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

Chapter 878 Serves Him Right for Eating Education

The echo of that slap still burned on Li Zhi's cheek, making his heart tighten.

He stood there, stunned, watching Xiao Wu's resolute figure disappear around the corner of the palace garden, unable to even muster the courage to chase after him. The surrounding eunuchs and guards all lowered their heads, holding their breath and not daring to make the slightest sound, for fear of offending the Crown Prince.

The banquet by Qujiang Pool was still bustling, with laughter and chatter echoing through the palace walls.

Li Zhi slowly lowered his hand from his face, his fingertips touching the slightly warm skin. Instead of anger, he felt an overwhelming sense of fear and bewilderment. His senior sister had never been so strict. Even when he was mischievous and lazy, she would only frown and admonish him, or punish him with even heavier workloads.

This slap shattered the pride that had grown in his heart from the success of today's banquet, and also woke him from his dream of indulging in romantic love.

"How can the entire land compare to even a fraction of my senior sister's beauty..."

The uttered nonsense he had just blurted out echoed in his ears, and his face burned with embarrassment once again.

If my parents knew this...

He simply couldn't imagine the consequences. His senior sister was right; how pathetic that was! He wasn't just Li Zhi; he was also the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, the one supported by so many people to stand before him. How could he so easily throw away the burden on his shoulders?
Thinking of this, Li Zhi took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He shouldn't be depressed at all. His senior sister was angry because she had too high expectations of him. He couldn't let the world see such a weak version of himself, and he couldn't let his mother see such a pathetic version of himself.

He turned around, about to call someone to find his father, but saw that Sun Jiuzhen had already silently stood a few steps away.

“Your Highness,” Sun Jiuzhen’s voice was as steady as ever, “Marshal Xia is waiting in the small pavilion.”

Li Zhi's heart skipped a beat; his father had indeed found out. He composed himself and straightened his slightly wrinkled robes: "Lead the way."

Contrary to Li Zhi's expectations, Xia Lin inside the small pavilion did not erupt in anger or deliver sarcastic remarks. He had changed out of his everyday clothes, which were stained with the dust of the marketplace, and was now wearing a simple dark robe. He was bent over a huge map of the Western Regions, his finger slowly moving across it, marking something. Hearing footsteps, he didn't even look up, only saying indifferently, "You've arrived?"

“Father.” Li Zhi stood with his hands at his sides, his heart filled with trepidation.

Xia Lin straightened up, casually tossed the pen in her hand onto the table, walked up to Li Zhi, glanced at him from head to toe, and finally fixed her gaze on his slightly flushed left cheek.

"Tsk."

He made a soft, ambiguous sound, "Your senior sister's strength has improved quite a bit."

Li Zhi's cheeks burned even hotter, and he lowered his head, saying, "It was my careless words that angered my senior sister."

"Do you know where you went wrong?"

Xia Lin, who was both reliable and unreliable, spoke with a hint of mockery in his tone.

“My son… shouldn’t have said such irresponsible and disregardful words. The fate of the nation is more important than personal feelings. As the Crown Prince, I should be even more careful with my words and actions.” Li Zhi said the prepared statement he had prepared on the way.

Xia Lin was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Why do you think your mother hasn't had a single day of peace all these years?"

Li Zhi was taken aback, puzzled as to why his father suddenly asked this. After a moment's thought, he replied, "My mother is skilled in both literature and military strategy, knows how to appoint people wisely, and has the world in her heart..."

"Bullshit." Xia Lin interrupted without any politeness: "They can say things like that, but if you repeat them, you'll lose your sense of prophecy."

He turned around, his gaze fixed on Li Zhi's face: "Why? Because she knows she's not just Li San Niang, she's the Empress of the Tang Dynasty. She carries the rise and fall of the entire nation on her shoulders, the life and death of countless people. Every move she makes is a matter of food for countless people. And you, for a little girl, you think you can destroy the entire country with a few words? Li Zhi, let me tell you, your mission is to continue moving forward with those within your capabilities after your mother and I die, so that more people have food to eat, education to receive, and work to do, instead of watching helplessly as the Second Five Barbarian Invasions take place. We weren't born in a peaceful and prosperous era; you just happened to be born in a peaceful country, and now you are its heir. If you make any mistakes, your peaceful country will no longer be peaceful."

Xia Lin's voice wasn't loud, but every word struck Li Zhi like a hammer, causing him to break out in a cold sweat. He then realized the terrible consequences his heartfelt words spoken in desperation might have.

"Father...I..."

"What do you mean, 'you'?" Xia Lin walked up to him, patted his shoulder hard, and said, "Kid, it's your business who you like. But keeping the person you like by your side isn't about sweet words or emptying your pockets to show your loyalty. It's about how strong you are. Only when you firmly grasp this vast empire in your hands can you say you can protect someone! Let's take a step back and say that today you can give up the empire for her, but tomorrow someone else can take her life for the empire! Do you understand? This person could be your senior sister, or it could be any of the millions of ordinary people around you."

Li Zhi was jolted awake, as if struck by a sudden enlightenment.

He recalled the disappointed yet resolute look in his senior sister's eyes when she left, the hardships his mother endured alone in the Western Regions, the precarious maneuvering his uncle made in Chang'an, and his father's tireless efforts over the years... He had always been too well protected, and only now did he truly realize the cold and cruel laws governing this world.

"Your son... understands." He raised his head, the confusion and fear in his eyes gradually replaced by a resolute look: "I will not let my father down again."

Xia Lin stared at him for a long time before finally nodding, a hint of softening on her face: "Good that you understand. Go back and think it over carefully, write a three-thousand-word self-criticism, and hand it in tomorrow."

Li Zhi bowed respectfully and silently withdrew from the small hall.

A night breeze, carrying the chill of early spring, brushed his face, but it cleared his muddled mind considerably. He glanced in the direction of Xiao Wu's residence; the lights were off, and all was silent. He clenched his fist, then turned and walked towards the East Palace study.

That night, the lights in the Eastern Palace study burned late into the night. Just as Li Zhi was reflecting on his situation in his study, a swift horseman galloped into Chang'an, bringing with him an urgent military report—the Anxi Protectorate, in conjunction with the Wei Kingdom's construction corps, had completed their spring joint exercises three days prior with remarkable results. Her Majesty the Empress's entourage had already departed and would soon return to Chang'an!

The news of the Empress's impending return to the capital spread throughout Chang'an overnight. The various factions that had been whispering among themselves over the "selection of concubines" and the "one tael of silver" controversy immediately adjusted their strategies, turning their attention back from the young Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace to the ruler of the empire.

The next morning, the atmosphere in the Hall of State Affairs was noticeably different from usual. Changsun Wuji sat at the head of the table, his expression still calm, but he was flipping through documents faster than usual.

The chancellors exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of seriousness and barely perceptible tension in the other's eyes. When Her Majesty the Empress was away from the capital, they could still deal with the unpredictable Marshal Xia and contend with the increasingly powerful Crown Prince, but once the esteemed Empress returned, the balance of power in the court would inevitably tip once more.

"As His Majesty returns to the capital, the arrangements for the procession, lodging, and welcoming of the emperor must be drafted immediately and submitted to the Crown Prince... and approved by Marshal Xia." Changsun Wuji put down a memorial concerning the Grand Canal and calmly instructed his subordinates, only pausing almost imperceptibly when mentioning "Marshal Xia."

The subordinate quickly agreed and hurried away.

Inside the Pei residence's study, Pei Situ stroked his beard and said in a deep voice to Pei Wan, who sat below him with slightly red eyes, "His Majesty's return will inevitably change the situation. The selection of concubines may be subject to change. Wan'er, you must stay home and focus on your studies these days, and absolutely avoid any further mistakes. We will make further plans after His Majesty returns to the palace." His gaze was profound: "His Majesty and Xia Daosheng may not be a united front. This is our opportunity."

Pei Wan nodded silently and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. The Crown Prince's performance at yesterday's banquet and her father's analysis made her realize that the road to the Eastern Palace was far more rugged and complicated than she had imagined. She had to be more cautious and more resilient.

The Cui residence was in a state of chaos. Cui Situ urged the servants to clean the courtyard in preparation for the possible arrival of palace envoys, while repeatedly instructing Cui Lin: "Put away those petty tempers! His Majesty values ​​rules and etiquette above all else. You must not show those manners of your past in front of His Majesty! From today onwards, diligently follow the nanny to learn court etiquette. Every word and action must conform to the demeanor of the future Crown Princess!"

Looking at her father's stern face, Cui Lin dared not act coquettishly anymore and obediently agreed. However, the confidence she had gained from the "Zhongnan Mountain matter" inevitably waned a bit.

Instead, General Wei sat down on the steps with a water bottle and said to Wei Tong, who was sweating profusely in the training ground, "My son, His Majesty is coming back! What a wonderful thing! His Majesty is a general who rose to power through military prowess. You should just stay true to yourself, practice martial arts as you should, and study as you should. That's a hundred times better than being all pretentious and affected!"

Wei Tong wiped her sweat and nodded vigorously. She was simple-minded and thought that once the valiant and extraordinary Empress returned, she would certainly not like those women who only knew how to cry or scheme.

Inside the Eastern Palace, Li Zhi was having breakfast when he received the official notification that his mother was about to return to the capital. His hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly, but he quickly resumed his composure and calmly said to the eunuch who came to report, "Understood. Instruct the relevant officials to prepare for the welcoming of the emperor according to regulations, and report all details to Father."

He has now learned to mention Xia Lin with a respect that is almost subservient, rather than with dependence or fear.

After breakfast, he went to his study as usual to handle government affairs. He was focused as he reviewed the memorials, as if the bewildered boy who had been slapped the night before was just an illusion.

As he flipped through a report on the spring plowing situation in Hexi Road, his pen paused for a moment, the calm face of his senior sister Xiao Wu flashing before his eyes. He took a deep breath, suppressed the distracting thoughts in his mind, and continued to focus on the words in front of him.

He knew his mother's return meant the real test was about to begin. He had to prove to her that he was capable of shouldering the responsibilities of the crown prince, and he also had to manage the complex relationships with his senior sister and the other noble ladies. His father's words from yesterday still echoed in his ears; he could not afford to make the slightest mistake.

Xia Lin's reaction to San Niang's return to the capital was much more subdued. He continued to spend his days either holed up in his room studying his map of the Western Regions, or changing into plain clothes and strolling out of the palace to mingle in the marketplace, listening to the common people's chaotic gossip, checking whether the prices in the East and West markets were stable, and occasionally taking a stroll near the soon-to-be-completed new Xianyang project.

Regarding the tedious rituals for welcoming the emperor, he simply told the Ministry of Rites, "Do whatever you need to do, don't bother me."

However, the undercurrents in Chang'an were becoming increasingly turbulent at this moment.

First, dozens of merchants who had secretly stockpiled goods in Chang'an City a few days ago were dragged out of bed in the early morning. Without even an interrogation, they were taken out and beheaded. Their heads were placed at the gate of the forces behind them, with a short inscription on them: "No more than three times."

Secondly, the Guanlong Group secretly colluded to try to create the impression in front of the Empress that the Crown Prince was "young and impulsive" and "easily swayed."

Following this, the gentry of Shandong and Jiangnan intensified their efforts, hoping to use this selection of concubines to expand their influence in the court.

Finally, spies from the Northern Han and Tibetan empires became much more active in Chang'an, closely monitoring this important change in the core of the Li Tang power structure.

In this atmosphere of impending doom, Xiao Wu remained secluded. After that day, she never again sought to see Li Zhi, spending her days reading and preparing medicine in her assigned side hall, or quietly gathering information about the events outside the palace through General Chen and others. She understood better than anyone what the Empress's return to the capital meant. This was not only a test for Li Zhi, but also a test for herself.

Ten days later, on a bright and sunny spring morning, outside the Zhuque Gate of Chang'an, banners fluttered and the ceremonial guard was solemn. Civil and military officials, dressed in court robes, stood solemnly along the road according to their rank. Crown Prince Li Zhi, dressed in the crown prince's robes, stood at the forefront of the imperial road, behind him were the prime ministers of the Council of State, headed by Changsun Wuji.

Xia Lin was still dressed in inconspicuous casual clothes, arms crossed, standing far behind the ranks of officials on a small earthen mound, squinting at the end of the official road.

At 3:45 AM, the imperial banner bearing the character "Li" finally appeared on the horizon, its golden mace and halberds gleaming. Under the escort of elite cavalry, it slowly made its way towards Chang'an.

The sound of hooves and wheels approached from afar, carrying an invisible pressure that instantly silenced the previously whispering welcoming procession. The aura surrounding the procession was undeniably powerful.

Li Zhi took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and stepped forward steadily.

The imperial carriage stopped a hundred paces away from the welcoming procession. The curtain was lifted by a palace maid, and a figure dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe stepped down steadily on a footstool.

Third Sister was still beautiful, but her face inevitably showed signs of vicissitude. Her gaze swept over the kneeling officials, past her bowing son, and finally over the crowd, landing precisely on the dog standing on the small mound with his arms crossed.

Third Sister cursed inwardly, feeling both amused and exasperated, before regaining her imperial composure and raising her hand in a gesture of support: "All of you, rise."

(End of this chapter)