Tang Dynasty: To win Yang Guifei, they asked Emperor Xuanzong to die.

"Your Majesty loves me the most. You know I've had a long and tiring journey. Please let me rest for a while." Prince Yong sat down and poured himself a cup of tea without any hesitation, taking a small sip.

The two chatted for a while, their conversation ranging from what they had seen and heard on the road to gossip in the palace, and then to the political situation in the court.

Prince Yong appeared casual, but in reality, he subtly inquired about many things through his words.

Li Heng had always been indulgent towards him and hadn't noticed anything amiss.

This younger brother lost his mother at a young age and was raised by his elder brother, the Crown Prince. He experienced for the first time what it meant for an elder brother to be like a father, and he spoiled his younger brother quite a bit. As a result, although Li Lin was older than Li Mao, he was not as mature and sensible as Li Mao.

On the contrary, they are like children, enjoying eating, drinking, and having fun, and unwilling to endure any hardship.

At the same time, after learning that Prince Yong had come to visit the Crown Prince, Gao Lishi narrowed his eyes, stood up, and muttered to himself, "Finally, he can't sit still anymore, Your Highness Prince Yong... what exactly do you want to do?"

Gao Lishi went outside and whistled.

A moment later, a trusted aide descended from the sky, bowed, and said, "Sect Master!"

"Send men to closely monitor Prince Yong's every move, especially who he contacts and what he says. I need to know everything he does in Xianyang." Gao Lishi said, each word distinct and his tone cold.

"Yes, Master." The trusted aide accepted the order and left.

As for why some people call Gao Lishi "Lord of the Pavilion," we'll leave that aside for now.

After leaving Li Heng's room, Prince Yong strolled leisurely in the courtyard, seemingly in a good mood. He glanced up at the moon in the night sky, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

Li Mao strolled leisurely in the courtyard, enjoying the rare tranquility.

He hadn't paid his respects to Li Longji for many days, and the road he was walking on was the only way to Li Longji's residence. However, he hadn't figured out how to deal with it. Facing Li Longji, he always had to say things against his conscience and do things against his will, which was not what he liked.

Suddenly, he saw someone walking towards him.

I could only vaguely make out who it was, but it looked familiar.

Unlike Gao Lishi, he was not well-informed and did not know that Li Lin had arrived in Xianyang at this moment.

"Eighteenth Brother!" Li Lin, on the other side, was the first to show a surprised expression and quickly stepped forward to greet him, "Long time no see."

It turned out to be his sixteenth elder brother, Prince Yong, Li Lin.

This man had a close relationship with the Crown Prince, and Li Mao had to give him basic respect. Therefore, even though he looked down on this man's idleness and his days spent eating, drinking, and indulging in pleasure, he still pretended to be respectful and responded politely.

Immediately, a question arose in his mind: "Sixteenth Brother, how come you... have also come to Xianyang?"

"Oh, I heard that my elder brother, the Crown Prince, was injured, and Father is here too. He was worried that you wouldn't be able to handle it, so he came here specially." Li Lin appeared concerned, but his eyes held a hint of contempt.

Li Mao nodded, about to speak.

But Li Lin interrupted him, his tone slightly reproachful: "Eighteenth brother, you've been far too careless. You couldn't even protect the Crown Prince's safety, and he even got injured. As his younger brother, how could you be so negligent in matters concerning the Crown Prince?"

Li Lin was raised by the Crown Prince, so it's normal that he has a deep affection for him.

Li Mao was slightly annoyed, but he couldn't show it to her face. He simply replied calmly, "It was indeed my oversight in this matter, but fortunately, Eunuch Gao has already begun the investigation, and the person behind it will soon be revealed. Your Majesty, you've just arrived, so why don't you get some rest first?"

Seeing that Li Mao remained unmoved, Li Lin became increasingly displeased.

"Rest, rest, all you ever think about is resting. If you could rest less and take care of things more, my elder brother, the Crown Prince, wouldn't have been injured. My brother is not young now, and he has a wife and children at home. I know you've always been competitive and ambitious, but you are, after all, a subject, while my elder brother, the Crown Prince, is the ruler!"

After saying that, Li Lin turned and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Li Mao's frustration intensified.

He had no more interest in paying his respects to Li Longji and turned back to his residence.

Li Mao had no suspicions about Li Lin. In his eyes, Li Lin had been honest for a long time, both in history and in reality, until Emperor Suzong ascended the throne, when he did some outrageous things that created a rift between the retired Emperor Li Longji and Emperor Suzong Li Heng.

In many people's eyes, this person is now just a brat.

Aside from Gao Lishi, who would put in the effort to investigate him, even Li Mao didn't take his appearance seriously.

Seeing Li Mao leave, Li Lin's lips curled into a smug smile.

He then instructed his attendants, "You lot, go and inform me that I wish to see the Emperor and pay my respects."

When Li Mao returned to his residence, Guo Ziyi was already waiting in the courtyard. Upon seeing him return, Guo Ziyi hurriedly went to greet him: "Your Highness, I heard that Prince Yong went to visit the Crown Prince. Did you meet him? Did he say anything unpleasant to you?"

Even Guo Ziyi knew about Li Lin's eccentric temper.

Li Mao chuckled dismissively and said, "This person has been spoiled since childhood and has never understood any profound principles. Even if he says something, I'll just treat it as nonsense and won't pay any attention to it. You can rest assured."

……

Midway through the next day, a sharp bird cry rang out in the sky above Chang'an.

The gyrfalcon spread its wings and soared, finally landing on the railing of a pavilion.

A plaque hangs in the attic, bearing the three large characters "Tianji Pavilion".

A capable-looking man quickly emerged from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion and captured the gyrfalcon that was delivering the message. He noticed a secret letter tied to its leg, containing only a few words—

"The Pavilion Master has ordered us to investigate Prince Yong immediately."

"Whether it's the Prince Yong's residence, the palaces he frequented after entering the palace, or other places in the city, they must all be searched without exception!"

Under the cover of night, the spies of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion sprang into action. Some infiltrated the Prince Yong's residence, while others were deployed throughout Chang'an City and the Imperial Palace. Their movements were swift and covert, attracting no attention.

……

Meanwhile, Li Longji was tossing and turning on his bed.

The day before, his sixteenth son, Prince Yong, Li Lin, came to pay his respects.

Recent events have left him with lingering fears. When he sees his sons, he feels as if he's seeing his nemesis, and he doesn't feel happy at all.

Upon entering the room, Li Lin immediately knelt down with a thud and performed a grand salute.

Li Lin said, "Father, I was deeply saddened to hear that the Crown Prince was injured. I have been closely following this matter in Chang'an these past few days, and finally found some clues at my third brother's horse farm."

At that moment, Li Longji's eyes sharpened instantly: "Tell me about it."

"Your Majesty, I found many leftover hidden weapons and potent poisons from the southwest at Third Brother's horse farm. Although I dare not say for sure, it seems that someone there is preparing something detrimental to Father Emperor." Li Lin, unlike his usual carefree demeanor, became serious and spoke at a steady pace.