That smile brimmed with subtle skepticism, though she found it inconvenient to articulate it more clearly. The festive streets bustled with people before the New Year, and the graceful, poised Princess of Tubo stood with a gentle smile, as if thousands of words lingered on her lips, yet all she said was:"General, you've hunted wolves—you must know how cunning they are. In my humble opinion, among all of Chang'an, you are the only one truly honest and forthright."
Such a rare quality moved Gesang Meiduo to linger and speak more with Ye Changgen.
"Your Highness flatters me," Ye Changgen responded, somewhat abashed by her candid praise, his smile a touch restrained. "I only hope that what Your Highness sees as candor does not come across as foolishness."
Gesang Meiduo covered her lips with a soft laugh and brought up the matter of New Year's Day once more."On the first day of the year," she said, "I shall await the General at the embassy."
With a courteous bow, she turned and left, yet the trace of mischief in her smile remained etched in Ye Changgen's heart, difficult to dispel.
The thought circled in his mind for a long while, until finally, he resolved to warn Li Ce.
"Is Prince Wei feigning illness?" he asked bluntly.
Li Ce was alone, playing a quiet game of chess. His fingers, poised above a piece, froze mid-air. Upon seeing Ye Changgen enter, he quickly rose and set about boiling water for tea.
"Brother Ye, what brings you here?"
"No need for formalities," Ye Changgen replied, dusty and travel-worn, standing tall in the room. "I suspect Prince Wei is only pretending to be sick—I fear he might drag you down with him."
Though his expression carried concern, his upright and open demeanor gave a sense of warmth, like a breeze in spring. Li Ce, visibly moved, responded:"He might be feigning, yes. But rest assured, I'm being cautious."
Ye Changgen paced within the room."My father once told me: 'Great affairs of the world begin with careful attention to the smallest details.' I didn't quite understand then, but after suffering some serious losses, I came to realize its truth. You, Ninth Brother, are more meticulous than I am. I should trust you—but still, I can't help offering a few more words of caution."
His tone sobered Li Ce, who had until then seemed at ease. It was a peculiar sensation, as if someone stood shoulder to shoulder with his very soul—each word of guidance wrapped in a profound sense of responsibility.
"In all matters, be thorough. Prince Wei's illness is suspicious. If anything goes awry at Huanqiu, the blame will fall squarely on you. If you ever need assistance, tell me. Don't treat me as an outsider."
Li Ce looked at Ye Changgen—at the worry, the care, and the quiet authority in his eyes—and suddenly understood what this feeling was.
This was the feeling of being earnestly cared for by an elder brother.
He had eight elder brothers, yet aside from Li Jing, never had he felt this kind of camaraderie—this acceptance, support, and unspoken loyalty.
It was as if a gentle rain had soaked into the soil of his heart. Li Ce nodded."Brother Ye, I'll remember your words."
Great affairs begin with subtle details.
This was a teaching from Laozi. Catastrophes take root in the smallest oversights, and one must guard against danger before it arises.
What detail had he overlooked?
From the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month to New Year's Eve, Li Ce pondered this question.
In the meantime, he helped Ye Jiao paste the guardian gods on their door, affixed spring couplets, watched the ritual exorcism play, and even wrote New Year's greetings on golden plum-blossom paper.
Yet no matter what he was doing, Ye Changgen's words haunted him.
Why had Prince Jin appointed both him and Li Chen to restore Huanqiu? Why had Li Chen fallen ill without warning? Everything had gone too smoothly. It must be because he had overlooked something—some detail deadly enough to cost lives.
On New Year's Eve, the palace held the traditional banquet.
When Li Ce had been guarding the imperial tombs, he rarely returned to the capital for the new year, as the first day required ancestral worship. But this year, Prince Qi had obtained prior permission to return, and so the princes were all present.
Even Prince Wei, who had recently fallen ill due to exposure during the Huanqiu restoration, had come.
The Emperor personally presented handwritten New Year scrolls and addressed Li Chen with concern.
"Though I'm pleased to see you all gathered, you've been ill recently. Take care not to leave any lingering ailments."
Li Chen raised his head after receiving the scroll. His eyes met Li Ce's. With a smile of gratitude, he turned to the Emperor.
"Your son's health is frail. If the repairs at Huanqiu were completed, it is all thanks to my Ninth Brother's efforts."
The Emperor nodded slowly. His usual solemn expression softened with warmth.
"Though the Prince of Chu hasn't been by my side these years, he has clearly matured through experience. But you, Prince Qi—"
He narrowed his eyes at Prince Qi Li Lian, seated beside Prince Jin, and said with teasing reproach,"Is your only accomplishment this year… gaining weight?"
Already nervous, Li Lian was so startled that he dropped his wine cup.
"Father!" He knelt beside the table. "These past months I have not dared slacken. I paid respects at all seven imperial tombs and, as advised by the Ministry of Works, repaired three of them."
"I've heard," the Emperor said with a chuckle. "You needn't be so terrified. I've also heard you found a sealed chamber you suspected contained treasure, and nearly used explosives to open it."
The Emperor knew all, even without leaving Daming Palace.
Li Lian's face turned pale. Li Ce's expression flickered as well, his lips pressing into a silent line.
"The imperial tombs are the resting places of our ancestors. Your son would not dare use gunpowder."
"See that you don't."
The Emperor's gaze swept over his sons—stern and imposing, even without anger. His eyes finally settled on Li Ce.
"Ninth," he said, holding out the last scroll with a deeper meaning in his tone, "next New Year's Eve, you mustn't be alone again."
Hurry up and marry my Marquis of Wu.
Li Ce's heart flared with heat. He was about to kneel and beg for a marriage decree, but the Emperor had already risen with High Fu's help.
"Tomorrow we rise early. I won't stay up tonight. Go, all of you—return to your homes."
His children had grown up and now had families of their own. As their father, he must give them space to be with their loved ones.
Returning from Daming Palace to Zhao Prince's Residence, Li Ce waited until no one else was around before calling for his attendant, Yan Yun.
"The hidden chamber in the imperial tombs—Li Lian has discovered it."
That was the same chamber Li Ce had once found and re-sealed with a new mechanism.
Yan Yun paled in shock. "When I left, we withdrew our men, but that chamber couldn't be taken with us. What should we do? Should I go back?"
"No need," Li Ce said, mind turning swiftly. His hand instinctively clutched the square jade pendant at his waist. His brow eased slightly, voice firm. "There is only one key. He cannot open it."
Without the key, and unwilling to use explosives, whatever lay inside would torment Li Lian with unattainable desire.
Yan Yun relaxed slightly and looked at the pendant, sighing in relief. "I saw Your Highness use this. When I tried with an identical-sized pendant, it wouldn't open."
"It's the weight," Li Ce explained. "Even if size, shape, pattern, and thickness are identical, a difference in weight renders the mechanism useless."
As the words left his lips, Li Ce suddenly froze.
The red candles of New Year's Eve flickered. Before him, Yan Yun's face chattered away. Midnight's sky loomed like a black silk curtain. Outside the city walls, fireworks exploded into the new year—booming flashes of brilliance that pierced the night.
The fog in Li Ce's heart lifted. Something colossal collapsed in his mind.
The truth stood plainly before him.
A difference in weight renders the mechanism useless...
He rose abruptly, cold sweat soaking his back. His breathing grew ragged, and he broke into a violent cough.
"Your Highness!" Yan Yun rushed to steady him, but Li Ce pushed forward.
"Duke Anguo's residence—I must go there."
Yan Yun hesitated. "But tonight is New Year's Eve. The Marquis of Wu is likely seeing in the year…"
"Exactly," Li Ce said, repeating his words. A sheen of frost veiled his striking features.
"Tomorrow is New Year's Day—the Grand Rite of Heaven and Ancestor worship."
There was no time to lose.
He charged out of Zhao Prince's Residence and knocked on the gates of Anguo Duke's manor…