Chapter 24

Li Er and his wife left Li Kuan's courtyard, walking back in silence. Changsun silently observed her husband, who had always been calm and composed no matter what happened, now appeared somewhat flustered, something she had never seen before.

Changsun couldn't help but quicken her steps, catch up to Li Er, and hold his hand, wanting to comfort him and let him know that no matter what happened, she would be by his side.

"Guanyinbi, isn't it strange that I seemed so timid when I heard that Kuan learned strange knowledge in his dreams? Is it very different from the Li Shimin you know?" Li Er turned to look at his wife, sighing slightly.

"Second Brother, it seems there is something difficult to speak of. I dare not speculate rashly," Changsun, a wise woman, knew that men sometimes kept secrets to themselves, not telling anyone, no matter how close or trusted.

"Actually, I have heard of such things before, but the outcome of that incident still makes me shudder when I think about it! I have been through countless battles and emerged from piles of corpses, but I do not wish to recall those days!" Although Li Er said he did not want to recall, he still revealed it to Changsun.

"Such an incident occurred during the Sui Dynasty. The crown prince, Yang Yong, who was supposed to ascend the throne, mysteriously disappeared, and the throne fell to Emperor Yang Guang. The one who benefited from this situation was Emperor Yang Guang. Otherwise, how could the second prince, who was originally gentle, change so much afterward! The construction of the Grand Canal and the eastern expedition to Goguryeo were two actions that Emperor Yang Guang carried out despite the protests of all the ministers. These two actions ultimately led to the downfall of the Sui Dynasty." Li Er revealed a secret he had kept for two or three years.

"How could that be!" Changsun was also surprised that Emperor Yang Guang had also received guidance from a mysterious person in his dreams.

"About this, I cannot say for sure whether it is true or false. It is only recorded in a miscellaneous journal, but the place where this journal appeared was under the floor tiles in Emperor Yang Guang's bedroom, so it is hard to deny." Li Er, regardless of whether his wife could accept it, spoke freely. He had kept this secret for too long, and it was almost suffocating him. But he had never found anyone to confide in, not even daring to speak. It was only tonight, when he heard a similar story about his son, that he finally told his closest woman.

"If that's the case, then Yang Guang is actually like Er Lang? What will happen to Er Lang in the future..." Changsun dared not think further, as the consequences were truly terrifying.

"I don't know what to do either. Should we just give up on Kuan?" A flash of killing intent crossed Li Er's face.

"No, he is Shao Hua's child. If we give up on him because of these baseless claims, I would feel very uneasy." Changsun opposed. She did not know if Li Kuan was like Emperor Yang Guang, but Li Kuan had not shown any signs of trouble yet. Should they give up on the child just because of a guess? Moreover, although Li Kuan had been acting somewhat peculiar lately, he showed no signs of cruelty. He was even very friendly to his siblings, and Lizhi had almost become Li Kuan's little shadow.

"Second Brother, is there any other way?" Changsun still held out hope.

"Actually, there are many examples of such dream transmissions in the Tang Dynasty, but they are all as elusive as legends. The most real one I have encountered is Emperor Yang Guang. However, there are legends of such transmissions in both Daoist and Buddhist traditions. Perhaps we can send people to Dragon Tiger Mountain, Mount Putuo, and other Daoist and Buddhist holy sites to inquire." Li Er did not want to give up on Li Kuan. He even had a different affection for Li Kuan, due to the feelings left by that woman.

"Then let's do that! After all, Er Lang is still young. If we keep him away from the corrupt politics, he might become a great academic master!" Changsun consoled herself. She knew that in a family like theirs, staying away from politics was impossible. It was just a wish, hoping that heaven would not play such a trick. Otherwise, they might have to take some measures.

"Let's do that!" Li Er held Changsun's hand and slowly walked back to their courtyard.

If Li Kuan knew that his fabricated story had such a coincidence, would he not be shocked to death!

After Li Er and his wife returned to their room, they did not go to sleep. People like them always had endless things to do. The two of them began to handle their respective affairs under the dim candlelight.

Changsun looked at the list of items Li Er had brought back. She did not expect that her husband had brought back quite a few good things: fifteen pelts of purple lambs from the grasslands, enough to make several fur coats for the young boys. There were also three white wolf pelts, but one was noted as already given to the eunuch Huang Gonggong, who had delivered the imperial edict.

"Second Brother, why are you still giving gifts to these eunuchs? Didn't you strongly oppose it last time? When I sent some money to the palace, you were furious!" Changsun was puzzled. Li Er's personality was one that could not tolerate any impurities. When the Tang Dynasty was first established, Li Er was almost driven to a dead end by the Crown Prince and Prince Qi, but he did not seek help from Li Yuan. If it were not for Changsun bribing the eunuchs to speak on his behalf to Li Yuan, the brothers might have already been at war.

"About this..." Li Er was a bit embarrassed. Last time, he had scolded Changsun for this, but now he was caught by her.

"Actually, this matter goes back to the beginning, to the thing we talked about on the way back. Once, when I returned to the capital to pay respects to Father, I waited for his audience in the palace where Emperor Yang Guang once lived. I noticed that one of the floor tiles had a slightly different color. I was very curious, and even though I usually would not pursue such things, this time was different. A voice in my heart kept urging me to lift that tile and see what was underneath." Li Er seemed particularly reflective tonight, perhaps due to the intense emotions of the day.

"Lifting it, I found two small books. One recorded the story of Emperor Yang Guang receiving knowledge in his dreams, and the other was something even more shocking to me." Li Er did not expect that his curiosity would lead him to discover such significant secrets, which he had never dared to tell anyone.

"What was it?" Changsun, being wise, knew that since Li Er had started talking, he would tell her. A good listener should respond appropriately to the speaker. So she timely asked what she wanted to know.

"It was a group of people living in darkness, seeking a way out for themselves. They engaged in the most despicable tasks in the darkest places and often met tragic ends. To have a better future and not end up like their predecessors, who were left destitute in their old age, they formed an alliance! Such an alliance left me at a loss. They are so ordinary that you can hardly notice them." Li Er looked in the direction of the palace, as if a huge creature was lurking there, waiting for the right moment to extend its claws.

"You mean there is an alliance in the palace?" Changsun stood up and looked at the palace, which was still brightly lit.

"Yes, Father and we have never paid attention to the fate of the old eunuchs and palace maids after they leave the palace. Their situation is truly pitiful. They have served the royal family all their lives and know nothing else. When they grow old, they are expelled from the palace and end up as beggars or prostitutes." After obtaining the books, Li Er began to pay attention, and he was shocked to find out how miserable their lives were after leaving the palace.

"Why didn't you tell Father about this?" Changsun was puzzled.

"Telling Father would be useless. I am sure that such books were not only obtained by me but also by Father, the Crown Prince, and others." Li Er said with certainty.

"Then why hasn't anyone spoken up?" Changsun was even more puzzled. How could such a situation be ignored!

"It's not that no one wants to act, but it's impossible to act! The country is not yet at peace, and the imperial treasury is empty. Even ten thousand taels of silver are hard to come by for the Ministry of Revenue, let alone the Inner Treasury, which can only afford up to five thousand taels. The military campaigns have drained the national treasury, leaving no spare funds for such matters!" Li Er was well aware of how poor the seemingly vast empire was.

"So, this alliance has continued to exist and grow stronger. Now, any movement in the palace cannot escape its notice, and there are many of its informants in the various princely palaces. To prevent this alliance from siding with the Crown Prince, we must also show them goodwill. Now, the struggle between the Crown Prince and my Heavenly Strategy Mansion is at its peak, and we cannot afford any mistakes. Even if it means showing goodwill to a eunuch against our will, it is insignificant in the face of the bigger picture!" Li Er explained.

"What is the name of this organization?" Changsun asked.

"The Despicable Ones!"

While Li Er and Changsun were discussing, on the other side, in the Crown Prince's palace, Li Jiancheng and Prince Qi Li Yuanji were also gathered to discuss.

"Brother, why didn't you give that woman a lesson before Li Er returned?" Prince Qi was very ugly, making people doubt whether he was really Li Yuan and Dou's child. Li Yuan was considered handsome, and Dou was a rare beauty, yet they produced such an ugly man: a bulbous nose, large ears, and two big yellow teeth. Li Yuan's restraint in not drowning him in a chamber pot at birth was truly remarkable.

"Do you want me to exterminate the Qin王府 completely? Not to mention how Father would react, even Changsun's sister is not someone to be underestimated; she is very resourceful!" Li Jiancheng had a beard, but only a goatee.