Chapter 3: Your Highness, I Cannot Bear This

Chapter Title: 003 Crown Prince, I’ll Break If You Go Too Far

On the third day of the third month, everyone was busy with their own affairs, but the spirits were busier still.

“Heavenly spirits above, earth spirits below, Supreme Lord Lao, show your power now!” In the Mingde Hall of the Eastern Palace, Master Xuankong, robed in deep blue Daoist attire, brandished his horsetail whisk as he chanted incantations over the Eight Trigrams Array.

Before the array, Crown Prince Li Yincheng and the two foremost ministers of the realm knelt in solemn reverence, one after the other.

Today marked the fourth day since the late Emperor’s passing. The three days of official mourning had just ended, and the common folk were once again permitted to dress in bright reds and greens. Yet the deceased Emperor still had not found rest in his tomb, for the one destined to open the gates of the imperial mausoleum remained undecided.

According to tradition, this role fell to the next heir—yet the late Emperor had gone so quickly, and even as he clung to his beloved consort in his final moments, his lips trembling with unspoken words, he forgot to issue a formal decree of succession.

The Crown Prince bowed his head to the ground, his voice hoarse with grief. “Father, how could you leave your son so soon? With this vast empire of Yao, how am I to live up to your illustrious name?”

The two chief ministers exchanged a furtive glance. Did he mean to style himself as the rightful heir?

“Father, though your son may lack merit, I know well how much you esteemed Master Xuankong in life. Thus I have invited Chancellor Yan and General Wei to witness as the Daoist finds for you the purest path to the West.”

Upon hearing this, the ministers’ hearts skipped a beat. The imperial mausoleum was already prepared; what then was this search for a new path to the West?

With a sudden spit, Xuankong sprayed water into the paper basin before him.

In an instant, flames leapt two feet high.

The ministers started, breath caught in their throats. They had not seen so much as a spark—how had the fire ignited?

Xuankong flicked his whisk. “Immeasurable Heaven, Crown Prince, honored ministers—the purest path has been found.”

The Crown Prince hastened forward on his knees. “Where is it?”

“Behind the mountain outside the city, at Fahua Temple.”

But the tomb was clearly halfway up the front of the mountain. To build a new road from the back would mean enormous labor and expense.

General Wei bowed deeply, his tone earnest. “Your Highness is kind and just. The kingdom has seen little rain these past three years, and the people are stretched thin. I beg Your Highness to have mercy and…”

“Hmph. And what? What are you implying?” The Crown Prince spun around, his grief vanishing into a sharp rebuke. “Are you suggesting my plans are wasteful and inconsiderate of the people?”

“Your humble servant…” General Wei began, but Chancellor Yan seized his sleeve, putting a stop to further words.

Chancellor Yan straightened his expression and counseled, “Your Highness, what General Wei means is that if the new road is built from the back of the mountain, it will surely take over a month. In that time, the integrity of the late Emperor’s body may suffer.”

“Hmm, Chancellor Yan’s concern is reasonable.” The Crown Prince’s demeanor softened. He cast a sidelong glance at General Wei, snorting, “And rather more pleasing to the ear.”

Just as the ministers were about to sigh in relief, the Crown Prince spoke again.

“However, there is no need to worry. The problem has already been solved.” He gestured to Xuankong behind him. “You have seen Master Xuankong’s abilities. He is more than capable of preserving my father’s remains until the sacred path is complete.”

General Wei clenched his fists; Chancellor Yan’s brows knit tighter.

“That’s settled. Master Xuankong will oversee the construction. Though last night’s rain-dance and today’s rituals have left him exhausted, I believe he will do his utmost for my father’s peaceful journey.”

“Immeasurable Heaven, this humble Daoist is most honored.” Xuankong knelt in salute.

The Crown Prince waved his hand. “Enough, you may go.”

“Your Highness…” General Wei tried to protest, but Chancellor Yan silenced him with a look, and together they withdrew.

The doors closed. The ministers walked on, rounded a corner, and stopped.

General Wei slammed his fist against a rockery, sending a stone tumbling. “If he’s so capable, why not just have the late Emperor ascend straight to immortality instead of this business of preserving the corpse?”

Chancellor Yan hurriedly pulled General Wei’s fist away and, after glancing around to make sure no one was near, whispered, “Wei, are you mad?”

General Wei’s face was a mix of anger and helplessness. “Mad? What do you expect me to say? One obsessed with immortality pills in life, and one who knows how to line his pockets before he’s even ascended the throne. At this rate, even the Mandate of Heaven will…”

“Keep your voice down!” Chancellor Yan nearly clamped a hand over General Wei’s mouth. “He hasn’t assumed the throne yet. What are you so anxious for?”

“How could I not be! The late Emperor left no edict, but look at this grand palace—apart from the Crown Prince and a horde of princesses, there’s only the ailing Second Prince…”

Both men sighed in unison. That, after all, was why they had no objection to the Crown Prince’s assumption of the heir’s mantle. When the vegetable garden is barren, you still have to pick the least blemished carrot to put on display.

Chancellor Yan smoothed his brow. “Never mind. I’ll see if I have anything extra at home. The more I provide, the less burden on the people.”

General Wei shook out his sleeves and followed. “I’ll send word to the villages along the proposed road, just in case. Let’s hope anti-court sentiment among the people doesn’t flare up.”

They walked away.

Behind them, a shadow flickered and slipped back into Mingde Hall.

Inside, the Crown Prince, who had knelt moments before, now lay sprawled comfortably atop the Eight Trigrams Array.

Xuankong had not risen either; as the shadowy guard reported, he was massaging the Crown Prince’s legs.

“Your Highness, it seems those two ministers are not yet ready to give their full loyalty.”

“So what? I am unconcerned.” Li Yincheng propped his head on one hand, his finger hooking under Xuankong’s chin. “I only care whether you are truly loyal.”

Instead of shying away, Xuankong leaned in. “Can’t Your Highness see for yourself?”

The Crown Prince’s finger slipped beneath the Daoist robe. “I don’t want to see. I want to feel.”

“Your Highness!” Xuankong protested coquettishly, casting a sidelong glance at the guard who had not withdrawn. “Your Highness may verify my loyalty at any time, but as for the Second Prince…”

“Hush,” Li Yincheng frowned, withdrawing his hand. “When did you pick up that habit of raining on my parade, like old Wei?”

Xuankong immediately composed himself, bowing his head to the floor. “Your Highness, I would never dare.”

“Hmph!” Li Yincheng turned away, refusing to look at him.

After a moment’s silence, Xuankong took the Crown Prince’s hand and guided it back inside his robe. “Your Highness, my loyalty to you is as plain as day and night, heaven and earth.”

“Oh? Is that so?” The voice was as inscrutable as ever, but Xuankong twisted coyly, his breath growing uneven. “Your Highness, didn’t you say you could feel the truth?”

“Ha! This time you asked for it!” Li Yincheng laughed, rolling over to pin Xuankong beneath him. “If I discover anything amiss, you’ll be punished. Perhaps I’ll send you to the imperial kitchens to pick a carrot as your penalty.”

Xuankong’s face froze, then quickly melted into a bashful smile. “Your Highness, I’ll break if you go too far.”

Yet the Crown Prince was already engrossed, replying absently, “And what’s that got to do with me?”

“Your Highness, don’t you care for me anymore?”

“Aren’t I showing you care right now?”

…Enticing sounds filled the air as the guard prepared to slip away quietly.

Just as he reached the door, Li Yincheng’s command came from behind. “I hear the Second Prince’s wealthy confidante is about to be married. Go and send a basket of carrots as a gift on his behalf.”

Yesterday’s chapter was delayed due to excessive editing for propriety, so today’s is released early for your review. I hope this won’t delay your reading again.

This book is first published here.