IDWBE – Chapter 6 The Eccentric Prince

The capital of Liang, Ankang, was laid out in perfect squares. From high above, it looked like a chessboard.

Most streets ran straight, with very few diagonal lanes. The roads leading to the city gates were the widest, serving as the main arteries of the city.

Lin Yi wobbled along on his donkey. As soon as he reached the broad avenue leading to the South Gate, he sensed something strange.

The wide road was much cleaner than usual. Not a single person stood in the center.

Instead, crowds were squeezed tightly along both sides. Even the nearby shops were packed to the brim. People craned their necks toward the city gate, while soldiers from the South Gate Military Office held shields and iron spears to maintain order.

Just as he was wondering what was going on, a middle-aged man wearing a blue cloth cuirass, a bamboo hat, and flat official boots stepped forward and bowed.

“Greetings, Prince He.”

“Oh! Commander Zhang—long time no see. I’ve missed you greatly!”

Lin Yi recognized him immediately. It was Zhang Mian, Deputy Commander of the Ankang Military Command, in charge of the South Gate. His responsibilities were equivalent to overseeing the fire brigade, police, city management, and sanitation—in short, he was the top authority around the South Gate.

Lin Yi couldn’t help wondering: isn’t he hot dressed like that?

“Your Highness jests.” Zhang Mian’s lips twitched slightly.

Hadn’t they just met the day before yesterday?

“For today,” Zhang added with a forced smile, “General Yuan Qing returns in triumph with his army. His Majesty has ordered the Crown Prince and officials of the Six Ministries to welcome him. The streets are cleared by imperial decree.”

“Who?” Lin Yi blinked.

“Your Highness,” Hong Ying explained quietly, “General Yuan Qing returns victorious today. His Majesty has commanded the Crown Prince to lead the officials in greeting him.”

“What? My uncle’s returning?” Lin Yi burst out angrily. “Xiao Yingzi, something this big—and you didn’t inform me? That’s my own uncle!”

His mother, Noble Consort Yuan, came from a military family. The renowned Duke Pillar of the State, Yuan Ang, was her father.

And the illustrious General Who Pacifies the North and Governor of the Northern Frontier, Yuan Qing—holder of immense military power—was her elder brother.

If Lin Yi truly wanted to compete for the throne, he actually had the qualifications. In terms of military backing, no one could rival him.

Having no background was truly tragic.

Take the Second Prince, Prince Pingchuan. His birth mother had died early, the old emperor paid him little attention, and his maternal family was weak. He had no one to rely on.

After deciding to vie for the throne, he trained in the army from a young age. Though still young, he had already reached the eighth rank in martial arts. Capable, humble, and socially adept, he won the hearts of the troops.

Seeing his abilities, the emperor enfeoffed him to Chuan Prefecture in the southwest—a region constantly harassed by barbarian tribes.

The Second Prince always led from the front.

In one campaign, he was surrounded by three enemy masters. Exhausted, he was trampled to death by a war elephant driven by the enemy.

When his remains were sent back to the capital, Lin Yi—only five at the time—had gone to look.

It was unbearable to behold.

Even now, recalling it left him with lingering psychological scars.

That was when he realized: fighting for the throne required risking your life.

He didn’t like hardship. He couldn’t endure suffering.

Better to leave such opportunities to others.

As a result, the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, and others treated him with exceptional warmth.

They all hoped Lin Yi would stand on their side. With him came the potential support of the powerful Yuan family.

Yet herein lay the contradiction: if Lin Yi grew too close to his maternal relatives, the Crown Prince and the others might not tolerate him.

Even the old emperor would cast “concerned” glances his way.

He couldn’t afford to offend anyone.

As for his maternal clan—he could only keep his distance.

“Your Highness, this servant knows his fault,” Hong Ying said bitterly.

He had clearly informed him!

At the time, the Prince had responded: He’s coming back? So what? Don’t disturb my sleep over such trivial matters.

Zhang Mian shot Hong Ying a sympathetic look.

Prince He was famously troublesome in the capital—cursing the Commander of the Secret Guards, beating up the Prime Minister’s son Qi Zhong in the street. There was nothing he didn’t dare to do.

A scholar once passing through the capital to take the imperial exam had even composed a verse:

“Of all the strange blossoms in full splendor,
Only Prince He stands alone upon the branch.”

The poem was still widely circulated.

Whenever Prince He caused trouble in the South District, Zhang Mian had to clean it up.

Of course, he never dealt with the Prince directly—he negotiated through Hong Ying.

And he knew Hong Ying well: cautious, meticulous, leaving no loose ends.

There was no way Hong Ying, as chief steward of Prince He’s residence, would forget such crucial news.

“Knowing one’s mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue—but…” Lin Yi said gravely, “death penalty waived, but punishment remains. Copy books one hundred times when we return! Study hard! Without education, you can’t do anything properly!”

“Thank you, Your Highness!” Hong Ying’s joy was unmistakable.

Before entering the palace as a eunuch, his family had been destitute. He had never attended school and could not read a single character.

After coming to Prince He’s side, the Prince had taught Princess Huaiyang her literacy—and casually taught him as well.

Once he became literate, he often helped copy the Prince’s self-written novels to amuse the princess.

But since the Prince established his own residence two years ago, no one entered the study freely anymore.

Not even the chief steward.

Recently, he knew the Prince was writing a book—but he didn’t know what.

Only once had he overheard the Prince muttering:

“I finally finished Investiture of the Gods. ‘When the eyes see not, the soul resides in the liver; when the ears hear not, the essence resides in the kidneys; when the tongue speaks not, the spirit resides in the heart; when the nose smells not, the corporeal soul resides in the lungs; when the limbs move not, the intent resides in the spleen—thus called the Five Qi Returning to the Origin.’ Such a tongue-twister, and I memorized it perfectly. I’m a genius!”

The speaker had meant nothing by it—but the listener had taken it to heart.

Three days later, Hong Ying felt different.

He couldn’t explain how.

He had never had a master, never roamed the martial world. He didn’t even know his own rank.

But when facing Liu Chaoyuan, a grandmaster among the palace enforcers, he no longer trembled with fear.

Now, being punished to copy texts meant another chance to enter the study.

If he could glimpse this Investiture of the Gods, he believed he would advance yet another step.

The sun had risen above Ankang’s high walls. The heat intensified.

Yawning, Lin Yi rolled his sleeves to his elbows and cupped his hands toward Zhang Mian.

“Commander Zhang, you have official duties to attend to. I won’t disturb you further. Farewell!”

The South Gate would surely be crowded with ministers and his imperial brothers.

Better not to go over and make a spectacle of himself.

He tugged the donkey’s reins, preparing to turn back toward his residence.

“Ninth Brother, have you also come to welcome General Yuan?”

Lin Yi looked up.

Before him stood Crown Prince Lin Rui and his entourage.

Behind him were the Third Prince, Prince Yong; the Fourth Prince, Prince Jin; the Seventh Prince, Prince Nanling; the Twelfth Prince, Prince Yong’an; and a host of civil and military officials.