IDWBE -Chapter 417 The Contest

Under Twelfth Prince’s gaze, Tang Yi embarrassedly wiped the corner of his eyes, then sighed, “Everyone wants to treat heaven and earth as a chessboard, and all living beings as their pieces, vying endlessly, heroes and strongmen fighting to the death. Yet they fail to realize that they themselves are just a pawn. How tragic, how lamentable.”

After saying this, he sat back in his chair, holding his teacup, eyes half-closed, and fell silent.

Twelfth Prince pondered for a moment and said, “No, Grandfather, you’re deliberately deceiving me, aren’t you? I am your biological grandson—what gain could you have from tricking me like this?”

Tang Yi, seeing Twelfth Prince’s tone of resentment, looked puzzled. “Prince, why would you say that? I speak nothing but the truth; I dare not deceive you. If there’s something you wish to say, just speak plainly.”

Twelfth Prince smiled. “Father commanded He Jin to slaughter the entire Princess’s household, including the children barely learning to walk. This isn’t a secret in court. The Eldest Princess hated Father to the bone, even wishing to kill every member of the royal family. Everyone knows this! At that time, Tang Xun was serving as the Officer of the Five Armies, naturally more prominent than any Tang Clan head. How could he possibly contend with Tang Que? There was no reason for the Silent Illumination Abbey to kill him!”

“Haha,” Tang Yi suddenly laughed heartily. “So it is this you doubt. But you must understand, the head of the Batang Sect isn’t just a sect head. You and I are close kin. If you’re willing to listen, I would risk even this old life to tell you the pivotal details.”

“Enough!”

Twelfth Prince hastily interjected. “No need. I know, but it won’t help.”

He thought of the legendary Silent Illumination Abbey treasury. He was not completely ignorant of palace affairs, especially the relationship between Princess Le Ling and the Abbey’s treasury.

If the rumors were true, Tang Xun, as the Eldest Princess’s consort, if he really became the head of the Batang Sect—both wealthy and powerful—neither the Abbey nor his father would be happy to see it.

“Wise indeed, Prince,” Tang Yi stood, bowing again. “But there is one matter you may know without harm. The night before His Majesty’s enthronement, Jing Kuan entered the palace without the Emperor’s permission. Ten days later, someone reported Tang Xun’s secret plot of rebellion. He Jin personally led troops to surround the Princess’s residence. Although the Princess was extraordinarily talented, at the time she hadn’t even reached Sixth Rank, let alone Grandmaster. But unlike Tang Xun, she was Ninth Rank! In the past, Nie Youdao’s sword struck fear into gods and ghosts. If Tang Xun wanted to leave Ankang City, who could stop him? A Ninth Rank isn’t something ordinary men can resist. Even the palace guards, though many were skilled, might only have stopped the Eldest Princess. But to detain my brother Tang Xun was a fool’s dream!”

Twelfth Prince guessed, “Liu Chaoyuan? He’s a Grandmaster; surely he could hold back a Ninth Rank.”

The only palace experts he could think of were Liu Chaoyuan and Wen Zhaoyi. Wen Zhaoyi had long resided in the cold palace and probably wouldn’t interfere. Liu Chaoyuan was a major suspect!

“Prince, wrong!”

Tang Yi’s voice was filled with hatred. “It was Jing Kuan. The only one who could restrain Tang Xun was Jing Kuan.”

Shaking his head, Tang Yi said, “At that time, Liu Chaoyuan was only Ninth Rank. With his skills, restraining my brother was impossible. Wen Zhaoyi had no reason to kill him; we had no conflicts with her.”

Twelfth Prince curiously asked, “So you and the Eldest Princess never personally saw the one who killed Tang Xun’s brother?”

That is, his honorary great-uncle! He could never have imagined that his maternal great-uncle was from the Batang Sect, and that he would be entangled with them in his lifetime!

Surely his mother knew, but why never told him? If he had known earlier, could he have had an ally, avoiding the predicament he now faced?

“That’s right. Everything then was speculation. But in Ankang City, aside from Jing Kuan of Silent Illumination Abbey, no one could have killed Tang Xun!”

Tang Yi spoke with absolute certainty. “If not for Jing Kuan, even if he wanted to leave, no one could stop him in Ankang City!”

Twelfth Prince thought for a moment, unwilling to further press the issue; there was no benefit. And he tried to suppress his curiosity, knowing that the more he learned, the more troubles would arise.

Pouring himself another cup of tea, he asked, “Grandfather, are you also Ninth Rank?”

In recent days, he had heard his elder brother speak of Ninth Rank and Grandmasters as if they were common. But seeing Tang Yi in front of him now, he was faintly shocked!

Ninth Rank, really that common?

This frail, aged man didn’t look like a Ninth Rank at all. Could he be deceiving him?

He himself was almost at Seventh Rank Peak, yet felt nothing.

“Prince.” Tang Yi suddenly straightened, lifting his head. His aura spread, causing the tea in the cups to bubble. In the hot summer, wisps of steam rose.

“Sir.”

Lai Kuan stumbled and fell to the ground, blood slowly seeping from the corner of his mouth.

“Stop!”

The Prince of Yong’an pressed one hand to his chest, the other on the table, and exclaimed, “I can’t take it!”

Tang Yi lowered his head, cupping his hands, “I humbly accept.”

“Ninth Rank!”

Twelfth Prince exclaimed in shock. “You truly are Ninth Rank! Does the Batang Sect have some unique technique? Are you and Tang Que and Tang Xun all Ninth Rank?”

“I was slow and clumsy, only reached Ninth Rank ten years ago,” Tang Yi suddenly sighed. “I couldn’t even withstand three breaths from those two fools in the Prince’s mansion. I have no face calling myself Ninth Rank.”

“Cui Gensheng and Yu Xiao were already Ninth Rank Peak,” Twelfth Prince laughed. “Apparently, just one step from Grandmaster. My elder brother was right—we were too ignorant to know how many Ninth Rank and Grandmasters exist. Maybe they really are as common as cabbages.”

“You overpraise, Prince. Cultivation is hard. Even ignoring the Sanhe people in Ankang City, finding those above Fifth Rank is rare,” Tang Yi smiled. “And that’s before considering Ninth Rank and Grandmasters. Prince, remember, Silent Illumination Abbey has only three Grandmasters.”

“True,” Twelfth Prince nodded. “Chunshan City has only one, but I heard the city lord has sealed the mountain gates, forbidding any disciples from walking below.”

“I’ve heard something of that too,” Tang Yi replied.

“Go down now,” Twelfth Prince glanced at Lai Kuan, still wiping blood from his mouth. “Rest well. Tomorrow morning, take my document to the Zongren Mansion, then bring the Princess to school.”

“Yes.”

Lai Kuan, holding his chest, looked at Tang Yi, then carefully left.

After the storm, the sun rose, making the heat even more oppressive.

Lin Yi rode his donkey out of the city, ignoring all advice, barefoot, heading toward the river.

Yesterday he had missed his chance. Today, he would seek revenge.

“Prince.”

Once Lin Yi had set up his fishing rod and sat, Jiao Zhong brought him freshly brewed tea.

Sniffing it and ensuring no fishy smell, Lin Yi accepted the pot, blowing away floating leaves. “So early in the morning, what are the military officers up to? Such a mess?”

Jiao Zhong smiled. “A while back, Lord Xie Zan led men from the Military Department to Jizhou. These men aren’t like our Sanhe troops—halfway through, they lost formation and got lost. Those who returned now must report to the Military Department; without official papers, they’re deserters and must be punished.”

Lin Yi laughed. “Xie Zan’s tactic is clever. I’ve long wanted to deal with these old rascals. Order this: if they behave, lighten their punishment. Preferably, no bloodshed.”

“Wise, Prince.”

Lin Yi thought for a moment. “Did the Princess Consort send anything to the Heshun Junwang Mansion yesterday?”

Jiao Zhong replied, “I personally delivered—100 taels of silver, three rolls of silk, half a portion of pork, and two boxes of preserved fruits.”

Lin Yi asked, “How many times this month?”

“Three,” Jiao Zhong said without hesitation.

“Hmph,” Lin Yi said irritably, “They eat my food, drink my wine, yet still act so arrogant toward me?”

Jiao Zhong nervously smiled, not daring to respond—any answer would be wrong.

Lin Yi sighed. “Alas, I cannot refuse. The child in her womb is mine. She is the child’s mother. Anger her, and the child might suffer—too costly. Living is hard, very hard.”

“Prince, a few days ago, Lord He Jixiang suggested you hold a selection…”

Jiao Zhong cautiously handed Lin Yi his tea cup and refilled it.

He disapproved. The entire Great Liang Kingdom was already in the Prince’s hands! Everything could be done according to his will. No one could oppose him—not even a mere woman!

He felt the Prince spoiled Hu Miaoyi too much. If dissatisfied, one could simply replace her—why keep someone causing trouble near him?

As for the child in her womb, that was simple: if kept, assign a few maids; once born, bring the child over. If not wanted, let another girl bear the child.

Once the Prince decrees, girls can be recruited from north to south city, all eager to bear children. His thinking is beyond ordinary comprehension.

“Selection?”

Lin Yi’s eyes brightened, rubbing his chin. “Not impossible.”

“Prince,” Jiao Zhong hurried, “I’ll send orders to Lord He immediately.”

“Stop,” Lin Yi snapped, “My selection—why get excited?”

Jiao Zhong felt wronged. He was only a Guard Captain. Why worry when the Prince himself wasn’t worried?

Indeed, the emperor not worried, the eunuchs worried!

Lin Yi waved his hand. “Calm. Such matters cannot be rushed. Too many women, trouble will follow.”

He was a man who avoided complications. Too many women, love stories turn into palace intrigue.

Even one woman, one mansion, might lead to tragedy. He was soft-hearted and shortsighted, unable to see disaster.

Without full preparation, he would not house a horde of women together.

More importantly, although greedy and lustful, he had no intention to be responsible to everyone he liked. Economics forbade it!

If he married every woman he liked, why the need for brothels?

“Prince,” Jiao Zhong still didn’t understand. More women meant the only problem was remembering who was who.

And many children—names would be lost.

“Try it?” he persisted.

“Try?”

Lin Yi glared. “Using others’ lives as an experiment? Too irresponsible. Do you have a sister? Try her then?”

Jiao Zhong knelt, exclaiming, “Thank you, Prince!”

He had no sister. But for wealthy families, who didn’t have a few illegitimate sisters?

The guards looked at Jiao Zhong enviously. He would become the Prince’s brother-in-law? Incredible luck!

“You insolent wretch,” Lin Yi scolded, “How dare you joke with me!”

Jiao Zhong hurriedly said, “If the Prince favors them, it is their luck and fortune!”

“Go!”

Lin Yi impatiently waved him off.

He was helpless. These people were serious.

But thinking carefully, it made sense—a commoner girl rising to become the most important woman in Great Liang Kingdom was indeed meteoric!

“Yes.”

Jiao Zhong smiled awkwardly and left.

Lin Yi sat by the river, fishing.

Soon, he caught several carp. By noon, the bucket was full.

It had been a long time since such a haul. Not wanting to return yet, he said, “We won’t go back for lunch—let’s grill the fish here.”

As he spoke, the guards began preparing.

Lin Yi casually ate and fished until sunset.

Mosquitoes became active, buzzing like flies around humans and animals.

The donkey, bothered, waded into the water, leaving only its head exposed.

Suddenly, a faint, melodious singing drifted to him, soothing and clear.

Curious, he looked up—a wooden boat seemed to emerge from the sunset, approaching him.

“These people harvest lotus roots and water caltrops,”

Jiao Zhong came over, gesturing. “A bag this large can sell for one copper coin.”

“The singing is good.”

Lin Yi was completely immersed in the clear voice.

“Prince,” Jiao Zhong cautiously said, “Shall I call her over for you to question?”

“None of your concern. Step back,” Lin Yi said, then cupped his hands like a trumpet and shouted, “Miss! How much for water caltrops? Weigh me about ten pounds!”

Jiao Zhong signaled the guards—this was an ordinary fisherwoman, no danger. They needed only observe quietly.