Chapter 82: Crown Prince Li An

After being summoned by the Emperor of Song, Grand Preceptor Li Heyan entered the field with a single attendant trailing behind him. The attendant carried a refined food box, following closely, while Li Heyan himself walked empty-handed. Upon noticing the iron ball paused at the mouth of the hole, Li Heyan halted.

His gaze fell upon the iron ball. He gathered his internal energy at his feet and gave a subtle tap. The entire act lasted but a few moments before he continued forward, so seamless that no ordinary onlooker would have noticed anything amiss.

Yet, after he had left, the iron ball unexpectedly quivered, bridging the last sliver of distance and dropping directly into the hole.

Only Li Pingyang perceived it—a powerful surge of inner force had swept by, nudging the ball into the hole. To the average person, it would have seemed nothing more than a faint breeze, so insubstantial as to be imperceptible.

Behind the Emperor, a eunuch was fanning him. When the ball sank into the hole, the eunuch, excited, hurriedly announced the news to His Majesty. With this stroke, the Emperor had once again surpassed his own longstanding record.

The Emperor remained silent, glancing at Li Pingyang and noticing that even he had observed the matter. If he himself remained oblivious, what did that make him but useless?

Handing his club to the nearby eunuch, the Emperor made his way to a pavilion at the edge of the field, settling onto a stone bench. He summoned both Li Heyan and Li Pingyang to sit with him.

“Your Majesty! Grand Preceptor!”

Li Pingyang saluted the two and, gathering his courage, sat down.

Li Heyan placed the food box upon the stone table, smiling. “I heard Your Majesty was here at play, so I specially prepared some pastries to delight Your Majesty’s palate.”

He lifted the lid, and as it opened, a rich, delicate aroma with a hint of almond drifted out.

Inside the box were several small dishes and clean pairs of chopsticks. Enticed by the fragrance, the Emperor picked up a piece and tasted it slowly.

The initial sensation was silken, melting instantly upon the tongue. Its exterior was sweet as honey, filled within by layers of almond, sesame, and osmanthus. As it dissolved, the interplay of flavors offered myriad delights.

“Grand Preceptor Li, you have shown great thoughtfulness! I am much pleased.”

He surmised that Li Heyan had put considerable effort into this, so he offered his praise aloud. Taking up another piece with his chopsticks, this time the Emperor offered it directly to Li Pingyang.

Li Pingyang was startled. The Grand Preceptor also turned his gaze upon him, and the Emperor smiled, inviting him to taste.

Raising his head, Li Pingyang saw the Emperor watching and quickly shifted his eyes aside, only to find Li Heyan’s gaze upon him as well. Seated between the two, Li Pingyang felt an unprecedented nervousness, his composure nearly faltering.

He gingerly picked up a piece with his chopsticks and placed it in his mouth, scarcely swallowing before Grand Preceptor Li Heyan spoke, nearly causing him to choke and swallow it whole.

“I have long heard that in our Great Song, there is a young Poet Immortal. To meet you today, Little Poet Immortal Li, you are indeed of exceptional bearing and fine appearance. At such a young age, to have already composed so many celebrated and unforgettable verses!”

“It is as if you are a celestial being reborn!”

Hearing this, Li Pingyang quickly turned and clasped his hands in salute before Li Heyan, insisting that the Grand Preceptor flattered him.

At that moment, the eunuch who had conveyed messages earlier arrived again. “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince seeks an audience!”

Indeed, it was a lively day. No sooner had Li Pingyang appeared than the Grand Preceptor came to call; moments later, even the Crown Prince had arrived.

In truth, Li Heyan’s visit had a purpose: to meet Li Pingyang and leave a favorable impression, hoping to draw him into his own circle of influence—or at least, to prevent him from becoming an enemy.

Upon hearing of the Crown Prince’s request, Li Heyan made his excuses and took his leave. The Emperor, of course, understood what this old fox intended.

As Li Heyan departed, he crossed paths with the Crown Prince, who had been waiting some time outside the courtyard gate. The two exchanged glances before the eunuch led the Crown Prince inside.

The Crown Prince, named Li An, was several years older than Li Pingyang. He approached, dressed in a black brocade robe trimmed with golden thread and embroidered with subtle cloud patterns.

He bore a commanding presence, tall and handsome, with a broad chest exuding an air of invincibility. Beneath his long, slender brows shone gentle, clear, and expressive eyes. His nose was high, his complexion fair—his looks rivaled Li Pingyang’s, and he seemed even more mature and composed.

Before the Emperor, the Crown Prince saluted with both hands, exchanged formalities with Li Pingyang, and then sat.

Catching sight of the pastries, the Crown Prince’s eyes sparkled with greed. Disregarding the presence of others, he could not resist reaching out with his chopsticks and began to eat heartily.

He devoured three pieces in quick succession, puffing out his cheeks like a pufferfish, which nearly sent Li Pingyang into fits of laughter.

Seeing this, the Emperor furrowed his brow in stern displeasure and rebuked him loudly, “As Crown Prince of the realm, you still behave so crudely! Have you no manners?”

Chastised, the Crown Prince immediately set his chopsticks down, swallowed his mouthful, and fell silent. Sensing the tension, Li Pingyang kept quiet as well.

The surrounding eunuchs withdrew of their own accord, closing the doors and waiting outside. Now only the three of them remained in the courtyard.

“Your Majesty’s guidance is just. Your son knows his fault.”

The Crown Prince quickly knelt, apologizing to the Emperor. The Emperor smiled, raised him to his seat, and handed him the chopsticks, urging him to eat.

The Crown Prince hesitated, glancing at his father for fear of another scolding, but the Emperor pressed the chopsticks into his hand.

“Go on, eat! I know you’re hungry. You too, eat!”

While urging the Crown Prince, the Emperor did not forget Li Pingyang, who smiled and took up his chopsticks, eating together with the Crown Prince.

The Emperor gave all the best treats to the two of them, just as he had when they were children. Resting his head on one hand, the Emperor smiled with interest as he watched the brothers eat.

He looked at the Crown Prince, who had abandoned all restraint in his eating, then at Li Pingyang, who ate slowly and with great care. Suddenly, the Emperor posed a question that caught Li Pingyang off guard.

“I have heard that the Li family of Lanzhou—the household of Minister Li—was recently slaughtered to the last, and because you had exchanged harsh words with Li Da and threatened to kill him, you became the prime suspect.”

“Moreover, on the day of the crime, you were found unconscious outside their home. When the authorities arrived, the weapon was found in your hand.”

“So tell me—are you innocent?”

Li Pingyang had not expected the Emperor to raise the massacre of the Li household at a moment like this, nor to know the details so thoroughly.

At that time, Li Pingyang had only just arrived in this world, barely having time to search his predecessor’s memories for how he had come to be accused of murder—on the verge of execution, no less.

Looking back now, so much was shrouded in mystery.

Who was it that wished him dead?

Why was the Li household slaughtered?

What was the truth?

“Your Majesty! I will uncover the truth and prove my innocence.”

Li Pingyang gave his word to the Emperor. But he did not yet know that there were those who did not wish the truth revealed, nor did they wish him to find it. The powers concealed behind this case were vast, the people implicated numerous—perhaps more than he could contend with. In fact, pursuing the truth might well endanger his own life.