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Li Jian Cheng lay on the bed, eating roast chicken, while Dou Dan sat at the edge of the bed and said, "With millions of labor conscriptions happening one after another, this is quite a problem. I've heard that in Henan and Huai Bei, many commoners have heard about the court's plans for conscription and have begun to flee into the mountains and swamps."
"Jian Cheng, I remember you used to associate with some practitioners from the rivers and lakes. Didn't they call themselves followers of the Maitreya Cult? Yesterday, I saw someone in Capital City rallying the people to believe in them."
Li Jian Cheng initially showed no reaction, but upon hearing "Maitreya Cult," he lifted his head, furrowed his brow for a long moment, then lowered it again. "They haven't gained much influence yet, but that may change in the future."
Last year, he had encountered a Gaoyang person named Song Zixian, who claimed to be the Maitreya destined to bring salvation as a great sage. This person was skilled in illusion; every night at the tavern where he stayed, light would emanate from the roof, and he could transform into a Buddha figure with flames in both hands in the blink of an eye.
Many nobles were captivated by him, while Li Jian Cheng and a few friends remained skeptical. As long as one had no sense of reverence and dared to draw a bow aimed at his head, uncovering the truth was not difficult.
The man was quite perceptive; seeing that he couldn't intimidate a few stubborn youths, he could only bow down and plead for mercy, voluntarily leaving behind his wealth and leading a dozen unyielding followers out of the capital.
"I heard that His Majesty intends to tour Jiangdu. The court and the public are discussing this; they say His Majesty wants to dig the Canal for convenience during travel."
Li Jian Cheng spat out a bone and said, "That's not entirely true. His Majesty is building Eastern Capital to stabilize east and west. Now digging waterways is meant to connect north and south."
"But..."
Li Jian Cheng waved his hand helplessly. "Let's not talk about this anymore; my backside already hurts enough. If you have time for this discussion, why not go to Western Market and find a little puppy? My second sister loves dogs."
The Dou family had previously sought Li Jian Cheng's help for Governor of Youzhou Duke Chen Dou Kang. Although Dou Kang lost his official position and title, he managed to preserve his life and family.
As a result, he visited multiple times to express his gratitude and intended to form a marriage alliance with the Li family. However, without an official title, it felt inappropriate to ask for the Li family's only legitimate daughter. Instead, he sought Li Jian Cheng's second daughter for his son.
Dou Dan was several years older than Li Jian Cheng and eleven years older than Li Jian Cheng's second daughter. Moreover, Dou Dan had been previously betrothed; however, that young lady from Jingzhao Wei passed away before she could enter their home, causing several years of delay.
Initially, Li Yan was somewhat reluctant about this arrangement. However, Li Jian Cheng believed that Dou Dan was commendable in appearance and character—gentlemanly and kind-hearted. While he might not excel as an official, he would likely make an excellent husband.
After consulting with his sister about her opinion, they deepened their familial ties with the Dou family.
Upon hearing this, Dou Dan immediately stood up and said, "Alright! I'll go personally choose one right now. I wonder if the lady prefers larger or..."
After finally sending Dou Dan away, the steward entered with a maid who had a delicate appearance. After greeting properly, she said, "My lady has sent me to deliver scar-removing jade cream; it is a secret recipe from the palace with excellent results."
Li Jian Cheng looked up briefly. "Then please thank Xiao Lady for me."
The steward indicated for him to accept it, but he noticed the steward looking down at his feet. The maid blushed and said, "The lady instructed that I must personally apply the medicine for Lord, otherwise I cannot return to the manor."
"The lady also said that as husband and wife, she cherishes her body greatly and hopes that Lord will take good care of himself as well, and not harm his body any further."
This maid was about the same age as him, so he felt quite embarrassed to lower his trousers for her to apply the medicine. He politely declined, saying, "That won't be necessary. Just tell her that it's all taken care of, and I will say the same to the lady."
"N-no... that's not acceptable. If the lady discovers this when she gets married... I will be punished for it. Please don't make it difficult for me, Lord."
Li Jian Cheng was speechless. While he was still pondering how to respond, he saw the steward come over with a look of self-sacrifice, pressing down on his shoulder and advising, "Madam has instructed Lord to follow the lady's wishes. I am merely acting on orders; please do not blame me, Lord."
After struggling a few times and feeling a chill, he gave up resisting and buried his head in the bedding. After a while, he heard the maid softly say, "Please don't forget that you need to apply the medicine again in two days. I will return now to report back."
…………
After resting for a while, Li Jian Cheng began attending court again, mainly accompanying the Crown Prince. Coincidentally, it was the anniversary of Empress Wenxian's death. After requesting permission from the Emperor, the Crown Prince personally went to the royal tombs to pay respects to his grandparents.
Li Jian Cheng had no particular feelings towards Yang Jian, but he did feel grateful towards the Dugu Clan, so he accompanied him.
On the way, he noticed that the Crown Prince's body had become increasingly overweight and his strength was waning; even riding a horse had become difficult.
Li Jian Cheng quietly asked, "Your Highness, with your body being so weak, have you summoned the Imperial Physician?"
Yang Zhao laughed and replied, "The physician just told me to eat less. Sigh, I do think I've become a bit too overweight; it's just that I'm always so hungry every day."
Since the physician had seen him, it should mean there was no serious issue. However, Li Jian Cheng still felt something was off; the Crown Prince had only suddenly changed like this in the past two years. Two years ago, he was still a formidable warrior capable of drawing a strong bow like a Fierce General.
But as he thought deeper about it, Li Jian Cheng couldn't help but change his expression and quickly turned his face away so that Yang Zhao wouldn't notice.
The Crown Prince was crucial to the nation; who could prevent the physician from properly diagnosing the future emperor? The court officials couldn't interfere within the palace; at most they could gather some information.
Empress Xiao would never harm her Legitimate Eldest Son. King Qi Yang Liang, being only one year younger than the Crown Prince, might have such thoughts but would never dare act so recklessly.
Perhaps only the current Emperor had such power.
The Emperor was thirty-six this year, while the Crown Prince was twenty-one; their ages were not too far apart.
Li Jian Cheng calmed his mind, thinking that the Emperor would not go so far as to poison his own son at such an early stage. At most, he might just command the Imperial Physicians to turn a blind eye.
Soon they arrived at the royal tomb. Everyone first paid their respects with great ceremony, and then the Grand Minister of Ceremonies and officials from the Ministry of Rites began to arrange the sacrificial items. After dismounting, Yang Zhao took a moment to steady his breath before leading Li Jian Cheng inside to clean and prepare.
As they swept, Yang Zhao began to shed tears. "I never expected that at my age, with children of my own, I would still be unable to sleep at night due to longing for the Imperial Ancestor and Grandmother."
Li Jian Cheng could only sigh, "Your Highness is truly filial."
Under such a ruler, he would have willingly settled for being a Duke, enjoying wealth and honor. Unfortunately, this one would not live much longer; even if he did, the Sui Dynasty would not last until then.
"I grew up beside my grandparents when I was young. I vaguely remember playing by the stone lions at Xuanwu Gate when I was four or five years old, and my grandparents came to accompany me after court."
Yang Zhao leaned on his broom as he reminisced. "After dismissing the servants, my grandparents watched me play together. When I turned around after playing for a while, I found my grandfather supporting himself with one hand on his waist and resting the other on my grandmother's shoulder, still complaining about today's court meeting."
"Thinking back now, it truly is... truly is..."
Yang Zhao cried as he sat on the ground, evoking a sense of lamentation; indeed, the dragon has nine sons, each different from the other.
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