Showing full of threat
Tang Feng's words left Li Yunyu somewhat bewildered. Holding the child, she remained speechless for a long time. Seeing Li Yunyu standing there in a daze, Tang Feng chuckled, "Your Highness, come to your senses! This can be considered my apology to you for what happened to Wanliang." Seeing that Li Yunyu still didn't understand, he went straight to the point, "Lin'an is Li Yunrui's child. It's perfectly normal for him to call you Ninth Uncle." Li Yunyu looked at the child in her arms. The child's features did indeed resemble Li Yunrui and Lin Xiaomei. Although Tang Feng had confirmed it, Li Yunyu was still unsure and asked again in a trembling voice, "Really... really my brother's child? My sister-in-law... gave birth to the child back then?" Tang Feng nodded, then took a few steps back, not wanting to disturb the tender moment between uncle and nephew. Zhang Mobai turned to the side and said in a low voice, "Little brother, what are you doing?"
"An apology?" Tang Feng said with a wry smile. "You know what I've done... If I don't bring up Lin'an, I'm afraid I'll die of anger here today, and I won't be able to calm down." Zhang Mobai was so angry at the end that he laughed, and it took him a long time to suppress his anger. "You've gone to this extent for him? Li Yunrui begged you so much back then, and even though he tried his best to please you, didn't you still give him the cold shoulder?" Tang Feng waved his hands repeatedly and smiled. "Well... I don't have the energy to argue now. I'll just coax him. If he's happy, I'm happy, everyone's happy. Okay, okay, it's not like you're the one apologizing, what's there to be afraid of?"
At this moment, Li Yunyu was not listening to Tang Feng and Zhang Mobai's conversation. A tear slid down her cheek and landed on Li Lin'an's face. Tang Feng turned around and saw this, a smile playing on his lips. He said to Zhang Mobai, "You see, this may not be a bad thing. He's always been by Li Yunrui's side, and no one has taught him how to interact with others. He's a bit lacking in tact in his words and actions, but he'll get better." Li Yunyu wiped away her tears and turned to Tang Feng. "Sir... thank you for saving my brother's orphan. I'm relieved to know this child was born safely. I imagine my mother will be very happy to know as well." She then bowed deeply to Tang Feng. "No need for thanks. However, this child's identity is special, so please don't publicize it too much, Your Highness. As for why I brought the child to see you, it's to express my apologies. In Wanliang..."
"Why do you apologize, sir?" This puzzled Li Yunyu greatly. She tilted her head and looked at Tang Feng, her eyes filled with confusion. Tang Feng had originally thought that Li Yunyu would throw a tantrum or even curse at him, but he hadn't expected this turn of events, which left Tang Feng speechless. "It's...it was in Wanliang that I met with the Jade King..."
"You mean that matter! Sir, please don't worry about it. I don't blame you. I know you had ulterior motives when you pulled me aside to watch you talk to Third Brother that day. Later, when I returned to my room, Shen Qinghang came to me to sow discord. I knew it might be a setup, so I deliberately lost my temper in front of him in the room. I originally wanted to go to you in Wanliang to ask you about it, but I didn't know if I should do it or if I had done anything wrong. However, I was afraid that if I went to you rashly, it would ruin the plan... so I kept putting it off until now." Tang Feng was somewhat surprised. He never expected that Li Yunyu would have accidentally completed the plan without misunderstanding him, and even understood him. Tang Feng suddenly remembered that Shen Qinghang had told him in Wanliang that he would teach him how to spread rumors and strategize, rather than just dealing with things as they came. Tang Feng roughly understood the meaning behind it, then looked up at Li Yunyu and smiled, "Your Highness, you did very well this time." Li Yunyu's eyes widened, caught off guard by Tang Feng's sudden praise, and he lowered his head shyly, grinning awkwardly. At this moment, Zhang Mobai took Li Lin'an from Li Yunyu's arms and said, "You two talk, I'll hold Lin'an and let him sleep for a while." Tang Feng nodded, then said, "Let's talk inside, it's cold outside, don't let the child get cold." He then turned to Li Yunyu, "Your Highness, I have something very important to tell you this time."
Tang Feng entered the room and gestured for Li Yunyu to sit down. He then said seriously, "As you saw with Li Yunye in Wanliang, I did intend to join his cause. The struggle for the throne has reached a fever pitch, and I want to undermine Li Yunye from within." Li Yunyu pondered for a moment and nodded, but then added with some worry, "Wouldn't that be too risky?" "It is indeed risky, but given the current trajectory, if we don't act in time, His Majesty will appoint an heir. It would be troublesome if we tried to remove him then." Tang Feng rubbed his hands together, poured himself a cup of tea, and warmed his hands with it. "Therefore, I hope Your Highness can lend a hand."
"Sir, how would you like me to help you?"
Tang Feng nodded and asked, "Does Your Highness know about the spring hunt?" Although Li Yunyu was a prince who was not favored by anyone, he naturally knew about these palace celebrations. "I know. Every early spring, my father would take the palace families and ministers to the hunting grounds. Why do you ask about this, sir?"
"Although many people went to the spring hunt, only the children of princes, dukes, and military officials were able to obtain bows and arrows. Therefore, my original intention was to return and persuade His Majesty to bestow upon you the title of prince, but I didn't expect His Majesty to issue the decree himself. However, this is for the best. On the day of the spring hunt, you will receive your own bow and arrows, and you only need to do one thing." Li Yunyu listened attentively, even leaning closer when Tang Feng mentioned the important points. Zhang Mobai, knowing what Tang Feng was about to say, tightened his grip on Li Lin'an, unable to bear hearing Tang Feng's plan, and turned his head away. Tang Feng said earnestly, "I want Your Highness to kill me in front of Li Yunye." Li Yunyu thought he had misheard and asked again, but received the same answer. In a panic, he looked at Zhang Mobai, only to find Zhang Mobai with his back to him, silent. "Sir...you mustn't!"
“Your Highness, please don’t worry. I don’t mean for you to actually kill me. You just need to shoot the arrow into my shoulder. I’ll make Li Yunye believe the rest.” Although Tang Feng said this, it didn’t reassure Li Yunyu much. He frowned and thought for a moment. “But sir… my archery skills aren’t as proficient as Young Master Zhou’s. If I miss by even a fraction, you’ll be dead!” Tang Feng knew exactly what Li Yunyu meant, but he was determined. “In the struggle for the throne, there must be sacrifices and gains. You mustn’t hesitate. This matter is settled.” Seeing Li Yunyu’s worried face, Tang Feng’s expression softened, and he said gently, “I believe in Your Highness. You can rest assured.” "Just do it," Li Yunyu said, but he couldn't put his mind at ease. After thinking for a long time, he finally nodded stiffly. Zhang Mobai then whispered, "That day, Yang Fei wasn't on duty, so I had him accompany the Ninth Prince. Yang Fei's archery skills are superb; with him there, it's an extra layer of protection." Seeing Zhang Mobai say this, Tang Feng looked at Li Yunyu and said, "Your Highness, with Yang Fei by your side, you don't need to panic. I am a man of great fortune and naturally unafraid of a mere arrow. I hope you can rest assured." After leaving the Tang residence, Li Yunyu was in a hurry to return to the palace. He got into his carriage and went back first. Tang Feng stood beside Zhang Mobai, watching Li Yunyu's carriage leave, and suddenly said, "Thank you for your concern."
"We've been friends for so many years, why bring this up? I'm only doing this to put my mind at ease. Of course, you know that although Yang Fei isn't on duty, the Spring Hunt is a large-scale royal celebration, and the scene will definitely be chaotic. Yang Fei can't be by His Highness's side every moment. I wasn't even sure if he would actually be there when he was firing the arrow... Little brother, you'll be alright, right?" Tang Feng smiled, patted Zhang Mobai's shoulder, and said, "My life isn't over yet. I still have many things to do. Don't be afraid." Zhang Mobai shook his head. "I'm not afraid. Li Yunyu is afraid you'll die because he'll lose his tutor, making the struggle for the throne even more difficult. Zhou Ziliang is afraid you'll die because you and he will be a perfect match, but you won't be able to grow old together. As for me, I just feel it's not worth it for you. From the moment you started planning to seize the throne, I've been standing behind you. I know I can't help you, but I can't stop you either. But I want to say... Little brother, perhaps Liu Liu hasn't blamed you. If you're tired, you can stop and rest."
Tang Feng looked up at the sky and slowly said, "Little madman, it's too late. I can only go all the way down this road. The Ninth Prince and I are now bound together by fate, so... bring Lin'an to visit me often. Don't keep secretly raising a child behind my back. I'm practically the child's uncle, so bring him over so I can see him more." Tang Feng bent down and tapped Li Lin'an's forehead, then stood up and said, "I'm going back now, otherwise Ziliang will worry. You should go back early too, don't worry too much." Zhang Mobai knew that Tang Feng was just making excuses, but what could he do? He could only watch Tang Feng get into Liu Yiwan's carriage and drive to the end of the road until he disappeared from sight.
Things were developing just as Tang Feng had hoped. Perhaps the Emperor had truly begun to appreciate Li Yunyu's good qualities. Ever since Li Yunyu was granted the title of Prince, his life had improved. The Emperor had even allowed him to participate in the morning court sessions. With Li Yunyu's presence at the morning court, Tang Feng's status had risen considerably. It was visibly that he was now surrounded by people who didn't fawn over him. Standing behind Li Yunyu, Tang Feng listened as the Emperor expressed great satisfaction with the Wanliang matter and praised Li Yunyu's courage and resourcefulness. Tang Feng glanced at Li Yunye in the distance, his expression displeased. He knew that the Emperor's current attitude towards Li Yunyu was threatening his interests. Li Yunheng, however, showed little reaction, calmly waiting for the Emperor to speak.
Emperor Yun looked at the kneeling courtiers below and said, "The spring hunt is in a few days. I think you all know that the spring hunt is the first grand feast after the New Year. You are all right, I should also relinquish some power to the princes to handle affairs. This year, who among you is willing to take charge of this matter on my behalf?" Li Yunye glanced at Li Yunheng, who remained silent, and then at Li Yunyu, who was still motionless, before stepping forward and saying, "Father, Fourth Brother is usually busy with official duties, and Ninth Brother is still young. I am willing to take charge of this matter on your behalf." Upon hearing this, Emperor Yun... Tang Feng was quite satisfied and was about to speak when Li Yunyu stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Father, the spring hunt has always been a major event in Yan Yun. The lords of various fiefdoms will also come to Xiling to watch the hunt." Tang Feng looked up, not expecting Li Yunyu to speak first. Cold sweat immediately broke out, and his hand gripping the guardrail trembled uncontrollably, fearing that Li Yunyu might say the wrong thing and all his previous efforts would be in vain. Shen Qinghang, assuming that Tang Feng had instructed Li Yunyu, also felt a tightness in his chest, thinking that Tang Feng had overestimated Li Yunyu, given his importance. Surprisingly, he hadn't been informed of the matter. Li Yunyu paused and continued, "Your subject believes that although Third Brother is talented and certainly capable of handling this matter, I still feel that Third Brother is new to this and may not be as well-organized as Father Emperor. Your subject is willing to manage the spring hunt with Third Brother, and hopes that Father Emperor will approve." Tang Feng couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Hearing this, he roughly understood Li Yunyu's meaning. The spring hunt was bound to be chaotic, and it was indeed good for Li Yunyu to scout the location beforehand under the guise of helping, since Tang Feng would be in front of Li Yunye. Having been shot by Li Yunyu, the location became extremely important. "Ninth Brother, you are still young. The spring hunt is a serious matter, not a game. If anything happens, I will take full responsibility." Li Yunye had already sensed that he was being threatened when Li Yunyu was conferred the title of Prince, so naturally he couldn't let Li Yunyu help him. At this moment, Tang Feng stepped forward, knelt down, and said, "Your Majesty, your two princes are both filial and want to share your burdens. Why not let them go together? The spring hunt is no small matter. Two people going together can not only help each other but also show brotherly affection."
"Very well," Emperor Yun tapped the dragon head on the throne and looked at Li Yunye. "Then Yunye, you should handle the spring hunt properly. If you have any questions, ask the relevant officials. If you are too busy, ask Yunyu to help you. Submit the expenses and list of names in a memorial before the ninth of next month." Li Yunye quickly agreed. After the court session, Li Yunye followed Tang Feng, his anger rising. "Grand Tutor Tang, you said a few days ago that you and my ninth brother had a big falling out, so why did you speak up for him in the main hall today?" Tang Feng tilted his head and looked at Li Yunye, smiling. "Your Highness, what are you saying? I didn't favor the Ninth Prince in a single word. I said the two princes' filial piety was evident, and I said you two were brothers, was that wrong?" Li Yunye was speechless at Tang Feng's words. Tang Feng continued, "Furthermore, the Ninth Prince is now a favorite of His Majesty. After being enfeoffed as a prince, he will have a mansion built for him. Even if I didn't say anything, His Majesty would definitely agree. The spring hunt is no small matter; how could His Majesty let you handle it alone?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com