Chapter 75: Final Persuasion
Inside the study of the Prince of Wei's residence, the candlelight cast a long shadow of Li Tai on the wall. He was bent over, reviewing the compilation of "evidence" presented by his advisors, his brow furrowed, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table.
When Madam Wang brought in the ginseng soup, this was the scene she saw. She gently placed the bowl on the table, but instead of leaving immediately, she stood aside and quietly watched her husband.
"Is Your Highness still troubled by that matter?" she asked softly.
Li Tai looked up, a hint of weariness flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by sharpness: "Yes. This is the best opportunity to bring down the Crown Prince, and there can be no mistakes."
Wang walked behind him and gently placed her hands on his shoulders, massaging his tense muscles. Her technique was skillful and her pressure was just right, and Li Tai closed his eyes comfortably.
"I've heard rumors circulating in the court recently about the Crown Prince and the Protector of the Nation..." Lady Wang casually mentioned, "I wonder if Your Highness has heard of them?"
Li Tai stiffened slightly, then relaxed: "You've heard about it too?"
"I've heard a little about it," Lady Wang said gently. "But I think this matter needs to be handled with caution. After all, it involves the reputation of the Crown Prince and, more importantly, the face of the royal family."
Li Tai opened his eyes, his tone somewhat cold: "Precisely because it involves the reputation of the Crown Prince, it is all the more important to investigate thoroughly. If the Crown Prince is truly morally flawed, how can he shoulder the great responsibility of being the Crown Prince?"
Wang continued, her hands still busy, "Your Highness is right. But I am worried that, whether this matter is true or false, once it gets out, it will not only harm the Crown Prince, but also the entire Li Tang royal family."
She paused, and seeing that Li Tai did not interrupt, she continued, "The people of the world do not know the inner workings of the palace, nor do they know the connection between the Protector of the Nation, His Majesty, and the Retired Emperor. They will only see that the Crown Prince has an affair with the Emperor's woman, and they will only think that the royal family is chaotic and morally corrupt. At that time, the Li Tang royal family will become a laughing stock of the world, and where will the imperial authority and dignity be?"
This hit the nail on the head. Li Tai frowned even more deeply. Hadn't he considered this as well? But the allure of the crown prince position was too great, making him willing to take the risk.
"The victors are kings, the losers are villains," Li Tai said coldly. "As long as I ascend to the throne and work diligently to create a prosperous era, these stains will naturally be washed away. History is written by the victors."
Lady Wang sighed inwardly. She knew that Li Tai was blinded by ambition, but as his wife and the Princess Consort of Wei, she had to make one last effort.
“Your Highness,” she turned to face Li Tai, looking directly into his eyes, “may I ask: what Your Highness desires, the position of Crown Prince or the throne?”
Li Tai was taken aback: "What's the difference?"
“There is a big difference,” Madam Wang said seriously. “If Your Highness only wants the position of heir apparent, then after overthrowing the Crown Prince, Your Highness will naturally become the heir apparent. But if Your Highness wants the throne and a stable and prosperous country, then you cannot only look at the present, but must look at the long term.”
She continued her analysis: "Once this matter becomes public, even if His Highness succeeds in bringing down the Crown Prince, it will leave a lingering resentment in His Majesty's heart—would His Majesty truly trust a son who is willing to expose his brother's scandals and damage the royal family's reputation in order to seize the throne? Would the court officials truly support him? Would the people of the world truly respect him?"
"Furthermore," Wang lowered her voice, "it seems the Emperor Emeritus is behind this. I've heard that the first to spread the news were members of the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families, who were recently summoned by the Emperor Emeritus. Doesn't Your Highness think this is too much of a coincidence?"
Li Tai's eyes sharpened. He had suspected this as well, but his ambition had clouded his judgment, and he hadn't investigated further.
"The Emperor Emeritus has a long-standing grudge against the Protector of the Nation and a grudge against His Majesty," Lady Wang continued. "He can use this matter to both retaliate against the Protector of the Nation, strike at His Majesty and the Crown Prince, and... make Your Highness the target of everyone's criticism. If Your Highness goes down this path, wouldn't that be exactly what the Emperor Emeritus wants?"
These words were like a bucket of cold water, waking Li Tai from some of his rationality. He had indeed considered that the Emperor Emeritus might have his own motives, but he hadn't expected them to be this deep.
Seeing that Li Tai was wavering, Lady Wang pressed her advantage: "Your Highness, look at the Eastern Palace. Crown Princess Su, born into a prestigious family, is dignified and virtuous, but now she is almost completely sidelined and has become invisible. Why? Because the Crown Prince does not value her and does not trust her. On the other hand, Consort Wu, of humble origin, is deeply favored by the Crown Prince. She not only gave birth to the eldest son, but also manages the internal affairs of the Eastern Palace and even participates in political discussions."
"What does this mean?" Wang asked herself, answering her own question. "It means that in the royal family, husband and wife are one, sharing honor and disgrace. The Crown Prince does not respect the Crown Princess, so the Crown Princess has no favor or power. But Your Highness, no matter what you think in your heart, at least in front of outsiders you have given me enough respect and dignity, so I can share your worries and make plans for you as the Princess Consort of Wei."
She grasped Li Tai's hand, her voice sincere: "I do not presume to ask Your Highness for genuine love and affection, I only ask that Your Highness understand that when husband and wife are of one mind, their strength can break metal. Everything I have done is for Your Highness, for the Prince of Wei's mansion, and for our future children."
These words, combining rational analysis with emotional appeal, finally moved Li Tai. He grasped Wang's hand in return: "You are right. It was my oversight."
Wang felt relieved, but still dared not be careless: "Then how does Your Highness intend to handle this matter?"
After pondering for a long time, Li Tai slowly said, "We cannot give up on this matter completely, but we also cannot act rashly as before. We can continue to collect evidence, but we are not in a hurry to make it public. We can wait until the time is right, or... wait until the Crown Prince reveals his own weakness."
Although this decision still carries risks, it is much more secure than the original plan. Wang knew that this was the best outcome she could achieve.
"Your Highness is wise," she said gently. "However, I have another plan that may kill two birds with one stone."
"Oh? Tell me about it."
A glint of wisdom flashed in Wang's eyes: "Does Your Highness still remember what I said before, that Consort Wu was deliberately imitating the Protector of the Nation?"
"I remember. So what?"
"This suggests that the Crown Prince's feelings for the Protector of the Nation are likely just one-sided admiration, while the Protector of the Nation has no romantic feelings for the Crown Prince," Wang Shi analyzed. "In that case, we can start with Consort Wu."
"How exactly do you do it?"
"Consort Wu imitated the Protector of the Nation in order to gain the Crown Prince's favor. But what would she think if she discovered that no matter how she imitated him, she could never replace him in the Crown Prince's heart?" Lady Wang said slowly. "Jealousy, resentment, hatred... these emotions would make her do irrational things."
Li Tai's eyes lit up: "You mean, you want to sow discord between Consort Wu and the Protector of the Nation, and make them fight amongst themselves?"
“That’s not all,” Madam Wang smiled. “If Consort Wu were to act against the Protector of the Nation out of jealousy, or against any of the Crown Prince’s other concubines, then the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace would be thrown into chaos. At that point, the Crown Prince’s guilt of being lax in managing his household and incompetent in controlling his inner circle would be confirmed. This would be more convincing and less likely to damage the royal family’s reputation than baseless accusations of personal relationships.”
This plan is indeed ingenious. Undermining the Crown Prince from within, causing him to lose popular support due to unrest within the palace, is more subtle and effective than directly attacking his personal morality.
"Good idea." Li Tai looked at Wang Shi approvingly. "Let's do it your way. You are in full charge of this matter. Just let me know if you need any support."
"Your concubine obeys." Madam Wang bowed, a complex light flashing in her eyes.
She knew that although this plan was milder than the original, it was still dishonorable. But in this court intrigue, who could be completely innocent? At least, this plan would not make the Li Tang royal family a laughingstock, nor would it leave Li Tai with a permanent grudge in Li Shimin's heart.
That's enough.
After leaving the study, Lady Wang returned to her bedroom. Standing by the window, gazing at the bright moon in the night sky, she was filled with mixed emotions.
She recalled the scene when she first married into the Wei Prince's mansion—she was just an eighteen-year-old girl, full of hope for the future and expectations for her husband. But she soon discovered that Li Tai married her more for her status as a member of the Taiyuan Wang clan and for the resources and influence she could bring to the Wei Prince's mansion.
Over the years, she tried her best to play the role of Princess Wei, managing the internal affairs of the palace, cultivating connections with various people, and offering advice to Li Tai. She gained superficial respect and dignity, but she never won her husband's true heart.
Sometimes she envied Wu Zetian—a woman of lower birth than her, yet who won the Crown Prince's genuine favor. But more often, she was glad she wasn't Wu Zetian, because the Crown Prince's favor was based on "imitating another woman," a kind of favor so fragile and so pathetic.
“At least, I still have value,” Wang murmured to herself. “At least, he will still listen to my advice.”
That's enough. In this deep palace, in this arena of power, to have value and to be heard is already a kind of fortune.
She spread out paper and pen, beginning to plan how to implement her new scheme. First, she needed to make contact with Wu Zetian, but she had to do it naturally, without arousing suspicion. She could establish contact by participating in court activities together, or by ostensibly seeking advice on health preservation or needlework.
Then, at the right time and in the right way, make Wu Meiniang realize that no matter how she imitates Wang Yi, she will always be just a substitute and can never replace the real person in the Crown Prince's heart.
This requires skill, patience, and... a deep understanding of human nature.
Wang was confident because she herself understood people's hearts very well.
The moonlight outside the window was cold and clear, but Wang already had a clear plan in mind.
This struggle between brothers, this battle for the throne, has entered a new phase. And she, Princess Wang of Wei, will participate in it in her own way, influencing the outcome.
It wasn't for love, it wasn't for justice, it was simply for survival and values.
Within this deep palace, that is enough.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com