Chapter Eleven: I Knew It All Along...
Night had fallen, and the world was shrouded in vast darkness.
Passing through the Thousand-Step Corridor, one arrived at the heart of the Great Tang—the palace complex centered around the Taiji Palace.
The inner court was especially solemn and majestic under the snow. This forbidden core of the great empire seemed to imbue every brick and every slab of bluestone with the weight of history and the oppression of power.
Fang Jun had once been to the Forbidden City, but the feeling was entirely different.
No matter how grand the ancient monument, it was still lifeless.
Yet Fang Jun had traveled back one thousand five hundred years, standing in the greatest capital and the most magnificent palace of that era. It was as if the praises of the four corners of the world echoed in his ears, and the worship of countless nations surrounded him!
Snow continued to fall, but only a thin layer covered the bluestone paths of the forbidden palace. Along the way, eunuchs and palace maids holding brooms could be seen clearing the snow.
Fang Jun often looked up at the roofs soaring diagonally into the sky, the layers of vermilion gates, the imposing halls, the delicate white stone terraces—though long buried in the flames of war, they still radiated the sovereign majesty of the Taiji Palace.
The names of the halls alone revealed the grandeur and boldness of a ruler enthroned over all under heaven: Eternal Spring, Supreme Harmony...
This palace, this city, this empire—each a legend through the ages—embodied a millennium of sorrows and joys. Crossing a span of fifteen centuries, they appeared before Fang Jun’s eyes and beneath his feet.
The creator was so miraculous, so wondrous that human thought could scarcely believe it...
The Taiji Palace under the snow was stunning.
Red walls crowned with white snow, majestic halls rising proudly.
Lanterns flickered warmly between the pavilions, adding a touch of warmth to the cold and silent snowy night.
Snow adorned the red walls, like scattered fragments of jade blossoms falling gently.
The group stopped before a palace. Fang Jun looked up to see a gilded plaque above the door inscribed with the words “Divine Dragon Hall.”
A middle-aged warrior clad in black armor with a red plume stood firmly before the hall.
The commander of the “Hundred Riders” approached briskly, saluted the armored warrior, and said, “General, the men have been brought here. Please enter the hall to report.”
The black-helmeted warrior’s face was square and stern, his sharp eyes briefly scanning Fang Jun and the others before nodding at Li You and saying, “His Majesty has already given orders. Once the men arrive, they shall enter immediately—no need to report. Leave the men to me. You should go relieve the guard.”
“Yes, sir!”
The commander acknowledged and handed over the “prisoners” to the black-helmeted warrior, then led his soldiers away to change guard without further mention.
The warrior remained expressionless. “Please follow me,” he said, leading the way into the hall.
Fang Jun and the others followed closely. Even the usually talkative Li You was silent and much more obedient now.
The main hall was spacious and lofty, with a dozen vermilion pillars about a foot in diameter lining each side. The lighting was dim; there was no throne or dais, only a smooth floor.
The black-helmeted warrior did not pause but led them directly through the hall to a side chamber.
Inside the side hall, the lights were bright. Several thick butter candles flickered with lively flames.
The room was decorated simply and plainly. Thick felt carpets covered the floor. Against the wall was a row of bookshelves densely packed with neatly arranged volumes. Several large armchairs were arranged in a semicircle around a jade tea table.
In each corner stood a bronze incense burner, emitting a faint aroma from the burning fragrant charcoal.
The warmth of the golden incense burners filled the room, but there were no delicate strings or jade fingers—only a few burly men.
Several men sat cross-legged on the armchairs, seemingly engaged in a serious discussion. Their faces were stern, the atmosphere heavy.
Fang Jun stole a glance and was shocked to see his own father, Fang Xuanling, seated there.
But at that moment, he paid no attention to his father. His focus was on the one seated in the central seat—the incomparable Emperor Li Shimin!
Even if Fang Jun did not know him by name, he could immediately recognize the emperor by the bright yellow robe embossed with subtle patterns—no one but the emperor dared to wear such a garment here.
His Majesty was just past forty, at the height of his power. His entire presence was restrained yet magnificent. Sitting upright on the armchair, his imposing figure commanded the room like a tranquil yet towering mountain. His handsome features were calm and unfathomable, yet the very air around him seemed to thicken under his aura.
The dignity of a sovereign, the dominance of a king—overflowing!
And what’s more, he was an extraordinarily handsome mature gentleman.
Fang Jun’s heart pounded wildly. He was a little parched—he was actually seeing Li Shimin in the flesh… alive.
The black-helmeted warrior knelt on one knee before Li Shimin and reported, “Your Majesty, I have come to report. Prince Qi, Yan Hongliang, Fang Jun, and Cheng Chubi have been brought here. Please issue your orders.”
Before Li Shimin could speak, a wailing cry erupted in the hall, like the slaughter of a pig.
“Father… Father, your son has followed your teachings, behaved himself properly, and yet that Fang Yiai, claiming to ‘guard Guanzhong,’ attacked me at first sight. His arrogance knows no bounds, and his blows were vicious and deadly—every strike meant to kill. Father, I am royal blood, a prince of the Great Tang, your son. That Fang Yiai hitting me shows utter contempt for the imperial family, for you, and even for the empire itself. His heart is truly detestable! Father, I feel so wronged…”
Li You’s arrogance from outside had vanished completely. Now, he knelt and crawled to Li Shimin’s bedside, sobbing as if the neighbor boy had stolen his toy. Each word was soaked with tears and sorrow, enough to break the hearts of those who heard it.
Fang Jun was dumbfounded.
The prince wasn’t exactly a child anymore—was it really necessary to behave like this? Might as well throw a tantrum and roll on the floor…
What impressed Fang Jun most was the torrents of tears streaming from Li You’s eyes, paired with an expression of utter grief and indignation—as if he had been dragged repeatedly into an alley by some street thug for a beating. The acting was nothing short of brilliant.
Those present wore various strange expressions. Fang Jun even saw the stone-faced black-helmeted warrior twitch the corner of his mouth slightly.
Li Shimin’s face was so dark it seemed to drip with water, clearly suppressing his anger with great effort.
Fang Jun’s heart trembled. The wrath of the Son of Heaven was like a flood of blood and thunder... this was an exaggeration, but the emperor’s fury was indeed unbearable. Fang Jun, once confident, now grew anxious. With Li Shimin in this mood, if he lost control, it would be like a thunderclap. Dozens of lashes would leave his little behind shattered into pieces...
“Father, please rule on my behalf and punish Fang Yiai for his great disrespect—despising the imperial house and betraying the sovereign…”
Li Shimin’s expression shifted, a sinister smile curling at the corner of his lips.
“According to your account, Fang Yiai attacked you without cause. This is indeed contempt for the imperial house, and an affront to me. Such a grave crime—what do you propose should be done?”
Li You’s spirits lifted—his father was finally taking his side!
He spoke loudly, “Considering his meritorious ancestry, thirty lashes and exile to Lingnan!”
Fang Xuanling, who had been a silent bystander, suddenly jumped down from his armchair, knelt, and cried out, “I have failed in my household management and in raising my son. I deserve death!”
Fang Jun’s heart skipped a beat. He was doomed...
But in the next moment, he nearly popped his eyes out.
Li Shimin—seated on the armchair like a ferocious tiger—suddenly sprang up, leapt down in a single bound, and kicked Li You headlong to the ground. Then, without concern for his head or face, he delivered a series of brutal kicks with both feet.
As he kicked, he cursed loudly, “Thirty lashes? Exile to Lingnan? Good! What a loyal and benevolent Prince Qi you are—truly my good son! Do you think I’m an idiot? Fang Yiai has been simple and honest since childhood, gentle by nature. If you hadn’t provoked him, would he have hit you? Would he dare? You’ve always been like this—whenever trouble arises, the villain always cries first!”
Li You could no longer withstand the onslaught of “dragon feet” and his mind was in complete chaos.
To add insult to injury, it was as if Li Shimin was saying, “It’s your fault, isn’t it?”
It was the epitome of “once a rogue, always a rogue.”
Just a little mischief in childhood—no murder, no arson, no bullying—compared to the notorious princes in history, he was far better behaved, yet what was the result?
No matter what happened, he always took the blame first.
He might as well have handled the matter back in the county office. At least then he might have gained some advantage. Now, before his father, he could not argue his case. The emperor was clearly protecting Fang Yiai. He feared not only a severe beating but much worse.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, Li Shimin shouted thunderously, “You want thirty lashes? Bring me thirty lashes for this wretched beast! Then let him take his guard and depart immediately for his post in Qizhou. I never want to see him again!”
Li You was terrified out of his wits. It was not just a beating after all—he had known it all along...