Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 872 Someone's Back!
The carriages that were seeing them off left two deep tracks on the official road, the snow and mud mixed together in a mottled mess.

Li Zhi stood outside the Ten Mile Pavilion, watching Old Zhang's inconspicuous green-canopied carriage gradually disappear into the distance, finally becoming a blurry black dot on the horizon, vanishing at the boundary between the vast snowfield and the gray sky. The cold wind, carrying remnants of snow, lashed against his face, but he was oblivious, only feeling a void in his heart.

This uncle, who was both a teacher and a father to him and always guided him at crucial moments, has finally left, leaving him alone in the seemingly beautiful but actually treacherous chess game of Chang'an.

Looking back at Chang'an, Li Zhi felt utterly isolated and helpless, with no one to rely on, and a sense of unease crept into his heart.

"Your Highness, it's getting windy, let's go back to the palace."

The eunuch carefully stepped forward and draped a thicker black sable fur coat over him.

Li Zhi slowly exhaled a puff of white breath, turned around, and boarded the carriage. The carriage was warm and cozy, yet he felt colder than outside. Old Zhang's words to him the night before he left still echoed in his ears.

“Nephew, that’s all I can teach you. Whether you become a dragon or a worm depends on your own fate. Anyway, your father will be here soon. Just don’t mess things up before he arrives. As for those young women…” Old Zhang’s smile was clearly a bit lewd at the time: “Flirt with them if you want, sleep with them if you want, but don’t get really emotionally involved.”

Back at the Eastern Palace, Li Zhi sat behind his desk, closed his eyes to rest, and gradually calmed his chaotic thoughts. The brief panic caused by Old Zhang's departure was quickly replaced by a resolute calm. He was no longer the boy who needed to hide under the wings of his elders; at least for the time being, he had to stand on his own.

In the days that followed, Li Zhi strictly followed the strategy left by Lao Zhang and skillfully maneuvered among the Pei, Cui, and Wei families.

He first visited the ailing Cui Lin, and in front of the entire Cui family, gently inquired whether she was feeling better, and bestowed upon her a carefully prepared tonic for her pregnancy by the Imperial Medical Academy. At that time, Cui Lin was leaning against the couch, her face rosy, showing no sign of illness. The moment she accepted the gift, the smugness in her eyes and brows almost overflowed, and when she looked at the accompanying family relatives and spies, her gaze was full of provocation.

The following day, Li Zhi invited Wei Tong to the training ground to try out the horses. Wei Tong, dressed in smart riding attire, galloped on the horse with agile movements.

Li Zhi rode alongside her, discussing the habits of fine horses from the Western Regions, his words filled with admiration. Upon parting, he casually mentioned that a new batch of Persian scimitars and Western Region warhorses had arrived at the Northern Palace after the Lantern Festival banquet, inviting her to admire them together. Wei Tong's eyes sparkled, and she clasped her hands in acceptance. Though she still maintained her dashing demeanor, her ears were subtly red. It seemed her worldview followed her appearance; how stunning Xia Daosheng had been in the eyes of her younger sisters back then—Li Zhi was a super-duper magnification. The title of future emperor was no joke.

As for Pei Wan, Li Zhi adopted a cold approach. When it came to the preparations for the palace banquet, he specifically asked the Pei family to be responsible for part of the procurement, but when Pei Wan tried to use the opportunity to get close to him, he avoided meeting her under the pretext of being busy with state affairs. Only on one public occasion did he praise her from afar, saying, "Miss Pei has been working hard lately and has lost some weight," and then casually bestowed upon her a few bolts of imperial satin.

Those light words and rewards were like an invisible whip, lashing at Pei Wan and the entire Pei family. Rumors about Pei Wan refusing the Crown Prince that night had already spread like wildfire among the servants of various mansions. Every time Pei Wan went out, she could feel the strange looks from others, looks that contained mockery, pity, and even a kind of schadenfreude watching how she would end up.

After learning about Pei Wan's actions, her elders were so angry that they beat their chests in frustration. Under normal circumstances, Pei Wan might have been hastily married off to a down-on-his-luck scholar to vent their anger. However, she was still under the Crown Prince's observation. If the matter of becoming the Crown Princess failed this time, her fate would probably be more tragic than imagined.

The three factions were unsettled by Li Zhi's unpredictable and inconsistent tactics, and their mutual suspicion and hostility grew daily. The Lantern Festival banquet became the crucial occasion in everyone's eyes to break the deadlock and settle the score.

On the day of the Lantern Festival, the heavy snow continued, and night fell early, but Qujiang Pool was brightly lit, as bright as day.

Palace lanterns shone like daylight, casting a hazy glow on the snow-covered landscape. The melodious sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, dancers with colorful sleeves fluttered, and amidst the clinking of cups, a scene of grandeur and prosperity unfolded.

Li Zhi sat high below the imperial steps, dressed in the bright yellow robes of a crown prince, calmly accepting the congratulations from officials and relatives.

He could actually feel several burning gazes falling on him from time to time, but at this moment, he had no choice but to continue playing this role well.

Cui Lin, seated on the left, was dressed exceptionally beautifully in a pomegranate-red palace gown, adorned with pearls and jade. Her eyes darted around as she frequently glanced at the imperial steps. Occasionally, when her gaze met Li Zhi's, she would reveal a shy yet determined smile. Moreover, she clearly already considered herself the Crown Princess, as her demeanor and bearing were quite imposing.

Cui Situ, standing beside her, was also beaming, chatting and laughing with his colleagues as if his identity as the Crown Prince's father-in-law was a sure thing.

Pei Wan on the right was much more elegant, wearing a moon-white dress embroidered with silver plum blossoms, with light makeup and a cool expression. She only occasionally raised her eyes when her father, Pei Situ, was exchanging pleasantries with others. Her gaze swept over Li Zhi, complex and unreadable, with a hint of barely perceptible resentment. Pei Situ's face was calm, which seemed somewhat out of place with the lively atmosphere around him.

As for Wei Tong, who was seated among the military officers, she was still dressed in a modified palace gown made for ease of movement, with only intricate patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. She sat upright, her eyes bright, occasionally meeting Li Zhi's gaze. She neither dodged nor fawned, but rather her gaze carried a hint of scrutiny and eagerness. Beside her, General Wei was, as always, speaking in a booming voice, but his gaze would occasionally sweep over the civil officials' seats, especially lingering on the Cui and Pei families.

This seemingly harmonious banquet was, in reality, a battlefield without gunfire. Li Zhi was clear-headed; he knew that these three women, and the families behind them, were all waiting for a signal that he would give a clear stance tonight.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively. According to the procedure, the next step was for the Crown Prince to receive the imperial decree and present congratulatory gifts to the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager. After that, there would be a free banquet, which was also the best opportunity for various forces to move around and test each other.

A eunuch's shrill voice rang out: "Your Highness, please present gifts to the Emperor Emeritus and the Imperial Concubine!"

Li Zhi straightened his clothes and calmly rose. Just as he was about to step down the imperial steps, a sudden change occurred!

Without any announcement or warning, the two vermilion palace doors, carved with auspicious dragon and phoenix patterns, were slowly pushed open by an invisible force, leaving a crack.

A biting wind instantly rushed into the warm hall, causing the robes of nearby officials to flutter wildly and the candlelight on the tables to flicker violently, nearly extinguishing them. The music abruptly stopped, the dancers halted in panic, and the hall's clamor was instantly silenced, as if gripped by an invisible hand.

Everyone instinctively looked toward the wide-open palace gate.

Outside the door was a thick, impenetrable night, and snow that gleamed coldly under the light of palace lanterns.

In the utter silence and under the watchful eyes of everyone, a figure calmly and slowly stepped over the high threshold.

The newcomer was not dressed in official robes or armor, but only in a dark winter coat with a matching cloak. He was covered in snow and dust, and his clothes and lower garments were stained with mud.

He seemed to have traveled a long way, with a lingering weariness between his brows, but his sharp, hawk-like eyes swept across the entire scene, and everyone who met his gaze felt a chill in their heart and subconsciously lowered their heads to avoid him.

He walked slowly, his boots making a clear and steady "tap...tap..." sound on the polished gold brick floor. In this hall where you could hear a pin drop, each sound seemed to strike the hearts of everyone present.

Without guards stopping him or eunuchs announcing his arrival, he appeared openly and naturally at the Lantern Festival banquet at the heart of the Tang Empire, as if entering his own courtyard without any hesitation. Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

Li Zhi remained frozen on the imperial steps, half-standing, his pupils slightly contracted, his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

Changsun Wuji slammed the wine cup in his hand onto the table with a "clatter," spilling the fragrant imperial wine and soaking his magnificent purple robe, but he was completely unaware. He just stared intently at the intruder, his face turning deathly pale in an instant.

Cui Situ's smile froze, General Wei stopped talking and laughing, and Pei Situ's fingers holding the wine cup trembled slightly.

Cui Lin's smugness and shyness were instantly replaced by astonishment, Pei Wan's cold mask cracked, and Wei Tong subconsciously straightened her back and put her hand on her waist. There were no swords there, but this action revealed her inner vigilance.

The entire hall, filled with nobles, officials, and civil and military personnel, seemed frozen in place, staring blankly at the uninvited guest.

The newcomer walked straight to the center of the main hall before stopping. He first looked up, his gaze falling on the young man on the imperial steps, who had grown considerably taller and whose face vaguely resembled his own and his third sister's. The corners of his mouth seemed to curve upwards almost imperceptibly. Then he swept his gaze across the entire hall, taking in the expressions of surprise, fear, awe, and complexity on everyone's faces.

Then, he unfastened his frost-covered cloak, casually handed it to the eunuch beside him, and broke the suffocating silence with a slightly weary tone, as if he were merely a little late getting home:

"Wow, it's quite lively here."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly carried to every corner of the palace.

"No one sent me an invitation, so I'm not being impolite by showing up uninvited, am I?"

At this moment, the hustle and bustle and pretense of the Lantern Festival banquet were completely shattered.

All the scheming, all the expectations, all the undercurrents, all seem so pale and laughable in the face of this absolutely powerful intervention.

Li Zhi finally recovered from his shock. He slowly straightened up and looked at the travel-worn but imposing man in the center of the hall. A mix of emotions welled up inside him, which eventually manifested in a complex gaze that was a mixture of excitement, grievance, dependence, and relief. He then uttered, "Father!"

The cry of "Father!" echoed throughout the entire hall. Xia Lin tilted his head and glanced at his eldest son, then looked around at the surroundings. Seeing the retired Emperor Li Yuan not far ahead, he stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting: "Happy New Year! I wish you a belated Happy New Year."

Li Yuan nodded slightly: "Sit down, please sit down."

Li Zhi quickly walked to Xia Lin's side and grabbed his father's sleeve like a child: "Father, come sit with me."

Xia Lin patted the back of his head: "It's alright, I'll just sit with Lord Changsun."

After saying that, he plopped down next to Changsun Wuji and even turned around to greet him: "Little Wuji, it's been so many years since I last saw you. You've made something of yourself now. I heard you've become the prime minister?"

Changsun Wuji felt his hand tremble, and he gave a dry laugh: "Good morning, Lord Xia..."

Xia Lin glanced at the dark sky outside, picked up Changsun Wuji's wine and took a sip: "Good morning."

After saying that, he straightened up and said, "Keep going, keep playing the music and dancing. I'll add a bowl and chopsticks here; I'm starving after traveling all this way."

Hearing his father's familiar, boisterous voice, Li Zhi hadn't felt so at ease since returning to Chang'an. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and quickly stood up, saying, "Quickly, quickly, add bowls and chopsticks for my father. Musicians, play the music!"

The music started again, and the ceremony continued as usual. But the atmosphere was completely different. The major families didn't dare to utter a sound. Any plans or coup schemes were wiped out the moment he appeared. Otherwise, he really would have slapped someone across the face during this most joyous moment.

"Little Wuji." After eating two large pieces of braised pork and a big bowl of rice, Xia Lin raised his wine cup towards Changsun Wuji: "I heard that my rascal has received a lot of care from you since he came to Chang'an. Come, come, let me toast you."

Changsun Wuji was sweating profusely. His expression changed drastically, and he quickly stood up to clink glasses with Xia Lin, saying, "It is my command... not my will."

"Sit down, sit down, don't stand, there's no need to be so polite." Xia Lin said with a smile, "You're so formal. Your nephew is also my disciple, we should be close."

As he spoke, Xia Lin glanced around before finally fixing his gaze on Wei Tong. He pointed at Wei Tong and said, "Hey, you little dark-skinned guy, come here."

Wei Tong looked around, then pointed to herself in surprise: "Me?"

"Yeah, you."

"Little Blackie..." Wei Tong pondered the nickname for a moment, feeling dizzy. If it were someone else, they would have poured out a whole pot of fermented rice wine. But the one calling him was his ultimate idol... who should be the ultimate idol of all the warriors in the world, Xia Lin Xia Daosheng.

She obediently stepped forward, gave a polite bow in an affected manner, and then said in a high-pitched, coquettish voice, "Hello, Commander Xia..."

Xia Lin then pulled out a Persian dagger inlaid with gemstones from his waist and handed it to him: "This is a gift your second brother asked me to bring you; it's from your family's big black guy."

"Thank you, Commander Xia!"

"It's alright, it's alright." Xia Lin waved his hand with a smile, then looked around again: "Why aren't you all moving? Let's drink!"

(End of this chapter)