Sheng Tang: What is Liu Jianjun going to do today?

Chapter 126 Three Days of Imprisonment
as predicted.

When the maids offered to help the two men bathe and change, Liu Jianjun waved them away dismissively, saying, "What are you for? What strength can you have with your skinny arms and legs? Get out! Get out!"

The maids looked embarrassed, but eventually bowed and retreated.

At that moment, Liu Jianjun dragged his bathtub closer to Li Xian's bathtub, splashing water all over the floor. He then quickly took off his clothes, jumped in, and called out to Li Xian, "Taking a bath, Xianzi! You've been traveling for days, you all stink!"

Li Xian chuckled, not feeling embarrassed at all.

They were all grown men.

With their bathtubs pressed close together, Li Xian knew that Liu Jianjun definitely had something to say to him.

Sure enough, Liu Jianjun stirred the water in the bathtub, making a splashing sound, then leaned close to Li Xian's ear and whispered, "These guys are here to spy on us, you know?"

Li Xian nodded.

Liu Jianjun continued, "As a prince, it's only natural for you to lose your temper after being offended by a eunuch! Your outburst only makes us seem genuine and innocent, which is why we can't stand being wronged and get angry at the slightest inconvenience. This fits our image as spoiled brats. If you tolerated it, that would be suspicious."

"Think about it, who among those who can work in a place like this isn't a top-notch individual? To barge into a prince's bedroom without prior notice and stare at him so intently—such a basic mistake can only be attributed to someone deliberately testing him."

"Who else could it be but your mother?"

Li Xian thought for a moment and asked, "Then... that guy named Wang Dezhu from earlier?"

"What? You want to call someone over and beat them up?"

Liu Jianjun smiled and said, "There's no need. It's normal for us to be restrained now that we've just arrived. If this happens again, you won't have to hold back anymore. If you can't tolerate it anymore, you won't have to tolerate it anymore."

Li Xian fully understood Liu Jianjun's intention, and then imitated Liu Jianjun, deliberately making a loud splashing sound.

"Forehead……"

Liu Jianjun paused his actions of stirring the water for a moment.

For some reason, Li Xian felt that Liu Jianjun's expression seemed a little strange at this moment.

……

Li Xian and Liu Jianjun spent the next two days at the State Guest House.

Aside from limited movement within the compound, they were not allowed to go out, and no outside visitors came; news seemed to be completely cut off.

At first, Liu Jianjun pretended to play chess with Li Xian, but his chess skills were terrible. He would either take back his moves or complain that Li Xian was playing too slowly, smashing a set of jade chess pieces with a loud cracking sound.

He got tired of such days in less than half a day, so he went to the research institute to smell the precious flowers and plants. He would either pluck a leaf to smell it or criticize the rockery, complaining that it was not as spacious and interesting as the scenery in the backyard of the Prince of Pei's mansion.

He even tried to get close to the Imperial Guards on duty, but the soldiers were like clay sculptures, completely unresponsive to his frivolous smiles, not even blinking, their hands on the hilts of their swords as steady as rocks.

By the afternoon of the next day, Liu Jianjun's pitiful patience had finally run out. He paced back and forth in the yard with his hands behind his back, like a restless, trapped beast, sighing so loudly that it could probably be heard outside the yard:
"I'm so bored! This is worse than being in jail! I should have lingered a few more days on the road!"

Hey! You outside! Could you find a couple of Orchid girls to dance? Or maybe we could get some ball to kick around?

"Xianzi! Say something! You've been holding this book upside down for almost an hour!"

Li Xian played along, letting out a helpless sigh: "The capital is not like Chang'an. You should be a little more patient and not cause trouble everywhere!"

After listening, Liu Jianjun didn't argue anymore. He plopped down opposite him, slumped onto the stone table without any regard for appearances, banged his forehead against the surface, and muttered something like, "Heavens above, earth below, I might as well go back to Liu Family Village and farm..."

……

This continued for the third day. Just as Liu Jianjun was wondering whether he should deliberately kick over an incense burner to attract attention, on the morning of the third day, Shangguan Wan'er finally reappeared at the courtyard gate.

She was still dressed in her proper palace attire, her expression calm, but the weariness in her eyes seemed even deeper.

“Your Highness Prince Pei, this is Chief Secretary Liu.” She bowed slightly, her voice calm and even, “Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has decreed that Your Highness will be summoned to the Xianju Hall of Shangyang Palace after noon today. Please make your preparations in advance.”

finally come!

Li Xian's heart skipped a beat. He put down his book, took a deep breath, and steadied himself, trying to make his voice sound merely obedient rather than tense: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Liu Jianjun immediately jumped up, his face showing undisguised, almost rude curiosity and a hint of ignored dissatisfaction: "Talented Lady! Talented Lady Shangguan! What about me? The Empress Dowager didn't summon me? She just left me here to rot and grow mushrooms?"

Shangguan Wan'er's gaze swept over him calmly, her tone formulaic and devoid of any emotion: "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager only summoned Prince Pei. Chief Secretary Liu, please wait patiently in the courtyard."

She paused, her gaze sweeping between Li Xian and Liu Jianjun, and added meaningfully, "The capital has been very busy lately, and the Empress Dowager is exhausted. Before the audience is over, please make sure you two rest and recuperate, and do not cause any more trouble or worry."

Li Xian didn't understand, but he knew Liu Jianjun definitely did.

"Thank you for your kind advice, Lady Xie."

Shangguan Wan'er said no more, and her figure quickly disappeared behind the screen wall.

At this moment, Liu Jianjun shouted loudly, "Guards! Didn't you hear that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager wants to see Prince Pei? Hurry up and bring hot water for Prince Pei to burn incense and bathe!"

Li Xian knew that Liu Jianjun was about to give him some more instructions.

……

Just after noon, the palace entourage and the eunuchs leading the way arrived at the State Guest House on time.

Li Xian changed into the prince's crown and robes. In the bronze mirror, his features were handsome and his attire solemn, yet he could not hide a hint of tension.

Liu Jianjun, unusually, didn't crack a joke. He simply stepped forward, straightened the already neat tassel on the prince's hat, and whispered, "Remember this, you cowardly prince, all you want is a wife, children, and a warm bed. Observe and listen more, speak and ask less, and keep your composure."

Li Xian nodded heavily, took a deep breath, and, under Liu Jianjun's seemingly nonchalant gaze, boarded the carriage leading to the core of imperial power.

The carriage drove out of Shangshanfang, through the heavily guarded imperial city, into the majestic palace city, and then headed west, finally entering the world-famous detached palace—Shangyang Palace.

Here, the palaces are nestled against the mountains and beside the water, their extreme luxury perfectly blending with the natural scenery. Yet, as one walks through them, one feels a breathtaking tranquility and solemnity, as if every glazed tile and every piece of white marble is silently radiating a cold, oppressive aura.

Finally, the carriage stopped in front of a magnificent, exquisite, and heavily guarded palace.

The eunuch leading the way spoke in a high-pitched voice that sounded particularly clear and jarring in the excessively quiet environment: "Your Highness, we have arrived at Xianju Palace. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is waiting inside."

Li Xian tidied his clothes, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and stepped into the palace that would determine his future fate.

The interior of the hall was dimly lit and filled with a cool and expensive sandalwood scent.

In the distance, on the phoenix throne, a figure sat upright, dressed in ordinary clothes but embroidered with intricate dark phoenix patterns. His face was indistinct in the interplay of light and shadow, but a calm yet weighty gaze fell upon him, locking him firmly as if it were a tangible object.

Li Xian stepped forward and, according to etiquette, respectfully prostrated himself in a salute. His clear voice echoed distinctly in the vast, silent hall, where one could hear their own heartbeat.

"Your subject Li Xian pays his respects to Your Majesty, wishing you boundless happiness and peace!"

……

(End of this chapter)