Chapter 242 – Chang Geng’s Marriage

After the sentencing of Prince Wei's case was finalized, discussions began regarding the date of execution. The Crown Prince, benevolent by nature, wished for it to be delayed until after the Dragon Boat Festival. During the morning court session at Zichen Hall, Prime Minister Fu Qian echoed the proposal, and Li Ce raised no objection. The Emperor nodded slightly in approval, then asked, "Have you decided upon the burial site?"

The Crown Prince and the Prime Minister exchanged a glance before replying that no decision had been made. Throughout dynastic history, those condemned for treason were rarely granted a burial. Regardless of their noble birth, they were often discarded in mass graves, left to be scavenged by wild dogs. If their corpses were not displayed on city gates as a warning, it was already a gesture of imperial mercy.

Where to bury him? This question had not crossed the minds of either the judicial authorities or the royal household. But the Crown Prince was quick to grasp the Emperor's underlying sentiment. Despite Prince Wei's rebellion—his attempt to seize power, imprison his father, and murder his brother—the Emperor's heart still harbored a trace of compassion. He could not bear to see a son of the royal bloodline defiled in death, his body rotting in some desolate wilderness.

"In my humble opinion," Li Zhang stepped forward, "Though Li Chan's crimes are beyond pardon, for the sake of imperial dignity, it would be improper to dispose of his remains like a common criminal."

The Emperor cast a look at Li Zhang—one filled with rare approval for the first time since the treason trial. The Great Tang needed a ruler of virtue and benevolence. He hoped the Crown Prince would show kindness to his kin within and balanced strength without.

"He bears the surname Li, after all," the Emperor murmured, pacing slowly. He turned to Li Ce. "What about near the imperial tombs?"

His meaning was clear—was there a suitable location? Li Ce, who had resided near the imperial mausoleums for two decades, was well-acquainted with the area. His expression remained impassive as he replied, "Father's tomb was completed just last year. The surrounding terrain resembles galloping steeds, grand and untamed—it must not be disturbed. However, a hundred li to the south lies a hill shaped like a crowned head. The Court of Astronomy has surveyed it; it is suitable for the burial of nobles and ministers."

The Emperor had begun selecting a site for his tomb shortly after ascending the throne. By convention, princes were barred from the imperial tomb and were instead buried in separate garden mausoleums. The location Li Ce mentioned, being a hundred li away, was indeed far enough to be considered distinct.

Just as the Emperor was about to give his assent, Prime Minister Fu Qian stepped forward to object. "Your Majesty must reconsider. Li Chan was a traitor in life. How can he be laid to rest as an honored noble, alongside the monarch?"

The Emperor sighed lightly and shook his head. "It was my failure to discipline him that has led to this outcome. I never said I would grant him the rites of nobility."

At that, the Emperor suddenly paused. Turning his back to the dozen or so high-ranking ministers present, his shoulders tensed and hunched. He leaned on Gao Fu's arm for support and, after a moment of silence, finally spoke: "Build him and his son a modest grave, furnish them each with a plain coffin. That will suffice."

Though the Emperor's voice remained as steady and authoritative as ever, its weight rang clearly in every listener's heart.

"If that is Your Majesty's will," Fu Qian no longer objected and changed his tone, "then I shall convey the decree to the Ministry of Works."

"There's no need," the Emperor turned around, his eyes moist but his tone suddenly stern. "Recall Li Lian. Let him see to it."

The Third Prince, Li Lian—Prince Qi—had been exiled to guard the royal tombs in Mount Jiuzong after the fire at the Jade Qiong Pavilion. The mere mention of his name rekindled the Emperor's ire.

"I hear he spends his days indulging himself at the tombs, living in pleasure! I sent eunuchs to admonish him, and he roamed the mausoleum claiming to have found a secret chamber. A secret chamber in the royal tombs? Nonsense! Those are burial chambers! If I don't assign him some task, our ancestors will find no rest."

At the mention of "secret chamber," Li Ce lifted his head slightly, his expression flickering. He noticed the Emperor, though angry, was not truly enraged. After Prince Wei's betrayal, the Emperor had come to realize that a simple-minded son was, in truth, far more reassuring. What did it matter if Li Chan had pretended to be loyal and docile, serving at his side every day?

That very day, after court, a eunuch carrying the Emperor's decree set out for the imperial tombs. It would not be long before Li Lian returned, tasked with collecting and burying the remains of Li Chan and Li Beichen.

Though the Emperor showed compassion, he never revoked their death sentence.

That morning, while waiting for court to begin, Li Ce spotted a familiar figure among the officials gathered in quiet conversation.

"Brother Ye," he greeted, walking forward to address Ye Chang Geng. Seeing Prince Chu approach, the officials around Ye respectfully made way.

Ye Chang Geng, clad in crimson court robes, stood tall and radiant, his complexion glowing, his bearing impressive. Yet his left arm remained bound in a splint, suggesting it was not yet healed. In the austere palace, he offered Li Ce a proper salute.

Li Ce quickly helped him up and asked, "Why not take more time to rest at home?"

By the calendar, it had only been a month since his injury.

"I've been idle too long; it made me restless," Ye Chang Geng replied with a smile. In a quieter tone, he added, "His Majesty often sends imperial physicians to check on me. Even if I wanted to feign illness and shirk duties, I wouldn't get away with it."

Li Ce chuckled in return, then asked, "And your vision? Is it all right?"

Ye widened his eyes exaggeratedly and then squinted into the distance. "I can see Prefect Liu's sleeves were stitched by hand—crooked and messy at that."

Whether Liu Yan heard or not, he turned his head in their direction. Startled, Ye quickly averted his gaze and pretended to adjust his robes.

Li Ce wanted to speak more, but a eunuch appeared at the palace gates to summon the court. As they ascended the steps, Li Ce glanced at Ye Chang Geng's face. He still looked spirited, as if nothing had changed. Yet Li Ce sensed something heavy, hidden behind his effortful ease—something weighing on his heart.

What was it?

A quarter hour later, Li Ce understood.

It was office.

The Emperor, pleased to see Ye Chang Geng in attendance, praised his work in dredging canals in Jinzhou and his valor in protecting Prince Chu from assassins. Pleased, he declared, "While you were recovering, I reassigned the post of Director of the Waterworks. As for you, I'd like you to serve in the Ministry of Revenue. What say you?"

Since that fateful day at Danyang Gate, when Ye shot through iron leaves and was fast-tracked into officialdom, he had served in both the Ministry of War and Ministry of Works. Now the Emperor sought to place him in a third department. Such frequent transfers had both advantages and disadvantages: he would gain exposure and connections, but each move meant starting over, with promotion becoming harder.

Still, it was a decree from the Emperor—one he could not refuse.

And yet, to everyone's astonishment, Ye declined.

"Kneeling before Your Majesty," he pleaded, "this humble servant has come to realize his own limitations during his time at the Ministry of Works. I am unworthy of higher office. If Your Majesty truly wishes to reward me, I humbly ask to be assigned to the Ministry of War."

Officials who declined appointments were not unheard of. But for one to reject the Ministry of Revenue in favor of the Ministry of War—Ye was the first.

Immediately, a censor stepped forward to protest. It was Lin Qing, newly promoted due to his role in the Jinzhou case. He raised his tablet and nearly spat on Ye's face. "Your Majesty, I must impeach Ye Chang Geng for seeking reward through merit and showing insolence to the throne!"

With Lin Qing opening the charge, the other censors followed suit. The court was momentarily engulfed in noise.

The Emperor glanced at Lin Qing and frowned. "Ye speaks with honesty, not disrespect. In governing a nation, one must appoint the right person to the right place. But which bureau in the Ministry of War do you wish to join?"

Upon hearing that Ye might join their ranks, the officials from the Ministry of War broke into smiles, inwardly praising his foresight. For what was more vital than war? The reason these robed ministers could quarrel in peace was because the Ministry of War safeguarded the realm.

Meanwhile, those from the Ministry of Revenue were less than pleased. "The Duke of Anguo gained his title through military merit—no wonder they lack refinement. We oversee the empire's wealth, grain, and transport. We are the richest office. What can the War Ministry offer? Even if they have legions of soldiers, we control their pay..."