Volume One, Chapter Seven: Turning It Over and Over in His Mind

“Father, please grant your approval!” Li Tianqing bowed deeply, his forehead striking the ground with a muffled thud.

“Your son does not regret, nor does he fear! In life, be a hero among men; in death, let me be a noble spirit. I am willing to share your burdens, Father, and to serve the Great Zhou with utmost loyalty!”

Li Tianqing spoke with earnest conviction, his resolve unwavering.

The Emperor of Zhou was stirred by these words, overwhelmed by emotion. He had never expected this least conspicuous son to possess such courage and spirit.

A hero in life, a valiant soul in death! The Emperor could not help but applaud. “Well said!”

He gazed at Li Tianqing, a wave of guilt rising within him. Truly, he had cared little for this son.

The ministers nearby were moved as well, and many voiced their praise.

The Emperor pondered for a moment. “If I recall correctly, you are not yet eighteen, nor have you established a residence?”

“Father, I am sixteen this year, and have not yet opened a residence,” Li Tianqing replied respectfully.

Sixteen: the age of vibrant youth, yet he was to journey far to Northern Yan—a venture fraught with peril, likely a path of no return.

The ministers sighed upon hearing this.

Today's events were clearly aimed at the Ninth Prince, yet the Tenth Prince—rash and impulsive—had stepped forward...

What a turn of events! Who could have foreseen that the Tenth Prince would volunteer to go to Northern Yan?

“I grant you special permission to establish your residence early.” According to Great Zhou law, princes could only leave the palace and open their residences upon reaching eighteen.

This was undoubtedly the Emperor's way of compensating Li Tianqing.

“Thank you, Father, for your gracious favor!” Li Tianqing bowed again, the bloodstains on his forehead from earlier still visible.

“As for your mission to Northern Yan and the details of establishing your residence, I will instruct the Ministry of Rites to arrange it.”

“I obey, Your Majesty,” the Minister of Rites stepped forward to accept the order.

The Emperor continued, addressing the assembly:

“The matter of the hostage prince is settled. As for the candidate... the Ninth Prince need not go to Northern Yan. The Tenth Prince will go in his stead. Are there any objections?”

“We obey, Your Majesty.” Since the Emperor had decided, King Xuan’s faction could only comply.

“Announce my decree: bestow upon the Tenth Prince the title of Prince Jing, grant a mansion, fifty imperial guards and fifty feathered guards, one hundred servants, ten thousand acres of fertile land, ten thousand taels of gold, and a thousand bolts of silk and brocade.”

“Thank you, Father!” Li Tianqing bowed once more, though his heart bore no joy.

The Emperor rubbed his temples, speaking wearily, “The rest shall be discussed when the Northern Yan delegation arrives.”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

“Dismiss the court!” The eunuch’s sharp voice rang out.

“Long live the Emperor!”

Li Tianqing rose slowly, his eyes lowered, pondering.

Today’s affair would not end so simply...

“Farewell to His Majesty,” the ministers echoed, each harboring their own thoughts.

The Emperor swept his sleeves and departed, and soon the court dispersed, leaving only a handful in the grand hall.

The Ninth Prince stood bewildered, cold sweat breaking out.

Prime Minister Xiao finally sighed in relief.

The Minister of War and his colleagues wore grim expressions, never expecting Li Tianqing to step forward so suddenly.

The Minister of War’s gaze flashed with a trace of murderous intent as he looked at Li Tianqing.

Li Tianqing felt the weight of that stare.

It seemed he had become a thorn in certain people’s side.

He met the Minister of War’s gaze, a cold smile tugging at his lips:

Ha, they sought to eliminate the Ninth Prince, but ended up making me their target instead. This is far from over...

He knew well who stood behind the Minister of War.

Now that he had decided to go to Northern Yan, he had no reason for further hesitation.

The Minister of War saw Li Tianqing’s ambiguous smile and felt a surge of inexplicable irritation.

Li Tianqing was already plotting how to handle the Minister of War’s inevitable retaliation.

Thus, the feud between Li Tianqing and Qin Yong, the Minister of War, had long been set.

His thoughts returned to the present.

At King Xuan’s residence, wine flowed and dishes abounded.

Li Tianqing drew himself out of recollection and exhaled, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders.

King Xuan's hospitality today was lavish indeed.

The wine was fine, the food exquisite, yet Li Tianqing barely tasted anything, eating only a few mouthfuls before laying down his chopsticks.

He had no interest in continuing the charade with these people and found an excuse to leave early.

King Xuan stepped forward, seemingly casual, casting a glance at Li Tianqing. “Tenth Brother, you must be careful when you go to Northern Yan.”

Li Tianqing paused, turned to King Xuan, a cold smile hidden within.

He looked at King Xuan, his expression calm and unreadable. “Thank you for the reminder, Second Brother. I will remember.”

“It is a long and perilous journey to Northern Yan. I truly worry for you, Tenth Brother,” King Xuan said, his words layered with meaning.

Li Tianqing scoffed inwardly. His second brother’s “concern” was obvious.

King Xuan shifted his tone. “Should you encounter misfortune along the way... that would be most unfortunate.”

There was much implied in his words.

“Second Brother jests. I am blessed with good fortune and long life; nothing will happen to me.”

Li Tianqing’s smile was flawless, yet inwardly he grew alert.

His second brother’s words were veiled threats. Clearly, he wished Li Tianqing dead before reaching Northern Yan.

King Xuan, half-smiling, replied, “You have great spirit, Tenth Brother. Then I wish you a safe journey.”

“Thank you, Second Brother.” Li Tianqing clasped his hands in thanks, then departed without looking back.

Just outside the hall, Li Tianqing sensed someone approaching from behind.

He walked a few steps, maintaining composure, but the figure kept pace.

Suddenly, a hand rested on his shoulder.

Li Tianqing frowned slightly, stopped, and turned to see who it was.

He looked closely—it was the Ninth Prince.

The Ninth Prince’s expression was complex as he gazed at Li Tianqing.

“Ninth Brother?” Li Tianqing arched his brow, his tone neutral, wondering why the Ninth Prince sought him.

“Why?” The Ninth Prince had puzzled over it for three days, unable to fathom why Li Tianqing volunteered to take his place as hostage and go to Northern Yan. What did Li Tianqing hope to gain?

“What are you referring to, Ninth Brother?” Li Tianqing’s mind was clear; the Ninth Prince was naturally asking why Li Tianqing would substitute for him.

The Ninth Prince pressed his lips together, evidently finding it hard to speak, but eventually voiced the question, “Why did you go to Northern Yan in my stead?”

“What do you think, Ninth Brother?” Li Tianqing replied, half-smiling.

The Ninth Prince’s brows knit in confusion, unable to grasp Li Tianqing’s motives. “I do not know,” he admitted.

Li Tianqing chuckled softly. “Ninth Brother, am I not your sibling? Why should brothers be so calculating?”

The Ninth Prince’s brows furrowed even deeper, unable to unravel what game Li Tianqing was playing.