Treading on the shimmering fragments of moonlight, Tang Enxuan arrived at his small courtyard. He glanced around but saw no sign of the old steward or his father’s attendants. At the entrance stood only two Martial Cultivator Puppets from the Demon Sect, looking like a pair of gaunt old men.
A chill ran through Tang Enxuan as he glanced at the Martial Cultivator Puppets’ emerald eyes. He ascended the steps, crossed the threshold, and walked to the desk to face his father.
Prince Yuann was over forty years old. He wore a small black coronet and a pale yellow robe embroidered with coiled dragons. His face was gaunt, his gaze sharp, as he quietly flipped through a book on the desk.
In a corner of the desk, candlelight danced. Next to the candle, a wine pot and cup rested on a mahogany tray.
"Father, I have been unfilial. I await your punishment." Tang Enxuan lowered his head slightly, surreptitiously watching his father.
Prince Yuann slowly raised his head. His face was gaunt, with a high-bridged nose, blue-green pupils, and deep-set eyes. His blade-like gaze raked over Tang Enxuan, sending a chill through his entire body.
Prince Yuann pointed at the book on the desk. In a soft, gentle voice, he asked, "I let you out of confinement to study. How much have you read in the past half-year?"
"Reporting to you, Father, only one or two," Tang Enxuan said, bowing low.
"When I was your age, I was already at the Sixth Grade. What Grade of Martial Cultivator are you now?"
"Eighth Grade."
"And even that was only achieved with pills," Prince Yuann said, his gaze softening.
Tang Enxuan slowly breathed a sigh of relief.
"I have been unfilial and have failed to live up to your teachings," Tang Enxuan said earnestly.
Prince Yuann closed his book and gazed out the window. His tone was placid as he said, "Are you aware that after Li Gangfeng struck the pillar, the Literature Cultivation faction was enraged? They became like fire and water with my Imperial Brother. For three straight months, the Ministry of Rites, the Imperial Censorate, the Ministry of Justice, and Governors across the land openly and covertly defied the Emperor’s decrees."
"I have heard something of it."
"Then are you aware that with the affairs of the state in shambles and the major powers paying only lip service to his commands, my Imperial Brother had no choice but to find a way to mend the rift with the Literature Cultivation faction?"
"This..." Sweat beaded on Tang Enxuan’s forehead.
"And it is at this exact moment that you chose to try and kill Li Gangfeng’s son."
Tang Enxuan dropped to his knees, propping himself up with his hands. He looked up at his father, his voice choked with tears. "I know I was wrong! I know I was wrong!"
"If that were all, it would hardly matter," Prince Yuann said, his face serene as he gazed at the moonlight outside.
Tang Enxuan dug his fingers into his right calf, which was spasming and trembling.
"For the past two years, ever since Zhao Yishan became Chief Minister, the old ministers of the late Emperor have been gradually pushed out of the Imperial Court. The Eastern Depot and Western Depot are on the verge of being dismantled. Aside from the Evil Sect, the Noble Families, and the uninvolved Underworld, even some Demon Sects and Daoist Sects have replaced their Sect Leaders. All of this signals that my Imperial Brother has consolidated absolute power and is preparing to make a grand move. However, the death of Li Gangfeng and the recent southward push by the Demon Race have disrupted his plans. Tell me, would you say my Imperial Brother is anxious?"
"He is," Tang Enxuan said, following his father’s line of reasoning.
"Yes, my Imperial Brother is very anxious. Then, as it happens, Li Gangfeng’s son, Li Qingxian, offers up a new brewing method, taking the initiative to resolve the feud between the Li Family and my Imperial Brother. Then, as it happens, Li Qingxian goes to Beichen City, revises a poem to First Grade, helps Songg Yunjing ascend to Grand Scholar, and performs a great service. Then, as it happens, both Songg Yunjing and Zhao Yishan held Li Gangfeng in high esteem, but Songg Yunjing has no connection to the old guard. Then, as it happens, the Emperor wants to restore to prominence Songg Yunjing, the very man the late Emperor repeatedly demoted. Then, as it happens, Li Qingxian..." Prince Yuann turned to look at Tang Enxuan, "...understanding the bigger picture, prepared early on to present twenty percent of the shares to the Emperor as a birthday gift."
Tang Enxuan trembled uncontrollably.
"And yet, you—my Imperial Brother’s nephew, a Royal Family Member—in the face of the Tianci that is the Ten Perfect Heavenly Graces, decided to steal the twenty-percent share meant as a birthday gift and make Li Qingxian crawl out of the Divine Capital. Tell me, what do you suppose my Imperial Brother thinks?" Prince Yuann’s tone remained as gentle as ever.
Tang Enxuan shuffled forward on his knees, crying, "Father, please spare me this one time! I’ll never dare to do it again! From now on, I’ll live an honest life! I’ll go to Li Qingxian’s residence right now and apologize. I won’t bring shame to you, and I won’t cause Imperial Uncle any embarrassment."
Tang Enxuan hugged Prince Yuann’s legs, his face turned up as he sobbed.
Prince Yuann looked down at his son’s tear-streaked face. He reached out and stroked his head, his expression turning kind. "When you were a child, you would cry just like this every time you got into trouble. Your mother was still with us then. She would plead for you, and I would always relent."
"I remember it well. That’s why I never intended to keep the distillery shares or the Qiankun Ring for myself. I wanted to give them all to you, Father."
Prince Yuann smiled faintly. "Yes, you’re just like you were as a child. Always willing to share anything good you find with your father."
Tang Enxuan nodded vigorously, sighing with relief internally.
"So tell me," Prince Yuann said, looking at his son with that same kind expression, "how do you think my Imperial Brother will mend this rift with the Literature Cultivation faction now?"
Tang Enxuan gritted his teeth. "Father, why don’t you just give me another beating? One that leaves me with split skin and exposed flesh. Then I’ll go to his door and beg for forgiveness. For your sake, and for Imperial Uncle’s, I’ll gladly lose face!"
Prince Yuann nodded. "Are you aware that just a few days ago, my Imperial Brother expressed his intention for me to concurrently command both the Fenwu Camp and the Yaowu Camp?"
"That’s been the rumor, but I didn’t think it was true. Congratulations, Father, on taking command of real power again!"
"And then, using my name as a banner, you went to the Front Army Governor Mansion and paid your uncle to get involved?" Prince Yuann’s face was calm.
"Father, I was wrong."
"Yes. He has already begged King Jue for forgiveness and has been dispatched to the western frontier overnight. He won’t be able to return to the capital for at least ten years."
"I am guilty. I’ve implicated my uncle," Tang Enxuan said, tears welling in his eyes.
"Tell me," Prince Yuann sighed, "do you think my Imperial Brother is still willing to let me command both camps now?"
Tang Enxuan began to kowtow forcefully, his forehead hitting the floor with loud THUDS as he begged for mercy over and over.
Prince Yuann helped Tang Enxuan to his feet. He looked at his son’s forehead. Because he hadn’t used his True Essence to protect himself, it was bruised, swollen, and the skin was broken, oozing blood.
"Oh, you foolish child." Prince Yuann carefully took a corner of his wide sleeve and gently wiped the dust from the wound.
"Thank you, Father," Tang Enxuan said with a foolish grin.
Prince Yuann leaned down, blew gently on the wound, and asked in a kindly voice, "Let me ask you again. How will my Imperial Brother mend the rift with the Literature Cultivation faction now?"
Tang Enxuan’s eyes were vacant, his mind a fog. He didn’t understand why his father kept asking the same question.
Prince Yuann patted Tang Enxuan’s shoulder, then rose and began to walk slowly toward the door.
"My Imperial Brother didn’t know how to mend it before. But now, he does. Thanks to you," Prince Yuann said as he continued his slow walk out.
A moment later, the hair on Tang Enxuan’s body stood on end. He felt as if his spine had been pierced by a Thunder Skill. In that instant, everything became clear, and he cried out, "Father! The last time, Li Gangfeng was clearly coming for you! It was me who took the sword for you! I was the one who shouldered all the blame! I was the one whose back you beat to a pulp! I was the one you put in confinement! I was the one who lost the title of Crown Prince! Father, for the sake of me shielding you from disaster, please, save me this one time! I’ll never do it again!"
Prince Yuann stepped out of the study.
Tang Enxuan scrambled to his feet and lunged for Prince Yuann’s legs.
The two Martial Cultivator Puppets at the door flashed inside. The one on the right pinned him to the ground.
The puppet on the left poured wine from the celadon pot on the desk into a small cup. The liquid was crimson.
In the dark of the night, the Puppet approached Tang Enxuan, appearing as if it were pinching a strawberry between its fingers.
"Father!"
Outside the door, Prince Yuann did not move.
Pinned to the floor, Tang Enxuan suddenly threw his head back, his face and neck flushed red as he screamed himself hoarse, "You knew all along! You knew I was going after Li Qingxian and you didn’t stop me! You knew I was using men from the Front Army Governor Mansion and you didn’t stop me! It must have been your idea for Steward Li to tell me to find my uncle! Because only by forcing my uncle away would Emperor Taining trust you with power! You’re using me as a sacrificial piece—a life for a life! Trading royal blood to appease the wrath of the Literature Cultivation faction over Li Gangfeng and give everyone a way to back down! You knew! You knew everything! Because only my death will make Emperor Taining feel he has to compensate you! You... GAK—"
The sound of frantic scuffling echoed from the room, then stopped after a few moments.