Turn against each other

Upon returning to Xiling, Li Yunyu felt something was amiss, but preoccupied with dealing with the Marquis of Annan, he didn't dwell on it. He spent the last few days in the palace, accompanying Yunlan in copying scriptures, and the matter came up in conversation.

"Mother, I'm always a little confused. How could someone like Third Brother suddenly start a rebellion?" Yunlan glanced at Li Yunyu and smiled. "If you're confused, don't dwell on it. On the road to the throne, some people are helping you. What about you? Just turn a blind eye. If you try to figure everything out yourself, it will only hurt yourself and others. That's not appropriate."

Li Yunyu tilted her head to look at Yunlan, her brows furrowing slightly. "But..."

"Yunyu! If you don't eat now, the pastries will get cold." Seeing Yunlan interrupt, Li Yunyu didn't say anything more, picked up the pastries on the table and started eating.

Yunlan glanced at Li Yunyu, then put her brush aside. "I won't say anything else. If you're truly clear-headed, it's fine if you know. If not, don't overthink it. In the imperial court, that's how things are. Today someone might be your brother, tomorrow they might be responsible for your entire family's execution. But throughout history, there have been both virtuous and treacherous officials. Remember, the world has its own sun and moon, and a good minister resides in the heart of the ruler."

Li Yunyu didn't listen to Yunlan's words at all, only nodding in agreement. Seeing that he wasn't interested in listening to her nagging, Yunlan sighed, "If you have nothing to do, don't just stay here idle. Go to the barracks to see Meng Lie and the others, and visit the wounded soldiers. It will enhance your prestige."

After bowing to Yunlan and leaving the palace, Li Yunyu kept thinking about how excited he had been when Tang Feng read the imperial edict, demanding to see it again. Normally, Tang Feng wouldn't be so heartless, nor would he tolerate anyone slandering him. Why didn't he ultimately let Li Yunye see it? Was it disdain... or... a guilty conscience?

Also, Tang Feng was so ill that day, why would he go to Li Yunye's place, and why did Li Yunye die the next day?

Li Yunyu found it increasingly strange. Upon arriving at the military camp, Meng Lie stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Your Highness, take a look! We've done a commendable job protecting His Majesty this time, and he's rewarded us handsomely." He then pointed out to Li Yunyu, "Look at these black repeating crossbows, over a dozen chariots, and those horses—each one is top-notch, with glossy coats, and they're all incredibly fast."

Entering the military camp, Meng Lie poured Li Yunyu a cup of wine. Seeing that he was absent-minded, Meng Lie patted him on the shoulder and said, "What's bothering you? His Majesty rewarded you and gave us gifts. This is a rare treat, something we haven't seen in eight hundred years. You have to thank the Grand Tutor. Although it was a bit risky, the result was good."

"What?"

Li Yunyu put down her teacup and looked at Meng Lie, who was also startled. "I said that although it was a bit risky, the result was good..."

"The previous sentence!"

"So... it has to be the Grand Tutor?"

Tell me everything you know!

Tang Feng was woken up early by Zhou Ziliang. Fortunately, he had slept relatively soundly the night before. Zhou Ziliang sat by the bed, shook Tang Feng's hand, and said softly, "Xiao Feng, wake up."

Tang Feng slowly opened his eyes, raising his hand to press his groggy forehead. "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

"Mo Bai is here to see you, let's meet him."

Tang Feng was helped up by Zhou Ziliang and drank some warm water, finally regaining some color in his face. "Why didn't he give us a heads-up before he came today?"

“You were quite ill the other day, and his return has disturbed your rest. Here, take this handkerchief and wipe your face; I'll go call him.”

Meng Lie had finally sorted things out for Li Yunyu, from clamoring for the Prince of Nan'an to raise an army, to framing Li Yunye for rebellion, and finally provoking war. Li Yunyu's face turned ashen after hearing this. He smashed his teacup on the ground and looked at Meng Lie, "Is there a problem with that imperial edict? And how exactly did my third brother die?"

Meng Lie scratched his head and chuckled, "This... I wouldn't know that. The Grand Tutor didn't tell me! I mean, you'd better thank the Grand Tutor this time. Without his help, we wouldn't have achieved this."

"Thank you?! This is tantamount to causing widespread suffering! What's the difference between him and that Prince of Nan'an?" Li Yunyu stood up, knocking over a stool beside him. "A person like that is unworthy to be my tutor!" Seeing Li Yunyu about to leave, Meng Lie hurriedly chased after him, "No... Your Highness, where are you going?"

"I'm going to find Tang Feng. I want to ask him face to face whether he drove my third brother to his death!"

Seeing that Li Yunyu had already walked far away, Meng Lie stamped his foot and said, "Oh dear, I've caused trouble. Why... why didn't the Grand Tutor say something beforehand..."

After Zhang Mobai came in, he placed the pastries from Liufuji in Tang Feng's hands. "I brought you some pastries... I'm out of sweet buns, but the butterfly cookies are delicious too, try them."

Tang Feng took the butterfly pastry and ate it, then smiled and asked, "Are you unhappy to see me?"

Zhang Mobai pursed his lips, his eyes slightly red, and looked at Tang Feng, "How could that be?"

"Then why are you crying? Take it back. Patients can't take crying. If I cry too much, I might really die." Seeing Tang Feng joking, Zhang Mobai also laughed. "What nonsense are you talking about? Even food can't shut you up."

Zhou Ziliang sat down and smiled, "Since Xiao Feng isn't smiling anymore, Brother Mo Bai's arrival must have improved your mood considerably."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the door was kicked open with a bang, startling the three of them. Seeing Li Yunyu's ill intentions, Zhang Mobai said sarcastically, "Didn't the Grand Tutor teach His Highness to knock before entering a room?"

Li Yunyu ignored Zhang Mobai and walked to Tang Feng's bedside, saying, "I want to ask you, sir, is the imperial edict truly ordering the death of my third brother? And that night, was he forced to commit suicide?"

Tang Feng looked up at Li Yunyu and sighed, "Yes."

"Wasn't it you who instigated the Prince of Nan'an to rebel, framed my third brother, and stirred up war?"

"yes"

Seeing Tang Feng so calm, Li Yunyu became even angrier, suppressing his anger as he said, "Fine... very well. When I was providing disaster relief at the Luohe Bridge, you said that every life deserves respect, that we should revere them. And now! Aren't the people of Jinxi lives too? Grand Tutor, you seem so unfamiliar to me! Which of these things did you teach me back then? Falsely conveying imperial edicts? Covering up the truth? Inciting riots? Or harming the people!"

“Ninth Prince! If there is any misunderstanding, let’s talk about it in a few days. Xiao Feng is still ill. Please at least be understanding of him.” Zhou Ziliang saw that Tang Feng’s face was pale and his hand holding the butterfly pastry was trembling slightly. Seeing Li Yunyu’s relentless attitude, Zhou Ziliang couldn’t help but turn cold.

"Sick? Tang Feng, are you sick because you're not feeling well, or because you felt guilty about what you did that day? As my tutor, how can you be so treacherous and cunning? A person should be upright and honest, not scheming and manipulative!"

Li Yunyu turned to leave after speaking, but Tang Feng shouted, "Stop! I'm not suited for scheming and manipulating people. Li Yunyu! You're the only one in this world who has no right to talk to me like that. I, Tang Feng, may have wronged others, but with you alone, I have a clear conscience. If Your Highness thinks so much of me, then please leave and don't come here again." Li Yunyu had just stepped out of the door when Tang Feng let out a muffled groan, followed by Zhang Mobai and Zhou Ziliang's urgent cries. Li Yunyu wanted to go back inside to check on the situation, but Zhou Ziliang, who had just come out, glared at him and pulled him back. Standing before Li Yunyu, his eyes blazing with anger, Zhou Ziliang said, "Ninth Prince, you are a prince raised by the Crown Prince, and your virtue is commendable, which is why I respect you. Those who support you are likely there for the same reason. But Xiao Feng is different. He disdains all such things. Even when the Crown Prince begged him so desperately, he still went to Shanghan. Now he's risking his life to help you, and not only is he ungrateful, but he also dares to speak ill of others. This is the kind of brother the Crown Prince raised; I have no respect for him." Without waiting for Li Yunyu's stunned silence, Zhou Ziliang summoned his servants.

A moment later, Wu Hezou rushed over. The pungent smell of blood hit him as soon as he entered the room, making him frown. At this moment, Zhang Mobai got up to make room for him. Wu Hezou sat down and looked at the pool of blood on the ground, asking Tang Feng, "Did you vomit that?"

Seeing Tang Feng nod, Wu He Zou placed his hand on Tang Feng's wrist, then looked at Zhang Mobai and said, "Little kid, don't look around. Go outside and wait. I need to be quiet while I'm seeing patients."

Zhang Mobai pouted, "Fine, I won't look. Who cares anyway?"

Only after Zhang Mobai left did Wu Hezou speak, asking, "Who upset you again?"

"It's nothing... I'm just overthinking things."

"Tsk, I'm telling you beforehand, if you die, it's not my fault."

"It's not my fault..." Tang Feng wanted to speak again, but the metallic taste in his throat choked him back. He rolled over, lay face down on the edge of the bed, and covered his mouth.

Seeing that Tang Feng looked like he was going to vomit, Wu He Zou patted him on the back and said, "Don't hold it in, you'll feel better if you throw up."

Tang Feng coughed up a mouthful of blood, instantly losing all strength. He slumped over the bed, unable to recover for a long time. Wu He Zou helped him catch his breath, glanced at the blood Tang Feng had vomited, and shook his head. "In this state, you're nearing your end. No one can save you."

Tang Feng struggled to lie back on the bed, raised his hand to cover his eyes, and gave a wry smile. "It's alright, I already knew this, there's nothing to be afraid of."

Wu Hezou shook his head. "It'll only be four or five months. Your body is completely drained. No medicine can replenish it. I can only prescribe some expensive tonics to keep you alive."

"Zhou Ziliang, why are you standing there wasting your breath talking to him!" Zhang Mobai saw Li Yunyu still standing at the door when he came out, and his temper flared up instantly. He stepped forward and raised his hand to slap Li Yunyu, who closed his eyes. However, he didn't feel the expected pain. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Zhou Ziliang holding Zhang Mobai's wrist. Zhou Ziliang said, "Mobai, he is, after all, a prince. Neither of us can afford to offend him. Besides," Zhou Ziliang glanced at the silent Li Yunyu and continued, "he is no longer a fallen prince. If something happens, we'll have to take the blame."

"So what?" Zhang Mobai shook off Zhou Ziliang's hand and grabbed Li Yunyu by the collar. "All your current honors and favors, weren't they all earned by Tang Feng with his life? You think he should be like this just because you say the Grand Tutor shouldn't be like this? Who did Tang Feng do this for? Do you think he wanted this? How much did he lose for you! And what have you given him? Wealth? Official position? Fame? You're not even as good as your elder brother." Zhang Mobai pushed Li Yunyu away, tears welling in his eyes, and said, "Even after all this, anyone with a conscience wouldn't say such a thing, you bastard..."

"Mo Bai!"

Hearing the sound, Zhang Mobai turned around and saw Tang Feng, dressed in his undergarments with a robe draped over his shoulders, leaning against the doorframe. His face was pale, and cold sweat dampened his hair, which clung to his cheeks. Tang Feng looked at Li Yunyu and said, "Your Highness, it's best if you don't come to the Marquis's residence again. It would be too much to see me and cause you distress. I apologize for my indiscretion and for offending Your Highness's eyes. Ziliang... help me back."

Li Yunyu lowered her head, not daring to look at Tang Feng, and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Zhang Mobai wanted to make a big fuss, but Tang Feng suppressed him, saying, "Mobai... alright, I'm tired. Come back another day, I'll treat you to dinner."

"You should take a break! You're always protecting him like he's your own child, but he never appreciates it and doesn't even like you..."

After Zhang Mobai left, Tang Feng was helped back into the house by Zhou Ziliang. Seeing that Tang Feng didn't speak, Zhou Ziliang asked first, "Little Feng, you were just trying to scare His Highness the Ninth Prince, weren't you?"

"What else can I do? If I really anger him and he turns on me, quitting all my work, who will I face then?" Tang Feng leaned against the bedside and gave a wry smile. "Things are almost done, I can't afford to hold him back at this crucial moment."

"Since you knew that, why did you get so angry just now?" Zhou Ziliang dampened a handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat from Tang Feng's forehead.

"It's just a bit awkward for a while. It's better to find out sooner rather than later. The later he finds out, the bigger the conflict will be. Let him realize my true colors sooner."

Zhou Ziliang sighed and smiled helplessly, "So you're still throwing a tantrum?"

"Why would I bother arguing with him?" Tang Feng pulled the blanket over himself, picked up a book beside him, and said as he flipped through it, "They say the imperial family is the most ruthless, and today I finally understand what that means."

"Since Xiao Feng knows all this, why doesn't he run away?"

Tang Feng closed the book and snorted coldly, "Do you think you can escape? Go to the study and get me some paper and pen."

"What are you going to do?" Zhou Ziliang asked, but his body had already left the room. He returned shortly after, carrying inkstone, ink, paper, and brush. As he placed the items on the table, he said, "You're too tired today. Don't get up again. Let's talk about it tomorrow."

"Then why did you send it to me? Isn't that aiding and abetting evil?"

Zhou Ziliang was stunned for a moment after hearing this, then reached out and tapped Tang Feng's forehead. "So I'm caught in the middle? What exactly do you want?"

"Complain and resign from office."

"To complain?"

Tang Feng pulled his clothes tighter around his shoulders. "That Ninth Prince is such a blockhead. By the time he figures it out, it'll be too late. If we don't send a letter to Consort Yun to give him a warning, he might really make me die of anger one day, and you won't even have a place to cry at my grave."

Zhou Ziliang smiled helplessly, picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and said, "Yes, yes, yes, let's give it a try. So, Grand Tutor, should I also write this letter for you?"

"You shall write... To Her Majesty Yun, it has been three years since I was appointed to this official post before the palace. I am but a commoner, with no interest in the court..."

"His Majesty has placed high hopes on us, and we fear we may fail him. We urge Your Majesty to choose someone else..." Yunlan placed the letter aside, her delicate brows furrowing slightly as she glanced at Suxi standing beside her. She asked sternly, "Was this letter truly sent by the Grand Tutor?"

"This...this is not it. It was the young marquis who said that the Grand Tutor is ill and unable to come along. He hopes you will forgive him."

Upon hearing this, Yunlan stood up and asked, "What else did the young marquis say?"

"You mean...you want Your Highness to make decisions for his young master? This servant doesn't quite understand either. The young marquis's words seem so nonsensical..." Su Xi looked bewildered, but seeing Yun Lan's increasingly grave expression, she couldn't help but feel worried. "Your Highness..."

"Summon the Ninth Prince."

When Li Yunyu arrived at the Misty Forest Garden, Yunlan was already sitting in the hall waiting. Upon seeing Li Yunyu enter, she coldly said, "Kneel down!"

Li Yunyu had no idea what had happened, and in a daze, he knelt down and admitted his mistake, "Mother, please tell me what I did wrong..."

Yunlan tossed the letter to Li Yunyu, saying, "Take a look." Seeing Li Yunyu slowly open the letter, Yunlan continued, "Tang Feng, as the Grand Tutor, has been devoted to his duties and has never hesitated to help you. Do you dislike his actions over the years?"

Li Yunyu's heart sank. The resignation letter, a full three pages long, contained not a single criticism from Tang Feng; every sentence emphasized his incompetence. Li Yunyu put down the letter and shook his head.

"Then why is there so much grievance in this letter!" Yun Lan stood up and said, "Are you bothered that Tang Feng used underhanded tactics? Or are you bothered that Tang Feng kept things from you?"

"Your son... Your son simply doesn't understand why he would want such widespread suffering. He used to hate these things so deeply." Li Yunyu's eyes darted away, and for the first time, he dared not look his mother in the eye.

"You're confused! Tang Feng is teaching you to love the people; he's teaching you how to be a ruler. He's going to great lengths and scheming now, all for your future prosperity and peace. And you accuse him of being manipulative and two-faced?" Yun Lan sighed and shook her head. "Yun Yu, you've been raised by the Crown Prince since childhood, not by my side. I know you're stubborn and upright, but you need to be clear-headed and discerning. In this palace, besides me, there's no one else who cares for you as much as Tang Feng has. Think about this carefully."

After leaving Yunlan's place, Li Yunyu had been thinking a lot. Tang Feng had always been his mentor and guide. Although Li Yunyu was grateful, he was also wary of Tang Feng. He knew nothing about Tang Feng's past or about him as a person. Every time he asked Tang Feng, he would avoid the topic, as if he were running away from something.

Tang Feng had been much quieter these past few days. After Zhou Ziliang returned and told him about Huaitang, he asked someone to inquire about the palace maid. After several twists and turns, Liu Yiwan finally found her.

"Xiao Feng, Mother had some chicken soup made, try it." Zhou Ziliang scooped up some chicken soup, blew on it, and held it to Tang Feng's lips, but Tang Feng turned his head away. "Why is it chicken soup again... Didn't I already try the chicken soup from yesterday?"

"We've changed chefs again, so please bear with it," Zhou Ziliang said helplessly. Tang Feng didn't like drinking, but he ended up having to drink it himself, so he coaxed Tang Feng to eat a little bit every day, which was better than not eating at all.

"Did Wu Hezou say something to Mother again? I have blood deficiency, but I'm not in postpartum confinement. I don't eat a bowl of soup every day. Nobody does that after giving birth. Ziliang... go talk to Mother and tell her... I don't like chicken. Can we have something else?" Tang Feng said aggrievedly, but Zhou Ziliang didn't listen. He didn't put down the spoon.

"Codonopsis, black-boned chicken, and red date soup is the best for replenishing blood. Besides... you know what's going on with Mom. Listen to me, drink a couple of sips, and I'll drink the rest for you."

"Young Master! I've found it!"

Before Tang Feng could speak, Liu Yiwan shuddered, sighed, and asked, "Have you found that palace maid?"

Liu Yiwan shook his head. "I found her relative. Would you like to go see him? I've taken him to his study, keeping it away from the old Marquis and his wife."

Upon hearing this, Tang Feng pushed the spoon out of Zhou Ziliang's hand. "Ziliang... this is more important. You can drink the soup later." Zhou Ziliang knew he couldn't argue with him, so he helped Tang Feng up and placed his clothes by the bedside. "I'll go with you. If it's just an ordinary woman, that's fine, but if she's hostile, wouldn't you be in great danger?"