Chapter 29: The Arrival of "Three Accompanying Gentlemen"

  In the second year of Linde, just after the Lantern Festival, two imperial edicts were issued from the inner court. The first one was to name the young princess Li Lingyue and build two Buddhist temples for her blessing. Later, another edict announced to the world that King Zhou Li Xian had been moved by the endless wars in the four seas and decided to abandon his literary pursuits and take up arms, choosing a day to go to the Left Valiant Guard to pay homage to his teacher, as an example of encouraging martial arts.

  The previous edict had no reaction from the court and the people, but the next edict stirred up a thousand waves of controversy. Public opinion was in an uproar, with some saying that Li Xian dared to be the first in the world, others saying that he was hypocritical and seeking favor, and still others saying that his actions were a literary masterpiece. There were also those who criticized the court's intentions behind issuing the edict. For a time, the court and the people were filled with chaotic discussions, and the atmosphere was heated and extraordinary. Before long, the inside story of the intense debate in the Two Rituals Hall spread like wildfire among the people, and public opinion quickly turned around, praising Li Xian's eloquence and lamenting his decision to abandon literature for military pursuits. At one point, the name of Crown Prince Li Xian even eclipsed those of his two older brothers.

  His mouth was on someone else's body, and he could say whatever he wanted, whether it was praise or belittle, Li Xian didn't put his heart into it at all. He treated it as a gentle spring breeze that caresses the face, neither coming forward to argue nor bothering to investigate. He just shut himself in and became one with the universe. Except for the officials from the Dali Temple who came to investigate the matter of Shangguan Wan'er on imperial orders, he refused to see anyone who came to visit, and that's how he started playing the trick of closing his door to guests.

  Public opinion is like a gust of wind, which has always been the case since ancient times. If no one guides it, it will pass quickly, especially when the protagonist Li Xian does not show his face. Now, before the first month is over, the influence of the edict to advise Wu has disappeared without a trace. Except for some pedantic people who occasionally have some complaints, there is no more turmoil. As for the case of accepting Yang Guifei, the investigation was conducted several times, but it did not come to a conclusion for a long time, and even the follow-up was gone. However, Li Xian was not too concerned about this, knowing that it was just a strategy for the later party to "wait for the right moment". There is no great secret to be said - the hammer has deterrent power only when it is raised, but once it is really struck, except for causing pain for a while, it is difficult to achieve much effect. It is clear that in the case of Yang Guifei, Wu Zetian's party was thinking this way.

  It's a lie to say that he doesn't worry at all, but anyone who has been in politics wouldn't want to be trampled on by their political enemies, no matter how small the pain is. Li Xian is no exception, especially when facing an arch-nemesis like Wu Zetian. It's enough to make one anxious. However, Li Xian doesn't regret it. If he had the chance to choose again, he wouldn't change his mind. The reason is simple: a man saves his own woman, there's no other way to put it. As for what will happen in the future, we'll just have to wait and see. It's all about being prepared to face whatever comes next, nothing more.

  Lin De second year, February 1st, in the year of Bing Yin, on the first day of the month, it is auspicious to set out and pay respects to one's teacher. This was a good day that Li Xian had been waiting for a long time. He got up before dawn, hastily washed and dressed, and then urgently ordered his carriage to be prepared. He wanted to rush to the destination before the Left Valiant Guard's morning drill. However, it seemed that heaven did not want to follow his wishes - just as he was about to leave the inner courtyard gate, the gatekeeper came running in to report that Zhou Guogong He Lan Minzhi had already arrived outside the gate.

  What is this scoundrel doing here? Li Xian was stunned as soon as he heard the news, and no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't figure out what connection he had with this playboy - He Lan Minzhi, also known as Chang Zhu, who was 17 years old at the time. He was the son of Wu Zetian's younger sister, Lady Korea, Wu Shun, and had managed to inherit the title of Duke of Zhou after Wu Zetian's father, Wu Shi Hu, died, thanks to Wu Zetian's extreme dislike for her two half-brothers. Moreover, because his mother and sister were both favored by Emperor Gaozong, he was arrogant and domineering in the capital, often bullying men and women, a true super-rich second-generation heir. Li Xian had always regarded him as dogshit and avoided him at all costs, never interacting with him. Even if they met occasionally, he would just pretend not to see him and slip away. Since his rebirth, Li Xian had never encountered this guy before, so it was truly puzzling for him to suddenly hear that this scoundrel had come to his own doorstep, leaving Li Xian completely baffled as to what He Lan Minzhi's intentions were.

  "Let him wait first, I'll go now."

  Everyone had already arrived at the gate, and it wouldn't do to not see them clearly. However, considering He Lan Min's past evil deeds, Li Xian didn't plan on letting him enter his own palace. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the doorkeeper and steward, and after pacing around in circles for a while, he slowly headed towards the gate.

  Although February was already early spring, the sky was still very cold, especially in the early morning when the temperature dropped sharply, it was like a knife cutting through bones. If one wasn't careful, they would catch a chill. However, He Lanming seemed to be completely unaffected by this, wearing only a light-colored single-layer robe and a white outer coat, standing with his back to the rising sun, his clothes fluttering in the wind, giving off an otherworldly aura. Of course, if one didn't look at those eyes that occasionally flashed like peach blossoms, he would truly seem like a celestial being. Even Li Xian, who was extremely disgusted by him, couldn't help but feel a sense of "surprise and admiration" when he saw him for the first time.

  "Ah ha, Xiao Qi, you've finally come out. I thought you were hiding and didn't want to show your face. Luckily, it was worth the wait. As soon as Li Xian led the group out of the palace gates, He Lan Minzhi jumped up and rushed over, chattering away in a soft and gentle voice, completely shedding his previous image as a refined young master, and instead looking like a street urchin from the jianghu. If one had to make a comparison, he might be similar to the 'young masters' of later generations who sit at home."

  Forget it, who is a brother to such a thing, go wherever you want! Li Xian didn't like complicated etiquette, but when he saw He Lan Min's unruly appearance, he suddenly missed the rules. However, the person in front of him obviously didn't have that kind of self-awareness and couldn't be easily scolded. Helpless, Li Xian could only suppress his discomfort and smiled: "Brother-in-law, good morning, what brings you to find Xiao Wang today? Is there something important?"

  "It's not a big deal, but it's still annoying, and it's all because of you, Little Seven. Alas, this matter has caused trouble, and if anyone is to blame, it's really you." He Lan Min smiled wryly and patted Li Xian's shoulder, speaking in a roundabout way.

  I'm going, I have nothing to do with you, stop trying to get close to me, or I'll lose my dignity! Li Xian couldn't stand He Lan Min at all, and when he heard him spouting nonsense in front of everyone, he wished he could stuff a rag into his mouth to shut him up. The problem was that this guy was like sticky glue - once you got stuck with him, it was hard to get rid of him. Moreover, his mother and sister were now sleeping in the emperor's bed, so if they passed on some rumors or something, Li Xian would really have a hard time. Helpless, Li Xian could only force a smile and shake his head: "Cousin, I have some trivial matters to attend to, why don't we catch up when I get back?"

  "Alas, isn't it just what you're going to do, Little Seventh? Isn't it just finding a teacher in Zuoxiwei? Look at you, you've gotten your brother into trouble!" As soon as Li Xian's words fell, He Lan Min Yi let out a dejected expression and slapped his thigh, shouting with a face full of deep grievances.

  What nonsense is this, isn't this guy going to learn martial arts too? Unbelievable, what does this have to do with anything! Li Xian was completely bewildered and couldn't understand whether He Lan Min had eaten something wrong for breakfast and came to his own mansion to cause trouble. The problem was that he couldn't say it clearly, so Li Xian could only carefully open his mouth and say: "Brother, what are you talking about? The more I listen, the more confused I become."

  "Ah ha, it's Brother Shuai who spoke too quickly, sorry, sorry." He Lan Min said with a smile on his face, but not a hint of apology in his expression, purely deserving of a beating. Li Xian's palms were itching, and he had the urge to slap him immediately.

  "Big brother, the school grounds are not a place to linger. If you have something to say, please just say it." Being bothered by He Lan Min like this without end, Li Xian's anger was already slightly stirred, and he furrowed his brow, speaking with displeasure.

  "Look, I'm not in a hurry, but you're getting anxious, Xiao Qi. Forget it, let's not talk nonsense." He Lan Minzhi burst out laughing and clapped his hands: "As soon as the imperial edict was issued, Seventh Brother made a big show of himself, while poor Big Brother was caught off guard and forced to join the army. The Empress Dowager has an imperial decree, ordering Big Brother and Seventh Brother to practice martial arts together. If they don't go, it won't be good. How boring, really boring!"

  I'm going to go, and I'll give you this kind of goods, disgusting people don't even do it like this! Li Xian knew the intention behind Wu Mei's move as soon as he heard it. This is not about congratulating Lan Min on following him to practice martial arts, but rather about letting Lan Min come to stir up trouble. With Lan Min's unscrupulous and frivolous character, everyone in the capital avoids him for fear of being tainted by association. If Li Xian really walks with this guy, his reputation will be ruined, not to mention who would dare to take Li Xian as a disciple? In the end, Li Xian's martial arts practice will become a laughing stock throughout the land!

  The edict, the troublesome edict. If it weren't for this edict, Li Xian would have long ago turned against He Lan Min and cast her aside. But with Empress Wu's edict, things are not so simple. After all, filial piety comes first in everything, even if Li Xian has no affection or respect for his ruthless birth mother. The relationship between mother and son cannot be severed at will. This "unfilial" label is one that Li Xian would rather not accept. Moreover, under the current circumstances, the edict is equivalent to an imperial decree, and Li Xian dare not openly defy it even if he wants to. This predicament has put Li Xian in a difficult position, leaving him at a loss for what to do.

  "Is Big Brother really eager to learn martial arts?" Li Xian thought for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.

  "What? Does Xiao Qi have a good plan? Quickly, tell me!" He Lan Min was originally a lazy person who didn't like to leave his house. If it weren't for Wu Hou getting angry, he wouldn't have come either. Hearing Li Xian's words, which seemed to imply that there was a solution, he immediately became excited and stared at Li Xian with shining eyes, urging him to speak quickly...