bayedsolid Chapter 198 What’s in the Bag
Chapter 198 What’s in the Bag
Upon hearing Gao Lishi's words, Li Longji's old eyes lit up instantly.
—Gao Ban really understands me; that's what I think too! A woman is naturally mine to have; why wouldn't the Crown Prince give her to me?
“This entire empire belongs to His Majesty, let alone a mere woman among them,” Gao Lishi said, adding, “In my humble opinion, His Highness the Crown Prince would most likely not mind this matter. On the contrary, he should be happy to give up the woman His Majesty desires as a sign of filial piety.”
In order to defy Emperor Xuanzong's order to summon Yang Yuhuan to the palace, Li Mao divorced his wife and sent her directly to the Taizhen Temple. After that, whenever Emperor Xuanzong brought up the matter of Yang Yuhuan again, Li Mao would make excuses.
Li Longji felt that Li Mao was very unfilial and that Crown Prince Li Heng should not have acted this way.
Therefore, Gao Lishi's words truly struck a chord with Li Longji!
Seeing that Li Longji was deeply moved, Gao Lishi continued, "Even if His Highness the Crown Prince disagrees, I have ways to persuade him. I implore Your Majesty..."
Gao Lishi persuaded Li Longji with just a few words.
The more Li Longji listened, the more reasonable it seemed to him. He decided to do as he was told and a smug smile appeared on his face.
"Then it's settled!"
Li Longji waved his hand, as if all his worries had vanished.
The next morning, news spread throughout the palace: His Majesty was leaving Daming Palace to recuperate for a few days at the Lishan Imperial Palace. The Lishan Imperial Palace was a resort for emperors, boasting breathtaking hot springs and scenery.
If Li Mao were here, he would know that Yang Guifei had also been granted a bath at Huaqing Pool in the spring chill, where the smooth hot spring water washed away her delicate skin.
Upon hearing this news, Crown Prince Li Heng couldn't help but frown.
His father had chosen to leave the Daming Palace at this time, which meant the appointment of a concubine would have to be postponed again. He was anxious, so he quickly dressed and went to the Imperial Study, hoping to see his father and discuss the appointment again.
Li Longji was admiring his recent paintings in the Imperial Study when he saw his son arrive, and his brows furrowed slightly.
Li Heng bowed and said directly, "Father, I have something to say."
Li Longji waved his hand, signaling the eunuchs to leave.
When only the father and son remained, Li Heng said directly, "Father, I request that you approve the appointment of Wusun Yaru as a concubine as soon as possible. This matter has been delayed for too long. Tomorrow you will be going to the palace, and I'm afraid there will be even less time to appoint a concubine."
Upon hearing this, Li Longji's smile vanished, replaced by displeasure.
"Crown Prince, why do you always bother me at this time?" Li Longji said impatiently. "I just announced that I was going to Mount Li to recuperate, and you came to ask these questions. Is the only thing you care about the appointment of a concubine? The reason I am going to the palace is because I am not feeling well and need to rest. If you don't care about my health, aren't you being unfilial?"
Li Heng's heart tightened, and he quickly said, "Your Majesty, I am not unfilial, but I hope that Your Majesty can make a decision on the investiture as soon as possible so that I can make arrangements for various matters. After all..."
"Enough!" Li Longji interrupted him sharply. "Do you think I'm hindering your desire to become a concubine? Do you know how hard I've worked day and night for the sake of the Tang Dynasty all these years? Now I'm unwell and need to rest. Can't you see my hard work? All you know is to demand a woman!"
These words left Li Heng speechless, and his face turned deathly pale.
He bowed his head, paid his respects, and slowly withdrew from the study.
Li Heng walked along the path outside the Daming Palace, his heart heavy.
At this moment, he finally understood why the relationship between Prince Shou, Li Mao, and his father was so cold. Sometimes, it wasn't that Prince Shou didn't understand reason, but rather that his father was too autocratic and willful.
Thinking about this, Li Heng suddenly had an idea—
Perhaps we should go and discuss it with Li Mao, and hear what this eighteenth brother has to say.
Li Heng acted immediately, leaving the palace for the Prince of Shou's residence.
Li Mao has been living a very peaceful life lately. Li Longji is preoccupied with women and has no time to make things difficult for him. Besides going to the horse racing track with Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi to gamble on horses and indulge in debauchery, he occasionally practices his martial arts and swordsmanship at home.
While I was practicing my sword today, a gatekeeper came in to announce: "Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived and says he has something to discuss with you."
Li Mao was slightly taken aback, put down his sword, and came out to greet him.
"Brother, what brings you here?"
Since Li Heng questioned Wusun Yaru's matter last time, the relationship between the two has undergone another subtle change. Looking at Crown Prince Li Heng, Li Mao put on a fake smile.
Looking at his eighteenth brother's face, Li Heng felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.
He thought for a moment and said, "I came to see you because there's something I want to talk to you about. Do you have time?"
With the Crown Prince's esteemed presence, Li Mao naturally couldn't say he was too busy.
Moreover, judging from the Crown Prince's expression, something gossipy must have happened in the palace.
Li Mao, after thinking it over, invited the Crown Prince into his study.
The two entered the room and sat down. Li Mao had a servant bring tea and then withdrew.
"What's the matter that's so urgent that you had to come and tell me in person?" Li Mao asked.
Li Heng took a deep breath and recounted his argument with his father, as well as his current distress and helplessness.
He said, “I know that Father Emperor has taken a liking to Ya Ru’s looks and dance, but we have already made an agreement with the Wolf Lord that Princess Ya Ru is coming to the Tang Dynasty to marry the Crown Prince. If things change at the last minute, I’m afraid the whole world will laugh at us, saying that Father Emperor has taken advantage of the situation and seized his son’s woman.”
Li Mao thought to himself, if Li Longji were afraid of being ridiculed by the world, he wouldn't have forcibly taken Yang Yuhuan in the first place!
He said to Li Heng, "So you think that the reason Father went to the palace was actually to avoid making Ya Ru a concubine of the Crown Prince? Have you ever thought that a proud man like Father would not get what he wants by running away, but by force and robbery?"
"Eighteenth Brother, what do you mean by this?" Li Heng asked in surprise, "Could it be... that Father Emperor is ostensibly going to the detached palace, but actually has other plans, intending to take Ya Ru away?"
He thought his father had given up on Ya Ru that night.
To everyone's surprise, the Emperor was secretly plotting to take advantage of Ya Ru.
But Father Emperor went to the detached palace...
He's not even by Ya Ru's side anymore, so how could he possibly have any ulterior motives?
Crown Prince Li Heng was completely baffled, but Li Mao had already reached a conclusion in his heart.
Li Mao said to the Crown Prince, "This matter still needs to be investigated carefully. Here's what we'll do: Your Majesty, you should return to the palace first, so as not to arouse Father's suspicion. I'll use my connections to find out what Father is really planning this time."