The Ninth Prince's Grand Tutor

Tang Feng's body stiffened, a sharp pain shooting through his heart. His hands clenched into fists hidden in his sleeves, then slowly relaxed. "Whatever..." Hearing Zhang Mobai's words, Tang Feng felt a pang of heartache, but his plan couldn't be abandoned so easily. Returning to Eunuch Feng, he smiled apologetically, "Eunuch Feng, I'm sorry for the delay." He then mounted his horse. Seeing Zhang Mobai still standing in the alley, Tang Feng lowered his eyes and sighed softly. He then heard Eunuch Feng mutter with a sense of wistfulness, "A few years ago, I also brought the young master into the palace in this way. Now it feels like time has turned back."

"A few years ago?" Tang Feng had no recollection of this. His strongest memory of Eunuch Feng was probably when he first arrived here, Eunuch Feng respectfully read out the imperial decree of marriage and instructed him to invite him to the wedding. But escorting him to the palace seemed to be a first for him. "Yes! Young master, you really have a bad memory! It was I who took you to the palace to beg His Majesty for a marriage decree back then!" Ugh, how could he have forgotten that? Tang Feng cursed himself for forgetting this, and quickly explained, "As you know, I fell off my horse and hit my head. My memories of what happened before that are just hazy." "It's a bit blurry. Please don't mind." Then, as if remembering something, he pressed on, "Eunuch... when I returned from the palace that day, did I do anything unusual?" Tang Feng's question prompted Eunuch Feng to recall, "Unusual... There really was something. After you pleaded with His Majesty, I took you to the inner palace, but I wasn't watching you closely enough, and you disappeared. When we found you, you were pale with fright and couldn't even speak properly. But it's understandable; you were timid back then, everyone in Xiling knew that." Although Eunuch Feng spoke lightly, Tang Feng didn't think so. His fall from the horse that year was already suspicious. Coupled with his frequent dreams, Tang Feng was certain he had seen something back then; this matter wasn't simple. "Eunuch... did I see the Empress Dowager?"

"The Empress Dowager? Young master, you jest. The Empress Dowager has always resided deep within the palace; how could you possibly have seen her?" Tang Feng lowered his head and did not reply. He had heard Yang Fei say that the fire talisman of the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan was enshrined before the spirit tablet of the Grand Empress Dowager. However, this fire talisman was indeed given to the Empress Dowager by the Grand Empress Dowager. In that case, he had reason to suspect the Empress Dowager, but without evidence, he could not speculate wildly.

After entering through the side door of the main hall, Tang Feng looked up at the cloud-shaped sandalwood beams overhead. Through the paper windows, he could see the gilded dragon throne inside—a throne reserved for kings who looked down upon the world. Staring at the throne, Tang Feng couldn't help but smile bitterly. The sounds of tolling bells and striking drums filled the air, and the smoke from burning sandalwood swirled around the platform. Deep within the palace, decadence and intrigue had rotted away humanity. Now, he too would become one of those people!

Outside the palace, the officials waited for the court session. Zhang Mobai stormed into the crowd, grabbed Zhou Ziliang who was waiting nearby, and dragged him out. Zhou Ziliang was completely bewildered, not knowing what Zhang Mobai wanted. Before he could even ask, Zhang Mobai slapped him across the face, instantly swelling his cheek. Looking at Zhang Mobai's red eyes, Zhou Ziliang could roughly guess why Zhang Mobai had dragged him out. "Brother Mobai, are you here because of Xiaofeng's entry into the palace?" Upon hearing this, Zhang Mobai's anger, which had almost subsided, flared up again. "So you knew all along! Then why didn't you stop him!" Zhang Mobai, avoiding shouting in front of the officials, could only lower his voice, but Zhou Ziliang could already hear the displeasure in Zhang Mobai's tone. "Xiaofeng has his reasons for doing this, so naturally I wouldn't stop him."

"You! You clearly know the dangers of vying for the throne, you clearly know he's currently ill, and yet you still indulge him like this, Zhou Ziliang, do you want him to die!" Zhang Mobai finished speaking, his nose stinging with tears. Zhang Mobai and Tang Feng were childhood friends, having known each other since they were two or three years old. One was as still as a virgin, the other as lively as a rabbit; although their personalities were very different, they surprisingly got along very well. During Tang Feng's illness, although Zhang Mobai didn't visit him much, he knew most of the situation. Zhang Mobai understood that Qin Liuliu was Tang Feng's heartache, but Tang Feng had chosen the most difficult path, and he couldn't just watch Tang Feng lose his life because of it.

Zhou Ziliang couldn't help but smile bitterly. He knew all too well what Zhang Mobai was saying. "How could I think like that? I wish he were healthy and lived a long life. He's the one I'm going to spend my life with! But Xiaofeng's problem is heartache. The one who tied the knot must untie it. If he doesn't investigate Liu Liu's death thoroughly, he'll probably never have peace of mind. How can I stop him like this..."

"You two are really something, like Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai, one willing to hit and the other willing to be hit. Fine, fine, I won't care about you, and I won't care about him either! Serves me right for worrying about you every day!" Zhang Mobai finished speaking and turned to leave, but Zhou Ziliang grabbed him. "Brother Mobai, please wait. Xiao Feng just lost his father, and people around him are leaving one after another. He has no heart to explain, and it's too much for you to worry. I'm truly sorry, but I want to ask Brother Mobai not to hold it against him for this. He and you are kindred spirits, close friends, don't let this ruin your relationship." Looking at Zhou Ziliang bowing to him, Zhang Mobai's anger subsided by half. He sighed deeply and said helplessly, "Can I really sever ties with him? Compared to how long we've spent together, I've spent more time with him than he has with you. I naturally know what to do."

At this moment, Eunuch Feng shouted at the top of his lungs, "Court session! Summon! All officials, enter the hall!" Today was just an ordinary court session for others, a trivial matter to be discussed and awaited Emperor Yun's decision. As the morning court session drew to a close, Emperor Yun said, "Tang Taishi, an old friend of mine, died suddenly at home a few days ago, as I'm sure you all know. I am deeply saddened. He was an old minister who fought alongside me to establish the empire, yet he held such a sinecure as Taishi. His passing leaves me uneasy. Fortunately, Tang Taishi's son is also a rare talent, so I intend to summon him to the hall and offer him an official position to serve the court. What do you all think?"

As soon as Emperor Yun spoke, the courtiers below began to whisper among themselves. "Your Majesty," one official said, "I believe that although the son of the Tang family historian is indeed talented, he has already married into the Marquis's household... isn't that somewhat inappropriate?"

"What's wrong with this? Tang Feng made a great contribution to flood control at the age of nineteen, and at twenty-one, he signed a contract for Ayi Harbor for Yanyun. He made a name for himself at such a young age. With such talent, I don't know what Lord Wang is worried about!"

Hearing the debate among the ministers below, Emperor Yun slapped the table. "Alright, alright, stop it all." After the hall quieted down, he looked at his two sons standing below. "Yun Heng, Yun Ye, what do you think?" Li Yun Heng knew that Emperor Yun had already made his decision on this matter; asking him now was merely a way to give him a warning. So he cupped his hands and said, "I have only met Tang Feng a few times at Li Shan Academy. I have heard that he is from the Southern Golden Arrow Sect, and I have heard much about him. Your subject believes that if this is true, it would be good for Yan Yun to serve him." "A good thing," Emperor Yun nodded, then looked at Li Yunye. Li Yunye recalled Shen Qinghang's words from that day: Tang Feng wanted to participate in the succession struggle. Although he didn't know if it was true or not, it still made Li Yunye wary. Seeing the Emperor's gaze, Li Yunye composed himself. "Your subject also thinks so..." Although Li Yunye was wary of Tang Feng, he was also curious. In the court, only Li Yunheng and he himself had the intention to seize the throne. Tang Feng had rejected him that day; who would he help? Li Yunheng? Then Li Yunye continued, "Father, Grand Historian Tang is a veteran official, and Tang Feng has repeatedly rendered meritorious service. He previously served as the Director of the Imperial Household Department. I wonder what official position Father will grant him this time?"

"I... truly haven't made up my mind."

"Then why doesn't Father Emperor listen to Tang Feng's own opinion?" Li Yunye thought that if Tang Feng had a tendency to side with someone, the official position he chose would naturally be more inclined towards that person. Therefore, he suggested that Tang Feng choose for himself. Emperor Yunye nodded after hearing this, "Then let it be as you say, summon Tang Feng."

Tang Feng listened quietly as the officials in the hall discussed his future, and couldn't help but sneer. They were all nothing but opportunistic sycophants; what right did they have to comment on his origins? Hearing that Emperor Yun had summoned him, he followed the eunuch into the hall. "This humble subject, Tang Feng, greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well." "Rise!" Emperor Yun waved his hand, looking at Tang Feng kneeling below, and then said, "Your father and I have been old friends for many years. It was my oversight that your father was never given an important position during his lifetime. I have summoned you to ask if you have any thoughts about a position in the palace?"

Tang Feng cupped his hands and replied, "This humble subject has no interest in officialdom. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's favor. Furthermore, my father committed suicide to follow my mother. It was not for official position, so Your Majesty need not worry."

"But I am truly uneasy. Here's what we'll do! There are many vacant positions in the palace. If you have one you like, tell me, and I will consider it."

Tang Feng, with his head lowered, couldn't see the Emperor's expression, so he continued, "Your Majesty knows that I am in poor health and unable to shoulder heavy responsibilities. However, since Your Majesty insists, I cannot refuse any longer. I only ask for a sinecure so I can live a carefree life."

Emperor Yun seemed to have anticipated Tang Feng's words, resting his forehead on one hand as if waiting for Tang Feng's performance. "Then tell me, what kind of sinecure would be best? Like a military advisor or... a grand tutor?"

"Your Majesty has no knowledge of military strategy, but I have some literary talent. Your Majesty has many princes, and I am willing to serve them in the Six Arts," Tang Feng said, his words full of sincerity. But Emperor Yun knew what he was really thinking, though he didn't expose Tang Feng directly. "I do have many princes. So, whose tutor do you think you should be?"

"This humble citizen is willing to serve as the tutor to the Ninth Prince."

"Yun Yu? Have you thought this through? The Ninth Prince has accomplished nothing in the palace and has no military achievements outside. Although the Grand Tutor is a second-rank official, it would be very difficult for him to get ahead if he were the Grand Tutor!"

Tang Feng smiled and said, "Your Majesty need not worry. I took this position as Grand Tutor simply for leisure, without any intention of personal gain. As for the Ninth Prince, all the princes in the palace are Your Majesty's children, so there is no distinction between them."

"Since that's the case... and you insist on it so, then so be it! Tang Feng, son of the Grand Historian Tang Zhaonan, is hereby appointed as a Second-Rank Grand Tutor, with the imperial edict to be issued on the appointed day. Do any of you ministers still have any objections?" The assembled officials, knowing the Emperor's mind was made up, dared not speak further. "Your Majesty is wise; we will reconsider."