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Upon receiving news from Jinyang, the princess hurriedly left the military office and encountered a familiar disguised female official. They discreetly made their way to Shuyi Hall, remaining silent along the way. Upon reaching the inner study, they found Li Mingda waiting to greet them, while Tubo had yet to arrive.
Li Mingda was aware of his brother's unstable mood and feared that Xu Zhen might offend Tubo, leading to an unpleasant situation. Therefore, he took the time to explain Tubo's temperament.
Xu Zhen was eager to listen; after all, if she failed to persuade Tubo this time, it could lead to Prince Qi, Li You, taking action against him. If that happened, it could disrupt history.
Xu Zhenzhi's concerns were not unfounded. Although Tubo frequently faced reprimands from his superiors, Sage still held him in high regard and hoped that many renowned officials would guide him. However, since Li Mingda's return, Sage seemed to be compensating for their year-long separation by pouring all parental affection into Li Mingda, neglecting Tubo.
As a result, Tubo felt abandoned by his elders. Coupled with the current Minister Changsun Wuji's criticisms and subtle hints to Sage about replacing the heir apparent, Tubo began to harbor rebellious thoughts.
Ultimately, without Xu Zhen, Li Mingda would not have returned to Chang'an, and Tubo would not need to rebel and force a palace coup prematurely. Realizing this connection made Xu Zhen feel increasingly responsible for the situation. She contemplated her words carefully while knowing that Li Mingda was clever and adept at winning his brother's favor.
While they were conversing, a female official outside announced the arrival of His Highness the Crown Prince. Xu Zhen quickly followed Li Mingda out to greet him.
The Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty was tall and broad-shouldered but appeared gaunt and disheveled. He did not wear an official crown but had hastily tied back his long hair. His movements were slow, as if he had a slight limp. Upon seeing Li Mingda, he smiled warmly; the siblings had no reservations and playfully exchanged greetings.
Once the formalities were over, Xu Zhen intended to pay her respects to Tubo. However, he stepped forward first to support her lightly and expressed gratitude for her assistance to Li Mingda.
"Dear brother, there is no need for such formality. If it weren't for your protection along the way, Sister Si would not have returned safely. Our sibling bond is deep; you are like family to me. I should have visited your residence earlier but was unable due to official duties. It is unfortunate we couldn't meet sooner; today’s chance encounter allows us to speak freely!"
Hearing Tubo refer to him as "brother," Xu Zhen felt flustered and declined politely. This was not mere pretense; she knew that soon Tubo would face issues in the Eastern Palace. Anyone connected by blood or friendship would inevitably be affected. Although she held no ill feelings toward Tubo, she dared not entangle herself in such relationships.
The three entered the study but did not drink wine; instead, they opted for tea.
Tea drinking in the Tang Dynasty was quite different from today. Lu Yu had yet to be born for another hundred years and had not yet written The Classic of Tea; thus, tea drinking was not particularly refined at that time. Tang people preferred strong flavors and often added various spices into their tea without hesitation. Xu Zhen found this style quite unfamiliar.
Since they needed privacy for their conversation, they dismissed their personal attendants and palace maids. Although Jinyang was young, she took on the responsibility of preparing tea.
She washed her hands and seated herself with Xu Zhen and Tubo according to their roles as host and guests. Knowing her brother suffered from foot ailments, she brought over a pillow for him. Familiar with each other as siblings were, Tubo sat comfortably on the couch with the pillow propped behind him while discussing the war during the Tuguhun with Xu Zhen as he waited for her to brew tea.
Xu Zhen dared not act casually; she knelt properly in response but found herself captivated by Jinyang's tea-making skills.
This young girl had received court education since childhood and possessed excellent manners and grace. Having learned calligraphy from Sage, she exuded an elegant charm akin to an orchid. As she prepared tea now, she resembled a graceful young lady—quite delightful to behold.
She skillfully broke apart a tea cake and gently used a gilded silver tea grinder and pestle to crush it into fine pieces before placing them into a gilded silver tea strainer adorned with celestial patterns. The crushed tea leaves seemed infused with her youthful fragrance, creating a refreshing aroma.
At that moment, water in a small pot reached boiling point just as she added scallions, ginger, osmanthus flowers, butter, dates, and various spices into it. After boiling for a while until it bubbled vigorously, she added the crushed tea leaves to create "tea porridge." She poured three cups according to etiquette—serving them first to her brother and then to Xu Zhen —thus completing the entire process of brewing tea.
Xu Zhen seemed to have matured a few years when she brewed tea, displaying a calm demeanor and a graceful presence that made Tubo regard her with newfound respect. As Tubo sipped the tea made by his younger sister, memories of their childhood together flooded back, causing his eyes to well up.
Seeing her brother moved by emotion, Li Mingda felt a swirl of thoughts and playfully said to Tubo, "Today is a joyful gathering, yet it feels so dull. Brother Xu is a Zoroastrianism elder with many extraordinary abilities; why not showcase some skills for my brother to witness?"
Though it was a prearranged act, Li Mingda smiled charmingly, and her performance was so convincing that even the great magician Xu Zhen could not outshine her. She feigned modesty, claiming that such sacred arts were too dignified for mere amusement.
Tubo had heard that Xu Zhen was a divine master of the Hu Tian Sect, and there were many miraculous tales about her in the military. Having never witnessed her abilities firsthand, he had doubts. However, hearing his sister mention it made him eager to see for himself, leaving Xu Zhen with no choice but to agree.
He scanned the study for something suitable to use but found nothing of value. Fortunately, thanks to Zhang Liang's prior arrangements, he always carried a few important Illusion artifacts with him. After pondering for a moment, he spoke up.
"I practice the Zoroastrian Secret Text and often engage in divination. Since we are gathered today, why not use this as entertainment? Your Highness may hide any personal items, and I will attempt Shooting the Cover. What do you think?"
Tubo, well-versed in ancient and modern knowledge, recognized that Shooting the Cover was an esoteric technique often attributed to the great Han sorcerer Dongfang Shuo. He clapped his hands in approval and then said to Xu Zhen, "If my younger brother possesses this secret art, I should certainly broaden my horizons. However, since it involves right and wrong outcomes, I came unprepared without treasures. This ring will serve as a token!"
With that, Tubo removed a golden ring from his left hand. The ring resembled either a Pixiu or a qilin; it was hard to tell clearly. A square gem sparkled brilliantly on it, clearly an invaluable treasure!
Just as Xu Zhen was about to decline, Li Mingda interjected teasingly, "Brother Xu, don’t refuse! If you consider yourself an infallible prophet but end up guessing wrong, my brother won't be the only one laughing; I might just fall over in laughter too!"
At this remark, Xu Zhen felt embarrassed and shot an annoyed glance at Li Mingda, who stuck out her tongue playfully in response, provoking hearty laughter from Tubo.
Once Xu Zhen agreed, she stepped out of the study. Fearing that she might possess an extraordinary memory or insight into his belongings, Tubo hesitated to reveal anything obvious. After some thought, he remembered having a finely crafted Wolf Tooth, a token given by the Turkic People. He placed this Wolf Tooth inside a turtle-shaped gilded tea box before inviting Xu Zhen back in.
After taking her seat, instead of calculating with her fingers as expected of someone performing divination, Xu Zhen loosened her headscarf and let her hair down. She took a bowl of clean water and pricked her finger to let blood drip into it. Using the blood water, she began drawing strange symbols around the gilded tea box.
This mysterious ritual shocked not only Tubo, but even the previously prepared Li Mingda. The atmosphere in the study grew cold as if a light breeze was passing through; even the flames of the small tea stove flickered nervously!
The atmosphere was instantly controlled by Xu Zhen, who now commanded respect from Tubo. He instinctively leaned back in his chair, unwilling to approach the tea box for fear of disturbing the divine spirit assisting her divination!
In ancient times, people were often superstitious about spirits and gods. Relying on her exceptional acting skills, Xu Zhen played up the theatrics. Seeing that she had ensnared Tubo, she felt secretly pleased. Suddenly opening her eyes wide and speaking frantically as if possessed by madness, she recited incantations faster and faster until she gently pressed her hand on the tea box but unexpectedly shouted loudly and collapsed onto the couch, trembling uncontrollably!
Li Mingda rushed over to support her while calling out anxiously, "Brother Xu! Brother Xu!" Yet inside she fumed silently: "This damn fraud is putting on such an authentic act; how could I not worry about it!"
At this moment, Xu Zhen regretted her decision deeply. In pursuit of realism, she had used the Enhanced I Ching Cleansing Inner Power Manual, taking a deep breath that backfired on her. Her face turned crimson as bloodshot veins appeared in her eyes—she truly looked bizarre!
Startled by this sight, Tubo wondered if perhaps there was some truth to what Xu Zhen claimed about having extraordinary powers. He quickly stood up to support her but just as he was about to inquire about her condition, she looked up at him in panic and retreated toward Li Mingda, unwilling to come near him at all!
Seeing such fear from Xu Zhen, suspicion arose in Tubo. He didn’t have time to scold her for being rude; meanwhile, she scrambled up quickly and bowed urgently saying, "Your Highness must not blame me; I was momentarily bewitched! Today is truly not suitable for further divination; I hope Your Highness can forgive me! I shall take my leave now!"
As the conversation reached this point, Xu Zhen, with a face full of shock, was about to leave. However, Tubo was shrouded in confusion and refused to let her go. He grasped Xu Zhen's wrist and stopped her, saying, "Why are you being so unreasonable, Xu Zhen? Please tell me what this prince has covered."
Xu Zhen murmured as if entranced, repeatedly shaking her head and insisting that the secrets of heaven must not be revealed. She attempted to leave again, but Tubo, being a straightforward and honest person, grew irritated at her evasiveness. He immediately put on a stern face and pretended to be angry, saying, "You must have foreseen something alarming; why not speak plainly? Are you trying to put your brother in danger?"
Li Mingda, seeing that Tubo was already convinced, began to cry and pleaded with Xu Zhen for guidance. If it truly posed harm to his brother, even if it meant sacrificing his own lifespan, he insisted that she should reveal at least a hint of the secret.
Feeling that the timing was right, Xu Zhen sighed deeply and adopted a helpless demeanor. She spoke earnestly to the prince.
"To be honest, this object is a great omen of disaster from the north. If this secret is leaked, it will surely unleash a storm of bloodshed and chaos in the court; it could even change the course of history!"
Tubo's heart tightened; he hadn't expected that a mere game of Shooting the Cover would allow Xu Zhen to glimpse his conspiracy against the Turkic People. He was momentarily stunned by her words!
Realizing she had struck a chord with Tubo's concerns, Xu Zhen exclaimed, "Does Your Highness truly have such intentions?"
Upon hearing her words, Tubo suddenly looked up, a fierce glint in his eyes as murderous intent filled the air!
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