Chapter 223: Three Golden Medallions

His lips brushed against hers, his knees pressed against hers, their hands entwined. Li Ce advanced step by step, while Ye Jiao retreated, until she had nowhere left to withdraw. Enfolded by him, she gently tumbled behind the curtain. Her long hair, freshly washed, exuded the rich, passionate fragrance of peony and jasmine—an intoxicating blend of unparalleled beauty. Her skin was smooth and tender; even the slightest touch risked bruising such delicate flesh. She wore multiple layers of garments: beneath the crimson twill silk, a veil of sheer white gauze draped lightly. Her eyelashes fluttered softly, her lips rosy and full—she was like a dream stolen from the celestial realms.

"Jiao Jiao," Li Ce murmured seductively, uttering her name.

She responded, "Hmm?" Her voice was hazy, as if intoxicated.

"May I…" he asked tentatively.

"No… you may not," Ye Jiao's gaze was glazed yet resolute, "We have not yet performed the rites before Heaven and Earth." She was not a fool to be swayed by mere ceremonial fireworks.

Li Ce paused, seemingly summoning all his strength, then asked, "I mean… may I remove your shoe?" She still wore one shoe.

Before Ye Jiao could reply, Li Ce released her, knelt by the bedside, and began slipping off her shoe. She licked her lips, a trace of lingering desire in her eyes. He truly was removing her shoe! Had they not just been locked in a passionate embrace? Helplessly, she sat up and watched him.

Li Ce held her ankle with one hand, delicately loosening the leather boot's laces with the other, then removed the shoe. He lifted his head, his Adam's apple bobbing as he asked, "What now?"

"Besides the shoe, won't you remove anything else?" Ye Jiao smiled slyly.

"The rustling of the gauze when you turn—perhaps that too," Li Ce replied seriously.

"Then remove it," she said generously, spreading her arms.

The gauze was fastened with a row of frog buttons. Li Ce approached cautiously, but the first button resisted. Slightly embarrassed, he looked up. Ye Jiao's cheeks flushed; she reached out, deftly unfastened the buttons, and flung the garment aside. Then she asked, "Shall I undo the dress as well?"

The dress was easy to undo, but if removed, she would be clad only in her nightgown.

"No need," Li Ce said, lifting the embroidered quilt and motioning for her to lie down. He tucked the quilt around her carefully, ensuring she would not catch cold, and whispered softly, "Sleep now."

He lay down as well, but outside the quilt, pressed against the edge of the bed. Ye Jiao thought that if Li Ce turned over or if she kicked, he might tumble to the floor. "Why don't you come under the quilt?" she asked, turning to him.

"There is only this one quilt," he answered solemnly.

"Come here," Ye Jiao urged, shifting to make room, "You have a head wound and a weak body. You mustn't catch cold."

Only then did Li Ce lift one corner of the quilt and cautiously pull out a foot's length to cover himself. Ye Jiao eyed him suspiciously. How was it that the fierce wolf from moments ago had become a shy, timid lamb? Propping her head on her arm, she scrutinized him and asked, "Could it be that on our joyous wedding night, you intend to sleep at the edge of the bed like this?"

Li Ce turned to her, feigning innocence and weakness, "But I promised Jiao Jiao I wouldn't do anything else. I'm afraid of making you angry, so I must lie still."

"Cut it out!" Ye Jiao slapped his shoulder playfully. "You're just playing hard to get!"

Li Ce laughed, rolled over, and pinned her beneath him. "If this won't do, then what do you want, my lady?" His voice was tender, full of indulgence, yet restrained with desire.

"Let me kiss you enough first," Ye Jiao said, tilting her head back.

Before her words could fall, warmth spread again at the corner of her lips. The room's light dimmed into a soft, enchanting glow as Li Ce drew the quilt over them, enveloping them in its embrace. Nearby, dragon-and-phoenix candles flickered, casting dancing shadows upon the curtains.

At the gate of the courtyard, the censor Lin Qing knocked, but the door remained closed. Instead, Li Ce's attendant Qing Feng appeared.

"Where is His Highness the Prince of Chu?" Lin Qing, holding a lantern, peered at the young man's face and tilted his head.

"He's asleep," Qing Feng replied, not opening the gate and tightening it instead.

"Sleeping so early?" Lin Qing's tone grew anxious. "I have inquiries about the capital's affairs."

Officials retiring early was negligence, perhaps warranting a report. Ye Jiao had already recounted recent events several times—to Qing Feng and Bai Fanxi, and then to Li Ce—yet Lin Qing had missed these occasions.

When Lin Qing finally asked, Ye Jiao answered with four words: "Li Chen is finished."

"What does 'finished' mean?" Lin Qing pressed, and Ye Jiao replied, "Oh, by the way, he changed his name to Li Dai."

Why the name change at thirty? Lin Qing was eager for details to avoid missteps in his memorial.

After escorting Bai Fanxi, dining, and checking on Hu Jia's recovery, Lin Qing returned to discuss matters with Li Ce, only to be denied entry.

"No matter," Lin Qing said, lifting his lantern and turning away. "I shall seek the physician Ye instead. It is late, but unavoidable. Please lead the way."

Qing Feng guided Lin Qing to another courtyard. Lin Qing knocked, but no one answered. He pushed the door open and was met with cobwebs. The courtyard was pitch black, hardly a place fit for habitation.

"Where is Physician Ye?"

"Ah!" Qing Feng smacked his forehead. "I forgot to tell you, sir—Physician Ye is not staying here tonight."

"Not here? Are you mocking me?" Lin Qing wiped cobwebs from his face, vexed. The journey had been long and winding.

Qing Feng leaned close and whispered, "Tonight, Physician Ye is staying with His Highness."

"What?" Lin Qing's face flushed crimson as his lantern wavered. Qing Feng steadied it with a mischievous grin. "What's the big deal? They're about to wed. Whether they perform the rites or the grand ceremony, what does it matter?"

What did it matter? Lin Qing was aghast. In the Tang Dynasty, propriety was paramount, and to trample Confucian rites so lightly was unthinkable. Premarital intimacy was unheard of—not even among commoners was such shamelessness tolerated. Such frivolity and licentiousness disqualified one from great responsibility.

Gripping his lantern tightly, Lin Qing hurried away. In his haste, he stumbled on uneven stones.

"Where are you headed, sir?" Qing Feng called after him.

"Out of the city! To the capital!" Lin Qing's tone was grave.

"But your carriage—"

"I will rent another if I must, but I must return to the capital tonight!" Lin Qing was resolute, unwilling to delay even a moment. He had to reach the palace and attend the audience with Bai Fanxi. Li Ce had just achieved great merit in Jinzhou, and before the emperor bestowed rewards, Lin Qing planned to impeach Li Ce for indulgence and debauchery.

He expected Qing Feng to try to stop him, but to his surprise, Qing Feng strode ahead, even faster.

"Sir, hear me out," Qing Feng said lightly. "Your carriage is repaired."

Lin Qing's momentary surprise was swept away by his commanding gesture. "Lead the way!"

To the capital, beneath the emperor's gaze—wearing crimson official robes, adorned with a golden fish pouch, passing through the palace gates, clutching his tablet, holding his breath in anticipation to denounce Li Ce.

Before this, Lin Qing had finally uncovered the truth of the capital's turmoil. It was Crown Prince Li Zhang who had been saved by Sixth Prince Li Can's forces from the rebellion led by Wei Wang Li Chen. Li Chen had plotted to assassinate the Crown Prince and usurp the throne. The deputy commander of the imperial guards, Yan Congzheng, had also played a part.

Ye Jiao's name surfaced repeatedly—physician Ye storming the palace wielding a blade and brandishing the imperial medallion proclaiming 'As if the Emperor Himself is Present' to compel Li Chen's surrender.

An imperial medallion? The emperor placed such trust in Ye Jiao? Wait… wasn't this medallion seen once before in Jinzhou? How many were there? Two appeared—one with Jinzhou's governor Zhou Ci, and another with Chu Prince Li Ce. Ye Jiao had one as well? When did the emperor start issuing these medallions wholesale?

Listening to the court's murmurs, Lin Qing stood dazed. Suddenly, the courtiers parted respectfully as Crown Prince Li Zhang approached. His expression was stern yet gentle, nodding to the officials as he passed. The three masters of the Crown Prince bowed with respect. Li Zhang's glance fell on Lin Qing.

Lin Qing's return meant Li Ce and Ye Jiao were not far behind. If they arrived swiftly, they might still catch the wedding two days hence.

A wedding? Due to Li Chen's treachery, the emperor purged the Lu family officials from court, leaving the ritual officer position vacant. At today's court session, the Ministry of Rites would petition the emperor for a new appointment.

But Li Zhang cared little who was chosen. The Lu family had some remnants escaping the purge, and Li Zhang intended to give them a chance to run wild. The timing? Of course, on Li Ce's wedding day.

Should he follow Li Can's plan—to wait until after the wedding, after Li Ce's death, then move against Ye

Jiao and Li Ce's faction? Or risk acting before the ceremony?

Lin Qing pondered, but no conclusion came easily. His face darkened, and the court session loomed.