Chapter Sixty-Six: Farewell to Dissoluteness

To speak truthfully, the circumstances surrounding Modu in his youth were even worse than his own. The Shanyu Touman, favoring the son of his beloved Lady Que, sent Modu as a hostage to the Yuezhi, only to then launch an attack against them. Modu was nearly killed by the Yuezhi but was fortunate enough to receive word in time and escape on a stolen horse. Upon his return, he gathered ten thousand riders and devised the whistling arrow, decreeing that any who did not follow its signal would be executed. He shot his prized steed and even his beloved wife—such was his resolve. Thus, his force became an iron army, and eventually, he turned his arrow upon his own father.

The Imperial Guards now closely resembled this, standing off against Helan Minzhi at the Xu Mansion, then unhesitatingly storming Helan Minzhi’s estate. When Li Wei uttered the word “Kill!”, they truly killed.

He immediately said, “Master Yao, how can you make such a comparison? There is a difference. The matter of Modu occurred amidst a thousand-li desert, vast and uninhabited. Even Emperor Taizong fought for years to gather loyal followers. My father and the Empress are diligent and benevolent; to strike Wu Minzhi was just, for his many crimes, but…”

To kill the servants of Helan Minzhi’s household, the guards could do it. Even if Li Wei ordered the execution of Wu Minzhi, some impetuous soldiers would obey. But to rebel and try to kill Li Zhi and Wu Zetian? Not a single soldier would dare.

“Your Highness, His Majesty will know of this, but in the end, His Majesty will transfer you to the Eastern Capital for peace of mind.”

“So be it,” Li Wei felt an unexpected calm settle in his heart. If worst comes to worst, he would flee; moreover, with Di Renjie, Wei Yuanzhong, and others now offering counsel, things might not be so dire. This was his own foresight—had the original crown prince lived, perhaps Lady Yang would have been ruined, and the ministers would have kept silent. And his father, for the sake of royal dignity, would likely have remained silent as well. That would have been the worst outcome of all!

“Your Highness, this journey to the Eastern Capital is crucial,” Yao Yuanchong said, shifting his tone. “Moreover, yesterday, Your Highness tore away a veil.”

“What veil?”

“Your discussion with Minister Dai.”

“That was my error; I shall apologize to him another day.” Do not underestimate this matter. Di Renjie had analyzed it carefully—the implications were far-reaching, even involving Lady Wei of Wei State from years ago. Strictly speaking, it was all royal family business. Dai Zhizhi and the others truly had grievances they could not voice.

“Your Highness, whether you apologize or not, what’s said is said. As for the Eastern Palace system,” Yao Yuanchong chuckled, “it consists of two mechanisms. One is public, with court appointments serving as both rewards for officials and as examples for the crown prince’s learning and discipline—the former outweighing the latter. Ministers like Dai Zhizhi belong to this group; they are not truly your subordinates. Your words yesterday, Your Highness, were somewhat biased. As for your friends, these are your true confidants—people like Di, or myself, or Lady Jiang Bie’er in the inner palace. These are your true followers. His Majesty himself rose through such a process. So long as Your Highness does not overstep, His Majesty will even admire you for it.”

He glanced at Li Wei’s face.

His expression was calm, like still autumn water. Yet this calm was tinged with an effortless nobility.

Now this was a true crown prince; the former one was good, but lacked the proper bearing. After all, a mere lecturer has little authority to maintain, and though approachable, he lacked the dignity of a superior. But after time in the position, he had begun to change—especially after this recent upheaval.

“But it is not without benefit. His Majesty and Your Highness are exceptions. His Majesty, though frail in health, is in his prime; Your Highness is nearing adulthood and now holds great prestige among the people, the guards, and even among officials. Should suspicion arise between you and His Majesty, it would harm both the realm and the people. Better to lay things bare, so that future reflection is possible. But saying such things before so many, even allowing them to be recorded in history…”

This was an unspoken rule—never meant for the open. Yet Li Wei had blurted it out like a cannon shot.

Ultimately, it was the former crown prince’s weak foundation that had caused so much trouble; even the body he left behind was frail and sickly. Just Li Chengqian and a handful of petty schemers, along with the blustering Hou Junji, struggled on to the end.

He had now gathered four capable people, at least three of whom were outstanding—but that was for the future, not now. One a minor magistrate, one a junior scholar, and the other two mere laymen. The magistrate had even returned to Bingzhou.

From this vantage point, it seemed glorious, but the abyss was ever near. Inside, he was anxious. Provoked by events, he had cast caution to the wind and fired off a few rounds, so to speak.

Suddenly, Li Wei laughed. “Master Yao, though my words yesterday were inappropriate, they were a great relief.”

He had been suffocating under too many constraints; to vent a little was a comfort.

Yao Yuanchong was amused by this remark.

A crown prince of feeling—this was a good sign. And to say such a thing meant he considered Yao and Ximen Zhong his own people. This warmed his heart. Since they had pledged themselves to the prince, they would patch the cracks for him.

“Nevertheless, Your Highness, as heir, restraint is necessary. In time, you will inherit the throne, but even as sovereign, you cannot act as you please. The fate of Emperor Yang of Sui is not so distant.”

“I would never become like that.”

“Precisely. When Magistrate Di saw Your Highness personally plowing the fields, he knew the road ahead would be perilous, yet he joined you regardless, moved by your benevolence.”

“Magistrate Di’s virtue commands my respect,” Li Wei said with reverence.

Yao and Ximen exchanged a glance. Though the four of them had racked their brains for the prince, to be so valued by him was worth it. To die for one who truly understands you—perhaps that is enough.

He sipped his tea and turned to Ximen Zhong. “It is better if you speak—most of what follows is your idea.”

“I dare not,” Ximen Zhong replied. “Your Highness, though your words yesterday were not without merit, there are also many drawbacks. Words are spoken in passing, but listeners may interpret as they wish. It could be construed that you are pressuring Minister Dai and the others to take your side.”

“I... did I?” Li Wei thought carefully and realized there was some truth to this.

“Though we know Your Highness well and do not believe you meant so, and neither will Minister Dai, nor Their Majesties, ill-intentioned people could use it against you. Still, your journey to the Eastern Capital is not without its advantages. Moreover, when Magistrate Di left the capital, he urged Your Highness to go as soon as possible.”

Li Wei nodded. In his heart, he thought, let it be.

This trip—despite his mixed feelings toward his father—was necessary. Overall, his father was a good emperor, better than most, but reluctant to relinquish power, fearing his own son might usurp him.

But now that the issue was out in the open, it could be resolved. The real concern was his mother—through all their discussions, not even Di Renjie had placed her at her true height.

Ximen Zhong continued, “Therefore, the journey to the Eastern Capital is key. All can be remedied there: the matter of Duke Zhou, or your words yesterday—all can be attributed to momentary impulse. Once in the Eastern Capital, you must hold fast to this mindset.”

“What should I do?”

“Your Highness, as crown prince, was bullied by a minister, even one as esteemed as a royal in-law. Even if His Majesty eventually punished him, you must still feel aggrieved, do you not?”

“If Helan Minzhi is truly executed, so be it.”

“Ah, Your Highness must not think that way. Even if he is, His Majesty’s response was slow, was it not? When you meet His Majesty in the Eastern Capital, you must still display grievance, even dissatisfaction!”

“What?” Face my father and show dissatisfaction? Li Wei was puzzled. “Why?”

“You are the crown prince and regent, yet His Majesty delayed in addressing the matter. He values Duke Zhou, but also weighs your position. It is a difficult balance, and he cannot decide quickly. Once the man is dead, His Majesty may feel guilty at first, but with time, the sentiment fades. However, if you magnify that guilt—perhaps by asking to be relieved of your regency, even your position as crown prince—”

Indeed, if even a royal in-law could slap the prince’s face, what was the value of his position?

Moreover...

Considering the benefits of this, Li Wei could not help but laugh. Of course, it was a ruse; being a carefree prince would be nice, but with the storms ahead, not even that would be possible. It was like the future Fourth Prince in history—he had the same idea, but it came to nothing, and his mother nearly died from the consequences.

Ximen Zhong added, “His Majesty would certainly refuse. Then Your Highness could relax your guard, indulge in amusements—a brief period of self-abandonment.”

Yes, become a playboy for a while.

Though startled by the suggestion, Li Wei realized his father would surely be irritated, but there were advantages... He laughed again.

Yao Yuanchong added, “But Your Highness must remember, too much is as bad as too little. Even in self-abandonment, you must keep your heart clear and not become enamored with worldly pleasures.”

“That is not a concern,” Li Wei replied without hesitation. What pleasures could tempt him? Beauties? Yang Min was already a little beauty, and Di Renjie’s two goddaughters were even more so. Even if Yang Yuhuan were alive, she might not surpass them. Perhaps the only allure was certain bedroom skills, but in this era, what tricks could there be that would surpass those of certain foreign lands?

That could be cultivated over time...

As for status, once he passed this safely, he would be emperor—should he aspire to be the Jade Emperor himself?

As for entertainment, what amusements of this era could truly appeal to him?

In truth, he had no grand ambitions. His plotting with Yao and the others was forced by circumstance—a duck pushed onto the rack, with no choice but to comply.

“We trust Your Highness, or we would not suggest this. Even in pretense, do not go too far. As crown prince, if you cause His Majesty to feel extreme aversion, as with the former deposed prince, your position would be in peril. You must control the measure.”

“I understand.”

Even if Li Wei were to play the rake, he would never be a vicious one—it was not in his nature.

Yao Yuanchong continued, “Your Highness, on this journey to the Eastern Capital, there is one person you can rely on.”

“Who?”

“The Empress! You must realize, the indecision in the Eastern Capital is due to the Empress’s influence. And she loves the little princess most dearly.”

“Mother?” Even Di Renjie had stressed the word “Empress” before leaving.

To seek safety, must I rely on my own mother, Wu Zetian? What sort of fate is this?

PS: In order to maintain quality, the pace of writing is not fast. But a promise is a promise! I will try to post the third chapter by half past ten.