Kapitel 1: Lover Number 1.1 — The Future of the Kingdom

"No!" Li Jie vehemently rejected the suggestion, his face turning as red as a ripe tomato. "Absolutely not! No, no, no, no!"

The emperor let out a sigh, observing his son's strong reaction. "Why not? You said you wanted it."

Li Jie found himself caught between amusement and frustration. "Imperial father, I... What I meant was to clarify my position, not that I desire... that."

The emperor, well acquainted with his son's temperament, sensed there was more to the story. Leaning against his royal throne, he inquired, "Is there someone else? Is there someone in your heart, perhaps?"

The counselor standing beside the emperor, attentively observing the conversation, didn't think it was possible for Li Jie's face to grow any redder. However, the prince quickly proved him wrong.

"No!" Li Jie managed to choke out. "I'm simply not ready..."

"This won't do," the emperor murmured, shaking his head. Rising to his feet, he signaled for everyone in the room to stand out of respect. "Summon Counselor Shi He."

The soldier bowed and replied, "Yes, your majesty!" before turning to depart.

Li Jie would have nervously bitten his nails under the weight of the situation if not for the presence of the esteemed officials and his imperial father. "Why does the imperial father deem Counselor Shi He necessary?"

Li Jie attempted a smile, pretending not to be intimidated by the imposing figure of the muscular ex-general who always glared at him when they crossed paths. The young prince couldn't recall any action on his part that could have provoked such animosity from the ex-general.

The emperor smirked, well aware that he now had Li Jie's undivided attention. "Li Jie, why do you oppose this? It is crucial for the future of our kingdom."

"May I speak, Emperor?" One of the counselors stepped forward, bowing respectfully to the emperor and seeking permission to express his thoughts.

"Go ahead," the emperor nodded, granting him the floor.

The counselor glanced at Li Jie, hesitant to risk the crown prince's displeasure, yet driven by a desire to contribute to the kingdom's future. He asked, "May I speak candidly, Your Majesty?"

The emperor raised an eyebrow. "Why do you need permission to speak your mind?" Receiving no response, he reiterated, "Go ahead."

Li Jie's face turned pale as he anticipated the counselor's words, fully aware that they were likely to be inappropriate. Nevertheless, his father had already given the counselor permission to speak.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty and Your Highness, ahem... I believe your highness's behavior stems from a fear of engaging in intimate activities within the harem," the counselor cautiously addressed the sensitive issue.

Li Jie's face regained color, but the embarrassment overwhelmed him.

"Is that true, Li Jie?" The emperor couldn't resist teasing his son, even though he didn't intend to do so publicly. Watching the young prince struggle to form a coherent response was too amusing to pass up.

"I-I'm not!" Li Jie finally managed to stammer, his face burning with embarrassment for being asked such a question and for lying in his response.

The emperor nodded, feigning belief. "And I believe you." While his words may have convinced the onlookers, Li Jie knew that his father had seen through his pretense.

Li Jie could feel his heart pounding in his chest as his father continued to observe him. The weight of the emperor's gaze was almost suffocating, and he struggled to find the right words to explain himself. He glanced at the counselor standing nearby, hoping for some support or guidance, but the counselor seemed equally taken aback by the situation.

The emperor's voice cut through the tense silence. "Shi He, my trustable counselor and general," he addressed the muscular ex-general who had just entered the room. "There's a matter that I need to know your answer to, but before that..."

Li Jie's anxiety heightened as the ex-general, Shi He, approached his father's throne and stood just a few inches behind him. The prince couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and discomfort whenever he was in Shi He's presence. The man's tall stature and piercing gaze made Li Jie uneasy, as if he were constantly being scrutinized.

As the room held its breath, waiting for the emperor's next words, Li Jie's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. He wanted to voice his objections, to express his desire for autonomy in matters concerning his own future. But he also understood the importance of his role as the crown prince and the responsibilities that came with it.

"Why does Counselor Shi He's opinion hold such weight in my future?" Li Jie finally managed to muster the courage to speak, his voice wavering slightly.

The emperor's lips curled into a knowing smile. He recognized his son's trepidation and chose to address it directly. "Li Jie, why is it that you don't want this? It's important for the future of the kingdom."

Li Jie's mind raced, searching for the right response. He weighed his words carefully, trying to find a way to convey his thoughts without outright defying his father. "Imperial father, it's not that I oppose the idea entirely. I just feel that there are other matters that require my attention at the moment."

The tension in the room began to dissipate as the atmosphere lightened. Li Jie felt a mixture of relief and anxiety. He couldn't help but wonder what his father had in mind by involving Counselor Shi He in this discussion. The ex-general's presence only added to his unease, knowing that Shi He held a certain level of power and influence within the court.

The emperor gestured for the counselor to continue, directing the attention back to Shi He. "But first, Counselor Shi He, I need your answer."

Shi He bowed respectfully to the emperor before acknowledging Li Jie with a nod. His intimidating presence cast a shadow over the prince, making him feel small and insignificant.

Li Jie's thoughts raced, his mind desperately searching for a way to influence the situation. He realized that his father had orchestrated this meeting with a specific purpose in mind, and he couldn't simply dismiss it. Despite his reservations, he knew that he had to tread carefully and find a way to assert his own desires within the constraints of his position.

Gathering his resolve, Li Jie straightened his posture and forced a smile, attempting to mask his apprehension. "Whatever father says, goes," he replied, bowing his head in a display of deference. While his words conveyed compliance, his eyes held a glimmer of determination. He would find a way to shape his own destiny, even within the confines of royal expectations.

As the court watched the exchange between father and son, Li Jie's mind began to churn with a newfound sense of purpose. He knew that he had to navigate the intricate web of palace politics, balancing his duty to the kingdom with his own desires. With each passing moment, the shy and reserved prince resolved to become more calculating and cautious, determined to carve out his own path in the face of adversity.

Little did he know that this encounter with Counselor Shi He would mark the beginning of a complex relationship, one that would challenge him in ways he never anticipated. As the weight of his responsibilities grew, Li Jie understood that he could no longer remain a passive observer in his own life. It was time for him to step forward, embracing the qualities his father saw in him and shaping his own destiny, no matter the obstacles that lay ahead.