Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 419 Resentment
Li Baizhou looked extremely haggard, and his figure had become much thinner. There were two dark circles under his eyes, indicating that he hadn't rested much in the past few days.

He forced a smile: "Brother, please don't say that. It's all fate, and I've already accepted it."

Li Xuanhe felt very sorry for him, reached out and hugged him, and whispered in his ear, "I know you have been wronged. We can't do anything about Consort Xie for the time being, but I can promise you that I will definitely help Consort Jiang get justice in the future."

"I know, I can wait, I can wait no matter how long it takes."

Li Xuanhe released him and said gently, "Before I came here, I went to see my father. My father felt sorry for Consort Jiang's untimely death and issued an edict to posthumously confer upon her the title of Consort Rou. Her funeral will be handled according to the regulations for consorts. Someone will come to announce the edict shortly."

Li Baizhou looked grateful: "Thank you very much, Your Majesty."

"Do you still remember the words you said to comfort me when Mother passed away?"

Li Baizhou nodded.

"Now I also want to tell you that although you have lost your mother, you still have me as your brother. I will always protect you. If you need any help in the future, just come to me."

Li Baizhou's eyes were red: "Okay."

Li Xuanhe gently patted his shoulder: "Take good care of yourself and cheer up soon."

"Ah."

The young eunuch stepped forward and whispered a reminder: "Your Highness, the imperial physician has advised you that since your illness has not yet healed, you should not stay outside for too long. If you catch a cold, your condition may relapse."

Li Xuanhe said it was fine, he wasn't that delicate.

Li Baizhou advised, "I am already very grateful that you came to see me. If your condition worsens because of this, I will be guilty of a thousand deaths. You should listen to the imperial physician and go back to recuperate. There is plenty of time in the future for us brothers to get together. There is no need to rush."

"That's right. After I recover, I'll invite you to the Crown Prince's residence for a proper get-together."

Li Baizhou clasped his hands and bowed, respectfully seeing the Crown Prince off.

After everyone left, Li Baizhou straightened up, his face still showing gratitude, but upon closer inspection, one could see that there was no warmth in his eyes.

Soon, a palace eunuch came to announce the imperial decree, officially posthumously conferring the title of Consort Rou upon Jiang Meiren.

Li Baizhou accepted the imperial edict, knelt down, bowed his head, and kowtowed to express his gratitude for the emperor's grace.

When the night was deep and quiet, only Li Baizhou remained in the mourning hall. He placed the imperial edict in front of the memorial tablet and mocked, "Mother, you were humiliated to death by Consort Xie, but Father didn't even bother to come and see you. In the end, he just used this imperial edict to send us mother and son away."

With no outsiders around, Li Baizhou had no need to hide his resentment, which was now fully revealed.

"You always told me that the Empress and the Crown Prince were good people. Even when you were dying, you still advised me to listen to the Crown Prince. But what good did listening do? I listened for fourteen years, and as a result, I became a useless person. I couldn't even protect your life and could only watch you leave. Mother, I don't want to be an obedient useless person anymore. I want to fight for it. If they can fight for the position of Crown Prince, why can't I?"

In the silent mourning hall, no one could answer his question.

Li Baizhou took two steps back, knelt down before the memorial tablet, and respectfully kowtowed. "Mother, I hope you can understand me."

Yan Ciwan quietly observed this scene. She knew that on the night Jiang Meiren died, Li Baizhou had already made a decision: he would no longer humbly beg for help; he would seize power for himself.

Once desires take root in a person's heart, they become uncontrollable.

Time flies, and Li Baizhou grows up quickly. Yan Ciwan always follows behind him, watching him frequently enter and leave the Crown Prince's residence. He hides himself very well and does not let anyone discover his changes. In everyone's eyes, he is always the little follower behind the Crown Prince.

Li Baizhou met the six most outstanding talents under Li Xuanhe's tutelage: Yan Hengyu, Xu Hanshi, Zhou Nanxu, Du Yunzhao, Xie Tanyu, and Chao Yuanzhi. These six, along with Li Baizhou, were collectively known as the Seven Talents of the Crown Prince's Palace.

After a period of contact, Li Baizhou discovered that Chao Yuanzhi harbored resentment, so he often invited Chao Yuanzhi to drink and have tea in private.

At that time, Chao Yuan was only in his early twenties, full of youthful vigor and ambition. However, he could only be a minor official in the Court of State Ceremonial, and he had to argue with foreigners over trivial matters every day. He was so annoyed that he was about to die. Li Baizhou invited him to drink, and he gladly went, just to relax after work.

At the dinner table, Chao Yuanzhi got drunk and kept muttering about how he felt his talents were not being recognized.

While pouring him wine, Li Baizhou chimed in, "Yes, you are no less capable than Xie Tanyu and Zhou Nanxu. Why are they able to hold important positions, while you can only be a minor official? This is really unfair to you."

Chao Yuanzhi said indignantly, "You also think I'm no worse than Xie Tanyu and Zhou Nanxu, right? The three of us are about the same age and we all serve under the Crown Prince, so why are their official positions higher than mine? I'm really not convinced!"

Li Baizhou advised, "The Crown Prince simply hasn't seen your talent, which is why he hasn't given you an important position. When the opportunity arises in the future, you should demonstrate your abilities and let the Crown Prince know your capabilities and loyalty. He will then naturally increase his efforts to promote you."

"An opportunity? When will that opportunity come?"

Li Baizhou smiled slightly: "Wait patiently, I will help you."

Chao Yuanzhi looked at him with blurry, drunken eyes: "Fifth Prince, you are such a good person!"

Li Baizhou changed the subject: "I heard that the Turkic delegation has arrived in Chang'an. Have you seen them?"

"I saw them!" Chao Yuanzhi had drunk too much and his speech was a bit slurred. "Those Turks are very rude and don't know any manners at all. Only the guy leading the group has some sense."

"I remember that the person leading their team this time was the seventh prince of the Turks."

“Yes, yes, that’s him. He said he really likes Daye culture and specially hired a Daye person as his teacher. He has been learning Daye script since he was a child and can speak fluent Daye Mandarin. This time we are directly dealing with him.” Chao Yuanzhi hiccuped as he said this, and then smiled apologetically at Li Baizhou. “Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Li Baizhou said it was no problem. He then refilled Chao Yuanzhi's wine cup and continued, "I have long heard of this seventh prince of the Turks. I've heard he's quite extraordinary. I wonder if Brother Yuanzhi could introduce me to him?"

“No problem. I’ll talk to the Seventh Prince of the Turks when I get back. As long as he agrees, I’ll introduce you to him immediately.”

"My identity is special, and my meeting with the seventh prince of the Turks must be kept secret to prevent outsiders from spreading any messy rumors."

Chao Yuanzhi raised his glass and said with a smile, "I understand. This is just between you and me. I guarantee no one else will know."

Li Baizhou also raised his glass: "Thank you, Brother Yuanzhi. I'll drink to that first."