Chapter Twenty-Two: Intersection

Seated in a clean, spacious, and bright room at the inn, Prince Qi naturally occupied the place of honor, with Princess Huairou standing beside him, her face full of pride. She kept throwing meaningful glances at Yang Lian.

Although Yang Lian was technically the host, the disparity in their status meant he could only sit at the lower seat to the prince’s left. The attendant had already prepared, bringing steaming hot tea. Yang Lian did not rush to speak; Prince Qi coming to him surely had a deeper purpose. After all, a prince never came for simple matters.

Yang Lian could maintain his composure, but Princess Huairou could not. She reached out her delicate fingers and secretly tugged at Prince Qi Li Jingsui’s robe. Li Jingsui initially tried to ignore her, but after two tugs, he could no longer restrain himself. He lifted his teacup and cleared his throat. “My daughter is willful and unruly. This journey has caused trouble for many people. Fortunately, Yang the Righteous came to her rescue. Otherwise…” He did not finish his sentence, but everyone knew the consequences of being captured by the people of Wu and Yue. Such a disgrace would have shamed the imperial family of the Great Tang.

Yang Lian remained silent, knowing Li Jingsui had more to say. As expected, after a brief pause, Li Jingsui spoke again.

“I noticed your accent, Yang the Righteous—are you not a native of Jiangnan?” he asked.

Yang Lian clasped his hands and smiled, “Prince Qi, you are astute. I am from Guanzhong. A few years ago, chaos ravaged Guanzhong; people were so desperate they ate clay for sustenance. The situation was truly unbearable. Only then did I escape. I have been to Chu, and spent some time in the Kingdom of Wu and Yue.” As he spoke, Yang Lian glanced at Prince Qi, gauging his expression.

“Oh?” Li Jingsui was momentarily surprised, then said with a smile, “Yang the Righteous, you have traveled the world. I envy you greatly.” Though he held a lofty position, that very status limited his freedom. Apart from visits to places like Jinling and Jiangdu, he had only heard of other lands, never seen them himself.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Yang Lian replied with a smile.

The two conversed for some time, never touching on the main topic. Yang Lian was in no hurry. Though Li Jingsui was anxious for help, he needed to be cautious; Yang Lian was a newcomer to Jinling, and no matter how urgent Li Jingsui felt, he could not trust him so easily.

Still, Li Jingsui felt he had gained much. Yang Lian’s fluent Guanzhong dialect, though somewhat hard to follow, confirmed his origins. After speaking in Guanzhong dialect, Yang Lian switched to Jiangnan speech, which pleased Li Jingsui even more. This young man had remarkable learning ability.

Princess Huairou’s feelings were conflicted. On one hand, she hoped Yang Lian would be rewarded; on the other, she worried that serving as a household retainer in Prince Qi’s mansion might be beneath him. Her heart was uneasy.

Yang Lian and Li Jingsui chatted idly, mostly about local customs. Yang Lian, being a man of two lives, had read a fair number of books despite his previous incarnation as a wastrel; in this life, he was already a scholar. His conversation was witty and insightful, impressing Li Jingsui greatly.

Li Jingsui stroked his beard. He had thought Yang Lian just a martial man, but found him well-versed in many areas, making him all the more eager to recruit him. Yet he wondered how much Yang Lian understood the court’s situation.

“Mr. Yang, your talents are exceptional. I admire you. Now that you’re in Jinling, do you have lodgings? If you do not mind humble quarters, would you care to stay at Prince Qi’s mansion for a few days?” Li Jingsui smiled, subtly hinting at his intentions.

Princess Huairou rolled her eyes, biting her lip. Was this scoundrel really being praised by her father? Even his title had changed! Not only Princess Huairou found it unbelievable; the household retainers nearby were equally shocked. Their prince, of such status, was inviting a commoner to reside at the mansion—unthinkable!

But what surprised them even more was Yang Lian’s response. He stood, clasped his hands, and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I have already purchased a residence in Jinling.”

“You just arrived in Jinling and already bought a house?” Li Jingsui was taken aback. If he had a house, why stay at the Laifu Inn?

“Indeed.” Yang Lian smiled broadly. “The innkeeper here is so generous, with more money than he can spend, so he sold me this old inn for two copper coins.”

Li Jingsui’s mouth dropped open. He could not believe such a large inn was worth only two coins! Princess Huairou, recalling Yang Lian’s beating of Li Xiongxin, pursed her lips; he was clearly lying. He had threatened Li Xiongxin and seized the inn. But Princess Huairou, not one for conventions and with no fondness for Li Xiongxin, would not expose him.

“Ah, fate is shallow,” Li Jingsui sighed.

Yang Lian smiled faintly. Li Jingsui had already shown his attitude; Yang Lian’s polite refusal was his bottom line. After striking a blow, he offered a sweet word: “When I was in Wu and Yue, I heard that Prince Qi was benevolent, a wise ruler.”

Li Jingsui’s expression changed. “Sir, do not speak so recklessly.”

“Though I am new to Jinling, I have heard His Majesty intends to appoint Prince Qi as crown prince. This realm, in time, will be yours. Is that not so?” Yang Lian said, half-smiling, watching Prince Qi.

Li Jingsui frowned and sighed deeply. “The title of Imperial Brother is not worth pursuing.”

“That cannot be! I want to be a princess,” Princess Huairou interjected, her face displeased. Though her rank was not low, there was a world of difference between princess and county princess.

Li Jingsui paused, while Yang Lian clapped and laughed. “Prince Qi is truly carefree. That position—how many have dreamed of it? Throughout history, how many have fought for it? The famous Emperor Taizong of Tang seized the throne through the Xuanwu Gate Incident, ascending as a wise ruler.”

Everyone knew the history of early Tang; the Li Bian family, claiming descent from the Li Tang line, was no exception. Li Jingsui, well-read, understood all too well the intrigue and struggles of those times. It was precisely because he understood that, being weak-willed, he wanted no part in royal conflicts. If the Duke of Dongping wanted to be crown prince, so be it; Li Jingsui had no intention of competing. Yet His Majesty suppressed the Duke of Dongping, refusing even to grant him a princely title. Naturally, the Duke blamed Li Jingsui.

Yang Lian deliberately brought up the Xuanwu Gate Incident to warn Li Jingsui that royal succession was often ruthless. Whatever one thought of Li Shimin’s merits and faults, his actions at Xuanwu Gate—destroying the households of Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince Qi Li Yuanji—were enough to make Li Jingsui vigilant.

Indeed, Li Jingsui grew heavier in heart. He had witnessed his father depose the previous emperor and then kill him. Of course, the official story was abdication or death by illness—such pretexts had always been used. The old crown prince Yang Lian, sharing the same name as the man before him, had been murdered, though he survived at first. Soon after, palace guards finished the job.

The late emperor made a show of things, gave Yang Lian a grand burial, even visited the tomb to ensure he was truly dead. Only then was he at ease.

Unfortunately, Yang Lian’s wife, Princess Yongxing, caused a scene after her husband’s death, then passed away herself, making Li Jingsui deeply moved.

His thoughts drifted far afield. Li Jingsui quickly pulled himself back, feigning calm as he looked at Yang Lian. “Sir, you exaggerate. In the Great Tang, we rule by reason. Such things could never happen.”

Yang Lian did not reply, leisurely sipping his tea. Li Jingsui would never believe such words, nor would Yang Lian. He simply did not bother to expose the truth.

Yang Lian remained silent, sipping tea with a half-smile. Li Jingsui became uneasy; to him, Yang Lian seemed unfathomable.

“What do you think I should do, then?” Li Jingsui asked.

Yang Lian smiled slightly. “Prince Qi, may I ask you a question?”

“Please, sir,” Li Jingsui replied, very courteous.

“Is a sword better in the hands of your enemy, or in your own?” Yang Lian asked calmly.

“Of course, it’s better in your own hand. Only a fool would give his weapon to the enemy,” Princess Huairou, unable to get a word in for some time, quickly answered.

Yang Lian said nothing, simply looking at Li Jingsui. The answer was clear; Princess Huairou had already given it.

Li Jingsui tapped the table thoughtfully. He had to admit his daughter was right. Power in Southern Wu had slipped away, allowing the Great Tang to take over. In history, those who controlled the military often founded new dynasties, especially in times of turmoil. The Northern and Southern Dynasties, and now, were proof.

Li Jingsui seemed to understand. He rose, clasped his hands to Yang Lian, and smiled. “A single conversation with you is worth ten years of study. I am enlightened, though regret remains.”

Princess Huairou asked curiously, “Father, regret for what?”

“With Mr. Yang’s talent, he should not be wasted here. If you wish, I would recommend you for an official post in the court,” Li Jingsui sighed, then turned to Yang Lian.

Princess Huairou looked at Yang Lian, hoping he would accept.

But Yang Lian only clasped his hands and smiled. “Your Highness is too kind. I appreciate your offer, but I am unrestrained by nature and fear I am not suited to the officialdom.”

Li Jingsui sighed softly, as if he had expected this answer. Still, Yang Lian had resolved his doubts, which was something.

Yang Lian added, “It is a pity that we met so late, Your Highness. If you do not mind my humble status, perhaps you could consult me if you have matters to discuss.”

The two men were not far apart in age; Li Jingsui found Yang Lian very agreeable and was delighted. “If you feel this way, so do I!” he said, taking a token from his robe. “This is the Prince Qi mansion’s gold token. You may visit me at any time.”

Princess Huairou worried that this odd fellow might refuse, but her concern was unfounded. Yang Lian clasped his hands and said, “Your Highness, your sincere goodwill—how could I fail to accept?”

He reached for the gold token. “Thank you, Your Highness.”