The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
Li Yunyu nodded, then was about to put the list in his pocket and take it away when Tang Feng stopped him. "Your Highness, it's better to leave the list with me. Your identity is too sensitive and dangerous." Li Yunyu knew that Tang Feng had other plans, so he didn't insist. The two sat quietly without speaking until the koi fish outside leaped out of the pond, the splashing water breaking the silence. Only then did Tang Feng speak. "It's getting late. You should go back as soon as possible. I'll have someone inform you after I've dealt with the matter of entering the palace." Seeing that Li Yunyu didn't move, Tang Feng smiled. "What? Reluctant to leave?"
Li Yunyu shook her head, looking at Tang Feng with a hint of probing and worry in her voice, "Grand Tutor... I am a little worried. Will anything happen when we go to the palace in a few days?"
Tang Feng was taken aback, then picked up his teacup and drank. "No, even if something happens, I'll take the blame for you." Li Yunyu gripped the teacup tightly, lowered her head, and said softly, "Thank you, sir."
Tang Feng didn't instruct the servants to see Li Yunyu off. Instead, he unusually escorted him to the door himself. Standing in the rain, holding an umbrella, Tang Feng sighed as he watched the carriage disappear into the distance. Li Yunyu was someone he had personally raised. Although he had made his share of mistakes, he was generally considered to have no wicked intentions. Over the years, Tang Feng felt he had lived up to Li Yunrui's expectations. While he hadn't raised him to be a ruler, he had at least prevented him from becoming a tyrannical ruler who would harm the people. Tang Feng knew he wouldn't be able to accompany Li Yunyu on his future path, and could only hope that Li Yunyu wouldn't act so impulsively again.
"His Highness has left?"
Tang Feng stood in the rain for a long time, lost in thought, until Zhou Ziliang spoke to him from behind. He then smiled at Zhou Ziliang and slowly walked through the door. "Although His Highness isn't a good student, he might be a good emperor in the future. Even if what I give him isn't what he wants, he will still try his best to do it well. That's one of his strengths."
Zhou Ziliang walked behind Tang Feng, following him into the house. He took the oil-paper umbrella from Tang Feng and placed it aside. "Your Highness... you're young and impetuous, and it's hard for you to control your temper. But time will heal all wounds, and you'll have to put in a lot of effort then."
Tang Feng looked out the window and shook his head. "Everyone has to walk their own path. Who can stay with them forever? I just heard the sound of koi jumping into the pond."
Zhou Ziliang stepped forward, placed the hot water bottle in Tang Feng's arms, and looked up at the pond in the yard. "It's probably going to freeze soon. The fish can't stay in the water anymore. I'm afraid it's going to snow heavily this year."
"Snow is good... A timely snow promises a bumper harvest."
Zhou Ziliang suddenly remembered Wu Hezou saying that Tang Feng's health probably wouldn't last until next year, and he pursed his lips and said softly, "Little Feng... when winter passes and spring arrives, let's go admire the crabapple blossoms together."
"...Um"
Tang Feng gazed out the window, avoiding Zhou Ziliang's eyes. He feared being burned by the intensity in Zhou Ziliang's gaze. Zhou Ziliang, however, seemed unconcerned, sitting down to help Tang Feng organize the copied scriptures. "After the first seven days, offer incense for another seven days. That's considered the end of the mourning period. When will we go to the palace?" It wasn't that Zhou Ziliang was impatient; he was simply concerned for Tang Feng's health and wanted him to be able to recuperate peacefully as soon as possible.
"Let's get it done sooner," Tang Feng said softly, fiddling with the hot water bottle in his hands. "This can't be delayed. I was thinking of waiting until after the New Year, but now I think, if we finish it sooner, we might be able to have a good New Year." Zhou Ziliang nodded and didn't say anything more. After a while, Tang Feng felt that the hot water bottle in his hands had cooled down, so he put it on the table and rubbed his hands together. "Let's invite Old Wu over in a couple of days and see what medicine we need before and after the New Year. Let him prepare it in advance, so he can go home and have a good New Year this year."
Wu Hezou's hometown wasn't far from Xiling, but it still took about half a month to get there. Ever since Wu Hezou took over Tang Feng, he hadn't been home. Zhou Ziliang genuinely felt sorry for Wu Hezou, but he couldn't help feeling that Tang Feng's actions were somewhat risky. After all, Tang Feng's health was deteriorating, and even if he didn't overthink it, he couldn't help but have suspicions. "Old Wu hasn't been home for three years... but your health..."
"It's alright. No one's bothering me anymore, what can I do?" Seeing Tang Feng's insistence, Zhou Ziliang ultimately didn't voice his biggest worry, only smiling faintly, "That's true... After all, you still have me by your side. The weather will warm up after the New Year, maybe you won't feel so bad anymore."
Wu Hezou arrived the day before Tang Feng entered the palace. Tang Feng had been busy copying testimonies for the past few days, and had also written a letter to Li Yunyu, instructing him not to cause trouble. They would enter the palace to overturn the case once the Empress Dowager's mourning hall was removed. Tang Feng only summoned Wu Hezou after everything was prepared.
Wu Hezou glanced at Tang Feng, who was lying obediently on the bed, sighed, and put the medicine box aside. He had just learned that morning that Tang Feng had instructed Zhou Ziliang to let him go back to his hometown for the New Year. Now, he had come to take Tang Feng's pulse, completely in a bad mood, and started cursing as soon as he entered the door.
"I heard you're trying to send me away? That's utterly absurd! A pipe dream! In your current state, staggering and wobbling, you still want to go to the palace? Whether you'll even survive the New Year is questionable, and you have the audacity to tell me to go back?" Wu He Zou wiped his hands, put down the handkerchief, and finally couldn't bear to continue. He softened his tone, frowned, and asked, "Is it absolutely necessary to go? Tomorrow will be very dangerous! Why the sudden rush?"
Tang Feng gave a bitter smile and said softly, "I don't have much time left, don't you know that?" Seeing that Wu Hezou didn't speak, Tang Feng didn't press further. "Whether it's risky or not is none of your concern. I'm going to die anyway, I've long since become indifferent to it. It's just that I'm a little worried about Ziliang."
"You... if you want to live a good life, stop thinking about these nonsense things." Wu Hezou shook his head as he looked at Tang Feng, whose face was deathly pale, and then took his pulse. "Have you been vomiting blood lately?"
Tang Feng shook his head with his eyes closed. "No, it's just that talking too much... makes me cough and wheeze badly." Given that Tang Feng was a repeat offender, Wu He Zou had long since dismissed his words as nonsense and didn't listen to his explanations at all. "You know you won't live to see spring like this, right?"
"Spring..." Tang Feng lowered his eyes and smiled faintly, "You don't need to comfort me. Spring is still a long way off. I probably won't live that long. Just say what you want to say. I called you here today to show Ziliang, so he can feel at ease letting you go back. It's been three years. Because of this troublesome patient of mine, you probably hate me to death by now."
"You...you know it yourself." Wu Hezou looked at Tang Feng smiling at him, and instantly lost his temper. Looking at Tang Feng's thin and weak body, Wu Hezou doubted his own medical skills for the first time and felt a deep sense of powerlessness. "Tang Feng...you..."
"What's with that expression? You've been through so much on the battlefield, shouldn't you be used to life and death? Don't worry, I've heard these kinds of things so many times, I don't care anymore. Just tell me how much longer I have, don't worry about my feelings."
"This... one month, at most one month. I can only protect your health for another month. After that, we'll do our best and leave the rest to fate. Everything will be out of my control. But I still want to say... let's forget about me leaving the Marquis's mansion at the end of the year. A few more days won't make a difference. After all, we should see things through to the end. You're sending me away because you're afraid the Zhou family will be implicated in my death, right?"
“Father and Mother will naturally not make things difficult for you, but Ziliang has always been confused about my affairs. If he offends me in the future, please forgive him.” Tang Feng knew that Wu Hezou was determined not to leave, so he slowly got up, supporting himself on the bed, and bowed to Wu Hezou. “You… what are you doing! Alright, alright, I know, I’m really guilty. I’ve spent my whole life practicing medicine and helping people, but in the end, you little brat have ruined my reputation.” Wu Hezou shook his head, picked up his medicine box, and left. Tang Feng slowly sat down, looked at the mirror in front of the table, and said softly, “If that’s really the case… Ziliang, we don’t have much time left. But no matter what, I’ve never regretted coming here, marrying you, or helping the Ninth Prince seize the throne. I chose my own path. Life and death are separated by a single thought; there’s no room for regret.”
"Xiao Feng...why haven't you rested?" Tang Feng quickly put on a smile upon seeing Zhou Ziliang return, saying, "Old Wu came over, took my pulse, and just left. I didn't have anything to do here, so I just spaced out." Zhou Ziliang sat down beside Tang Feng, his heart aching at Tang Feng's haggard face. The succession struggle was Tang Feng's request. Although he hadn't stopped him, he still felt uneasy. After all, he knew Tang Feng's health; doing something so mentally and physically exhausting for so long would likely not end well. And Tang Feng himself was so stubborn; Qin Liuliu's matter had always been a source of worry for him. He had initially gone along with his nature, and later supported the Ninth Prince step by step to where he was today. Both the Ninth Prince and Tang Feng were stubborn people, inevitably leading to unpleasantness between them. Although he was unhappy, he couldn't show it. "Are you tired? If you are, take a rest."
Tang Feng shook his head, stood up, and slowly hugged Zhou Ziliang, whispering in his ear, "I'm not sleepy. Can you chat with me today?" Tang Feng didn't know why, despite spending most of his days in a daze due to intermittent insomnia over the past two weeks, he was unusually awake today. Zhou Ziliang readily agreed, placing a soft cushion behind Tang Feng and helping him lean closer. Tang Feng said, "How about telling me about things in the military camp...? These past few days, even though my eyes are wide open at night, I'm incredibly sleepy when I'm copying scriptures during the day. I keep dreaming about my days at Lishan Academy. To be honest, although back then I wasn't with you..." "It was so difficult, but I'll always remember that time vividly." Zhou Ziliang frowned as he looked at Tang Feng. Although Wu Hezou had said that Tang Feng's time was near, he still couldn't believe that the boy who had fallen from the Thousand Prayer Tree, carrying petals and a gentle breeze, and who had rushed into his arms, was about to leave him. Seeing that Zhou Ziliang ignored him, Tang Feng looked up and smiled helplessly, "Don't be like that. We're just chatting, why are you acting like we're facing a formidable enemy?" Then Tang Feng leaned against Zhou Ziliang and whispered, "I remember later I went to the military camp with you. The stewed meat there was really delicious. That day happened to be Brother Chen's wife's birthday, so the military camp was very lively."
Mentioning Chen Ke, Zhou Ziliang paused for a moment, then recalled that during the attack on Jinxi, Chen Ke had mentioned that his wife was about to give birth, and he told Tang Feng, "Speaking of this, Chen Ke told me that his wife is about to give birth and he wants you to name the child."
Tang Feng laughed out loud upon hearing this. "How could I possibly name a child? Let Brother Chen go find a fortune teller to have his fortune told. Besides, I've been sick all this time; what if I pass that illness on to the child?"
"Don't say that," Zhou Ziliang gently tucked a stray hair behind Tang Feng's ear. "This is what they wanted."
Tang Feng thought for a long time before speaking, "The Xiang River flows endlessly, its winding peaks swaying gently. Like broken jade pieces forming a harmonious melody, it evokes the image of a zither and lute playing in perfect harmony. Brother Chen is a brave and resourceful general, and Sister-in-law is a heroine who is no less capable than any man. Their affections are mutual, and like two pieces of jade clashing together, their sounds are melodious. Let's name them Chen Jue."
The words had barely left his mouth when a familiar metallic taste surged in his throat. Tang Feng turned his head, and blood gushed from his mouth. Zhou Ziliang quickly patted his back and said, "Get some rest. We have to go to the palace tomorrow, and another fierce battle is inevitable. Even though Li Yunye is dead, Li Yunheng is still alive. We must not underestimate him."
Tang Feng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, pushed away Zhou Ziliang's support, and said seriously, "Indeed... He's been very cautious, but no matter how careful you are, you'll always slip up. The evidence is conclusive, and His Majesty is discerning; I believe everything will go smoothly." Zhou Ziliang nodded, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. "Nothing else is wrong. I'm just afraid Li Yunheng might impeach you behind your back, after all, our current positions weren't obtained honorably."
"But he..." Tang Feng hesitated, yet remained unwilling. "But he murdered his brother first, what right does he have to impeach me before His Majesty?" Zhou Ziliang shook his head, tucked Tang Feng in, and said helplessly, holding his hand, "It's because you said that I'm worried. You can never predict the outcome of royal affairs. I have no requests for tomorrow, just to leave unscathed and return safely, Xiao Feng, promise me."
The next morning, Tang Feng propped himself up and sat up, only to see Liu Yiwan bring him a basin of water.
"Why are you here?" Tang Feng hadn't told the Tang family about his plan to go to the palace to overturn the case, fearing Qin Jiujiu would worry about him. When he saw Liu Yiwan enter, Tang Feng was also taken aback.
"Miss Jiu asked me to take care of you for a few days. She said you weren't going back, and she was busy managing everything at the Tang residence, so she couldn't get away to come see you," Liu Yiwan chuckled as she walked to Tang Feng's side and handed him a handkerchief.
Tang Feng nodded, waiting for Liu Yiwan to finish washing and changing him before heading towards the door. Only then did he hear Liu Yiwan speak, "Young Master... where are you going so early in the morning? It's a bit strange not seeing the Young Marquis so early. Did you two have another fight?"
Tang Feng glanced at Liu Yiwan, then pinched her arm. "Can't you say anything good about me? If I hadn't been busy today, I would have taught you a lesson. You've been running wild in the Tang mansion, even though your sister doesn't care." Liu Yiwan chuckled, then bowed to Tang Feng and said, "Young Master, you've returned safely."
There was no court session today. Tang Feng went to Li Yunyu's place first and found Li Yunyu waiting at the door early in the morning. He asked, "Is Your Highness ready?"
Li Yunyu pursed her lips and hesitated for a moment. "Sir... I hope nothing goes wrong... My fourth brother is always so glib, I'm afraid..."
"You are not the same person you used to be, Your Highness. You have now rendered meritorious service in exonerating the Prince of Annam, and have been granted the title of Seven-Bead Prince. Among all the princes, your military achievements are outstanding, and you are no less capable than him. There is no need to be timid." Tang Feng's words reassured Li Yunyu considerably. After all, Tang Feng had never made a mistake in his work. As long as Tang Feng was confident, Li Yunyu had nothing to worry about.
Is His Majesty in the study today?
Li Yunyu shook her head. "Father went to Consort Rong's place today; he'll probably rest there tonight." Tang Feng nodded and walked towards Rong Ji's palace, saying as he went, "That's perfect; let's settle both old and new scores together."
"Grand Tutor, please... come another day. His Majesty and Consort Rong are inside..." Seeing Tang Feng bring Li Yunyu over, Eunuch Feng, though unsure of their intentions, instinctively wanted to refuse them, judging from their hostile demeanor.
Tang Feng glanced at Eunuch Feng and pulled him back, saying, "Please, sir, be lenient. It's really urgent." Eunuch Feng shook his head, "Please don't make things difficult for this old servant... I... Sigh! Grand Tutor! What are you doing!"
Tang Feng knelt down with a thud and loudly proclaimed, "Your Majesty, I, Tang Feng, request an audience! I have important matters to report, and I humbly beseech Your Majesty to grant my request!" He then bowed deeply. Li Yunyu initially intended to help Tang Feng up, but then, remembering the importance of the matter, he too knelt down. Seeing this, Eunuch Feng hurriedly said, "Grand Tutor Tang... please rise! His Majesty truly refuses to see anyone today. Kneeling like this, even until nightfall, may not be of any use."
"Your Majesty, I, Tang Feng, request an audience. I have important matters to report, and I humbly request Your Majesty's permission!" Tang Feng knew his health was deteriorating day by day, and that delaying would only bring Li Yunyu harm.
Just as Eunuch Feng was in a dilemma, Emperor Yun suddenly spoke from inside the room, "Since they're already here, let them in."
"Grand Tutor Tang, let me help you up," Eunuch Feng sighed, helping Tang Feng to his feet. He then opened the door behind him and said, "Ninth Prince, Grand Tutor, please come in."
Tang Feng followed Li Yunyu into the room and saw Rong Ji sitting next to Emperor Yun. He and Li Yunyu knelt down together.
"Yun Yu, what's the matter that you're in such a panic?" Emperor Yun looked at Tang Feng and Li Yun Yu kneeling on the ground, his displeasure already rising. He frowned and asked in a deep voice.
"Father, I have come here today... regarding the case of the late Crown Prince Li Yunrui in the Eastern Palace."
Upon hearing this, Rong Ji's heart skipped a beat. He quickly looked at Emperor Yun, who slowly rose and squinted at Li Yunyu. "Didn't your tutor teach you to be careful with your words and actions?" In Rong Ji's view, Emperor Yun wasn't angry that Li Yunyu had brought up the past. After all, Li Yunyu had achieved numerous military exploits, from his meritorious service in controlling the floods at Anhe Bridge to the later exoneration of Jinxi. Emperor Yun's attitude towards Li Yunyu was indeed much better than before. Rong Ji's heart tightened, and he slowly stood up, waiting for Li Yunyu's reply.
"Father, my brother was devoted to the country back then. If he hadn't been framed by treacherous people, how could he have been branded as a traitor and rebel?! I beg you to reopen this old case."
Li Yunyu knelt on the ground, his words sincere, but they failed to move Emperor Yun. He merely looked coldly at Tang Feng and asked, "Grand Tutor Tang, I would like to ask you, did you instigate Yunyu to do this?"
"Your Highness, Ninth Prince, grew up in the late Crown Prince's residence and shared a deep brotherly bond with him. Although your words and actions just now were inappropriate and offended you, I humbly request Your Majesty to reopen the case of the late Crown Prince's massacre of his entire family and restore his innocence." Tang Feng bowed deeply in respect. Emperor Yun slowly descended from the platform, looked down at Tang Feng, and said with his hands behind his back, "Aren't you afraid? After the reopening, the Crown Prince will not be wronged."
"If the rebellion and treason are true, Tang Feng is willing to resign from his position as Grand Tutor and never again concern himself with the affairs of the previous dynasty."
Emperor Yun waved his hand, signaling Eunuch Feng to have a chair brought over. After sitting down, he slowly said, "You say Yun Rui is innocent. Tell me what your reasons are."
Tang Feng took the list from his robes and presented it to Emperor Yun through Eunuch Feng. Only after Emperor Yun opened it did Tang Feng speak, “Back then, the Crown Prince transferred the Marquis of Dingbei back from the border for the sake of Xiling, and had to use the military tally. Things weren't as you see them. It was the Fourth Prince who, to sow discord, brought the Princess's sweetheart and the Third Prince's mother, Lady Xiao, together, and then sent a palace maid to inform the late Crown Prince, causing a rift between him and the Third Prince. Although I don't know where that maid was, I have found the sister of the messenger who told Huaitang to go to the inner palace to see Lady Xiao. If Your Majesty doesn't believe me, you can summon her for questioning.”
Emperor Yun tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of his chair, one tap at a time. He glanced at Rong Ji, who stood nervously to the side, and Li Yunyu, who knelt on the ground with a serious expression. "Pass it on."
Having received the imperial decree, Eunuch Feng raised his head and shouted, "Summon the witnesses to the hall!"
The girl was helped to Emperor Yun's presence, and she groped her way to kneel down, saying, "This commoner, Wen Ying, greets Your Majesty."
"You say you knew about the framing of Huaitang back then, but do you know who instigated it?" Hearing Emperor Yun's question, the woman turned to Tang Feng and shook her head. "I only know that the silver you gave me had the character 'Xu' engraved on the back. The Grand Tutor said that in order to distribute the stipends, the Ministry of Revenue would engrave the names of officials on the silver."
Emperor Yun looked at Tang Feng and said in a deep voice, "Grand Tutor Tang, who do you think this official surnamed Xu is?"
"Your Majesty, I believe it is particularly close to Chang'an."
"There are so many officials with the surname Xu, why do you only suspect him? If you can't produce any evidence, isn't that a bit of alarmist talk, Grand Tutor Tang?"
Tang Feng looked up at the booklet in Emperor Yun's hand. "Your Majesty, this list is from half a month ago, the night before the Third Prince committed suicide. I met with the Third Prince, and the memorial lists the names of all the officials who participated in framing the Crown Prince. Please take a look, Your Majesty..."
Emperor Yun looked down at the booklet in his hand and sneered, "Xu Chang'an's name is indeed on it, but what does that prove? Tang Feng, do you now think you killed Yun Ye too early?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Feng's pupils dilated slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm and said, "This humble subject is foolish; Your Majesty also knows that the Third Prince was driven to a dead end and had no choice but to commit suicide."
Tang Feng took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, "Regarding what happened back then, the Third Prince has already stated that the death of the Eldest Princess was due to his collusion with the Fourth Prince, fabricating a scandal! They killed Huai Tang, destroyed the body, and forced the Eldest Princess to commit suicide. Furthermore, the Fourth Prince colluded with the Third Prince, along with foreign envoys and Pu Yuan, to incite the Eldest Princess to falsely accuse the former Crown Prince of plotting a rebellion. Your Majesty! I request that you reopen the case of the Crown Prince! If you do not believe me, you can bring the Fourth Prince to court for a confrontation."
Upon hearing this, Rong Ji was startled and wanted to defend Li Yunheng, but with Emperor Yun present, he had no choice but to swallow his anger and wait and see.
"You want to overturn Yunrui's case, but you have no evidence," Emperor Yun stood up and walked towards Tang Feng. "What you've said is nothing but empty words, and the evidence is scarce. I've heard your words; now it's my turn to question you." Emperor Yun looked down at Tang Feng, but before he could speak, Li Yunyu said, "Father! My elder brother never did anything to wrong Yan Yun. I beg you to reopen the case of the Crown Prince and not to make things difficult for the Grand Tutor."
"How dare you! I'm asking Tang Feng another question, who gave you the right to interrupt?!"
Emperor Yun's angry rebuke startled Li Yunyu, and Tang Feng also sensed the Emperor's impatience. He just hadn't expected that after so many years, Emperor Yun hadn't given a moment's thought to the Crown Prince's death. After all, the case had been hastily closed back then, giving Li Yunrui no chance to defend himself. And now that he was bringing up the old matter again, as a father, he showed no intention of investigating further.
"Tang Feng, you told me that this booklet was given to you by Yun Ye before he died. Then tell me, why did he give it to you before he died?"
"His Highness, knowing that his mother is no longer alive, is heartbroken and deeply regrets everything he has done. That's why he summoned me late at night," Tang Feng said carefully, each word carefully chosen, afraid of offending the Emperor. He frequently looked up to observe the Emperor's expression.
"Since he was so determined, why did he have to tell you? Jinxi is only a dozen kilometers away from Xiling. Why was he so eager to atone with his death? Wuyou's death was indeed suspicious, but why didn't he come here to tell me in person?"
Tang Feng didn't know why his situation had suddenly become passive. Yun Di's relentless pressure caught him off guard. "Because..."
"Because Yun Ye was forced to his death by you," Emperor Yun pinched Tang Feng's cheek, forcing him to look at him. His eyes were filled with coldness, which made Tang Feng feel a little scared. "You told him about Xiao Shi's death, and you instigated the rebellion. That's why he wanted to see you before he died. As for this booklet, shouldn't you have written your name and Lao Jiu's name on it together?!"
After Emperor Yun finished speaking, he moved his hand away. Tang Feng, who had lost his support, quickly lowered his head. Cold sweat trickled down his cheeks. Just as he was about to explain for Li Yunyu, Emperor Yun spoke again, "Grand Tutor Tang, if you're not feeling well, please get up."
"Your subject dares not."
"There's nothing you wouldn't dare to do. You even dared to slander my own prince, what else wouldn't you do?"
At this point, the matter reached a stalemate. Tang Feng knew that Emperor Yun would be unhappy about bringing up the old matter again, but he didn't expect him to keep focusing on Li Yunye. After thinking it over, he decided that he should at least bring Li Yunheng down. Even if Emperor Yun insisted that he explain Li Yunye's matter, he could admit it later. Even if it was a one-for-one exchange, it would be worth it. So he cupped his hands and continued, "Your Majesty, I know that you love your sons dearly. The Third Prince and the Fourth Prince are your sons, and the former Crown Prince was also your son. Don't you want to know at all what happened back then?"
"I know very well what happened back then," Emperor Yun said, his hands behind his back and head bowed as he looked at Li Yunyu and Tang Feng. "I know Yunrui doesn't have the guts to rebel."
"What?" Tang Feng looked up sharply at Emperor Yun, somewhat puzzled. Seeing Tang Feng's confused expression, Emperor Yun's lips curled up slightly. "What? Grand Tutor Tang, you've got a good plan, haven't you realized that when two tigers fight, one will surely die? To get what you want, you have to use any means necessary. I thought you had already figured this out when you plotted to frame Yun Ye."
Tang Feng's hand, hidden in his sleeve, began to tremble uncontrollably. Then, in a trembling voice, he asked, "Your Majesty means... that you know the late Crown Prince was framed?"
"Of course, but encountering Zhou Ziliang at the city gate did indeed infuriate me. However, I figured Yunrui didn't have much guts, so I thought I'd see what kind of trouble the brothers could stir up. As it turns out, the law of the jungle is not without reason; the losers die and that's it."
Tang Feng hadn't expected that Li Yunrui's death was merely a product of Emperor Yun's strategy of watching the power struggle unfold. Kneeling on the ground, he dared not speak. Emperor Yun's voice rose eight octaves, his attitude icy: "Yun Ye, for the sake of his Xiao family, spared no effort in colluding with former court officials. It was all for the throne. And you, in secret, colluded with Yun Yu, saving the Lin family for your own use. You helped Yun Yu gain trust and repeatedly achieve military merits, also for this throne, weren't you!"
"Your Majesty, I have no such intention! I only wish to inquire with the Grand Tutor about..." Li Yunyu tried to rise to speak but was stopped by Tang Feng. The prolonged kneeling had made Tang Feng uncomfortable, and the lack of progress had caused him increasing chest pain. However, Emperor Yun showed no sign of letting them off the hook, so Tang Feng could only grit his teeth and endure it. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. You have witnessed the Ninth Prince's filial piety. The Ninth Prince and the late Crown Prince shared a deep brotherly bond, and he did not wish to see him die a tragic death, so..."
A deathly silence fell over the hall, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. After a long while, Emperor Yun leaned down and looked at Tang Feng, coldly saying, "Then I ask you, have you and Ninth Prince felt any pity for the throne?"
"Never..."
"Very well!" Emperor Yun said to Eunuch Feng beside him, "Go and fetch the letter that's at the very bottom of my study!" Seeing the tense situation, Eunuch Feng didn't dare delay. He quickly retrieved the letter, handed it to Emperor Yun, and stepped back a few paces to stand aside.
Emperor Yun threw the letter in front of Tang Feng. "You say you have no compassion for the throne? Then explain this letter—the collusion with concubines, the courting of princes—every single word of which wasn't written by you?" Tang Feng's hands trembled as he opened the envelope. The letter he had sent to Yun Lan was actually with Emperor Yun. It turned out Emperor Yun had known everything he had done all along. Just as he was about to speak in defense, Emperor Yun sneered. Tang Feng slowly raised his head, looking at Emperor Yun with mockery and indifference in his eyes, and uttered the words he would never forget for the rest of his life—words that would haunt him like a nightmare.
"I heard you've always thought Tang Zhaonan committed suicide?" Emperor Yun looked at Tang Feng, who was standing there, trembling uncontrollably, like a lamb to the slaughter. "You're alive today because Tang Zhaonan risked his life for you. Tang Feng, are you so greedy for power? Didn't Tang Zhaonan tell you before he died that you shouldn't touch these things?"
"You...you drove my father to his death?" Tang Feng's voice trembled, his eyes bloodshot as he stared intently at Emperor Yun. He couldn't believe that his father had been driven to his death by the very emperor he had always trusted.
"No, you drove him to his death!" The moment Emperor Yun uttered those words, the world spun around him, his ears rang as if ringing, and he couldn't hear anything. A feeling of being devoured by a ferocious beast gripped his chest, making it hard to breathe.
Seeing that Tang Feng was not behaving well, Li Yunyu quickly supported him as he swayed precariously while kneeling. Tang Feng was shaking his head, his eyes vacant, in a state of unprecedented disarray, muttering softly, "No... impossible, my father... my father committed suicide..."
"Yes! Suicide! You drove him to his death! Such audacity, disrupting the government, colluding with concubines, having an affair with princes—you deserved to die. Such a heinous crime, didn't you ever consider that the path you've taken has been far too easy? Ah, Tang Zhaonan said he's willing to exchange his life for his son's. Tang Feng, you truly have a good father!" Emperor Yun threw the booklet at Tang Feng.
"Ugh!" Tang Feng felt a surge of blood rush to his chest. He covered his mouth, trying to swallow the blood, but it surged upwards like a burst dam, gushing from his mouth and flowing down his fingertips.
"As for Yunrui... he is indeed a good boy, but there's nothing I can do. I hate traitors the most. When he was mobilizing troops, when I saw the army at the city gates, no matter who defended him, I would have killed him. Yunheng and Yunye were just doing what I wanted to do. Tang Feng, what else is there to say?"
Li Yunyu quickly stepped forward to support Tang Feng, who said haltingly, "Your Majesty... even tigers don't eat their cubs, don't you feel any regret?"
"Regret? Regret what?" Emperor Yun sneered. "I think Tang Zhaonan might regret it, but the son he gave his life for is so unrepentant. Tang Feng, do you know your crime!"
"Your Majesty... uh..." Tang Feng propped himself up with one hand, leaning against Li Yunyu. He tried to look at the Emperor but couldn't utter a single word. The sharp pain in his chest made breathing a luxury, and his face was deathly pale.
"As for Yun Yu..." Emperor Yun looked at Li Yun Yu, who was supporting Tang Feng, "As a prince, he covets the throne..."
"Your Majesty," Tang Feng suddenly stood up and knelt upright, his voice soft yet firm, "Today's events were instigated by your subject, and your guilt is as great as the mountains..."
"Sir! What are you doing! Shut up!" Li Yunyu grabbed Tang Feng, trying to stop him from continuing. He knew Tang Feng wanted to protect him, so he took the blame upon himself as well, but it was to no avail. Tang Feng pushed Li Yunyu away and continued, "I would gladly die ten thousand deaths! I dare not accept punishment under the Crown Prince, but I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly." With his blood-stained hands, Tang Feng trembled as he tore the booklet on the ground to shreds. "Yunyu is guilty, but Tang Feng is the only one guilty!"
Emperor Yun stepped over the shredded paper Tang Feng had torn up and walked back to the platform. Rong Ji, seeing Tang Feng punished, breathed a sigh of relief and took Emperor Yun's arm. Emperor Yun looked down at Tang Feng and Li Yunyu and said, "Li Yunyu, considering your young age and the fact that you were misled by treacherous officials, I will punish you by sending you to guard the Empress Dowager's coffin for three years. As for you... everyone around you who has colluded with you will be transferred from their positions. And you... Tang Feng, you will spend your life locked in the deep palace to atone for your sins." Emperor Yun was already somewhat impatient and waved his hand, signaling them to leave. Tang Feng bowed deeply, "Thank you... Your Majesty." He was then half-supported and half-carried out of the hall by Li Yunyu.
Eunuch Feng escorted the two out. Tang Feng's chest was already stained red with blood. Once they were out of Emperor Yun's sight, he hurriedly went to help them up. "Lord Tang... this old servant... let me escort you inside." The deep palace that Emperor Yun mentioned was just the smallest side hall in the imperial palace, where many servants lived, and the room was filthy and chaotic. "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Feng." Tang Feng pushed away Li Yunyu's support and followed Eunuch Feng step by step to the entrance of Rong Ji's palace. Li Yunyu was stunned for a moment, then quickly followed. Seeing Tang Feng take all the blame for her, Li Yunyu finally couldn't help but cry out. Following behind Tang Feng, she called out with all her might, "Sir!"
Tang Feng slowly stopped and turned to look at Li Yunyu, who said, "Sir...Sir, I don't want you to take the blame for me. Let's go find my father, I'll go and admit my mistake, I'll do whatever it takes, but please don't go there..."
Tang Feng suddenly realized that Li Yunyu was just a teenager, and smiled helplessly. After raising his hand, he finally placed it on Li Yunyu's head and gently patted it.
"Yun Yu, don't cry... Be brave. Like I said, I can't be with you forever."
Li Yunyu clutched Tang Feng's sleeve tightly, her eyes blurred with tears, unable to see. "Sir, what is courage? You have to teach me... If you don't teach me, I won't know!"
"Just don't look back. Once you're out of the palace gates, forget all about it, protect yourself, and be a good Ninth Prince."
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