The Double-Chapter 627 - 186 Lies

In the mansion of Prince Cheng, these past few days, the servants have been treading on eggshells, afraid that one misstep might provoke their master, who is prone to anger.

Many people were already seated in the hall, all ministers of the Yanjing Court, presumably discussing very important matters. Prince Cheng sat at the head, and to his left, close at hand, was Li Zhongnan.

"Gentlemen," Prince Cheng said, "I fear our day may need to be moved up."

In recent days, Emperor Hongxiao seemed to be aware of his plans, targeting him at every turn. Prince Cheng was enraged; he had already been determined to act ahead of schedule, and the incident with Princess Yongning had added fuel to the fire, leaving her unable to vent her fury. He wished he could march into the palace right now, drag Emperor Hongxiao from his throne, and trample him underfoot.

He had suffered ridicule and gossip because of Princess Yongning, after all. Though people didn’t dare to speak ill of him openly, they were nearly breaking his backbone with their whispers. Prince Cheng had always valued his reputation; he hoped that when he took his place on the throne, he would do so unblemished by scandal. Now it seemed impossible, so why should he have any more concern? He might as well throw caution to the wind and make a bold move.

Prince Cheng turned to Li Zhongnan beside him and asked, "What does the Right Chancellor think?"

Li Zhongnan smiled and replied, "It all depends on Your Highness’s decision."

Prince Cheng felt some displeasure; Li Zhongnan was clearly brushing him off. He knew Li Zhongnan had held a grudge because of the incident with Princess Yongning, and the relationship was still strained. Although Prince Cheng had apologized, he didn’t take the matter to heart; after all, he was the prince, and Li Zhongnan was but a minister. At present, he was promoting Li Zhongnan, treating him with great courtesy. But if Li Zhongnan failed to appreciate this, Prince Cheng wouldn’t mind teaching him a lesson.

Of course, not now, but when he assumed a higher position and held great power.

Li Zhongnan, though smiling outwardly, was fuming inside. The fact that Li Xian favored keeping male children in his mansion had tarnished the Li Family’s reputation entirely. Of his two sons, the younger Li Lian was ineffectual, but the elder, aside from having that peculiar predilection, had had a good reputation. He was set to succeed Li Zhongnan as the pillar of the Li Family and Prince Cheng’s Mansion. But now, because of the fuss with Princess Yongning, Li Xian had become the stain on the Li Family. They now had to be exceedingly cautious in court, subject to people’s whispers and points behind their backs. Li Xian had even lost his position, his once-promising career ruined.

If it had been solely Princess Yongning’s doing, Li Zhongnan would primarily blame Prince Cheng for failing to control his sister. What fuelled Li Zhongnan’s anger was the fact that Princess Yongning, bearing Shen Yurong’s illegitimate child, had managed to marry into the Li Family. Could Prince Cheng really have been unaware of Princess Yongning’s pregnancy? Impossible. He clearly wanted the Li Family to play the fool, to raise someone else’s son unwittingly. Just thinking about it, Li Zhongnan seethed with rage. What did Prince Cheng take the Li Family for, fools?

Indeed, Prince Cheng was now the lord, and they his ministers, unable to act against him. But this affront was a fishbone stuck in Li Zhongnan’s throat that he could not swallow. He resolved that although the Li Family would not sabotage Prince Cheng’s undertakings—they relied on him—there was nothing wrong with meddling. He had to make Prince Cheng understand that without the Li Family, his position as prince would likely be less secure than Emperor Hongxiao’s.

Prince Cheng would need to handle the Li Family with utmost respect!

Prince Cheng turned to ask the other ministers, discussing with them the important matters of their cause, deliberately neglecting Li Zhongnan, as if to send him a warning.

Li Zhongnan remained indifferent, sneering inwardly, A warning? He would soon return the gesture to Prince Cheng.

...

In the palace of Yanjing City, the spring flowers were blooming anew.

The withered plants of winter, come this season, all hurried to grow back, vying with each other to be the first. The palace always seemed the liveliest place, its flowerbeds blooming earlier than elsewhere, lush and joyous. Alongside them, the new beauties of the court were enjoying the flowers, making themselves even more delicate than the blossoms, hoping that the emperor would chance upon them during his passage and catch a glimpse of their vibrant charm.

Every year new beauties enter the palace, every year they all vie for the emperor’s favor, yet this favor never lasts long. It’s like the flower garden, which never lacks vibrant blooms, but the one who picks the flowers does not pick every single one. The picked flowers can at least be cherished in a vase, gracing a summer’s day. But the flowers left in the garden, unrewarded by admiration, must still wither come autumn.