Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5242 Survival Outside
Since the Prince of Jin's failed uprising and subsequent confinement in his residence, everyone in the Prince of Jin's residence has been living in fear and trembling with apprehension. Although His Majesty is kind and benevolent and will not hold a grudge, how can the Prince of Jin and everyone in his residence pretend that those things never happened?
His Majesty is indeed magnanimous, and out of consideration for brotherhood, he has not pursued the matter. However, there are countless eyes in the court watching Prince Jin. He may have let it go in the past, but if he is caught red-handed in the future, who can guarantee that Prince Jin will be safe and sound?
Once the Prince of Jin is found guilty of treason, the entire household will be implicated, and no one will survive...

Now, in addition to the continued fear and caution, there is a greater sense of sadness and desolation.

When His Majesty granted permission for the princes to take up their fiefdoms and establish their own states, the entire household, though trying their best to be patient, was overjoyed. They felt that these days of uncertainty were finally coming to an end, and that as long as they followed His Highness to their fiefdoms, wouldn't they all rise to prominence?
Although the ruler of a fiefdom is vastly different from the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, the difference is not significant for the servants, eunuchs, guards, and palace maids in the mansion. Even if the Prince of Jin succeeds in his rebellion and becomes emperor, the privileges they can enjoy are extremely limited. It's not like a mere steward could go and serve in the Six Ministries.
This is pretty much what it means to be someone who borrows the tiger's power and acts arrogantly.

Therefore, in the eyes of these people, whether the Prince of Jin was the emperor of the Tang Dynasty or the ruler of a fiefdom made little difference. As long as the Prince of Jin was in charge, everyone could enjoy wealth and honor.

However, when His Highness requested to be granted the title of "Southern Island" by His Majesty, the entire household was stunned.

"The Island of the South"?
"Rosa"?
What kind of place is that?!

The people of Prince Jin's residence could no longer contain themselves and hurriedly inquired around. When they learned the specific situation of the "Island of the South," the phrase "struck by lightning" was the only way to describe their feelings. They all believed that His Highness Prince Jin had probably gone mad.

This isn't just self-exile; it's downright suicide!
Or perhaps His Majesty secretly exerted pressure, forcing Prince Jin to go to that southernmost place?
After all, treason and rebellion are always fatal acts in every dynasty. It is simply unbelievable and inconceivable that His Majesty has shown leniency to the Prince of Jin and forgiven his past transgressions.

Is it possible that His Majesty is merely putting on a show for the world, seeking a reputation for "benevolence and compassion," while in reality harboring deep-seated anger, and now using the opportunity of "establishing fiefdoms" to exile the Prince of Jin to a desolate island in the far south, leaving him to fend for himself, or perhaps secretly plotting against him...?

Regardless of how the King of Jin died, which of these people, whose entire families were required to accompany him to his fiefdom, would survive?
An atmosphere of despair enveloped the entire Prince Jin's mansion.

……

The cries of infants echoed in the back courtyard of the Prince of Jin's residence and continued for quite some time. Several wet nurses quickly and quietly entered the bedroom, picked up the two swaddled infants, and fed them while comforting them.

After much difficulty, the crying of the two babies was finally calmed down...

Outside, Li Zhi sat in a chair by the window, staring blankly out the window, ignoring the baby's cries.

Beside her, Princess Wang of Jin hesitated, then finally asked softly, "Your Highness, why make things so difficult for yourself? It wouldn't be bad to find a nearby island to establish a kingdom, like Prince Wei did. At least it would be closer to the Tang Dynasty, and there would be some security. The journey to that southern island is long and arduous, and the place is plagued by miasma, desolate and barren. We might be able to endure it, but I'm afraid the two children won't be able to..."

Although she was a woman confined to her home, she knew the hardships of seafaring. The journey from the Tang Dynasty to the southern islands was more than ten thousand miles long. On the sea, it often took several days to sail without seeing land. Various diseases were the greatest danger. Even strong soldiers might not be able to withstand it, let alone infants.

Even if we successfully reach the island in the south, how could that desolate and barren wilderness be a habitable place?
At that time, diseases will proliferate and wild animals will roam freely; I'm afraid few will survive...

Besides Japan, there are islands in the East China Sea such as Luzon, Linyi, Srivijaya, "Wu Island", and "Princess Jinyang Island", which are much better than those "islands in the south".

Li Zhi snapped out of his daze, listened to Wang Shi's complaints, and snorted, "A woman's view!"

Looking up, he saw that Wang's face was pale and her expression was haggard. Perhaps he felt that his decision would drag his family down with him and cause them great risks. So his tone softened and he explained, "The Prince of Wei can live in seclusion on the Japanese islands, and even my fourth and fifth brothers can be settled in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, but I can't."

Lady Wang asked, puzzled, "Is Your Highness worried that His Majesty might secretly take action?"

Rumors are circulating in the court and among the common people that His Majesty still harbors resentment towards the Prince of Jin for his past treasonous acts, but is only holding back to show "brotherly affection" and "benevolence." Once the Prince of Jin goes to sea, he will surely settle old scores.

Li Zhi shook his head, looking dejected: "I know His Majesty's character. Since he has already pardoned me to demonstrate his 'benevolence and forgiveness,' there is no reason for him to repent. By now, the throne is as secure as Mount Tai, and my life or death poses no threat to him. Rather than eliminating him completely, why not show mercy to others?"

"Who would want to kill His Highness?"

"Although Your Majesty's throne is secure and those in the imperial clan cannot be shaken, they may not be willing to watch Your Majesty's prestige grow day by day, or even cultivate a reputation for 'benevolence'. The best way to destroy what Your Majesty has built up is to strike me down... Just as you said, if I die suddenly, it will surely cause a great uproar in public opinion, and Your Majesty will not be able to clear your name even if you jump into the Yellow River."

Li Zhi sighed.

He knew that His Majesty's throne was secure and unshakeable, and he had given up that idea. However, those fools in the imperial clan were not necessarily convinced and always harbored a侥幸心理 (a sense of wishful thinking) and endured in silence, waiting for the right opportunity.

They all came from the reigns of Emperor Wude and Emperor Zhenguan, and have witnessed too much royal infighting and clan feuding. How could they be so devoted to Your Majesty?
Faced with the temptation of imperial power, those people, as long as they were not all dead, would harbor treacherous intentions.

However, Li Zhi could be used by those people to attack His Majesty. If Li Zhi were to die suddenly, all the filth would be poured onto His Majesty's head in an instant, completely shattering the "benevolence" that His Majesty had cultivated.

With Your Majesty's ability and prestige, how can you pacify the world without the protection of "benevolence and virtue"?

Whether it's the East China Sea or the South China Sea, with the current prosperity of maritime trade and increasing connections with the Tang Dynasty, the footprints of Tang people are everywhere. If those people really want to harm him, it would be easy.

Madam Wang was terrified and said, "Then let's beg His Majesty to let us stay in Chang'an and not go anywhere else. If that's not possible, confining us to this Prince's Mansion is also an option."

Li Zhi shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Is this mansion really a safe place?"

Even the Taiji Palace was drafty, and Emperor Taizong died under mysterious circumstances, let alone the mere Prince Jin's mansion.
Wang's face turned deathly pale, almost in despair: "So, if they wanted to, His Highness wouldn't survive?"

"That's why I asked to be granted the island of Tiannan... Tiannan Island is thousands of miles away from the Tang Dynasty. Even if I die, who in the Tang Dynasty would know? Even if they did, it would be difficult to verify the truth."

Since Li Zhi's death had rendered him worthless, naturally no one was willing to lay a hand on him.

His Majesty agreed, likely because he saw this hidden danger; the farther his brother went, the greater his chances of survival...

Wang's face was ashen, and she remained silent.

The steward of the Prince's residence strode in from outside, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, Princess Jinyang has arrived with a large entourage of carriages. They have now entered the residence through the side gate."

Li Zhi asked curiously, "What brings Sizi here?"

The steward shook his head and said, "Princess Jinyang only said that she has a gift to give. The carriage has already arrived outside the storeroom. Please go and meet her, Your Highness."

"What's this girl up to?"

Li Zhi was completely bewildered. He quickly got up and called to Wang Shi, "Let's go take a look together."

He always doted on his younger sister, Princess Jinyang, and let her run wild...

"Here."

Wang got up, took out a handkerchief to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and then followed Li Zhi out the door to the storeroom in the side courtyard.

……

The snowfall lessened, and Li Zhi and Lady Wang, accompanied by several servants, arrived at the side courtyard. There they saw more than ten carriages parked in front of the storeroom in the snow, while Princess Jinyang's large and luxurious four-wheeled carriage was parked to the side. Upon seeing Li Zhi and his wife arrive, Princess Jinyang opened the carriage door and jumped down with the help of her maid.

She was dressed in a snow-white fox fur coat that covered her slender body. The red-trimmed fur collar made her skin look even whiter than snow and her features even more exquisite. A maid held up an oil-paper umbrella behind her to shield her from the falling snowflakes.

Princess Jinyang stood gracefully in the snow, her smile as beautiful as a flower, and said sweetly, "Brother Zhinu, I've come to give you a gift!"

Li Zhi stepped forward, looked Princess Jinyang up and down, and frowned with concern, saying, "You are frail. What if you catch a chill? Come with me to the main hall, warm yourself by the fire, and have a cup of hot tea to ward off the cold."

"Not urgent!"

Princess Jinyang first bowed to the Princess Consort of Jin, then reached out her slender hand to tug at Li Zhi's sleeve, and said with a smile, "Quickly see what I brought for Brother Zhinu!"

As he spoke, he pulled Li Zhi to the door of the warehouse.

The storehouse doors were already open, and carriages were unloading their contents and carrying them into the storehouse. Li Zhi looked closely and saw silk, brocade, furs, and even entire chests of gold ingots...

Li Zhi was taken aback and hurriedly asked, "Where did you get so many things?"

Princess Jinyang looked up, her beautiful face smiling, her bright eyes misty with tears, and said softly, "These are all my things! My brother the emperor and brother-in-law said that a good man should have ambitions in all directions, so my brother Zhinu is going to the southern island to establish a kingdom, make achievements and continue the bloodline of my Li Tang royal family. Naturally, I want to help him, so I sent over all the valuable and easily portable things in my mansion as a gift to my brother Zhinu."

Li Zhi was stunned for a moment, then felt a rush of heat to his eyes and tears welled up uncontrollably.

The fear, resentment, and grievances that had been suppressed in his heart were all released in an instant.