"I didn't think that far ahead.""I just wanted to beat him up to vent my anger.""He admitted it. But even if he did, what difference would it make? The sandalwood eaves were burnt to ash—dead men tell no tales."
…
After Ye Jiao finished recounting the events, the carriage rolled into Prince Zhao's residence. Li Jing, meanwhile, had only one thought:Don't tell me—I don't want to know anymore.
"Could it have been a misunderstanding?" he ventured cautiously, casting his eyes downward.If it had been a misunderstanding, Li Zhang wouldn't have taken the beating for nothing, nor would they have allowed Ye Jiao to be taken away. He was the proudest, most arrogant man in all of Chang'an—one who would not suffer insult.
Li Jing racked his memory but could not recall him ever being on the losing end.He watched Li Ce closely. His expression shifted between tension and worry, but never showed anger or confusion. The way he looked at Ye Jiao revealed only guilt and gratitude. He neither blamed her recklessness nor questioned her judgment.
Then—
"You knew too?"Li Jing tugged on Li Ce's sleeve, asking in disbelief.
How was that possible?Ye Jiao had time to investigate the truth behind the collapse, but Li Ce had been unconscious ever since being struck. If he knew—then it meant he had suspected something from the moment he took charge of the Yuqiu construction. It meant he had foreseen disaster even before the sacrifice ritual.
Why then did he still stand beneath the wooden canopy, placing his body in harm's way?
Seeing Li Ce nod solemnly, Li Jing shook his head."How could you be so foolish? If Second Brother needed to prove his filial piety, let him take the hit! He's far sturdier than you."
But Li Zhang only wanted to protect the Emperor. He cared not for who else stood beneath the canopy—be it courtiers, envoys, or brothers—they were nothing to him.
As Li Jing's thoughts grew tangled, Ye Jiao said softly,"It's not just us—Prince Wei knows, too."
Li Jing's eyes widened. He clutched his forehead, suddenly enlightened."I knew he pushed me on purpose! He knew the canopy would collapse. Maybe he even has proof and was waiting for Xiao Jiu to fall so he could impeach Second Brother."
At this, Li Ce finally spoke.
"That's why Prince Jin let us go today—he didn't want to draw Wei Wang's attention again. Jiao has vented her anger, so let us hope Prince Jin won't hold a grudge. As for his conflict with Prince Wei, we'll stay out of it."
Struggles, succession, betrayal—Li Ce wished only to remain uninvolved.
"Prince Wei is an imbecile," Li Jing shifted toward the curtain and sighed."The throne is Second Brother's. His scheming is all in vain."
Li Ce lifted his gaze without replying.Even knowing what Li Zhang had done, Li Jing still referred to him as "Second Brother," hoping—perhaps naively—that this brother would not betray their bond.
The carriage lingered long outside the gates of Prince Zhao's residence, but no one descended. The coachman, Qingfeng, stood guard, preventing the servants from disturbing them.
At last, the passengers began to disembark.
Prince Zhao, Li Jing, looked utterly exhausted, as if he had returned from a long and arduous journey. The ever-smiling prince now wore a vacant expression—so drained that even a glance at him made one feel drowsy.
Ye Jiao, on the other hand, was in high spirits. She helped Li Ce down with a bright smile."Careful now, don't fall flat on your backside."
Li Ce squeezed her fingers and chided her, gently indulgent."You're not allowed to be reckless like that again. No more acting on your own while I'm unconscious or asleep."He had summoned all his strength just to suppress his anger. Even now, his heart remained uneasy.
"Got it—" Ye Jiao drawled sweetly, "but I won't let anyone bully you, no one."
Li Ce misstepped at her words and nearly bumped into her. He quickly adjusted his pace, walking silently with head bowed. But as they stepped into the covered corridor, he turned his face away, took a deep breath, and blinked away the moisture in his eyes.
Ye Jiao continued muttering,"I still need to deal with Fourth Brother. I should've known earlier what a sly, treacherous man he is. Poor Sister Yan married the wrong person—who knows how much misfortune awaits her because of him."
To marry a man is to follow him.In the imperial house, where law and punishment are harsh, a single act of implication could ruin one's life.
Li Ce lifted his arm and gently wrapped it around Ye Jiao's slender shoulders."Don't trouble yourself with Prince Wei's matters anymore. Go home and prepare your dowry. Every moment, I long to bring you into my household."
"No dowry," Ye Jiao teased, "the Duke of Anguo's estate is terribly poor. I plan to enter your house with only a pair of scissors. Will you still take me?"
Scissors, symbolizing paired butterflies, were an essential item in a bridal dowry.
Li Ce smiled and held her tighter."No need to bring even that," he said, laughing. "The Prince of Chu's household has everything—except a mistress."
"And the betrothal gifts?" Ye Jiao asked, "You won't skimp just because my dowry is lacking, will you?"
"The gifts will be prepared by the Ministry of Rites," Li Ce said, brushing his lips against her fragrant hair."They'll be delivered to the Duke of Anguo's estate in full, befitting a prince. But I have my own personal token, too. With all that, I'd still say I'm getting the better end of the bargain."
He stopped walking, took both her hands, and studied her face intently."What have I done to deserve the finest woman in all of Great Tang?"
"Because you're handsome," Ye Jiao's hand slipped from his to gently fix the crooked button on his collar."So you'd better stay good-looking—or I might change my mind."
"Alright," Li Ce agreed sweetly."Starting tomorrow, I'll rouge my cheeks and powder my face, sway my hips like a proper male courtesan."
Ye Jiao burst into laughter, leaning her forehead against his chest."You fool!" she scolded, like a village girl teasing her beloved.
—
Back in his bedchamber, Li Jing kicked off his boots and collapsed onto the bed, still wrapped in his cloak. The maidservants hurried to report, and soon Princess Zhao, Cui Jin'er, arrived, flanked by two concubines.
The three women seated themselves at his bedside—one kneaded his shoulders, another his legs. Cui Jin'er did neither. She merely poked his cheek with her finger.
"What's gotten into you, my lord? You look as worn out as an ox pulling uphill."
Li Jing kept his eyes closed, then turned to wrap his arms around her."Worse than an ox," he muttered, gesturing for the concubines to leave. Only after the doors were shut did he sigh."Jin'er, what kind of man do you think Second Brother is?"
He rarely spoke ill of Li Zhang behind his back, so Cui Jin'er was surprised.
"Prince Jin?" she pondered aloud, "A phoenix among men, destined for greatness."
"And Fourth Brother?"
"Hard to read," she replied, "Seems like a decent person."
"What about Xiao Jiu?" Li Jing pressed.
"A good man—truly good," Cui Jin'er finally lay down beside him, patting his back."Prince Chu genuinely cares for us. He defies the Empress Dowager just to find someone to treat us. Ever since stopping that medicine, you no longer wake up at night. We haven't even needed the chamber pot. I feel stronger now, even during my cycle—I've been able to keep up with my archery lessons."Then she frowned slightly."If Prince Jin and Prince Chu ever come to blows, coax Prince Jin not to lose his temper."
That fear came from Prince Jin's strength—sometimes the weak must rely on the mercy of the strong just to survive.
"I still think..." Li Jing murmured, "he's not as easy to pacify as Prince Chu."
"Then pacify Prince Chu," Cui Jin'er replied,"Even peasant brothers fight over a single plot of land—how much more so the royal sons of the dragon throne?"
But when peasant brothers fall out, the worst that happens is a fistfight and estrangement.In the royal family, such discord could mean betrayal, false charges—rivers of blood.
"I want to sleep," Li Jing said hoarsely."Alright," she whispered back…