This man... could he truly be a fox transformed? Watching his unhurried departing steps and then the bunch of radishes left on the table, Taizong felt his initial aversion lessen somewhat.
Outside the Ciyuan Hall, the carvings primarily depicted zithers, chess, calligraphy, and paintings, each paired with peonies. The windows were engraved with Bat Patterns and Fish Patterns—the bats bowing their heads to hold coins, while the fish took the form of Carp Leaping Over Dragon Gate, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. Tang Lici stepped into the hall, where heavy curtains hung low, exuding a faint, mysterious fragrance of unknown herbs. Two maids in pink stood to the side, offering him respectful bows.
"I heard Lady Yunfei has been unwell recently, so I came to visit," Tang Lici said softly. "How is her condition?" From behind the curtains came a gentle, melodious voice, tinged with melancholy. "It's just as it always is... what else can I say? Chuntao, Xiahe, leave us. I wish to speak privately with the Imperial Uncle." The two maids in pink acknowledged the order and withdrew, closing the hall doors behind them. Tang Lici stood in the center of the room, his back straight, neither approaching the curtains nor kneeling in obeisance, a faint smile on his lips.
The woman behind the curtains seemed to sit up, the emerald-green drapes rippling like water. "It's been so long since we last met... To be honest, I'm surprised you came to see me," Yunfei murmured wistfully. "Tell me, why have you come? What do you want to ask... or take...?" She leaned against the bed, coughing weakly, the sound frail and desolate. "You wouldn't come unless you wanted something..." Tang Lici replied gently, "Yun'er, in your heart, am I truly such a heartless man?"
"Yes." Yunfei's voice was faint, but her tone was resolute. Then she gave a soft laugh. "Cough... But... but I still can't let go of you. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you. Speak—what is it?" Tang Lici smiled slightly. "I want the Green Enchantment Pearl from the Imperial Crown." Yunfei seemed momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter. "Green Charm, Green Charm... truly a treasure coveted by thousands, hahaha..." She lowered her voice. "Do you know you're not the first to ask me for the Green Charm? Hah, this illness of mine... it isn't really an illness..." The emerald-green curtains parted slightly, revealing a woman of delicate beauty, her skin like snow, as tender as a lotus swaying in the breeze—yet her face was pale, her lips darkened. "Someone poisoned me, forcing me to obtain the 'Green Charm' for them within a month. The poison in my body can only be cured by the 'Green Charm.' They knew I wouldn't dare disobey."Tang Lici's eyes shimmered as he smiled faintly, "Who was it?" Yunfei replied melancholically, "The messenger was Guard Qi's young nephew. Naturally, the mastermind wouldn't be him—just a pawn being used. But I heard the one seeking 'Green Charm' wants it to cure a heat poison. Green Charm isn't a universal antidote. I had someone investigate discreetly, and there are only a few corresponding poisons: one is Yellow Bright Bamboo, another is Gorgeous Flower, and the last is Lonely Branch Like Snow. All three are rare toxins—incurable except by Green Charm."
Tang Lici said softly, "You've always been clever."
Yunfei laughed bitterly, "Clever... If I were ten times cleverer, would you cherish me then?"
Tang Lici lifted his lashes slightly and replied indifferently, "No."
Yunfei turned her head away. "Then why praise me?" Taking a deep breath, she continued, "The poison in my body is Gorgeous Flower. I suspect the one seeking the antidote might also be afflicted by it."
Tang Lici's gaze flickered. "If he were truly cautious, it likely isn’t Gorgeous Flower. I seek Green Charm to counteract Yellow Bright Bamboo poison."
Yunfei turned to look at him and smiled faintly. "You aren’t poisoned. Then for whom are you seeking the cure?"
Tang Lici answered, "A few friends."
Yunfei stared at him unblinkingly. "One Green Charm pearl can’t save many..."
Tang Lici did not respond.
After a pause, she asked slowly, "Are you... asking me to die... for your friends?"
Tang Lici’s expression remained unchanged, still silent.
A tear slid down her cheek as she slowly lowered the emerald-green curtain, sealing herself behind it. "I understand... Three days from now, inside the Green Willow Lotus Incense Burner, the Green Charm pearl... will be yours to take."
She was Tang Weiqian’s daughter. Years ago, when Tang Weiqian rescued Tang Lici from the well, it was she who nursed him at his bedside, only to fall deeply for this dashing, all-capable sworn brother. Yet Tang Lici remained solitary and unmoved by her tenderness. Later, she entered the palace as a consort, and this unrequited longing became unbearable. But Tang Lici... had never shown the slightest sympathy for her misfortune.
In her youth, she had read countless books and watched many plays—so often they spoke of heartless men. Truly... what a heartless man he was.
"Yun'er, I told the Emperor I could cure your illness."
Contrary to her expectations, Tang Lici did not leave. His voice, still gentle, even lightly amused, drifted past the curtain as though her heartbreak meant nothing. "If I fail, it would be a crime of deceiving the sovereign."
Yunfei trembled slightly. "You—""I don't know medicine, but I won't abandon Yun'er," Tang Lici said softly, his footsteps light and unhurried as he approached the bed. A hand passed through the drapes, its pale, delicate fingers gently stroking Yunfei's hair. "Do you understand?" Yunfei's entire body stiffened. "I don't understand..." Tang Lici's voice remained tender. "I will save you." Yunfei asked slowly, her voice trembling faintly, "You want to save me... for your sake or mine?" Tang Lici merely caressed her cheek lightly. "Don't be afraid." Yunfei suddenly grasped his hand, her voice quivering, "Lici, in your heart... do I hold even the slightest place? In ordinary days... apart from my father, do you ever think of me? When the wind blows, when it rains, when the Emperor is angry... have you ever thought of me?" The fingers she clutched tightly withdrew gently, and the voice beyond the drapes was pleasant. "Of course." Yunfei's delicate lips twitched slightly. "You're lying to me." Tang Lici didn't deny it, speaking softly, "I'll come again tomorrow with the antidote." Yunfei fell silent as Tang Lici's footsteps retreated lightly. Moments later, footsteps sounded again—two maids in pink returned, lifting the drapes on either side and fastening them carefully with hooks. "Your Highness, would you like some tea?" Yunfei rallied her spirits, forcing a cheerful expression. "Chatting with the Imperial Uncle about everyday matters has lifted my spirits. Have the imperial kitchen bring a plate of fresh fruit." The pink-clad maids bowed in assent, and one quietly withdrew.
Tang Lici left Ciyuan Hall, his robes flowing gently, his gait composed. The pearls on Taizong's Imperial Crown were passed down from the founding emperor. Even Yunfei, favored as she was, would find it difficult to meddle with them. The key lay with the chief eunuch Wang Ji'en, who attended to Taizong's attire. Getting him to steal or seize the pearls wouldn't be hard, but the palace was filled with experts. Any trace left behind would bring disaster upon the Imperial Uncle's residence. Shifting the task to someone else would have been the best strategy, but someone had already forced Yunfei's hand... Was this a plan to kill two birds with one stone? Was the true target Green Charm, the Imperial Uncle's residence, or perhaps... Plum Blossom Numerology, Raging Orchid No Trace, or even... Fu Zhumei? Having met Yunfei, word would surely spread. Since Yunfei had mentioned a three-day deadline to steal the pearls, the plan must have been long in the making, and Green Charm's eventual passage through Yunfei into his hands was undoubtedly anticipated. In three days, a fierce battle would unfold amid the willows and lotus ponds. But even if Yunfei succeeded in stealing the pearls, even if he obtained Green Charm smoothly, the Imperial Uncle's residence would still face calamity. The Emperor knew exactly how many could steal Green Charm... Regardless of success or failure, the Tang residence would be the sacrificial offering.
How to change the game? His eyes flickered, a smile in their depths.A figure emerged from around the corner of the courtyard and, upon seeing Tang Lici, called out cheerfully, "Lici." Tang Lici looked up to see Yang Guihua from the Infantry Division approaching. "Brother Yang, it's been a while." Though their friendship wasn't particularly deep, they had long admired each other from afar. It was rare to see Tang Lici appear in the palace, so Yang Guihua immediately stepped forward. "When did you return, Lici? I heard you've been wandering through mountains and rivers, traveling across most of the land. How was it?" Tang Lici smiled faintly. "Brother Yang, haven't you also traveled far and wide? Such formalities are unnecessary. You seem in a hurry—where have you just returned from?" Yang Guihua replied candidly, "The capital region has been restless lately. Many unidentified figures have been moving between the two capitals. It's my duty to investigate, though so far, there aren't many leads. It's still hard to determine who their target might be." Tang Lici raised an eyebrow, his smile bright and clear. "If it's not aimed at His Majesty, does that mean the Infantry Division won't intervene?" Yang Guihua laughed heartily. "Anyone who dares to cause trouble within the capital region falls under my responsibility. But tell me, Lici, do you have any related information?" Tang Lici chuckled. "If I did, I'd share it without hesitation." Yang Guihua clasped his hands. "I appreciate your words." With that, he hurried off.
Tang Lici brushed his sleeves and continued forward, the faint smile still lingering on his lips. Yang Guihua... he was a good man, dutiful and intelligent without being slick—just a bit timid, never daring to speak his true thoughts. Recently, many figures from the Martial Arts World had been active near the capital. Were they here for the Green Charm? Or for Tang Lici himself? Or perhaps... truly for His Majesty? The war between Song and Liao had just ended, and Yang Taiwei's body was barely cold. Who would dare threaten the Emperor now? National grudges? Personal vendettas?Another person approached from the opposite direction, originally heading towards the Chuigong Hall, but upon seeing him, suddenly halted and turned around. Tang Lici smiled faintly. The man who had stopped wore wide sleeves with a golden belt—it was none other than Zhao Pu, the Grand Preceptor and Chief Councillor of the current dynasty. After turning, Zhao Pu strode toward him. "Imperial Uncle Tang, it has been a long time." Tang Lici nodded slightly. Though he was honored as the adoptive brother of Yunfei, he held no official title or rank. Zhao Pu, on the other hand, was one of the Three Dukes. Yet it was Tang Lici who stood unmoving while Zhao Pu approached him, his face betraying a trace of agitation. "Imperial Uncle Tang... forgive my boldness, but how did you... come by news of him? Is he... is he well?" Tang Lici's eyes flickered, his demeanor calm. "To be honest, he is not doing very well at the moment." Zhao Pu forced a bitter smile. "How so?" Tang Lici's lips curved slightly as he reached into his robe and retrieved something, slowly extending it toward Zhao Pu. Zhao Pu saw it was a fragment of paper. Taking it and unfolding it, he found it to be a torn piece of a fan surface, its gold powder still gleaming brilliantly. The tear was straight, and the fan ribs had clearly been severed by a sword. Holding the fan, Zhao Pu trembled violently, tears nearly spilling from his eyes. "Where... where is he now?" he asked hoarsely. Tang Lici's expression remained indifferent, but his voice was gentle. "If the timing is right, perhaps you may meet him one day." Zhao Pu took a deep breath, struggling to contain his emotions. "What do you want?" Tang Lici spoke slowly, "If His Majesty seeks to trouble the Imperial Uncle's residence, I hope Chief Councillor Zhao will show some leniency. My adoptive father is loyal to the Emperor and would never dare commit any act of deception or defiance—that is beyond doubt." Zhao Pu's heart tightened, sensing the hidden meaning in his words. Tang Lici gave him a faint smile. "As for the rest... there is nothing more..." Zhao Pu's chest heaved, his mind in turmoil. Suddenly, he demanded sharply, "Has he... has my son fallen into your hands?" Without turning back, Tang Lici let his sleeves droop and brushed past the flowers, walking away leisurely. "He... has never fallen into anyone's hands, has he? Including yours..."
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