Thousand Miles of Bright Moonlight

Chapter 15: Finalize the Marriage

　　Even though he knew the price was to not live past thirty.

The Chief Historian had watched Li Zhongqian grow up.

　　He watched Li De confer Li Xuanzhen as shizi, seeing the six-year-old erlang smile and let go, burying himself in poetry and books.

　　Watched the whole Xie family become martyrs, seeing the nine-year-old erlang dry his tears and return to the Li family to personally take care of his young sister Li Yaoying, who could not walk on both legs.

　　Watched the eleven-year-old erlang with bloodshot eyes, gritting his teeth to smash open the heavy locks, his bloody hands grabbing the pair of golden hammers destined to bring him misfortune.

　　The world said that Li Zhongqian killed people like flies, without restraint.

　　He was scorned by the noble families, hated by the people, despised by his fellow soldiers, sneered at by the Crown Prince's men.

　　The military men who served him were all the unwanted leftovers that could not enter the Crown Prince's eyes.

　　Even a strategist from a humble background like Du Sinan dared to openly say: "Li family's erlang is a fool, I disdain to be associated with him."

　　The chief historian hated until his heart ached.

　　How could they know that the second prince had studied so many books when he was young, brought up personally by Xie Wuliang, whose talent was unrivalled and unparalleled, how could he possibly be a crude person who knew nothing?

　　Why was the second prince unwilling to reorganize the military?

　　Why did he indulge in wine and sex?

　　Why did he completely disregard his reputation?

　　The night breeze was refreshing, the vast sky was full of stars.

　　The tall stallion was strolling in the light moonlight. Li Zhongqian's eyes were lowered, patting his mount absent-midedly, without speaking.

　　The chief historian said bitterly: "Your Highness, although the Xie family's bloodline had been broken, but the bones still exist. Your military Xie family, you cannot tarnish the name of the Xie family!"

　　Li Zhongqian turned back fiercely.

　　His eyes were sharp as a sword.

　　"Don't mention the Xie family before me!"

　　The chief historian trembled in fear.

　　"What does Uncle Hu think? What should I do?"

　　Li Zhongqian's narrow phoenix eyes were filled with violence, but his voice was calm as he spoke.

　　"Should I do what the Crown Prince did, reorganize the military, recruit capable people, seek out famous and virtuous scholars, respect the wise, treat my troops well, win over the people, and be a virtuous wang that the world praises?"

　　The chief historian agreed in his heart, but did not dare to speak out.

　　Li Zhongqian smiled: "Uncle Hu, don't forget, I nearly became shizi."

　　The chief historian froze.

　　A moment later, the chief historian reacted, suddenly feeling his blood run cold.

　　Li Zhongqian said indifferently, "If I really acted like that, I would only die earlier and quicker."

　　He was so close to becoming shizi, and was the grandson of the Xie family. On these things alone, Li Xuanzhen would not let him, a threat, go.

　　Not to mention the fact that they were implicated by Tang shi's death.

There was also their father, the emperor who was decisive, unpredictable and objective to the point of being almost ruthless.

　　If their positions were swapped, so would he.

　　From the moment the Xie family was destroyed, Li Zhongqian understood that he would not live long.

　　Why would he fear death?

　　He was not afraid to die.

　　Only afraid to die a not heroic enough death.

　　The crescent moon had hidden among the clouds at some point, and the dim light from the stars shone down.

　　Li Zhongqian raised his face, the twinkling starlight falling into his eyes.

　　He remembered the jade box that he gave to Yaoying, the corners of his mouth slowly curled up and he could not help but smile.

　　There was nothing to live for, so there was no fear of dying.

　　But if he died, what would happen to little seventh?

　　Li Zhongqian was afraid.

　　So he had to find someone who could shelter little seventh before that day came.

　　Li Zhongqian collected his thoughts and urged his horse to walk faster.

　　He did not go out of the palace to seek pleasure. Prime Minister Zheng was waiting for him at the Miaoyin Pavilion.

　　Little seventh's wedding should be settled as soon as possible so that he could go to war without worry.

　　The chief historian followed closely behind Li Zhongqian, old tears falling.

　　He had already thought clearly about the key point.

　　The second prince knew he would surely die, so he stopped trying and gave up caring.

　　The chief historian was not resigned!

　　The Xie family has been loyal and sacrificed themselves for generations. Generation after generation of children have shed their blood on the battlefield, sons sacrificing their lives for the country. The last generation of the di bloodline, Xie Wuliang, died defending the city. Before he died, he asked his men to cut off his head to give to the enemy, just to save the people.

　　Centuries of moral character, worthy of being emperor, worthy of the people under his rule.

　　More worthy of the Li family!

　　But in the end, he ended up in this situation.

　　If the Xie family were still alive, how would the Emperor dare to treat the Noble Consort and the second prince this way?