Insufficient balance

  "Report to Your Highness, something big has happened." An eunuch hastily walked in front of Princess Taiping, saying while panting, "Just now at the Linde Hall, the Crown Prince told His Majesty that Liu Xuan and Zhang Wei are not good people, they secretly instigated him against Your Highness's relationship with the Emperor, asking His Majesty to severely punish them... Aren't Liu Xuan and Zhang Wei the Crown Prince's people?"

  Princess Taiping had just sent someone to the Xue residence to bring back Xue Chongxun, intending to ask him about what happened when he arrived. But unexpectedly, in a short period of time, there were new developments in the matter.

  After the eunuch left, Dou Huaijian said: "It seems that things are slowly coming to light. It's likely that what Xue Lang told Wei Zhiguo is true. The Crown Prince only 'abandoned his chariot to save his commander' and took the initiative to confess to the Emperor because he knew about it beforehand. Otherwise, Liu Youqiu and Zhang Wei were both trusted subordinates of the Crown Prince, why would he resort to such a poor strategy?"

  A few people in the hall talked for a while, waiting for Xue Chongxun. At dusk, Xue Chongxun arrived and sat on a pear-wood chair carried by four guards because he was wounded in the chest.

  The attendants put down their chairs and withdrew from the hall. Princess Taiping said: "You may dispense with formalities, just sit and talk."

  Xue Chongxun looked fine, clasped his fists and bowed to the three chancellors beside him: "Sorry for the intrusion." The three of them could only clasp their fists in return. Princess Taiping said: "Chongxun, I've learned about what you asked Xu Zhen to do, and just now a message came from the palace that the Crown Prince exposed Liu Youqiu and Zhang Wei's attempt to sow discord before the Emperor. What is going on?"

  Upon hearing this, Xue Chongxun immediately understood that Xu Zhen must have rushed over to inform his mother. He felt a pang of disappointment and frustration, realizing that not even one of his trusted officials was truly loyal to him, but rather looked to his mother for guidance. The only people who truly belonged to him were the few servants from the River East, such as Fang Yuzhong, in the manor.

  But it is said that the crown prince made such a move, Xue Chongxun also let out a breath and said: "Zhang Wei likes to associate with heroes, so I planted someone in, taking advantage of his drunkenness to gather information. The crown prince indeed has ulterior motives. At the time, I wanted to tell my mother, but she would definitely not believe me, so I had Xu Zhen reveal the news to Prime Minister Wei Zhigong. Now that the crown prince knows the plot has been leaked, he is forced to make Liu Youqiu and Zhang Wei the scapegoats."

  "Liu Youqiu is the prime minister, and Zhang Wei is the general of the imperial guard. They are both very important people by the crown prince's side. If there wasn't really something going on, the crown prince wouldn't have lost these two men." Dou Huaizhen also said.

  Princess Taiping furrowed her brow and said thoughtfully: "Why would Li Longji think of rebelling? It's really unthinkable."

  Dou Huaijian said: "In my opinion, the Crown Prince may not have meant it, but rather those who rely on the Crown Prince are afraid of being implicated in Gao Lishi's case and are just talking to the Crown Prince."

  Taiping Princess coldly said: "Li Sanlang is too young after all, this matter ends up losing two great generals, now there's no one in the prime minister's office who can match him. Originally we wanted to deal with General Zhang Wei of the Imperial Guard, now it's also saved us trouble."

  Just then, Xue Chongxun suddenly said: "Mother, I learned the news from Zhang Wei, it was purely accidental. If not for this accident, the actions of the Crown Prince's side would be completely confidential. What if they really make a sudden move, what should mother do?"

  Princess Taiping was speechless for a moment.

  Dong Huai Zhen stepped forward and said, "Xue Lang, you are too young, some things are just taken for granted. Li Sanlang is the crown prince, and he has made great contributions to the emperor's ascension to the throne. His position is stable, why would he take risks? Xue Lang will understand after a few more years of tempering in the officialdom, the higher the position, the more steady it is. Everyone doesn't need to give up what they have and make a big fuss for no reason. So, the people around the crown prince are just talking behind closed doors, they won't really do anything."

  Dou Huai-zhen's tone made Xue Chong-xun very uncomfortable, completely relying on his seniority to pretend to be superior. Xue Chong-xun said coldly: "Seek stability? Last year when Wei Empress was in power, Director Dou thought highly of her and also thought everyone would seek stability?"

  At that time, Dou Huaijian indeed thought highly of Wei Zifu and would not have married an old and ugly wet nurse if he didn't. Later, after Wei Zifu failed, the wet nurse was also pitied and was directly strangled to death by him.

  Dong Huai Zhen's face turned red, extremely embarrassed, and her usual calm and composed demeanor seemed to shrink a bit.

  Taiping Princess looked at Dou Huaijian's expression with interest, a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, but she said: "Chongxun, how can you talk like this? As a person, one should be humble!"

  Dong Huai Zhen finally plucked up the courage to speak to him, "Now that the Crown Prince's power is waning, the situation is extremely favorable for us. If we don't seize this opportunity, what else can we do?"

  Princess Taiping said, "Chongxun is young, and Grand General Dou should not be treated the same way. Anyway, today is a day worth celebrating, Chongxun also has merits that cannot be ignored, let's just stop arguing and go home."

  Upon hearing Princess Taiping's words, several officials took their leave with proper etiquette.

  Xue Chongxun was still sitting in the chair, being carried away. The group walked out of the front hall and onto the corridor, where Princess Taiping said ahead, "I was very angry that day, but after my anger dissipated and I thought about it, I realized that I didn't take good care of you all..." Xue Chongxun's heart warmed up when he heard this.

  Princess Taiping said: "Your injury is not healed yet, so stay in the mansion and rest for a while. I have all the best medicines here."

  Xue Chongxun's heart warmed up, but he only said: "Mother, I haven't had dinner yet. Can we have dinner together today?"

  The Princess Taiping turned back and smiled: "Don't get me angry again."

  Xue Chongxun also smiled and said: "Then I'll put your words in my belly first, let's talk after dinner."

  At this time, the mother and son walked to the corridor where they had quarreled last time. Today, it didn't rain, and red lanterns were hung under the eaves of the surrounding houses, shining brightly and exceptionally beautiful. The lights reflected on the majestic temple buildings, which was even more magnificent than during the day.

  Princess Taiping stopped and signaled her attendants to withdraw, saying: "Don't hold back, speak."

  Xue Chongxun shook his head and said, "Are you making Mother angry again here?"

  "This time I'm not angry, actually I can guess what you want to say. Du Huai-zhen is a person who can be laughed at for being opportunistic, but he has risen step by step from the bottom, and in the past did not rely on clinging to the powerful. His experience in officialdom is very rich, compared to the Crown Prince's people, much more reliable. Take Liu You-qiu, what was he before? Just an unknown small role, relying on last year's Tang Long affair, directly climbing to the position of Prime Minister, with a very shallow foundation, only having cunning and no great vision."

  Xue Chongxun did not argue, and directly said: "Duan Huaizhen just said it right, Li Longji's position is still stable, so stable that he will eventually ascend to the throne. Once he ascends to the throne, what he dares not do now, will he dare to do then?"

  Princess Taiping lowered her head in contemplation, as if pondering Li Longji's character.

  Xue Chongxun took advantage of the situation and said, "I'll tell you about Mother's two weaknesses. Firstly, although it seems like many people support Mother, her biggest weakness is that she relies too heavily on the Emperor. Although the Emperor and Mother have a deep brotherly love for each other, I've seen through it - the Emperor is not reliable! Secondly, Mother's weakness is that she can't control the Imperial Guards well. In times of crisis, no matter how many officials or ministers there are in court, they're all useless. In the end, it still comes down to military power and relying on the Imperial Guards! Why did Li Longji reluctantly give up his carriage and save his general this time? It's because he lacks the Emperor's authority and can't control the Imperial Guards. If he could fully mobilize the Imperial Guards, would he be bothering you with lectures and debates? He'd just use military force to settle it!"

  Princess Taiping looked into Xue Chongxun's eyes: "How did you know about the Crown Prince's plot this time?"

  It seems that the reason mentioned in the temple was not believed by his mother, and Xue Chongxun couldn't find a good excuse for the time being, so he said: "Used a little trick..."

  "The murder case will definitely not be your own play, then what trick are you using?" Taiping Princess asked.

  Xue Chongxun was somewhat hasty and didn't have time to think of a reason. He thought: Can't mention the Xiao Heng incident, if mentioned, mother will think that the crown prince's conspiracy with others is justified and has nothing to do with the crown prince himself. In this way, it would be in vain, can't let mother recognize the crown prince's dangerous mind.

  Xue Chongxun said with a somewhat awkward expression: "The plan is a bit despicable, and it even used a woman... Let's not ask about mother, okay?"

  Princess Taiping smiled and spared Xue Chongxun.

  Xue Chongxun said, "Mother, I can assure you that once Li Longji ascends to the throne, he will take decisive action immediately! When that time comes, it will be even more unfavorable for us to do something extraordinary. If we don't act according to moral principles and justice, it would be equivalent to rebellion, with little possibility of success. Moreover, doing such a thing is troublesome for us in itself, requiring much preparation. We must make up our minds as soon as possible and prepare early! He who hesitates before taking action will suffer the consequences of his own indecision. Mother, think thrice!"

  Taiping Princess didn't get angry, compared to Xue Chongxun's previous advice, this time he made a little progress, but he observed his mother's expression and felt that she still hadn't made up her mind.

  "Chongxun, are you done saying things to make me angry?"

  "That's all." Xue Chongxun said dejectedly.

  Princess Taiping beckoned her attendants over and said, "Let's have dinner together."

  Xue Chongxun's expression was sorrowful, and he suddenly felt very tired. Perhaps he really lacked political experience and took some things for granted. His mother's approach was correct... If he had done it Xue Chongxun's way, perhaps he would have died even faster.

  Was I wrong? Xue Chongxun raised his head and looked at the starry sky, the summer night sky, the stars were even brighter.

  It seems I was wrong, so is it really fate and there's no way out?

  One voice in my heart says: accept your fate, there's still some time to enjoy life, after all, people will die sooner or later. But another voice insists on saying: death is a return to nothingness, no, it's even more terrifying than nothingness, so even if I can live one more day, I must give it my all!

  At this time, my mother said: "Liu Youqiu and Zhang Wei are two people who give me a headache. I didn't expect that you, with your limited power, would be able to get rid of them. This time you have achieved something. Don't worry anymore, everything will be fine with me as your mother taking care of it. Put your mind at ease, tonight I'll celebrate your success."

  Xue Chongxun was speechless.

  Princess Taiping brought Xue Chongxun to the Qifeng Temple in the rear court, gave a few orders to the eunuchs, and soon a group of slaves entered with various delicacies. Princess Taiping saw that Xue Chongxun was sitting below her, so she ordered someone to lift him up onto the jade steps, where they sat together.

  In front of the two, a large table was filled with delicacies, many of which Xue Chongxun, who came from a noble family, had never seen before. They were probably tributes presented by local officials.

  After a while, a group of women in exotic costumes came into the hall, dancing a wild dance, and the musicians played lively tunes. The singing girls danced to the beat of the drums.

  The Princess Taiping smiled and said: "How are the songs and dances in Mother's mansion?"

  Xue Chongxun replied offhand: "Compared with the grand dance in the Ming Palace, it's not bad."

  Princess Taiping saw Xue Chongxun sitting upright with a look of nothing to hide, and it seemed that his injury was not serious. She said: "I heard you still go to the brothels in the city to have fun. Those places are full of unsavory characters, don't you think it's beneath your status? Don't go there again from now on. Look at the songstresses here, if you fancy one, just point her out and I'll call her to accompany you tonight."

  Xue Chongxun nodded: "Oh, but I don't like the Huji from the Western Regions. Even if they're not from the Great Tang, the people of Silla (Korea) are also fine."

  Princess Taiping said, "The Silla people are ugly to look at, I'll have you changed to Jiangnan songs and dances." As soon as she finished speaking, she lightly clapped her hands, the music stopped immediately, those Hu ji also lowered their heads and retreated, another group of women walked in from a small side door.

  She smiled and said, "This is the most beautiful woman in our mother's house, but no matter who you fancy, you can't be moved. My eldest daughter-in-law wants to choose among the princesses, or you can choose yourself. Next time there's a festive banquet in the palace, I'll take you there, take a look."