The Fierce Teacher of Zhenguan: Starting with Teaching the Crown Prince to Make a Comeback

Chapter 38 Where should he go from here?

Su Xu gave a cold laugh.

“His Majesty will naturally notice. But this is an open conspiracy. Can His Majesty forbid the descendants of meritorious officials from reminiscing about the achievements of their ancestors? Can His Majesty forbid his subjects from expressing their loyalty to the Crown Prince? As long as we act cautiously and leave no concrete evidence, His Majesty will be helpless even if he knows the truth. Moreover, the more His Majesty suspects the Crown Prince, the more the Crown Prince will need external support, and the greater our importance will become.”

The last concern was dispelled.

Yin Yuan slammed his hand heavily on the table.

"Very well! Let's do as Mr. Su says! We'll bet on this! For the glory of our ancestors, and for our future!"

Cheng Mingzhen also roared, "Damn it! Let's do it!"

The secret meeting continued into the early hours of the morning, during which the three discussed in detail which families to contact, who to send, and in what way and at what time to visit the Eastern Palace to "reminisce about the past".

The imperial city of Chang'an under the cover of night is solemn and silent.

Yu Zhining sat in a slightly old-fashioned carriage, the wheels rolling monotonously over the stone slabs of Zhuque Street.

He was "invited" by an uninvited guest to this secluded residence near the Prince of Wei's mansion.

The house appears ordinary on the outside, but inside it is a hidden gem, with elegant furnishings and a subtle fragrance.

The person standing before Yu Zhining was not Prince Wei, Li Tai, but a middle-aged scholar named Du Chuke, dressed in light scarlet casual clothes and with a refined appearance.

He held a low official rank, serving only as a secretary in the Prince of Wei's court. However, he was widely known throughout the court and the country as one of the Prince of Wei's most trusted advisors, known for his meticulousness and cautious speech.

"I feel really bad that you've worked so hard late into the night."

Du Chuke personally poured Yu Zhining a cup of hot tea, his attitude respectful.

"However, today's matter at the Consultative Hall concerns the foundation of the nation, and His Highness is deeply troubled. He has specially ordered me to consult with Lord Yu."

Yu Zhining picked up the teacup but didn't drink it; he simply used the warm cup to warm his cold fingers.

“Military Advisor Du, you flatter me. I am but a convict awaiting punishment, how dare I accept the title of ‘seeking advice’ from His Highness Prince Wei? His Highness the Crown Prince’s proper response in the Hall of State Affairs is a blessing to the nation, and Prince Wei, as a prince, should be pleased.”

His words were calm, gently deflecting any possible probing from the other party.

Du Chuke smiled slightly, his smile revealing no emotion whatsoever.

“What you say is absolutely right. His Highness the Crown Prince has been wise and decisive lately, quite different from before. Not only is His Majesty pleased, but His Highness Prince Wei also often tells us that he is deeply impressed.”

He subtly changed the subject.

"But...it is precisely because His Highness has changed so much that it is even more worrying."

Yu Zhining's gaze sharpened slightly as he looked at Du Chuke.

"Oh? Why do you say that, Military Advisor Du? The Crown Prince is striving; what is there to worry about?"

"The problem lies not in striving, but in the speed at which it happens, and in its source."

Du Chuke put down the teapot, lowered his voice, and sounded very sincere.

"Lord Yu is a veteran official of two dynasties, and his insight far surpasses that of us juniors. He should know that a person's nature is not easily changed. His Highness the Crown Prince used to... well, you are most aware of his flaws. Now, with such a sudden change, he speaks only of national policies and acts only in accordance with the rules. It is truly unbelievable that there is no master guiding him behind this."

He paused briefly, observing Yu Zhining's reaction, and continued, "If the person who provides guidance is a pillar of the state like Fang Xuanling or Du Ruhui, that would be a fortunate thing. But look around the Crown Prince; apart from military men like Hou Junji, there are also distant relatives like the Prince of Han. What are they after? Are they genuinely assisting the Crown Prince, or are they using the Crown Prince's name to pursue their own selfish interests? His Highness the Crown Prince is of pure heart; if he is used by treacherous people, it would be a misfortune for the Tang Dynasty."

Not a single word was mentioned about the Crown Prince; in fact, he was praised openly. However, he subtly directed his criticism at those around the Crown Prince, especially the mysterious "expert."

Yu Zhining tightened his grip on the teacup.

Du Chuke's words precisely pierced the most conflicted and uneasy part of his heart.

Did he not have the same doubts?

The Crown Prince's change was so rapid it frightened him.

He longed it to be true, a prodigal son's return, a blessing for the Tang Dynasty. But he feared even more that it was a meticulously planned deception, a harbinger of an even greater crisis.

Especially his composed and dignified demeanor during his consultation today.

What exactly are the people behind this trying to do?
Seeing that Yu Zhining remained silent, Du Chuke knew that he had taken it to heart, so he went a step further and spoke with an even more earnest tone.

"As for the matter, His Highness Prince Wei does not harbor any dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince, but is truly worried about the stability of the nation. His Majesty is in the prime of his life, and the Crown Prince is the foundation of the country. If the foundation of the country is surrounded by villains, the slightest mishap will shake the very foundation of our Great Tang. As his younger brother, Prince Wei cannot sit idly by and watch his elder brother be deceived, nor can he stand by and watch the foundation of the nation be damaged. Therefore, the Consultative Hall is of paramount importance."

Yu Zhining raised his eyes.

How important is it?

"Someone is needed to test its true value with words as firm as gold and stone," Du Chuke said, his eyes burning with determination.

"As the former tutor of the Crown Prince, you have the responsibility to instruct and advise. If you were to step forward, it would not be an attack, but merely an inquiry. You may ask His Highness, have you deeply reflected on your past actions? Have you clearly discerned those around you? Are your current policies based on your own conscience, or are they influenced by others? This is not an interrogation, but a clearing of the fog, both to vindicate the Crown Prince and to eliminate a threat to the court. If His Highness the Crown Prince truly awakens to the truth and has an open mind, he will be able to face the situation calmly, and the rumors will dissipate on their own. In that case, you would have done a great service in upholding justice."

"If... there is indeed a hidden story, it will be good for His Majesty and the court to see it clearly as soon as possible, make plans in advance, and avoid greater disasters."

Yu Zhining's heart began to pound.

Du Chuke's words were more persuasive than direct encouragement.

He repackaged a potential attack that could have caused a political upheaval as an act of loyalty by "verifying his identity" and "clearing up the fog."

This placed Yu Zhining in the position of a loyal and upright candidate for the throne, and even gave him the option of "if the crown prince is real, then fulfill his good name".

But behind this option lies a cold reality: if the crown prince makes the slightest mistake, or shows even the slightest hint of guilt or dependence, then what awaits him is utter ruin.

And the one who raises the question will become the last straw that breaks the camel's back.

He hoped the crown prince was real.

He couldn't believe the Crown Prince was real.

He feared that the verification result was false, and that he would become a tool for the King of Wei to eliminate dissidents.

What he feared even more was that it would completely shatter his last glimmer of hope for becoming the crown prince.

Two fears intertwined, almost suffocating him.

Du Chuke stopped urging him and simply sipped his tea quietly, giving Yu Zhining enough time to struggle.

After a long while, Yu Zhining slowly put down the already cold teacup, stood up, and seemed even more hunched over than when he arrived.

He didn't look at Du Chuke, but spoke hoarsely to the empty space, "This old man... has to go to court tomorrow, farewell."

He neither agreed nor refused.

But as Du Chuke watched Yu Zhining's figure disappear into the night, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

The seed has been planted, and it will naturally take root and sprout in the soil filled with contradictions and worries for Zhi Ning.

There's bound to be a good show at the Consultative Hall tomorrow.

Yu Zhining stepped out of the courtyard, the cold night wind chilling him to the bone.

He looked up towards the direction of Taiji Palace, where it was pitch black, like an unfathomable whirlpool.

He understood that he had been drawn into the center of the vortex, and that tomorrow, whether he spoke or not, he would already be caught in the middle of it all.

What should he do?

Is it to hold onto a sliver of hope and test that faint "sincerity," or to become a "touchstone" that could destroy hope for the sake of national stability?
The night was so dark it was almost impenetrable.

(End of this chapter)