The Emperor's Beloved: My Ancestor is the Crown Prince?

Chapter 67 Winter Solstice Turmoil

At the end of October, the first snow of the year quietly arrived in Chang'an.

Inside the warm pavilion of Lizheng Hall, the underfloor heating made it cozy. Little Qingyi pressed her little hand against the window, watching the swirling snowflakes outside, her eyes wide open: "Auntie, it's snowing!"

"Yes, the first snow came a little early this year." Empress Zhangsun put down her embroidery frame and came over to look at the snow with her. "Does it snow in Yiyi's hometown too?"

"Yes, I will," Xiao Qingyi nodded, "but it needs to be colder. My brother said that in my hometown, we can build big snowmen and have snowball fights in winter!"

Empress Zhangsun smiled and was about to say something when the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, His Majesty requests your presence at the Liangyi Hall, saying that he has important matters to discuss."

Empress Zhangsun was slightly taken aback. The court assembly had just ended at this hour; what could possibly require her presence?

She straightened her robes and said to Wu Meiniang, who was standing beside her, "Meiniang, stay with Yiyi for a while."

"Yes." Wu Meiniang bowed respectfully.

After Empress Zhangsun left, the warm pavilion fell silent. Little Qingyi continued to watch the snow, while Wu Meiniang quietly organized the documents the Empress had just reviewed. She was now not only teaching Little Qingyi to read, but also assisting the Empress in organizing some non-confidential documents, a rare level of trust in the palace.

"Sister Wu," Xiao Qingyi suddenly spoke up, "Do you think it snows in Jiangnan during winter?"

Wu Meiniang paused in her movements: "The climate in Jiangnan is warm, so snow is rare. Why did you ask about Jiangnan, young lady?"

"Because the Crown Prince has been looking at maps of Jiangnan a lot lately." Xiao Qingyi rested her chin on her hand. "I overheard him talking to Lord Yu, saying that there are floods in Jiangnan and that they need to control them. But..." She frowned, "it seems that someone doesn't want the Crown Prince to control the floods."

Wu Meiniang was startled. This child could actually understand these things?

She walked to the window and asked softly, "Who told you that, young lady?"

"Yiyi heard it herself," Xiao Qingyi said seriously. "The day before yesterday, I went to see my brother, the Crown Prince, and he was talking to someone in the study. Yiyi waited outside the door and heard someone inside say, 'There is a lot of resistance in Jiangnan,' and also, 'Someone wants to take this opportunity to cause trouble.'"

Wu Meiniang was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Young lady, you mustn't say these things to anyone else, understand?"

"Mmm." Xiao Qingyi nodded. "Yiyi only told Sister Wu and Auntie."

The snow outside the window fell heavier and heavier, soon turning the palace's glazed tiles into a pure white.

---

At the same time, the atmosphere inside the Liangyi Hall was colder than the wind and snow outside.

Li Shimin sat upright on his throne, his face solemn. Below him stood Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and several important officials. Kneeling in the center of the hall was a dusty-looking censor, Zhang Xun, who had just returned from Jiangnan.

"Every word I have said is true!" Zhang Xun's voice was filled with indignation. "Officials in various prefectures and counties south of the Yangtze River are outwardly compliant but inwardly defying the water control project! Chen Yuanli, the prefect of Runzhou, outwardly accepts the imperial decree but secretly colludes with local gentry to delay the project under the pretext of 'insufficient manpower' and 'unsuitable timing.' Even worse, some are spreading rumors that His Highness the Crown Prince's water control strategy is 'a waste of manpower and resources' and 'a grandiose scheme'!"

Li Chengqian's expression changed slightly, and he stepped forward: "Father, your son..."

Li Shimin raised his hand to stop him, his gaze piercing: "Imperial Censor Zhang, do you have any concrete evidence?"

"Yes!" Zhang Xun took out a joint petition from his sleeve. "This is a petition jointly signed by the gentry of thirteen counties in Jiangnan, requesting a 'temporary suspension of flood control efforts to alleviate the people's burden.' However, my secret investigation reveals that these supposedly 'insufficient manpower' counties are collecting even higher taxes this autumn than in previous years! The people are not powerless, but rather exploited at every level, leaving them no time for corvée labor!"

When the petition reached Li Shimin, his expression grew increasingly grim as he read it. The reasons presented on the paper sounded grand and dignified, but between the lines lay perfunctory attitude and resistance.

Minister of Works Tang Jian stepped forward: "Your Majesty, the Jiangnan region suffers from floods every year, and a complete solution is indeed necessary. However, the project is enormous, and if the local areas do not cooperate, it may be difficult to implement."

"Uncooperative?" Li Shimin sneered. "Is it genuine noncooperation, or simply unwillingness to cooperate? I suspect some people are just reluctant to part with the lucrative water control project!"

The officials in the hall all lowered their heads, not daring to speak. Everyone understood that the water control project had consumed countless amounts of money and resources, and that it was rife with illicit gains. If it were truly implemented thoroughly, how many people's livelihoods would be cut off?

At this moment, Li Tai, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "Father, I recently discovered something while compiling the 'Kuodi Zhi' and reviewing the geographical records of various prefectures and counties in Jiangnan."

Li Shimin raised his eyes: "Speak."

"The areas most severely affected by floods in Jiangnan are Runzhou, Changzhou, and Suzhou. Nearly 30% of the fertile land along the river in these three prefectures belongs to local officials and their relatives," Li Tai said calmly. "If the floods are thoroughly controlled and the river channels widened, these properties will be the first to be affected."

This statement reveals the key point—it's not that the people are unwilling, but that the officials are unwilling to allow it.

A cold glint flashed in Li Shimin's eyes: "Very well, very well indeed. For a few acres of land, they've disregarded the fate of the nation and the safety of the people!"

He stood up and paced around the hall. The sunlight streaming through the high windows cast a long shadow of him.

After a long silence, Li Shimin stopped and looked at Li Chengqian: "Chengqian, what do you think of this matter?"

Li Chengqian took a deep breath: "Your subject believes that flood control is a matter of vital importance to the people's livelihood and should not be stopped because of resistance. However, forcefully pushing it through may cause unrest among the people, so a combination of firmness and leniency should be adopted."

"How do you achieve a balance between strength and gentleness?"

"For the firm side, the imperial court will send an imperial envoy to oversee the investigation, strictly investigate delays and corruption, dismiss those who should be dismissed, and punish those who should be punished," Li Chengqian said in a steady voice. "For the gentle side, we can emulate the Cui and Wang families, with the imperial court compensating those who relinquish their land to support water management, either by granting them titles or exempting them from taxes. At the same time, the water management project can be carried out in stages, starting with the easier parts and progressing to the more difficult ones, so that the people can see the tangible results and naturally support it."

These words were clearly and logically presented, demonstrating both determination and feasible solutions.

Li Shimin's expression softened slightly, and he was about to speak when a slightly panicked voice from outside the hall suddenly came: "Your Majesty, there is an urgent message from Jiangnan!"

"Bring it here!"

An urgent document arrived in Li Shimin's hands. He unfolded it and his expression changed drastically. The document was written by Chen Yuanli, the prefect of Runzhou, and its content was not about flood control, but rather—impeachment.

The Crown Prince Li Chengqian was impeached for "associating with unknown overseas forces, which is detrimental to the national image."

The text details the various "strange skills and tricks" brought by Xiao Qingyi at the Lychee Banquet and Qujiang Banquet, saying that those items "are not from the Central Plains and are probably sorcery," and further implying that the Crown Prince has close ties with "overseas" countries and "may harbor rebellious intentions."

The hall was deathly silent.

Li Chengqian's hands clenched tightly in his sleeves, his knuckles turning white. He had planned everything meticulously, but he hadn't expected the other side to attack from this angle.

Li Tai also looked up in shock, a look of worry flashing in his eyes.

Li Shimin slowly placed the document on the table, his voice devoid of emotion: "Chengqian, what do you say about this 'overseas lady'?"

"Yiyi is just a four-year-old child." Li Chengqian steadied himself. "Innocent and naive, how could there be any 'unknown forces'? Those little objects are just children's toys, how could they be 'magical'? Chen Yuanli's actions are merely a diversionary tactic to obstruct flood control!"

"A child?" Li Shimin raised his eyes. "A four-year-old child, able to bring items that have never been seen in the palace before? A child who can casually spout such insights as 'flood control should be a systematic approach'?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian's heart sank. His father had indeed been suspicious all along.

"Father," Li Tai suddenly stepped forward, "I can testify for my elder brother. I have seen Yiyi many times, and she is indeed a child at heart. I have also seen the items she brought; they are nothing more than exquisite toys. Chen Yuanli's accusations against the Crown Prince based on this are truly far-fetched."

Li Shimin glanced at Li Tai, his eyes deep: "Qingque certainly has a deep brotherly bond."

He sat down again, his fingers lightly tapping the table. Only the tapping sound and the sound of wind and snow outside the window remained in the hall.

After a long silence, Li Shimin slowly spoke: "I will investigate this matter thoroughly. But before that is done—" He looked at Li Chengqian, "the flood control project will proceed as scheduled, but that child should not enter the palace for the time being."

Li Chengqian's face turned pale: "Father!"

"This is an imperial decree," Li Shimin said firmly. "Step down."

---

In the warm pavilion of Lizheng Hall, Xiao Qingyi was playing cat's cradle with Wu Meiniang when she suddenly saw Empress Zhangsun return, her face somewhat pale.

"Auntie!" she ran over. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Empress Zhangsun forced a smile and pulled her into her arms: "It's alright." She looked at Wu Meiniang, "Meiniang, you may leave now."

Wu Meiniang bowed and withdrew, but an ominous premonition welled up in her heart.

Only the mother and daughter remained in the warm pavilion. Empress Zhangsun gently stroked Xiao Qingyi's hair, hesitating to speak.

"Auntie," Xiao Qingyi looked up at her, "do you have something to say to Yiyi?"

Empress Zhangsun looked into her clear eyes and felt a pang of sorrow in her heart. This child knew nothing, yet she was being dragged into the power struggles of the court.

"Yiyi," she said softly, "you may not be able to come to the palace to play for a while in a few days."

Xiao Qingyi was stunned for a moment: "Why?"

"Because...because some people are gossiping," Empress Zhangsun said, trying to sound lighthearted. "Once the gossip has died down, Yiyi can come again, okay?"

Xiao Qingyi nodded as if she understood, but suddenly asked, "Is it because someone doesn't want Crown Prince to control the floods?"

Empress Zhangsun was taken aback: "How did you know?"

"Yiyi heard it," Xiao Qingyi said earnestly. "Mother, if Yiyi can't come, will Brother Crown Prince be sad? Will Brother Prince Wei miss Yiyi?"

These words brought tears to Empress Zhangsun's eyes. She hugged the child tightly: "Yes, everyone will miss Yiyi. So Yiyi, be good and wait for this storm to pass."

Xiao Qingyi nodded vigorously: "Yes! Yiyi is obedient. But..." She took out the jade rabbit paperweight from her bosom, "Could you please ask Mother to give this to my brother, the Crown Prince? He said that seeing this is like seeing Yiyi encouraging him. Since Yiyi can't come now, let the rabbit keep him company."

Empress Zhangsun received the warm, white jade rabbit, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

At that moment, Li Shimin's voice came from outside the hall: "Guanyinbi."

Empress Zhangsun quickly rose and shielded Xiaoqing behind her. Li Shimin walked in, still carrying the chill of the wind and snow.

His gaze fell on Xiao Qingyi, his expression complex.

Xiao Qing bowed respectfully, saying, "Yiyi greets Uncle."

Li Shimin remained silent for a long time, then suddenly asked, "Yiyi, where did all those items you brought come from?"

Xiao Qingyi blinked: "I'm from Yiyi's hometown."

Where is your hometown?

This question stumped Xiao Qingyi. She looked at Empress Zhangsun, then at Li Shimin, and whispered, "In...in a very, very far place."

How far is it?

Xiao Qingyi thought for a moment, then suddenly ran to the window and pointed to the swirling snow: "Further than where the snow flies."

Her innocent words stirred something within Li Shimin. Looking at this naive child, he recalled the flower tea and jade rabbit cup she had brought, her fearless closeness whenever she saw him, and how she had brought a rare tenderness to the usually composed Chengqian…

Could such a child be a "strange force"?

He walked to the window and stood beside Xiao Qingyi, watching the snow. After a long while, he slowly said, "Snow may be cold, but it nourishes the earth and heralds a bountiful year. Perhaps some things... are like that too."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Empress Zhangsun's eyes: "Your Majesty..."

Li Shimin waved his hand, turned to look at Xiao Qingyi: "Yiyi, I ask you, what would you do if someone prevented your Crown Prince brother from doing the right thing?"

Xiao Qingyi replied without hesitation, "Help him!"

"How can I help?"

"Tell him to stick to what's right!" Xiao Qingyi said earnestly. "Brother Crown Prince said that doing the right thing will make everyone happy. If someone doesn't allow it, it must be because they don't know that doing it will make them happy."

These simple words brought a smile to Li Shimin's face. He patted Xiao Qingyi's head and said, "Good child."

He looked at Empress Zhangsun and said, "By imperial decree, Yiyi will also attend the Winter Solstice Palace Banquet."

Empress Zhangsun exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty?"

"I want to see," Li Shimin said with a deep gaze, "what kind of nonsense those gossips will come up with when they see this child."

The wind and snow outside the window gradually subsided, and a ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, shining on the snow-covered glazed tiles, making them sparkle.

Xiao Qingyi didn't know what had happened, but she could feel that her uncle the emperor's gaze had softened again. She smiled happily, revealing two small dimples.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Jiangnan, Chen Yuanli received a secret letter from Chang'an, learning that the impeachment had not achieved the desired effect, and his face darkened.

He paced around his study for a long time before finally picking up his pen and writing another letter.

The letter contained only eight words:

"The outcome will be clear at the Winter Solstice feast."