Volume One, Chapter 3: The Hostage
Sending a prince as a hostage?!
“This...” The Emperor of Zhou hesitated at these words.
Li Tianqing immediately perked up at what he heard! The Northern Yan? Hostage? He had just been thinking about how to escape this gilded cage, and now it seemed as if someone had handed him a pillow when he was dozing off.
The Emperor of Zhou had many sons and grandsons—losing one would hardly matter. The imperial city was a place that devoured people without spitting out their bones. Here, he lacked favor and had no foundation. If he stayed, he might get entangled in the struggles among the princes, and his life would be at risk!
Clearly, he could not remain in this city. Waiting passively for doom was not his style. Rather than that, why not seize this chance, go to Northern Yan, and carve out a future? Dangerous as it was, there was still hope—fortune favors the bold!
At this moment, the debate in the court was particularly fierce.
“This is inappropriate! The princes are of royal blood—how can they be sent to such a desolate place?” a minister stepped forward to say.
“In my humble opinion, this is feasible, but the choice of candidate must be made with utmost caution,” another official stood up and remarked.
The Minister of War’s eyes lit up at these words. “Your Majesty, in my view, it would not be unacceptable to send a hostage, but the hostage must be of noble status to demonstrate the sincerity of our Great Zhou.”
“Oh?” The Emperor’s eyes narrowed, his thoughts unreadable. “Then, in your esteemed opinion, which prince would be suitable?”
“The Ninth Prince.”
His words startled everyone.
The Ninth Prince’s face changed drastically; he was about to speak, but the Minister of War continued, “The Ninth Prince's status is exalted. Sending him to Northern Yan would best convey our sincerity.”
“I second the proposal.”
“I second the proposal...”
“I...”
Ah, it’s begun! The court is indeed a place where every step is fraught with peril, Li Tianqing thought, inwardly cheering.
Judging by the open and covert rivalry today between Prince Xuan and the Ninth Prince, blood would soon be spilt in the imperial city.
The Ninth Prince’s face was ashen; he had never imagined he would be singled out as the hostage.
He glanced at Prince Xuan, who looked on as if watching a play.
“Your Majesty, in my opinion, the Ninth Prince is too young to shoulder such a heavy responsibility.” The speaker was the Grand Chancellor, the favored consort’s elder brother and therefore the Ninth Prince’s uncle.
“Grand Chancellor, your words are misguided!” the Minister of War retorted. “Though young, the Ninth Prince is gifted in both literature and martial arts—he is certainly up to the task.”
Chancellor Xiao’s expression grew even darker, and he snorted coldly. Today, it was clear they were determined to drag the Ninth Prince into the mire!
He knew well the intent of the Minister of War and those behind him.
“Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince is of noble birth—how can he be sent to such a bitter and cold place?”
“Grand Chancellor, the Ninth Prince is promising. If he gains experience in Northern Yan and returns safely, he will become the pillar of our Great Zhou.”
“Your Majesty, the favored consort has only this one son. To send him away is tantamount to taking her life!”
“I beg Your Majesty to reconsider.” Chancellor Xiao took a deep breath and pleaded.
The Emperor of Zhou’s expression grew ever more unsightly.
The favored consort was his dearest, and the Ninth Prince his most beloved son. How could he not know what it would mean to send him to Northern Yan?!
“Grand Chancellor, what are you saying! The Ninth Prince is not leaving forever.”
“Your Majesty, please reconsider!” Chancellor Xiao knelt and bowed deeply.
The tension in the hall was palpable, the air thick with oppression.
“May Your Majesty permit the Ninth Prince to journey to Northern Yan!”
“I second the proposal.”
“I...”
At this, Li Tianqing stepped forward, knelt, and declared in a clear voice,
“Father, your son is willing to go to Northern Yan in his brother’s stead, to lighten your burdens.”
All were startled.
“Who is this prince again?”
“He’s about the same age as the Ninth Prince. It must be the Tenth Prince.”
“The Tenth Prince?”
“So it is. Thank you for the reminder—my memory fails me these days.”
No one had expected the usually invisible Tenth Prince to step forward suddenly.
The Ninth Prince looked up in astonishment at Li Tianqing. What? Tenth Brother? They were hardly close...
Thinking back, though he had never seriously harmed his Tenth Brother, the Ninth Prince had often mocked and sneered at him. Why was he stepping forward now to help?
Could it be... was he mad?!
The Emperor of Zhou was also clearly taken aback.
“Your son is of dull wit and limited ability, hardly capable of such a great task. Ninth Brother is gifted and should not be wasted in such a bitter place,” he said humbly.
“Moreover, as a prince, I am supported by the people of Great Zhou, yet have done nothing in return. I am willing to lighten Father’s burdens and serve Great Zhou!”
Li Tianqing’s tone was sincere, his loyalty and patriotism unmistakable.
The Emperor looked at Li Tianqing, a strange emotion stirring in his heart. This Tenth Son...
“Do you understand what this journey to Northern Yan entails?!”
“I do, Father. It will likely be fraught with danger, and I may even die in a foreign land.”
“But I do not fear! To live, be a hero among men; to die, be a hero among ghosts.”
“I am willing to serve Father and Great Zhou with all loyalty!”
Li Tianqing’s words were earnest, his resolve unshakable.
The Emperor was deeply moved; he had never expected his most inconspicuous son to display such courage and spirit.
“To live, be a hero among men; to die, a hero among ghosts!” How apt!
Gazing at Li Tianqing, the Emperor felt a surge of guilt—he had indeed neglected this son.
After a moment’s thought, he said, “I recall you are not yet eighteen, and have not been granted your own household?”
“Father, I am sixteen this year and have not yet been granted a household.”
Sixteen—such a vibrant age, yet he was to journey far to Northern Yan, a venture fraught with peril.
The ministers could not help but sigh inwardly. Today’s scheme was clearly aimed at the Ninth Prince, but this rash Tenth Prince... what could one say? Alas!
“I shall grant you permission to establish your household ahead of time.”
“Thank you for your great kindness, Father!” Li Tianqing bowed deeply in gratitude.
The Emperor continued, addressing the court,
“The Ninth Prince need not go to Northern Yan. The Tenth Prince shall go in his stead. Does anyone object?”
“The details will be discussed once the Northern Yan envoys arrive!”
“Your Majesty is wise!”
The ministers echoed in unison, though their hearts were each filled with their own schemes.
The Ninth Prince was stunned, cold sweat on his brow.
Chancellor Xiao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The Second Prince, Prince Xuan, remained inscrutable.
The Minister of War’s face was grim, and as he looked at Li Tianqing, a glint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.
Li Tianqing felt that gaze. He knew well who stood behind the Minister of War. Now that he had decided to go to Northern Yan, he would have no more reservations.
“Convey my decree: confer upon the Tenth Prince the title of Prince Jing, grant him a residence, fifty imperial guards and fifty feathered forest guards, one hundred servants, ten thousand acres of prime land, ten thousand taels of gold, and a thousand bolts of fine silk.”
“I thank Father for his great favor!” Li Tianqing once again bowed in gratitude, though his heart remained calm.
“I am weary; you may all continue,” the Emperor said, rubbing his temples before leaving the hall.
“Respectfully seeing His Majesty off!”
The banquet resumed, but everyone’s thoughts were clearly elsewhere. The atmosphere was heavy, currents swirling beneath the surface.
Li Tianqing, however, remained composed, eating and drinking as if nothing concerned him.
Once he was full, Li Tianqing saw no need to continue playing along, so he found an excuse and left early.
Taking a long breath, he felt much lighter.
No sooner had he stepped out of the great hall than he sensed someone approaching from behind.
Li Tianqing kept walking calmly, but the person remained close.
Suddenly, a hand landed on his shoulder.