Volume Three: The Turmoil at Xuanwu Gate Chapter 106: Hidden Killings

As for what exactly the Crown Prince said that caused such a drastic change in Li Yuanji’s attitude, turning him against the Prince of Qin, there was no other reason than the promise made by Li Jiancheng. Once he ascended the throne, Li Jiancheng pledged to confer upon Li Yuanji the title of Imperial Grand Brother, elevating him above all younger siblings.

For the ambitious Li Yuanji, this was an irresistible temptation—right in line with his desires.

With the Crown Prince’s assurance, the fickle and self-serving Li Yuanji was naturally determined to align himself firmly with him. Eager to prove his loyalty to the Crown Prince, he was blinded by greed and resolved to eliminate the Prince of Qin.

Upon hearing this, Pei Ju was horrified. Although the Prince of Qin was indeed the Crown Prince’s greatest threat and many longed for his removal, now was not the right moment to do so.

First, the Prince of Qin still held military power and had earned great merits, commanding respect within the army. A mysterious death would surely unsettle the troops.

Second, the Prince of Qin had considerable backing within the court, with a strong foundation. Killing him before neutralizing his supporters would only provoke fierce retaliation, possibly shaking the very core of the nation.

This was the last thing the Crown Prince wanted. His eventual accession should be a smooth, assured process; no one wished to inherit a mess.

According to the Crown Prince’s original plan, they should first strip the Prince of Qin of his military command, cut off his wings, and isolate him, before finally eliminating both the Prince of Qin and the Prince of Qi, ensuring a stable transition.

But the Prince of Qi was reckless and impulsive. If allowed to act on his own whims, he would ruin the Crown Prince’s grand design.

Pei Ju hastened to dissuade Li Yuanji, but the latter was stubborn and arrogant, acting on impulse like a superficial fool. How could he heed such advice?

Li Yuanji, consumed with thoughts of the Crown Prince’s promise, eagerly wished to kill the Prince of Qin at once, so the Crown Prince could ascend and he could savor the glory of being the Imperial Grand Brother.

Leaving behind a nearly tearful Pei Ju, Li Yuanji burst out of the chamber, striding briskly toward the front hall, shouting loudly, “Yuwen Bao! Yuwen Bao! Where the hell have you been? Come here at once!”

As the commander of the Prince of Qi’s guards, Yuwen Bao was always nearby. Hearing his name, he hurried over.

Li Yuanji, inflamed by the thought of the Imperial Grand Brother title, ordered, “Select fifty trusted guards, each armed with hidden blades. Ambush at Chaolu Hall. When I raise my cup and shatter it, that will be the signal to strike. We must kill the Prince of Qin there!”

“Yes, my lord! I will lead them personally and turn the Prince of Qin and his men into mincemeat!” Yuwen Bao pounded his chest confidently.

Li Yuanji nodded, clapping him on the shoulder. “Yuwen Bao, if this succeeds, you will enjoy endless wealth and honor! I’ll even make you a general of the Sixteenth Guard—it’s no trouble!”

Yuwen Bao was thrilled and quickly went to organize the men and prepare the ambush.

Meanwhile, Li Mingyu sat inside, his legs numb from sitting too long. After greeting Li Shimin, he stepped into the courtyard for some fresh air.

Although Li Yuanji was no learned scholar, his study and garden were well arranged. The courtyard paths wound around rocks and a lakeside pavilion, spring water trickled quietly. Though winter had withered the flowers, the clever landscaping created a serene and elegant scene. A fresh snowfall the night before had cloaked everything in silver, adding a unique charm.

Mingyu strolled aimlessly, admiring the winter garden and stretching his limbs.

Just as he rounded a rockery, a palace maid hurried toward him. Mingyu paused—her face seemed oddly familiar, though he couldn’t quite place her.

Before he could think further, she brushed past him, whispering faintly, “Tell the Prince of Qin: Chaolu Hall, the Hongmen Banquet! Hurry!”

Mingyu was stunned. He knew the infamous tale of the Hongmen Banquet, but what was Chaolu Hall? The maid’s cryptic warning was clearly meant for him.

But Li Yuanji had just declared his break with the Crown Prince and allegiance to their side. Could something else have changed?

Suddenly, Mingyu recalled—the maid was one of the attendants serving the Princess of Qi, whom he had recently seen. Perhaps the princess had caught wind of a plot against the Prince of Qin and sent her to warn him.

Could it be that Li Yuanji’s men had been bribed by the Crown Prince and were plotting to assassinate and frame the Prince of Qi? Or had Li Yuanji himself turned treacherous?

Frowning deeply, Mingyu lost all appetite to appreciate the garden’s beauty. He quickened his pace toward the study, intending to confer with his second uncle, Li Shimin.

But as he reached the study door, he saw Li Yuanji already there, holding Li Shimin’s hand and leading him outside.

Li Yuanji said as they walked, “Second Brother, I’ve prepared a banquet. Consider it my apology for today’s rashness. Brothers seldom meet; tonight we must drink till none remain sober!”

Li Shimin nodded, hoping to use the banquet to win over Li Yuanji and resume unfinished talks.

They walked ahead, with Yuchi Gong following closely. Despite Mingyu’s anxiety, he knew it was impossible to speak openly in front of Li Yuanji. If he mentioned that the princess had sent a warning, Li Yuanji might lose his temper on the spot.

Sighing silently, Mingyu resolved to proceed with caution, taking each step as it came. His hand rested on the hilt of the Hongming Blade, ready to carve a bloody path if necessary.

Soon, they arrived before a grand hall within the prince’s residence. Mingyu looked up at the massive golden nanmu wood plaque, black background and gold letters, reading “Chaolu Hall.”

At the sight, Mingyu’s heart tightened. Li Yuanji looked increasingly uneasy, his eyes darting nervously as he gripped Li Shimin’s hand tightly, as if afraid he might slip away, then stepped inside.

“Second Uncle...” Mingyu began to warn Li Shimin of possible treachery.

Before Li Shimin could answer, Li Yuanji pulled him inside, laughing, “Mingyu, come in! Fourth Uncle has prepared a banquet; we must drink well together.”

Mingyu’s anxiety deepened. Li Yuanji was cunning, giving him no chance to speak privately with Li Shimin.

Resigned, Mingyu leaned toward Yuchi Gong and whispered, “Uncle Yuchi, be wary—this wine and feast may not be what they seem. Today, you might have to learn from Fan Kuai.”

Yuchi Gong’s eyes widened, then he sneered, “Li Yuanji? I’ll give him two doses of courage! Don’t worry! With me here, no one will lay a finger on the general!” He straightened with a fierce gait and followed them inside.

Mingyu felt a surge of confidence. He recalled how years ago, at Hulao Pass, they had accompanied Li Shimin on a reconnaissance mission against Dou Jiande’s hundred-thousand-strong army. Even Dou Jiande’s thousands of iron cavalry were no match for them and suffered heavy losses. How could he fear a mere Li Yuanji? If he dared act, Mingyu vowed he would unleash a storm of blood and fire upon the Prince of Qi’s mansion.

With that resolve, Mingyu strode into Chaolu Hall.

The hall was truly magnificent—its main chamber stretched thirty or forty zhang in length and width, splendid and sumptuous.

The beams were made of cloud-top sandalwood, supported by columns of golden nanmu. Crystal-glass lanterns hung overhead, casting bright candlelight. Embedded in the ornate ceiling was a huge luminous pearl, gleaming brilliantly in the firelight.

The floor was covered with thick cashmere carpets imported from the Western Regions, woven with gold and silver threads, exquisitely crafted, soft as walking on clouds.

The side chambers were tightly closed, making it impossible to tell if anyone lay in ambush.

The guests had already taken their seats when Mingyu entered. Li Yuanji waved cheerfully, “Mingyu, sit quickly!”

During the Tang dynasty, noble families practiced a system of seating by rank, and the Prince of Qi’s household was no exception. Li Yuanji took the main seat, with Li Shimin seated to his left, facing east.

Yuchi Gong’s status was insufficient to sit with them, so he took a place by the door. Opposite him was an empty seat, evidently reserved for Li Mingyu.

Noticing the arrangement, Mingyu frowned. Whether by custom or Li Yuanji’s design, the table was set some five or six zhang away from Li Shimin. If someone tried to attack during the meal, they would be out of reach.

This was unacceptable. Their foremost task was to keep Li Shimin safe at all costs.

Unable to object due to status, Yuchi Gong remained silent, but Mingyu, undaunted, joked boldly, “Fourth Uncle, why place me so far? Afraid I’ll outdrink you?”

The repeated address of “Fourth Uncle” grated painfully on Li Yuanji’s nerves. “Ugh! This upstart! Shameless! Who knows where that bastard came from, and he dares to claim kinship with me? Who do you think you are?” Yet he kept his composure, forcing a smile, “Ah, my oversight. Come, come, sit here by me.”

He clapped his hands, and several attendants entered to rearrange the seats and tables as he commanded.

Once Li Shimin settled down, Li Yuanji clapped again.

A dozen maidservants entered gracefully bearing dishes and wine. Soon, the table was laden with fine wines and delicacies.

About ten musicians sat in the corner with pipa and string instruments, tuning softly. Gentle melodies filled the air.

The banquet was accompanied by the ringing of bells and chimes, with incense smoke curling upward. Within Chaolu Hall, opulence and decadence reigned.

Li Yuanji frequently raised his cup, laughing wildly and urging others to drink. Li Shimin, hoping to draw him closer, accepted each cup without refusal.

Mingyu watched anxiously as Li Shimin drank cup after cup, his heart in his throat. “My second uncle, you’re too trusting. Aren’t you afraid your ‘brother’ might poison you in the food or drink?” But there was no turning back now. He focused intently on Li Yuanji, ready to strike if he made a move.

Halfway through the feast, Li Shimin began to sense something was amiss. Several times he tried to bring up forming a united front with Li Yuanji against the Crown Prince, but Li Yuanji dodged and changed the subject, speaking only of frivolous matters.

This was a stark contrast to the fierce, oath-bound enmity Li Yuanji had shown earlier in the study.

Sensing Li Shimin’s impatience, Li Yuanji knew the moment had come. Raising his cup under the pretense of drinking, he cast a cold smile at Li Shimin. “Second Brother! Don’t blame me for being ruthless—your elder brother offered a higher price! Hmph! You’ll stay right here. This time next year will be your death anniversary!”

In the side chambers flanking Chaolu Hall, Yuwen Bao and his armed men lay in wait, weapons ready for Li Yuanji’s signal.

Suddenly, Li Yuanji’s expression hardened. He raised his hand and smashed his wine cup against the floor with a fierce crash!