Chapter Twenty-Four: Going with the Flow (Part One)

On the ninth day of the first month of the second year of Linde, the Grand Historian Li Chunfeng submitted a petition in court requesting permission to return to his homeland with his bones. Emperor Gaozong refused, urging him to stay, but Li Chunfeng’s resolve was unwavering. Unable to persuade him, the Emperor gifted him gold for his journey. Li Chunfeng accepted the gift but left it in his residence, then departed with a single disciple, vanishing quietly into the distance. Days after his departure, the ministers finally realized his absence, and many sighed in regret.

Thus, a genius of his era left with a grace and freedom that seemed almost ethereal, leaving behind a legacy of over forty years of distinguished service. Praise for his achievements echoed throughout the court and the land, and numerous petitions were submitted requesting honors for him. Li Xian did not join in the commotion, but he was nonetheless deeply moved by Li Chunfeng’s departure, unable even to articulate his feelings. Their acquaintance was shallow, little more than a single meeting, yet Li Xian could sense the old man’s sincere concern for him and felt a pang of reluctance at his leaving. Still, considering his own temperament, Li Xian preferred not to be understood too thoroughly by anyone; for those born to the imperial family, secrecy was the very foundation of survival. In this regard, Li Chunfeng’s departure might indeed be a blessing.

Those who have left are gone, and those who remain must continue living. The people of the capital may be full of emotion and sighs, but it is all just a passing breeze. Soon it fades, and everyone returns to their usual business, Li Xian included. Aside from occasional visits to the palace to pay respects, he spent most of his days idling in his residence, living in leisure. Yet such ease inevitably attracted trouble.

"Your Highness, Yuan Wanqing, the lecturer from the Imperial Academy, has arrived—Master Yuan himself," reported Gao Miao, rushing in from outside and quietly approaching Li Xian with the news.

The Lantern Festival was near; government affairs were quiet, but miscellaneous matters abounded. Li Xian cared little for the rituals and ceremonies, but festive atmosphere was essential. The vast princely residence needed proper decoration, and gifts had to be sent throughout the palace, adding to the busy confusion. After finally arranging everything and sitting down to catch his breath, Gao Miao hurried in with the announcement.

"Yuan Wanqing? What is he here for..." Li Xian began to ask, but suddenly recalled Yuan Wanqing’s purpose and stopped mid-sentence, a frown creasing his brows as a wave of disgust rose within him. At the end of last year, Empress Wu had decreed that Yuan Wanqing should instruct Li Xian to supplement his studies. Yuan Wanqing had requested leave to visit his family as the year ended, and the matter was delayed. Li Xian himself had forgotten about it, but Yuan Wanqing clearly had not, and now had come knocking.

According to Tang protocol, the Crown Prince’s tutors were high-ranking ministers in name, but the actual teaching was handled by the Hongwen and Chengjun Academies. Other princes had no such privilege; their tutors were selected from the Imperial Academy’s scholars, and the choice was not fixed, with frequent changes. However, there was one clear rule: only scholars or the chief of the Academy could teach princes, not just anyone. In this respect, Yuan Wanqing lacked the proper qualification; his appointment was purely due to Empress Wu’s favor.

Li Xian was not a snob; his dislike for Yuan Wanqing was not due to his lowly seventh-rank title as lecturer, nor was it a matter of talent—Yuan Wanqing was quite learned, his scholarship no less than any senior scholar. As a tutor to a prince, he was more than adequate. What truly troubled Li Xian was that Yuan Wanqing was a dog at Empress Wu's side, the kind who would attack at a single glance from his mistress, a mad dog. How could Li Xian possibly accept such a man as his teacher?

"Your Highness, shall I tell Master Yuan that you are indisposed today and ask him to return another day?" Gao Miao, seeing Li Xian’s unsettled expression and long silence, understood his reluctance and cautiously offered a suggestion.

Another day? What nonsense—this needed a permanent solution! Li Xian impatiently waved him to silence, stood up, and paced the room, frowning and pondering how to resolve the issue without offending Empress Wu. Yuan Wanqing must not remain, but he could not be dismissed harshly, lest Empress Wu take offense. If mishandled, old grievances such as the previous prison case might resurface, and the consequences would be dire.

Suddenly, inspiration struck. Li Xian’s eyes brightened, a plan forming in his mind. He beckoned Gao Miao close, whispering instructions in his ear. Gao Miao’s expression shifted repeatedly as he listened, clearly hesitant but not daring to object, finally bowing in assent and going to greet Yuan Wanqing at the door.

At the steps before the Prince Zhou’s residence, a middle-aged scholar in a green official robe stood upright, boldly blocking the entrance. This was Yuan Wanqing, lecturer from the Imperial Academy, newly arrived and eager to assume his post. Yuan Wanqing was from Luoyang, born to a humble family. His talent brought him into officialdom, first as an interpreter, and soon after, his support of Wu Meiniang’s elevation earned him Empress Wu’s favor and a transfer to the Academy. However, his humble origins and unruly nature made him unpopular with superiors, and he remained a minor seventh-rank official.

Serving as tutor to Prince Zhou was a rare honor for Academy officials, though not as prestigious as tutoring the Crown Prince. It was a valuable credential, and those who taught imperial princes were almost always promoted. Yuan Wanqing was no exception; eager to secure his position, he came to the prince’s residence even before the Lantern Festival, confident he would be warmly received, given he came with the Empress’s decree. Yet he waited at the door for ages without any response, not even a greeting from the gatekeeper. Feeling slighted, Yuan Wanqing, in anger, decided to block the entrance and demand respect for the teacher’s dignity.

"Ah, my apologies, Master Yuan, please forgive the delay—His Highness invites you in," Gao Miao finally emerged, profusely apologizing.

"Hmph, where is His Highness?" Yuan Wanqing, full of anger, ignored Gao Miao’s smiles, sweeping his sleeve and coldly demanding.

"Master Yuan, please calm yourself. His Highness is occupied with important matters and cannot greet you in person; I have been sent to receive you. Please, let us discuss things inside," replied Gao Miao, smiling.

"You...hmph!" Gao Miao’s excuse was clearly unconvincing, and Yuan Wanqing’s anger grew. He nearly turned to leave, but could not bear to give up the prestigious post. With a cold grunt, he strode up the steps, his face grim, following Gao Miao straight to the central courtyard. As they crossed two courtyards, they heard the sharp “ha, ha” sounds of someone practicing martial arts ahead. Yuan Wanqing stopped, puzzled, glancing at Gao Miao.

"Master Yuan, please—His Highness awaits in the courtyard," said Gao Miao, gesturing invitingly with a broad smile.

Having arrived, Yuan Wanqing had no reason to retreat, and since Gao Miao would not explain, he did not bother to ask, sweeping his sleeve and stepping through the gate. He had barely set foot in the courtyard when a flash of steel came at him, making him cry out in terror, his legs giving way as he collapsed to the ground, trembling.

"Ah, forgive me, I lost control of my blade—is Master Yuan unharmed?" Li Xian, sweating and holding a broadsword, approached, feigning concern and offered soothing words to the panic-stricken Yuan Wanqing.

"You—you—you…" Yuan Wanqing, a scholar unaccustomed to such shocks, was so frightened he could not speak, pointing at Li Xian in trembling rage.

"Gao Miao, are you blind? Don’t you see Master Yuan is hurt? Call the imperial physician at once!" Li Xian, inwardly delighted at Yuan Wanqing’s humiliation, outwardly appeared deeply anxious, turning to scold the barely contained Gao Miao.

"Yes, yes, yes, please calm yourself, Your Highness," Gao Miao replied, struggling to suppress laughter as he hurried to help Yuan Wanqing up, feigning concern. "Master Yuan, are you all right?"

All right? Of course he was. Li Xian’s broadsword had never come closer than a foot away from Yuan Wanqing; the scholar’s panic was merely a reflex. Yet though Yuan Wanqing was unharmed, his dignity was shattered. Whether Li Xian’s act was intentional or not, Yuan Wanqing could no longer face serving as tutor to the prince.

"Enough, enough! Your Highness has made a mockery of me—I cannot accept this appointment. Farewell!" Yuan Wanqing, infuriated, jumped up without bothering to straighten his crooked hat, bowed curtly to Li Xian, swept his sleeve, and stormed out of the residence, ignoring Gao Miao’s feigned farewells and marching off.

"Your Highness, that fellow has gone, but he will not let this rest. Should the Empress hold you accountable, then…" Gao Miao, pretending to pursue Yuan Wanqing, returned anxiously to Li Xian’s side, quietly voicing his concern.

Accountable? That’s exactly what I want! Li Xian had already calculated the consequences and cared little for Gao Miao’s worries. He offered no explanation, but smiled as he took a white towel from Yan Hong, who stood nearby, leisurely wiping his face and calmly instructed, "There’s a letter on my desk—send it to Prince Lu’s residence." With that, he paid no heed to Gao Miao’s expression, laughed heartily, and strolled off toward the rear courtyard…