Chapter Twenty-Eight: Straight (Part Two)

"It is merely a coincidence; it proves nothing. Besides, from what I have gathered, Fang Jun is typically steady and earnest. He does not frequent such pleasure houses. If he happened to visit one on occasion, it is hardly a grave offense."

Emperor Li Er did not agree with Princess Gaoyang's assessment. Just because someone started a fight in a brothel, does that mean they have a penchant for men and dislike women? Where is the logic in that?

Princess Gaoyang was not discouraged and continued, "This single incident might not prove anything, but think back to what he said to me in the palace the other day: 'Every word you say to me must be sincere; you are not allowed to lie to me, scold me, and you must care for me. When others bully me, you must be the first to step up and help me. When I am happy, you must share in my joy; when I am unhappy, you must coax me into a good mood. You must always think I am the most beautiful...' Just listen to that! Do you think a normal man—take yourself, Father, for example—would say such things to a woman? Therefore, he wasn't saying this to me, nor to any other woman. In his imagination, he was saying these things to a man!"

Princess Gaoyang's fair face flushed slightly—not from shyness, but from excitement. After her own brilliant, nuanced observation and deep analysis, she had finally seen through the true nature of that detestable Fang Jun. The sense of achievement was simply unparalleled.

Emperor Li Er was left speechless, caught between laughter and tears.

*Imagination... saying it to a man?* The man simply didn't want this imperial marriage and was intentionally saying these things to disgust her. This silly girl, usually so sharp, was surprisingly dense when it came to such matters.

As the father and daughter were speaking, they were interrupted by the arrival of Li Junxian, the Commander of the "Hundred Riders."

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Prince of Wei is outside the palace requesting an audience."

Emperor Li Er asked casually, "Do you know what for? If it is nothing urgent, tell the Prince of Wei that I am about to rest and he should return tomorrow."

He doted on Li Tai for his cleverness and sharp wit, but he was equally fond of Princess Gaoyang. Especially after discovering that she seemed unhappy with the arranged marriage, he felt it necessary to communicate with her to dispel her resentment.

Li Junxian hesitated for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Wei... appears to have come to file a complaint."

"A complaint?"

Emperor Li Er was somewhat surprised. Usually, it was the ministers filing complaints against the Prince of Wei—one day for his residence exceeding regulations, the next for his extravagant lifestyle—it was endless. It was truly rare for that boy to be the one complaining about someone else.

"Against whom?"

"Against... the second son of Chancellor Fang, Fang Jun..."

"Fang Jun?" Emperor Li Er asked with curiosity, "Do you know what it is about?"

He had established the "Hundred Riders" not merely for palace guard duty; if he needed guards, the Left and Right Imperial Guards were sufficient. The true purpose of the "Hundred Riders" was to gather intelligence in the capital, serving as the Emperor's eyes and ears. If he didn't even know such a trivial matter as why Li Tai was accusing Fang Jun, it would be a severe dereliction of duty.

Li Junxian respectfully replied, "It is because Fang Jun beat up Liu Lei, the Investigating Censor."

Emperor Li Er's first reaction was: *Fang Jun is fighting again?*

Then he asked, "And what does that have to do with the Prince of Wei?"

Li Junxian gave a bitter smile. "Because Fang Jun beat Censor Liu right in front of the Prince of Wei."

Li Er nodded. That made sense. Given his fourth son’s proud temperament, if someone struck his subordinate right in front of him, it would be strange if he didn't strike back. *Wait... that's right. Why didn't Li Tai strike back, and instead, quite pathetically, come here to complain to me?*

Li Er found it inconceivable. Running to one's parents to report a fight was the mark of a weakling. Thanks to the massive rewards he had distributed upon taking the throne, there were countless nobles in the world, resulting in a cluster of pampered youths in Chang'an who spent their days racing horses and fighting cocks, creating a chaotic mess. But one rule remained: no matter how badly they were bullied, few would run home crying to their fathers. That was considered the height of cowardice. If you were bullied, you were expected to find a way to bully back, whether by ambushing them or fighting dirty.

Li Er was deeply perplexed and asked, "What exactly happened?"

Li Junxian reported in full detail: "His Highness the Prince of Wei went to the Zuixian Tower today to host a banquet for Censor Liu..."

"Zuixian Tower?" Princess Gaoyang interrupted. "Zuixian Tower, that name sounds so familiar..."

Li Junxian said, "A few days ago, His Highness the Prince of Wei had a conflict with Fang Jun at that very Zuixian Tower..."

Princess Gaoyang realized, "Ah, so it's a brothel! But why did Fourth Brother go there?"

*Naturally, to drink and enjoy the company of courtesans...* Li Junxian coughed. He couldn't say that, or it might get back to the Prince of Wei that he was badmouthing him to the Emperor. He replied, "The Prince of Wei was likely curious about the Zuixian Tower because of the incident between the Prince of Qi and Fang Jun, and so he went there."

Emperor Li Er said in a low voice, "Spare me the useless details. Continue."

"Yes." Li Junxian recounted the events with precision, as if he had been there in person. It was clear that someone from the "Hundred Riders" had indeed been present.

As soon as Li Junxian finished speaking, Princess Gaoyang twisted her slender waist and leaped up from her seat, crying out, "See, see, Father! I told you that Fang Jun was a deviant, and you said I was talking nonsense! Look, that jerk goes to a brothel and gets into a fight every time—is that something a normal person would do? That guy must have a penchant for men! Father, please, quickly cancel the marriage betrothal!"

As she spoke, Princess Gaoyang ran to the side of Emperor Li Er's couch, clinging to his leg and acting spoiled, her eyes filled with a pitiful, resentful look, like a poor little kitten.

Upon hearing Princess Gaoyang's words, Li Junxian broke into a cold sweat. *Fang Jun has a penchant for men? Where on earth did this come from?*

This time, even Emperor Li Er was shocked.

His daughter's earlier words resurfaced in his mind, and the more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Every one of Fang Jun's actions appeared to confirm Gaoyang's suspicions.

*Could that second son of the Fang family actually be a rabbit?*

Emperor Li Er could no longer remain calm. This concerned his daughter's lifelong happiness; he could not be careless. If he married his daughter to a man who didn't like women, she would have to endure endless ridicule and bitterness for the rest of her life. Wouldn't he be the one harming her?

He truly began to regret the marriage.

But an Emperor's word is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold; how could he easily go back on it? Moreover, such a matter could not be brought to the table. If it were, where would Fang Xuanling hide his old face? His loyal minister would likely be enraged to death.

Most importantly, even as an Emperor who held the world in his hands, he could not act impulsively based on a mere suspicion. It would invite criticism and leave him unable to face Fang Xuanling.

Emperor Li Er pondered for a while and called out in a low voice, "Wang De."

An old eunuch emerged from the side chamber, responding softly, "Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

The old eunuch appeared to be over seventy, his brows and hair completely white. His face was a map of deep wrinkles, like the bark of a withered tree. Yet, his body was robust; his back was straight, his steps were light, and he reached the Emperor's side without making a sound, bowing respectfully.

As soon as Li Junxian saw the old eunuch, he quickly offered a respectful bow. "Greetings, Eunuch Wang."

Facing the Commander of the "Hundred Riders" and the Emperor's trusted general, the old eunuch merely nodded faintly and let out a hum. It was only when Princess Gaoyang greeted him with a sweet, sugary voice that he smiled dotingly, his old face wrinkling like a chrysanthemum.