The Jade King ascends to the throne
Tang Feng looked at Lin Siwen, feeling both happy and worried. Lin Siwen had just been released from prison, and it might be too obvious for her to suddenly resume contact with him. "Young General, you'd better think this through," Tang Feng said, pointing to the main gate of the Tang residence. "If you agree to leave through this gate today, there will be no turning back."
"This humble general understands, but I did not act on a whim or on a whim. I have thought about this for a long time in prison. I want to avenge the Lin family and overturn the case of the Crown Prince's residence, but I know that this road is long and arduous, and I cannot achieve it in one step. Since you are willing to spare my life, it means that I and the Lin family army are still useful to you. So, according to your wishes, wouldn't it be better to complement each other?"
Tang Feng was pleasantly surprised by Lin Siwen's words, and couldn't help but smile. "How old are you?"
"Reporting to Grand Tutor, Siwen is seventeen years old," Lin Siwen said with determination in his eyes. Tang Feng nodded, then pondered for a moment before saying, "You probably can't go back to the Lin family right now. To protect you, I vouched for you to His Majesty, exchanging the Lin family for you. Although I feel it's a huge loss, it's the best course of action. Restoring your former status will be difficult, but you can still find a position. However, I can't arrange for you to be by my side or His Highness's side. I'll have to trouble you, young general." Lin Siwen shook his head. "Grand Tutor, what are you saying? I know about the story of enduring hardship and biding one's time. You must have your reasons for doing this." Tang Feng suddenly felt that this child was incredibly sensible and couldn't help but pat Lin Siwen's head. "Sir?"
"Huh?" Tang Feng withdrew his hand, only then realizing his lapse in composure. "Sorry, it's a bit... I'm used to it." Lin Siwen paused for a moment, then laughed. "Does Your Highness often pat your head too, sir?"
“No,” Tang Feng shook his head, looking at his hands with a hint of helplessness. “I understand the difference between ruler and subject. Lieutenant General Meng Lie has found a position for you. Although it’s a low-ranking post, it allows me to stay close to His Highness without attracting attention. I will send General Meng to meet you then.” Lin Siwen naturally had no objections, bowing to Tang Feng and replying, “What you say, sir, I have no objection. Just give me your instructions. You and His Highness have been kind to my Lin family, and I, Lin Siwen, am certainly not an ungrateful person.”
Tang Feng lowered his eyes and smiled faintly, "So... very good. The young general is understanding, which relieves me of a worry. After all... never mind." Tang Feng wanted to continue, but then felt that he might be being too sentimental. After all, he was not facing a scholar, but a general who was passionate about justice and vengeance. "Young general, would you like to come in and have a cup of tea?"
"I appreciate Your Excellency's wishes, but I am currently under investigation and will need to trouble General Meng to relay messages in the future. Staying at the Tang residence for too long might not be appropriate," Lin Siwen bowed to Tang Feng. "Please take care of yourself, sir. I will take my leave now."
Tang Feng nodded and saw Lin Siwen off. He didn't want to linger in the lobby. It was usually Tang Zhaonan's favorite place, and now that Tang Zhaonan was gone, Tang Feng didn't want to stay too long. Even though three months had passed, Tang Feng still felt a pang of longing; the lingering memories of the lobby weighed heavily on him. Stepping out of the lobby's wooden door, he saw Zhou Ziliang leaning against the doorway waiting for him. Tang Feng smiled at him, "It's clearly my business, yet I troubled the whole family to wake me up."
"How about it?"
"Very sensible. If only our Ninth Prince could be this sensible," Tang Feng said, glancing at the Tang residence's gate. "This move, I'd say, was a good gamble. However..." Tang Feng gave a bitter smile, "Things in the palace are likely to become very difficult. The Ninth Prince might not be a threat to others, but they might just see him as my puppet."
“After all, His Highness the Ninth Prince has always been unremarkable. His last audience with the Emperor in the palace showed he was somewhat hasty,” Zhou Ziliang said, walking to Tang Feng's side and pulling a letter from his robes. “While it’s an emergency measure, it’s undeniable that Prince Cheng has his eyes on you, especially Xu Chang’an. Xiao Feng, feign illness these next few days.”
Tang Feng opened the envelope, glanced at it, and smiled. "Do you want me to feign illness, or does Lady Yun want me to?" He then walked towards the study, saying as he went, "It's not that I'm being targeted. No matter how capable I am, I'm still just one person. The Jade King is different. The Lin family is a great gift from Li Yunye. Although it can be said that it hurts the enemy a thousand while hurting myself eight hundred, it has also added a good general to my ranks. What do you think I should give in return?"
After hearing this, Zhou Ziliang stood aside with his arms crossed, watching Tang Feng place the letter on the candle flame to burn. A slight smile appeared on his lips. "Little Feng's return gift can't be too light, or it'll give people something to talk about."
Tang Feng held the letter, now ablaze, in his hand. The flames reflected in his eyes. Only when the fire raged ever brighter did Tang Feng lower his gaze, toss the letter into the brazier, and brush the ash from his hands, coldly saying, "Then let's give him the crown prince position he so desperately desires! If he doesn't get what he wants, he'll keep making a fuss. Let him shut up for a bit; I need a breather too. After all, I can't take this constant commotion. The Ninth Prince is already giving me enough of a headache."
"So what's your next step?"
"Rest and recuperate, wait for the right opportunity," Tang Feng said, turning to Zhou Ziliang. "For the first time, I feel this body is somewhat useful. After all, everyone in the court knows I'm frail and sickly, so if I suddenly feign illness, it won't arouse suspicion." He then stretched and snuggled into Zhou Ziliang's arms. "I'm counting on you tomorrow, and also His Highness the Ninth Prince... Don't say I'm faking illness; even if I say I am, I'm still a little worried about him."
"Our Ninth Prince..." Zhou Ziliang thought for a moment, then smiled helplessly, "If Li Yunyu knew that Tang Feng was faking illness, he would probably keep pestering him with questions. The Ninth Prince is still a..."
"Don't tell me he's still a child," Tang Feng said seriously, getting up from Zhou Ziliang's arms. "If he wanted to be a child, he shouldn't have knocked on the door of my Tang family on a snowy day. Since he chose this path, he's destined for an extraordinary life, one that can't be discussed with ordinary people. He can learn what he doesn't know, but he can't consider himself a child."
Seeing Tang Feng's serious expression, Zhou Ziliang felt a little helpless. "Xiao Feng is really strict! But isn't it a little too much?"
"It's alright," Tang Feng tilted his head and thought for a moment. "With his academic performance, if it weren't for the difference between ruler and subject, I really would have given him a good beating. Have you ever seen a family where everyone fails a single subject?" After Tang Feng finished speaking, he noticed that Zhou Ziliang's gaze was fixed on him and wouldn't leave for a long time. He suddenly remembered his own dismal graduation grades at Lishan Academy, where he only passed one subject, and his lips twitched involuntarily. "Zhou Ziliang."
"Um?"
Don't tell him.
"Xiao Feng also cares about saving face."
Tang Feng, his face contorted with anger, tapped Zhou Ziliang's chest. "Think it over carefully. This concerns whether you can sleep in the bedroom this month." Tang Feng had considered using other methods to threaten Zhou Ziliang, but unfortunately, he didn't have any dirt on Zhou Ziliang, while Zhou Ziliang had plenty of his own. Without waiting for Zhou Ziliang's reaction, Tang Feng strode out of the study.
The next morning, Zhou Ziliang informed Tang Feng of his illness in court. As Tang Feng had expected, since he was usually sickly, it didn't cause much of a stir. Only Li Yunye frowned as he looked at Zhou Ziliang. Was he sick? Was he ill or just trying to avoid his involvement? After court, Li Yunye didn't hold back and went to Zhou Ziliang to ask, "Grand Tutor Tang is ill?"
“Indeed,” Zhou Ziliang bowed to Li Yunye, then nodded to Shen Qinghang behind him.
"Why did you suddenly fall ill? Did you work yourself to the bone for the Lin family?" Ever since Li Yunye learned that Tang Feng harbored ambitions to seize the throne, he had stopped being respectful to him, and his words had become more sarcastic and calculating.
"Your Highness, you jest. You've seen Xiao Feng's health before; he's sick every three days, and seriously ill every five. The doctors who come to the manor could stretch from the west street to the east street. How can you say he suddenly fell ill?" Zhou Ziliang met Li Yunye's eyes, his words tinged with humility, but a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.
Although Li Yunye was not afraid of Zhou Ziliang, Shen Qinghang did not want to clash with Zhou Ziliang here. He tugged at Li Yunye's sleeve and said to Zhou Ziliang with a smile, "Brother Ziliang, Tang Feng, you, and I were all classmates at Lishan Academy back then, as was His Highness the Jade King. It is inevitable that we are worried. If you don't mind, may I pay a visit to you another day?"
Zhou Ziliang looked at Shen Qinghang with some confusion, then at Li Yunye, "Brother Shen, aren't you afraid of being caught in a trap by coming to my residence alone?"
"A clear conscience fears no accusation; I will go alone another day."
After Zhou Ziliang left, Li Yunye looked at Shen Qinghang, somewhat confused, "Why did you go to see Tang Feng alone?"
"Your Highness, sometimes what you see is not the final result. Don't offend Tang Feng; there's always a chance for things to turn around after a dark period."
"You mean, Tang Feng might submit to me?"
Shen Qinghang tilted his head, looked at Li Yunye meaningfully, and smiled, "Who knows? If I had that ability, I probably wouldn't be in this situation now."
When Shen Qinghang arrived at the Tang residence for the appointed time, it was already the fourth day since Tang Feng claimed to be ill. Although he had informed Zhou Ziliang beforehand, Shen Qinghang truly hadn't expected Tang Feng to be dressed neatly and sitting in the courtyard waiting for him. "Aren't you going to put on an act at all? Lord Tang, who's still ill..."
Tang Feng turned to look at Shen Qinghang, smiled, and shrugged, "There's no need to pretend in front of you."
"Aren't you afraid I'm a spy sent by Li Yunye to probe your strength and then take your life?" Shen Qinghang sat opposite Tang Feng, took the tea he offered, and slowly took a sip.
"Aren't you afraid I'll set a trap and poison your tea? Well! You're just a weak scholar, you won't do anything to me, and I'm a patient, I won't cause you any trouble. In a way, you've done me a favor."
"What do you mean? I don't understand." Shen Qinghang put down his teacup and looked up at Tang Feng.
Tang Feng shrugged. "Literally, Li Yunye sneaked into the Lin residence every night, urging me to inform the Ninth Prince, and then reported to the Emperor in court, dragging Li Yunheng into the mess. You told Li Yunye all of that, didn't you? He couldn't have come up with all this on his own."
"If you're not completely out of your mind, you should know that I'm his strategist, and it's my duty to offer advice," Shen Qinghang sneered. Tang Feng, however, didn't care at all and tapped his chest. "Although I'm ill, I'm still very clear-headed. You're such an unreliable strategist, pushing your master step by step into the abyss. Didn't Li Yunrui see that at all back then?"
“I’m just here to visit you today. There’s no need for you to try and trick me.” Shen Qinghang stood up and looked at Tang Feng. “Also, since the Eastern Palace case, His Majesty has been wavering on the choice of the Crown Prince. I hope that Grand Tutor Tang can see the situation clearly when it comes to choosing a candidate.”
Tang Feng tilted his head, pondered for a moment, then smiled. "Are you in such a hurry to send him to his death? It doesn't matter, I was thinking the same thing. But I want to ask you," Tang Feng said seriously, "you're not going to get too deeply involved, are you? I believe you understand the principle of cutting your losses. Once he's pushed into the limelight, if you don't withdraw in time, be careful not to get burned. I won't show any mercy then, don't think I'm Li Yunrui."
"Wait until your hands are stained with blood before you talk."
Seeing Shen Qinghang turn to leave, Tang Feng stood up and said, "If he becomes the Crown Prince, according to my agreement with Li Yunrui, I will kill him by any means necessary. Any obstacle to the Ninth Prince's succession will be eliminated."
Shen Qinghang paused, then said softly, "Tang Taifu's heartfelt words can be spoken to Li Yunrui's memorial tablet, why tell them to me?"
Watching Shen Qinghang's departing figure, Tang Feng sighed, slowly sat back down on the stone bench, and muttered helplessly, "Is he really that clueless, or is he just pretending to be confused? He's already gotten to the point, is he trying to drive me crazy?"
Inside the palace, Emperor Yun lay on his side on a couch, holding a memorial in his hand, glancing at it idly. Suddenly, he abruptly said, "They're quite anxious about establishing a crown prince." Seeing that Eunuch Feng didn't speak, he looked up at him and asked, "What do you think?"
"The decision on establishing a crown prince naturally rests with His Majesty," said Eunuch Feng, bowing his head, afraid of saying something that might displease Emperor Yun. Emperor Yun slowly sat up and said, "Is Tang Feng still not well?"
"Not yet, but the Grand Tutor has always been in poor health; it's quite normal for him to be sick for a few days every few days."
"Have him come to the palace."
"Your Majesty... this..." Eunuch Feng probably hadn't expected the Emperor Yun to request the ailing Tang Feng to come to the palace to see him, and for a moment he didn't react. "He's just pretending to be sick, a childish trick to avoid suspicion. Call him over. Most people in the palace aren't as sincere as him. Also, call the third and fourth princes over."
After Tang Feng heard the imperial edict, he was also a little confused. He clearly remembered that he had claimed to be ill and stayed at home, so why was he suddenly being summoned to the palace? After being helped up by Zhou Ziliang, he glanced at Eunuch Feng and asked, "Eunuch, please forgive me for asking, but has His Majesty something important that he suddenly summoned me to the palace?"
"Grand Tutor Tang, I know nothing of these matters. You are aware of His Majesty's thoughts, so it's not appropriate to inquire," said Eunuch Feng before leaving without further explanation. Tang Feng frowned, then looked at Zhou Ziliang. "Ziliang, what do you think?"
"There's no way to refuse this kind of thing."
Tang Feng sighed. "Perhaps it's not a bad thing, but it's definitely not a good thing. They'd better not cause me any trouble. The Ninth Prince is already troublesome enough; if there are a few more, even if I live to be a hundred, I won't be able to withstand this kind of torment." Then Tang Feng waved his hand. "I really owe them something."
The next morning, after Tang Feng entered the palace, he was led by Eunuch Feng to the viewing platform. The pavilion, intended for escaping the summer heat, was surrounded by white gauze, through which the scenery could be vaguely seen. However, Tang Feng had no interest in viewing the scenery. He saw Li Yunye and Li Yunheng kneeling on either side of Emperor Yun, walked up to Emperor Yun, bowed, and said, "Your subject Tang Feng pays respects to Your Majesty and the two princes."
Emperor Yun waved his hand, pointed to the empty seat opposite him, and said, "Sit."
"This... Your Majesty, since this is a family banquet, it's not appropriate for me to be here! Otherwise, I could wait in the side hall." Tang Feng was unsure of Emperor Yun's meaning and could only politely decline.
"It's alright, sit down when I tell you to. Weren't you always so bold? What? Did you lose your courage just because you got sick?" Emperor Yun frowned and pointed at the cushion. Tang Feng, seeing he couldn't refuse, nodded and sat down. "Start eating! If I let you go hungry, Zhou Wuhai will definitely come and cause trouble here."
"Your Majesty, what are you saying? My father respects you greatly," Tang Feng said, picking up his chopsticks and looking at Li Yunye and Li Yunheng on either side. Emperor Yun also glanced at his two princes. Li Yunye was eating slowly, bite by bite, while Li Yunheng was completely unrestrained, wolfing down his food as if he hadn't eaten breakfast. "He's always been so uncouth, and he's still as dull as a block of wood." After saying this, Li Yunye paused for a moment and slowly put down his chopsticks. Then Emperor Yun pointed at Li Yunheng, "Look at him, he's never had any table manners since he was little, and he's still the same now." Li Yunheng shoveled a few mouthfuls of rice, as if he hadn't heard Emperor Yun's words.
"Have you ever seen them like this?" Tang Feng shuddered when he saw Yun Di looking at him, and then replied, "People eat grains and other foods, and most of them are the same. Some are calm and collected, while others are carefree and easygoing."
Tang Feng
"Your Majesty," Tang Feng slowly put down his chopsticks, waiting for Emperor Yun to speak. Emperor Yun then asked, "Which of these two do you favor?" Upon hearing this, Li Yunheng, who was eating, stopped eating, and Li Yunye, sitting beside him, looked at Emperor Yun. The atmosphere instantly turned icy. Tang Feng hesitated, looking at Li Yunye and then at Li Yunheng. "Your Majesty... I am the Ninth Prince's tutor, this..."
"It's a family banquet, so feel free to say whatever you want," Emperor Yun waved his hand dismissively, making Tang Feng even more nervous. It was indeed a family banquet, but I'm not part of your family! They could say "feel free to say whatever they want" at a family banquet, but here, it's like "feel free to kill anyone"—Tang Feng gripped his cuffs, took a deep breath, and asked, "No punishment?"
"No punishment will be imposed! A gentleman's word is as good as his bond."
Tang Feng thought for a moment, then said, "Then I will speak frankly." Emperor Yun nodded, signaling Tang Feng to continue. "Your Majesty, are you not planning to let me live? This question is tantamount to putting me to death! No matter how I answer, it will only mean death."
"Loyal ministers are not afraid of death." Emperor Yun picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks, then looked at Tang Feng. "But if all the loyal ministers die, what will happen to the treacherous ministers in the court?" Tang Feng dared not speak too presumptuously, nor dared he speak too seriously, fearing that Emperor Yun might kill him if he became serious, but he also feared that Emperor Yun might think he was joking, mocking the Holy Emperor, and kill him.
Emperor Yun then looked at Li Yunye and Li Yunheng, pointed at Tang Feng, and said, "What do you two think of him?"
Li Yunye looked at Tang Feng and earnestly praised him, "His literary talent is astounding, a pillar of the state." Li Yunheng, on the other hand, said, "Neither loyal nor treacherous, his heart is not in this." Tang Feng twisted the hem of his clothes, trying hard not to let out a sigh. Were the three of them trying to kill him with a meal? But he still had to force a smile and thank the two princes for their praise.
"If I were to live to a ripe old age, would you be happy or unhappy?"
Although Emperor Yun referred to "you," his eyes remained fixed on Tang Feng. Tang Feng closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly said, "I don't know."
"have no idea?"
"Too nervous... I can't taste anything."
Emperor Yun put down his chopsticks and said, "You really are Zhao Nan's son, repeating every word in your mind a thousand times. I want to establish an heir and would like to ask for your opinion." Upon hearing this, Li Yunye immediately looked at Tang Feng, knowing that his father had summoned him and the fourth prince for important matters, but he hadn't expected Emperor Yun to call Tang Feng to discuss the matter of establishing an heir.
"Your Majesty, I am merely a Grand Tutor."
"Precisely because you are the Ninth Prince's tutor, you are impartial and your opinion is the most pertinent."
Tang Feng glanced at Li Yunye, then at Li Yunheng. "Your subject... has always been poor-witted. Though I lack ambition, I also do not wish to be a sinner for all time."
"You say what you will, I will establish what I will."
"In my opinion... the eldest son and the most virtuous should be chosen."
"How come you're just like those mediocre officials?"
"But I speak for myself, Your Majesty, and Your Majesty should establish Your Majesty. I am but a frog in a well, with limited knowledge and understanding. You have your own decision in mind," Tang Feng said sincerely, his head bowed. "What if I said we should follow your suggestion and establish the eldest son based on merit? Aren't you afraid that the fourth prince will have a problem with you?" Emperor Yun glanced at Li Yunheng, who sat calmly to the side, and then at Li Yunye, who looked tense.
"After all, it was His Majesty who instructed me to speak, and you yourself said that a loyal minister is not afraid of death. Moreover, I am the Ninth Prince's tutor, and I only care about the Ninth Prince's opinion. As for the two princes, Tang Feng does not care."
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