Chapter 3: Bestowal of the Title Prince of Leisure

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Jing Wei proceeded steadily, setting up camp to rest at Wangcheng Slope, sixty li from the capital. He summoned his personal guard, Gray Hawk, and said, "Gray Hawk, do you know why I am moving so slowly?"

Gray Hawk replied, "Only by moving slowly can we prove that we have annihilated the Northern Di; otherwise, the timing wouldn't match."

Jing Wei nodded with satisfaction and smiled. "You're not too foolish. Immediately lead over four thousand soldiers to hide within Fulong Ridge. I will report the captured armor to the court under their identities and strive for triple compensation for them. After some time, I will grant them new identities. Once settled, you will command them."

The Dayin Dynasty maintained very strict regulations on armor and weaponry. Only soldiers in the army were permitted to manufacture armor and military equipment, and all had to be meticulously recorded. Residences of nobles and their guards were also strictly regulated: a prince's guards could not exceed five hundred, a marquis’s two hundred, and a general’s fifty; no one could overstep these limits.

Emperor Hong, accompanied by his ministers, welcomed Jing Wei’s victorious return. At the city gate, Jing Wei knelt and bowed deeply, his voice low and solemn: "Father, under your guidance and following your plan, I have utterly defeated the Northern Di and crushed the rebels. Unfortunately, over four thousand soldiers perished on the battlefield. I could not bring back their bodies, only their armor. They shed their heads and spilled their blood. I am willing to forgo my salary for a year in hopes Your Majesty will grant them triple compensation. They have suffered greatly." His eyes reddened as he kowtowed repeatedly.

Emperor Hong was greatly pleased with Jing Wei’s report, smiling broadly. "Second son, casualties in war are inevitable. I cannot allow heroes to suffer both bloodshed and tears. Triple compensation will be given to the fallen soldiers, and you shall not only receive your salary but be richly rewarded."

"Your Majesty is wise and benevolent in supporting the king!" Xu Zhenbiao, Marquis Wenping, shouted loudly. Tens of thousands of soldiers echoed in unison, their voices unified, clear, and majestic.

The grand and magnificent scene stirred everyone’s blood to boil with excitement.

Xu Zhenbiao’s daughter was Consort Chenying, a favored consort of the king, and his son was General Xu Yuanqing of the Northern Navy.

Everyone congratulated Jing Wei warmly, praises flowing endlessly.

Jing Wei triumphed in his first battle, emerging at the peak of his career, defeating the Northern Di with fewer than five thousand casualties. His reputation resounded throughout the Dayin Dynasty.

At the King’s residence, the atmosphere was lively with clinking cups and laughter. Queen Consort Yang Simin and favored consort Chenying beamed with happiness. In the back garden, more than twenty women laughed and chatted joyfully.

Jing Wei understood the principle of eradication: either do nothing or do it thoroughly.

Since the emperor refused to execute Prince Jing Chen, Jing Wei dispatched trusted men to the prison. The jailers had placed Jing Chen with another death row prisoner who had killed corrupt officials, which was against regulations.

It was said this man specialized in killing corrupt officials and powerful nobles.

They deliberately revealed Jing Chen’s royal identity.

In the dungeon, the jailer brought the meals: Jing Chen received chicken leg, braised beef, fish, vegetables, and tomato and egg soup; the other prisoner got steamed corn bread, pickles, and porridge.

The death row prisoner stared fixedly at Jing Chen’s bowl, swallowing hard, his stomach growling.

Jing Chen told himself silently, "I must survive at all costs! My elder brother the crown prince was wronged and slandered; my mother committed suicide, was disgraced and deposed; the Xiao family’s blood debt..."

Seeing the other’s hunger, Jing Chen displayed a simple and kind expression, quickly pouring the chicken leg, braised beef, and fish into the other’s bowl, splitting the rice and soup equally.

Jing Chen always waited for the other to finish eating before he ate, cautious of poison and ever vigilant.

The two had no communication, and Jing Chen maintained constant alertness.

A week passed like this. One morning, just after waking, the death row prisoner suddenly spoke: "Little brother, no reward without merit. You have shown me kindness with your food, and I have nothing to repay you with. I will teach you my family’s secret—Madness Blade Art of Nine Turns. In this life, I owe no debt to the next; in the next life, I will not repay this favor."

Jing Chen thought, “Since it’s given, I will accept.” Although skilled in wrestling, combat, sanda, archery, and spear techniques, the martial arts of this era were unfamiliar to him. It would be good physical training.

He licked his lips and smiled foolishly, imitating the ancient costume dramas: stepping calmly, standing upright, bowing deeply and respectfully. This was a deep bow, the formality of a prince paying respect to his master.

He said, "I am honored, thank you, master."

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The death row prisoner laughed heartily: "They all say you’re foolish, but I find you rather endearing. The son of the empress truly has good manners. Well, before I die, having you accompany me is fate enough. My surname is Lu, given name Jianlong. Just call me Master Lu."

After that, he taught Jing Chen the mental techniques, then the blade techniques, then footwork, using chopsticks as a blade to stab, chop, slash... they sparred together.

Half a month passed, and Jing Chen grew stronger day by day.

Lu Jianlong was secretly pleased. Although Jing Chen was simple-minded and reticent, he was sincere and a martial prodigy. In just half a month, he had mastered eighty percent of the Madness Blade Art of Nine Turns. Given time, his future was boundless.

He did not know Jing Chen’s solid foundation and excellent physical condition.

One day after sparring, Lu Jianlong panted, "Boy, my time is short. If you get out, go to Wolong Valley’s Bad Knife Sect and give their leader a message for me." He whispered in Jing Chen’s ear.

Jing Chen nodded repeatedly, then asked foolishly, "Master Lu, why do you kill people?"

Lu Jianlong smiled faintly, patting Jing Chen’s shoulder. "If there is no justice in the world, I am willing to wield the blade as the King of Hell. Some things must be done. I killed the prefect of Langzhou; my heart is at ease, truly delighted."

After more than half a month of Ministry of Justice trials, the verdict on the crown prince’s rebellion was announced.

All direct relatives of the empress’s maternal clan, regardless of age or gender, were beheaded and their property confiscated. Most male relatives within three generations were exiled to the western frontier Qianzhou, some to Youyunzhou. Those beyond three generations were either exiled or sentenced. All women were consigned to the brothel bureau, and the elderly and children became palace servants or worked in the imperial backyard—another source of income for the Dayin Dynasty.

Officials close to Jing Yi and supporters of his faction were all arrested and executed.

Everyone in the Eastern Palace, including eunuchs and palace maids, was executed, except Crown Princess Li Lingli. Emperor Hong stated that Li Lingli had divorced the crown prince six months earlier and showed the divorce papers. To save face on both sides, the matter had not been publicized.

Li Lingli’s father, Li Jing, Marquis Jing’an, guarded the western frontier at Jianming Pass with two hundred thousand troops under his command. He cherished his daughter deeply but feared the impact on western frontier stability.

Li Lingli had been married to Crown Prince Jing Yi for five years and remained a virgin.

Palace matrons had examined her before marriage and claimed she was a “White Tiger body,” a jinx who doomed husbands, so Jing Yi never touched her. With the prince’s death, this belief was further cemented.

Yet Li Lingli was cold and expressionless, never smiling.

At court, Emperor Hong raised the last wish and request of the deposed commoner empress Xiao Wenjuan, without mentioning the treasures.

The court fell silent.

Jing Wei’s heart stirred. He had always admired Li Lingli and had once begged for two hours to marry her, but the emperor had promised Jing Yi first and rejected Jing Wei’s request.

If he could marry Li Lingli, he would gain the support of Marquis Jing’an.

Jing Wei stepped forward, bowing, "Father, I seek no reward, only one request: I wish to marry Li Lingli. The traitor Jing Yi was unworthy of her. He married her yet left her a widow, treating her coldly and cruelly. I vow to treat Li Lingli well for the rest of my life. I hope Father will grant this."

Emperor Hong frowned sharply. "You would marry Li Lingli, yet your household already has primary consort Yang Simin and secondary consort Xu Chenying. What status would Li Lingli hold?"

Jing Wei glanced at General Yang Lin, took a deep breath, and said, "My relationship with Yang Simin has been distant for four years; she is arrogant, petty, narrow-minded, and unfit to manage. I wish to divorce her and make Li Lingli the primary consort."

Yang Lin’s face turned ashen, eyes wide with anger.

Emperor Hong said nothing, quietly observing everyone, lost in thought.

Jing Chen was brought from the dungeon to the Qian Kun Hall, shocking all present.

Disheveled, raggedly clothed, his back marked with bruises and bloodstains, legs mottled with green and purple bruises, the most striking were the shackles on his ankles, wrapped in woven grass rope as if giving the shackles a coat—something Jing Chen had done himself.

Emperor Hong frowned deeply, with a trace of disgust mixed with sympathy, softly asked, "Jing Chen, before your mother died, she hoped I would arrange a marriage for you. Do you have someone in mind?"

Jing Chen remained silent. In prison, he had overheard jailers talking about Crown Princess Li Lingli.

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He learned from them that Li Lingli was one of the Four Great Talented Women and was the crown prince’s bride personally appointed by the empress.

It was said that on the day the empress committed suicide in the palace, all the common people outside the walls of Chang’an knelt in mourning.

The streets of Chang’an, Zhuque Street, were crowded with people wailing loudly.

To be favored by the empress implied noble character and talent. Only by joining forces with Li Lingli could his plans be realized. Moreover, the current White Tiger star was a supreme treasure.

Emperor Hong said, "Since you won’t say, I’ll suggest: Yu Youzhi, daughter of Minister of Rites Yu Deshui, is charming, well-educated, polite, gentle, and lovely..."

Jing Chen shook his head.

"What about Gu Lanxin, daughter of Marquis Gu Ban Cheng? Bright-eyed, fair-toothed, a renowned beauty in the capital, graceful and wise..."

Jing Chen shook his head again, leaving everyone dumbfounded. What? The fool even refused the great beauty Gu Lanxin?

Emperor Hong suddenly stood up, impatiently shouting, "I asked you, you won’t say. I pick for you, and you still refuse. You drive me mad, Jing Chen! As long as you name the girl, I will approve your marriage."

Jing Chen had been waiting for this and muttered, "I want Li Lingli."

"You... you..." Emperor Hong gasped, choked with anger.

Everyone was amused and bewildered. Both princes sought to marry the White Tiger star?

Emperor Hong glared fiercely at Jing Chen, fuming, "Li Lingli is one of the Four Great Talented Women of Dayin, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. As the saying goes, a fine horse deserves a fine saddle. Your second brother just used his military merits to propose marriage to Li Lingli. To be fair, I will set a test of literary talent; whoever wins shall marry her..."

Everyone lowered their heads, silent, exchanging glances filled with unhidden amusement.

Jing Wei was delighted. The emperor still favored him. Jing Chen was a fool—how could he compose poetry?

Jing Chen blushed, whispering, "I need to drink to compose poetry." Though softly spoken, all present heard clearly.

Emperor Hong gave a signal, and a eunuch immediately brought a jug of wine.

Emperor Hong said, "Jing Wei just returned from the frontier battlefield; make the borderland the subject."

Jing Wei pondered deeply. Jing Chen took a few gulps, belched, then recited:

"A man’s resolve lies at the border gate; never returns without breaking the Northern Di. Why bury bones at home? One’s life everywhere is green hills."

Generals like Yang Lin roared, "Good poem! Excellent!"

Jing Chen recited again:

"Long clouds darken Qinghai’s snowy peaks; a lone city gazes toward Northern Sea Pass. Golden armor worn through a hundred battles in the yellow sand; never return without defeating the Northern Di."

Everyone murmured, hearts stirred. Such a poem would be immortalized.

Emperor Hong’s heart trembled. Had he known, he would have granted Jing Wei’s request.

But if he had, Jing Wei would dominate the court—who could oppose him? The court required balance; all must be controlled by me.

Emperor Hong said disdainfully, "Not poetry, lyrics?"

Jing Chen drank two large gulps, his throat moving with a satisfied belch, then recited:

"Drunkenly I light lamps to watch my sword, dreams return to the horn-blown camps. Eight hundred li divide the roasted meats below my command; fifty strings echo the frontier’s sound. Autumn reviews on the battlefield. Horses fly like the Lu, bows thunder like lightning strings. Settling the emperor’s realm affairs, winning fame before and after death. Alas, white hair!"

A deathly silence fell over the court.

Duke An Guo Su Shichang had tears in his eyes; General Yang Lin's eyes were moist. All the generals knelt before Jing Chen, shouting together, "Your Majesty, Seventh Prince is truly talented, the greatest poetic immortal of Dayin."

Jing Wei’s face flushed red, then pale. Having composed a poem himself, he dared not recite it, cursing inwardly, "Am I not even as good as a fool?"

Emperor Hong glanced at Jing Wei, relieved. If he truly granted Jing Wei the marriage, he himself would never sleep soundly again.

Feigning displeasure, he loudly declared, "For now, confer the title of Prince Xiaoyao upon Seventh Prince Jing Chen, and make Li Lingli Princess Consort Xiaoyao. Grant Prince Xiaoyao an amnesty token. Order Prince Xiaoyao to move into the prince’s mansion today; all related arrangements are to be handled by Vice Minister of Rites Meng Guangbai. Six months from now, choose an auspicious day for the wedding. Once Prince Xiaoyao goes to the fiefdom Youyunzhou, he shall not enter the capital without imperial summons."

Everyone exchanged meaningful glances, bowed deeply, and withdrew.