Chapter 103: Du Ziguai's Invitation

Late at night, around eleven o’clock.

Li Chengqian reclined against a stone bench in the garden, gazing upward at the stars scattered across the palace sky. His expression was grim, his heart heavy with an unbearable sense of suffocation.

In recent days, Empress Zhangsun frequently summoned him to the Lizhengdian Hall, where he met with the kingdom’s senior ministers and exchanged recollections of past times. Their conversations were filled with mundane pleasantries and old, worn stories. Yet from the Empress’s veiled words, Li Chengqian sensed she was preparing for the inevitable.

Though Li Chengqian often acted rashly, heedless of consequences, and frequently caused Emperor Taizong to shake his head in despair, he was not foolish. Over time, he gradually realized that his mother, the Empress, might not have much time left.

This realization sent Li Chengqian into a state of panic—a deep, overwhelming terror of losing a beloved family member, a source of steadfast support. If his mother were to be gone, what would become of him?

During his childhood, Li Chengqian and Empress Zhangsun had been inseparable. Emperor Taizong was often away, and the family rarely gathered. During times of war, entrapment, and even the Xuanwu Gate Incident, it was always he and Lady Zhangsun who remained together. Their bond was profound and tender. His reliance and affection for the Empress far surpassed those he held for Emperor Taizong, his father.

He could never allow his mother to leave him like this—never!

Therefore, the faint hope he had clung to after her condition showed signs of improvement was now replaced by a fierce determination. He must find that divine healer! No matter the cost, he would find him. A healer capable of saving his own life from the brink of death could surely save his mother’s life from peril as well.

Compared to his mother’s life, all royal dignity and the reputation of the crown prince were, in Li Chengqian’s eyes, utterly trivial.

Hence, Yan Liben, the Ministry of Justice’s vice minister and the court’s most skilled portrait artist, was summoned by Li Chengqian.

“Your Highness!” Li Jihe approached lightly from a distance and, bending slightly, called out softly beside Li Chengqian.

“Ah, Jihe,” Li Chengqian turned to glance at him and asked, “Has Lord Yan completed the portrait of the divine healer?”

Jihe replied, bowing slightly, “Your Highness, not yet. Lord Yan has only finished the healer’s hairstyle and a pair of eyebrows tonight. The full portrait will likely take three or four days to complete.”

“Three or four days?” Li Chengqian nodded lightly. To produce a likeness based solely on verbal description of a person never seen before within such a period was indeed a remarkable feat. “And where is Lord Yan? I haven’t seen him come by.”

“Your Highness, Lord Yan had to attend the morning court early tomorrow and could not stay late here. He left about half an hour ago,” Jihe explained. “He had intended to bid Your Highness farewell in person but saw you deep in thought here and chose not to disturb you. He asked me to convey his apologies.”

“Very well,” Li Chengqian stood up from the stone bench and strolled casually a few paces. “Have you instructed Lord Yan regarding the painting?”

Jihe followed respectfully. “Lord Yan is quite perceptive. Even while painting, he has deduced some clues. Before leaving, he promised me solemnly that he would keep this matter strictly confidential.”

“Hmm.” Li Chengqian paced slowly around the garden, then bent slightly to speak quietly to Jihe. “Once Lord Yan finishes the portrait, you must take it and search for the divine healer. Not only in Sanyuan County but in the surrounding counties and prefectures—search all across the entire Tang Empire if necessary. You must bring this healer to Chang’an as quickly as possible. If delayed, I fear it will be too late for me.”

“Your Highness, rest assured. I will not fail your trust! I vow to bring the divine healer to Chang’an, even if I must die trying!” Jihe knelt on one knee, firmly pledging.

“Good, rise. It is late; you should rest now.” Li Chengqian waved him off and turned to walk forward, hands clasped behind his back.

Jihe glanced at the crown prince, sensing the weight of sorrow and burden within his heart. After kowtowing respectfully, he rose quietly and left.

——

After seeing Gongsun Wuda respectfully out of the Gongsun residence, Liu Yitiao took the opportunity to bid Gongsun Wenda farewell as well. He needed to prepare grain seeds for spring plowing. With thirty-two hectares of farmland, he estimated he would need at least four to five hundred jin of seed grain. Selecting seeds was delicate work; he had to act early.

Du Ziguai, for reasons unknown, also hurried to take his leave after Liu Yitiao left the Gongsun mansion. Mounting his horse, he boldly followed Liu Yitiao from behind.

Liu Yitiao frowned slightly at this and wondered what the young master of the Du family intended. He patted Liu Wuhen’s head, signaling the little donkey to slow and wait patiently at the side for Du Ziguai’s arrival.

“Brother Liu, thank you for waiting for me here,” Du Ziguai said from his horse, bowing his hands with no hint of embarrassment. He admired Liu Yitiao’s little donkey, exclaiming, “I never expected your donkey to be such a spirited steed. It actually outpaces my white horse by a good margin.”

Liu Yitiao returned the salute. “Young Master Du flatters me. It is just a humble mode of transport and hardly worthy of such praise. May I ask what brings you chasing after me all this way?”

Du Ziguai dismounted and approached Liu Yitiao with a smile. “Nothing important. I just felt an immediate kinship with you and wanted to make your acquaintance. I hope you won’t take offense.”

Acquaintance? Just moments ago, this man had been casting sly hints aiming to undermine him in front of Gongsun Helan. And now he wanted to be friendly? Liu Yitiao saw through the hypocrisy behind Du Ziguai’s smiling facade.

“You are too kind, Young Master Du. I am but a simple farmer, hardly worthy of your friendship,” Liu Yitiao said coldly.

Du Ziguai seemed oblivious to the chill in Liu’s tone and continued warmly, “Brother Liu, you are too modest. Anyone praised by Uncle Yang and Lord Gongsun can hardly be called a mere farmer. I am sincere in my wish to be friends; I hope you will not decline.”

“You know Uncle Yang as well?” Liu Yitiao’s expression softened somewhat. For Lord Yang to be close to the Gongsun household, it was likely the Du family also had ties.

“Of course,” Du Ziguai smiled faintly. “The Du and Yang families have been long-time friends. During the Former Sui, my grandfather was often helped by General Yang. Now my father and Uncle Yang have been close friends for many years. You might not know, but my father often speaks of you. He is very fond of your chess skills and has been eager to invite you to his residence for a visit.”

Du Xian, that is, Du Ziguai’s father and current head of the Du family, was someone Liu Yitiao had heard of from Lord Yang before. A straightforward man with little scholarly talent, far less capable than his younger brother Du Ren, an official in the capital. If not for being the eldest son, Du Xian would likely not hold his position.

“Because I was in a hurry the other day, I did not have the chance to speak with you properly. When I returned home, my father scolded me thoroughly. Now that fate has brought us together again, I cannot let this moment pass. I sincerely invite you to my humble home for a visit. Will you honor me with your presence?” Du Ziguai clasped his hands and smiled earnestly.