Despite his advancing years, the Minister of the Imperial College, Lu Yi, remained vigorous and sharp-eyed. Though his official rank was modest, he held sway over the empire's education and examination system, and thus his disciples were spread across the realm. Perhaps due to his many years of teaching, his voice was resounding, his speech orderly and clear.
"As the saying goes, a centipede dies but never stiffens. The Crown Prince has operated in the capital for many years—far more capable than a mere centipede. Look at him now: confined within the Eastern Palace, yet composed and unflustered, even refusing to defend himself at the Court of Judicial Review. This shows he is deeply calculating, with escape routes prepared. The charge of hoarding military arms—depending on intent—can range from grave to negligible. As long as it's not for treason, His Majesty, being both kind-hearted and partial to the Crown Prince, will surely pardon him."
Since this attempt had failed to bring the Crown Prince down, it was better to reserve strength and avoid provoking a retaliatory blow.
"But what if it truly is treason?" Wei Wang, Li Chen, uttered the words through clenched teeth, as though he had savored them in his mouth, seasoning and simmering them until the flavor was just right—an intoxicating delicacy. And how could he not be intoxicated? The Emperor's imperial desk was made of nanmu, warm in winter and cool in summer, its surface smooth and fragrant. The first time he sat there, his trembling legs nearly failed to support him.
Thirty years! For three decades, court officials had deemed him dutiful but dull. Dull? He was a direct descendant of Duke Lu Xi, born of noble blood on both sides. If Li Zhang could do it, so could he. If Li Zhang could inherit the empire, then so could he!
Ever since assuming regency, those once arrogant ministers now bowed with humility and reverence. That was how it should be. A true man should never remain beneath another's heel. He had finally seized his rightful place. Now, he must strike while the iron is hot—kill two birds with one stone!
Lu Yi seemed startled by Li Chen's words. He steadied himself with the ginkgo wood screen, pupils shrinking as he asked, "Your Highness Wei Wang… the repeating crossbows in Jinzhou—were they truly… secretly stashed by the Crown Prince?"
His mustache quivered with agitation and curled upward with unease. There were many things he did not know. He was here to consult with Li Chen, yes, but ultimately to support his kin. Yet Li Chen's words unsettled him. How could he be so certain of the Crown Prince's treason? Why did he speak as though victory were already in his grasp?
Realizing his slip, Li Chen bowed respectfully and said, "What I meant was, if the Crown Prince is truly cornered, he might resort to desperate, reckless measures."
"Oh, well," Lu Yi stroked his mustache and shook his head. "The Crown Prince is a man of virtue and filial piety, well-read and courteous, with the guidance of the Three Teachers. He would never commit treason."
Li Chen listened silently. Each word of praise for the Crown Prince landed like a stone upon his chest.
Meanwhile, another prince bore a different kind of weight—one of endless sorrow. Zhao Wang, Li Jing, had wept dry his tears after two days by the Emperor's sickbed, yet still felt as though his heart were bleeding. Yesterday, the Empress had driven him away for crying too much. Today, he returned, holding back his tears, forcing himself to recall every past reprimand from his father. After dwelling on them, he concluded they hadn't been harsh enough. He hated his past disobedience and blamed himself anew.
Physician Lin emerged from the chamber, wiping sweat from his brow, the image of a man burdened with impending disaster. Li Jing grabbed him and drew him behind a pillar.
"How is my father?" he asked urgently.
"Your Highness…" Lin lowered his head, avoiding eye contact. "Forgive me, but I cannot reveal anything."
"Is this really the time for secrecy?" Li Jing cried in frustration. "Just tell me—what can cure my father? I have a Tianshan Snow Lotus in my estate—can it help? Or do you need other rare herbs? Even dragon horn—I'll go to the South Seas if I must!"
Whatever it takes—he would pay any price to save his father.
Cornered by his persistence, Lin could only reply, "Your Highness Zhao Wang, I must prepare the medicine now—I cannot miss the appointed hour."
"Li Jing!" A stern voice rang out. He flinched and turned to see the Empress emerging from the inner chamber, stately and regal, with grace befitting a thousand phoenixes.
Li Jing turned to her, choked with emotion. "Mother, Father—"
"Do not worry," the Empress gestured gently. "I have already consulted a great master. The augury is favorable. His Majesty will recover safely."
Only then did Li Jing breathe a sigh of relief, though he quickly asked, "Are you certain? Truly certain? I have a sage in my estate—should I ask him to divine as well?"
The Empress frowned slightly. She steadied his arm, guiding him back to her divan, where she sat and said, "There's no need. Back when your second brother faced calamity—" She paused abruptly, then sighed, "Do you know what became of him?"
"I don't really care," Li Jing shrugged. "He's safe and sound, just confined to the Eastern Palace. Even if the case with the crossbows is troubling, I heard Lady Ye turned the tide for him in court today. Right now, what matters most is Father."
"Ye Jiao…" the Empress nodded thoughtfully. "This fiancée of Prince Chu is not without skill. The Crown Prince should pay a visit to the Duke of Anguo's residence to offer thanks in person."
Though she said this, the Empress's expression remained tense, as if she were adrift on a vast sea—clear skies returning after a storm, yet dreading a greater tempest ahead.
"No need," Li Jing shrugged. "They'll be family soon enough. Ye Jiao has a temper. My second brother is better off not seeing her. Didn't they fight last time?"
He still remembered that day—he and Li Ce had gone to the Prince of Jin's estate, only to find Li Zhang bleeding from a dozen wounds inflicted by Ye Jiao. Hopefully, this time, her contributions would earn peace between them. And when Li Zhang ascended the throne, he'd remember their goodwill.
The Empress looked at Li Jing, her eyes still filled with unease. Suddenly, she asked, "Is everything well in your estate?"
"Thanks to your concern, Mother," Li Jing bowed his head. "All is well."
"I heard you stopped taking your health tonics?"
By "health tonics," she meant the fertility supplements. Ever since Li Ce had asked Lin to examine Li Jing, they had stopped. Lin had advised restraint and rest. Now that Cui Jin'er was with child, they saw no need to continue.
They had tried to keep this from the Empress—but somehow, she knew.
Li Jing was tempted to share his joy. Perhaps if he told her, the happiness would lift both her and the Emperor's spirits.
"Mother, Jin'er—" he began, but then remembered Li Ce's warning: No one must know of the princess's pregnancy—not even the Empress?
To harbor such joyous news and be forbidden to share it—it was stifling.
He longed to let them know, to let the world know that he had an heir—that he was virile, a man in every sense. One of his many visits to the pleasure quarters had been driven by this desperate need for proof—that he desired women, that his body could respond.
Caught between the desire to boast and the promise he had made, Li Jing's expression flickered between emotions.
"What about Jin'er?" the Empress asked, her brows knitting.
"Nothing…" Li Jing quickly fabricated, "We didn't stop the tonics—we just switched to others. Very potent ones—polygonum multiflorum, eucommia, cordyceps, deer blood—everything."
Such a list made even the Empress weary. She raised a hand to silence him, then looked at him with hesitation, finally patting his arm gently. "Too many tonics aren't good either. Take care of yourselves."
"Rest assured, Mother!" Li Jing's mood lifted.
"As for your second brother," the Empress added cautiously, "should anything happen… remember one thing."
"Please say it, Mother. I'm listening."
Though no longer a boy, before his mother, Li Jing still appeared as a child.
The Empress's gaze grew profound. "You must remember—you are true brothers…"