Chapter 46 Cao Wang's Choice
The side palace where Prince Cao, Li Ming, resided was located on the west side of the inner palace, some distance from the Lizheng Hall and the Liangyi Hall, and was so quiet it was almost desolate. Having grown up without his mother and disliked by his father, the child had learned to observe, to conceal his true feelings, and to understand that in this deep palace, every step could lead to an unseen trap.
After his birth mother, Consort Yang, "committed suicide out of fear of punishment," Li Ming was brought to the palace and raised by the childless Consort Wei. Consort Wei was gentle and kind to him, but only kind—she provided him with enough food and clothing, and didn't mistreat or beat him, but she didn't show him much genuine affection. After all, who would want to raise a prince whose birth mother was suspected of "assassinating the empress" and had committed suicide out of fear of punishment?
Li Ming was very quiet. He studied and practiced calligraphy on time every day, and paid his respects to Consort Wei on time. Occasionally, when he encountered his father and his brothers and sisters born of the emperor, he would only bow from a distance and never approach them. He knew that he was not favored and that his status was awkward, so he kept himself very small, so small that people almost forgot he existed.
But those people haven't forgotten.
Not long after Consort Yang's death, people began to "accidentally" approach him. Sometimes a palace maid would "inadvertently" sigh in front of him, "His Highness Prince Cao is so pitiful, losing his mother at such a young age..." Sometimes a eunuch would "unintentionally" reveal, "I heard that Consort Yang's death was suspicious. How could someone who loved His Highness so much..."
At first, Li Ming simply lowered his head, pretending not to hear. Later, the words became increasingly explicit:
"Does Your Highness know that the Taoist priest Wang, who serves the Empress, directly identified Consort Yang that day...?"
"Without that person's testimony, His Majesty might not have convicted him so quickly..."
"Alas, how pitiful was Consort Yang's love for her son..."
Every word pierced his heart like a needle. He remembered his mother, how she would always bring him snacks when she visited, pat his head, and whisper, "Be good tomorrow, my child." Would a mother like that really plot against the Empress?
But he dared not ask, dared not investigate. Because those who said these things had no genuine sympathy in their eyes, only probing and calculation. They were observing his reaction, like hunters observing prey in a trap.
Li Ming learned to play dumb. No matter what he heard, he would just look up blankly, then continue writing or playing. Gradually, those people lost patience and began to approach him more directly.
"Your Highness, do you wish to avenge your mother?"
That day, a stranger, a palace eunuch, "bumped into" him in the garden and whispered those words. Li Ming's back stiffened instantly, but he forced himself to continue kicking the pebbles at his feet, pretending not to have heard clearly: "What did you say?"
The eunuch leaned closer, his voice even lower: "Some people harmed Consort Yang, yet they still enjoy boundless glory in the palace. Doesn't Your Highness wish to..."
“I don’t want to.” Li Ming suddenly looked up, his clear black and white eyes staring directly at the other person. “My mother did something wrong, and my father has already dealt with her. I’m going to study.”
He turned and ran, his heart pounding like a drum. Only after running back to his palace and closing the door did he dare to let his fear show.
Those people wanted to use him. They wanted to exploit his feelings for his mother, his doubts about the truth, and make him a tool in their hands.
But what could he do? Tell his father? Would his father believe him? Or would he think he was like his mother, harboring ulterior motives?
Should we tell Consort Wei? Would she protect him? Or should we simply push him out to avoid trouble?
Li Ming often woke up in the middle of the night, dreaming of his mother's pale face, the cold eyes of those people, and the disappointed and even disgusted look in his father's eyes. He curled up in the corner of the bed, hugging his blanket, and told himself: To live, he must first play dumb, play dumb until everyone thinks he is really dumb, play dumb until those people give up on using him.
Then Wang Yi appeared.
Their first "chance encounter" was in the Imperial Garden. He was watching the koi in the pond alone when Wang Yi approached. Unlike the others, he didn't look at him with pity or probing eyes, but simply said calmly, "Your Highness likes fish?"
"Mmm," he replied softly.
“Fish in the water seem free, but in reality they are restricted in every way.” Wang Yi looked at the water surface. “But the fish in this pond are at least safe. If they jump out and fall onto the shore, they will die.”
Li Ming's heart stirred, and he looked up at her.
Wang Yi smiled slightly at him and handed him a small sachet: "This is for calming the mind. If Your Highness has trouble sleeping at night, you can place it by your pillow." Then he left.
The second time was on his way to his study. Wang Yi "happened" to pass by and said softly, "Your Highness, have you been studying diligently lately?"
"It's acceptable."
"Reading is good. Books contain wisdom that can help people see the road ahead and also help them understand... which paths may seem like shortcuts, but are actually cliffs."
The third time, the fourth time... each time they "coincidentally" met, Wang Yi would say something that seemed ordinary but was actually quite profound. Sometimes it was a reminder to pay attention to the people around him, sometimes it was telling him the principles of survival in the palace, and sometimes it was simply asking him what he had eaten or what books he had read.
Li Ming understood. He understood that Wang Yi was telling him: those people are not trustworthy, that path is not to be taken, he must protect himself, and he must wait for the right opportunity.
But he dared not respond. Because he was unsure—was Wang Yi genuinely helping him, or was he part of another group trying to exploit him?
After all, Wang Yi was the emperor's most favored woman and a key witness in "identifying" his mother. Why would she help a child who might hate her?
Is it guilt? Is it scheming? Or... is it at the behest of the Emperor?
Li Ming couldn't understand it. He could only continue to play dumb, showing appropriate confusion and polite gratitude for Wang Yi's words, without asking further questions, responding, or revealing any true thoughts.
That night, he took out the sachet Wang Yi had given him. The faint medicinal scent did indeed help him sleep more soundly. He pressed the sachet to his chest, feeling half warm and half cold inside.
The warmth came from the fact that someone had finally seen his fear and offered him a little kindness—even if it was kindness with ulterior motives.
He felt cold because he knew this kindness could turn into poison at any moment. Just like the kindness his mother had shown him years ago, which ultimately became a knife that pierced him.
"Should I believe her?" Li Ming asked himself in the darkness.
No one answered.
He recalled the idle chatter of the palace servants he had overheard in the corridor during the day:
"I heard that many high-ranking officials from the previous dynasty have been transferred..."
"Indeed, Minister Changsun has been making quite a few moves lately..."
"Shh, keep your voice down, you can't just say things like that..."
Changsun Wuji was purging his old subordinates. Although Li Ming was young, he vaguely understood what this meant—those who had contact with him, their backers were collapsing.
So, will they resort to desperate measures? Will they try to drag him down with them before they fall from power?
Li Ming clutched the sachet tightly. Perhaps... perhaps he should do something. Not revenge, not vying for the throne, just... to survive.
The next day, when Wang Yi "bumped into" him again, Li Ming did not lower his head to avoid him as usual. Instead, he stopped and said softly, "Master... the flowers in the east corner of the Imperial Garden are blooming quite well recently."
A hint of surprise flashed in Wang Yi's eyes, then she smiled and said, "Is that so? Then I'll go and take a look when I have time."
"It's quiet there, with fewer people," Li Ming added, then quickly bowed and left.
Wang Yi stood there, watching the small, thin figure disappear into the corner of the corridor, a slight smile playing on his lips.
The fish is finally about to take its first step.
Li Ming returned to the hall, closed the door, and leaned against it, his heart pounding. He had given the first signal—a secluded location known only to him and Wang Yi. Now, it was up to Wang Yi to respond.
He didn't know if he was doing the right thing, or if this was another trap. But he was too tired, too tired to bear all the fear and doubt alone anymore.
If Wang Yi is really willing to help him... even if it's just using him, as long as this use can help him survive, he'll accept it.
After all, in this deep palace, there is no such thing as a free lunch; there are only transactions where each party gets what they need.
He, a young and helpless prince, could only trade his own life and its negligible future value.
Outside the window, the spring sun shone brightly. But Li Ming only felt cold. He hugged himself tightly, silently telling himself: Wait a little longer, wait and see. One wrong step, and you'll be plunged into an abyss.
But he didn't know that some paths, once taken, offer no turning back. And this trade for survival had already begun.
The eastern corner of the Imperial Garden was indeed secluded. It was close to the Cold Palace and rarely visited. In spring, a few late-blooming apricot trees quietly bloomed in the corner, with a stone table and two stone benches under the trees.
Wang Yi arrived first, accompanied only by a personal palace maid, whom she had stationed at the moon gate twenty paces away. She sat on a stone bench, watching the petals fall, her heart calm and undisturbed.
When Li Ming arrived, his steps were light. He was dressed in plain prince's everyday clothes, his figure thin, and his face still pale in the spring sunlight. When he saw Wang Yi, he stopped, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes, but he still walked over.
"Your Highness, Prince Cao." Wang Yi rose and gave a slight bow.
Li Ming returned the greeting, his movements precise yet stiff: "Real person."
The two sat down. Silence filled the air, broken only by birdsong and the sound of wind rustling through the petals.
"Your Highness has summoned me here, surely you have something to say," Wang Yi spoke first, her voice gentle.
Li Ming lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously tracing the patterns on the edge of the stone table. After a long while, he whispered, "Those people... they've come looking for me again."
Wang Yi remained calm: "Oh? What did you say?"
“They said… they could help me find out the truth about my mother’s death.” Li Ming’s voice trembled slightly. “They said that as long as I obeyed them, they could avenge my mother.”
"Does Your Highness believe me?"
Li Ming suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with complex emotions beyond his years: "I don't believe it. But... I'm scared."
He finally uttered those two words. In this deep palace, "fear" was a luxury, a weakness that could not be easily shown. But he was too tired, too tired to care about anything else.
Wang Yi looked at him and sighed inwardly. This child was indeed intelligent, but he had also been driven to the edge of a cliff.
“Your Highness should be afraid,” Wang Yi said calmly. “Because what those people want is not revenge for your mother, but to use you to achieve their goals. And you will be the first victim.”
Li Ming's hands clenched tightly: "Why...why me? I'm just an unfavored prince, I'm useless to them..."
“No, you are very useful.” Wang Yi looked directly into his eyes. “You are His Majesty’s biological son, of legitimate blood. Your mother’s special status naturally creates a barrier between you and the legitimate sons. You are young and easy to manipulate. Most importantly—if something happens to you, His Majesty will be heartbroken, will feel guilty, and will waver. That is what they want.”
She paused, her voice even softer: "Your Highness, think about it, if you really do as they say, regardless of success or failure, what will your fate be?"
Li Ming's face turned even paler. Of course, he had considered this—if they succeeded, he would be a puppet; if they failed, he would be a scapegoat.
"Then what should I do?" he asked, his voice choked with despair. "I can't escape them, and I can't tell my father... What should I do?"
Wang Yi didn't answer immediately. She looked at the helpless child and quickly weighed her options. She could comfort him with words, entice him with benefits, or even make a half-hearted promise to protect him—but none of those were the fundamental solutions.
She needed to give him a real way out. A way that would allow him to live while eliminating all potential threats.
"Your Highness," Wang Yi began slowly, "I have a question for you—what do you desire?"
Li Ming was stunned. What did he want? He had never seriously thought about it. When he was a child, he wanted his mother to spend more time with him; later, he wanted his father to look at him more; now... now he just wanted to live.
"I..." He opened his mouth, "I just want to grow up safely."
"Then let me ask you again—how do you think a prince can live peacefully and safely in this deep palace?"
Li Ming remained silent. He knew the answer—either be so powerful that no one could shake you, or so weak that no one would care. And he clearly couldn't be the former.
“Your Highness is a clever child.” Wang Yi saw the change in his eyes and knew that he had already thought of it. “Since you can’t become strong enough to protect yourself, you can only make yourself… insignificant.”
"Irrelevant?" Li Ming murmured repeatedly.
“Yes.” Wang Yi nodded. “A prince who is indifferent to the throne, power, and any struggle for interests is the safest.”
She leaned forward, lowering her voice even further: "Your Highness, your position is indeed awkward. As the son of His Majesty and Consort Yang, it's destined that you can never have a chance at the throne. In that case, why not give it up voluntarily?"
Li Ming's pupils contracted: "Voluntarily...give up?"
“Yes.” Wang Yi looked him straight in the eye. “Take the initiative to confess your fears, your confusion, and your helplessness to His Majesty. Tell His Majesty that you do not want to participate in any struggles and only want to be a law-abiding prince. You may even… request His Majesty to adopt you to Prince Qi after you come of age.”
Li Ming's breath hitched. He was to be adopted by the Prince of Qi—his blood uncle, his mother's deceased husband.
"This..." His voice was hoarse, "Will Father Emperor agree?"
“His Majesty will consider it,” Wang Yi said confidently. “Because this is the best solution. By being adopted by the Prince of Qi, you will no longer be His Majesty’s biological son, completely cutting off any possibility of inheriting the throne. Those who want to use you will lose their reason. And you can legitimately leave Chang’an and go to your fiefdom to live a peaceful life as a leisurely prince.”
She paused, then added, "Moreover, the Prince of Qi has no heir. Your adoption to him will preserve the royal bloodline. His Majesty values family ties and will remember your thoughtfulness."
Li Ming fell silent. His mind raced—being adopted by the Prince of Qi meant giving up his princely status, leaving Chang'an, and severing all ties with his father and the palace.
But... isn't this exactly what he wanted? Peace, far from strife, living quietly.
“Then… what about those who want to use me?” he asked. “Will they let it go?”
A cold glint flashed in Wang Yi's eyes: "As long as you take the initiative to confess everything to His Majesty, His Majesty will naturally deal with them. At that time, you will be the bait in His Majesty's hands to catch those fish hiding in the shadows, and then... wipe them all out in one fell swoop."
Li Ming shuddered. He understood—this was a deal. He was exchanging his princely status and becoming bait for His Majesty's protection and future peace.
"Real person...why are you helping me?" He raised his eyes, his last hint of wariness in them. "You and my mother...have a grudge."
Wang Yi smiled, but there was a hint of bitterness in her smile: "I have no personal grudge against your mother. The identification that day was based on conclusive evidence and was my duty. But the child is innocent, and I do not want to see you become the next victim."
She paused, her voice sincere: "Moreover, I also have my own selfish motives—only when His Highness is safe can the harem be at peace. Only then can Her Majesty the Empress recover in peace, and only then can His Highness the Crown Prince live a stable life. This is good for everyone."
Li Ming looked at her. Her eyes were clear and calm, devoid of pity or calculation, only displaying an almost cold honesty. But it was precisely this honesty that made him believe her.
Because Wang Yi did not promise him wealth and honor, nor did he promise him revenge; he only gave him the most realistic and likely path to survival.
“I need to…think about it,” Li Ming said in a low voice.
“Your Highness should think this through,” Wang Yi stood up. “But time is running out. Those people won’t give you much time to consider. The next time they come to you, it might be an ultimatum.”
She walked towards the moon gate, then stopped and turned back, saying, "Your Highness, sometimes cutting your losses is not cowardice, but wisdom. Since the outcome is already decided—you are destined to have no chance of the throne—why not choose the most peaceful path? As a prince, as long as you don't rebel, you will always have a life of wealth and peace. Why gamble your life for a fleeting possibility?"
After saying that, she turned and left.
Li Ming sat alone on the stone bench, watching the falling petals, for a long time.
---
Three days later, at the Liangyi Hall.
Li Shimin was reviewing memorials when a palace attendant came to report: "Your Majesty, Prince Cao requests an audience."
Li Shimin was taken aback. This was the first time in all these years that his son had taken the initiative to see him. He put down his pen: "Let him in."
Li Ming entered the hall and bowed respectfully. The little child stood upright, but his face was pale, with faint dark circles under his eyes.
"Is there anything going on tomorrow?" Li Shimin asked gently.
Li Ming looked up at his father, a figure who had always seemed distant and imposing in his life. He took a deep breath and knelt down.
"Father, your son... is guilty."
Li Shimin frowned: "What crime have you committed?"
"Your subject..." Li Ming's voice trembled slightly, but he tried his best to remain clear, "Your subject knows that someone wants to use you, to harm Father Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince. Your subject... did not report it in time."
Li Shimin's eyes sharpened: "Explain yourself."
Li Ming recounted everything in detail: the approach of those people, the suggestive words, the increasingly blatant provocations. He spoke in great detail, without concealing anything or embellishing anything.
Finally, he prostrated himself and kowtowed: "Father, your son is foolish and does not know what to do. Those people said they could avenge Mother, and your son... your son was indeed tempted. But your son is more afraid, afraid of becoming a knife in their hands, hurting Father, hurting my brothers and sisters."
He raised his head, tears welling in his eyes: "Father, I do not want to fight for anything, nor do I desire anything. I only wish to grow up peacefully like a child from an ordinary family. Therefore... therefore, I dare to ask Father for a favor."
Li Shimin was deeply shaken. Looking at his son kneeling on the ground, he saw his fear, his helplessness, and his struggle so clearly for the first time.
"Go on," Li Shimin's voice softened.
"I beg you, Father..." Li Ming's voice choked with emotion, "After I come of age, please allow me to be adopted by my uncle, the Prince of Qi."
The hall was completely silent.
Li Shimin was stunned. He hadn't expected his son to make such a request.
"Why?" he asked.
“Because of this, I am no longer Father’s biological son, and those people’s hopes have been completely dashed.” Li Ming said with tears streaming down his face. “I know that my status is awkward and I am destined to be ineligible for the throne. Since that is the case, it is better to withdraw early and seek peace. By being adopted by my uncle, the Prince of Qi, the royal bloodline will be preserved, and I can leave Chang’an and go to my fiefdom to be a law-abiding prince, so as not to cause Father any trouble.”
He kowtowed deeply: "Your Majesty, I only ask for a peaceful life, I have no other desires. I beg you to grant my request!"
Li Shimin remained silent for a long time. Looking at his son, who had already learned to "cut off his own arm" at such a young age, he felt a mix of emotions—guilt, heartache, and... a trace of relief.
This child is smarter and more clear-headed than he imagined.
"Get up," Li Shimin finally spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse.
Li Ming stood up, still keeping his head down.
"I will consider your request," Li Shimin said slowly, "but before that, I need you to do one thing."
Li Ming looked up.
"Continue to play dumb." A cold glint flashed in Li Shimin's eyes. "Pretend you know nothing and continue to deal with them. I want to see just how many people dare to set their sights on my son."
Li Ming felt a chill, but then he understood—this was what Wang Yi meant by "using bait."
"Your subject... obeys the decree."
"Don't worry." Li Shimin walked up to him and touched his head for the first time. "I won't let anything happen to you. I will give you an explanation after this matter is settled."
This touch instantly brought tears to Li Ming's eyes. Since he was born, this was the first time his father had touched him so intimately.
"Thank you, Father Emperor," he said, his voice choked with emotion.
"Go," Li Shimin withdrew his hand. "Remember, if anything happens, come see me directly."
"yes."
When Li Ming left the Liangyi Hall, his steps were much lighter. He knew he had made the right bet.
Inside the palace, Li Shimin stood by the window, watching his son's departing figure, his eyes swirling with emotion.
“To be adopted by Yuanji…” he muttered to himself, “That’s one way.”
This would both protect the child and continue the family line, and completely extinguish any remaining hopes of those people.
But... who exactly gave this idea to Ming'er?
Li Shimin's mind flashed with Wang Yi's face. Was it her? The woman who always thought of things others couldn't.
If it's her... is she truly thinking of Ming'er's best interests, or does she have ulterior motives?
Li Shimin shook his head. Never mind, regardless of the initial intentions, this outcome is good for everyone. What he needs to do now is to lay the net and wait for those who are oblivious to their fate to stumble upon it.
When Wang Yi learned at Qixia Garden that Li Ming had gone to see Li Shimin, he simply smiled faintly.
The pieces have been placed, the game is over. Now it's time to reap the rewards.
As for the child... she hoped he could truly find the peace he desired. After all, in this deep palace, the ability to soberly choose to give up was a rare kind of wisdom.
The apricot blossoms outside the window have faded, and the green leaves have grown lush and green. Spring is almost over, and a storm is brewing.
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