Chapter 111 Brothers' Night Talk, Heartfelt Confessions
The night after returning from Qixia Garden, the lights in the study of the Eastern Palace remained on all night. Li Chengqian dismissed everyone and sat alone, deep in thought, facing the map of the Tang Dynasty's territory hanging on the wall and the mountain of memorials and secret reports piled on his desk.
Wang Yi's cold and realistic words were like a wake-up call, or the sharpest knife, stripping away the last vestiges of unrealistic fantasies and weakness in his heart. Was he tired? Of course he was. Was he empty? Perhaps he would always be empty. But this was the path he had chosen, a path destined from the moment he decided to no longer be merely the "Crown Prince," but to become a true "future ruler" who could control his own destiny and shape the empire according to his own will.
He remembered his mother holding his hand tightly before her death, her eyes filled with endless worry and expectation; he remembered Li Xiang nestled in his arms, calling him "Father" in a soft, sweet voice; he remembered Li Tai's final, crazed, and desperate gaze; and he remembered all the ways he had witnessed and experienced over the years—how powerful families exploited the common people, manipulated the court, and trampled on kinship and ethics under the sway of their lust for power.
His initial motivation? Perhaps it was simply his unwillingness to be manipulated and his desire to protect those he cared about. Later, it was to seek justice for his unjustly killed son and make those treacherous villains pay the price. Still later, it was to truly take control of the world, eliminate deep-seated problems, and build a more powerful, and more… obedient Tang Dynasty to “Li Chengqian”.
There's no turning back now. Stopping means all his previous efforts will be in vain, it means compromising with the forces he so deeply despises, it means he may never truly feel at ease sitting in that position, and it means he can't give an explanation to his deceased son or to those who followed him.
But... Zhinu.
Thinking of his younger brother, gentle in nature and bearing a resemblance to their mother, Li Chengqian's heart still ached. Li Tai's fate was a permanent scar in his heart, and he absolutely did not want to see Zhinu follow in his footsteps, becoming a victim of power struggles, and the tragedy of fratricide repeated.
"Born of the same father, from the same mother..." Li Chengqian murmured to himself, a resolute glint in his eyes. He could not allow Zhinu to follow in Li Tai's footsteps, unknowingly or deliberately misled, step by step into the abyss. He had to give Zhinu a choice, a chance to see the truth and make his own judgment. Even if... that choice might still be cruel.
As dawn broke, Li Chengqian finally made up his mind. He summoned his trusted eunuch and whispered, "Go to the Prince of Jin's residence and convey my message: I request that His Highness come over for a chat. Tell him that... my brother has something he wishes to discuss with him privately. There's no need to make a fuss; he can come in the afternoon."
In the afternoon, the snow had cleared and the sun shone through the clouds, but it offered little warmth. When Prince Li Zhi of Jin received the message, his heart skipped a beat. Since the sudden upheaval at court, the already delicate relationship between him and his elder brother had plummeted to a freezing point. Why had his brother suddenly summoned him privately? Was it a warning? A confrontation? Or…? He dared not think too deeply, and with a heart full of unease, he quietly arrived at the Eastern Palace with only two personal attendants.
Li Chengqian did not meet him in the main hall, but waited for him in a more secluded waterside pavilion overlooking a small plum garden. The pavilion had only a small charcoal brazier, so it was not very warm, but it had a wide view and was drafty from all sides, clearly to ensure the privacy of their conversation.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince." Li Zhi bowed respectfully, his attitude humbled, yet his nervousness was palpable.
"No need for formalities, please sit down." Li Chengqian's voice sounded somewhat tired, but calm. He gestured to the couch opposite him, picked up the wine pot warming on the red clay stove, poured two cups of wine, and pushed one of them towards Li Zhi. "It's cold, have a cup of wine to warm yourself up."
Li Zhi was somewhat flattered and uneasy. After thanking him, he carefully picked up the wine cup and took a small sip. The wine was warmed and had a mellow taste, but it couldn't dispel the chill in his heart.
The two brothers sat facing each other, silent for a moment. Outside the waterside pavilion, lingering snow weighed down the branches, and a few sparrows hopped about on the bare branches, chirping sporadically.
“Zhi Nu,” Li Chengqian finally spoke, not using the unfamiliar title of “Prince Jin,” but calling him by his childhood name, his tone carrying a rare, almost sighing gentleness, “You are... sixteen this year, aren’t you?”
Li Zhi felt a pang of sadness; it had been a long time since he had heard his elder brother call him that. "Brother, I am seventeen years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning)."
"Seventeen... Time flies." Li Chengqian's gaze drifted into the distance, as if he could see a more distant time through Li Zhi. "I remember when you were little, you were the most timid. You were afraid of the dark and always needed someone to stay with you to fall asleep at night. Once, when there was thunder, you were so scared that you hid in your mother's arms and refused to come out. I had to coax you out."
Li Zhi's nose tingled, and he almost burst into tears. Those distant, warm childhood memories, now brought up by his elder brother, seemed even more precious and heartbreaking. "Brother...do you still remember?"
“How could I not remember?” Li Chengqian withdrew his gaze and looked at Li Zhi, his eyes filled with complex emotions. “You are the youngest child of the Empress Dowager, and the one among us brothers who resembles her the most. Before she passed away, the person the Empress Dowager was most worried about was you, besides me.”
When his mother was mentioned, Li Zhi's eyes reddened. He was still young when Empress Zhangsun passed away, but his mother's love and gentleness remained the softest memories in his heart.
"Mother Empress hopes that we brothers will live in harmony and support each other." Li Chengqian's voice lowered. "But... look at us now. Li Tai... is no longer here. And you and I seem to be... drifting further and further apart."
Li Zhi's heart trembled violently. He looked up at his elder brother abruptly, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something, but he didn't know where to begin. He wanted to say that he didn't want to be enemies with his brother, that he also longed for brotherly affection, but when he thought of his uncle's instructions and the turmoil in the court, those words stuck in his throat.
“I know there have been some rumors circulating in the court lately, and some people are making moves in the shadows.” Li Chengqian did not press him, but continued speaking to himself, his tone gradually turning cold, “They are using the banners of ‘benevolence’ and ‘maintaining the status quo’ to question my governance, and even… trying to push you out as a different banner.”
Li Zhi's face turned pale, and he gripped his robes tightly with his fingers.
“I don’t blame you, Zhinu.” Li Chengqian looked at him, his gaze sharp as a knife, yet with a hint of pity. “You are still young and inexperienced. You could be influenced or even taken advantage of. Just like… Li Tai back then.”
“Brother! I…” Li Zhi tried to explain urgently.
Li Chengqian raised his hand to stop him. "Let me finish what I have to say." He paused, as if making up his mind to say those words that were buried deep in his heart and might even reopen his wounds.
"Do you know why I treat aristocratic families so harshly? Do you know why Li Tai ended up like that? Do you know... how your nephew, my eldest son Li Xiang, died?"
Three questions in quick succession struck Li Zhi like heavy blows. The death of Li Xiang was a closely guarded secret in the palace; he only vaguely knew it was due to a sudden illness. But his brother's tone was so somber when he mentioned it, clearly indicating there was more to the story! As for Li Tai's death, although publicly stated as a sudden illness, he had heard rumors of palace secrets. And regarding his brother's attitude towards the aristocratic families… he had always thought his brother was too harsh and eager to consolidate power.
Li Chengqian didn't wait for his answer, but began to recount his story in a calm, almost cold tone. He started by explaining how he discovered the secret collusion between the aristocratic families and Li Tai, how he sensed the possible lingering poison left by the retired emperor, how he found out that Li Xiang was poisoned by a rare, secret poison passed down through the aristocratic families, how he followed the clues and finally pinpointed the Longxi Li clan as the target, and... the role that Changsun Wuji might have played in this matter, at least knowingly or tacitly (he omitted evidence of Changsun Wuji's direct involvement but hinted at his attitude).
He recounted how Li Tai, driven by despair and misled by others, resorted to insidious means of revenge, ultimately leading to his demise. He also explained why, over the years, he had endured pressure and spared no effort in suppressing powerful families, promoting those from humble backgrounds, and consolidating imperial power.
“I am not blinded by lust for power, you child slave.” Li Chengqian’s voice was filled with deep weariness and pain. “I am afraid. I am afraid that another prince, like Li Tai, will be cultivated into my enemy by the ambition and methods of the powerful families, turning brothers against each other. I am afraid that another child, like Li Xiang, will die silently under the influence of conspiracy. I am afraid that this Tang dynasty will ultimately not be destroyed by foreign enemies, but by these deeply entrenched powerful families who treat imperial power as a plaything and kinship as worthless!”
His gaze was fixed on Li Zhi: "Uncle... Changsun Wuji, he may have his considerations, his concerns about the continuation of the family, and his different governing philosophies. I can understand that. But, for him to reach out to you, trying to mold you into a pawn against me, to drag you into this most sordid power vortex, and to potentially push you to the same dead end as Li Tai... I will never forgive that!"
“Zhi Nu,” Li Chengqian leaned forward, his tone extremely solemn, “I called you here today not to threaten you, not to warn you. I want to tell you all this, to lay bare the bloody truth for you. To let you know what kind of path you are about to embark on; what kind of opponents you will face (including those seemingly benevolent aristocratic families); and what heavy responsibilities and risks you will bear.”
“I could also make promises to you, paint a rosy picture, just as your uncle would, and tell you that as long as you stand on his side, the future might hold endless possibilities.” Li Chengqian’s lips curled into a cold smile, which then turned into deep earnestness. “But I don’t want to lie to you. That path is full of thorns, and it could very well end up as an abyss. Li Tai is a cautionary tale.”
“I’m giving you a choice,” Li Chengqian said, enunciating each word clearly. “You can choose to continue following your uncle’s arrangements and become a pawn in their game. In the future, you may have to confront me and the Crown Prince directly. At that time, brotherhood will likely be no match for power.”
“Or,” he said, his gaze intense, “you can choose to trust me, trust your brother. I may be harsh, I may be ruthless, but everything I do is to clear away obstacles, to build a more stable and powerful Tang Dynasty, and also to… protect our Li family’s empire, to protect my brothers and sisters, and to prevent the tragedy from repeating itself. I will do my best to guide you, to teach you, so that you can become a truly wise king who can assist the country, rather than be used by others. In the future, if I ascend the throne, you will be the prince I rely on most, and together we can realize the ideals that our father and mother were unable to achieve.”
Inside the waterside pavilion, the charcoal fire had long since died down, and a chill returned. Li Zhi sat there blankly, his face ashen, his body trembling slightly. His brother's words, like a violent storm, had shattered his worldview and values. Could those beautiful notions of "benevolence" and "preservation" have concealed such a bloody conspiracy and calculation? Could his uncle's care and guidance have been mixed with such profound family interests and political motives? And could his brother's "coldness" and "strictness" over the years have been burdened with such heavy pain and responsibility?
On one side is his elder brother, whose blood ties are stronger than water, yet who is ruthless and fiercely confronting his uncle, showing him the cruel truth and a seemingly difficult but perhaps more "righteous" path; on the other side is his uncle, whom he has been close to since childhood, who has taught him carefully and represents the image of "ideal politics" in his heart, but the possible purposes and risks behind him seem so chilling at this moment.
What should he choose?
The air inside the waterside pavilion seemed to freeze, with only Li Zhi's heavy, suppressed breathing and the mournful howl of the cold wind blowing through the withered branches outside the window. The warmth of the charcoal fire had long since dissipated, and the biting chill seeped in from all directions, but it couldn't compare to the bone-chilling cold and chaos in Li Zhi's heart.
Li Chengqian's words, like a red-hot branding iron, left a deep and painful mark on his young and innocent heart. Those principles of "benevolence" and "maintaining the status quo" that he once took for granted now appeared pale and hypocritical in the face of stark reality. For the first time, a chilling shadow fell over the image of his uncle, Changsun Wuji—was he teaching him, or was he using him? Was the "ideal politics" he spoke of for the sake of the Tang Dynasty, or for the eternal prosperity of the Changsun family?
And his elder brother… this brother whom he deeply respected, yet with whom he had grown distant in recent years and estranged from the court's turmoil, now tore away all pretense and barriers, laying bare before him his most unbearable, most painful past, and his heaviest, coldest responsibility. There were no threats, no coercion, only a choice—a choice that could lead to fratricide and an abyss of despair, and a choice that, while difficult, might preserve kinship and allow them to share responsibility.
Li Zhi's mind was a complete blank. He recalled his mother's gentle gaze, the scene of his elder brother holding his hand and running in the imperial garden when he was young, his uncle patting his shoulder and praising his hard work in his studies, the undercurrents in the court recently, the profound advice of Master Du Hui, and the vague, yearning for another possibility deep in his heart...
"I...I don't know..." Li Zhi's voice was dry and trembling, choked with sobs. He suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with confusion, pain, and a hint of pleading. "Brother...tell me, Uncle...is he really...really like what you say? He taught me, cared for me, could it be...could it all be to use me to fight against you? To...protect the Changsun family?"
Seeing the shattered trust and pain in his younger brother's eyes, Li Chengqian felt a pang of pain in his heart. But he knew he couldn't afford to be soft-hearted now. The truth was often cruel, but it was still better than being kept in the dark and ultimately becoming a pathetic pawn.
“Zhi Nu,” Li Chengqian’s voice softened, carrying an almost cruel tenderness, “human hearts are complex, especially when it comes to the survival of the family and the struggle for power. Your uncle may have genuinely supported me, and he has deep affection for the Empress Dowager. But times change, and when my path fundamentally conflicts with his ideals and the long-term interests of the Changsun family, it is not surprising that he made his choice. His teachings and care for you may not all be insincere, but think carefully, aren’t the ideas he instilled in you always, intentionally or unintentionally… in contrast to my governance? Aren’t they always implying that my path is too ‘strict,’ while another ‘benevolent’ path is the right one? And that ‘right path’ just happens to need a prince like you, born into the direct line, with a gentle temperament, and… easily influenced by him?”
Li Zhi felt as if struck by a heavy blow, his body swaying. He recalled every conversation with his uncle, every "consultation," those seemingly casual words, those "concerns" and "reflections" about the current situation—now, strung together, they actually subtly pointed to his brother's description! His uncle had never directly spoken ill of his brother, but that comparison, that guidance… it was chilling to contemplate!
"As for using you against me..." A cold glint flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes, "Regarding the Liu Fan affair, the turmoil in the court and among the people, do you think I really can't find out who's behind it? My uncle may not have given the order personally, but he tacitly approved it, and even secretly encouraged this trend. Placing you in the eye of the storm, making you a flag to attract opposing forces, that in itself is the greatest use! He's using you as a bargaining chip, you little slave! A bargaining chip that can be used to negotiate with me, and perhaps... to restrain me and force me to make concessions at crucial moments!"
“No…it can’t be…” Li Zhi murmured to himself, tears finally streaming down his face uncontrollably. He couldn’t accept that his uncle, whom he regarded as a father figure and who had given him countless care and guidance, harbored such cold scheming deep in his heart. This betrayal and despair felt even more intense than his brother’s “strictness.”
“I know this is hard to accept.” Li Chengqian’s voice was also tinged with a tired hoarseness. “Just like back then, I didn’t want to believe that Li Tai would really do something to me and my son. But that’s the truth. In the face of power, family ties are sometimes pitifully fragile.”
He stood up, walked to Li Zhi, knelt down, and looked directly at his younger brother's tear-streaked face, his gaze deep and earnest: "Zhi Nu, look at me. I am your elder brother, your own flesh and blood. My methods may be harsh, and they may put pressure on you, but I have never intended to hurt you. Li Tai's matter is a pain that will forever remain in my heart, and I absolutely do not want to see you suffer the same fate..."
He paused, seemingly choked up, and forced himself to suppress his emotions: "I'm telling you all this today not to force you to make an immediate statement, nor to make you break ties with your uncle. I just want you to see the situation clearly, to see who's around you and what they're plotting. I don't want you to end up like me, regretting it only after losing a loved one and making a terrible mistake."
Li Zhi raised his head, looking through his teary eyes at his elder brother so close to him. That familiar and dignified face was now filled with genuine pain, a heavy sense of responsibility, and a pleading vulnerability he had never seen before. His brother's eyes were bloodshot and weary, but at this moment, they held only undisguised concern and worry for his younger brother.
At that moment, he suddenly realized that his aloof, seemingly always calm and wise elder brother, the Crown Prince, whom he revered, was actually just an ordinary person carrying too much burdens, walking alone on a perilous path. He felt pain, he felt tired, and he feared losing his loved ones.
"The choice is yours, Zhinu," Li Chengqian said finally, his voice soft yet clear. "You can go back and think it over carefully, you can even... ask your uncle and hear his explanation. But whichever path you ultimately choose, remember, you will always be my brother. If you choose to trust me and stand by me, I will do everything in my power to protect you, guide you to success, and make you a pillar of the Tang Dynasty, not a pawn. If you choose... the other path, then from now on, in the court, we will only be the Crown Prince and a Prince, handling official business strictly, and personal feelings... will likely be difficult to maintain. As for the scenery at the end of that path, I hope you have enough courage and wisdom to face it."
After he finished speaking, he slowly stood up, no longer looking at Li Zhi, and turned to walk towards the entrance of the waterside pavilion, leaving behind the words: "It's getting late, you should go back now. If you've thought it through, you can come find me anytime."
Li Zhi remained alone in the cold waterside pavilion for a long, long time. His elder brother's figure had long since disappeared outside the door, but every word he had spoken resonated in his heart like a heavy drumbeat.
He didn't know how he left the Eastern Palace and returned to the Prince of Jin's residence. That night, he didn't sleep a wink again. His elder brother's confession, his uncle's possible scheming, the undercurrents in the court, his mother's expectations, his own confusion... all of these things intertwined into a tangled mess, almost suffocating him.
A few days later, Li Zhi visited Changsun Wuji's residence again under the pretext of "seeking guidance on the classics." He tried his best to maintain his usual respectfulness, but during the conversation, he carefully relayed some of his views and concerns about the current political situation from the perspective of an elder brother, and observed his uncle's reaction.
Changsun Wuji's reply was as tactful and wise as ever. He acknowledged some of the Crown Prince's achievements but also subtly pointed out the risk of "overly rigidity leading to breakage," reiterating the importance of "prudence" and "leniency." He then said meaningfully, "Those who govern should always keep the well-being of the people in mind and prioritize the stability of the empire. Sometimes, taking a step back may lead to a brighter future. Your Highness, you are still young. You should observe more, listen more, and think more. In the future... perhaps you will be able to forge a path different from anyone else's."
In the past, Li Zhi would have considered these words as golden advice, the earnest expectations of his elders. But now, combined with his brother's warning, he heard a different meaning—did "a path different from anyone else's" refer to the path of using him as a banner to oppose his brother? Did "taking a step back" imply that his brother should compromise with the aristocratic families and the power represented by his uncle?
Looking into his uncle's gentle yet unfathomable eyes, he felt a chill for the first time. What his brother said... might all be true.
Several days later, the debate over the Crown Prince policy continued in the court, but its momentum seemed to have weakened slightly. At an informal court banquet, Prince Li Zhi of Jin took the initiative to toast the Crown Prince, expressing his sympathy and respect for his elder brother's "hard work for the country." Although he did not explicitly express his support, his attitude was quite different from the previous subtle estrangement.
This subtle change did not escape the notice of some people.
In the study of the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian, upon learning of Li Zhi's performance, finally relaxed slightly, his lips, which had been taut for days. He knew that their heart-to-heart talk had had an effect. Zhi Nu might still be wavering, still observing, but at least he hadn't immediately sided with the other side, nor had he completely shut the door to communication between the brothers.
Meanwhile, in Changsun Wuji's residence, this shrewd and calculating imperial brother-in-law, after hearing the report from his spies, sat alone in his study for a long time, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table, his expression shifting uncertainly. He knew that his carefully laid scheme had its first crack due to the Crown Prince's unexpected "frankness" and Li Zhi's wavering.
“Chengqian…you’ve certainly learned your lesson.” Changsun Wuji muttered to himself, his tone complex, containing both the seriousness of meeting a worthy opponent and a hint of…disappointment? He realized that he might have underestimated his nephew’s emphasis on family ties, as well as his skill in winning people’s hearts.
The winds of war still howled through the court and the countryside, but beneath the surface, the power structure seemed to be undergoing subtle yet crucial changes due to this late-night conversation between the brothers. Li Zhi stood at a crossroads of fate; his final choice would directly influence the direction of power in the Tang Dynasty for years, even decades. Li Chengqian, after paying the price of honesty and pain, finally secured a sliver of hope for himself and his younger brother, preventing a repeat of past mistakes. But how long could this sliver of hope last in the face of immense conflicting interests and ideologies?
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