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Life is short, and who doesn't want to ride the winds of success? The Xu Zhen is a revered magician in this world, accustomed to admiration and envy. Arriving in the Tang Dynasty, she could not settle for mediocrity. After three years of hiding in Chang'an, she awaited the moment to unleash her potential.
Now, she has risen to great heights but faces exclusion in the officialdom, with even her beloved being implicated. It would be better to charge into battle, igniting her passion and enjoying life.
However, she is not one to succumb to self-pity or resignation. If others act recklessly, she will respond tenfold; if they respect her by an inch, she will respect them by a mile.
Zhao Gongcun heard of the Xu Zhen's late-night visit and, understanding the stakes, quickly donned his clothes to greet her. They entered the study, and with time pressing, the Xu Zhen wasted no words. She recounted her trip to Du Mansion, including the arson plot, knowing that once this Secret Letter reached Li Zhi, she would surely gain protection.
As expected, Zhao Gongcun was well-versed in the rules of officialdom. Upon hearing about the Xu Zhen's intrusion into Du Mansion, he frowned slightly as if reproaching her for being reckless. However, after reading the Secret Letter, his eyes lit up with excitement; he wished she would repeat such daring acts multiple times!
This one-armed Imperial Historian hurriedly changed his clothes and took the Xu Zhen to Jin Wangfu. Although Li Zhi had not yet been granted a fief, due to his status he could not remain in the palace and had established a residence nearby for convenience in attending court.
Without palace restrictions, Zhao Gongcun ordered a sedan chair prepared and soon brought Xu Zhen to Prince Li Zhi's residence.
The rules of the royal residence were complex and strict. Fortunately, Zhao Gongcun was a familiar face there and also Li Zhi's Attendant Scholar teacher. The bodyguards did not dare stop him and quickly reported his arrival, allowing them entry shortly after.
Li Zhi was handsome and charming, surrounded by beautiful maids like summer flowers and winter plums. Yet he maintained a respectable reputation and lived modestly; he garnered much goodwill regarding women. However, the Xu Zhen knew that according to Historical Records, at this time Li Zhi should be acquainted with the most renowned Martial Talent and might have little room left in his heart for other distractions.
Li Zhi held great respect for Zhao Gongcun as his teacher and rushed to meet him in the study without any delay. Seeing the Xu Zhen was no surprise; they exchanged brief pleasantries before getting straight to business.
He recited the contents of the Secret Letter several times before placing it on the table. His fingers trembled slightly as if that thin Luoyang paper were as precious as gold or silver.
"Your brothers have indeed gone astray... Why be so anxious? What will become of our father?" Though internally shaken, Li Zhi sighed lightly, seemingly reluctant to see his brothers harm each other.
According to what was written on Li Gang's Secret Letter, Han Wang Li Yuanchang indeed had made moves; however, specifics were glossed over. Everyone understood that the best opportunity would be during New Year celebrations when all were rejoicing. The Sage would host officials at Taiye Pool; it was a time when palace security was relaxed.
Yet without knowing their specific plans, relying solely on this Secret Letter to report to the Sage could lead to complications. Even if it were proven true or false later on, given how much he cared for his family, the Sage might not take significant action if things escalated too far—fearing it might endanger his Dragon Body or disturb his Holy Presence.
The imperial family has always been devoid of true feelings; however, since the Sage was a rare emperor who valued family ties, careful planning was necessary.
These matters were for Li Zhi to strategize himself. Since the Xu Zhen could deliver this Secret Letter to him, it signified her stance—she would align with Prince Li Zhi’s camp from now on. Being family and providing such crucial evidence along with having previously ensured Jinyang's safe return meant their bond was evident; how could Li Zhi fail to show gratitude?
"Xu Ge can rest assured and return; I will do my utmost to resolve Caesar's matter. You need not worry further or put yourself at risk again. After all, our Tang Dynasty values propriety; if we truly fall into disgrace over this matter, no amount of maneuvering will help."
Li Zhi was astute and close with Jinyang; this young girl harbored jealousy towards Caesar yet frequently mentioned this foreign beauty. Li Zhi understood well their close relationship; by calling her sister-in-law now, he expressed support for their bond between Xu Zhen and Caesar.
Or perhaps thinking about the difficult infatuation with the one in the palace, Li Zhi couldn't help but envy the genuine feelings between Xu Zhen and Caesar. This kind of love that transcended age was not akin to the unspoken entanglement in his heart?
After sending Xu Zhenzhi away, Li Zhi discussed with Zhao Gongcun how to maximize the value of this Secret Letter. It wasn't until dawn that Zhao Gongcun left Jin Wangfu to handle matters regarding Caesar with Deputy Minister of Justice Helan Baishi.
Helan Baishi was the younger brother of Helan Chushi, who was the son-in-law of Hou Junji. They were all affiliated with Crown Prince Li Chengqian. Although Tubo had rebellious thoughts, he still cherished his brothers. Regardless of King Wu Li Ke, King Wei Li Tai, or Prince Li Zhi, there was a deep brotherly bond. However, Hou Junji was a formidable figure with lofty ambitions and would hardly care for such trivial emotional ties.
Under his influence, even Helan Chushi and others became ruthless, their actions aimed at pushing Tubo forward step by step until reaching the pinnacle!
Yesterday, Helan Baishi saw Zhao Gongcun bringing Xu Zhen into Yamen to visit Caesar and realized that Prince Li Zhi also wanted to win over Xu Zhen. Now, early in the morning, Zhao Gongcun had come again, giving Helan Baishi an uneasy premonition. Could it be that Xu Zhen had already pledged allegiance to Jin Wangfu?
Initially, Hou Junji had instructed Gao Zhensheng and others to frame Li Jing and eliminate Xu Zhen, ideally erasing any trace of the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Little did they know that these incompetent fools would fail in their task, allowing Xu Zhen to return to Chang'an with Li Mingda.
If not for Zhang Liang using Zhang Lishi to set a trap for Xu Zhen, revealing the case of kidnapping Li Mingda would have ensnared many in legal troubles!
Unbeknownst to them, Sage was already aware of everything. The will of heaven is hard to fathom; it is as such. What remains uncertain is when and how this Sage will settle accounts.
This is also why many factions hastened their schemes in the shadows, each eager to manipulate several princes as puppets.
If Xu Zhen had not allied with Li Zhi, Helan Baishi would not have minded doing her a favor. However, now that Zhao Gongcun was so eager for quick results, it seemed that Xu Zhen had already recognized her master. Since she acknowledged Li Zhi as her lord, she became an adversary, eliminating any need for kindness; it might be necessary to strike early!
Zhao Gongcun felt desolate inside. He was originally a man of action but never lacked in thought and strategy. Now that he had put down his weapons and picked up books, he naturally understood the importance of contemplation.
Consider Duke Chen Guo, Hou Junji; he originally came from a background lacking education and was often mocked by ministers for his ignorance after being granted titles as a founding hero. Thus began his arduous study of classics. After mastering them, he participated in official promotions and personally devised examination questions, becoming a topic of admiration.
Although Zhao Gongcun did not dare compare himself to Hou Junji, he prided himself on having seven or eight parts wisdom. Seeing Helan Baishi's expression made him realize he had miscalculated this time!
No matter how he argued, Helan Baishi merely cited strict national laws and blocked Zhao Gongcun's words. The latter could only return to Jin Wangfu in frustration and report the outcome to Li Zhi.
Though Li Zhi was weak-willed, he was still a prince. This minor Deputy Minister of Justice actually disregarded him; who gave him such power?
After much contemplation and growing dissatisfaction, although he bore no grudge against the Crown Prince, he harbored deep resentment towards those close aides and supporters around him. It was precisely because of these people that he—an esteemed prince—couldn't even save a maidservant of Xu Zhen!
While he fumed with indignation, Xu Zhen was anxious and prepared herself early in the morning to head to Wannian County Office with the intention of bringing Caesar back.
What she did not expect was that Prince Li Zhi's promise to advocate for Caesar had yielded no results. Helan Baishi and the dark-eyed Zhao Yong convened on schedule and received documents from the Department of Punishment instructing their subordinates to bring Caesar up for trial. They even threw down the signed document on the ground and pretended to strike!
Fortunately, Liu Shuyi, the Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple, argued fiercely and managed to preserve the last limit. These people did not go too far, which is why Caesar was not stripped bare and beaten.
Although Caesar had trained in assassination techniques since childhood and had suffered considerable physical pain in her youth, she had wandered through life and death along the way, making her body strong enough not to take the sixty lashes seriously. However, being a woman, any injury would be a humiliation to her dignity!
Not to mention that Caesar willingly surrendered to protect the face of Xu Zhen; Xu Zhenxin was bleeding profusely and had hoped to bring her back safely and comfort her.
Unexpectedly, it ended up like this. He watched helplessly as his beloved woman was mocked by these enemies, each lash seeming to strike at Xu Zhen's heart, causing him unbearable anguish!
Filled with grief and anger, Xu Zhen did not lash out or curse; she merely moistened her eyes and squatted on the side, locking eyes with Caesar. With the deep affection in her gaze, she diverted Caesar's attention and soothed her pain.
Liu Shuyi and Zhao Gongcun felt a sense of guilt, while Zhao Yong sneered repeatedly, looking quite pleased as if he had completely forgotten the beating he received from mysterious thieves last night.
On the contrary, Helan Baishi fell silent. He looked at Xu Zhen's eerily quiet figure and seemed to see a massive volcano that was slowly accumulating energy for an eruption!
"This person must not be left alive!"
This was Helan Baishi's most instinctive feeling deep down; he seemed to perceive the terrifying aspect of Xu Zhen's heart. Today’s beating of Caesar had thoroughly provoked Xu Zhen!
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