I love the way you look down on me but can't do anything about it.
"Don't you care?" Emperor Yun chuckled, pointing to the braised pork knuckle in front of him. "Try it, this is the work of the new chef in the palace." Tang Feng breathed a sigh of relief, his chopsticks hovering over the braised pork knuckle. He picked up a small piece and took a bite. "It's really delicious." Tang Feng hadn't expected such a huge trap to await him upon entering the palace. He glanced at the two people beside him; one was composed, while the other dared not make a move. Now that he had openly recommended Li Yunye, on the surface, he had only said what any minister would say, and it seemed harmless to outsiders. As for the two princes, Li Yunye might remember his favor. As for Li Yunheng, whether he believed he supported Li Yunye or believed he was just making excuses out of desperation, he didn't care. After all, he had already pushed the spearhead towards Li Yunye. The two were like chestnuts roasting over a fire; if he added a little fuel, they would explode.
The meal was utterly tasteless; what should have been a scene of filial piety between father and son somehow felt like a sympathetic mix of ruler and subject. Tang Feng, caught in the middle, felt awkward and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, saying, "Your Majesty, I am unwell and do not wish to disturb your and the two princes' enjoyment. May I take my leave now?"
"There are imperial physicians in the palace. If you feel unwell, just call them," Emperor Yun said, glancing at Eunuch Feng standing to the side. Just as Eunuch Feng was about to turn and leave, Tang Feng stopped him. "Your Majesty, may I go out for some fresh air? The imperial physician is unnecessary." With Emperor Yun's permission, Tang Feng walked around to the high platform, his hands gripping the white jade railing, his brow furrowed. He couldn't fathom Emperor Yun's thoughts. He had asked what he needed to ask, said what he needed to say, so why wouldn't he be allowed to leave? Was it something he had said inappropriately, or...?
"Is Grand Tutor Tang feeling any better?" Tang Feng was startled by the voice behind him. He turned around and saw Li Yunye standing right behind him. He crossed his arms, leaned against the railing, and smiled. "Your Highness is quite capable, managing to sneak out right under His Majesty's nose?"
"The family banquet is over." Li Yunye stepped forward and leaned against the railing next to Tang Feng, but Tang Feng dodged him. "Your Highness, please don't try to get close to me. I just want to die peacefully in my sleep. Don't cause me any trouble." After saying that, Tang Feng tapped his chest. "If this spot stops jumping one day because of you, Ziliang might come to your house and throw a tantrum."
"Throwing a tantrum?" Li Yunye gave a wry smile. "You mean the execution of the entire family, right? Don't worry, Grand Tutor, Father has already returned; he won't be seen. Would you be interested in taking a walk with me?"
Tang Feng rubbed his sleeves, lowered his eyes for a moment, and nodded. "Then I will accept Your Highness's kindness." The two walked towards the palace gate one after the other. Although they were traveling together, Li Yunye and Tang Feng did not speak along the way. Only when they stood at the palace gate did Li Yunye stop and turn to Tang Feng, asking, "Why did you help me today?"
"What are you saying, Your Highness? I was simply forced into this situation by His Majesty."
"No, with your abilities, Father's questions today wouldn't have driven you to this point. Why would you recommend me to Father?" Li Yunye didn't understand. Compared to his falling out with Tang Feng, he should have recommended Li Yunyu, or even, as a last resort, recommended the Fourth Prince. Tang Feng looked helplessly at Li Yunye and asked in return, "Then who do you think Tang Feng should recommend?"
"You are the Ninth Prince's tutor, shouldn't you go..."
"As I said, I only wish to die peacefully in my old age and assist the Ninth Prince in seizing the throne. Most of it is just the prince's wishful thinking. As you can see, my body won't last much longer. So what are my reasons and purposes for helping the Ninth Prince seize the throne? Wealth and honor or promotion and fortune? I, Tang Feng, didn't care about these things six years ago, and I won't care about them now."
Li Yunye looked at Tang Feng and saw that he didn't seem to be lying, but he still had to be wary, so he said, "I don't believe anyone's words now, but thank you for this time. No matter what Father Emperor decides, thank you for speaking up for me."
Tang Feng shrugged. "If that's what you think, then I won't argue anymore. I cough cough cough..." Before he could finish speaking, Tang Feng covered his mouth and coughed. Seeing Li Yunye about to help him up, he quickly waved his hand. "Your Highness, we're still in the palace; it's best to avoid suspicion." After waiting for the sharp pain in his chest to subside, he cupped his hands to Li Yunye. "Whether Your Highness is chosen as heir apparent or not is of no concern to me, so you don't need to take today's events to heart. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Tang Feng, what exactly is your illness? It's been so long, and you're still not better?" Li Yunye frowned as he looked at Tang Feng. Before the incident at the Tang family residence, Li Yunye was busy dealing with the Crown Prince's affairs with Li Yunheng and didn't know the specifics. He only knew that when he went to see Tang Feng, he was already ill, and the illness had been going on for about a year. Furthermore, the Tang family had no shortage of doctors, so there was no reason for it to worsen.
"It's just a mental burden," Tang Feng smiled. "You don't need to care about a mere subject. I neither serve you nor hinder your career. My life or death is unimportant to you."
"Is this how you teach Lao Jiu?"
"Not really," Tang Feng took two steps forward and leaned against the city wall before continuing, "I am his teacher. You are different from him. My life or death is still somewhat related to him. After all, if I die, it will be quite troublesome for His Highness to find a new tutor."
"What did he say?"
"His Highness the Ninth Prince has no power or influence, so what can he say? Or rather, he can't do anything even if he wanted to."
"I have a friend in my household," Li Yunye said after some thought, "who is quite skilled in medicine. Let him come to your residence in a couple of days to examine you!" This caught Tang Feng off guard, but he quickly calmed down and covered his mouth, laughing. "Your Highness, even if he cures my illness, I won't help you seize the throne. Besides, even a celestial being couldn't cure my illness." He then stood up and walked out. "Your Highness, goodbye. Just don't try to trap me in the main hall next time. Let me live a little longer! Otherwise, I really will die."
"Tang Feng! I'm not trying to curry favor with you, I just don't want to owe you anything!" Li Yunye quickly called out to Tang Feng as he was about to leave. "Wen Yunsheng has always lived in my residence and has learned medicine since childhood. Let him examine your illness, and then we'll be even."
Tang Feng stopped and tilted his head, asking, "Have you been at the Prince's residence the whole time?"
Yes, he's wanted to see you for a long time.
"Is that so?" After a long silence, Tang Feng spoke again. "In that case, I'll have to trouble Mr. Wen. Oh, and by the way, Your Highness, don't talk about owing me anything; you don't owe me anything."
After boarding the carriage, Tang Feng rested his forehead on his hand, pondering Li Yunye's words. Before the Crown Prince's death, Shen Qinghang hadn't betrayed him. So who was it that instigated the princess to force Li Yunrui into imprisonment? Li Yunheng? Or Li Yunye? If it was Li Yunheng, he wouldn't have risked it alone. So, the one who took the fall must be Li Yunheng. Why? Was it to sow discord by using Li Yunye's mother's affair? But would Li Yunheng go directly to Li Yunye? Or was there some opportunity or trigger? If Li Yunye went to Li Yunheng himself, who was the one strategizing behind him? Was it Wen Yunsheng? After the carriage stopped, Tang Feng realized he was home. He thought he'd be back soon, but he'd been gone for almost half a day, returning at dusk. As soon as he entered the gate, he saw Liu Yiwan waiting for him in the front yard. Seeing Tang Feng return, she quickly stepped forward, "Young Master, you're finally back! Otherwise, we wouldn't have eaten!"
"Why are you waiting for me to do something?" Tang Feng laughed when he heard this. Seeing Liu Yiwan's miserable expression, he reached out and used the rib of his fan to press against Liu Yiwan's shoulder. "What? Did I disturb your romantic time with Sister Jiu? Are you blaming me?"
"How could I possibly blame the young master!"
"Tch, you're just saying that. Alright, I don't have the energy to argue with you anymore. Call Ziliang out, and tell your sister that it's been a long time since she's been back to the Marquis's mansion. She should go back and visit. Don't wait for me."
Tang Feng waited at the door for less than half an incense stick's time before Zhou Ziliang came out. Seeing Tang Feng standing at the door waiting for him, he couldn't help but ask, "Why did you suddenly decide to go back to the Marquis's mansion today?"
"No," Tang Feng pointed to the backyard. "Liu gave me the cold shoulder last night, complaining that I was in his way, so I'll just go out for a stroll. It's really hard to be a good person these days."
"That must have been hard on you, Xiao Feng," Zhou Ziliang said, taking Tang Feng's hand and tapping his forehead with his other hand. "Are you hungry? Let me take you to Taibai Tower."
"So, you just happened to give Li Yunye a big gift?" Zhou Ziliang sat in the private room of Taibai Tower, listened to Tang Feng's story today, pondered for a moment, and then looked at Tang Feng who was flipping through the menu. "And then, to make himself feel better, he sent you a doctor?"
"You could say that! He said he owes me, so let's just say he owes me!" Tang Feng looked down at the menu, then called over the waiter. "Steamed sea bass, steamed egg with crab roe, and a braised duck, please." After watching Tang Feng finish ordering, Zhou Ziliang laughed and said, "What's wrong? Didn't you eat enough at the palace banquet today? Are you starving yourself?"
"I didn't eat much, but I'm not really hungry. I just ordered a few dishes as revenge, to vent a little," Tang Feng said, rubbing his aching temples. He then sighed, "Today's meal almost turned into me being eaten. It was a real escape from death."
"But isn't this what Xiaofeng wanted too?"
"I suppose so, but it was a bit of a gamble. After all, recommending Li Yunye in this way is somewhat troublesome. I just don't understand why I was the only one invited to this kind of event, this family banquet. If it were Li Yunye or Li Yunheng who invited me, I wouldn't be surprised, but why did His Majesty..."
"Perhaps His Majesty wants to give you a warning. The two princes are openly and covertly vying for power, and His Majesty may have already noticed something amiss. You've also been claiming illness and staying home lately, so perhaps he wants to know if you've been dragged into it."
"That would be for the best!"
The next morning, the Jade Prince's sedan chair stopped at the gate of the Tang residence. Before Liu Yiwan could even figure out what was going on, a man alighted from the chair. He was dressed as a scholar, with fair skin and lifeless eyes staring blankly at the gate. Liu Yiwan waved his hand in front of the man, who then said, "I may have poor eyesight, but I'm not blind." Startled, Liu Yiwan shuddered, awkwardly withdrawing his hand and stammering, "Sir, who are you looking for?"
"My name is Wen Yunsheng, and I am the physician sent by His Highness the Jade King to treat Grand Tutor Tang." Liu Yiwan scratched his head, looking at Wen Yunsheng with some difficulty. "Sir, my young master did not instruct me to have visitors today, and... His Highness the Jade King..."
"Is this Lord Wen, the attendant of the Prince?" Liu Yiwan was interrupted by Tang Feng before she could finish speaking. Tang Feng cupped his hands in greeting to Wen Yunsheng and said, "Lord Wen, please come in." He then instructed Liu Yiwan to serve tea. Wen Yunsheng was new to the Tang residence and unfamiliar with its layout. As soon as he entered, he grabbed Tang Feng's sleeve, leaving Tang Feng somewhat puzzled. "Lord Wen?"
"Grand Tutor, please forgive me, but my eyesight isn't very good, so I'll have to trouble you to lead the way." After hearing Wen Yunsheng's words, Tang Feng began to examine Wen Yunsheng's eyes. Indeed, compared to ordinary people's eyes, his eyes had a hazy, grayish quality. Tang Feng frowned, but then heard Wen Yunsheng jokingly say, "Grand Tutor Tang, what do you mean by examining me like that? Are you worried about my medical skills? Don't worry! As the saying goes, one should heal others, not oneself. The condition of my eyes doesn't hinder the depth of my medical skills."
Tang Feng felt a little awkward at Wen Yunsheng's words. He forced a smile and let Wen Yunsheng pull him by the sleeve into the backyard. Could Li Yunye be plotting against him? Sending over a doctor who seemed even more like an ancestor than Wu He Zou! "This is it. Please sit down," Tang Feng said, handing Wen Yunsheng a stool. He himself sat down on the other side, but as soon as he sat down, Wen Yunsheng felt around and grabbed his hand. Wen Yunsheng pulled out a wrist rest from his medicine box. "Let me take your pulse first. Please."
Wen Yunsheng placed his hand on Tang Feng's pulse point, closed his eyes, and carefully examined the cause of the illness. "Grand Tutor, is it because His Highness the Ninth Prince is not doing well in his studies? It has made you so angry."
Tang Feng never expected this person to speak so recklessly. He tried to pull his hand back, but Wen Yunsheng pressed it firmly against his wrist. "Grand Tutor, why are you dodging? Observation, listening, questioning, and palpation are what a doctor should do." Then he tilted his head and thought for a moment. "Your body is probably fine, but is there something weighing on your mind?"
Tang Feng frowned, but forced a smile. "What could I possibly be worried about? I just want to live."
“You’re lying,” Wen Yunsheng said softly. “Your pulse is beating very fast! You’re preoccupied with something, so your illness won’t get better. Tell me, what could it be? Like a plan to help the Ninth Prince seize the throne?”
Tang Feng glanced at Wen Yunsheng in surprise, then chuckled softly, "Lord Wen, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. How could a loyal minister like me do such a treasonous thing?" Tang Feng thought that Wen Yunsheng was just trying to provoke him. After all, in yesterday's conversation, it was clear that Li Yunye was not very sure that he had participated in the struggle for the throne, so those around him probably didn't know either.
"Hmm... a loyal minister? A person can only be loyal to one person, that's what makes a loyal minister. Which one are you loyal to? You went to the Luohe Bridge to control the floods for no reason, and then used the excuse of writing lyrics for His Majesty to help the Lin family escape danger. So many things, it's impossible that you had nothing to do with them. I believe you wouldn't do something without fame or gain."
Tang Feng's smile finally vanished, and he said coldly, "Then what about Lord Wen? Didn't you play a part in stirring up trouble in the Crown Prince's case?"
"That matter?" Wen Yunsheng smiled, fanning himself twice with his folding fan. "Doing what you want, killing what you want—isn't that more interesting? Don't be angry, Lord Tang. Getting less angry might just add a couple more years to your life."
"Why?"
"ah?"
"Why didn't you tell Li Yunye about what happened to me? Didn't you already know?"
"Hmm... because it's very interesting! I'm really looking forward to seeing the end of Lord Tang's game of chess."
Tang Feng gasped upon hearing this, forcing himself to remain calm, and asked in a low voice, "Aren't you one of Li Yunye's men?" "Why would Lord Tang think I'm one of the Prince's men? I don't serve in the court, and the court wouldn't tolerate me," Wen Yunsheng said, removing his hand from Tang Feng's wrist. He continued, "I will be coming over for the next ten days. You should take good care of your health. A sickly person who'd be blown away by a gust of wind, you'll probably die before the Ninth Prince is chosen as heir."
"Sick...sickly..."
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