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ITVCFITB CHAPTER 111
Chapter 111 – I Gave You a Chance
“Spit it out already, don’t stammer!” Luo Shuyu’s anger, when roused, was no less intimidating than Li Mingjin’s. Though he rarely showed it, his authority had long been deeply ingrained.
The shadow guard reported quickly: “Yes, Master. As soon as His Highness entered the palace, he was taken by the Fourth Prince’s men and placed under guard alone. Shadow Three is following him. For now, His Highness’s life is not in danger. He instructed me to tell you: he has his own plans, there is no immediate risk.”
“Locked away by the Fourth Prince and you call that ‘no danger’?” Luo Shuyu’s voice sharpened with disbelief. Still, this had not been unexpected. They had long predicted that once the Emperor passed away, the Fourth Prince would strike at Li Mingjin first. “Take more men into the palace. Protect him at all costs. The household is secure; the guards from Gucheng are here. There will be no problems at home.”
The shadow guard hesitated. “But His Highness ordered us to stay and protect you and the young master.”
“Half remain here, half go with you to the palace,” Luo Shuyu said decisively. “No more arguments. That’s final.”
Both masters had their own judgment, and the guard understood that Luo Shuyu’s authority was no less than his lord’s. He dared not disobey and went to arrange men accordingly.
Luo Shuyu forced himself to stay calm. Worry clouds the mind. Li Mingjin must have his reasons for yielding so easily, there would be a counter-move behind it. What he needed to do now was stay put, protect their son, and not interfere. If Li Mingjin had chosen to be “taken,” then there was already a strategy in place.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince was blind to the truth that the imperial city was riddled with Li Mingjin’s eyes and ears.
The Emperor’s passing had come swiftly. The Fourth Prince’s residence was closest, and he charged into the palace with his men before anyone else. He already believed the throne was his. After all, he had once seen an edict naming him heir. Now he needed only to secure his brother.
To his surprise, Li Mingjin hadn’t resisted. No sword, no struggle, he allowed himself to be seized. Easier than expected. With Li Mingjin in his grasp, the Fourth Prince felt assured: the Third Prince’s household could wait.
He soon discovered the imperial decree hidden within the late Emperor’s chamber. Pleased beyond measure, he carried it out personally. “Summon all officials to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Let Father’s will be read aloud. I’ll even bring my Third Brother to hear it, so he knows Father’s final wish.”
His men hurried to obey, rounding up every official and dragging even the reluctant ones into the audience hall. There, the Fourth Prince planned to have the decree read by the Grand Chancellor, the highest-ranking minister left, so no one could dispute it.
Before that, he himself went to “invite” Li Mingjin.
The prison door creaked open.
The Fourth Prince smiled easily. “Third Brother, don’t be offended. It wasn’t my intention to treat you this way. I only had to take certain precautions first. I ask your understanding.”
Li Mingjin’s gaze was cool. “You needn’t pretend. Do as you will. But this method of yours… is hardly fitting.”
The Fourth Prince waved off the rebuke. “Come then. Let’s go together to the Hall of Supreme Harmony and hear Father’s decree.”
Li Mingjin asked evenly, “And Father himself?”
The truth was, neither son had made it to their father’s side at the very end. But the day before, the Emperor had roused briefly. Li Mingjin had sat with him in the Imperial Garden, fed him noodles, and listened to the old man speak of regrets, of family, of heavy crowns and lonely roads. He’d even entrusted Li Mingjin with the names of those to be buried with him, and most tellingly, warned him about the Fourth Prince.
There, among birdsong and late-summer blooms, he looked long across the palace he had ruled for decades. His voice was low but steady.
“Third… when I am gone, treat your mother well. Look after your younger brothers and sisters. The burial lists are already drawn, follow them, and I shall have no regrets beneath the earth.”
Li Mingjin inclined his head. “Yes.”
The Emperor’s gaze softened. “What pains me most is not seeing little Chongchong grow up. He’s bright… and quick. Promise me you will raise him well.”
“He is my son,” Li Mingjin answered. “I will guide him. You need not worry.”
The Emperor turned his eyes upward to the pale sky. “What I fear most is your Fourth Brother. You know his ambitions. The deaths of your elder brothers… his hands were not clean. I cannot bear to see blood shed among my sons, but if he should go too far… you must decide.” His voice faltered. “I once walked that path myself, brothers turned against brothers. It left only exhaustion… and loneliness. Now, looking back, I regret much. I failed to keep my children from the same fate.”
He spoke long of the past, of mistakes and of longing, while Li Mingjin listened in silence. He knew his father’s true plea: that he spare the Fourth Prince if he could.
At last the Emperor, half-drifting, tugged his son’s hand. “Third… you understand me?”
Li Mingjin’s reply was steady. “I understand.”
The Emperor asked weakly, “Then tell me… what do you truly think?”
Li Mingjin hesitated, then leaned close. “Father, this palace is already mine. The city is already mine. Fourth Brother cannot touch me. As long as he does not strike first, I will leave him a way to live. I have raised my own soldiers, forged weapons you have not seen. If you pass the throne to him, he will not keep it. If you pass it to me… all will be well.”
The words struck like thunder. The Emperor, suddenly wide awake, stared at him in disbelief. “You… what did you say?”
But Li Mingjin only pressed his shoulder gently. “Rest now, Father. You are tired.”
The Emperor had been shocked into silence then slipped into his final sleep. By dawn, he had passed away.
Now, as the Fourth Prince stood in front of him, sword in hand, he mocked lightly, “Don’t you want to know what Father’s decree says?”
Li Mingjin’s expression was unreadable. “Whatever it says, it changes nothing.”
“You’re not a man without ambition,” the Fourth Prince pressed.
“My ambition,” Li Mingjin replied flatly, “is not as crude as yours.”
The Fourth Prince drew his blade and pressed it against his brother’s neck. “Come along then, Third Brother. We needn’t waste time with courtesies. You’re in my hand now. And steel has no eyes.”
Li Mingjin’s gaze hardened. His voice dropped like iron:
“I gave you a chance.”
Author’s Note
Third Prince: Want to go mountain climbing, little brother?
Fourth Prince: Farewell!
IsitRo: I actually expanded on the Emperor and Li Mingjin’s last conversation. It was originally just summarized, but I felt the longer version added a more solemn tone and gave it more depth. See below for the original:
Click to Expand
The truth was, neither son had made it to their father’s side at the very end. But the day before, the Emperor had roused briefly. Li Mingjin had sat with him in the Imperial Garden, fed him noodles, and listened to the old man speak of regrets, of family, of heavy crowns and lonely roads. He’d even entrusted Li Mingjin with the names of those to be buried with him, and most tellingly, warned him about the Fourth Prince. Li Mingjin, in return, had spoken a truth of his own. He had whispered of armies under his command, of weapons his father had never lived to see, of power hidden across the capital. He had promised that, so long as the Fourth Prince did not provoke him, he would spare him. The Emperor had been shocked into silence, then slipped into his final sleep. By dawn, he had passed away.
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