Ambassador who sows discord

Even though it had poured rain the night before and the sky hadn't cleared the next day, it didn't dampen Li Yunheng's good mood. Ever since Xiao Wan'er was confined to the palace by Li Yunrui, Li Yunheng had been keeping a close watch on the Crown Prince's residence. He knew that Li Yunye would definitely return to Xiling to beg Li Yunrui for help. Li Yunheng knew Li Yunrui better than anyone. Leaving aside their childhood, their rivalry for the Crown Prince's position had lasted for seven or eight years. Li Yunheng could predict Li Yunrui's every move. Yesterday, a scout reported that Li Yunye had been caught in the rain all night at the Crown Prince's residence and fell ill the next day. Li Yunheng found a plain robe in the closet, humming a little tune, and looked at himself in the bronze mirror. Then he ordered the steward outside to summon a sedan chair, preparing to proceed to the Jade Prince's residence.

The steward was incredibly astute; having served Li Yunheng for so many years, he knew exactly what Li Yunheng meant. Upon hearing that they were going to the Jade Prince's Mansion, he ran to the backyard, grabbed some fruit, put it in the sedan chair, and then invited Li Yunheng over.

"Hiss!" Li Yunheng, who was about to get into the sedan chair, stopped and turned to the steward, saying, "After I enter the Jade Prince's mansion today, don't forget what I told you a few days ago." Li Yunheng knew that although Li Yunye had already clashed with the Crown Prince, Li Yunye wasn't stupid. He naturally understood what was more important. At most, he would only draw a line between himself and the Crown Prince; he would never go so far as to frame the Crown Prince. To bring down Li Yunrui, a drastic measure would be necessary.

Ever since leaving the Crown Prince's residence, Li Yunye had been in a daze for a long time, experiencing several intermittent dreams. In one dream, he was back in his childhood, lying in his mother's arms, half-asleep. But suddenly, Li Yunrui pointed a knife at his mother, grabbing her sleeve and forcibly separating them. Li Yunye sat up abruptly, seeing the gloomy weather outside the window and the familiar interior, realizing he had been having a nightmare. Li Yunye pressed his aching temples, relieved it was just a dream. Although Li Yunrui had refused his request, Li Yunye knew that with Li Yunrui's character, he would never mistreat his mother. As long as his mother was safe and sound in the palace, he could rest assured. Li Yunye wiped away his cold sweat, just as a maid knocked on the door, "Your Highness, Prince Cheng has come to see you."

Before Li Yunye could even react, Li Yunheng pushed open the door and entered the room. After looking him up and down, he said, "I haven't seen you for months, Third Brother, and now you're ill. I heard you returned to Xiling yesterday and wanted to invite you for drinks, but a sudden downpour delayed us. I never expected you to fall ill today. That's why I rushed over to see you this morning without even having time to wash or dress."

Li Yunheng rambled on for a long time before finally stopping to let Li Yunye look him over. Li Yunheng's hair was disheveled, and he was slightly out of breath as he spoke. At first glance, Li Yunheng didn't seem to be lying to him.

"Ahem, it's kind of you to come all this way, Fourth Brother. I caught a bit of a chill from the rain last night, it's nothing serious." With that, she got up and casually grabbed a piece of clothing to put on. "Oh, look, I just got up too. If you don't mind, Fourth Brother, let me wash up and get ready." Just as she was about to turn around, she heard Li Yunheng say, "Third Brother, have you seen Consort Xiao?"

Li Yunye froze, his hand holding the towel to wipe his face stopped, and then he said in a deep voice, "I was just wondering why my fourth brother arrived so quickly, turns out he came to see me make a fool of myself."

"Third Brother, you misunderstand. Although Fourth Brother and I aren't close on a regular basis, Fourth Brother knows he shouldn't let his actions affect others. You and I have never crossed paths in court, so how can you say I'm mocking you?" Seeing Li Yunheng's aggrieved expression, Li Yunye chuckled. "Fourth Brother, with your abilities and your relationship with the Crown Prince, wouldn't you have planted a few spies in his residence? Do you think I don't know whether I can see Mother Consort or not? Although I haven't interfered in politics or participated in the succession struggle these past years, it doesn't mean I'm a fool."

Seeing that Li Yunye was somewhat annoyed, Li Yunheng was no longer in a hurry. He pulled out a stool from under the table, lifted his robe, and sat down. "Third brother, to be honest, I do know that you can't see Consort Xiao without Li Yunrui's permission, but what I mean is, I wonder if you've asked eldest brother if Consort Xiao is doing well now?"

"Fourth Brother" Li Yunye slowly leaned down and rested his chin on the table, one hand propping up his chin. "I'm indeed a little angry about how Li Yunrui handled this matter, but to be honest, I know Li Yunrui very well. He prioritizes rules above all else. He wouldn't stab someone in the back. If you're trying to sow discord, I'm sorry, I, Li Yunye, am not stupid."

"Hiss... Third Brother, it's understandable that Eldest Brother didn't mistreat Consort Xiao; that's just how he is. He does what the law says. But the people in the palace don't see it that way! You know the intricacies of palace life. Without paying bribes, how could they let Consort Xiao off the hook? Not to mention, it's the rainy season now, the room is damp and stuffy. Third Brother, do you think any palace servant who wasn't bribed will go back and change Consort Xiao's bedding? Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, since Eldest Brother locked Consort Xiao up, he hasn't been to her palace again. Oh, I think it's probably to avoid suspicion! He's so particular about rules, don't you think?"

Seeing Li Yunye's clenched fist, Li Yunheng smiled and said, "Third brother, to be honest, Li Yunrui is Li Yunrui, and the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince. Outside the court, he is the elder brother and you are the younger brother. Inside the court, he is the ruler and you are the subject! You must know this principle, Third brother!"

What exactly do you want?

"Third Brother, would you like to see Consort Xiao?" Li Yunye was taken aback, then stood up and said, "Do you have a way?" Li Yunheng placed a cup of tea in Li Yunye's hand. "I'm not Li Yunrui; I'm not that heartless. This is your entry pass to the palace. The gatekeepers have all been taken care of. The shift change is before curfew tomorrow. You only have half an incense stick's time. Go quickly and come back quickly."

Li Yunye held the plaque in his hand and then said, "Li Yunheng, I hope you won't use my mother to blackmail me!"

However, Li Yunye knew very well that Li Yunheng was sowing discord, perhaps trying to use him. But he was powerless to stop him. After staring at Li Yunheng for a long time, Li Yunye finally sighed, "But this time... thank you indeed. I'm a person who repays kindness, I'll help you this once, and then we'll be even."

“Third Brother is a straightforward man, so I’ll remember this opportunity.” Li Yunheng straightened the wrinkles in his clothes, then stood up and said, “Third Brother, we… have a long future ahead of us, at least for now.”

Li Yunye had walked the road to the palace to see Xiao Wan'er tens of thousands of times; he could walk it even with his eyes closed. However, today, the long corridor leading to Xiao Wan'er's palace felt incredibly long to him. After handing the token to the guard, Li Yunye pushed open the door that held his mother. "Mother?"

"Is...is it Ye'er?"

The room remained silent for a long time before a faint sound came from inside the wardrobe. Li Yunye flung the wardrobe open and saw his mother, disheveled and wearing only her undergarments, huddled inside, her knees drawn up to her chest.

"Mother, Mother, why are you in the cupboard? Come out quickly, don't catch a cold!" Li Yunye half-pulled, half-carried Xiao Wan'er out of the cupboard, but Xiao Wan'er was clearly traumatized. Her hand trembled as she gripped Li Yunye's, unable to utter a complete sentence. "Ye... Ye'er, my son, my son is back!" Tears welled in Xiao Wan'er's eyes as she clutched Li Yunye's clothes, saying haltingly, "My son, promise your mother you'll become the Crown Prince, listen... do you hear me?"

"Mother!" Li Yunye shouted, "How can you still not repent? Don't you know why you're imprisoned?"

This rebuke, contrary to his usual behavior, did not frighten Xiao Wan'er, but rather enraged him. Xiao Wan'er stood up unsteadily, pushing away Li Yunye who was supporting her. "You unfilial son! I'm suffering here, and you're still unmoved! Is it... is it wrong for me to want to be Empress Dowager? Ask anyone in this harem who doesn't want to be Empress Dowager, who doesn't want to rule the world! Is it wrong for me to hope my son will become a dragon?! It's all because of you, you're hopeless! How come the Crown Prince dares to bully me? Consort Rong's fourth son is practically running wild with the Crown Prince, why doesn't the Crown Prince put Consort Rong under house arrest! Why does he bully me?! Huh? Isn't it because I, Xiao Wan'er, gave birth to a good-for-nothing, a good-for-nothing who only knows how to travel, play, and compose poetry every day! You can't even protect your own family! Do you still think you have nothing to do with the struggle for the throne? My son!"

Seeing Li Yunye remain silent, Xiao Wan'er quickly knelt down and grabbed his hand, saying, "Do you know how your mother survived? Look at this palace, there's not even a servant. Look at this bed, it's so damp. This is what your good brother, your good Crown Prince, made. On the surface, he says he won't cut back on Consort Xiao's reward money and food, but what about reality? Look around here, look at how I'm living, do I still have any dignity? Son, if your father returns and the Crown Prince complains, your mother will surely die. My son, I've never begged you much in my life, can you please save me this time? Huh? Speak!"

Li Yunye pulled away from Xiao Wan'er's hand, then collapsed to the ground, rubbing his aching temples before letting out a hoarse voice, "How do you expect me to save you? I have no power or influence in the court. What do you want me to do?"

"For your mother's sake, can you try to fight for the throne?" Seeing the two lines of tears on Xiao Wan'er's cheeks, Li Yunye sighed. "Mother, you're forcing me to my death. I promise I'll try." Watching Xiao Wan'er's joyful tears, Li Yunye gradually felt numb. He had hidden himself for seven or eight years, only to become a sacrifice on the path to the throne. Now, for his mother's sake, he had no choice but to take the plunge.