Chapter 184: Legend of Courage

The Buddha Hall of Ganlu Ni Temple displays very typical Tang‑dynasty temple features.

Directly opposite the gate stand a group of mud‑cast, gold‑plated Buddha statues of varying sizes. Like most temples, the main hall of Ganlu Ni Temple still enshrines the Mahayana's principal object of worship, the "Three‑World Buddha."

Indeed, Ganlu Ni Temple is a nunnery, the only nunnery within Shengye Workshop. Following the tradition that a nunnery must have a temple beside it, Shengye Workshop is filled with temples, even of different sects.

Ji Ge chose this place because he feared that ordinary temples might harbor "bad people," so a women‑only nunnery seemed safer.

On the four walls of Ganlu Ni Temple's Buddha Hall are narrative‑rich murals. Everyone who steps inside feels as if countless eyes are watching them from all sides.

Those vague glances seem to come from the Buddha statues of varying sizes, and also from the figures in the murals.

Choosing this place for the wedding banquet, and allowing only direct imperial family members to attend—excluding even the bride—was itself a bizarre decision.

Of course, if this is treated as a political "luring the snake out of its hole" show, then it is as normal as it gets.

Seated at separate tables, eating separate dishes, the Buddha Hall lacks any familial warmth or intimacy; instead it exudes boundless alienation and vigilance.

Before Li Longji could speak, he saw the nearest Prince of Longevity, Li Chang, carrying a teacup and approaching. Li Chang knelt, both hands supporting the tray holding the cup, and shouted, "Son offers tea to his father!"

Drink tea! Poison!

Every prince present felt a lump in their throats; they knew the spectacular act was about to begin!

This… this is truly wonderful!

Under normal circumstances, each person would have a cup of tea at their table.

And the Prince of Longevity's cup also comes from the same teapot, so it could not be poisoned. Yet rumors had been swirling that the Prince might poison the emperor at the banquet; if he truly intended to act, the time would be now.

"I will not drink."

Li Longji waved his hand lightly and said.

"Father, today is my great joy day. According to custom, I should offer tea to you, and you must drink."

The Prince of Longevity pretended to be unwilling, saying so while remaining knelt.

"I have said, I do not wish to drink; I am the Son of Heaven."

Li Longji said indifferently.

Today he entered, so he will not eat any dish here nor drink any wine here.

Ji Ge will not let himself fall into any risk!

As long as he is not poisoned, this round he will be invincible.

With the Flying Dragon cavalry everywhere inside and out, how could he possibly lose?

"Father."

Prince Li Chang slowly rose and called out to Li Longji.

"You may step down; today is your joyous day, but that does not give you the right to make impolite demands of me."

Li Longji said impatiently.

"For today's tea, will you drink it yourself, or shall I feed you?"

Prince Li Chang coldly replied, then splashed the tea he held onto Li Longji's body!

The numerous princes present were stunned, and even Li Longji himself was stunned! Covered in tea, he looked extremely disheveled, and for a moment he actually…

"Don't move!"

Li Chang suddenly rushed forward, seized Li Longji's hair, then ripped off his own hairpin! He pressed the copper hairpin's sharp tip against Li Longji's throat and shouted at the princes who had stood up and were about to charge, "Step back! If you move another—"

The hall's atmosphere instantly froze; the hairpin in Li Chang's hand had pierced Li Longji's skin, blood seeping from the sharp point!

"Retreat! All retreat! No one may stand! Anyone who acts rashly will be treated as treason!"

Li Longji pointed at the many princes seated, wanting to rise but too afraid to move, and said.

Whether it's the poison rumors or the soft sword, they are merely the Prince of Longevity's tricks, false information he deliberately spread!

Li Chang never even considered these flashy yet useless things. Not only are they easy to expose, but if they fail they would plunge him into an irredeemable disaster.

Murder is all it takes; with a hand one can do it, why need those external tools?

Everyone has a hairpin on their head, everyone uses it daily; even many women use it as a means of suicide.

Since it can be used for suicide, of course it can be used to kill!

"Li Chang, if you kill me, you won't survive either… Put down the hairpin, and I'll pretend nothing happened."

Li Longji trembled while speaking haltingly; at this moment, he was truly frightened!

Prince Li Chang seemed never to have considered exiting the Buddha Hall completely intact.

"Father, have you never thought that everyone present actually hopes I drive this hairpin in?"

Li Chang's face broke into a playful smile as he looked around at all the princes and said.

"Li Chang, shut up! You yourself—"

Prince Ying Li Yun, seated farther back, shouted at Prince Li Chang.

Oh, he had just changed his name; he is no longer called Li Yun but now "Li Jiao."

"Hey hey, Li Yun, Li Yun, you won't forget everything just because you changed your name to Li Jiao, will you?"

"I think your forgetfulness is a bit extreme; shall I help you refresh your memory?"

Li Chang, with a mocking expression, patted Li Longji's face and said, "Father, look and see whether I'm right."

Li Chang's face showed mockery, then he patted Li Longji's face with his hand and said, "Father, see if what I said is right or not."

Ji Ge let out a cold snort, saying nothing further.

"Our good father, when he killed three sons in one day back then, what pretext did he have for doing so?"

It was because he had a good son, indeed, that's you, Li Yun.

You reported him, and the Crown Prince Li Ying at the time borrowed two thousand pieces of armor from you, intending to commit misdeeds.

But you, a mere powerless prince, how could you possibly have two thousand pieces of armor?

But, you are merely a powerless and influence‑less prince—how could you possibly have two thousand sets of armor?

Is the evidence still conclusive?

After finishing, Li Chang paused slightly, sneered with a disdainful snort and said:

"That's because our good father promised you that as long as you make false accusations, he'll take care of everything else.

After the deed is done, he will promise you the Crown Prince position.

But after you betray your conscience and report, how does he treat you?

Did he later appoint you Crown Prince? Are you stunned? Do you seek revenge? Do you hold any resentment? Even if he breaks his word, what can you possibly do to that Tang Emperor?"

Hearing this, Li Jiao's face darkened; he muttered and sat down silently.

Because what Li Chang said is indeed the truth!

But uttering it in a setting like this makes its destructive power too great!

Damn it, this dead guy spouts such nonsense; how can anyone survive after this! Some veils can't be ripped off!

Li Yun cursed Li Chang in his heart for breaking the rules!

"Prince of Longevity, although today is your wedding, your outburst is excessive! Let go of the Sage!"

Prince Di Li Yan stood up and scolded.

"No way, you've already caused a mess yourself, yet you still dare to step forward here?

You think by playing hero now, the Sage will later grant you the Crown Prince title?"

Prince of Longevity Li Chang feigned surprise and mocked with a line.

Then he sighed and said to the Li Longji he was holding, "I'll tell you right now what your good son is doing."

Li Chang lifted his head, looked at Li Yan, and smiled:

"You spend every day in the bedroom, stabbing a tiny figurine with a half‑foot iron nail! On it are our good father's birth chart, and the figurine is bound with his hair. You must enjoy it, right?

But do you think this self‑deceptive method works? Our good father is still lively every day; do you find it amusing?"

"Shut up! I didn't!"

Prince Di Li Yan, like a cat whose tail was stepped on, quickly denied outright, his voice rising several pitches.

"Tsk tsk tsk, you dare act but won't admit it, you have no backbone at all."

Li Chang clicked his tongue in sigh, shook his head and said.

"I'll kill you!"

Li Yan sprang forward a step, Li Chang hadn't spoken, yet Li Longji shouted, "Stop! Beast! Do you intend to assassinate the ruler?"

Li Yan was startled by the words and reluctantly retreated to his spot.

"Is it amusing for you to sow discord between me and the other princes' father‑son bonds?"

Li Longji asked Prince of Longevity Li Chang in a deep voice.

"Why are you shouting so loudly? Did I sow division? Isn't what I said the truth?"

Li Chang gave Li Longji a hard slap, his eyes blood‑red as he roared at him:

"Do you not understand the current situation? Everyone here wants you dead quickly, yet you still dare to show off before me? Believe it or not, I could send you off right now, to satisfy my good brothers!"

Having been slapped, Li Longji sighed helplessly and fell silent.

"Loyal Prince, you enjoyed the spectacle, didn't you? Are you secretly hoping I quickly stab our good father to death?"

"See, I followed your orders, seized our good father, and when your troops later capture Ganlu Ni Temple, I'll slaughter him, granting you the Great Treasure, and later you'll put me in a tomb, won't you?"

"Do you truly thank me in your heart?"

Prince of Longevity Li Chang gave a cold smile, looking at the motionless Loyal Prince Li Heng sitting not far away, his expression calm, and said:

"What nonsense are you spouting? Why would I conspire with you?"

Li Heng's face showed a strange expression, and he asked back bewilderedly.

"I have to say, among all these brothers and sisters, you're the best at pretending!"

Li Chang burst into laughter, his face bearing an indescribable madness.

"Your former Princess Wei, when attending a ceremony at Guangyun Pool, was defiled by our good father."

"After learning this, you stubbornly pretended not to know! I truly admire you; when it comes to feigning a filial son, even a flatterer can't match you!"

"You agree, my good father."

Li Chang patted Li Longji's face, but unfortunately Ji Ge was now too lazy to respond.

Li Heng wore a gloomy face, said nothing, and felt everyone staring at him from his seat.

Although this matter had become a 'not‑secret secret', Li Chang's public revelation still left him feeling disgraced.

"The matter isn't over yet; there's more excitement to come!"

"Who would have guessed our father was that formidable? He only toyed with Princess Wei once, yet she became pregnant!"

"Heaven knows whether the child in that womb belongs to the Son of Heaven or to Loyal Prince."

"You know, our good father knows too, but you, a husband and a father‑in‑law, stubbornly pretended ignorance. In the end Princess Wei herself aborted the child."

"Tsk tsk tsk, what a filial father and obedient son, the father caring, the son dutiful."

Li Chang said while laughing, tears streaming. Li Longji closed his eyes in pain, unwilling to argue further.

"From now on, as long as he lives, he must crush Prince of Longevity Li Chang to the bone! But for now, no need to force a display!"

"Sage, today I will tell you another secret."

"In fact, Princess Wei didn't die of illness; her husband, the man before you, your filial son, poisoned her!"

"Look how considerate he is; if I hadn't spoken, the secret would have stayed buried forever."

"Isn't he extremely filial? A properly married princess, poisoned—this maneuver is beyond my own skill!"

Li Chang mocked while grabbing Li Longji's shoulder, squeezing hard, his nails digging deep into the flesh.

"Li Chang, you need not be reckless; today you are certain to die."

Prince Zhong Li Heng seemed to have stopped pretending as well; he stood up, pointed at Prince Shou Li Chang, and said calmly.

"Exactly, because of your Prince Qin's army, it won't be long before they breach Shengye Fang, breach Ganlu Nunnery, and charge into this Buddhist hall."

"Then they'll——"

Li Chang pointed at everyone present, then pointed at Li Longji beside him, and said:

"Kill us all."

"Then outwardly they would claim: Prince Shou Li Chang is insane, plotting treason and regicide; all the princes and the Sage perish at his blade, only Prince Zhong survives."

"Chang'an's armies will exterminate Prince Shou's faction, Prince Zhong will ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor—what a splendid show!"

"You must be wondering why others would believe Li Heng's words. Let me tell you: it's because the Prince Xue lineage will arrive first, then testify for him, confirming that Prince Shou is indeed plotting rebellion."

"Impossible! Prince Xue would never betray me!"

"I and my brothers are as close as brothers; I have never let them down, Prince Xue could never betray me!"

"Inside the hall, the princes had not yet spoken when Li Longji was the first to refute, his body shaking violently as he fell into extreme terror."

"He chose Ganlu Nunnery next to Prince Xue's mansion to hold Prince Shou's wedding feast, hoping to draw the snake out of its hole. He firmly believed that his brothers, with whom he was on good terms, would never betray him."

"Ji Ge wouldn't dare say he treats his own sons well, but he truly is loyal to his brothers!"

"My good father, you should wake up. That Prince Xue, who was as close to you as brothers, died over ten years ago!"

"It's true that you and he were as close as brothers, but does that mean you are also as close to his sons?"

"His son is the offspring of Princess Wei, and that Princess Wei is the elder sister of Prince Zhong's former wife!"

"You say the Prince Xue lineage is loyal to you, but wouldn't it be better for them to support Prince Zhong as the new emperor? They are truly your own kin!"

"And you are already sixty—how many more years can you protect the Prince Xue lineage? Couldn't they find a new backer?"

"Prince Shou Li Chang's words were like a vicious snake tearing at the heart, making everyone here feel a bone‑chilling cold and pain!"

"This damn joke has gone too far!"

"Li Heng, is what he said true?"

"Li Longji opened his cloudy eyes, stared fixedly at Prince Zhong Li Heng not far away, and said:"

"Your Majesty, those are merely Prince Shou Li Chang's baseless talk."

"Prince Zhong Li Heng calmly waved his hand."

"Your Majesty, the elder brother is benevolent and filial; he is not such a person."

"Prince Yong Li Lin stood up to speak up for Prince Zhong Li Heng, saying:"

"It's no wonder you speak that way, after all, your mother died early, and it was Prince Zhong Li Heng who raised you."

"With so many people in the Buddhist hall, probably only you could survive as a witness; it's not strange for you to speak on his behalf."

"I've heard your consort, Lady Houmochen, is stunningly beautiful; I don't know if our good father has ever laid a hand on her."

"Most likely, she hasn't escaped the Sage's clutches either."

"Li Chang sighed and shook his head, looking regretful."

"Li Chang, you're spouting bloody nonsense!"

"Li Lin burst out cursing; young and hot‑headed, he was completely thrown off balance by Li Chang!"

"Then tell him, is this matter true or not?"

"Li Chang patted Li Longji's face and said:"

"I have never done such a thing."

"Li Longji sighed at Li Lin and said:"

"He says he hasn't; do you believe him?"

"Li Chang wore a strange smile as he looked at Li Lin and asked:"

"Li Lin slowly sat down, sinking into silence."

"reckon the time—Prince Qin's troops should be arriving soon, right?"

"Li Chang muttered to himself:"

"As if hearing his summons, a shout came from outside the Buddhist hall's windows."

"\"Prince Shou Li Chang has murdered the sovereign and seized the throne; the Sage has met disaster—follow me and charge into Ganlu Nunnery, Prince Qin! \"

"Including Li Longji, everyone present except Prince Shou Li Chang and Prince Zhong Li Heng turned pale!"

"\"See, I told you so. Li Heng, what else do you have to say? \""

"Li Chang threw the copper hairpin from his hand to the ground, then lazily walked to the corner of the Buddhist hall and sat down casually."

"\"Go on playing; I'm waiting for the rebel troops to come in and hack me to death—I've lived long enough anyway. \""

"Prince Shou Li Chang shouted at Li Longji and the princes in the Buddhist hall:"

"Meow meow meow!"

"(End of chapter)"