wanted to go against the Holy Church of Light!

　　Chu Li said, “Besides, His Highness the Crown Prince trusts her the most. He might overthink if it’s someone else.”

　　“Hmph.” Leng Wufeng scoffed.

　　Chu Li smiled. “As for me, I’m just a man who wants to stay away from worldly matters, I can’t be restricted.”

　　“Hmm, alright, let Lu Yurong take a spot then.” Leng Wufeng smirked. “She owes you a big one.”

　　Chu Li replied, “There’s a personal enmity between us, but I recommended her out of a desire for the public good.”

　　“How rare.” Leng Wufeng nodded slowly.

　　Leng Wufeng looked at Chu Li again, then sighed as he felt that it was such a pity. ‘Chu Li’s friendship with King Ping set his fate of not being able to accomplish anything in the royal court, he’ll have to hustle his whole life.’