Chapter 33: The Hidden Ruthless Man, Old Li! [New Book, Please Add to Favorites]

The first year of the Zhenguan era brought with it a tragic event: the sudden death of the Right Vice-Director of the Secretariat, Feng Deyi.

Neither Li Shimin nor Pei Ji had anticipated such a misfortune. Later, rumors circulated that Feng Deyi had privately promised the various princes that he would intercede with Li Shimin on their behalf to prevent the reduction of their fiefs. When he failed to achieve this, the princes were filled with endless resentment. It was said that the more he brooded over this, the angrier he became, eventually falling ill and passing away shortly after.

Though this story sounded absurd, Feng Deyi’s death was, to one person, the best news imaginable. That person was none other than Zhangsun Wuji, who had been promised the position of Right Vice-Director by Li Shimin.

Ten days after Feng Deyi’s death, Zhangsun Wuji, relying on his contributions to amending the laws and suppressing Li Yi’s rebellion, logically ascended to the position of Right Vice-Director of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengqian was the first to offer his congratulations: "Congratulations, Uncle! You have finally achieved your wish!"

"Heh heh..." Zhangsun Wuji chuckled subtly, looked at Li Chengqian, and said, "Do not worry, Chengqian. Uncle will not forget your help. As for the matter of the Crown Prince, I will find an opportunity to help you be reinstated!"

"Thank you, Uncle. But you have just taken the position; you should stabilize your standing first, lest you anger the Emperor and achieve the opposite of what we intend."

"To have a nephew like you—what more could I ask for!" Zhangsun Wuji sighed with emotion, then asked curiously, "Chengqian, you mentioned wanting to find a bodyguard. There are plenty of Imperial Guards in the palace. Why look for someone as far away as Hedong? Is there something special about this person?"

"I don't know if he is special. I just dreamed of such a person and wanted to ask you to help me find him. If we can find him, that would be for the best; if not, it will at least put my mind at ease," Li Chengqian said vaguely.

Zhangsun Wuji pondered for a moment and smiled. "That is no major task. As the Right Vice-Director, I have a certain amount of power now, so finding a person should not be a problem. Rest assured, Chengqian, I will help you."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Li Chengqian hopped with joy, then seemed to remember something, blinking as he asked, "Didn't you say you would have Cousin Chong and the others come to keep me company? Why has there been no movement?"

"Uh..." Zhangsun Wuji’s mouth twitched. He realized he had completely forgotten. However, unwilling to admit it, he laughed awkwardly and said, "Your cousin Chong and the others have been busy with their studies, and His Majesty is overwhelmed with state affairs, so the matter has not been settled yet."

"Then when will it be settled?"

"It should be soon, within these next two days..."

"Alright, then I will wait for your good news, Uncle..."

"No problem. By the way, Chengqian, I have one more thing..."

"Chengqian! We must go!" Empress Zhangsun’s voice interrupted from nearby. They were on their way to pay their respects to the Retired Emperor, Li Yuan, and had only met Zhangsun Wuji by chance on the road.

"Goodbye, Uncle!" Li Chengqian pretended to be reluctant as he waved farewell.

Zhangsun Wuji watched him leave with genuine regret, muttering to himself, "Sigh, my sister is truly the same, wanting to control everything. It seems I will have to find another opportunity." With a sigh of resignation, he turned and left.

***

On the other side, Li Chengqian returned obediently to the Empress’s side, ready to head to Da'an Palace. However, the Empress did not leave immediately; she stared at him with a stern expression and asked in a low voice, "What crooked schemes are you feeding your uncle again? I tell you, he is your only uncle—do not ruin him!"

"But Zhangsun Anye..."

"Do not mention him!"

"Fine..." Li Chengqian pouted, muttering, "Mother thinks too poorly of me. How could I ever harm my uncle? I am helping him..."

Empress Zhangsun frowned. "Helping him is harming him! What were you just talking about?"

"Nothing much, I was just afraid you wouldn't be happy to hear it..."

"Why would I be unhappy?"

"Didn't you seem unhappy last time because Uncle wanted to be the Right Vice-Director? Now that he has the position, so..."

"So that was what you were discussing?"

"Other than that, I just asked him to help me find someone in Hedong. An old immortal in my dream told me to find him, saying he would protect me in the future!"

"Hmm..." The Empress nodded. Seeing that her son seemed honest, she did not press further and waved her hand. "Let's go. Do not keep your Imperial Grandfather waiting."

"Yes, Mother." Li Chengqian replied in a low voice, exhaling a sigh of relief.

***

Meanwhile, at Da'an Palace, the Retired Emperor Li Yuan was commiserating with Pei Ji over the death of Feng Deyi.

"Retired Emperor, His Majesty’s recent actions are becoming increasingly heartless. Feng Lun’s body is not yet cold, and he has already installed Zhangsun Wuji as Right Vice-Director. It is truly chilling!" Pei Ji sighed, looking at Li Yuan.

Li Yuan, though not facing him, picked up a wine cup and took a gloomy drink. "How were the funeral arrangements for Feng Lun handled?"

"His Majesty ceased court for three days, posthumously granted him the title of Minister of Works, and bestowed the name 'Ming.' He also allowed his distant relatives to come to Chang'an for the mourning."

"Hmm, Erlang handled that with some humanity."

"But after Feng Lun, he took the opportunity to demote and remove Yuwen Shiji. Your old servant is worried..."

"Reporting to the Retired Emperor, Empress Zhangsun and the Prince of Zhongshan have come to pay their respects!"

Before Pei Ji could finish his sentence, a voice announced them from outside. Li Yuan waved his hand with a feigned look of annoyance. Soon, the Empress and Li Chengqian entered the inner hall with smiles. Li Yuan was seen lounging on a stool, looking up at the sky, lost in thought.

"Your subject (grandson) greets the Retired Emperor." The two bowed respectfully as soon as they entered.

Li Yuan gave a calm "Hmm," and said nothing more. The atmosphere became slightly awkward. Empress Zhangsun looked toward Pei Ji, who smiled awkwardly but remained silent.

Finally, the Empress took the initiative, smiling as she addressed Li Yuan: "With Minister Pei here to keep you company, Retired Emperor, you should no longer feel lonely, should you?"

"Hah!" Li Yuan let out a scoff, leaning back on his stool and sighing悠悠. "I actually think it is better to be quiet and alone. All day long, so many people come to greet me, and I have to entertain them—I cannot refuse to see them. It is more tiring than handling state affairs..."

Hearing this, Pei Ji and the Empress exchanged a glance and lowered their heads with awkward smiles.

Empress Zhangsun straightened her posture and said with a faint smile, "With your dignity, Retired Emperor, you do not have to see those you do not wish to see. Why wrong yourself?"

"That is easy for you to say." Li Yuan replied non-committally, then glanced sideways at Li Chengqian. "Chengqian, how have you been lately?"

"Replying to Imperial Grandfather, I have been reading many books lately, because I promised Mother that I would rank first..."

"Hah, before, when your father asked you to study, you said that all roads lead to success and there was no need to study diligently. Why is it that you listen to your mother's words?"

"I..." Li Chengqian opened his mouth, hesitating.

Empress Zhangsun smiled and interjected, "Chengqian is clever, but he is too fond of play. All day long, he is tinkering with this or that—never anything serious!"

Li Yuan said casually, "What child isn't mischievous? The smarter the child, the more mischievous they are!"

"But when he starts playing, he becomes like someone possessed, forgetting even who he is."

"True, children must be disciplined when they need to be, otherwise, when they grow up, it will be hard to manage them..."

Empress Zhangsun smiled non-committally. At that moment, another voice announced from outside: "Reporting to Your Majesty, Lord Zhangsun has arrived!"

"Oh, how truly annoying!" Li Yuan flicked his sleeve and turned away.

Empress Zhangsun frowned. Pei Ji, without another word, stood up and took his leave of Li Yuan. He knew that at a time like this, it was impossible to discuss matters with Li Yuan. Furthermore, this was now a family affair, and he had no place to intervene. It was a pity he hadn't managed to speak with Li Chengqian.

"Your subject greets..." Zhangsun Anye had just entered and prepared to bow when he saw the Empress and froze in place.

Li Yuan turned around impatiently again. "Why have you come again?"

"Uh..." Zhangsun Anye’s mouth twitched. He subconsciously glanced at the Empress and smiled apologetically. "I came to visit the Retired Emperor..."

"Do you visit me more often than you visit the Empress?"

"Ah? This..."

"Father!" The Empress shook her head, calling out to Li Yuan.

Li Yuan raised his hand to his forehead, saying earnestly, "I have already told you, do not come to visit me anymore!" He tapped the table, angry. "Every time you come to see me, there is never any business. I will tell you again: do not come to see me anymore!"

Empress Zhangsun felt a stir in her heart. This wasn't just directed at Zhangsun Anye—it was clearly meant for her, too! However, she smiled and comforted Li Yuan, "Father, please calm your anger..."

"Can you just let this old man have some peace and quiet!"

"I, this..." Zhangsun Anye was struck speechless.

Li Yuan sighed and waved his hand. "Fine, go do what you need to do. I know you have bought many fine things from Lady Zhang and the others..."

"Yes!" Zhangsun Anye left cautiously.

Not long after, Empress Zhangsun smiled and said, "Father, Lady Yi and the others mentioned last time that they liked soap. I have obtained a few pieces recently. Why don't you let Chengqian keep you company while I go visit them?"

Li Yuan looked at her with a smile and said indifferently, "They are not easy to get along with; you should stay here..."

"Father, you worry too much. We are all one family; how could it be difficult to get along..."

"Heh heh..." Li Yuan smiled and said no more. In truth, how could Empress Zhangsun’s motives escape him? Yet, he tacitly allowed her to leave.

Once only the grandfather and grandson remained in the hall, Li Yuan decisively dismissed all the palace attendants. Then, the two of them collapsed onto the floor in relief, sprawled out like two characters for 'big' and 'small.'

"Sigh! Grandson! When will these days ever end?"

"Grandfather! I don't know!"

Li Yuan: "......"

Li Chengqian: "......"

The two fell into a brief silence. Then, Li Chengqian took the initiative to ask, "Has that Zhangsun Anye been visiting you often lately?"

"Yes, he is very close to Lady Zhang and the others. He is quite the smooth operator in Chang'an." Li Yuan remembered something and sat up. "Do you remember that Li Yi? Some time ago, Lady Zhang and Consort Yin used my name, through Zhangsun Anye, to send a gift to Li Yi!"

"Oh?" Li Chengqian’s small eyebrows arched, and he sat up too. "So, they are also plotting something?"

"Indeed! Recently, Zhangsun Anye has frequently mentioned the Prince of Changle, Li Youliang, and the Prince of Yi'an, Li Xiaochang to me. I suspect they are conspiring to rebel!"

"Good heavens! The Prince of Changle, Li Youliang, is in Liangzhou, which borders the Turks. My father will certainly be watching that place. If he rebels, isn't that just suicide?"

"Rebellion is always suicide. The key is, can it be used for our purposes?" Li Yuan sneered.

Li Chengqian looked at him thoughtfully. "I have already produced the 'fire thunder' in batches. Now I need to find a way to get it into their hands without anyone knowing..."

"Furthermore, I must hint to them to use the name of 'rectifying the court' to march on Chang'an. That way, Grandfather's return to the stage will be even more logical..."

"'Rectifying the court'?" Li Yuan paused, then smiled. "Who do you think should be rectified?"

Li Chengqian shook his head. "I am not familiar with the court officials. I will listen to Grandfather."

"Listen to me? How about choosing Zhangsun Wuji?"

"Ah? Who did Grandfather say? That is my most beloved uncle!"

Li Yuan said with a strange look, "Then pick someone else?"

"Uh..." Li Chengqian scratched his head embarrassedly. "It’s not that I must pick someone else, but how do I get the fire thunder into their hands?"

"Heh heh..." Li Yuan smiled, then said meaningfully, "Don't you have another uncle?"

*Damn!* Old Li! You really are a ruthless man! You hide deeper than anyone!

Li Chengqian was truly shocked by Li Yuan’s words. He was worthy of having been an emperor; this method, this strategy—he was truly an old fox. However, letting Zhangsun Anye contact those rebellious princes was a good choice. Since he was ambitious, he could be the perfect tool to distance himself and Li Yuan from the affair.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian sat up straight and said solemnly, "Grandfather, if this succeeds, I want to add one more condition to the original agreement!"

"Why?" Li Yuan asked, puzzled.

Li Chengqian rolled his eyes. "I have already 'spent' two of my uncles, and Grandfather has put up nothing. Doesn't that mean we need to increase the price?"

Li Yuan was speechless. "What do you mean 'spent two uncles'? The plan was mine!"

"Anyway, besides being the Crown Prince, I want a fief!"

"The Crown Prince does not have a fief!"

"I don't care, I want one!"

"That is easy to say. I also want a palace like the Taiji Palace!"

"Deal!"

"Hmm?" Li Yuan was stunned. Li Chengqian’s words had caught him completely off guard. He then reacted, "You can make that decision?"

"Not yet! But I can provide the money to build a luxurious palace for you, Grandfather!"

"Are you serious?"

Li Chengqian smiled. "If I lie, I'm not a grandson!"