Chapter Thirty-Four: Scheming and Intrigues

Kunning Palace.

"Mother, save us!"

Gao Changwen and Gao Changfei ran into the bedchamber, crying out for help. The eunuchs and palace maids of Kunning Palace had never seen such uncomposed princes, and they stood frozen in shock, dumbfounded.

"Everyone out!"

The Empress, her face dark with fury, dismissed the staff. The moment the doors clicked shut, the two princes threw themselves at her feet, begging for salvation.

"Fools!" The Empress’s expression was icy. "A night raid on the triple military camp? Did the two of you think up such a moronic plan with your toes? Did you honestly think the only person you were dealing with in that camp was Gao Changsheng? Did you treat Dou Yuan as if he were air?"

"Even if Dou Yuan were on our side, he wouldn't have the audacity to cover up something as massive as a night raid on the triple military camp! And now? Not only did you fail to kill Gao Changsheng, but you’ve handed him over a hundred living witnesses!"

"Bravo! You two have truly mastered the art of failing to catch the chicken only to lose the rice!" The Empress pointed at her two pig-headed allies, berating them relentlessly.

Yet, anger could not change the reality. She knew all too well that as long as Gao Changsheng held those hundred-odd death-squad members, he would sooner or later stir up a monstrous storm in Jinyong City. Whether that storm would drown her and the two princes was uncertain, but it would surely leave them half-dead. And that was assuming the Crown Prince didn't take the opportunity to make a grand issue of it.

The factional strife within the palace was intensifying, trending toward a life-or-death struggle. How could the Crown Prince possibly let such an incident pass?

"Mother, we know we were wrong," Gao Changwen said, naive as a three-year-old. It was clear the Empress had protected him too well over the years, to the point of turning him and Gao Changfei into idiots. "But since it has happened, we must do our best to remedy it. If all else fails, we can seek peace with Gao Changsheng. Didn't he want to defect to us? We can just agree to it now!"

"What is Gao Changsheng?" the Empress snapped. "Remember, you are princes. Your wealth and status are not for him to decide. The only one who determines your fate is your Father the Emperor."

She gradually calmed herself. "Wait. This matter has caused quite a stir. If my intuition is correct, not only does the Crown Prince know, but His Majesty has heard of it as well. Knowing His Majesty, he will likely try to downplay it. However," she paused, "the fact that a group of death-squad members were persuaded to surrender by Gao Changsheng’s words alone... his depth of character and wisdom are far beyond what I previously imagined. If he is allowed to develop further, who knows what kind of trouble he will cause!"

The Empress felt a deep sense of regret. Had she known Gao Changsheng possessed such potential, she would have acted sooner. But now, it was too late.

***

Imperial Study.

"Interesting, truly interesting!" The Emperor Shenwu danced about, laughing maniacally, nearly appearing insane. "Did the Sixth actually say these things?" He tilted his head toward Lang Qingzao and asked.

"I dare not deceive Your Majesty," Lang Qingzao replied calmly.

"Good, good, good! To fight human heart with human heart, and to persuade a group of death-squad members with a mere tongue! It has been a long time since I have seen such a sharp mouth. If those hundred-plus men truly testify for the Sixth, he could indeed stir up quite a storm in Jinyong City. By then, even I would have to consider stripping Gao Changwen and Gao Changfei of their titles."

The Emperor Shenwu suddenly calmed down, his mastery over his expressions so fluid that even a stage actor would feel inferior.

"I have already dispatched three thousand Qingwu Guards to follow those men, and five hours ago, they were all executed in a mountain ravine," Lang Qingzao said flatly. "I can guarantee there are no survivors."

"Excellent," the Emperor nodded in satisfaction. To him, a hundred lives were merely a string of numbers. What did a few deaths matter? "Ensure your guards keep their mouths shut. If even a whisper leaks out, I will spare no one—not even you, Lang Qingzao. Do you understand?"

"I will remember, Your Majesty," Lang Qingzao responded immediately.

"Go and investigate which official in the Six Ministries is colluding with the princes. To hoard military uniforms and armor under my very nose... if I do not give them a lesson, they will truly think I have grown old!"

With a wave of his hand, the Emperor dismissed him. As Lang Qingzao exited, he was met by a figure standing outside.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince!" Lang Qingzao bowed.

"Master Lang Qingzao?" Gao Changling was stunned. Since he could remember, he had never seen Lang Qingzao's true face, nor did he know his real name. Even as Crown Prince, holding power second only to the Emperor, he had never been qualified to uncover the man's identity. He was, without question, the most mysterious person in the entire Great Yong Dynasty.

"It seems Father is already aware of what happened at Longling Village," Gao Changling said with a sense of loss.

"Yes," Lang Qingzao nodded.

"Then might I ask, how did Father react?" Gao Changling pressed. He was persistent because he knew his father too well. Whether before the court or his sons, the Emperor never revealed his true side—except to Lang Qingzao. If he could understand the Emperor through him, he could judge the Emperor’s stance on the Longling Mountain affair.

"It is not a subject's place to discuss the sovereign behind his back. I hope Your Highness will forgive me," Lang Qingzao said, his lips sealed tight. "However, I can offer the Crown Prince a word of advice. Since His Majesty is already aware, he has surely reached a decision. If the Crown Prince tries to create complications that hinder the Emperor’s judgment, the cost may outweigh the gain. I hope Your Highness will think twice."

With another bow, Lang Qingzao departed. Gao Changling pondered his retreating figure for a long time before finally knocking on the door of the Imperial Study.

Shortly after, Zhang Yao appeared and ushered him inside.

"Father, I have obtained letters proving the Duke of Liang is colluding with the Northern Qi General Tuoba Ye. Please, have a look." Gao Changling held up a secret letter with both hands.

The Emperor, who had been lounging lazily, was suddenly struck with shock. "Where did you get this secret letter?" He looked at Gao Changling with extreme vigilance, as if seeing him for the first time.

"Forgive me, Father! I have secretly cultivated some friends in Northern Qi and used money to bribe one of Tuoba Ye's subordinates. This letter was stolen by that subordinate!"