Chapter 102: This Bond of Thought

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Wang Zhongjiu, upon entering the palace chamber, immediately regained full clarity and hurriedly fell silent. He knelt before Consort Wei and said, “Your Majesty, Wang Zhong deserves death! I failed to protect His Majesty...”

Consort Wei spoke softly, “Wang Zhong, this is not your fault. His Majesty’s death was due to a relapse of an old illness. If you speak recklessly, the realm will fall into chaos. This matter is grave; you must remember this well.”

Tears streamed down Wang Zhong’s face as he kowtowed repeatedly, “Your servant remembers.” Afterward, he wept aloud, bowing several times before rushing out to find his trusted imperial physician to give instructions.

An hour later, news emerged from the Great Ming Palace: Emperor Lizhong, Li Xian, had suffered a relapse of his old illness while bathing and passed away. During the state funeral, in front of the imperial coffin, the throne was passed to Li Chongmao. Due to his tender age, Consort Wei assumed regency over the court.

Within the princess’s residence, Princess Taiping set up a memorial altar in a secret chamber to honor Li Xian. She wept, saying, “Brother, had you been born into a wealthy and noble family, with a life of ease and abundance, how joyful that would have been. But alas, you were born into the imperial house, and could not change your destiny, thus this calamity befell you. Your little sister cannot save you, alas. I shall burn more offerings for you, so your spirit may find peace and accompany Mother on her journey. In that place, there is no imperial power or throne; Mother must have become more merciful.”

Li Longji knelt on the ground. After Princess Taiping finished her eulogy, he prostrated himself deeply. When the ceremony ended, he rose and said to Princess Taiping, “Aunt, Xue Chongjian has already sent letters, and Li Qiao has been informed. In a few days, they will stir things up in Junzhou, giving Chongjian reason to stay there.”

Princess Taiping nodded, “Good. That boy Chongjian worries me. A few days ago, he secretly sent someone to ask if he should return for the funeral. It made me tremble with anger. The military power we’ve finally grasped—if he returns, it would be like sheep entering the tiger’s den. Consort Wei will never allow him back in Junzhou. Your letter to him must clarify the stakes so he understands why we placed him there.”

Li Longji said, “There is one more matter. Last night, Wang Zhong’s servant came to my residence, saying his master has urgent business to discuss.”

Princess Taiping replied, “I was puzzled by Wang Zhong’s sudden illness these past days. I thought it might be Consort Wei’s doing, but now I see the old man is trying to make a clean escape. Wang Zhong is a palace veteran; he knows eunuchs must not meet outsiders in secret, especially princes. If he wants to see you, this matter must be serious. It’s good, then, to ask about the true cause of the emperor’s death.”

Li Longji said, “I’ve already dispatched those Japanese contacts to assist.” Princess Taiping said, “Consort Wei won’t let him come that easily. You must send experts. Some matters cannot be solved by numbers alone.”

Li Longji hesitated, “Right now, I have only three capable men—but one’s identity is extremely secret and can’t be revealed unless absolutely necessary; another just recently joined us, and I don’t fully trust him yet. I don’t feel comfortable entrusting this task to him. The last is not in Chang’an, and notifying him now would be too late.”

Princess Taiping smiled wryly, “After all your hard training, these experts are still of limited use—only suitable for coarse tasks. Very well, let them go. This time, it’s also a matter of Wang Zhong’s fate.”

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In a secluded courtyard within the Great Ming Palace, Consort Wei sat upright with solemn dignity.

Before her stood a young, elegantly dressed woman. Consort Wei smiled and said, “I’ve called you here to kill someone.”

The woman smiled back, “I only know how to kill. I’m not skilled in other matters. Please, Your Majesty, tell me who it is.”

Consort Wei said, “It is Wang Zhong, the emperor’s personal eunuch. Do your best. When the task is done, I will reward you handsomely.”

The woman replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty, but I do not seek your reward. Over the years, my brothers and I have been protected by you and sheltered from much hardship—we are forever grateful. This time, I act only to repay that kindness.”

Consort Wei continued, “There is another matter. Last time, Zhao Sishen killed Li Zhongjun and brought back the body to honor the fallen Wu Sansi. Yet afterward, Li Zhongjun’s corpse mysteriously disappeared. I have pondered this endlessly and cannot understand. Li Zhongjun’s closest aides have long been dead or scattered. Who would dare risk execution to steal his body?

“Then a theory struck me: what if the corpse was a fake? Someone, afraid of recognition, exchanged the body after the ritual and destroyed it to cover their tracks. That would explain everything.

“But without proof, I cannot blame Zhao Sishen. If there’s another reason, it would be a grave mistake to kill a loyalist unjustly. You must secretly inquire in the martial world to see if Li Zhongjun is truly dead.”

The woman smiled, “Your Majesty, this is simple. We roam the martial world daily. If he is alive, word will surely leak sooner or later.”

Consort Wei said, “There is one more thing I entrust to you. Handle it along with the rest.” The woman said, “Please speak.”

Consort Wei’s voice hardened, “Li Zhongjun had a paramour named Zilan, whom he met while training at the Tianshan Sect. Before his rebellion, he sent her away—somewhat wisely. But Zilan lived for many days within the Prince of Wei’s residence. Who knows how many royal secrets she knows? She must be eliminated. Find Zilan and kill her.”

The woman’s expression remained calm, smiling gently. “What difficulty is there? She’s just a young girl, with little skill. She will be caught easily. Your Majesty need only await good news.”

Consort Wei smiled, “That gives me peace of mind. I am weary now. You may go.” The woman bowed and withdrew.

Under the dark sky, a misty drizzle began to fall. The cold rain made the air bitterly chill. Wang Zhong quietly opened the door, glanced around to ensure no one was near, then hurriedly left with several guards.

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He was the chief eunuch of the palace, wielding immense power and thus did not have to live within the palace like ordinary eunuchs. Instead, he had a separate residence on the outskirts of Chang’an. Since Li Xian’s death, Wang Zhong had been restless by day and sleepless by night.

He knew the true cause of Li Xian’s death, and that alone gave Consort Wei ample reason to silence him. The reason she had delayed was because she had just assumed regency and was not yet secure in her position. To kill him now would surely arouse suspicion. Moreover, she still needed Wang Zhong’s influence within the palace to suppress the imperial physicians and maids, covering up the real cause of the emperor’s demise.

Now, after several days, the court had gradually calmed. Wang Zhong’s continued existence was no longer necessary. Thus, silencing him was an inevitable act for Consort Wei.

Wang Zhong feared not death. Having spent his life in the palace, witnessing countless fortunes and misfortunes, he had long grown indifferent to life and death.

Yet he feared that the true cause of Li Xian’s death would be buried forever. He concealed his hatred for Consort Wei and Anle within his heart and even helped them with the aftermath because he understood that if this secret were revealed, the regional military governors and the Li princes holding military power would have cause to rebel, and the Tang dynasty would be lost.

Consort Wei and Anle’s lives were worth less than the stability of the Li imperial realm. So these past days, he had to keep his tears inside, carefully guarding the emperor’s coffin during the funeral to prevent anyone from uncovering the truth.

But he could not stand by while Consort Wei and Anle murdered the emperor and seized the throne.

He needed to find someone to whom he could reveal all the secrets. This person must be capable of killing Consort Wei and ensuring the Tang dynasty’s stability. Such a heavy responsibility could not be entrusted to just anyone.

It required strength, wisdom, a fearless spirit willing to die for success, and enough luck—not merely the absence of fear of death.

After several days of deep contemplation, he decided to seek out Li Longji and reveal this earth-shattering secret to him. (To be continued.)