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Chapter 182
Chapter 182
Chapter 182
Feeling Su Li’s gaze, Changle looked at him confusedly and asked, “Husband, what’s wrong?” The days they spent together had always been filled with joy. Throughout their time together, they had never argued, deeply in love and striving to present their best selves to each other.
However, Changle had never seen Su Li look at her this way. Su Li sighed inwardly, knowing what was destined to come would come, and he didn’t want to hide anything from Changle. So, he spoke candidly, “Wife, if I were to find myself standing on the opposite side from the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and others, how would you handle it?”
Upon hearing this question, Changle fell silent, her brows slightly furrowing. She was not ignorant of political intrigue, deceit, and even betrayals, having witnessed them as a princess. As soon as Su Li spoke, she understood why her husband was asking this question. Since Su Li’s return from the Western Regions, Changle noticed a subtle shift in Li Er’s attitude towards her family.
On the surface, Li Er appeared as friendly as ever, but Changle, as his daughter, had finely tuned sensitivity and perceptiveness. She could discern the careful and deliberate nature hidden behind Li Er’s warmth and kindness. She had seen this behavior from Li Er before.
Back then, officers from south of the ridge had presented a massive black bear weighing several hundred pounds. Even among bears, this black bear’s physical quality was exceptional, and most people would find it difficult to approach due to the size difference, creating a sense of unease. Li Er became obsessed with the bear, visiting it frequently and playing with it. Changle had accompanied him a few times.
Li Er’s initial interactions with the bear felt similar to his current demeanor. Eventually, the bear became familiar with Li Er and appeared friendly in his presence. However, a tragic incident occurred due to a lapse in judgment by the animal trainer, leading to the bear’s escape and injuries to several people. Li Er promptly ordered the bear to be shot dead.
In recent months, Changle had been dreaming of these memories from her childhood, especially when Li Er granted unusual rewards to herself and Su Li. She knew Li Er’s character all too well, but Su Li was not a black bear. He was her husband, not a creature that needed taming by Li Er.
Su Li had done nothing wrong. He had been helping Li Er all along. As a son-in-law, he had never been disrespectful to her family, and as a loyal subject, he had achieved significant accomplishments. Su Li had never let Li Er down. However, baseless suspicions arose because Su Li’s abilities exceeded Li Er’s control, which wasn’t fair.
Su Li had pondered this question, and Changle had long found her answer within her heart – she would steadfastly stand by her husband’s side, regardless of the circumstances. With this unwavering resolve, Changle’s gaze grew resolute, and she tightly grasped Su Li’s large hand. Their eyes met, and at that moment, words were unnecessary as silence conveyed more than a thousand words ever could.
Changle’s decision deeply moved Su Li, and he began, “Wife…” but hesitated, unsure what to say. What could he say? In marriage, a husband and wife should support each other, and it made no sense for him to ask Changle not to make this choice. He possessed the skills and abilities in this era to face any challenge. Changle was his wife, and she had the right to decide. Did he need to burden her with so many considerations in this situation? However, Su Li recognized that while he understood these things, Changle might not fully grasp them. Even if she did, the emotional hurdles in her heart wouldn’t be easily overcome. After all, those involved were her parents, who raised her, and her elder brother, who had cared for her since childhood.
Nevertheless, Changle had made her choice, and Su Li felt a mix of heartache and profound emotion. Unable to contain himself, he asked, “Why?”
Changle smiled and replied, “Husband, I’ve always remembered the night before the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Mother donned armor and held a sword, gathering us children in a room while guarding the door herself. At that time, I was still young and didn’t quite understand. I asked Mother where Father had gone and why our home was so tense. Do you know how she answered me?”
Su Li shook his head, intrigued by the details Changle was sharing about her past, which he hadn’t heard before.
Changle chuckled lightly and continued, “Mother didn’t hide the truth from us. She said Father was going to kill my uncles, your father’s brothers!”
Su Li fell into contemplative silence. The upbringing of an imperial family differed significantly from that of common households. As a former Duke, he was well aware of these complexities.
Changle’s smile persisted as she recounted, “Husband, you haven’t met my uncles, so you don’t know they were very kind to us. My eldest uncle remembered each of our birthdays accurately, and my fourth uncle would bring delicious pastries whenever he visited our residence…”
Su Li sighed, empathizing with Changle’s unique perspective. This was the first time he had heard about the Xuanwu Gate Incident from a different angle, and it was even more heart-wrenching.
Changle continued, her voice steady despite the tear streaks on her face, “Mother said that Father was contending for the most important thing in the world against them. If they succeeded, our entire family would have no place to be buried. Father had no choice but to resist.”
As she spoke, two tear streaks silently made their way down Changle’s cheeks. Her voice remained calm as she recounted, “From that moment on, I knew that for families like ours, blood ties and kinship were not dependable. In their eyes, many things were more important than the lives of family members. Mother taught us this way, and though Father didn’t say it, he acted this way. Among us, his children and brothers, Father chose us.”
Changle sniffled softly, then lifted her head to look at Su Li, her gaze unwavering. “Though I’m just a woman, I am Father’s daughter. If we encounter a similar situation one day, I can only choose you and Su Che.”