Chapter Twenty: The Crown Prince’s Invitation

Wan’er, come here, give me a smile, and this embroidered handkerchief will be yours. Come on, smile, smile…

It was the fifth day of the New Year. The fervor of the Spring Festival had faded, and it was not yet time for court affairs. There was no need for ceremonial visits, nor the troubles of official duties—a perfect moment for leisure. The snow was heavy and the cold deep, so Li Xian, with no desire to venture outside, happily withdrew within the Prince’s residence, spending his days amusing himself by teasing Shangguan Wan’er. Now, with an embroidered handkerchief in hand, he was at it again. Yet, Shangguan Wan’er seemed uninterested; despite Li Xian’s lengthy monologue, she reclined on her brocade cushion, not only refusing to laugh but showing not the slightest expression. She simply watched Li Xian’s antics in silence, making him appear almost like a monkey performing tricks, which, though dull for him, sent the maids observing into fits of laughter.

What are you laughing at? What are you laughing at! This is called fostering emotional bonds, you know? Isn’t education supposed to start from childhood? I’m practicing, understand? After exhausting his efforts with no reaction from Shangguan Wan’er and being thoroughly mocked by the maids, Li Xian’s face grew somewhat embarrassed. He consoled himself, surrendered with a bitter expression, tossed the handkerchief onto the couch, and feigned anger, glaring dramatically. But before he could finish his pose, the ever-motionless Shangguan Wan’er extended her small hand and deftly took the handkerchief. Not only that, her charming little face bloomed into a triumphant smile.

So, who exactly is teasing whom? This little rascal, how vexing! With Shangguan Wan’er’s sudden move, the maids, already giggling, were now utterly beside themselves, making Li Xian’s head swim with frustration as he stared speechlessly at the gleeful girl.

“Your Highness.”

Amidst the uproar, Gao Miao slipped in from outside. Seeing the lively scene, he paused briefly but dared not linger. He strode quickly to Li Xian’s side and called out quietly.

“Hm?”

Though Li Xian appeared disgruntled, inwardly he was rather proud of Shangguan Wan’er’s cleverness and was never truly angry. He was about to join in the laughter when Gao Miao’s summons forced him to suppress his amusement, turn, and look at Gao Miao with a questioning hum.

“Your Highness, someone has come from the Eastern Palace. The Crown Prince invites Your Highness to the palace for a conversation,” Gao Miao reported, bowing slightly.

A conversation in the palace? Did I hear that right? Didn’t we just meet a few days ago? What could this sudden meeting be about? Li Xian was taken aback, his mind immediately filled with doubts. He could not fathom Li Hong’s intentions at this moment. After a brief hesitation, he asked, “Did the messenger say anything else?”

Gao Miao shook his head. “No, Your Highness. The messenger delivered the message and left immediately. He wouldn’t even wait when I asked.”

So, it’s clear they’re not giving me a chance to refuse. What’s the game here, some secretive scheme? Li Xian had always been close to the Crown Prince, but since the affair at the Imperial Prison and the execution ground, he had intentionally widened the distance between himself and Li Hong. Not out of dissatisfaction with Li Hong—indeed, in both his previous and current lives, Li Xian deeply admired this elder brother. The trouble was, imperial matters had nothing to do with sentiment and everything to do with interests. As long as Li Xian wished to quietly gather his own faction, he had to ally with Li Xian and develop behind his shield. This was his established strategy and not something he would change.

“Very well, prepare my carriage. Also, send someone—Lin Hu will do—to the Jade Prince’s residence and inform them that I am going to the palace at the Crown Prince’s invitation,” Li Xian instructed after some deliberation.

“Yes, Your Highness, I’ll see to it at once.”

After nearly a month of daily contact, Gao Miao was well accustomed to Li Xian’s new ways. Though he could not guess Li Xian’s intentions, he did not ask questions, promptly agreeing and setting off to make the arrangements.

“Your Highness.” Yan Hong, waiting nearby, heard that Li Xian was heading to the Eastern Palace and hurried to fetch a fur coat, helping Li Xian dress and quietly advising, “It’s cold, Your Highness. Go early, return early, and don’t drink too much.”

“Yes, I understand. Yan Hong, please take Wan’er to the Lin family’s daughter-in-law. I won’t be back for lunch.” Li Xian respected Yan Hong, who was like an elder sister to him, and did not take offense at her admonitions. Smiling, he nodded, gave instructions, and strode out toward the front courtyard…

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Outside the Spring Blossom Gate of the Eastern Palace, Li Xian had just emerged from his carriage, not yet having sent anyone to announce his arrival, when the chief eunuch of the Eastern Palace, Chen Dayong, appeared with several junior eunuchs to greet him, bowing with great ceremony.

“Thank you, Eunuch Chen. I’m a bit late and made you wait. Forgive me, forgive me,” Li Xian replied with a cheerful smile, not letting his surprise show that Chen Dayong himself had come to welcome him.

“No need, no need. The Crown Prince is waiting at East Qilin Pavilion. Please follow me,” Chen Dayong replied, smiling politely and gesturing. Without waiting for Li Xian, he led the junior eunuchs toward the palace gate, walking with a stately air.

What a rude old eunuch! Li Xian had visited the Eastern Palace many times but seldom interacted with Chen Dayong, though he had often heard of his arrogance. He knew well the reason for this cold reception: Crown Prince Li Hong had not yet married or taken concubines, so the entire Eastern Palace was managed by Chen Dayong, whose authority was unquestioned. With the Crown Prince frequently acting as regent in recent years, officials came and went in droves, always needing to bribe Chen Dayong or face trouble. Over time, Chen Dayong grew increasingly haughty. Moreover, he had another identity: he had served as a close attendant to Empress Wu Meiniang and was sent to the Eastern Palace to keep an eye on the Crown Prince. Thus, though arrogant, no one dared curb him. His airs today were simply because he had orders to wait for Li Xian and was displeased, not out of any grudge. In fact, Chen Dayong did not regard Li Xian—a low-profile and supposedly incapable prince—as worthy of attention, despite his royal status.

Old eunuch, just you wait! Li Xian not only knew some of Chen Dayong’s secrets but also that in his previous life, it was Chen Dayong who poisoned Li Hong with a cup of deadly wine. Of course, Chen Dayong himself met a grim end, silenced by Empress Wu’s agents less than a day after Li Hong’s death. For such a minor figure, Li Xian would not stoop to his level, but if he could use him to his advantage, he would not hesitate. So, despite his displeasure, Li Xian kept his composure, smiling as he followed Chen Dayong through the Spring Blossom Gate, walking silently toward East Qilin Pavilion…

East Qilin Pavilion was a side hall by the rear garden of the Eastern Palace, situated in the inner palace. Though Li Hong had not yet married and the inner palace was largely symbolic, the protocols remained: ordinary officials, and even royal brothers, could not enter without summons. Li Xian had visited the Eastern Palace many times but had never been to East Qilin Pavilion—except in his previous life, when he himself was Crown Prince and often relaxed there, so he knew the surroundings well. As he walked, memories buried deep in his heart surged forth, a mix of sweet, bitter, and sour, filling him with emotion.

“Your brother greets you, Crown Prince.”

Accompanied by Chen Dayong, Li Xian ascended to the second floor of East Qilin Pavilion, where he saw Li Hong in a bright yellow robe, standing by the railing with his back to the stairs, lost in thought and unaware of their arrival. Li Xian hesitated briefly, then hurried forward, bowed, and greeted him quietly.

“Seventh brother, come here,” Li Hong said without turning, raising his hand and speaking in a calm tone.

“Yes, as you command.” Li Xian truly did not understand Li Hong’s intentions, but since Li Hong had spoken, he could not well refuse. After a moment’s hesitation, he agreed, stepped to Li Hong’s side, and followed his gaze. He saw, not far below in the garden, a group of junior eunuchs working busily in the cold wind, pruning a not-very-tall tree. The sound of saws and chatter was quite piercing.

Pruning in winter? What’s the meaning of this? Ah, yes, how clever. Though Li Xian had never studied horticulture, he knew well that pruning was only done in spring or autumn. Cutting branches in winter was almost the same as killing the tree; even if it survived, it would not thrive the next spring. Li Hong might not know this, but the eunuchs in charge of the garden certainly did. The absurdity of this act was clearly symbolic—a performance meant specially for Li Xian, its intention evident. Understanding was one thing; how to respond was another. Even with all his experience, Li Xian could not immediately think of a perfect reply and quickly began to turn over ideas before Li Hong could speak.

Li Xian obviously could not speak first, and Li Hong seemed in no hurry to say more. The two brothers stood side by side, like statues, while the atmosphere in the pavilion grew subtly strange…