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Li Jiancheng made a swift decision to send Consort Li and Zheng Guanyin to summon Yin De Fei, while Wei Zheng would go to invite Feng Deyi. Without delay, the two of them set off immediately.
After leaving the Eastern Palace, Wei Zheng rode hard, heading straight for Zhongshu Ling's residence where Feng Deyi lived. He was anxious, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead without him even noticing. Upon arriving at Feng Deyi's place, Wei Zheng immediately bowed deeply and earnestly said, "Lord Feng, the situation is urgent! His Highness the Crown Prince is now in a dire predicament! He has been falsely accused of treason, and the Emperor has summoned him to Ren Zhi Palace for an explanation. This could lead to disastrous consequences! You have always been a man of great principle and share a deep bond with His Highness. I implore you to accompany him to Ren Zhi Palace and speak on his behalf before the Emperor, to save him from this peril!"
As he spoke, Wei Zheng looked up, his eyes filled with anxiety and hope, as if Feng Deyi was his only lifeline at that moment.
Feng Deyi furrowed his brow upon hearing this, anger flashing across his face as he exclaimed, "The Crown Prince has always been loyal; how could he possibly commit treason? This must be a deliberate scheme by someone hoping to usurp his position! Lord Wei, there’s no need for such concern. I will prepare myself right away and accompany the Crown Prince to Ren Zhi Palace. If he truly suffers injustice, I will argue fiercely for him before the Emperor, even if it costs me my life!"
Understanding Li Jiancheng's character and the complexities of court politics, Feng Deyi decided then and there to lend his full support.
With Feng Deyi's agreement, Wei Zheng felt a weight lift from his heart. He quickly bowed again and expressed his gratitude, "Your loyalty is commendable, Lord Feng. The Crown Prince will surely remember your kindness. Time is of the essence; please prepare quickly so we can set off at once." With that, Wei Zheng hurried back to the Eastern Palace to report to Li Jiancheng.
At that moment in the Eastern Palace, Consort Li and Zheng Guanyin had already returned. Given that the Eastern Palace was adjacent to the Imperial Palace, it was a short journey. Yin De Fei was also one who least wanted any trouble for Li Jiancheng. As soon as Zheng Guanyin explained the situation, Yin De Fei agreed to help without hesitation and seemed even more anxious than Zheng Guanyin. She understood well that the greatest threat to the Crown Prince at present was Li Shimin. If Li Shimin's scheme succeeded, both she and her son would suffer dire consequences.
Seeing Wei Zheng return, Zheng Guanyin quickly approached him and asked anxiously, "Lord Wei, how did it go? Is Lord Feng willing to help?"
Wei Zheng hurriedly bowed and replied, "Consort Li can rest assured; Lord Feng has agreed to accompany His Highness to Ren Zhi Palace. He will do everything in his power to assist the Crown Prince. How about on your end with Yin De Fei?"
Zheng Guanyin sighed in relief and answered, "Consort De has also agreed to help. She assured me she would plead for the Emperor's forgiveness for the Crown Prince."
Before long, Yin De Fei and Feng Deyi arrived one after another in horse-drawn carriages at the Eastern Palace. Li Jiancheng had been waiting there anxiously; upon seeing them both, he hurriedly approached with deep bows of gratitude. "Consort De and Lord Feng," he said earnestly, "I find myself in such perilous circumstances that I must trouble you both for assistance. Your great kindness will not be forgotten by me; if I can survive this crisis, I will repay you both handsomely!"
Yin De Fei smiled gently and replied, "Your Highness need not be so formal. This matter clearly involves someone trying to harm you; I cannot stand idly by. We will do our utmost to help clear your name at Ren Zhi Palace."
Feng Deyi also clasped his hands together and assured him, "Your Highness can rest easy; I will use my eloquence before the Emperor to argue your case and ensure justice is served."
Li Jiancheng set off towards Ren Zhi Palace accompanied by his trusted guards Niu Fu and Ma Qiang along with Yin De Fei and Feng Deyi. Throughout their journey, Li Jiancheng was burdened with worry; though he rode through beautiful landscapes, he felt no joy in them. He knew that going to Ren Zhi Palace was akin to stepping into a den of tigers; one misstep could cost him his life. Yet within him burned a fierce desire for survival and a determination to change his fate. He continuously pondered strategies in his mind while recalling historical precedents for handling similar situations, vowing silently that with his own wisdom and everyone’s support, he would overcome this crisis.
After a day and night of travel, they finally arrived at Ren Zhi Palace just before noon on the following day. After some discussion among themselves, they decided that Li Jiancheng would go in first to meet Li Yuan while Yin De Fei and Feng Deyi waited outside the study. Niu Fu and Ma Qiang were instructed by Li Jiancheng to stay at an inn outside the palace for safety while he followed the eunuch inside with a heart full of trepidation.
The moment he stepped into the study, Li Jiancheng felt an overwhelming pressure wash over him. Li Yuan sat upon the dragon throne with a face as dark as storm clouds gathering before a tempest; anger and disappointment radiated from his eyes like fire.
Li Jiancheng's heart tightened as he quickly knelt down on both knees and bowed lowly saying, "Father Emperor, I am guilty. I did indeed transport armor and weapons privately under Yang Wengan’s direction; at that time I only thought it was necessary to guard against my younger brother Li Shimin’s ambitions towards the throne. I never anticipated it would anger you so greatly! I now fully realize how wrong I was; I hope Father Emperor can show mercy due to our father-son bond and forgive my reckless actions this once." As he spoke, his voice trembled slightly; his forehead pressed tightly against the ground as he dared not lift his head even slightly for fear of meeting Li Yuan's furious gaze.
Li Yuan's eyes widened in fury as he slammed down on the armrest of his throne and shouted loudly: "Li Jiancheng! As Crown Prince you should set an example for all subjects under heaven! Instead you commit such heinous acts! You claim it is against Li Shimin; yet what are eight hundred soldiers from Prince Qin's mansion compared to your Three Thousand Imperial Guards? You colluded with Yang Wengan to transport weapons privately—what else could this be but treason? You clearly wish to seize power prematurely! How can you justify this betrayal of my trust? What about your deceased mother? What about your brothers?"
As Li Yuan spoke louder with rising fury, his chest heaved violently; veins bulged on his face as if fire were about to burst forth from his eyes.
Li Jiancheng trembled all over like a leaf caught in a storm; he continued bowing repeatedly until blood began oozing from his forehead where it struck against the ground as he cried out desperately: "Father Emperor spare me! I truly understand my mistakes now; I will never dare repeat them again! Please grant me an opportunity for redemption—I promise I will wholeheartedly assist you from now on for the sake of our Tang dynasty!" But at that moment Li Yuan was consumed by rage; his anger blazed like an inferno that would not be quelled by Li Jiancheng's pleas. He coldly regarded Li Jiancheng kneeling on the ground as murderous intent grew stronger within him.
"Someone come! Drag Li Jiancheng out and execute him!" With this command from Li Yuan came like thunderclaps in clear skies. Two executioners clad in black rushed forward wearing grim expressions; they grasped hold of Li Jiancheng’s arms readying him for execution.
Li Jiancheng’s heart sank into despair as fear washed over him; his face turned pale as paper while his eyes widened in horror—he never expected that Li Yuan would be so decisive in ordering his death. Inwardly he screamed: Could it be that after crossing over here without having realized my ambitions yet I am destined to die?
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