Chapter 3: A Tour of South Sea Pond

The next morning, Li Shen was awakened early by Dongmei. After being dressed and groomed, he went to the side hall for a meal. Upon entering, he immediately heard voices.

Looking up, he saw a young maiden chatting and laughing with Noble Consort Wei. Hearing Li Shen’s footsteps, she turned around. The girl had delicate features, her hair styled in a "Double-Ring Immortal" bun, and she wore a neon-colored dress. Her light makeup highlighted a resemblance to Noble Consort Wei.

"Greetings, Mother Consort, greetings, Sister," Li Shen said, stepping forward to bow. This maiden was his biological sister, Li Mengjiang.

"Shen'er is here. Come and eat. Mengjiang will accompany us to the South Sea Pool shortly," Noble Consort Wei said, inviting him to dine.

"Sister is coming too?" Li Shen asked, somewhat surprised. Li Mengjiang rarely participated in such formal functions, preferring the company of noble girls her own age. Though not particularly boisterous, she was only eleven or twelve, and while lively, she was always well-mannered in front of others.

"Yes. Since it is a holiday, Mother says it is better to attend. Since the Empress organized it, it would be inappropriate not to show our faces," Li Mengjiang replied with a nod.

"Exactly, Shen'er. Your sister must go. The palace is full of gossips and troublemakers. There are many who wish to climb higher, and even more who covet my position. It is best to be cautious," Noble Consort Wei added.

"Oh," Li Shen replied, acknowledging her point. Although he had not personally encountered any schemes in the past year, he had read enough novels and watched enough dramas to know that the imperial palace was as treacherous as any political arena, filled with duplicity and intrigue. In terms of sheer lethality, it was arguably more dangerous than the imperial court. As the head of the Four Consorts, Noble Consort Wei was second only to Empress Zhangsun, making her a primary target. It was only thanks to her powerful background as a member of the Jingzhao Wei clan that she had managed to remain firmly in her position for so many years.

After the meal, the three of them freshened up. When the time was right, they set out for the South Sea with a group of maids and eunuchs.

According to the records in the *Map of Taiji Palace*, the palace contained three sea pools. The South Sea Pool, situated near Xianchi Hall, drew its water from the Jie River, branching from Zhangbagou, flowing through the northern part of Du City, and entering the capital. It wound through various wards before flowing into the imperial city, past the Ministry of Provisions, the Directorate for Palace Buildings, and the Palace Domestic Service, finally entering the Palace City through the Guangyun Gate to form the South Sea.

Upon arriving at the South Sea Pool, they found many other consorts, princes, and princesses already present. In the rigid hierarchy of the ancients, the order of arrival for such outings was significant. Ordinary consorts arrived early to show their respect. Noble Consort Wei, belonging to the second tier, could not arrive too early, while the Emperor and Empress, the first tier, were naturally the last to appear.

"Mengjiang, Shen'er, go and play. I will sit in the Wangyun Pavilion," Noble Consort Wei said before departing. It was customary for consorts to gather together and for the princes and princesses to do the same.

"Let’s go over there. Remember to pay your respects when you see others; don't let them say we lack manners," Li Mengjiang instructed.

"I know, Sister," Li Shen replied. He was no child; he understood such things well enough.

"Greetings, Eighth Sister, Ninth Sister, Seventh Brother... Tenth Sister, Sixth Sister..." Following Li Mengjiang, Li Shen walked along the edge of the pool, encountering a long line of siblings. This was even with many of them already married or living in their own fiefs; otherwise, the number would have been even greater. He truly admired Li Shimin’s prowess.

"If it isn't the Tenth, why aren't you reading?" A cynical voice sounded from behind. Li Shen turned to see a young man in a narrow-sleeved riding outfit, wearing a jade pendant at his waist.

"Greetings, Sixth Brother," Li Shen said, bowing. This was the Sixth Prince, Li Yin, the son of Consort Yang and grandson of Emperor Yang of Sui. Rumors often painted him as hot-tempered, but Li Shen didn't find him so—merely a spoiled, pleasure-seeking youth. But in Chang'an, which noble child wasn't?

"Tenth, I thought you wouldn't come. You always refuse when we invite you out to play. How do you have the time today?" Li Yin said with a sneer. They had invited him to hunt before, but Li Shen had always declined, citing his youth or his studies.

"Sixth Brother, this is an imperial decree from Father and an event organized by the Empress. Do you dare not to come?" Li Shen retorted.

"I think the Tenth is right," a voice interjected. Li Shen and Li Yin turned to see the Eighth Prince, Li Zhen. Records noted that Prince Yue, Li Zhen, was skilled in archery and horsemanship and possessed a talent for literature and history. Li Shen also recalled from his past life’s knowledge that Li Zhen was a man of talent.

Li Zhen walked over, bowed to Li Yin, and said, "Sixth Brother, I heard you went hunting again. Did you cause trouble?"

"Eighth Brother, don't talk nonsense. What trouble could I have caused?" Li Yin snapped.

"I heard that an imperial censor has impeached you for letting your servants commit violence and trample crops. Sixth Brother, if you trample the crops, just pay the compensation. Why make it a mess? Father will only scold you again," Li Zhen advised.

"Hmph! That peasant demanded a whole string of cash and threatened to report me to the officials. If I didn't give him a lesson, it would reflect poorly on the imperial dignity," Li Yin said indignantly.

Li Shen asked, "Did he dare to extort you to your face?"

"Not directly. My servant, who went to negotiate, told me. What is my status? I wouldn't go negotiate such trifles myself," Li Yin replied proudly.

Before Li Shen could speak, Li Zhen said, "Sixth Brother, I advise you to check on that servant. There is definitely something wrong."

"What could be wrong?" Li Yin asked, puzzled.

"He must be lying to you, using your name to do bad deeds," Li Zhen explained.

Li Yin shook his head. "Impossible. He has been with me for many years and is loyal. How could he lie to me?"

Li Shen interjected, "Sixth Brother, think about your status. You are a prince! Would a commoner dare to extort a prince of the Great Tang? Is he tired of living? Either he was instructed by someone else to frame you, or your servant is playing you. I suspect the latter."

Li Yin fell silent. He was pampered and quick-tempered, but he was not stupid. At the time, he hadn't questioned it because he trusted his subordinates. But after hearing Li Shen and Li Zhen’s analysis, he realized it made sense. He was a prince—would a peasant really dare to extort him? Would they not fear he would kill them on the spot? Killing a peasant was a minor offense for a prince; at most, he would be scolded.

"Fine, I will go back and investigate. Hmph, if that dog of a servant dared to deceive me, I will show him," Li Yin decided. He refused to be someone else's shield.

"His Majesty arrives!" a eunuch shouted loudly.