Apart from the Grand Court Assembly held at the start of the year, the Fifth Prince, Li Jing, rarely appeared in court. Firstly, he lacked the rank, and more importantly, who would willingly stand for two hours listening to ministers and the emperor debate trivial state affairs? But the real reason was simpler—he would have to rise in the dead of night to attend. Was his bed not warm enough, or his consort not affectionate enough?
Yet today, when the eunuch arrived at his residence with an imperial summons, Li Jing was already up and properly dressed. Li Ce had asked him to wait two days, and he had waited.
"Li Jing," the Emperor addressed him in court, "Is Little Nine still recuperating at your place? How is his health?"
Though the matter concerned Li Ce, the Emperor only questioned Li Jing.
"Not well," Li Jing answered dejectedly. "He was barely better yesterday when a carriage driver from Prince Su's manor whipped him. Fortunately, I was standing at a distance. Otherwise, I might have been harmed as well."
His voice bristled with indignation. Come then—let resentment be voiced and vengeance claimed. Did they forget how favored I am by both my imperial parents, daring to let a servant attack me and expect me to swallow the humiliation?
Prince Su, Li Long, eyes glaring like bronze bells, turned and snapped at him, "Fifth Brother, mind your tongue!"
He loathed Li Jing's unruly and incorrigible nature the most.
Li Jing timidly inched closer to the ministers, then kowtowed and declared, "Before Father Emperor, if I dare speak falsely, may I be punished for the crime of great disrespect."
Li Long rose in protest, "Where is this coachman of whom you speak? You slander me! You and Li Ce have long conspired to court the ministers and defy authority!"
An imperial censor swiftly stepped forth, holding his tablet high.
"I request to impeach Prince Su, Li Long, for his misconduct in court."
"This is more than misconduct," Li Jing, frightened, hid behind the censor. "He intended violence!"
The court descended into a cacophony of voices, but the Emperor remained composed. He signaled the officials to be still and beckoned Li Jing.
"Come here," he said. "Did you apprehend the coachman at the scene?"
Li Jing paused before replying, "No."
"Then it was clearly a pretender," the Emperor said. "You brothers should be affectionate and respectful to one another—bound by trust."
Li Jing lowered his head. Though his expression showed grievance, he answered obediently, "Your son understands his fault."
The Emperor nodded. "Let me ask you, on that day at the Imperial Street—was it Li Ce who identified the iron willow branch?"
"It was," Li Jing replied honestly. "We were standing right at the target. If not for his warning, Ye Changgen might not have struck it."
The Emperor smiled with warmth. "That child—why didn't he come to me for a reward?"
To discover the iron willow and prevent the court's humiliation—surely a merit worthy of recognition. But today, the Emperor's concern and praise for Li Ce seemed excessive, and Li Jing's dissatisfaction showed.
"Father Emperor," he boldly retorted, "Li Ce is twenty—he's no longer a child."
The Emperor ignored him. This was court—was he here to vie for affection?
Turning to Yan Jide, the Emperor's tone turned solemn. "You need not investigate further. Let this matter rest." The statement brooked no argument.
Yan Jide looked up in alarm, uncertain of the Emperor's intent. Cease the investigation? Was the Emperor shielding Prince Su? If so, would he at least restore my rank?
Then the Emperor's gaze settled upon Li Long, filled with paternal affection.
"I trust my son. He has guarded the border for years—perhaps without distinction, but not without toil. I believe Prince Su would not pervert justice or persecute rivals. If you uncover wrongdoing by one of his officers, refer it to the Ministry of Personnel, Justice Ministry, and the Court of Judicial Review."
Yan Jide's heart settled. The Emperor had addressed him as "Minister Yan"—his post would be restored. Sure enough, the Emperor rose.
"The Imperial Guard cannot go a day without a commander. Do not neglect your duties—return to your post."
Yan Jide knelt and bowed deeply, praising the Emperor's wisdom.
As the Emperor departed, the court officials dispersed in small groups. Only then did Li Long slowly rise. His heart churned with unease—had his father truly let him off the hook? Out of trust? For his service at the front?
He glanced at Li Jing, who wore a look of unrestrained glee.
"Why are you glaring at me?" Li Jing brushed past him loudly. "Out of the way! I must go see my mother—it's time for breakfast."
But he never got to eat. After court, the Emperor went directly to Lizheng Hall—the Empress's residence.
The name "Lizheng," meaning "governing with virtue," symbolized the matron of the empire.
Li Jing tiptoed to peek inside. Beside him, the eunuch Gao Fu said gently, "Shall I guide Your Highness to the side hall for your meal?"
"No," Li Jing replied. "I want to eat with Mother—I must lodge a complaint!"
Today, the Emperor had shielded Li Long far too blatantly. Before the ministers could voice objections, the Emperor had swiftly withdrawn.
Gao Fu chuckled. "If that is so, perhaps Your Highness should return and wait for news."
Li Jing immediately became alert. Had Father Emperor come here to discuss state matters with the Empress? Could he eavesdrop?
But Gao Fu raised an arm to bar his path. "Your Highness should return for now."
Being the Emperor's confidant, Gao Fu could not be defied. Li Jing had no choice but to leave.
Inside Lizheng Hall, a small table was set. The Emperor and Empress sat opposite each other, though he had yet to lift his chopsticks.
"Zitong," he addressed her, taking her hand.
The Empress, dignified in her elegant robes, had crossed forty—not beautiful, but serene and graceful.
"Your Majesty," she replied softly, gesturing for the attendants to withdraw.
"I…" the Emperor began, his voice suddenly sounding old, no longer carrying even half the authority it held in court. "Am I growing old?"
She did not offer hollow flattery about his "prime of life." Smiling, she said, "This morning, when I combed Your Majesty's hair, I did indeed find a few silver strands. But your regal bearing remains undiminished—what need is there for concern?"
"I am growing old indeed," the Emperor sighed. "Otherwise, Prince Su wouldn't dare conspire for power, nor would I have shown such hesitation and indulgence today."
He knew what Li Long had done—he simply chose not to expose him. The ministers knew he knew too, so they pretended they hadn't time to object. As for that foolish son Li Jing—he was likely still waiting to report his grievance.
The Empress's expression shifted subtly before she responded with perfect composure, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. You govern with benevolence and in accordance with divine virtue—naturally, your heart is merciful."
The Emperor smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"When I enfeoffed Li Long as a prince, it was to reward his years at the frontier. But I have been unjust to our own son. Do you resent me?"
The Empress smiled faintly. "Your Majesty is a wise sovereign—what would I have to resent?"
Indeed, there is a distinction between legitimate and concubine-born sons. Even if Li Long was the firstborn and the first to be enfeoffed—so what? Did he truly think bearing a princely title entitled him to touch the imperial throne?
"It was my favoritism that led to this situation." The Emperor furrowed his brows, released the Empress's hand, and called out toward the door, "Summon the Chancellor, the Chief Steward, and the Grand Minister—I will confer titles upon the princes."
Back at Prince Su's manor, Li Long returned with apprehension. He recounted the events of the court to his advisors. Some turned pale, others were visibly unsettled, sitting on cushions in fearful silence.
"Was it truly that bad?" Li Long asked. Though he sensed something was wrong, he believed there was still room for maneuver. Why did his advisors all look as if mourning the dead?
Finally, the household steward answered quietly, "It would have been better if His Majesty had shown anger today."
A sovereign's temper is unpredictable. If he had raged and rebuked, even issued a severe punishment—it would have been preferable to this silent departure. For where you cannot see, unseen currents are beginning to stir.
"Any word from the palace?" Li Long asked, forcing himself to stay calm.
"There is," the steward replied at once. "After court, His Majesty went to Lizheng Hall."
To the Empress's residence—and no summons for the ministers…