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

Chapter 38 King Fupei

Li Xian was at a loss.

Before knowing that Empress Wu wanted to kill him, Li Xian's first reaction upon hearing that Empress Wu had summoned him would have been one of delight, because Empress Wu had always treated him badly. In private, let alone summoning him, even if he took the initiative to go and pay his respects, she would not give him a kind look.

But now, a deep sense of worry is rising in Li Xian's heart:
Why did the Empress Dowager summon me at this time?
Since she's the one who wants to kill me, won't she take this opportunity to attack me again?

And what if he disregards the emperor's will and retracts the edict restoring his status?

Liu Jianjun was indeed a little devil; he saw through my worry at a glance and then sneered, "Have you forgotten what I told you before?"

"Huh?" Li Xian asked, bewildered.

"Don't take yourself too seriously; your life doesn't have that many spectators."

Li Xian was still puzzled.

"Think about it. Since your mother would kill you for Da Bao, you must not be as important as Da Bao in her eyes. Right now, your father is seriously ill. Would she abandon her greater interests just because you are a carefree prince?"

Hearing Liu Jianjun say this, Li Xian felt much more at ease.

But he still didn't quite believe that his mother was doing it for the sake of the eldest child.

A woman attempting to ascend to the throne—this is unprecedented in history; it's utterly unbelievable.

Liu Jianjun saw through his thoughts again and said, "My son, never treat your mother as an ordinary woman. Wasn't Shangguan Wan'er clever just now?"

"She has evidence that Empress Wu framed you, and even though she knows that this framed evidence will lead to the death of her brother, she still chooses to remain silent until she sees you return to Chang'an on your own, regain your status as a prince, and truly defeat your mother. Only then does she choose to surrender. How many men in the world can endure this?"
"Not to mention the various tests she did when she spoke to me just now. First, she asked if the evidence she had could be given to your father, so that he could be used to bring down Empress Wu. Then she asked if it could be given to Li Xian, so that he could be used to bring down Empress Wu."

"If I hadn't seen through her intentions, believe it or not, our conversation would have already reached your mother's ears by now!"
"That woman is incredibly cunning!"

"But your mother is a hundred times more shrewd than her!"
"A woman like this might just be able to break new ground in history!"

Li Xian remained silent.

Liu Jianjun's words were shocking. It turns out that his brief conversation with Shangguan Wan'er contained so much conflict.
"So...that's why you've grown to like Shangguan Wan'er more and more? Because she's someone as intelligent as you, and you feel a sense of kinship with her?"

"No, not at all." Liu Jianjun waved his hand.

"Why?" Li Xian asked, puzzled.

"I said I like this woman purely because she smells so good! The fragrance she has is second to none among women. If I could sleep with her once..." Liu Jianjun revealed that lustful expression again.

Then, he suddenly became serious: "Xianzi, let me tell you, if you really want to find a wife to live with, you can't marry someone who is too smart, or you'll live a tiring life!"
"Those like my sister-in-law, who can pretend not to know what's going on, are the ones who truly live a good life!"
"What I like about Shangguan Wan'er is simply the part of her that is a woman!"

Li Xian was silent for a while. He recalled when he was in Bazhou, he was planning to commit suicide to get rid of the embroiderer. At that time, the embroiderer knew that he was going to commit suicide, but she pretended that she knew nothing. She just silently prepared to collect his body and then follow him in death.

This is probably what Liu Jianjun meant by pretending to be confused when you know the truth.

He suddenly missed the embroiderer.

"Liu Jianjun, what do you think Shangguan Wan'er would have done if she hadn't come today?" Li Xian murmured.

"Hmph! She would first try to resist Empress Wu, and after realizing that she could not resist, she would resolutely join forces with her, without even mentioning the hatred of the massacre of her family back then! Of course, this would not stop her from throwing herself into the next opportunity to bring down Empress Wu once again."

"That woman, she only follows the strong."

Li Xian felt that Liu Jianjun's summary was too accurate. "So, the reason she agreed to cooperate with you was because she thought you were stronger than her?" Li Xian paused, then said, "The person who truly helped me return to Chang'an from Bazhou and put me to the test of my mother was actually you, Liu Jianjun. Thank you!"

"No need to thank me, just find me two pretty girls later!"

Liu Jianjun is still as vulgar as ever.

……

A day passed quickly, and as expected, Emperor Gojong issued an edict restoring Yi Hyun-bae's status as King.

Along with the imperial edict, Empress Wu also issued an oral order summoning Li Xian.

As expected, Liu Jianjun did not come out to meet the angel again. However, this time he did not hide in the post station, because the post station could not hide people. He went directly to visit a brothel.

After the angel left, Li Xian held the imperial edict, his heart unable to calm down for a long time.

"First, restore the title of Prince of Pei, grant him a fief of a thousand households, and bestow upon him the Hibiscus Garden as the new Prince of Pei's residence; second, return the old gold seal and tally, and once again bestow upon him the jade tablet and insignia, thus glorifying his position as a prince; third..."

Having this imperial edict meant that he had regained his status as a prince.

Thinking back on everything he had experienced during this time, Li Xian felt that the imperial edict in his hand was heavier than a thousand pounds.

But Li Xian had no time to reflect on his feelings, because Empress Wu's summons followed immediately.

Although the messenger had left, several palace maids remained. They approached Li Xian and bowed gracefully, saying, "Your Highness, we will assist you in bathing and changing your clothes."

This was his first formal audience with the Empress Dowager since he regained his status as the Prince of Pei. He was no longer a commoner who could simply wear a scholar's robe to meet the Empress Dowager.

Therefore, necessary procedures cannot be omitted.

Soon, the palace maids prepared an incense table, lit a brazier, and prepared hot water. Two palace maids dressed in undergarments meticulously wiped Li Xian's body. Li Xian stared at the two palace maids' tender bodies in a daze, and suddenly thought that if Liu Jianjun were here, he would definitely enjoy such service and be very content.

Liu Jianjun is right; he was born to enjoy life.

Before long, the palace maids helped Li Xian up. Li Xian looked at the black and red robes they had prepared, at the crown with a missing jade bead, and at the emblems with seven symbols including pheasant and fire. His thoughts wandered elsewhere.

It wasn't until the palace maids adorned him with a three-colored vermilion ribbon that he realized it was time for him to leave.

Since the prince had just been reinstated, Li Xian did not yet have a special carriage and instead walked into the palace with the ceremonial procession. Of course, walking into the palace was also very meaningful to him.

Li Xian walked along Zhuque Street, subconsciously straightening his chest, making his princely robes appear exceptionally upright. He didn't need to deliberately be dignified, nor did he need to care about the gazes of others. He walked slowly, with a peaceful expression, which was his most comfortable state.

Suddenly, his gaze swept over the commoners who had their backs to him. There was a figure there who looked very familiar. His face was dark in profile, and his figure was thin, typical of a young man. Although his back was to the procession, the corners of his eyebrows were twitching.

It's Liu Jianjun.

Li Xian suddenly felt relieved.

……

　The title bestowed upon Li Xian has been modified, but this does not affect the specific plot.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)