Chapter Twenty-Six: The Sovereign Remains the Sovereign, and the Minister Remains the Minister!

The servants had barely finished calling out when Li Jing strode in, his steps light and an irrepressible joy on his face.

“Haha! My lady! Wonderful news!” Li Jing, usually the picture of composure, shouted before he’d even entered the room.

“What’s gotten into the old man today, acting so unlike himself?” Lady Hongfu, upon seeing Li Jing return safely, finally breathed easy, though she’d known all along nothing would befall him.

Li Jing entered, beaming, removed his cloak, and took the seat of honor. Everyone else sat down as well.

“My lady! Such great news! Guess whom I met today!”

“Old thing, just say what you have to say—no need for all this mystery.” Lady Hongfu poured him a cup of tea and shot him a sidelong glance at his words.

“Ahem! Don’t be impatient, my lady. Let me tell you about a person first. Four days ago, a young man named Li Yi suddenly appeared in Luoyang. In just three days, he accomplished something astonishing. It was on the night of the Lantern Festival…” Li Jing, swelling with pride, recounted all of Li Yi’s deeds—except for the involvement with that mysterious force—then paused to sip his tea and awaited everyone's reaction.

“Father, for such a prodigy to exist in this world, it seems our nation has gained yet another talent,” observed Li Dejian, his gaze thoughtful, sensing there was more to this than met the eye. Li Dejian was himself a man of honor, much like Li Zihan of Luoyang, a testament to the Li family’s upbringing. Sadly, he would later be exiled, implicated by Li Jiancheng’s rebellion.

“Wow! To be so impressive at fifteen—Grandfather, where is he? I want to visit him and ask how he managed it! He’s incredible!” Li Yesi and Li Yexu, both at the age when boys dream of heroism, listened to Li Yi’s exploits with awe and admiration.

“Heh! No need for you to seek him out. He’ll be coming home tomorrow, and once here, he won’t be leaving again!” Li Jing stroked his beard, his eyes half-closed in a smile, his demeanor more that of a learned scholar than a general.

Seeing Li Jing’s sudden airs, Lady Hongfu grew displeased. She sat cross-legged, face stern, picked up her teacup, gave a light cough, and began to sip her tea.

Li Jing, catching her mood from the corner of his eye, realized he had gone too far and the situation risked turning sour. He hurried to explain, “Ah! My lady, you don’t know. The instant I saw this boy Li Yi today, I felt he looked familiar. Upon closer questioning, it was just as I thought—he is Dejiang’s son, our grandson!”

“What?” Everyone present cried out in shock. Li Yesi and Li Yexu looked bewildered, clearly unaware they had an uncle, while Li Dejian leapt to his feet in excitement—his feelings for his younger brother evidently ran deep. Madam Cui’s expression grew thoughtful. She was a virtuous wife and mother, but the sudden appearance of such an outstanding eldest grandson in the Li family naturally made her anxious for her own sons, a mother’s instinct.

But it was Lady Hongfu who reacted most strongly. She had been gravely ill after Dejiang’s death, and its effects lingered even now. Suddenly learning she had a grandson after all these years, her excitement was beyond words—she tossed aside her teacup, sprang to her feet, looking nothing like a woman nearing sixty, her old ailments seeming to vanish in an instant.

“Old man, is this true? Don’t you dare deceive me!” Lady Hongfu clutched Li Jing’s arm, her voice tight.

“My lady! Don’t worry, how could I joke about something like this? Your grandson will arrive tomorrow; then you’ll see for yourself!” Li Jing helped her back to her seat, speaking gently.

“Then why didn’t you bring him home? Why let him stay at someone else’s residence? Does he not wish to return?”

“Nonsense! Your grandson is quite the independent sort—and stubborn, too. I expect only you will be able to keep him in line in the future!”

“Oh? Why do you say that? From what you just told us, he seems a man of talent and not one to cause trouble.”

“That’s not what I meant. You don’t know, my lady—when we met at the palace, he set out three conditions. First, because he was raised by Master Wang Yuan of Mount Mao and feels deeply attached to his teacher, he refuses to change his name or courtesy name. Second, now that he’s the eldest grandson and eligible to inherit my title, to avoid stirring conflict among his brothers, he has willingly renounced all claims to the family title and estate. He said, ‘A true man studies for the rise of China; a hero’s ambition lies in distant lands! To earn wealth and fame, my own talents suffice!’ In short, he’s as stubborn as they come.”

“Keep him in line? Why would I? That’s exactly how my grandson should be—courageous, clever, loyal, and righteous. Achievements are earned on horseback; there’s no need to seek riches by devious means. Well said! Those are words worthy of my grandson. How could I want to restrain such a boy? Good, good!” Lady Hongfu was even more elated, pride written all over her face. “Wait—did you refuse his conditions?”

“My lady, how could I? When we were leaving, I asked where he wished to go. He’d been on the road all day and looked rather travel-worn, so he said he’d first return to the Prince of Renzhou’s residence, where his friend was. He wanted to return to the Li household tomorrow in his best state.”

“That child, as if I’d mind. Still, he’s thoughtful. You were right not to stop him, but how am I to get through the night?”

“Elder brother had a fine son indeed!” Li Dejian sincerely envied his brother. To have such a descendant was enough to die content, while his own two sons—well, best not to speak of them.

“By the way, Yi—or rather, Wenyong’s—third condition, what was it?”

“Oh, the third was more of a request. Since he grew up alone, he fears he won’t be used to living suddenly with so many people and would like to move out. I told him to seek your approval.”

“My poor grandson, to have endured fourteen years in the mountains—I can’t imagine what he went through. But moving out is out of the question. He’s finally come home; how could I let him leave again? We’ll build him a separate courtyard—there’s plenty of space in the Li household!” Lady Hongfu waved her hand decisively, settling the matter. Then, after some thought, she continued, “Shuirou, see to this later. Make sure my grandson has everything he needs. And you all heard—he gave up everything for the sake of true family affection. So you must treat him well. He grew up in the mountains and may not be familiar with etiquette—don’t mind him for it. If he wishes to learn, teach him; if not, don’t force him. Indulge him a little. I believe that anyone capable of making such decisions will not be difficult to get along with. In any case, do not quarrel with him, or I will not be pleased!”

Shuirou was Madam Cui’s given name. She had worried the household would be thrown into chaos by the new arrival, but hearing how sensible and outstanding her nephew was, she welcomed his coming wholeheartedly. “Mother, please rest assured. I will see to everything.”

Lady Hongfu trusted her daughter-in-law and, with another grand gesture, ushered everyone to dinner so they could prepare for the next day’s events.

In Daxing Palace, night had just fallen. Li Er had finished dealing with the day’s affairs and, after a hurried meal, made his way toward the Empress’s quarters, all the while pondering the day’s events, the mysterious force, and the matter of Li Yi.

Lost in thought, he found himself already at Lizzheng Hall—the residence of Empress Zhangsun. As he reached the door, she emerged to greet him, resplendent and dignified, her bearing gracious and elegant, her beauty unmatched. Yet worry clouded her noble features.

Sensing something was amiss, Li Er hurried to her side. “Guanyin, has something happened?”

“Your Majesty, it’s my fault. Today, Changle asked to visit Li Xueyan, the daughter of Daozong. I agreed, thinking she was bored of the palace. I only sent guards to watch over her in secret. But just now, Liushi, a maid from Changle Palace, told me Changle hasn’t returned. I was about to send someone to find her when you arrived.”

“Hmm? She went to Daozong’s residence?” Li Er frowned. For a princess to stay out after dark—what would people say? Then a thought struck him. “Li Xueyan? Didn’t she return with Li Yi? Could it be...?”

He thought for a moment, then said, “Guanyin, don’t worry. Let’s go inside first.”

Once inside, he asked, “Did you not send a guard to deliver a message?”

“Sigh! Changle said she wanted to walk out of the palace alone, and I thought she was simply bored. I agreed, only sending people to protect her in secret. But her maid reported she hasn’t returned. I was about to send someone when you arrived.”

“No need to panic. Let me tell you…” Li Er then recounted the afternoon’s events to Empress Zhangsun.

“Your Majesty, it seems Li Yi is truly a remarkable talent.”

“Indeed! Yet that’s what concerns me. The Li family’s merit is already immense.”

“Are you worried you won’t be able to control Li Yi?”

“Yes. While I live, I’m not concerned. But once I’m gone, I fear Chengqian won’t be able to keep him in check. You don’t know—Li Yi is far too clever. Most importantly, his way of thinking is unlike anyone else’s.”

Empress Zhangsun’s eyes flickered thoughtfully before she replied, “Your Majesty, you worry too much. First, as you said, Li Yi is intelligent. If so, he surely understands the importance of concealing one’s abilities. I believe his display is meant for you to see.”

Li Er considered Li Yi’s conduct that day and realized he did seem to act spontaneously. “Hmm. Go on, Guanyin.”

“Second, you said he renounced the family title and fortune. Perhaps he truly seeks sincere affection, but if he is as brilliant as you say, perhaps it is also deliberate. By refusing the title, he ensures you cannot reward him in the future with anything more. If he solves this matter of the mysterious force, you would surely wish to reward him. He is only fifteen; given the chance, he will achieve much more. If he inherited the title, what would you give him then? Perhaps that is exactly what he intends. Is he really only fifteen?”

“Ha! Even if he harbors ambition, can he not be observed during your reign? If he ever proves disloyal, it will not be too late to act. The sovereign is always sovereign, the subject always the subject.” Here, Empress Zhangsun’s regal bearing shone through.

“Ha! Well said. The sovereign is always sovereign, and the subject always the subject! Guanyin, you are truly indispensable to me. As for Changle, you needn’t worry. From what I know of Li Yi, he would never simply let things be. He’s surely at Daozong’s residence tonight—nothing will happen there. Tomorrow, we shall ask Changle what impression she has of him.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Ha! Guanyin, I shall not leave tonight!”