Chang’an City — the streets.
Weiyuan Escort Agency.
“I’ve always heard the Weiyuan Escort Agency is renowned for its strength. You’ve never once failed to deliver a shipment.”
“Escort Chief Liu, if you can satisfy me today, this stack of three thousand silver taels is yours.”
Shi Lingkuan lounged arrogantly in a grand armchair, slapping a thick bundle of silver notes onto the table.
Escort Chief Liu was a well-built, middle-aged man of average height. His eyes lit up at the sight of the silver notes, and he slapped his chest confidently.
“Young Master Shi, rest assured. As long as the money is good, forget breaking one leg—even breaking three wouldn’t be a problem.”
Shi Lingkuan stood up and said, “Remember what I said—his carriage will pass White Tiger Street.”
“I’ll have the Xuanjia Guards who patrol that street withdrawn from Chongren Ward shortly. That’ll open the way for you.”
Escort Chief Liu nodded repeatedly. “Understood, understood. Don’t worry, Young Master Shi. There won’t be any mistakes.”
Shi Lingkuan waved his hand and walked off without looking back.
At the same time, inside Longde Hall of the palace, in the imperial study—
The Emperor of the Great Li Empire, Chen Yao, leaned over his desk, gazing at two poems written in flowing script. A thoughtful expression appeared on his face as he softly muttered to himself:
“Grapevine wine in luminous cups,
About to drink, but the pipa sounds from horseback rush me.
If I lie drunk on the battlefield, don’t laugh at me,
Since ancient times, how many soldiers ever return?”
“What a fine ‘Ballad of Liangzhou’.”
“In a strange land, I am but a lonely guest,
Festivals make me miss home the most.
Let’s share another cup of wine, my friend,
Beyond Yangguan, no old friends remain.”
“What a touching ‘Longing in a Foreign Land’.”
“Such talent, yet he is Wei Wuji’s son. Truly enviable.”
Chen Yao was past forty, with a scholarly and calm demeanor. Though refined, he looked pale and sickly, his lips were bloodless, and white hairs had crept into his temples. He looked like someone recovering from a long illness, occasionally letting out a dry cough.
He pressed his lips together as a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
“So young, yet already this brilliant. If left unchecked, how far will he rise in the future?”
“I must not let the tiger return to the mountains. Otherwise, the Great Li Empire will be in danger.”
“I must find a way to keep him in Chang’an permanently.”
What he didn’t know was that the exceptionally talented Prince Wei he spoke of was, in truth, a complete impostor.
Inside the Fortune and Longevity Palace—
The banquet had lasted for over two hours.
With Wei Ran’s two poems shining before them, though the sons and daughters of noble families were confident in their talents, they didn’t dare embarrass themselves by comparison.
Whenever the wine game reached them, they would come up with all kinds of excuses to avoid it. No one dared to show off, fearing they would ruin their own reputations.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager realized the game had lost its meaning. And since she had already tested Wei Ran’s talent, she gave the order to end the game. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Outside, the snow thickened as dusk approached.
At her command, the coming-of-age banquet concluded, and the young nobles began to leave one by one.
A palace maid whispered something into Wei Ran’s ear.
Only after the others had departed did Wei Ran rise and bow. “Your Majesty, you’ve asked me to stay. Is there something you wish to instruct me on?”
The Empress Dowager smiled kindly. “A few days ago, Gannan delivered some tribute oranges—sweet and refreshing. Come, take some back to the Prince’s Residence with me.”
Wei Ran initially wanted to decline, but on second thought, doing so might invite unnecessary gossip. So he followed her.
The two of them walked one after another out of the Fortune and Longevity Palace.
Their steps crunched over the thick snow with a crisp creaking sound.
Not far behind them, an old eunuch with a pale face and hunched back silently followed. He was thin and frail but carried an incredibly steady breath. Not only did his steps make no sound, but he left no footprints in the snow.
The Empress Dowager walked slowly, smiling gently as she spoke.
“Back when your father was in Chang’an, the late Emperor treated him like a son. Your father and His Majesty were as close as brothers.”
“In the blink of an eye, more than twenty years have passed. Everything is different now.”
“People change. They may appear content, but deep down, they always crave more—always seeking to rise higher and walk farther.”
“You came to Chang’an all alone to study. Your parents must be terribly worried.”
Wei Ran nodded. “It couldn’t be helped.”
The Empress Dowager sighed. “If your father heard your poem ‘Longing in a Foreign Land,’ he probably wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.”
Wei Ran sneered in his heart and secretly curled his lip.
That so-called father? Just a traitorous man who dreams of seizing the empire.
“Wei Ran, you’re only seventeen, yet you carry such weariness. That’s not how a young man should be.”
“You shouldn’t always stay cooped up in the Prince’s Residence. You should go out more.”
“The Imperial College is just a wall away from the palace. Once the new term begins, if you enroll, you must come visit the palace from time to time.”
“That way, I, this old woman, can at least do my part as an elder.”
Do her part as an elder?
Wei Ran was confused—how was she even considered family?
But soon, he realized what the Empress Dowager really meant.
She said, “Wener is still young. She’s lived in the palace all her life and lacks experience in the world. Her temperament can be a little impulsive.”
“But she is kind at heart and knows right from wrong.”
“Yes,” Wei Ran nodded.
The Empress Dowager smiled gently. “What do you think of Wener?”
Alarms blared in Wei Ran’s mind.
Was she trying to arrange a match?
Seeing his silence, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, “Just a casual question. If you don’t wish to answer, that’s fine.”
Wei Ran calmly replied, “Her Highness the Princess is exceptionally beautiful—undoubtedly a rare beauty in this world. I’m sure many admire her.”
“I am two years her senior and should see myself as an older brother.”
He emphasized the words “older brother” heavily—as if to remind the Empress Dowager that he only regarded Chen Wener as a younger sister.
Marry a princess?
Although the thought had crossed Wei Ran’s mind, it was nothing more than a fantasy.
No matter how stunning Chen Wener was, he dared not overstep.
If the Empress Dowager pushed the Emperor to bestow a marriage, and this news reached Wei Wuji, he might immediately dispose of Wei Ran, the impostor, and send his real son to marry the princess instead.
A matter this sensitive was far too dangerous for Wei Ran.
The Empress Dowager slowly nodded.
“By the way, you’ve been in Chang’an for half a month now, but haven’t visited your aunt yet, have you?”
Aunt…?
Wei Ran’s face showed utter confusion. Since when did he have an aunt?
Prince Min and his confidants had never mentioned such a person.
If she were real, he certainly wouldn’t be feeling sleepy now.
Seeing his reaction, the Empress Dowager sighed. “Well, that’s understandable.”
“Your parents and your aunt have long-standing resentment. That sort of thing can’t be resolved overnight. It makes sense that they haven’t told you.”
Wei Ran asked with interest, “Father and Mother never mentioned it. Since Your Majesty brings it up, why not tell me the full story?”
“Perhaps… I could be the one to help them make peace?”
At this moment, Wei Ran couldn’t hide his excitement.
What luck! A blood feud between sisters? If he could further inflame this conflict, wouldn’t that give him another powerful ally?
If Prince Min’s family turned on itself, the chaos would be spectacular.
The Empress Dowager nodded. “You’re right. Perhaps you truly could be the one to reconcile your mother and aunt.”
And so, the tale began to unfold from her mouth.
As a listener, Wei Ran couldn’t help but revel in it—this was just too good.