Chapter Eighty-Two: Something Strange in the Medicine

As the night wore on and dawn approached, the three realized they could not linger any longer. After a brief discussion, they vaulted over the wall and retraced their steps, moving stealthily through the darkness, evading layer upon layer of palace guards. Once outside the palace gates, Lan Wutong, ever resourceful and cautious from her years in the martial world, led the way. She took them on a winding route through the alleys and markets of Chang’an, circling around several times before finally returning to the Prince Wei’s mansion by way of the eastern market.

Upon entering, Li Chongjun was already waiting in the courtyard, his expression dark as water. As soon as he saw them, he barked, “How dare you! Sneaking into the palace like that!” Earlier that day, they had clamored to go to the palace, but had been dissuaded by Zilan. Yet later that night, Zilan, uneasy, went to check on them and found their rooms empty. Knowing at once where they must have gone, she promptly informed Li Chongjun.

Li Chongjun had been beside himself with worry upon hearing the news. He knew that if anyone discovered their connection to the Prince Wei’s residence, it would mean certain death for all involved. Yet he dared not go to the palace himself and could only wait anxiously at home. At last, seeing them return safe, he finally allowed himself to breathe again.

After his outburst, Li Chongjun turned and strode towards the study without looking back. The others, understanding the gravity of what they had done, trailed after him in silence, not daring to protest his anger.

He sat in his chair for a long while, saying nothing. Just as the group began to wonder if they should leave, he finally spoke: “Do you realize that if word of tonight’s actions gets out, not only will it cost me my life, but Zilan’s as well? It could even bring ruin to the entire Tianshan Sect!” Li Chongyuan and Lin Qingli, both wary of their senior brother’s authority, kept their silence.

Lan Wutong, however, was unafraid. She sprang up and declared, “Your Highness! Even if we hadn’t gone to the palace, someone would still try to kill you! If they want to accuse you, they’ll find a reason. But our trip wasn’t in vain—we learned three things: Wu Sansi is having an affair with Lady Wei, and your father turns a blind eye; Lady Wei calls you a ‘worthless dog’ behind your back; and Lady Wei is poisoning your father. Which of these, though seemingly unrelated to you, won’t in the end threaten your very life? Hmph, all because you are the Crown Prince!”

Li Chongjun’s face turned ashen. “The first two matters are hardly secrets in court. But this poisoning—this is the first I’ve heard of it. This is no trivial accusation. Do you have any proof?”

Lan Wutong untied the leather pouch at her waist, overturned it on the table, and scattered the dregs of a medicinal decoction. Pointing, she said, “See here? This round-necked, long-rooted herb is Aconite from the Western Regions—it drives people mad. This broad-leafed one is Red Wheat Bindweed—taken over time, it makes the mind dull. And that, by your hand, is Guanmutong, which causes kidney failure. The rest are nourishing, but with these three mixed in, your father won’t last a year.”

Li Chongjun slammed the table, enraged. “How dare they lay hands on the Emperor!” Lan Wutong snorted, “Why not? They hold all the power now. Even if they acted openly, who would dare object? Is your father’s erratic and foolish behavior not the result of this poison?”

Li Chongjun slumped back into his chair, muttering, “Such audacity! Such audacity!” Suddenly, he stood again, gripping Li Chongyuan by the arms, eyes fixed on him. “Junior brother, I have a request—come dawn, you must take your elder sister and leave Chang’an!” Li Chongyuan was startled. “Why are you sending us away now, brother? The day we’re supposed to meet Ma Beifang is almost here. If we leave, what can we say to him in the future?”

Li Chongjun gave a bitter laugh. “If you stay, you’ll only bring me more trouble! In just a few days, you’ve already dared to sneak into the palace—who knows what you’ll do next? Do you remember when Master and I first met you at the Shunfeng Inn? That day, we had just escaped from a failed attempt on Empress Wu’s life in Daming Palace. You can’t stay here. Go, quickly!”

Lan Wutong bristled with anger. “So you’re casting us out, is that it?” Li Chongjun retorted, “And if I am? This is my house; whoever I want gone must leave!” With that, he swept out of the room.

The others were seething, and Zilan, caught in the middle, was at a loss. She tried to persuade Li Chongjun, but he refused to see her, only calling through the window, “You’d best return to Tianshan with them. This place is no longer safe for you.” At dawn, the steward of the residence brought them silver and swift horses.

Reluctantly, the group left the Prince Wei’s estate with Zilan, heading west out of Chang’an by the western gate. They discussed amongst themselves: it was clear from Li Chongjun’s words that he was preparing to move against Lady Wei, and, fearing Zilan might be implicated if things went awry, he had insisted she leave with them. Though Zilan was unhappy, she understood the perilous situation and agreed without further protest.

“Oh, so Li Chongjun is finally going to act? Well, it’s about time.” In the secret chamber of the Princess’s residence, Princess Taiping lounged in her chair, while Xue Chongjian and Li Longji stood attentively by her side.

“Yes, Aunt. My most trusted men have confirmed it—the news is true,” Li Longji replied, bowing.

Princess Taiping mused, “A ruler who cannot keep secrets loses his ministers; ministers who cannot keep secrets lose their lives; if any matter is not kept secret, it becomes a danger. Wu Sansi and Lady Wei have eyes and ears everywhere—if they move openly, word will surely get out. Aman, post men to watch them and clean up their traces. Li Chongjun detests Wu Sansi and fears that, when the rebellion starts, Wu Sansi and Lady Wei will coordinate from inside and out. He’s sure to strike at Wu Sansi first. Remember: until Wu Sansi is dead, not a word must reach Daming Palace.

But the moment Wu Sansi dies, inform the palace at once, so preparations can be made before Li Chongjun enters. Aman, do you understand?”

Li Longji smiled. “I’ve already made arrangements. I’ve summoned a hundred warriors from Green Bamboo Island in Laizhou—they’re from the eastern islands, have no ties to the Central Plains, and can be used without worry.”

Princess Taiping nodded approvingly. “You’re thorough, as always. I knew I chose well. Go make the arrangements.” Li Longji withdrew.

Once he was gone, Xue Chongjian couldn’t help but say, “Mother, by doing this, aren’t you pushing Li Chongjun to his doom? If you didn’t interfere, he might actually succeed.”

Princess Taiping sipped her strong tea and replied gently, “What do you mean by ‘succeed’? Killing Wu Sansi and Lady Wei? Or slaying the Emperor and taking the throne?”

Xue Chongjian faltered. “I suppose… both. If he killed Wu Sansi and Lady Wei, Li Xian is a spent force—wouldn’t it be easy to become Emperor then…?”

“Silence!” Princess Taiping’s face darkened. “No matter what others say, you have no right to speak of him like that. He is not only the Emperor, but your uncle!” Startled, Xue Chongjian dropped to his knees. “Forgive me, Mother. I won’t speak so again.”

Princess Taiping sighed. “Rise. I know you must wonder why I support Aman and put Li Chongjun in such danger, am I right?” Xue Chongjian replied, “Mother must have her reasons. I would never question you.”

Princess Taiping explained, “In terms of blood, Aman and Li Chongjun are equally close to me—both are my nephews. But I must look beyond family and consider the world.

Li Chongjun is capable, and I believe he could kill Wu Sansi and Lady Wei and even seize the throne. But if he became Emperor, he’d be unable to rule the realm. He has no trusted allies among the ministers, only Li Duozuo. And what is Li Duozuo? A palace guard! If he gained power, he’d become a cruel enforcer like Lai Junchen or Zhou Xing. The entire court would be in turmoil; civil and military officials would arm themselves for protection. At that point, chaos would break out, warlords would rise, and the people would suffer. Worse still, the Turks, Uighurs, Xianbei, and Shatuo—all have long coveted the Central Plains. They’d seize the opportunity, and the empire would be trampled beneath their horses. Not only would the Li dynasty fall, but even the Han legacy would be lost to the barbarians.

You’ve read of the Five Barbarians’ disaster in the histories—you know how terrible it was. Do I need to say more? As for Aman, he is different. He has deep ties with the ministers, controls a third of the Imperial Guards, and half of the nine great regional commands are held by his associates. Only such a man can rule the world. That’s why I choose Aman.

But before Aman makes his move, Li Chongjun must act first. Once he does, if Lady Wei kills him, she’ll fear rebellion from other Li princes and order you to lead troops to watch and intimidate them. If I’m right, Lady Wei’s greatest fear is Prince Qiao, Li Chongfu, and she’ll send you to guard the region around Junzhou. With the command token in hand, you’ll no longer be a figurehead but a true commander. Then, you can join forces with Aman and storm the Daming Palace together.”

Xue Chongjian was drenched in cold sweat by the end. “I never imagined there were such depths to this,” he murmured.

Princess Taiping smiled. “Jian’er, what I told you is only the outer layer. There’s a deeper reason. Li Chongjun comes from the martial world. People may call him a great hero, but in the eyes of the nobility, martial heroes are no better than outlaws. If he became Emperor, the martial world would gain in strength, turning into regional powers, monopolizing trade, controlling lawsuits, and even supplanting the government. They’d grow too powerful to be suppressed. Even the mighty Emperor Wu of Han struggled with one powerful noble, Guo Jie, until he finally enforced a nationwide weapons ban to break their power.

History’s lessons are warnings for the future. State affairs must be decided by the Emperor alone—there must be no room for sect leaders or gang chiefs to meddle! Remember, imperial power is the foundation of the nation, and must never be tainted by others.”

Xue Chongjian asked in wonder, “But haven’t you already renounced ambition and withdrawn from court affairs, Mother?”

Princess Taiping replied, “Times change. One day, you’ll understand.” With that, she closed her eyes and fell silent.

Seeing this, Xue Chongjian quietly withdrew from the secret chamber.

(To be continued.)