Choosing a Master in the Snow

Zhou Ziliang shook his head. "How could I blame you? I respect every decision you make. Just do what you want!" Tang Feng lowered his eyes and slowly spoke, "After Liu Liu's death, I've been uneasy. Knowing there are tigers in the mountains, I still went towards them. Aren't I ridiculous? In Shanghan, Liu Liu followed me every day, saying he would always be by my side to protect me, but now he's gone. Ziliang, you won't break your promise, right?" "Of course... No matter when you turn around, I'll always be behind you."

Zhou Ziliang helped Tang Feng up, helped him change his clothes, and finally draped a thick cloak over his shoulders. "Xiao Feng, you need to think this through. This is no small matter. Once you go in, you may never come out."

Tang Feng nodded. "Once you're in officialdom, there's no turning back. It was all my own choice. My heart is at peace, and I feel no bitterness." Tang Feng pushed open the door and saw Li Yunyu standing in the heavy snow and Liu Yiwan, shivering from the cold, trying to shoo him away. Zhou Ziliang stepped forward to hold an umbrella for Tang Feng, but he gently pushed him away. "He is the emperor, and I am his subject. If the emperor doesn't hold an umbrella, what kind of talk is it for me to?" Then Tang Feng stepped into the snowstorm, looked at Li Yunyu, and asked coldly, "Your Highness keeps talking about overturning the case, but do you know how to overturn it?"

"I..." Li Yunyu was stumped by Tang Feng's question. He did want to overturn the case, but he had never thought about how to do so.

Tang Feng wasn't in a hurry. He smiled and said, "Your Highness doesn't even know how to overturn the case, yet you've already entered my Tang residence three times. Now, I'd like to ask Your Highness, with the Crown Prince dead and your former subordinates either dead or gone, how are you going to seize the throne? Your brothers are not to be trifled with."

"Yun Yu is not favored by her father, nor is her mother. Yet, Yun Yu is determined to take a gamble, not only for her elder brother's innocence but also for her mother's future and for the people of Yan Yun whom her elder brother loves! Even if Yun Yu has nothing, she still has this sincere heart."

Tang Feng nodded upon hearing Li Yunyu's words. "Although fairness is rare in this world, I hope you can always maintain this pure heart." Then, Tang Feng lifted his robes, knelt on the ground, and bowed, saying, "Tang Feng is unworthy, but I will certainly dedicate myself to the utmost, even unto death. If Your Highness does not despise me, Tang Feng is willing to forsake the world for you, to be your loyal companion, your wings, your wind, and to surely help you reign supreme." Having said this, Tang Feng bowed deeply. Liu Yiwan wanted to help Tang Feng up, but Zhou Ziliang grabbed her arm, saying, "Don't go up there, this is all Xiao Feng's wish."

"In that case... thank you for your trouble, sir. I am deeply grateful." Li Yunyu quickly knelt down to return the greeting, then stood up and helped Tang Feng up. "Please get up, sir. It's freezing outside; you must be exhausted." Tang Feng didn't refuse. Indeed, it was snowing heavily outside, and the wind was howling, making Tang Feng shiver. Zhou Ziliang stepped forward and pulled Tang Feng into his arms, quickly saying, "Let's go inside and talk; it's too cold outside."

Inside the room, Liu had burned four or five charcoal braziers that night, but Tang Feng's hands and feet were still freezing. Tang Feng and Li Yunyu knelt on the couch, pondering what was to come. "A few days ago, I was reckless. I went to the palace to plead for my elder brother, and Father confined me. But I just don't understand. My elder brother is Father's eldest son, and yet, after all this, Father didn't even investigate before deciding to imprison and execute him. I don't understand..." Tang Feng wasn't entirely convinced either, but he was certain of one thing: this matter was most likely related to the struggle for the throne. A crown prince dying unjustly—the court officials certainly couldn't allow that. "It's just that I don't have any connections, and I've never received any attention from Father..."

"As long as you can stay true to yourself, distinguish right from wrong, and discern truth from falsehood, what difficulty can't you overcome? Just like snow falling heavier and heavier, it will eventually stop." Tang Feng pushed open the window forcefully. Just moments ago, it was snowing heavily, but now the sky had cleared, and a ray of sunlight shone through the window onto Tang Feng's face, making Li Yunyu feel as if she were seeing a tiny ray of sunlight in the endless darkness.

Tang Feng learned some details from Li Yunyu. Previously, Tang Feng had been staying in Shanghan Palace, not because he was uninformed, but because he simply didn't want to inquire. "A palace maid reported that Consort Xiao was having an affair with a court official. My eldest brother rushed over late at night to investigate and overheard some talk of a power struggle and rebellion. He immediately locked Consort Xiao in the palace to reflect on her actions until Father Emperor returned and made a decision. Later… my third brother and eldest brother had a falling out."

"They've fallen out?" Tang Feng hadn't expected this turn of events. The maid's report made him suspect someone was secretly instructing him. "Putting everything else aside, Your Highness, who do you think has the best chance of taking advantage of the vacant position of Crown Prince?" Li Yunyu carefully considered Tang Feng's words before cautiously replying, "Third Brother, though older, is reserved. Fourth Brother, though quiet on the surface, secretly stirs up trouble. It might be Fourth Brother."

"No, in imperial families, the virtuous and the eldest are chosen, with the virtuous preceding the elder, not based on seniority or social status. If the dynasty is to last, the successor must have outstanding military achievements and be virtuous in both. These military achievements do not refer to fighting, but to one's accomplishments, like you," Tang Feng pointed at Li Yunyu.

"Me? Sir, you flatter me... I am but a powerless and fallen prince. What achievements do I have? My name... is my father's biggest complaint about me. Yun Yu, Yun Yu, even white jade has flaws and cannot be carved."

"Do you know that even a stone can't mend the sky? If you're not as likable as your fourth brother, you should strive to achieve more merits so that your father will look at you with new eyes, shouldn't you?" Li Yunyu listened to Tang Feng's words and seemed to find some truth in them, so she asked, "Then, sir, do you have any brilliant ideas?"

"Hold your positions and wait for the right opportunity." Tang Feng put down the hot water bottle in his hand and slowly stood up. "Your Highness is still young, so don't be impatient. Don't publicize today's events. To achieve great things, you must be calm and composed. Remember to remain patient and patient. As I said before, as long as Your Highness still trusts me, I will keep my promise even if it costs me my life." "Yun Yu will naturally listen to you, sir..."

Li Yunyu emerged from the Tang residence and looked at Deputy General Meng Lie, who had been waiting for him for a long time. "Let's go back!" "Your Highness, has he been persuaded?" Li Yunyu nodded and then shook his head. "The gentleman agreed, but I know he's using me. He only wants to get close to me and use his connections to investigate his brother's death. But it doesn't matter. Whether he's genuinely trying to help me or not, as long as he stays, that's fine. I also want to see just how capable the person my elder brother appointed really is."

After Li Yunyu left, Qin Jiujiu could no longer contain herself and barged in. She had just gone out and returned to find Tang Feng entangled with the Ninth Prince, even boasting that he would assist him in ruling the world. "Xiao Feng, explain yourself! Just a few days ago you said you had no such intentions, but now?" Tang Feng saw Qin Jiujiu's angry face and glanced at the culprit beside him, Liu Yiwan, who shrugged, indicating she had no choice. After all, Li Yunyu had just run into Qin Jiujiu when she left, and under pressure, she had no choice but to tell the truth. Tang Feng tried to bluff his way out, but Qin Jiujiu glared at him, silencing him. "Xiao Feng, tell me honestly, why! Is it because of Liu Liu!" Hearing Qin Liu Liu's name, Tang Feng's face became serious. "Yes, it's for Liu Liu, but also for myself. I know what I'm doing, so please don't interfere, sister."

"You...do you know what will happen if my godfather finds out?" Tang Feng got off the bed, staring into Qin Jiujiu's eyes as he spoke slowly. "I didn't want to get involved in this before, but I had no reason. Now I have a reason. Even if I die on this path, I won't regret it." Tang Feng finished speaking and left, leaving Qin Jiujiu with a worried expression. "Miss Jiu...Young Master..." Liu Yiwan didn't know what to do. Tang Feng had always respected Qin Jiujiu since she entered the Tang family and had never said anything harsh to her. Now, seeing Qin Jiujiu standing there blankly, she didn't know how to comfort her. "Forget it...let Xiao Feng go! I'm just afraid of losing him...Don't tell my godfather about this yet. He'll definitely be angry if he finds out."

Tang Feng coughed twice as he stepped out of the house. He knew all too well how arduous the journey had been, but now, he couldn't swallow his anger; he wanted nothing more than to tear him apart, eat his flesh, and sleep on his skin. Looking at the snowy scene outside, Tang Feng sighed. He should have stayed far away from the imperial court, but he had come full circle and returned to where he started. He wondered if his bet with Li Yunrui at Lishan Academy was fate or misfortune. Li Yunrui was right after all: "He who walks by the river will eventually get his shoes wet." He thought he had kept his distance all these years, but in the end, he hadn't escaped unscathed. Truly, life is unpredictable!

Tang Feng left the Tang residence, not wanting to return and cause trouble with Qin Jiujiu. After thinking it over, he decided to go back to the Marquis's residence instead. He didn't bring any servants or call a carriage, walking back alone. Tang Feng's health had been quite good these past few days, and although he was a little tired after walking for a while, he didn't feel too bad. When the old steward who came to open the door saw Tang Feng return, he was first surprised and then asked, "Young Master, didn't you go back to the Tang residence? Why are you back so early?"

"I went out for a walk, but I ended up coming back. You don't mean I'm not coming in, do you...?" Tang Feng smiled, knowing the old butler didn't mean anything by it, and went straight in. "Young Master, didn't my young master come with you?" They had left together, but now only Tang Feng had returned alone. The old butler assumed the two had had some disagreement. "No, I just came out for a stroll by myself." Tang Feng didn't dare say he had sneaked out, but seeing the old butler's continued questioning, he knew he wouldn't escape Madam Zhou's nagging soon, so he quickly said, "I'll go back now. Don't bother with anything else, and don't tell my parents and make them worry."

"Huh? Go back? This..."

Tang Feng found a teahouse, sat down, ordered a pot of tea, and began to quietly ponder his future. Although he didn't know Li Yunyu's age, he looked only sixteen or seventeen. What could a child possibly understand? And beside him, there wasn't even a single reliable minister. His father wasn't caring, and his mother was absent. Supporting such a prince was indeed difficult. First, he couldn't act rashly. In the palace, for a prince to gain a foothold, he needed ministers supporting him. The more he did, the more attention he received, and the more favor the emperor would show him among the princes. Therefore… recruiting talented individuals should be the first step. Tang Feng toyed with his teacup, resting his chin on his hand, thinking about how to find someone willing to assist the Ninth Prince. The Ninth Prince wasn't a famous prince; his only notable achievement was recently offending the Emperor, touching a nerve, and being punished with confinement. Who would dare follow such a prince… Otherwise… "Xiao Feng, I've been looking everywhere for you!" Tang Feng looked up and saw Zhou Ziliang standing opposite him, leaning on the table and looking at him. "What's wrong? Did you have a fight with Miss Jiu? You even ran away from home?" Tang Feng smiled at Zhou Ziliang, resting his chin on his hand. "How could that be? I just came out for a walk."

"It seems Xiao Feng's solo walk turned out to be a stroll back to the Marquis's mansion," Zhou Ziliang said, resting his chin on his hand and looking at Tang Feng with interest. "You were following me?" "It wasn't really following you, I was just worried something might happen to you, but I didn't expect to follow you all the way to the Marquis's mansion."