Chapter 4: Shangyuan (IV)

Seeing Miss Du’s knowing smile, Li Kuo felt a weight lift from his heart.
“I really didn’t expect—well, I never thought a street stall could serve such delicious snacks.”
Du Jingtian picked up another forkful of fried meatballs, her cheeks puffing up in a cute way.
“Well, the quality of food here depends on the chef’s skills, not on the environment of the tavern or tea house.”
Li Kuo swallowed a piece of braised mutton and poured himself a cup of wine.
Although Du Jingtian didn’t come from a noble family, she was the only daughter of the shop owner, Du, and had been pampered since childhood. Coupled with her well-known stubbornness, no one dared to provoke her. If Miss Du approved of it, then the snacks here were indeed excellent.
Li Kuo raised his cup and poured the wine into his mouth. The cold liquid slid down his throat, invigorating him.
“Owner, bring out whatever fine dishes and wines you have.”
Following the voice, Li Kuo glanced over and instinctively called out as he saw the middle-aged man in a dark yellow patterned round-collar robe.
“Your Highness…”
“Place an order, owner!”
The middle-aged man glanced at Li Kuo with a teasing look and took over the conversation. Of course, this man was the current crown prince, Li Heng. It was unclear when he had left the palace or how he had dressed like this to blend in with the crowd.
Du Jingtian found it very strange that her husband suddenly became so reserved. Hearing their conversation, she was even more confused.
“Ah, it’s obvious you’ve never been to a street stall like this. Here, you don’t place orders—you just order what you want!”
Hearing this, the stall’s worker immediately gave a thumbs up. “This girl understands. In a small shop like ours, we have only a few dishes—countable on one hand. There’s no need to place an order. Sir, we have braised mutton, spring noodles, fried meatballs, and sheep jelly. What would you like?”
One of Li Heng’s attendants stepped forward. “Is there anything lighter? My master is weak, and the doctor said he can’t eat spicy food.”
“Oh, that’s tricky. All the food here relies on spices for flavor. How about I cook you a bowl of plain noodles without any spices?”
The worker was at a loss. People in Guanzhong loved spicy food. He had only heard customers complain about insufficient spices, never someone asking for no spices at all.
“Dare you!”
Thinking the worker was mocking the crown prince, the attendant became furious and even drew his sword, ready to fight.
“Lide!”

Li Hen sternly stopped his retainer’s behavior and apologized to the shopkeeper, “Sir, my attendant was a bit impulsive. I’m sorry. Please prepare a bowl of plain noodles without any seasoning.”
The shopkeeper had already been terrified by the retainer and only felt relieved after hearing Li Hen’s words of reassurance.
“See? It’s this gentleman who knows manners!”
After glancing sharply at the retainer, the shopkeeper reluctantly headed toward the stove. He had originally wanted to recommend his homemade fruit wine, but seeing the young man’s frail appearance, he decided against it.
“General Li, long time no see.”
Since he had encountered the crown prince, Li Kuo couldn’t be too shy. He bowed and said, “Lord Li, what brings you to Zhuque Street to enjoy the lanterns today?”
Judging from Li Hen’s earlier behavior, it was clear he didn’t want to reveal his identity, so the young man played along and treated him as an ordinary person.
“General Li, can’t I even have a moment of peace?”
Li Hen smiled self-mockingly, but his eyes remained fixed on the young man, never wavering.
Du Jingtian found their formal conversation tedious and interrupted, “Why can’t you two use different titles? Since you’re Xiao Qi’s friend, just call him by his clan rank. Oh, by the way, what’s your name?”
“Dare you!”
The crown prince’s retainer, angered by the woman’s rudeness, stepped forward to discipline her.
“Back off!”
Li Hen tapped the table lightly with authority, scaring the retainer into kneeling and bowing.
“Your guards are quite strange!”
Du Jingtian shook her head and laughed, “I’ve never seen such mood-swinging retainers before. It’s quite interesting.”
“Interesting?”
Li Hen was momentarily stunned. Having spent years in the palace, he had never heard anyone call his guards interesting. This woman certainly had a unique style.
Du Jingtian put another piece of fried dough in her mouth and pressed further, “By the way, what’s your name?”
“I’m Ah Tian. Don’t be rude!”
Li Kuo glared at Du Jingtian to stop her impolite behavior. (Note 1) “Ah, Qi Lang, it’s fine.”
Li Hen pushed his sleeves back and said, “My name is Yu. You may call me Lord Yu.” (Note 2)
Of course, Li Hen wasn’t just a random young man he encountered. In fact, ever since the young man left Qinren Fang, Li Hen had kept a close eye on his movements. If it was called a ‘random encounter,’ it was actually a carefully planned one.

He was confined to the Eastern Palace all day long, with little opportunity to meet Li Kuo alone. To avoid arousing his father’s suspicion, he came up with the idea of making an incognito visit during the Shangyuan Festival. This way, even if his whereabouts were discovered, it could be claimed as a chance encounter.

He was eager to meet the young man so he could have an open conversation about their future plans. Perhaps because of the young man’s background connected to the Eastern Palace, he had always regarded him as one of his own.

However, gradually, he realized they were drifting apart. It wasn’t until the battle of Longyou that he truly understood the young man was never part of the Eastern Palace—he belonged only to his father, to himself.

The sinister scheme orchestrated by Gao Xiuyan and Li Linfu made their relationship extremely awkward. Every time he went to bed, he would remind himself involuntarily: The young man had seen him with the Wei family, had witnessed his naked shame! He didn’t know how he managed to endure it, but he knew that if it had been someone else, he would likely have ordered his guards to execute them on the spot.

After that incident, he no longer felt any sense of pride as a superior in front of the young man.

Yet, he was the only one he could rely on in the army!

Life is sometimes so absurd and helpless.

“Lord Yu, have you been well these days?”

“Pretty fine.”

Li Kuo chatted casually with Li Heng, able to see the eager desire in his eyes. He wanted to subdue him at all costs!

In the past, if he had received such favor and admiration from the crown prince, he might have sworn loyalty immediately. But not now—since their encounter in Chongren Fang, he had completely lost faith in Li Heng.

It wasn’t because of Li Heng’s difficult situation now, but because of his silence that night. If only he had been firmer with Gao Xiuyan back then, if only he had protected himself, perhaps their relationship would be closer now.

But he didn’t do anything. He watched helplessly as Gao Xiuyan took him away and sent him to Jingzhao Prefecture. If it weren’t for Lady Guo and Gao Lishi stepping in to protect him, he couldn’t imagine what would have happened.

He was a heartless and ungrateful man.

From that moment on, Li Kuo formed his opinion of the crown prince. For such a person, no matter what others thought or did, he would never throw himself into their arms. Such a person could drain your worth and then kick you away cruelly; they could distance themselves from you without hesitation in times of crisis and trample you underfoot.

He was no longer that naive young man who had just entered officialdom; he had to plan for his own future. Clearly, Li Heng was not someone worth trusting.
Prince Li Heng’s heart trembled slightly, and his lips quivered involuntarily.
He hated himself—for his silence that night!
It was not his fault; he couldn’t be blamed. He simply didn’t have the ability to protect the young man from harm, and his firmness would only make his father more suspicious! Besides, he still harbored some resentment toward the young man! Any man would be furious if his private moments were discovered, let alone the heir to the throne!
Yet he couldn’t say any of this. He had to bear it silently, without anyone to share it with.
“Hehe, here’s some top-quality noodles! Please, sir!”
The shopkeeper rushed over in a few steps and placed the noodles in front of Li Heng, nodding repeatedly as a gesture of courtesy.
“Li De, pay him for the noodles.”
Li Heng gave a bitter smile and ordered his attendant loudly.
“This is your payment!”
The attendant glared at the shopkeeper and took out a silver coin from his purse, handing it to him.
“Oh, thank you, sir! Thank you so much!”
The shopkeeper’s eyes narrowed as he received the silver coin.
Li Heng glanced at the oil spots floating in the porcelain bowl and lost his appetite. He pushed the bowl to the center of the table and cleared his throat lightly.
“Qilang, do you think I’m useless?”
“Never dare to think so.”
Li Kuo quickly bowed deeply, remembering that the other man was still the heir to the Tang Dynasty, and proper courtesy was necessary.
Li Heng shook his head and said, “Actually, one can only do what they want to do while they’re alive. I’ll talk to my father—surely you’ll get approval from the Ministry of War soon.”
Note 1: In ancient China, it was very impolite to ask someone directly by name. People usually referred to others by their courtesy names or birth order if they weren’t familiar with them.
Note 2: Yu was Li Heng’s name before he became the prince; he changed it to Heng after that.