Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Tripartite Balance—Which Path to Choose

Bill wore a floral apron, bustling about with energy. The apron was tied tightly, accentuating her petite curves and slender waist, and her glossy black hair was braided into a thick plait trailing down her back. In terms of beauty, she fell slightly short compared to the likes of Yang Min and the other exquisite girls, but much like the willow outside in spring, she was delightful at first glance, and her fresh charm lingered in one’s memory.

She was busy, for Wang Caiyan had arrived—a eunuch who was well regarded by the Crown Prince and deserved proper hospitality. Her views on good and evil were rather skewed; to her, anyone who treated the Crown Prince well was a good person, while those who didn't were bad. Not only did she work herself, but she also directed a group of palace maids and eunuchs, exercising her authority as Mistress of the Inner Chambers for the first time, ensuring tables and couches were spotless.

Wang Caiyan likely cared little for such details, but watching Bill scurry about filled Li Wei with a sense of happiness. Many people held places in his heart—Yang Min, the fiery Xu girl, Xiang Xue, Hua Liu, and the petite Miss Pei—but none could erase Bill’s place. Yang Min’s favor was rising, Xiang Xue’s talent and compassion were deeply marked, yet Bill’s position remained unshakable.

If only his parents didn’t mistrust him, he could live his whole life like this; even if Bill were his only companion, it would be a joyful existence. Of course, he knew this was a fantasy. Standing where he was, some would try to elevate him—people like Di Renjie—and others would trample him. If he couldn’t ascend, he would have to descend, and that path led only to ruin. Even if he cried to his father and mother upon arriving in Luoyang, claiming he had no ambition, would they believe him?

Liu Qun produced a box of tribute tea and quietly asked Li Wei, “Your Highness, do you think the imperial decree this time will punish Duke Zhou?”

She was hopeful, yet worried. For the sake of the workshop, she had often left the palace lately, but Helan Minzhi had gone mad—even targeting the little princess. If the focus shifted, and she or the workshop became the target, what then?

“Certainly doomed!” Li Wei replied coldly.

Some news had already confirmed Di Renjie’s views: the handling of Helan Minzhi was not as rumored among the people, but quite the opposite—his father was shielding him while his mother acted decisively. The long silence from Luoyang was due to his mother’s intervention; otherwise, the matter would have been dealt with swiftly and lightly. Perhaps his father could tolerate the humiliation of his son’s fiancée, perhaps even Helan Minzhi’s assassination attempt before Li Wei stabbed him, but to lay hands on his little sister—repeatedly, without remorse—she was their forbidden treasure. This had crossed their final line.

Not only would punishment follow, but it might be severe this time. Yet Li Wei worried: they might not know how to handle him.

Wang Caiyan arrived. Li Wei went out to greet him, and they walked together into the house. On the way, Wang Caiyan whispered, “Your Highness, things are tricky this time. I had to expend considerable effort to secure the opportunity to deliver this decree.”

It sounded easy, but was difficult in practice. This case involved many, and if he hadn’t maneuvered, delivering three decrees in succession was as unlikely as winning the lottery. It was not a simple matter.

Li Wei whispered back, “I thank you, Lord Wang.”

“No need, Your Highness. After the decree, please allow me a few words.”

“Certainly.”

They entered, and the decree was announced.

Helan Minzhi was severely punished, and Li Wei could expect nothing good. The decree was full of rebuke.

“…Minzhi’s rebellion, your failure to command the guards properly—how did matters become so deranged!…”

Li Zhi was furious, first chastising the capital’s dignitaries for ignoring the matter, letting it escalate, then blaming Li Wei. It was you who incited the Imperial Guards to trouble Helan Minzhi, driving him to desperation, thus causing his madness.

It was not without cause, yet Helan Minzhi’s own madness was key. Had it been another minister, even if excessive, at most he might smash a candy shop or something similar—who would dare attack the princess? If he were Guo Ziyi’s son, perhaps he would drunkenly strike the royal branch, but that would be after coming of age and marriage.

In short, the affair nearly drove Li Zhi mad.

“…The princess was harmed, you saved her, but what of the royal family’s dignity? You roared through the streets, disturbing the capital. The heir, wielding a eunuch’s blade—where is decorum? In the Hongwen Hall, you speak of sages, extolling virtue and hiding vice. The people call you wise and benevolent—where is your wisdom, where your compassion?…”

Yao Yuanchong had long analyzed this: while it was satisfying, his father would surely be displeased. Yet he hadn’t expected his father’s reaction to be so intense.

After a lengthy rebuke, the decree finally instructed him to preside over the two princesses’ weddings, and if his health improved, to proceed immediately to Luoyang.

“Thank you for the decree,” Li Wei said, wiping his brow.

Damn, being Crown Prince was exhausting!

He sent the others away and looked at Wang Caiyan.

Wang Caiyan said, “To be honest, Your Highness, I secretly glanced at the decree while on the way and was startled. If not for the last sentence, I’d have thought you were done for.”

“Lord Wang, please advise me.”

“Sigh, Your Highness is still the compassionate prince—modest and courteous. His Majesty’s words are somewhat unjust.” He offered a polite phrase and continued, “If things were truly irreparable, His Majesty wouldn’t inquire about your health.”

Li Wei nodded. Royal affection was thin; his father was considered good, yet had dealt with several siblings. He didn’t know much—most he’d heard since coming to this era. A history lecturer in his previous life once said the most underestimated emperor in Chinese history was Li Zhi, followed by Yongzheng, then Yang Jian. Especially Li Zhi, whose historical reputation was unfair. Had he been soft-hearted, he wouldn’t have made a good emperor. It wasn’t that Li Zhi was weak, but that Wu Zetian was so formidable she made him appear so.

Viewed this way, to inquire about his health meant at least the decree said once his health improved, he should go to Luoyang—still some concern.

Thinking of this, he missed old Di Renjie all the more. Without Di’s clever plan, playing the tragic card so well, his father would have been even more furious this time.

Bill came to pour tea.

Wang Caiyan smiled at Bill, “Congratulations, Miss Jiang.”

Bill wondered, “Lord Wang, why do you say so?”

“When I came to deliver the decree, His Majesty specifically instructed me to tell Your Highness to bring you along to the Eastern Capital. I also heard news in the palace—when you knelt before the Xu family’s gate, His Majesty heard of it and praised you to the Empress, saying this Bill is a good palace maid. My disappointing son—the Crown Prince—has some luck in his life.”

“Lord Wang, is this true?” Bill’s eyes curved into crescent moons.

To serve beside the Crown Prince was naturally a delight, but there were many uncertainties. If she gained the Emperor’s favor, even a small title would let her stay by the Prince’s side for life, serving him openly.

“I wouldn’t dare lie about an imperial instruction.”

Bill was overjoyed, standing dazed for a long time, then rushing to her room to fetch a few coins—her monthly wage. “Lord Wang, please accept this as a reward.”

“Miss Jiang, you’d best keep it. In the Eastern Capital, you’ll need it, being unfamiliar with the place.” Wang Caiyan refused, his smile deepening. The Crown Prince was good, respectful; what started as opportunism now grew into loyalty. The Prince’s most favored maid was grateful to him—when the Prince ascended…

The more he thought, the more promising his prospects seemed. He sighed, “Miss Jiang, good deeds are rewarded.”

“I don’t deserve your praise, Lord Wang. Please, drink your tea. I specifically instructed the palace maids to use the best tea in the Eastern Palace for you.”

“No wonder this cup tastes so fragrant. Thank you.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Caiyan began to discuss serious matters.

“Actually, as I said last time, going to the Eastern Capital may not be a bad thing. If you’re nearby, you’ll be close. If not, villains may exploit the gap. Moreover, I’ve now delivered three decrees; if I return again, others may suspect something, which would be unfortunate.”

“Indeed, after the princesses’ weddings, I’ll head to the Eastern Capital. But Lord Wang, what villains are exploiting my absence?” He had once understood nothing, but gradually, through experience, could catch hints between the lines. Thus, a person’s growth is crucial.

“This person is troublesome.” Wang Caiyan sipped his tea. “Ever since the Xu family incident, Master Xu sent his grandson to the Eastern Capital to apologize. Then, after Helan Minzhi’s rebellion, Master Xu submitted a memorial, praising the Crown Prince as compassionate, the hope of the people, soldiers, officials, the nation. He urged His Majesty not to sacrifice the greater for the lesser, to punish Helan Minzhi severely to meet public expectations.”

Had he just arrived, Li Wei might have thought Xu Jingzong’s memorial was for his benefit, but now he saw its consequences and gritted his teeth, “His intentions deserve condemnation!”

“Indeed. I pondered all night, finally realizing Master Xu’s sinister motives. His grandson is at odds with you; if you inherit the throne, the Xu family’s fortunes are bleak. Yet the memorial is watertight—no one can find fault with it.”

You can’t be praised in the wrong way. But praise you, flatter you, and lure you to your doom.

“His Majesty, after reading the memorial, praised Master Xu as a loyal minister and immediately promoted Xu Yanbo to Crown Prince’s attendant.”

“Do His Majesty and the Empress not see his intentions?” Bill asked anxiously. If Xu Jingzong truly targeted the Crown Prince, he was far trickier than Helan Minzhi.

“No one is perfect. The two sovereigns are of rare brilliance, but have their flaws. They’ve always trusted Master Xu. But he’s over eighty, plagued by illness; Your Highness need not confront him head-on.”

“Exactly.” Considering Xu Jingzong’s many schemes, Li Wei felt troubled. For now, he would endure; surely the old man couldn’t live another three or five years. If he misbehaved, Li Wei could deal with his grandson at least. Judging by that day’s actions in the Hongwen Hall, Xu Yanbo was nothing special—no great threat.

“So, Your Highness is better off near the two sovereigns, lest these villains find opportunities. Besides, you govern in name only, with no real power—an empty title, which is a loss.” Here, he frowned. “But through various channels, I’ve analyzed something that will be difficult for Your Highness to handle.”

“What is it?”

“Using the funds you gave me, I bribed some palace staff around His Majesty and the Empress, and learned this: after Your Highness submitted the poem about pregnancy, the Empress remarked, ‘This child has been gravely ill—could he have grown sensible?’ Yet His Majesty seemed displeased. When Your Highness petitioned for the princesses to marry, His Majesty was delighted. Thus, the last decree was very harsh.”

Indeed, all the talk of bloodlines left Li Wei dizzy with rebuke.

“Only when Your Highness sent milk candies did both sovereigns approve. That was the only time their opinions aligned. Then, after the Xu family incident, His Majesty scolded Your Highness in the palace, saying, ‘Has illness made you foolish? Are you acting recklessly? I’ve already warned you—why won’t you listen?’”

Li Wei sighed inwardly. Di Renjie had warned him: with this plan, Helan Minzhi would certainly die, forcing his father to execute him—otherwise, public and military anger would be unresolved. But his father would be displeased. Such cleverness couldn’t be concealed!

Wang Caiyan continued: “But the Empress praised Your Highness, saying the heir must not always be soft, sometimes he must show strength. His Majesty, too, at times shows great anger. Yet the more the Empress persuades, the more His Majesty seems displeased. I found it odd. Upon reflection, it’s like the Three Kingdoms. Because of illness, His Majesty cannot fully govern, so he divides power between Your Highness and the Empress, creating checks and balances. If the Empress and Your Highness are opposed, His Majesty feels secure. If united, he is displeased.”

Without the reminder, Li Wei wouldn’t have realized, but it was exactly so.

Yet what could Li Wei do? Should he obey his father’s arrangement and oppose his mother, Wu Zetian, locking horns with her? That was tantamount to courting death.

But if he did not oppose, and followed his mother, his father would be displeased. Don’t forget—his father was not yet incapacitated; most power was still in his hands. He was not like Wei of the Three Kingdoms, but like Western Jin. If he set his mind, he could defeat Shu or Wu with ease!

Li Wei had prepared thoroughly for his trip to Luoyang. But now it was like opening a college math exam: he had studied hard, reviewed everything, but the first problem was the Mordell conjecture, the second the Taniyama–Shimura conjecture, the third the Goldbach conjecture.

What now?

Such was the tragic fate of the Crown Prince!