Ling Mohan toyed with the brush in his hand. It was a gift from Chu Yanxi years ago, meant to curry favor with him. The brush body was made of purple sandalwood, and the tip was crafted from wolf hair – exceedingly precious. The brush was much like Chu Yanxi himself, outwardly brilliant but inwardly disappointing, a mere gilded pillow, attractive but useless.
He held the brush and wrote a few characters on the paper, feeling a surge of disdain. The wolf hair absorbed too little ink. Though it didn't wet the paper, the constant dipping was troublesome. It was far less practical than his ordinary brush.
Ling Mohan put down the brush. It was time for him to catch up with Chu Yanxi. However, he needed to invite someone else too; more people would make it livelier.
...
"I don't mean to criticize, but why did you call me here to interrogate Chu Yanxi? Don't you know how busy I am with state affairs? I have no time to waste here."
Chu Chenyi's voice was filled with dissatisfaction. His father, the King, was in poor health and had pushed all affairs onto him. The memorials he had to review daily were already piling up like a mountain.
To him, stopping for a drink of water or a moment's rest was a luxury, let alone accompanying Ling Mohan to watch him interrogate Chu Yanxi. It was a complete waste of his precious time.
He wondered what Ling Mohan was up to, insisting on bringing him along.
"Since I've called you here, it's for a serious matter. Do you really think I'm so idle that I enjoy listening to you babble?"
Ever since they arrived, Chu Chenyi's mouth had been moving non-stop, not pausing for a single moment. Ling Mohan's ears were about to grow calluses from listening to him.
He himself wasn't tired, but he was tired of listening. He truly wished he could find something to stuff Chu Chenyi's mouth with and gain some peace.
"Greetings, Prince Jing, General Ling."
Upon seeing Chu Chenyi and Ling Mohan, the guards at the celestial prison hurried forward to bow respectfully.
"Rise. Where is Chu Yanxi imprisoned?"
"Replying to the Young General, the Third Prince is confined in the Heaven-designate cell. As per your orders, the guards have been doubled."
"Lead this general and Prince Jing there."
"Yes, General."
The guard walked ahead, leading the two behind him towards the Heaven-designate cell where Chu Yanxi was held.
"Prince Jing, do you know what kind of people are imprisoned in the Heaven-designate cell?"
"This Prince certainly knows. The Heaven-designate cell is reserved for convicted princes and dukes. Confining Chu Yanxi here is indeed fitting."
"Over twenty years ago, it was also the Heaven-designate cell, holding a prince who failed in his rebellion. In the end, he was bestowed a cup of poisoned wine and his life was ended. Prince Jing, what do you think Chu Yanxi's fate will be?"
Chu Chenyi's eyes darkened, skillfully concealing his emotions. He spoke calmly, "Chu Yanxi's matter is of great importance and will naturally be decided by His Majesty's sacred will. It is not something we need to worry about."
Among his father's many sons, Chu Yanxi was the most doted upon. Even when the evidence of Chu Yanxi's rebellion was conclusive, his father had not issued a decree to arrest him. Now, the news of Chu Yanxi's imprisonment had already spread to the imperial palace.
As far as he knew, numerous ministers had already petitioned for Chu Yanxi's punishment, but their requests had all been suppressed by his father. Now, his father had taken ill and refused to see anyone. It was likely that his father was currently agonizing over how to find a way to absolve Chu Yanxi.
Ling Mohan's lips curved into a cold smile, tinged with mockery. "Our current Emperor is most indecisive. He is most susceptible to pleas and cannot bear to hear any words of begging. I reckon that when Chu Yanxi meets His Majesty, he'll beg a little, then lament his mistakes with great remorse, and His Majesty's heart will soften... What might happen then is anyone's guess."
Everyone knew that Emperor Xuanwen favored the Empress the most and, by extension, Chu Yanxi. He had repeatedly wanted to establish Chu Yanxi as the Crown Prince. If not for the Empress Dowager's solitary intervention, Chu Yanxi would have been the Crown Prince long ago. Perhaps it would have been Chu Chenyi imprisoned in this Heaven-designate cell.
"That won't happen... With the pressure from the officials, Father won't disregard the court officials and release Chu Yanxi..."
Even as he spoke words defending Emperor Xuanwen, Chu Yanxi felt a tremor of unease. After all, they were father and son. Chu Chenyi understood Emperor Xuanwen's character reasonably well. What Ling Mohan had said might well come to pass.
"It will likely be a lot of noise but little rain, a high lift and a gentle drop, merely a minor punishment. In the end, who can guarantee His Majesty won't release Chu Yanxi..."
"Chu Yanxi is narrow-minded and ruthless. Releasing him is no different from letting a tiger return to the mountains, only leading to endless troubles. This is our best opportunity. Only by eliminating Chu Yanxi can Prince Jing truly achieve peace of mind."
Ling Mohan's words kept echoing in Chu Chenyi's ears. At this moment, he began to waver. He knew that letting Chu Yanxi go this time was like having a sword hanging over his head; he could barely sleep soundly.
But if it was without his father's command, and he acted rashly to deal with Chu Yanxi, and his father found out... the situation would likely be even more unfavorable to him.
"Directly punishing Chu Yanxi would undoubtedly put us in the spotlight. It would be more prudent to incite the officials to pressure Father together and force him to issue an edict to have Chu Yanxi killed."
What Chu Chenyi thought of was indeed a complete solution, but it was uncertain whether Emperor Xuanwen would issue such an imperial decree.
"How many of these officials are Chu Yanxi's people? Chu Yanxi has deep roots in the capital, cultivated over many years. If Chu Yanxi gets a chance to bite back, both you and I will find it difficult to cope. If you want to achieve great things, softness of heart will only be your greatest obstacle!"
Ling Mohan's words were like a sharp reprimand, instantly clearing Chu Chenyi's mind. If he was soft-hearted today and let the tiger return to the mountains, then if Chu Yanxi retaliated in the future, Chu Yanxi's fate today would be his own. He seemed to understand why Ling Mohan wanted him to come along.
It was to make him clearly see Chu Yanxi's fate, take it as a warning, and not end up like him.
"I was indeed foolish. Then I shall listen to you. However, if we act ourselves, it will still be gossip. We need to discuss it carefully before proceeding."
"That's not necessary. There are many ways for a person to die; it could be poisoning, murder, or even suicide."
"Suicide... You mean to make Chu Yanxi commit suicide? How is that possible? You're talking nonsense."