PCA Extra 2

Su Cen spent the entire journey trying to read Li Shi’s expression.

 

Since Prince Ning had relinquished his duties over a month ago, he hadn’t attended morning court once. During this month, the civil and military officials had finally escaped Prince Ning’s “tyranny,” and under the gentle mediation of Prime Minister Su and the young emperor, the entire court had gradually taken on a flourishing atmosphere. Everyone expressed their opinions freely in a hundred schools of thought contending. Though they still often argued until red-faced, it was no longer for selfish gain. These people had all deeply experienced the suffering of factional strife—calling someone factional was worse than cursing their ancestors for eighteen generations. Even those toothless old ministers could bite you.

 

However, Su Cen felt somewhat uneasy. This feeling was actually familiar—like waiting in school for the teacher to check homework, desperately thinking about what he might have done wrong while trying to gauge whether the teacher was in a good mood today and what purpose this surprise inspection served.

 

Su Cen stole glances at Li Shi. What purpose did this master have for suddenly deciding on a whim to attend court?

 

Li Shi naturally didn’t understand his convoluted thoughts. Feeling uncomfortable being stared at, he simply pulled Su Cen over and pressed him into his embrace, quietly looking down at the person before him: “What are you thinking about?”

 

“I’m thinking…” Su Cen suddenly narrowed his eyes slyly, “I’m thinking that when a powerful minister one day relinquishes power, won’t those ministers you offended back then take the opportunity to bully you?”

 

Li Shi also smiled: “If they want to bully me, what would Prime Minister Su do?”

 

Su Cen lifted the man’s chin with interest, pretending to examine him: “The Prince has been an official for many years—don’t you understand the ways of officialdom?”

 

This was clearly hinting at their original transaction. Back then, one of them was lowly positioned while the other held overwhelming power. Only when desperate had he approached Li Shi. Now with their positions reversed, Su Cen was subtly suggesting that the little fox wanted to turn the tables and someday suppress Prince Ning, avenging past humiliations.

 

“Prime Minister Su has such great official authority,” Li Shi’s eyes narrowed dangerously, then his hand rose and fell—Lord Su’s bottom immediately bloomed with pain. “Little rascal.”

 

Su Cen grimaced in complaint: “I learned it all from you!”

 

Immediately his bottom received another slap: “Don’t learn anything good.”

 

The two slaps knocked the fight out of Su Cen, and he actually laughed, his eyes full of charm: “Only the magistrate can set fires while common people can’t light lamps. Knowing it’s bad, why did you want me in the first place?”

 

Li Shi’s large hands gently rubbed the spot that had just been hurt, sighing half-teasingly and half-affectionately: “Who told this place to be so deadly.”

 

Prince Ning’s carriage naturally faced no obstacles, proceeding smoothly into Daming Palace. Only when they could go no further did the two get down from the carriage and walk side by side toward Xuanzheng Hall.

 

Su Cen glanced sideways at the person beside him—sharp eyebrows and keen eyes, imposing even after relinquishing all power. He had always followed silently behind this person, watching that solid, broad back, not daring to covet or overstep. Being able to just touch the clothes that fluttered in the wind was satisfying enough. At some point, Li Shi had slowed his pace to wait for him. In openly legitimate occasions like now, the two stood shoulder to shoulder. Ministers hurrying to court would call out “Prime Minister Su,” then respectfully address “Your Highness” with restrained expressions, yet no one found anything amiss.

 

Entering Zhaoxun Gate, they encountered the head eunuch of the Palace Attendants Bureau, who approached with a beaming smile: “Oh, greetings to Your Highness and Prime Minister Su. What perfect timing—the imperial wine tribute from this year just arrived at the inner treasury. His Majesty was just having this servant select some good jars to send to the residence.”

 

Li Shi raised an eyebrow: “Whose residence?”

 

The eunuch was momentarily at a loss: “This…”

 

Su Cen remained expressionless, but his ears quietly reddened. Li Shi wasn’t teasing the eunuch—he was teasing him. Now everyone knew Prime Minister Su lived in Xingqing Palace. Sending to whose residence would be the same thing.

 

Li Shi wouldn’t let it go, continuing: “We should clarify who it’s for beforehand. Otherwise, if someone later uses the excuse of looking for their own wine to sneak into my wine cellar and mistakenly carries off several jars of my aged wine, who would I complain to?”

 

Su Cen’s face finally reddened.

 

Prime Minister Su loved tea and wine even more, and his palate had been spoiled—he only drank wines aged over ten years. Since moving into Xingqing Palace, he was like a mouse in a rice warehouse, completely unstoppable. One day Li Shi decided to inspect his private collection and nearly thought Xingqing Palace had been robbed. Even Chen Ling and the others were punished. Only after one particularly vigorous spring night when a wine jar rolled out from under the bed, and looking under the bed revealed more, did Li Shi finally discover where the Xingqing Palace thief came from.

 

It’s hard to guard against household thieves. Who would have thought that a dignified prime minister would secretly crawl under the bed for a few sips after coaxing him to sleep each night?

 

The head eunuch understood and smiled meaningfully: “Both, both. Two sets of everything—we’ll send them separately to both of you.”

 

Li Shi reconsidered—his little private collection did need restocking, so he asked: “What wines are there?”

 

The eunuch listed several names, all top-quality famous wines from various regions. However, this little ancestor at home had very particular tastes, preferring clear wine over cloudy, rice wine over wheat wine, yellow koji wine over red koji wine.

 

Near Xuanzheng Hall, Li Shi changed his mind and said to the eunuch: “Come, I’ll go look with you.”

 

Su Cen frowned: “Morning court is about to begin.”

 

Li Shi smiled lightly: “You’re the prime minister—I’m not. A powerless idle prince, I’m afraid those ministers will bully me.”

 

Su Cen: “…”

 

How was he still remembering that?

 

The morning court discussed the marriage alliance proposal sent by the current Turkic Khan Ashina Mohe, requesting Great Zhou to send a princess for marriage, willing to unite with Great Zhou in matrimonial alliance.

 

Speaking of Ashina Mohe, one had to mention the “Tiancheng Rebellion” of years past. Back then, Li Sheng had gathered large Tibetan forces at Great Zhou’s borders as leverage against Li Shi. After Li Sheng’s suicide in Hanyuan Hall, these Tibetans remained unrepentant, still wanting to profit from the chaos at Great Zhou’s borders.

 

At the time, the entire court was busy handling the aftermath of the “Tiancheng Rebellion,” and Li Shi really couldn’t spare energy for border concerns. Just then, the Turks, who had been conserving strength, actively struck out, forcibly intercepting the Tibetan army outside Great Zhou’s borders.

 

According to Mohe, this was to repay Qi Lin’s past mercy in sparing his life. However, Su Cen understood that through this battle, Tibet was severely weakened while the Turks seized the opportunity to absorb vast Tibetan territories. They also earned Great Zhou’s gratitude, thereafter becoming unrivaled among the northern desert tribes.

 

Su Cen had to reassess this young Turkic Khan. Shortly after coming of age, he had used Xiao Yan’s rebellion to reclaim the throne from the all-powerful Yabgu, then used this “Tiancheng Rebellion” to severely damage Tibet and expand territory. He could always make the most correct decisions at the most opportune moments—completely unlike a youth’s judgment. Though he claimed this was to repay Qi Lin’s kindness, Su Cen dared not forget that the order to slaughter the Ashina tribe had come from Li Shi.

 

If this person truly sought matrimonial alliance with Great Zhou, that would naturally be good. But if he was using relations with Great Zhou to further expand territory, he would sooner or later become Great Zhou’s formidable enemy.

 

Now the court’s forces were also divided into two camps. One group were optimists who believed Great Zhou’s national power was now strong, and a small Turkic state was nothing to fear. Moreover, they had just helped you, and their request was reasonable—what grounds did you have to refuse?

 

The other part were the forward-thinking faction, adhering to the idea that all non-Han peoples were inherently untrustworthy, firmly opposing this approach that might involve lifting a stone only to drop it on their own feet. Besides, even if Mohe didn’t rebel, could they guarantee his descendants wouldn’t? Once this wolf grew strong, who could still contain it?

 

Both sides argued heatedly. The fourteen-year-old emperor sitting on the dragon throne was also somewhat torn. This was the first major matter he would decide since taking personal rule, and right from the start it concerned Great Zhou’s national fate. Refusing would make Great Zhou appear petty; agreeing might nurture a tiger that could become a threat. How to choose?

 

The young emperor struggled for a while, then decided to pass this burden to someone else, squinting with a smile at the court below: “Prime Minister Su, what do you think?”

 

Su Cen considered briefly, stepped forward from the ranks, and bowed to His Majesty: “This subject supports the marriage alliance.”

 

The court erupted in uproar.

 

Wen Xiu, representing the forward-thinking faction, frowned and said earnestly: “Su Cen, you’re still young and don’t know how treacherous human hearts can be. You think Mohe is good now because he hasn’t yet bared his fangs at Great Zhou. Once Great Zhou exposes its neck and gives him an opportunity, he will definitely pounce and tear at us.”

 

Just as Su Cen was about to speak, the emperor on the throne took over: “I actually agree with Minister Su’s view, because there’s really no reason to refuse. If he wants eternal friendship but we disagree, wouldn’t that force the Turks into opposition with Great Zhou? Taking ten thousand steps back, even if Mohe truly has wolfish ambitions, there’s still Imperial Uncle—we’re not afraid.”

 

Su Cen nodded approvingly and was about to speak when Wen Xiu interrupted again: “Your Majesty, Great Zhou cannot withstand more turmoil. Since we’re doing well now, let’s not stir things up. While the Turks haven’t yet grown full fangs, we should act decisively! Moreover, the Prince is also advanced in years. You cannot…”

 

Before he could finish, a clear cough came from outside the hall. Speak of the devil—the “advanced in years” person suddenly appeared before everyone.

 

Wen Xiu’s legs trembled, and his form visibly swayed.

 

Li Shi stepped forward and stood in the center of the court. The great hall instantly fell silent.

 

Though Li Shi had relinquished power, his authority in court remained undiminished. The group of ministers who had just been arguing red-faced became quiet as quails upon seeing this master.

 

“Imperial… Imperial Uncle,” the young emperor was the first to recover, ordering: “Quickly bring a seat for Imperial Uncle.”

 

The attending eunuchs immediately brought a carved sandalwood armchair with backrest, placing it at the very front of the ministers.

 

Prince Ning, to demonstrate he hadn’t yet reached “advanced years,” didn’t sit down. He merely stood supporting the backrest, facing the ministers: “Continue your discussion.”

 

Who dared to speak now?

 

After several moments of complete silence, Li Shi looked down and brushed his sleeve: “Not talking anymore? If you’re done talking, then dismiss court.”

 

The ministers: “…”

 

Thus, a topic that could have been debated all day ended just as it began, and for the first time since the young emperor’s personal rule, these ministers could go home for a proper meal.

 

Watching the ministers’ retreating figures, Prince Ning spoke again: “Prime Minister Wen…”

 

Wen Xiu was just exiting the hall when, hearing his name called, he tripped over the threshold and nearly tumbled headfirst.

 

Li Shi smiled meaningfully: “Prime Minister Wen, be careful. After all, with advanced years, old arms and legs don’t recover well from falls and breaks. If you’re truly unable to cope, perhaps you should retire and make way for the worthy.”

 

Wen Xiu bowed repeatedly saying “The Prince speaks truly” several times before Li Shi released him. Turning back to glance at someone covering his mouth and snickering, Li Shi’s eyes turned stern: “Still laughing!”

 

Su Cen immediately stopped laughing.

 

On the way back, Li Shi still wore an icy expression. Su Cen found it amusing but didn’t dare laugh, only carefully coaxing and cautiously persuading, afraid Li Shi might actually dismiss Wen Xiu in his anger.

 

“Prime Minister Wen spoke without thinking—he didn’t really mean you’re old. He wasn’t talking about now either. In ten or twenty years, even I’ll be an old man. Everyone has their time of advanced years. Besides, though Prime Minister Wen’s words weren’t pleasant, his heart is still with you—he just can’t bear to have you go eat sand in the northern desert again.”

 

Li Shi smiled coldly: “Hmph.”

 

Su Cen: “…”

 

This wasn’t advanced years at all—clearly still just a child!

 

Su Cen steeled himself: “Whether the Prince is advanced in years, I know best. When is it others’ turn to comment?”

 

“Oh?” Li Shi finally raised an eyebrow. “How does Prime Minister Su see it?”

 

Su Cen thought to himself that this uncle and nephew were truly cut from the same mold, knowing only how to torment him relentlessly, even using identical words.

 

Su Cen coughed with reddened ears, saying quietly: “My legs are still trembling now.”

 

Hearing this, Li Shi finally brightened, laughing heartily as he pulled the person back into his embrace, seriously engaging in improper conduct: “Let me see what’s wrong with Prime Minister Su’s legs.”

 

***

 

*Author’s Note: I originally thought this extra would be finished in two chapters, but we still haven’t gotten to why these two want to elope… Sigh… Also, I suddenly feel the young Turkic Khan Mohe has great potential for development—could write a whole separate story about him.*

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