Jiang Tianyi: The Man

Proofreader/Editor: Nene Yashiro

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Tang Jiwei finished reading the documents and received news from the Ministry of Justice’s spies. He sat in his study, deep in thought, until sunset. The fiery glow from outside shone into the room.

“Jiwei, come eat! You’ve been in the study all day; take a break. Your mother went to the trouble of cooking personally!” Madam Xiao’s booming voice exploded in Tang Jiwei’s ear.

Tang Jiwei picked up the empty food container on his desk and walked to the dining room. Before everyone’s eyes, he picked out a few small dishes and filled the container with plum wine.

“I’ll eat outside; no need to wait for me!”

Leaving that message behind, he walked out. Madam Xiao couldn’t catch up to him and, frustrated, shouted after him, “Honestly, as soon as boys grow up, they start leaving home! Doesn’t even have a wife or mother-in-law yet, and he’s already sneaking off with food. Just a few small dishes—is his mother really that stingy? He could bring it back and eat it here too!”

Madam Xiao vented to Tang Xin, who just pressed her lips together without replying. Meanwhile, the younger maids turned away, covering their mouths as they chuckled quietly.

Madam Xiao continued, hands on her hips, lamenting her son’s independence, her expression full of exaggerated sorrow!

In the cell, Jiang Tianyi sat with a calm expression, observing the “official” before him without disdain or fear. It was as if he were still the noble prince whose very step could shake Hou Qin three times over. ^[1]Whose very step could shake Hou Qin three times over- A metaphorical expression that means tremendous power or influence

Tang Jiwei, carrying the food, gestured for the jailer to open the cell door. The jailer quickly set up a small table with remarkable efficiency.

In this heavily guarded prison, not even a fly could get through. Jiang Tianyi hadn’t seen another living soul for a long time; even the jailers avoided this deepest part of the prison. The very isolation was enough to weigh on anyone’s nerves.

Tang Jiwei arranged the food, poured the plum wine, one cup for each of them.

“This meal was prepared personally by my mother. While it may not match the delicacies of the royal kitchens, it should be much better than prison fare. Please, my lord,” Tang Jiwei said.

Jiang Tianyi raised his eyes slightly, took the cup of wine, inhaled its aroma deeply, and then drank it in one gulp. Tang Jiwei swirled his own cup, filling the cell with the wine’s fragrance.

Jiang Tianyi said nothing, simply poured himself another drink and leisurely enjoyed it.

“Your Highness has quite the courage—aren’t you afraid I poisoned it?” Tang Jiwei smiled slightly.

Without looking at him, Jiang Tianyi tilted his head back and drank another cup, replying, “I can judge a person’s character at a glance.”

Tang Jiwei found himself intrigued. He had expected this prince to be as violent and suspicious as the rumors said. But here he was, facing near-certain death with calm composure, savoring his wine. Even Tang Jiwei’s previous life as Gu Zhenguan paled in comparison. Tang Jiwei couldn’t help but admire the First Emperor’s keen judgment. The Jiang clan truly was full of remarkable talent. Had Jiang Tianyi not faced the ruthlessly clever Han Zhen, the throne might indeed have changed hands.

“Your Highness has met countless people, yet I never expected to be worthy of your notice. Truly, it’s my honor!” Tang Jiwei said, raising his wine cup.

Jiang Tianyi smirked, filling his cup and clinking it against Tang Jiwei’s, shaking his head. “You’re more interesting than I am. If we’d met a few years ago, I might have recruited you under my banner. But alas, now I’m a turtle trapped in a jar, with no escape.”

Noticing that Jiang Tianyi hadn’t touched the food, Tang Jiwei adjusted his robe and asked, “Does the food not suit your taste, my lord?”

Jiang Tianyi shook his head. “Back in the barracks, I shared meals with my soldiers. Compared to that, this is a feast.”

“Then why aren’t you eating? Could it be that your bravery is only an act?” Tang Jiwei raised an eyebrow.

Jiang Tianyi fixed him with a piercing gaze, his eyes dark and predatory like a hawk’s, transforming completely into the fierce figure from the rumors—full of aggression.

Though Tang Jiwei had experienced the political arena before, Jiang Tianyi’s stare was chilling, causing a rare flicker of fear.

“Did I strike a nerve, Your Highness?” Tang Jiwei said with a serious tone, maintaining outward composure, though his hands were clenched, ready for anything. “Such a fierce look, just like the stories say. You know, too fierce a reputation can be a flaw.”

Jiang Tianyi relaxed slightly, still rubbing his wine cup, and looked at Tang Jiwei. “What is it you want? Just say it now, so others won’t keep bothering me.”

Tang Jiwei blinked, understanding how it must feel for Jiang Tianyi, once high and mighty, now counting the days from behind these iron bars. Jiang was older, shrewd, and capable—even in these dire circumstances, he hadn’t broken. Tang Jiwei looked down at his cup and replied, “I didn’t come to pry anything out of you. I simply came to visit.”

“Hah! Visit? In this dark, gloomy cell? I never knew our new top scholar had such peculiar tastes,” Jiang Tianyi scoffed, cutting him off and casting a cold glance that shattered the brief moment of ease.

Tang Jiwei smiled wryly. How could he openly say he admired Jiang’s talent and resilience and felt for him, now that they were both in low places?

Jiang Tianyi analyzed Tang Jiwei’s every move since he’d entered, finding no signs of deceit. Concluding it might be genuine, Jiang’s expression softened slightly, though his face remained frosty.

Adjusting his robe, Tang Jiwei stood. “Since you think I came with ill intentions, I might as well be blunt.”

Jiang Tianyi leaned back on the straw as if on a luxurious cushion, gesturing for him to continue.

“Your Highness, you’re usually meticulous. But the evidence against you in the documents was sloppy and full of obvious flaws. Do you think the Emperor would be fooled?”

A faint smile played on Jiang Tianyi’s face as he looked at this scholar, rumored to be brilliant in the capital.

“Do you think this will save you? Some officials placed these flimsy documents before me, trying to throw me off, but Your Highness, they only ended up in my hands. The Emperor won’t tolerate any power grab by the princes, but your clumsy evidence wouldn’t fool even me, much less the Emperor. Do you plan to present such evidence?”

“I know you must have an escape plan. You’re cautious, and likely planning to feign death to leave the capital, then establish yourself in the southwest. Your men have already withdrawn from the city; most are moving southwest. This shows your careful preparations. Am I right?”

*Clap, clap!*

Jiang Tianyi, surprised that this junior minister could see through his plan, applauded slowly, though his expression was somewhat displeased. “The ‘sloppy’ evidence was crafted by thirty-two strategists in my residence. But I see now, there’s always someone better out there! I suppose I should get rid of them.”

Tang Jiwei chuckled and accepted the praise. “I gladly accept!”

Suddenly, Jiang Tianyi took a swift step forward, grabbing Tang Jiwei by the neck, his expression cold and sinister. “Those who know too much rarely live long. Since I’m already a dead man, I might as well add another charge!”

Tang Jiwei crossed his hands behind his head, gazing up calmly at the taller man, his ruthless expression familiar. Tang sighed inwardly, realizing that they were both heartless souls, merely caught in the mortal world.

“If you’re going to kill me, just do it. No need for all this talking!” Tang Jiwei said nonchalantly, glancing at Jiang Tianyi’s broad shoulders. Being this close, he didn’t have much of a choice but to look directly at him—though, admittedly, he wasn’t bad-looking.

Jiang Tianyi released his grip, standing firmly before Tang Jiwei, his cold demeanor unbroken. The prince’s reputation as the “Cold King Yama” was well-deserved, Tang Jiwei thought. Han Zhen must have been formidable to have driven him to flee the southwest.

“You’re a clever man, so I’ll be direct. If you join me, I won’t deny you fame or fortune. But if you betray me, you’ll be dead.”

Tang Jiwei blinked, feigning indifference. “Is there a third option? I won’t reveal your plans, and I’ll help you feign your death to escape.”

Jiang Tianyi had seen many people in his life, but he had never encountered someone as strange as this, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Tang Jiwei paced over to the small table and took a sip of plum wine to steady his nerves. The sensation of being strangled had come flooding back the moment Jiang Tianyi grabbed his neck. His calm demeanor was only on the surface; the suffocating feeling from his past life had haunted his dreams countless times. Jiang Tianyi’s grip was so strong that, even though he didn’t choke him to death, it left deep purple marks of his five fingers.

“What exactly is your intention? Do you also want to become a traitor?” Jiang Tianyi turned to Tang Jiwei and asked.

Tang Jiwei let out a rare scoff. A traitor? Wasn’t he one already?

“Of course! Why wouldn’t I? So what if I am? Does being a traitor require qualifications?” Tang Jiwei shot back with a mocking retort.

Jiang Tianyi laughed, pulled open his black robe, and sat down, pouring a cup of wine to hand to Tang Jiwei, murmuring, “Interesting.”

“The Prince doesn’t want to take me in? Weren’t you just lamenting that you hadn’t met me a few years earlier? The speed at which your attitude changes is faster than a child’s,” Tang Jiwei said with a sly smile, provocative and proud.

Raising his cup, Jiang Tianyi clinked glasses with Tang Jiwei, saying, “Fine, I’ll grant your wish!”

Meanwhile, Han Yuan hurriedly ascended the jade steps in her elaborate, dignified dress, leaving her attendants trailing behind. The palace servants nearby were surprised to see the always composed Princess acting so out of character, yet they remembered to kneel and pay respects.

In the Palace of Governance, Han Zhen was resting after an exhausting morning court session. A palace maid was gently massaging his temples, while Chief Eunuch Li Sheng tended to an incense burner nearby.

“Princess, you cannot go in; I haven’t announced you yet!” a young eunuch protested loudly at the entrance.

“Get out of my way, or you’ll regret it!” Han Yuan hiked up her skirts and strode into the inner hall, leaving the young eunuch nervously wiping imaginary sweat from his brow, uncertain if the Emperor had heard the commotion.

Han Zhen opened his eyes just as the Princess angrily began to scold him.

“Did you lock up Jiang Tianyi? How could you be so reckless? I know you’re ambitious and want full control, but the Jiang family was granted a special title and privilege by our ancestor! Don’t you think your reputation is bad enough already? Killing Gu Zhenguan and wiping out his family wasn’t enough for you? Do you think you can so openly imprison the Jiang family?”

Seeing that her rant was almost over, Han Zhen calmly asked Chief Eunuch Li Sheng to serve the Princess some tea to calm her down.

“Sister, can’t you understand my intentions?” Han Yuan sat down beside him, visibly frustrated.

“You killed Zhenguan, and although I resented you, I know it’s too late to bring back the dead. If carrying this burden together with you helps stabilize the empire, I’ll accept it. But how could you purge all the loyal ministers who helped build this dynasty? How can you leave the court officials feeling fearful and unsettled? What do you think the common people will say about you?”

Taking a piece of incense wood, Han Zhen inhaled its fragrance and solemnly replied, “History will judge. I only care about a stable country and a peaceful life for my people.”

Han Yuan felt as if she’d struck a pillow; her anger dissipated. She had rushed here from her fiefdom, pushing her horse to its limits for five days, just to plead for the Jiang family, at least to spare Jiang Tianyi’s life. But Han Zhen was stubborn.

With a sigh, Han Yuan asked, “I suppose you don’t regret killing Zhenguan, do you?”

Han Zhen was silent for a rare moment, his words caught in his throat. After a pause, he lowered his gaze, saying, “He’s gone. Whether I regret it or not, he’s no longer here. Since that’s the reality, there’s no point in dwelling on guilt. I believe he’ll forgive me as long as I rule the empire well.”

Han Yuan offered a sad smile. This foolish brother—did he really think she didn’t notice his clenched fists? Didn’t he think she knew from Chief Eunuch Li Sheng how he had suffered sleepless nights since Gu Zhenguan’s death? How he buried himself in state affairs to avoid confronting his feelings?

Removing her hand from the teacup, Han Yuan looked straight ahead at the hall’s main door and said, “Don’t think I don’t know what’s in your incense box. You can fool me, fool the world, but don’t fool your own heart.”

Han Zhen’s posture wavered momentarily, and  Chief Eunuch Li Sheng quickly placed a cushion behind him to steady him.

“You’re the Emperor, but you’re also my little brother!” Han Yuan’s voice softened.

Turning to look at her strong-willed younger brother, Han Yuan gave a slight smile. “I wish for you to find some happiness. They say that royalty has no heart, but haven’t we faced the world together all these years? Mother wouldn’t want to see you push yourself into such isolation.”

Han Zhen’s voice rasped as he asked, “How did you find out what’s in my box?”

Han Yuan scoffed, glancing briefly at Chief Eunuch Li Sheng without giving him away, then replied, “You keep it so carefully beside your bed. If I didn’t notice, wouldn’t that make me a fool? Han Zhen, I may not control you as I did when you were young, but…”

The illustrious Princess let out a sigh. Her words drifted into Han Zhen’s ears, like a faint breeze, barely leaving a trace.

“Anyone who abandons their heart can never truly understand the joys and sorrows of being human, let alone someone who hopes to leave a mark on history.”

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Author’s Note: Guess why Jiang Tianyi is here! There’s a hint—he has a companion. Leave your guesses in the comments below, and there’s a prize for those who guess correctly!