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

Chapter 190 Wu Chengsi's Cruelty, Liu Jianjun's Cold-bloodedness, and Wu Youji's Madness (A long chapter of 10,000 words)

Li Xian was not particularly happy about his victory in the contest of magic with Wu Chengsi.

I have always been far superior to this cousin since childhood.

This time, it's just another victory.

At this moment, Li Xian looked at Empress Wu, who was issuing orders from her throne, and felt a sense of resentment and eagerness to try his luck.

……

The banquet finally ended in what seemed like a peaceful and warm atmosphere.

Li Xian, reeking of alcohol and exhausted, walked towards the Prince of Pei's residence.

Back at the Prince of Pei's residence.

In the study, the charcoal fire was still burning, and Liu Jianjun was still awake. By the light of the lamp, he was fiddling with a few copper coins, seemingly divining something.

Li Xianqiang perked up and walked over, teasing, "What? When did you learn divination from those itinerant sorcerers?"

Liu Jianjun ignored Li Xian's teasing and asked without looking up, "You're back? It's all just a banquet, isn't it?"

Li Xian took off his wine-smelling outer robe, walked to the charcoal brazier, stretched out his hands to warm them, and recounted in detail the conflict with Wu Chengsi at the banquet, how Taiping helped him, and how he responded with a poem.

Upon hearing this, Liu Jianjun stopped what he was doing.

"It's alright. Wu Chengsi is just a clown. The more impatient he is to jump out and show his presence, the more it shows that he is insecure. It shows that apart from having the surname 'Wu,' he doesn't have much real weight in your mother's heart and is not worth worrying about. Taiping, on the other hand, is a bit of a surprise to me."

Li Xian sat down opposite Liu Jianjun, his brows furrowed slightly: "But he is, after all, the Empress's own nephew, and now he has been enfeoffed as the Prince of Wei, his influence is at its peak."

"Momentum?"

Liu Jianjun gathered the copper coins one by one, making a crisp clinking sound.

"That thing is just an illusion. The more flamboyant Wu Chengsi is, the more you need to keep your composure, appear humble and sensible. Your poem today was very well written. It both flattered your mother and suppressed Wu Chengsi, without leaving any offensive handle. You handled it quite well."

Li Xian was somewhat worried and said, "But...wouldn't this make it seem like I'm too eager for the position of crown prince?"

"It would be abnormal if you weren't eager! You don't even want the position of crown prince anymore, wouldn't your mother suspect that you have bigger ambitions?" Liu Jianjun said irritably.

Hearing Liu Jianjun say this, Li Xian felt a little relieved.

"Then... what you mean by clearing one's name..."

"There's no rush, just wait. Everything is on track right now."

Liu Jianjun interrupted him, his eyes seeming somewhat profound, "Now, we need to start the second step."

"Step two?"

“Visit and win over the ministers in the court.” Liu Jianjun sat up straight, his tone becoming serious. “Having your mother’s slight favor and a righteous reputation is not enough. You need to have your own voice and your own supporters. In the court, no one is an island.”

Li Xian's spirits lifted: "In your opinion, who should we start with? Most of the ministers in the court are either the Empress Dowager's... Her Majesty's confidants, or members of the Wu clan. Whom can we win over?"

Liu Jianjun revealed a mysterious smile: "Who said you should go and win over those high-ranking and powerful ministers with clear stances right now?"
That's called walking into a trap.

“We need to find those who are in key positions but not very noticeable, or who still have feelings for the Li Tang dynasty and are confused about the future.”

He counted on his fingers: "The first type is the low-ranking officials in the central government who are in charge of documents and information transmission, such as the censors of the Secretariat and the attendants of the Chancellery. Don't underestimate them. They are well-informed and can sometimes tamper with documents, which can have a significant impact."

"The second type is military officers who control part of the defense of the capital, but are not core commanders, such as the Zhonglang General and Langjiang General of the Jinwu Guard."

"The third type is those officials of the Censorate and some Hanlin scholars who consider themselves to be upright and value the orthodoxy of etiquette and law. They may not fully agree with the idea of ​​a woman becoming emperor, but they dare not openly oppose it."

Li Xian listened carefully and felt that Liu Jianjun's words made a lot of sense, but he also felt at a loss: "These people are all over the court. How should we identify and contact them? If we visit them rashly, wouldn't it arouse suspicion?"

"You're asking me about this?" Liu Jianjun said with an exaggerated expression, "Of course, Your Highness Prince Pei can't personally carry gifts and knock on every door. You have to 'accidentally' meet them first, then 'ask for advice,' and only then 'exchange visits.'"

He explained in detail: "Luoyang has the beauty of the Luo River and the grandeur of Longmen, making it an ideal place for elegant gatherings. You can use the name of Taiping to set up a 'poetry gathering' on the banks of the Luo River, or invite three or five generals to go hunting in Beiman."

"On these occasions, you don't talk about politics, but only about poetry, literature, military strategy, archery and horsemanship. You show humility, studiousness, generosity and appreciation for talent. This approach is especially effective with those scholars and mid-level military officers."

"After making a good impression, you can invite them to your home for a chat under the pretext of discussing academic matters or appreciating fine horses, or you can return the visit."

"Over time, friendship and trust naturally grow closer."

Li Xian gradually formed an idea in his mind and said with emotion, "Thanks to you, otherwise I wouldn't even know where to start."

Liu Jianjun shrugged: "There's nothing I can do. Right now, we're in Luoyang, right under your mother's nose. I can't really do anything underhanded. I can only offer you advice."

Li Xian was curious.

"Because of my position with your mother, she treats me like someone you raised... Never mind, just know that it's not my job to handle practical matters."

Liu Jianjun waved his hand dismissively, seemingly unwilling to elaborate on his specific impressions of Empress Wu.

Li Xian didn't press the matter further.

……

Several days later, on the banks of the Luo River.

A purification ritual and poetry gathering on the Luo River, initiated by Princess Taiping and "coincidentally" invited by Prince Pei, Li Xian, was held amidst the shimmering spring sunshine.

Now that Princess Taiping is widowed and deeply favored by the Emperor, it is reasonable for her to organize such gatherings without arousing excessive suspicion.

Li Xian, dressed in the casual attire of a prince, moved with an elegant demeanor among the literati and scholars.

He deliberately avoided those officials who had clearly sided with Wu Chengsi, and instead had a pleasant conversation with several Hanlin scholars and secretaries who had been identified by Liu Jianjun as "potential targets".

The conversation started with the phrase "reeds and rushes on the Luo River" from the Book of Songs and extended to the poetry and prose topics in the recent examinations for officials. He quoted extensively from classical texts and offered insightful opinions, yet at crucial moments, he humbly handed over the right to speak to the senior officials known for their scholarship, revealing his deep appreciation for the cultural and educational systems of the Tang Dynasty.

The poetry gathering concluded successfully.

As the poetry gathering came to a close, the comment that "Prince Pei is calm and studious, and treats scholars with respect. His demeanor and elegance are reminiscent of the late emperor in his early years" began to ripple in a specific small circle.

During his rest period, Li Xian invited some mid- to low-ranking military officers to go hunting on horseback at the Beiman Mountain Hunting Grounds.

Li Xian ate meat and drank wine with his generals, discussing frontier battles and weapon improvements. His understanding of military affairs and his empathy for the generals' hard work made these soldiers feel a rare sense of respect.

……

And so, spring passed quietly.

In early summer in Luoyang, the peony blooming season has passed, and the air is filled with the heat of summer, along with a touch of restlessness.

Li Xian's strategy of "chance encounters" and "seeking advice" is still proceeding in an orderly manner.

Through several gatherings hosted by Princess Taiping and several hunting trips in Beiman, his relationship with several target individuals gradually evolved from initial nodding acquaintances to the point where they could sit down for tea and philosophical discussions, and even begin to explore some more in-depth topics.

Behind the scenes, Liu Jianjun acted like an experienced fisherman, constantly adjusting the "bait" and the depth of the "fishing" based on Li Xian's feedback.

However, beneath the calm surface, undercurrents will eventually surge.

On this day, Li Xian was playing chess in his residence with a court official with whom he had been visiting frequently recently.

This official surnamed Wang was a fifth-rank official in the Secretariat, responsible for reviewing and rejecting documents. He was about forty years old and was known for his integrity and outspokenness. He had long been critical of the behavior of Wu Chengsi and others. After several "chance encounters" and in-depth conversations, he had already shown a clear inclination towards Li Xian.

In the middle of the game, just as Wang, the Imperial Censor, made his crucial move, Liu Jianjun's voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Your Highness, the Imperial Attendant Shangguan has arrived at the gate."

Li Xian instantly understood and gave Wang, the censor, an apologetic look.

Wang, the censor, reacted quickly. He deftly placed the remaining chess pieces into the chess jar, stood up and took his leave: "Your Highness, I still have a backlog of documents to deal with in my office, so it is inconvenient for me to stay any longer. I will take my leave now."

Li Xian didn't say much, only nodded slightly and said in a low voice, "Please take care, Your Highness. I have benefited greatly from today's game of chess. Let's continue another day."

……

After Wang Jishizhong left, Li Xian saw Shangguan Wan'er and Liu Jianjun walking in side by side, and knew that Shangguan Wan'er had not come on the orders of Empress Wu this time.

He immediately relaxed a bit and smiled, "Miss Wan'er, are you here to see Liu Jianjun?"

However, Shangguan Wan'er's expression did not relax. She curtsied and lowered her voice slightly: "Your Highness, Wan'er has come here with important matters to report... The Prince of Wei has made another move."

Li Xian felt a chill and led her to the inner room, where Liu Jianjun had already quietly followed.

"Seeing that His Majesty's repeated urging to ascend the throne had yielded significant results, Wu Chengsi also began to emulate him." Shangguan Wan'er spoke quickly, with a hint of disdain. "Since he couldn't appear in person, he secretly instructed a man from Luoyang named Wang Qingzhi to gather hundreds of so-called 'public opinion' members to jointly submit a petition requesting that Wu Chengsi be made Crown Prince!"

Li Xian and Liu Jianjun exchanged a glance, noticing that his expression hadn't changed, and asked curiously, "You've heard Wan'er mention this?"

"No, but while you're trying to win people over, he's bound to be up to something," Liu Jianjun shrugged. "I didn't expect this kid to have some brains."

Li Xian nodded, then turned to look at Shangguan Wan'er: "What was the Empress's reaction?"

"His Majesty received Wang Qingzhi."

Shangguan Wan'er continued, "She asked him, 'My son is the heir to the throne, why have you deposed him?' Wang Qingzhi was prepared and replied, 'The gods do not accept offerings from those who are not of their kind, and the people do not worship those who are not of their own clan.' He also said, 'The current dynasty belongs to the Wu family, how can it be inherited by the Li family?'"

She paused, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes, "These words... truly struck a nerve with His Majesty. His Majesty's expression immediately darkened, and he simply waved for him to leave. But Wang Qingzhi threatened to kill himself, kneeling on the ground and refusing to get up, claiming that if His Majesty did not agree, he would kill himself in the palace."

"Did the Empress agree?" Li Xian's heart jumped into his throat.

“No, not at all.” Shangguan Wan’er shook her head. “His Majesty only said that this matter was of great importance and could not be decided lightly, but… he bestowed upon Wang Qingzhi a paper talisman with an official seal, allowing him to enter the palace at any time to request an audience.”

“This…” Li Xian frowned. This was tantamount to giving Wu Chengsi a channel to stir up trouble at any time.

"After His Majesty saw Wang Qing off, he summoned Cen Changqian, the Right Chancellor of Wenchang, to discuss matters," Shangguan Wan'er revealed the most crucial information. "His Majesty's original intention was perhaps to hear the opinion of this trusted minister, after all, Chancellor Cen had suggested that the imperial heir change his surname to Wu, and His Majesty even bestowed upon him the imperial surname. But upon hearing this, Chancellor Cen resolutely opposed it!"

"Oh? What did he say?" Liu Jianjun finally spoke, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"Prime Minister Cen said: 'The Crown Prince has done nothing wrong by residing in the Eastern Palace. How can he be lightly deposed? This is a matter of national importance. How can it be allowed for commoners to make such a fuss? I request that these people be severely punished as a warning to others!' Because Prime Minister Cen's attitude was firm, the other prime ministers also echoed his sentiments, and the matter was temporarily suppressed."

Li Xian breathed a sigh of relief; the fact that the matter was temporarily suppressed meant that the issue remained unresolved.

A brief silence fell over the room.

Li Xian felt a mix of emotions. He was relieved that ministers like Cen Changqian still supported Li Dan, because this, to some extent, was also upholding the legitimacy of the Li Tang dynasty. However, he was also worried about his mother's ambiguous attitude and the "pass" left for Wang Qingzhi.

Liu Jianjun suddenly chuckled, breaking the silence: "Great news, fantastic news!"

"Wu Chengsi has practically offered his own neck to the guillotine!"

Liu Jianjun clapped his hands and said, "His attempt to force the emperor to abdicate using 'public opinion' seems clever, but it is actually extremely foolish!"

"First, he touched Wu Zetian's most sensitive nerve regarding power. How could Wu Zetian, who was able to ascend the throne, not know how 'public opinion' works? She can use it herself, but she will never allow others, especially her nephew, to use the same method to blackmail her!"

"Secondly, his move effectively put all the ministers in the court who still supported the Li Tang dynasty or were merely following orthodox etiquette on the opposite side, as evidenced by Cen Changqian's reaction!"

Liu Jianjun then looked at Shangguan Wan'er and asked, "What about Wu Chengsi? What's his reaction now?"

Shangguan Wan'er frowned slightly, her tone carrying a hint of seriousness: "How could Wu Chengsi be willing to accept this? Seeing that Cen Changqian led the opposition, causing his plans to be thwarted, he regarded Cen Changqian as a thorn in his side. He dared not directly pester His Majesty about the matter of establishing an heir, so he devised another wicked scheme."

"What wicked scheme?" Li Xian pressed.

"He used the pretext of the Tibetan invasion to persuade His Majesty, saying that a high-ranking official was needed to lead the army to quell the border war, and recommended Prime Minister Cen as the Grand General of the Longyou Road Army to lead the expedition against Tibet," Shangguan Wan'er said. "His Majesty may have wanted Prime Minister Cen to temporarily leave the vortex of the court, or he may have been genuinely worried about the border situation, so he granted the request."

Liu Jianjun sneered: "It's a classic trick, but it works. Once Cen Changqian leaves Luoyang and is far from the center of power, he'll be at their mercy."

“That’s right.” Shangguan Wan’er nodded and continued, “Not long after Prime Minister Cen led his army away from Luoyang, Wu Chengsi instructed cruel officials to jointly submit a memorial, falsely accusing Cen Changqian of secretly colluding with the Tubo and intending to rebel with his troops!”

Li Xian gasped, "Treason? This... such a clumsy false accusation, the Empress Dowager..."

“Your Highness, the word ‘treason’ is a serious crime at any time, especially at this sensitive time when the people’s hearts are still unsettled after the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty.”

Shangguan Wan'er said in a heavy tone, "As the Right Chancellor of Wenchang, Prime Minister Cen holds a high position and great power, and he is in charge of troops in the field. How could His Majesty not be suspicious? Even if the evidence is far-fetched, under the fabrication of cruel officials... His Majesty would rather believe it. Before Prime Minister Cen even reached the border, he was urgently recalled by an imperial edict and directly thrown into the prison of the Judicial Office at Lijing Gate."

Shangguan Wan'er spoke with even greater difficulty the following words: "The Judicial Office was controlled by cruel officials, and after several rounds of torture... Prime Minister Cen... was forced to confess under torture. In the end, he was executed along with... and dozens of officials who were identified as his accomplices for treason."

The study fell into a deathly silence.

The occasional crackling of the charcoal fire sounded particularly jarring.

A high-ranking prime minister and dozens of court officials were beheaded in the blink of an eye. Wu Chengsi's ruthlessness and the terror of the cruel officials swept through the room like a cold current.

Li Xian's face turned pale, and his fists clenched involuntarily.

He knew political struggles were brutal, but he never imagined they would escalate to this extent.

Liu Jianjun also dropped his cynical expression, his eyes becoming sharp and cold.

"With the death of Prime Minister Cen, Wu Chengsi's arrogance has become even more rampant." Shangguan Wan'er's voice carried a hint of weariness and disgust. "He thought that no one would dare to stop him anymore, so he instructed Wang Qingzhi to frequently enter the palace to request an audience, relying on the seal bestowed by His Majesty, and repeatedly petitioned to make him the Crown Prince."

"Mother Empress... agreed this time?" Li Xian's voice was a little hoarse.

"At first, His Majesty was just being perfunctory. But under Wu Chengsi's instigation, Wang Qingzhi made a request almost every three days and every five days, which was extremely annoying. What's even more hateful is that he became increasingly bold in his words, as if establishing Wu Chengsi was a foregone conclusion, and even had the intention of forcing His Majesty to make a decision quickly."

Shangguan Wan'er paused, a complex look flashing in her eyes. "What kind of person is Her Majesty? She has just ascended the throne and is eager to realize her grand ambitions. How can she allow a commoner to nag her about matters after her death all day long? Choosing a son or nephew as heir is an enormous problem. Her Majesty has her own judgment. How can anyone else force her to do so?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Jianjun finally managed a slight smile: "It seems that Wu Chengsi and that mad dog are going to reap what they sow."

Shangguan Wan'er nodded. "Her Majesty has finally been angered by this endless entanglement. Today, she summoned Li Zhaode, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Palace, and ordered Wang Qingzhi to be dragged out of the palace gate, publicly flogged, and severely punished! She also revoked the seal that granted him special permission to enter the palace."

Upon hearing this, Li Xian felt a sense of relief at first, but then a chill ran through him.

Wang Qingzhi is certainly hateful, but behind him is Wu Chengsi. Did the mother's actions stem from merely being annoyed with Wang Qingzhi, or did she also develop a sense of wariness and disgust towards Wu Chengsi?

"Your Highness," Shangguan Wan'er said finally, "Although Wu Chengsi was not directly punished after this incident, his eagerness for quick success and his ruthless methods have been fully exposed, which has made His Majesty even more disgusted."

"What are the ministers in the court, who are now silent in fear of Cen Xiang's death, thinking? Right now, perhaps this is precisely..."

She didn't say everything, but her meaning was clear.

Li Xian looked at Liu Jianjun: "Liu Jianjun, what should we do next?"

Shangguan Wan'er also looked at Liu Jianjun at the same time.

Liu Jianjun pondered for a moment and said, "Wu Chengsi has destroyed his own defenses, and your mother has developed a grudge against him, which is very beneficial to us. But now is not the time for us to take the initiative. My son, you did very well before, keeping a low profile, being pragmatic, and making friends with lower and middle-level officials. You must continue to maintain this."

"Should we wait?" Li Xian asked, frowning.

“Wait,” Liu Jianjun said firmly. “On the one hand, we are waiting for your mother’s disgust for Wu Chengsi to accumulate to a certain degree, and for those ministers in the court who dare not speak out to turn their hopeful eyes to another possible candidate. What we need to do is to make ourselves that ‘possible’.”

“On the other hand, we need to wait for an opportunity, an opportunity that will clear your name of the treason charges without any suspicion.” Li Xian was puzzled, but Shangguan Wan’er seemed thoughtful and asked, “Do you know Empress Wu’s next move? How did you know?”

Li Xian was taken aback and looked at Shangguan Wan'er with a puzzled expression.

Shangguan Wan'er explained, "Empress Wu plans to find a husband for Princess Taiping."

Li Xian was still puzzled.

"The prince consort she planned to choose for Taiping was Wu Youji."

Li Xian's eyes widened instantly, his voice filled with disbelief: "Wu Youji? How is this possible? Wu Youji... he already has a wife! How could the Empress Dowager..."

Li Xian simply couldn't understand how the Empress Dowager, who had always doted on Taiping, could tolerate Taiping sharing a husband with other women.
Shangguan Wan'er lowered her eyes, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible pity and coldness: "That's why... His Majesty has ordered the execution of Wu Youji's wife to make room for Princess Taiping."

"what?!"

Li Xian suddenly stood up, his face deathly pale.

He knew his mother would stop at nothing for power, but the fact that she so directly and so cruelly took the life of an innocent woman still sent a chill down his spine.

He couldn't even understand whether the Empress was indulging in Princess Taiping's affections or something else that allowed her to kill so many innocent people indiscriminately.

“This is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for,” Liu Jianjun suddenly said, his voice calm yet somewhat frightening.

Li Xian was taken aback, and subconsciously thought of his relationship with Wu Youji.

Then, unable to contain himself, he asked, "You...you knew that the Empress Dowager was going to harm Wu Youji's wife? Then...why didn't you warn Wu Youji?"

Liu Jianjun gently shook his head: "I know, but I found out a little late, and... even if I know, I can't change anything."

"Wu Youji possesses crucial evidence that framed you back then—the indenture of that slave, Zhao Daosheng. We haven't acted because the time isn't right, and also because Wu Youji still harbors fear and loyalty towards Emperor Wu. But now…"

"For the sake of peace, Empress Wu was willing to sacrifice Wu Youji's first wife without hesitation. In her eyes, Wu Youji's feelings and his wife's life were nothing more than pawns that could be discarded at any time. This 'favor' was enough to chill the hearts of anyone with a shred of conscience."

Li Xian instantly understood Liu Jianjun's entire plan.

A chill ran through him, and his voice trembled slightly as he asked, "Are you going to... use Wu Youji's hatred to force him to hand over evidence and overturn my case?"

Li Xian felt that Liu Jianjun was too cruel.

Looking at Liu Jianjun's calm and expressionless face, a chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

Admittedly,

By doing this, Liu Jianjun makes it appear that the matter of clearing his name has nothing to do with him.

Can……

Isn't that too cruel?

Using Wu Youji's hatred, and the life of an innocent woman...

Li Xian's voice rose slightly with excitement, carrying a hint of fear he himself was unaware of, "That was his wife! A human life! How... how can we make a fuss about something like this? This... how is this any different from Wu Chengsi framing Cen Changqian? And from the Empress Dowager..."

He choked on the words that followed, unable to speak.

He found himself comparing Liu Jianjun to those he hated, which made him feel a wave of self-loathing, yet he couldn't shake the thought.

Despite Li Xian's agitation, Liu Jianjun remained calm, though his eyes grew more profound.

He didn't immediately refute, but waited until Li Xian's rapid breathing calmed down before speaking slowly. His voice wasn't loud, but every word struck Li Xian's heart: "Xianzi, what do you think we're doing right now? Are we reciting poems, or playing a game where you can start over if you lose?"

His tone was almost cruelly blunt: "From the moment you decided to fight for that position, from the moment your mother, the Empress, tacitly approved and even encouraged the framing of you, her own son, in order to ascend the throne, we have been on a battlefield where flesh and blood fly! There is no tenderness here, no pure justice, only success or failure, only life and death!"

He stood up and walked over to Li Xian.

"Different? Of course there is a difference! Wu Chengsi framed Cen Changqian to eliminate dissidents and satisfy his own desires. His methods were despicable and his purpose was dirty!"

"And what about us? We want to clear your name of the unjust charges against you, to reclaim what is rightfully yours, and to reduce the number of scourges like Wu Chengsi in the court, giving it a better chance to get back on track! We are saving ourselves and fighting for a chance to set things right!"

"But what's the price?" Li Xian closed his eyes helplessly. His sense of justice and righteousness still couldn't allow him to remain indifferent to such a matter. "The price is the life of an innocent woman. We're using her death..."

"Her death was caused by the Empress! It was caused by that supreme power!" Liu Jianjun interrupted him, his tone resolute. "It wasn't you or me! We can't change this fact!"

"What we can do now is to look for a possibility in this tragedy so that her death was not in vain! So that similar tragedies may happen less often in the future!"
Do you think that by maintaining your 'kindness' and 'compassion' here, you can bring that woman back to life?
"No! It will only allow the conspiracy to frame you to continue to succeed, make people like Wu Chengsi even more unscrupulous, and cause more innocent people like Cen Changqian and Wu Youji's wife to fall victim to the power struggle!"

Li Xian staggered back a step, his back hitting the cold bookshelf.

Liu Jianjun's words were like a blunt knife, slowly cutting away at the illusion he had been trying to maintain.

He found himself unable to refute Liu Jianjun's logic. Liu's logic was cold and hard, forcing him into a moral corner.

“But…but didn’t you say Wu Youji is your good buddy…” Li Xian’s voice was weak and confused after struggling. “We are approaching a man who has just lost his wife and taking advantage of his grief…I…I can’t do it. Can you really be at peace with yourself?”

He couldn't imagine how someone could so calmly exploit their best friend's grief over the loss of his wife to achieve their goal, even if that goal sounded righteous.

Liu Jianjun was silent for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was slightly hoarse and tired: "Precisely because he is my friend... I understand his current despair even more. Xianzi, do you think I feel good right now?"

He looked at Li Xian with a burning gaze, filled with an almost obsessive determination: "Hand over Zhao Daosheng's indenture and I'll help you overturn your case. This isn't just helping you, it's helping himself! This is the most powerful and safest counterattack he can launch against the source of his tragedy!"
"This would make him feel that his wife's blood was not shed in vain, and that her death had at least shaken a brick in the foundation of that supreme power! For him, this would be a kind of redemption, far more effective than any empty comfort we could offer!"

Li Xian fell silent.

He leaned against the bookshelf, looking up at the beams and pillars of the roof, his chest heaving violently.

His mother's coldness, Wu Chengsi's ruthlessness, Liu Jianjun's complex emotions mixed with friendship and calculation, and the woman he had never met who died because of power... all these images intertwined and collided in his mind.

Liu Jianjun's words revealed to him another kind of cruel "kindness".

Is exploiting a friend's tragedy a deeper form of harm, or a different kind of salvation?

He found himself unable to make simple judgments.

All he knew was that Liu Jianjun had made up his mind, and he himself seemed to have no better choice.

He must clear his name and fight against his mother and Wu Chengsi, so he cannot be bound by pure morality.

After a long while, Li Xian slowly straightened up. The pain and struggle on his face had not completely subsided, but his eyes held a resolute determination and an almost tragic resignation.

He looked at Shangguan Wan'er and asked, "Where is Wu Youji? After what happened, the Empress should summon him to Luoyang, right?"

Shangguan Wan'er glanced at Li Xian with some concern, then looked at Liu Jianjun, finally pursed her lips, and nodded: "That's right, Wu Youji has been placed by Empress Wu in..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Xian waved his hand to interrupt, then looked at Liu Jianjun, his voice hoarse: "I...I'll go see him, but..."

He emphasized, "I will go see him alone; you must not show up."

Liu Jianjun was stunned for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, followed by understanding, and even a barely perceptible... gratitude.

Li Xian said in a deep voice, "If I talk to him myself, I can preserve the friendship between you and Wu Youji to the greatest extent possible, and it will also... put my mind at ease a little."

"Okay." Liu Jianjun nodded without saying anything more. "Be careful. His emotions are definitely very unstable right now."

……

The following day, as night deepened, Li Xian's carriage quietly came to a stop outside an inconspicuous villa in the south of Luoyang.

Because of Wu Youji's special status, Li Xian could only arrive after nightfall.

This is not Wu Youji's official residence, but rather a secluded temporary place. It exudes an abandoned and desolate atmosphere. The air seems to still retain the heat of the day, but it cannot dispel the chilling aura emanating from this courtyard.

The guide was an old servant with dim eyes, clearly a trusted confidant that Wu Youji had brought from his hometown. He silently led Li Xian into the inner room without even announcing his arrival.

Inside the room, only a small oil lamp was lit, casting a dim light.

Wu Youji sat on a folding chair with his back to the door, casting a huge and distorted shadow on the wall.

He was not wearing a crown, his hair was disheveled, and his once well-fitting brocade robe was now hanging loosely on his body. The air was filled with a strong smell of alcohol, but he sat upright, not like someone who was drunk, but rather like a stone statue frozen in pain.

Li Xian looked at him and inexplicably thought of his spirited appearance in Chang'an, which was completely different from his current state.

Li Xian's footsteps were very light, but Wu Youji still noticed them.

He didn't turn around, his voice hoarse and dry, like the friction of sand and gravel: "Your Highness Prince Pei."

His tone was flat, without surprise or anger, only a deathly stillness.

"Wu Youji".

Li Xian spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse from the scene before him and the heaviness in his heart.

All the words he had prepared seemed pale and powerless the moment he saw Wu Youji's appearance.

He walked to Wu Youji's side and could see that half of the other's cheek was sunken, and there were heavy shadows under his eyes. His once bright eyes were now only bloodshot and desolate.

“Wu Youji,” Li Xian said in a low voice, “I… just heard about your wife.”

Wu Youji finally turned his stiff neck, his eyes vacant: "Did Your Highness come to see how I, Wu Youji, will become a laughingstock of the world? My wife just died, and I'm already going to marry a princess..."

“That’s not what I meant at all!” Li Xian interrupted him, squatted down in front of him, and looked him straight in the eye. “Wu Youji, I know how you feel right now. But that’s precisely why I had to come and see you.”

Wu Youji sneered and turned his face away.

"Do you hate it?" Li Xian asked softly. "Do you hate this power to take lives at will?"

Wu Youji's body trembled violently, and his clenched fists turned white at the knuckles.

“I hate it too.” Li Xian’s voice was filled with suppressed emotion. “I hate the fabricated charge of treason, I hate the conspiracy that framed me. Wu Youji, you have lost your beloved wife, and I have lost my innocence and dignity. We are both people who have been trampled on by power.”

Wu Youji slowly turned his head and looked at Li Xian seriously for the first time.

Li Xian met his gaze and said, word by word, "I have come here today to ask for your help. It is said that the key evidence that framed me back then, the indenture of the slave Zhao Daosheng, is in your hands."

Wu Youji's pupils contracted slightly, and after a long silence, he finally asked, "How did Your Highness know?"

“That’s not important.” Li Xian didn’t mention Liu Jianjun. “What’s important is that this evidence can clear my name. Wu Youji, this is not a deal, it’s an opportunity, an opportunity to make those who trampled on us pay the price.”

He took a deep breath: "To exonerate me is to prove to everyone that even the supreme power can make mistakes, frame loyal officials, and harm one's own flesh and blood! This may not bring back what we have lost, but at least... it will make the person who caused all this pay the price for her actions!"

Wu Youji stared intently at Li Xian, his chest heaving violently.

Tears suddenly welled up from his dry eyes, mixed with endless grief and indignation.

“She…she was so kind…” he choked, his voice broken, “Just because she married me…does she deserve to die?”

Li Xian waited in silence. At this moment, any words of comfort would be futile.

Finally, Wu Youji staggered to his feet and asked, "What should I do?"

"She will summon you tomorrow to announce the marriage decree, and I need you... to produce evidence at that time."

Wu Youji did not ask Li Xian how he knew that the Empress would summon him the next day. He simply closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "If I offend her in public, I... I'll probably die, won't I?"

Li Xian was taken aback.

He hadn't even thought about it.

But Wu Youji spoke again, his tone filled with an almost fanatical obsession: "Tomorrow... I will do as you say. I want her... I want that high and mighty Emperor to hear with his own ears how 'brilliant' the framing she tacitly approved to pave the way was!"

Li Xian suddenly didn't know what to say.

He pursed his lips, feeling utterly powerless for the first time.

After a long pause, he said in a hoarse voice, "After tomorrow, regardless of success or failure, I... owe you my life."

Wu Youji simply turned his back, sat back down in the dim shadows, and said nothing more.

……

The next day, in a side hall of the Wanshang Divine Palace.

Empress Wu sat upright on her throne, while Princess Taiping stood beside her, her expression complex, carrying a hint of unease and resistance.

Li Xian stood with his hands at his sides, looking down at his nose, trying to appear calm.

Dressed in his summoned ceremonial robes, Wu Youji walked steadily into the palace, guided by a palace attendant.

His face was pale, but his expression was unusually calm, even frighteningly calm. He worshipped according to the proper etiquette, his movements meticulous, like a shell whose soul had been emptied.

"Youji, rise."

The Emperor's voice carried its usual majesty, yet it also revealed a rare hint of gentleness, perhaps out of a sense of compensation for what was about to be imposed upon him. He said, "I have summoned you here today for the marriage of Taiping. My mind is made up. I will betroth Taiping to you, and the wedding will be held on a chosen date. Are you willing?"

The hall was silent, and all eyes were on Wu Youji.

Taiping nervously clenched his sleeves.

Li Xian's heart was in his throat.

Wu Youji slowly raised his head, not immediately answering whether he was willing or not, but looking directly at the Emperor Wu on the throne. His voice was clear and steady, even carrying a strange calmness: "Your Majesty, I... have something that has been weighing on my heart for many years, like a fishbone stuck in my throat, and I must speak it out."

"Today I have the honor of seeing Your Majesty's face. Before receiving Your Majesty's grace, I dare to present this item to Your Majesty in order to put my mind at ease."

Emperor Wu frowned slightly, clearly not expecting Wu Youji to cause such an unexpected complication at this moment.

She glanced at Taiping beside her, who looked uneasy, then at Li Xian, who was bowing his head below, and finally her gaze swept over Wu Youji with scrutiny: "Oh? What is it?"

Wu Youji took out a bamboo tube with a wooden stopper from his bosom and raised it high with both hands.

"This is the original indenture of a servant in my household. It bears the signature of the person who handled it and the official seal, which can verify its authenticity. This servant later went to the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace and became a chicken-raising servant in the former residence of the virtuous Crown Prince. His name was Zhao Daosheng..."

Before Wu Youji could finish speaking, the Empress suddenly shouted angrily, "Wu Youji! What are you doing?!"

Wu Youji suddenly smiled nonchalantly and said, "Your Majesty... I just want to say that the Crown Prince's treason case was nothing more than a disgusting frame-up..."

"what?!"

Wu Youji's words shocked the entire hall!

……

(End of this chapter)