TPGA - 43

Chapter 43: Smoke and Mirrors

Li Yuan had spent many years in the capital, and though he was now away, he still had numerous connections there. Thus, as soon as Yang Xuangan rebelled, an urgent report was sent to Honghua Prefecture.

Xiahou Duan shook his head. “The Emperor has always been wary of the Li family. Now, with another person surnamed Li rebelling, it’s clear that your journey to the capital will be fraught with danger.”

At this point, Li Yuan remained silent. Though he wasn’t afraid of death, he certainly didn’t want to die in vain. What worried him most was the possibility that Yang Guang might not stop at killing him but instead exterminate the entire Li family.

Li Shimin set down the letter in his hand and said solemnly, “Father, Uncle Xiahou is right. Your journey to the capital will be extremely perilous. Under no circumstances should you go.”

“But if the Emperor decides to sacrifice the situation in Hedong, he can accuse us of defying the imperial edict and destroy our entire family.”

Li Shimin lowered his head in thought for a moment before suddenly speaking. “The news of Father being injured in the assassination attempt has been kept within the mansion, so no outsiders should know about it. I’ve just arranged for Shen Moping’s body to be removed from the mansion for burial. If we make a big commotion and conduct a large-scale search throughout Honghua Prefecture at this time, it should be enough to convince everyone that Father was poisoned by the assassin.”

Xiahou Duan looked puzzled. “Didn’t we previously agree to avoid drawing too much attention? Why this sudden change? Moreover, the governor’s mansion is heavily guarded. How could the assassin possibly have escaped?”

Li Yuan stared at Li Shimin. “Are you suggesting using this incident to avoid going to the capital?”

“Exactly. While the imperial edict cannot be ignored, its execution depends on the circumstances. Father is gravely injured and can barely get up. How could he possibly travel to the capital to meet the Emperor?”

His words brought a look of relief to Xiahou Duan’s face, and he nodded repeatedly. “Yes, this way, it won’t count as defying the edict, and we can achieve a balance.”

Li Shimin continued calmly, “Only a few of us here, along with the servants in Songtao Residence, know the specifics of Father’s condition. As long as we don’t let this information leak, others will assume that Father is still bedridden due to the poison.”

Xiahou Duan smiled. “Shimin always has clever ideas. Brother Li, you can rest assured now.”

Li Yuan thought for a moment and also found this plan feasible. He nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll write a petition to the Emperor later, stating that I’m ill and asking for forgiveness.”

Xiahou Duan let out a long sigh of relief. “Finally, I can return home with peace of mind.”

Li Yuan was surprised. “Brother Xiahou is leaving so soon?”

Xiahou Duan smiled faintly. “I’ve already overstayed my welcome here. It’s time for me to go back. Moreover, there are some matters I need to attend to. Though I’m only an official in the大理寺 (Ministry of Justice), I will do everything in my power to assist you, Brother Li!”

“Thank you, Brother Xiahou.” Li Yuan patted his shoulder and cautioned, “Though you don’t bear the Li surname, you’re still closely associated with me. The Emperor’s temper is unpredictable—you must be careful.”

Xiahou Duan laughed. “Don’t worry, Brother Li. I’ll wait for the day you raise your army. When that day comes, I’ll be the first to join you!”

“It’s a deal!” Li Yuan said half-jokingly. “If you don’t come, I’ll drag you over by force if I have to.”

That same day, Xiahou Duan left the governor’s mansion. On that very day, someone saw a corpse being carried out of the mansion. Upon inquiry, it was revealed to be one of the assassins who had attacked the governor, while the other assassin remained at large.

On the same day, many soldiers began searching house by house throughout Honghua Prefecture for the female assassin. Rumors spread that she had infiltrated the governor’s mansion disguised as a servant and attempted to assassinate Li Yuan during a dance performance. Though her dagger only grazed his skin, it was coated with a rare poison from the Western Regions, causing Li Yuan to fall gravely ill. Even after several days, he remained bedridden, extremely weak. Whether he would fully recover was uncertain.

Amidst the turmoil caused by this incident in Honghua Prefecture, Li Jiancheng also heard about it. He frowned deeply and, upon seeing Li Shimin enter, asked with displeasure, “Second Brother, what’s going on? Why has news of the assassin suddenly spread, and why is it being made such a big deal? And did the assassin really escape?”

Li Shimin glanced at the servants and guards in the room and said, “All of you leave.”

After everyone had withdrawn, Li Shimin stepped forward and asked, “Big Brother, how’s your leg? What did Doctor Xu say?”

“The bone is slightly damaged, but it’s not serious. It’ll heal with some rest.” Then, he pressed, “Second Brother, hurry up and tell me—what’s going on with the assassin?”

“It was a rumor I deliberately spread. Those soldiers were sent out intentionally by Father. The assassin has been trapped inside the mansion and hasn’t escaped.”

Li Jiancheng was utterly confused. “What… what exactly is going on?”

Li Shimin explained the situation clearly. “Only by doing this can Father have an excuse not to go to the capital. I’ve already issued strict orders: anyone who leaks this information will be executed without mercy.”

Li Jiancheng frowned tightly. “Has the situation really become this dire?”

Li Shimin nodded. “That song谣 has already made the Emperor suspicious of anyone with the Li surname. And now, with this incident, if Father truly goes to Luoyang, he may never return. So we had no choice but to resort to this tactic, claiming illness to avoid going to Luoyang. We hope to buy enough time to prepare. After the assassin issue is resolved, I’ll recruit retainers in Father’s name and gather talented individuals to aid him in achieving his goals. As for Third Brother…”

Li Jiancheng said, “Third Brother is impulsive and hot-tempered. Before we raise our army, don’t tell him anything to avoid jeopardizing the plan.” As he spoke, he shifted his body to sit more comfortably, but a sharp pain shot through his leg, causing him to grimace.

Li Shimin quickly helped him sit down and urged, “Big Brother, be careful.”

“I’m fine.” The pain in his leg reminded Li Jiancheng of Shen Moping, and he clenched his teeth in anger. “That damn assassin tricked me twice and bit my leg like this! If he weren’t already dead, I’d have him tortured to death a thousand times over.” Still unsatisfied, he added, “Find his corpse in the burial grounds, whip it three hundred times, and feed it to wild dogs.”

Li Shimin didn’t mention that he had ordered Shen Moping to be buried. Instead, he nodded. “Understood. I’ll handle this matter. Big Brother, focus on recovering.”

As Li Jiancheng nodded, he remarked, “By the way, that Wu Meixue sure has guts—daring to kill someone with her own hands.”

“Yes, it shocked me too.” Li Shimin paused for a moment before asking, “Big Brother, I’ve heard of a disguise technique in the江湖 (martial arts world) that can alter one’s appearance. Is it real?”

Li Jiancheng thought for a moment. “It does exist. It’s a mask made from human skin. I once saw a man put one on and transform into a seductive woman. If you only looked at his face, you’d never guess he was actually a man.” Pausing, he asked suspiciously, “Why do you suddenly ask about this?”