Chapter Thirty: At Daggers Drawn, Petty Clowns Making Trouble

He didn’t remember much about history, but there were some figures—such as Xue Rengui, Liu Rengui, Wu Sansi, Li Yifu, and this Xu Jingzong—whose names he did recall, though perhaps not the finer details. Li Wei felt a deep wariness toward this man; he’d rather smash He Lan Minzhi with a few more bricks than provoke Xu Jingzong. Thus, in the Hongwen Institute, when Xu Yanbo acted as an accomplice, Li Wei merely gave him a token scolding and let him off lightly.

He stepped forward to greet him respectfully, “Greetings, Grand Preceptor.”

His true mentor was not Xu Jingzong, but in terms of great righteousness, there were two: Grand Tutor Li Ji, who had passed away, and Grand Preceptor Xu Jingzong.

Looking up, he saw that Xu Jingzong was already quite old, with a square face and sweeping phoenix-like brows. His complexion was fair, and five long strands of beard hung from his chin. He appeared very refined; if one judged by appearance alone, he was even more dignified than Dai Rende.

After the formalities, Li Wei turned to Bie’er and said, “Prepare some tea.”

Xu Jingzong quickly replied, “Your Highness, you flatter me. My health has been poor lately, and it’s been a while since I last visited you.”

“Grand Preceptor, how could I dare accept such words? It is I who am at fault for not visiting you for so long. Please forgive me.”

“Your Highness, when you speak so, I am even more unworthy,” Xu Jingzong replied, his face beaming like a spring breeze.

If Li Wei hadn’t known a thing or two about Xu Jingzong’s past, he might truly have been deceived by that gentle visage. The softer Xu Jingzong smiled, the more alert Li Wei became. He gestured politely, “Please, after you.”

The two sat down. The tea water was already boiling. Bie’er removed the foam, warmed their cups, and poured the fresh tea.

“Grand Preceptor, please enjoy the tea,” Li Wei said.

“My thanks.”

They raised their cups in unison. The tea was excellent, though Li Wei did not know from which tribute it had come. The water was also fine, drawn from the Phoenix Gate spring at Haotian Monastery in Baoning Ward. Sweet water and fragrant tea, yet still lacking the fresh, clean taste of later pan-fried teas.

Taking a sip, Li Wei set down his cup and asked, “Grand Preceptor, how is your health these days?”

“I am old and frail, often beset by minor ailments. But I hear that Your Highness has been recovering steadily of late—this is truly great fortune for our Tang dynasty. Especially yesterday, though I am old and weak and could not attend the sacrificial plowing ceremony, I watched your procession. The whole capital emptied into the streets to catch a glimpse of Your Highness, the cheers were thunderous; I was deeply moved.”

Li Wei cursed inwardly—what a load of nonsense. Dai Zhizhi and the others might be too honest to see through the situation, but this wily old fox, so close to both his parents, surely understood the lay of the land.

Xu Jingzong went on, “And to think that was not the only surprise—the miracle at the field sacrifice in the afternoon! Even the heavens now favor Your Highness.”

The more he spoke, the more uneasy Li Wei became. Even in retirement, Xu Jingzong was often consulted by his parents. If he made an issue of this incident, the consequences could be dire.

But there was nothing to be said at this moment. At least for now, Xu Jingzong was impeccably polite and respectful. So Li Wei replied, “Grand Preceptor, it was merely a lucky idea that came to me by chance, hardly a miracle. I did speak with several gentlemen in the East Market, but poetry and such are minor arts, let alone these clever tricks. The proper path is to devote myself to the classics and the art of governance. If there are any miracles, they are my father and mother. In years of disaster and hardship, any other dynasty might have suffered rebellion, but now, though the nation is troubled and the people poor, there is neither chaos nor resentment. My father and mother are the examples I strive to emulate.”

He covered the matter flawlessly. Yet Xu Jingzong was also inwardly amazed. Rumor had it the ailing Crown Prince had lost his memory after his illness, but his mind seemed sharper than ever. In this brief exchange, his words were witty and resourceful—there was no sign of the old inflexible prince. His grandson had gotten himself into trouble this time.

Out loud, Xu Jingzong said, “Indeed. I, too, greatly admire Their Majesties. They labor day and night for the country, and as an old man unable to help, I feel deeply uneasy. Still, while Their Majesties are the present, Your Highness is the future of the realm. The people’s devotion to you gladdens my heart; last night I drank a few extra cups in celebration.”

Even so, Xu Jingzong underestimated Li Wei. Though he might not be adept at intrigue, he’d seen many palace dramas and read a few histories. Compared to the original Li Hong, he’d improved quite a bit.

The people’s devotion! Such words were dangerous—hostility clear between the lines. This old fox was probably pleased to see the people’s admiration for the prince, knowing it would make his parents more wary.

Li Wei frowned and said, “I am the Crown Prince. What use is the people’s devotion? As long as my father and mother are safe, I would gladly remain Crown Prince for a hundred years.”

At this, Xu Jingzong could not keep his composure. This prince was far more formidable than before—he had misjudged him!

Surprised, Xu Jingzong decided not to beat around the bush. “Your Highness’s filial piety is commendable. However, I came for another reason. I only heard last night of the incident at the Hongwen Institute yesterday morning. My grandson behaved most improperly. I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness.”

“Grand Preceptor, there’s no need to trouble yourself. Youthful indiscretions are not surprising; I myself made mistakes at that age. As for my own handling of the matter yesterday, I did not act appropriately either. As the heir, much is expected of me, yet I resorted to violence. On reflection, I am ashamed. If you would forgive my small selfishness, let us both forget the matter.”

“Your Highness is most kind,” Xu Jingzong sighed, displaying the bearing of a true elder. But inwardly he mused: had this been the old Crown Prince, he would have politely pointed out his grandson’s fault. This new prince was truly alarming.

After a few more polite exchanges, Xu Jingzong said, “You have been busy since returning from the sacrificial plowing. I will not intrude further on Your Highness’s rest.”

“No matter how tired I am, how could I not see off the Grand Preceptor?” Li Wei accompanied him to the door.

Once Xu Jingzong had left, Li Wei muttered under his breath, “Why won’t that old fox just die?”

Bie’er was tidying up the tea things. Startled by his words, she dropped a cup, which shattered on the floor.

But the clever girl said nothing. She knew that since Xu Yanbo had sided with He Lan Minzhi against the Crown Prince, and since the Grand Preceptor himself might not favor him, it was best to stay quiet and help Li Wei to bed.

Yet cursing alone would not solve anything. Xu Jingzong’s visit boded ill—what did it mean? Li Wei could not help but think again of escape.

It wasn’t that he lacked ambition—who wouldn’t want to be Emperor, especially in the Tang dynasty? Even as Crown Prince, as Duke of Zhou, he could act as he pleased. But remembering how the historical prince died mysteriously, his doubts returned. Tuberculosis or not, if Xu Jingzong or his mother set their minds against him, he would come to no good end. In matters of cunning, even a single hair from Xu Jingzong was thicker than his own thigh.

This Crown Prince’s life was less enviable than that of the Sogdian merchant he’d met at the tavern. That merchant could even court European ladies, and the border checkpoints were probably not so strict. As the Crown Prince and now Regent, no one would suspect if he visited various ministries under any pretext.

For example, if he went to the Ministry of War to study maps of rivers and passes, who would guess he was planning an escape route? Or if he forged a travel pass and got it stamped discreetly at the Ministry of Revenue, it might be possible.

Even Jianzhen, the great monk, was merely a monk; Tripitaka did not break out on his first attempt either.

As long as he prepared, he could advance or retreat as needed—what was there to fear?

Meanwhile, the entire Eastern Palace was joyously preparing for tomorrow’s grand banquet. By rights, the more promising the Crown Prince, the better the prospects for the old retainers, who, unlike those lawless palace women who had offended him, stood to benefit as well.

If they knew their master was actually planning his escape—or even fleeing abroad—who knows how their hearts would break?

Suddenly, his thoughts cleared and he laughed with glee.

Bie’er asked, “Your Highness, what are you laughing at?”

“Bie’er, if I were no longer Crown Prince, would you still be willing to stay with me?”

“Why wouldn’t you be Crown Prince?”

“I mean, hypothetically.”

“Then I’d still stay with you, Your Highness.”

“Splendid! Give me a kiss.” Li Wei grinned, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her lightly on the lips. Then his hand slipped under her skirt. “You’ve grown up quite a bit.”

Smiling, he lay down and fell asleep.

Bie’er pouted, watching him drift into dreams, and muttered quietly, “Your Highness, you never let me sleep with you, yet you always tease me.”

The scent of blossoms drifted in from outside. Spring had arrived, and with it, an even deeper fragrance.

...

In truth, if not for the far-reaching calculations of certain individuals, Xu Yanbo was a trivial figure in the Hongwen Institute incident.

After all, he was just pulling He Lan Minzhi into the fray with the scholars. Whether the Crown Prince or the Duke of Zhou, he merely took He Lan Minzhi’s side—a natural choice given the circumstances.

It was He Lan Minzhi who suffered the greatest humiliation this time—losing face and even raising a fist against the Crown Prince. Many awaited news from Luoyang.

At his mansion, the dancing Sogdian girls could not lift He Lan Minzhi’s spirits. He waved them away irritably. “All of you, be gone.”

Once they had left, his mood remained foul, especially with the persistent news about the Crown Prince that grated on his ears. “Bring in Zhang Bangyan and Liu Lu for a discussion.”

A dozen advisors entered.

He Lan Minzhi, face like thunder, said, “Gentlemen, you must have heard about the incident at the Hongwen Institute. Think of a way—I cannot let this insult stand.”

But how?

Spreading rumors in the city was possible, provided there was no direct evidence. Yet at the Hongwen Institute, provoking the Crown Prince was sheer folly. He Lan Minzhi was honored, but not above the Crown Prince—one a subject, the other the heir.

Now, rumor-mongering would not work; the more they spread, the more it would be clear who was behind them.

Besides, after the sacrificial plowing, the Crown Prince’s reputation soared. Petty rumors would have no effect.

For a long moment, no one spoke. Suddenly, He Lan Minzhi slammed the table. “Am I keeping you all just to eat my rice for nothing?”

He struck the table so hard that the plates and teacups rattled, and then, with another blow, hurt his own hand.

Liu Lu stood up. “My lord, I have an idea.”

“Speak.”

“Isn’t the Cold Food Festival coming soon?”

“Yes.”

“At the Cold Food Festival, all the great ladies of the capital love to go on spring outings.”

“And?”

“My lord, what about Miss Yang? With careful planning, if we keep a close watch on her and seize the chance to abduct her outside the city, you could have her in your mansion. Then spread rumors that the Crown Princess and my lord are having an affair. The Empress may be angry, but in the end, Miss Yang is just a girl, while you are her only maternal relative. She might scold you, but what about the Crown Prince?”

“A brilliant plan! That sickly wretch will be utterly disgraced.” He Lan Minzhi burst into wild laughter. He had always coveted Yang Min and had discussed with his advisors how to get her. This was perfect—once outside the city, there would be less risk of exposure. Not only would it humiliate the Crown Prince, but also Empress Wu. At the thought of his sister, his laughter stopped, his teeth grinding audibly.

Zhang Bangyan, however, was uneasy. “What if Miss Yang does not go on a spring outing?”

Liu Lu replied, “Unlikely. She’s lively by nature, and after recent troubles, she’ll surely want to get out during the festival. But to be safe, send someone to check. If she goes, act at once; if not, find a way to tempt her out. With my lord’s connections, it would not be difficult to have some noble ladies invite her along.”

The Tang dynasty was open-minded. He Lan Minzhi was both handsome and of noble birth, and not a few ladies in the capital admired him. He might not be able to invite Yang Min himself, but through these ladies, it was quite assured.

“Let’s do it, then,” He Lan Minzhi laughed again, his voice like an owl’s, echoing long into the night.