Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5321 The Hostage Remains in the Capital
Li Zhi grew increasingly frightened. Although His Majesty was magnanimous and forgiving, and had even allowed him to go to sea to establish his own fiefdom, the crime of treason was undeniable. His Majesty's decision not to pursue the matter did not mean that those things did not exist. If anyone were to mention the mutiny, he could easily be implicated.

Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, three generations of emperors have ruled, but both of his ascensions to the throne were accompanied by bloodshed. The reason why Fang Jun strongly supported His Majesty's ascension to the throne was to eliminate and resolve the "usurpation" caused by the "Xuanwu Gate Incident," to set the record straight on the succession to the throne, and to tell the world that "succession by the right of succession" is the only right thing to do!
"Succession of the ancestral line" is a Chinese tradition, and "primogeniture" is its most tangible foundation. This tradition must be passed down from generation to generation.

"Establishing a virtuous ruler" is too harmful to the country; "establishing a senior ruler" is the proper way!
Political decisions were made in the Hall of State Affairs, and military decisions were made in the Grand Council. With civil and military officials and a multitude of upright officials in the court, the country could be governed clearly and efficiently by working together.

What does it matter whether an emperor is wise or not?
The best course of action is to honestly designate the eldest son as heir apparent, ensuring a stable and orderly succession and minimizing internal strife within the nation!
However, nowadays, whenever topics such as "changing the heir apparent" or "the succession of the imperial lineage" are mentioned, he, the prince who once coveted the position of heir apparent and even committed treason, will inevitably be dragged out. Once the political situation becomes unstable and the winds of change, who knows if someone will jump out and say, "Please execute the Prince of Jin to bring peace to the world."
He might be fine if His Majesty successfully changes the heir apparent, but if the change fails, he will inevitably be implicated.

Because the Eastern Palace would never allow a young prince, whom the emperor had chosen as the heir apparent, to remain unscathed. To suppress the young prince, they would inevitably have to make an example of Li Zhi, using him as a scapegoat...

……

"No, I have to get out of this trouble place right away."

Li Zhi suddenly stood up, said something agitatedly, and then ordered the princess to help him bathe and change his clothes. Afterwards, disregarding the drizzling spring rain, he took a carriage and headed straight for Taiji Palace.

Inside the Imperial Study, the brothers met.

Li Chengqian, with a kind expression and a warm smile, said with emotion after they sat down: "I am too busy with official duties to leave the palace. You should come to the palace to sit with me and chat whenever you have time. You are about to be enfeoffed, and I don't know when we will meet again. I am very reluctant to part with you."

Li Zhi believed this was not mere empty talk; throughout history, there had never been a monarch who could tolerate his brother's rebellion.

In this respect, His Majesty truly deserves the description of being "kind and benevolent".

With a look of emotion on his face, Li Zhi said reservedly, "It's not that I'm unwilling to enter the palace, but I have made a grave mistake in the past, and I fear that it will bring criticism upon Your Majesty."

"Hey, why do you always bring up things from the past?"

Li Chengqian waved his hand dismissively: "You rebelled against me, and I don't care. What business is it of anyone else? Everyone makes mistakes. To err is human, to forgive divine. Let bygones be bygones. We are brothers, inseparable. Cherishing each other is the right path."

Li Zhi looked ashamed and sighed, “Your Majesty is reluctant to punish me out of consideration for our brotherhood, but how can I be at ease with myself after making such a grave mistake? I heard that Your Majesty intends to reward and commend the six meritorious officials of the Eastern Palace, which makes me feel even more ashamed. Those who have made contributions will be rewarded, but I, who have made mistakes, have not been punished. This damages Your Majesty’s reputation for fairness and wisdom.”

"Ok?"

Li Chengqian then realized what was going on: "What does my rewarding of the six meritorious officials of the Eastern Palace have to do with you?"

After a moment's thought, he understood Li Zhi's intention.

This is out of fear that if the city gate catches fire, the innocent bystanders will also be affected...

Can understand.

Although the emperor had publicly declared that he would pardon Li Zhi and forgive his past transgressions, the emperor was not truly above the law. In many situations, he had to weigh the pros and cons to the development of the court, and it was common for him to swallow back what he had said.

For him, it might have merely been a matter of the monarch's authority being oppressed and his dignity being damaged, but for Li Zhi, it was no less than a catastrophe.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Chengqian said in a deep voice, "Rest assured, Zhinu, since I have pardoned your mistakes, I will definitely protect you no matter what."

Li Zhi smiled bitterly and said, "Every day I stay in Chang'an, my guilt grows. I only wish to leave the capital as soon as possible, go to the southern islands to establish a new state, and travel with rags and guilt to help the Tang Dynasty to develop an overseas enclave and expand its territory."

Li Chengqian remained silent.

After a long while, she looked at her younger brother's face and sighed, "Although all good things must come to an end, and going to sea to take up your fiefdom will be of great benefit to you, I really can't bear to part with you. When Mother passed away, Father raised you and Sizi under his care and taught them personally. You often went to the East Palace to play with me. I originally thought I would protect you for the rest of my life, but I never expected that we would be separated by death today."

Li Zhi wept and choked with sobs: "My elder brother is kind and benevolent, surpassing even the wise rulers of the past. But I am foolish and ignorant, and have gone astray. I am filled with remorse, which is like a poisonous snake gnawing at my heart. Yet I have no will to end my own life to uphold the will of the monarch. I can only go overseas to atone for my sins for the rest of my life."

The two brothers looked at each other in silence.

Although each had their own plans, the bond between siblings was indeed hard to sever. The thought that once they parted, they would never see each other again in this life inevitably brought them to tears and their hearts were filled with sorrow.

After a long while, Li Chengqian finally let out a breath and slowly nodded: "Since we are destined to part, it doesn't matter if it's a day earlier or a day later. Go back and prepare, and leave the capital as soon as possible."

"Here."

Li Zhi agreed, rose from his seat, knelt on the ground, and wept bitterly.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will never forget your kindness in this lifetime. Even though I am in the south, I will pray day and night. I only wish that all the gods and Buddhas in the heavens will protect Your Majesty, protect the Great Tang, and protect all the people."

Li Chengqian got up and helped him up, patting him on the shoulder: "We are both young and strong, with our own futures. Don't act like children. Just take care of your health when you go on a long voyage at sea. I hope you will send me letters from time to time to express our feelings."

He paused for a moment, then said, “Life overseas is harsh and not suitable for children. It would be better to leave your nephews in Chang’an to continue their studies. Once you have settled down in your fiefdom and they have completed their studies, they can come and reunite with you. They can also lend you a helping hand.”

Li Zhi: "...Your humble servant obeys."

Is it a "proton"?
Or is it truly for the child's sake?
Emperor Li Zhi, who always prided himself on his shrewdness, was momentarily unable to discern the Emperor's intentions, but he could not refuse in any way.

At least on the surface, it's for the children's sake, but you're trying to guess His Majesty's intentions. What are you trying to do?

……

"Your Majesty's move is well-intentioned. It is indeed dangerous for the child to go to sea with us. If he catches a disease due to the change in environment, we will be helpless."

Princess Jin did not object much to leaving her child in Chang'an as a hostage. On the contrary, Liu, a palace maid standing to the side, held Li Zhong and wept incessantly.

Because Li Zhi's eldest son, Li Zhong, was born to Lady Liu...

Li Zhi was annoyed by Liu's crying, but he couldn't bear to scold her. After all, this was like a life-or-death separation, and what mother could remain unmoved?
He looked at his bewildered son, sighed, feeling reluctant but powerless to change anything.

"Hurry up and make preparations. Take everything you can, and don't be reluctant to leave behind what you can't. The most important thing is that you've already left Chang'an."

The city of Chang'an is now a giant vortex; if one is not careful, one will be sucked in and unable to escape, and will be crushed to pieces.

*****
"Is Zhinu leaving the capital to go to sea?"

Princess Chang Le was taken aback when she saw Princess Jin Yang rushing over to deliver the news, but she quickly understood when she thought about the tense atmosphere inside and outside the Taiji Palace.

Pheasant is scared...

He then sighed softly and comforted Princess Jinyang, whose eyes were red: "Since His Majesty has already permitted Zhinu to go to sea to establish his fiefdom and create a state, then this matter cannot be reversed. He will have to leave sooner or later... Leaving sooner may not be a bad thing."

Princess Jinyang couldn't help but cry: "I understand this principle, but from now on we will never see each other again. My heart is filled with unbearable sorrow."

Princess Chang Le stroked her temple and sighed softly.

Among all his brothers and sisters, the one with the deepest affection for Zhinu was probably Sizi, who had grown up with him since childhood. From childhood to adulthood, the two siblings were never separated for long periods of time. Even after Zhinu got married and left the palace to establish his own residence, Sizi would often visit him.

She said softly, "Born into an imperial family, Zhinu's fate couldn't be better. How can we ask for more? He has not yet accomplished his great cause and has been banished overseas. He must be extremely frustrated. If you continue to cry like this, won't you make him even more upset? The overseas wilderness is a place where he has no one to belong. With Zhinu's abilities, he will surely be able to establish a great enterprise. He should be encouraged."

These words were reasonable and persuasive. Princess Jinyang nodded repeatedly, wiped away her tears, stood up and went to the desk: "I will write a letter to my brother-in-law and ask him to take good care of Ninth Brother. With my brother-in-law's support, Ninth Brother will surely be better off."

Princess Chang Le: "..."

You wrote a letter to my man right in front of me?

If it weren't for my presence, who knows what you might do!
"Would you like me to sign my name as well?"

"No need. As long as I ask, my brother-in-law will definitely not refuse."

"……Ah!"

Princess Chang Le gave a cold laugh.

"Uh……"

Princess Jinyang seemed to only then realize what was happening. She stopped writing, suspended her wrist, turned her head to look at her sister, and smiled, her bright eyes shining.

"Why don't you sign your name too, sister? If you see your name, your brother-in-law will definitely do his job well and won't treat Brother Zhinu unfairly."

Princess Chang Le looked at her little sister with a half-smile.

Princess Jinyang's pretty face flushed red, realizing that her deliberate attempt had been seen through. She bit her lower lip with her pearly white teeth and let out a soft hum: "You're so annoying!"

He then turned back to his desk and began writing furiously.

Princess Chang Le looked at her younger sister's slender and graceful back and sighed softly, her heart filled with sorrow.

Sizi's heart is set on Erlang. What will become of her if this continues?

But you can't blame Erlang. Anyone else facing such a young, beautiful, and completely unguarded sister-in-law would probably have devoured her long ago...

But surely it's not possible for three sisters to share one husband?

But now, judging from the fact that my younger sister has already fallen deeply in love and is determined to marry no one but him, how long can she wait?

(End of this chapter)