Chapter Twenty-Six: Entering the Palace

For Fan Li, everything that transpired tonight felt deeply uncanny. Yet, seeing Gong Bu unwilling to depart at last allowed his anxious heart to ease, if only for now.

It was only when he saw Gou Jian in the backyard, unusually familiar with Xiao Wu, Xiao Liu, and the others, that he finally understood the situation. He bowed deeply to Meng Di and said with gratitude, “Thank you, esteemed envoy, for saving His Highness’s life.”

“His Highness?” Meng Di looked over with a half-smile. “Weren’t you supposed to be from a noble household?”

Gou Jian flushed, lowering his voice. “Brother Meng and all, forgive me for concealing the truth earlier. I had no choice but to hide my identity.”

“All right, all right,” Xiao Wu waved his hand carelessly. “No matter what, we gained a prince as a brother. That’s something to be proud of.”

Fan Li coughed, somewhat displeased to see the group act without regard to status or rank. Meng Di caught his intention and dismissed the others. Gou Jian then recounted everything that had happened, concluding firmly, “Brother Meng, after seeing my father one last time, there will no longer be a Second Prince Gou Jian in this world—only the cavalryman Li.”

Though Fan Li already knew all was irreversible, hearing it again could not conceal his disappointment; he could only sigh quietly.

The Crown Prince’s residence.

The secret chamber was brightly lit as Tan Zhi listened to reports from his trusted aides.

Upon learning that Fan Li had first gone to the military camp and then to the courier station, which had unexpectedly caught fire, everyone thought it strange.

“Have you checked everyone Fan Li brought with him?”

“All verified. None matched Gou Jian in height or age.”

Tan Zhi fell into deep thought.

“Your Highness, we can wait no longer. It’s said Lady Lan always treats Gou Jian as her own. If the King is swayed by her, things may change.”

“Yes, rumors say there’s something odd at the camp outside the city. If Gou Jian seizes military authority, it’ll be tricky.”

Tan Zhi grew irritable, slamming the table and snapping, “Tricky, tricky—always the same words. What use are you to me?”

Gong Bu gritted his teeth and said fiercely, “Your Highness, why not…” He made a gesture of slicing his neck.

Tan Zhi narrowed his eyes, nodding slightly. “If nothing else works, that’s what we must do.”

The others knew Tan Zhi had long considered this. Now that he’d resolved to act, there was no need for hesitation; they all began to discuss.

The palace was heavily guarded. If they could not take the King in one move, neither the city’s garrison nor the camp outside would stand idly by. Though Tan Zhi controlled the court, truly rebelling left him uneasy at heart.

---

They debated all night with no conclusion, and Tan Zhi’s expression grew darker and darker. Just then, someone reported the envoys from Chu requested to see King Yun Chang.

Chu envoys? Tan Zhi’s eyes lit up. “Good, I’ll personally escort the envoys into the palace. Notify the ministers to attend court.”

Meng Di had long been prepared, waiting at the courier station, with Gou Jian disguised as his assistant. Though Tan Zhi hunted everywhere, he only knew Gou Jian’s general appearance; with a little change, even face to face he might not recognize him.

The rumbling of carriages announced Tan Zhi’s arrival at the station. Meng Di squinted, then asked a nearby clerk, “Does His Highness always travel with such fanfare?”

The clerk dared not reply and rushed forward to greet the entourage.

Tan Zhi warmly invited Meng Di to share his carriage, his manner exceedingly cordial. Upon meeting, he praised Meng Di’s talent and youth, declaring Chu and Yue to be old allies and the envoy’s timing most fortuitous.

Most fortuitous? Seeing Tan Zhi’s bloodshot eyes and excited demeanor, Meng Di felt perplexed.

Soon they arrived before the palace, where attendants stepped forward to explain. The great doors swung open, and hundreds entered in procession.

“May I ask, Your Highness, do you always bring so many when entering the palace?” Meng Di asked in surprise.

Tan Zhi laughed grandly. “Normally, I must use the side entrance. Today, thanks to your presence, I can enter in state. Those men carry the ‘gifts’ Chu offers to Yue.”

Meng Di’s heart sank. Looking back, Gou Jian had vanished—likely spirited away by Fan Li’s people.

Tan Zhi was in excellent spirits, chatting and laughing as he led Meng Di into the main hall. The ministers had yet to arrive.

Since King Yun Chang fell ill, most councils were presided over by Tan Zhi, but today felt entirely different.

Standing in the vast hall, he was filled with emotions. All these years as Crown Prince, never had he been so close to the throne. He gently stroked the sandalwood edge, wiping away imaginary dust.

Nearby eunuchs hurried over to intervene, but one glare sent them scurrying.

Since childhood, he had idolized his father, secretly mimicking every gesture. As he grew older, imitation no longer sufficed; he dreamed of one day sitting in that seat with majesty, commanding the ministers, wielding life and death.

Once desire takes root, it is hard to suppress; it gnawed at him like a venomous serpent night after night.

He’d long regarded the throne as his own. That so-called brother, even the slightest threat, had to be eliminated.

And the King—he had held that seat far too long!

A trusted aide whispered in his ear. While listening, Tan Zhi cast a surprised glance at Meng Di.

Then he burst out laughing, saying cheerfully, “Envoy, you wish to visit my father? I will accompany you.” With that, he strode toward the hall’s exit.

---

Outside, the guards had already been replaced with Tan Zhi’s men. Along the path to the inner palace, traces of combat were everywhere; some palace guards’ bodies still lay sprawled, not yet removed.

Tan Zhi walked with elegant, light steps, unconcerned by blood staining his shoes. He smiled easily at Meng Di. “Forgive the mess, Envoy—a small nuisance, soon to be resolved.”

At the entrance of King Yue’s sleeping quarters, Tan Zhi halted. Gong Bu and others stood to one side, weapons drawn.

“Father, are you well? The envoys from Chu have come to pay their respects.”

Without waiting for a reply, he strode in, first saluting King Yun Chang, then turning to the envoy-clad Gou Jian before the couch and exclaiming as if with delight, “Ah, is that Gou Jian? Why didn’t you tell your brother? Come, let me introduce you—this is Lord Meng Di, the envoy from Chu.”

Meng Di sighed; this time he’d lost everything.

King Yun Chang coughed, motioning Lady Lan to help him sit up. He stared coldly at Tan Zhi and spoke slowly, “Very good. You’ve learned how to force your way to the throne. In the end, you’ll be King soon enough.”

The lingering authority in his voice made Tan Zhi falter, unable to meet his gaze.

Perhaps to mask his fear, he suddenly laughed wildly. “Soon enough? How soon is soon? Twenty years, Father—do you mean for me to be Crown Prince my whole life?”

King Yun Chang sighed deeply. He had focused on expanding Yue’s borders and glorifying his ancestors, hardly considering his son’s feelings.

“In that case, you may be King. But why must you destroy Gou Jian?”

“Mercy? Father, you are too soft-hearted. Had you not gotten rid of Lady Tang years ago, would I even be King now?”

What? Mother! Gou Jian, who had kept his head bowed, suddenly glared red-eyed, lunging madly at Tan Zhi, but was firmly restrained.

Amid Tan Zhi’s triumphant laughter, King Yun Chang spat blood in fury. “Rebel!”

Meng Di braced himself and stepped forward, “Your Highness…”

Tan Zhi threw him a cold, sidelong glance, then strode out, leaving behind a light remark: “Lord Meng, perhaps you should worry about yourself first.”