Chapter Forty-Three: Partiality

An imperial decree embodies the highest authority of a nation—its weight surpasses even the emperor’s own presence. Yet Li Zhi tore it apart without hesitation.

The old eunuch, startled from his shock, trembled as he spoke, “You… you actually… Guards, seize Prince Jin and escort him back to the palace for His Majesty’s judgment!”

“Wait, wait!” Luo Tong hurried forward. “Sir, surely there’s some misunderstanding. The young prince hasn’t been well these past few days. He didn’t mean to destroy the decree.”

“Is that so?” The old eunuch clearly wished to shield Li Zhi. After all, he was the emperor’s favored son. As a close servant, self-preservation demanded caution, lest he be punished later.

Yet Li Zhi refused the kindness. “I tore it, so what? It’s not such a big deal, is it? No need to make excuses.” The implication was clear: he was ignorant of the consequences. As the saying goes, ignorance absolves one of guilt. For a three-year-old child, no act should be met with the responsibility expected of adults.

“If His Highness has deliberately destroyed the decree and I’ve witnessed it myself, I cannot simply ignore it. Guards, take him away!”

“I’d like to see who dares!” Luo Tong stepped forward.

“Luo Tong, what do you intend?”

“I am charged with protecting His Highness. I must take him back to the Li Zheng Hall. If you have the courage, fetch him there. Your Highness, let us go!”

In the critical moment, it was Luo Tong who proved reliable. He scooped Li Zhi into his arms.

“You didn’t have to go to such lengths. I can handle this myself. Father adores me; he won’t punish me for a decree.”

“Your Highness, this matter is no small affair. If handled poorly, it could cost your life. You must return to Li Zheng Hall and seek out Her Majesty. Only she can save you now.”

Indeed, Empress Zhangsun wielded absolute authority before her husband, much like Lady Flower-Foot in legend. Emperor Taizong revered her, never using his rank to intimidate her. To tear a decree was nothing; even rebellion could be forgiven.

This wasn’t idle talk—it was rooted in history. Crown Prince Li Chengqian once rebelled and suffered no severe punishment: he was merely stripped of his title and sent to a distant county, where local officials continued to treat him with respect.

“We’re here!” Luo Tong, clutching Li Zhi, rushed breathlessly into Li Zheng Hall.

By coincidence, Emperor Taizong was inside, enjoying Annam’s tribute pears with Empress Zhangsun. Both were startled by the disheveled pair.

“Zhi’er…”

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“How did you end up like this? Did you encounter assassins again? Where are the men I sent to deliver the decree? Did you not see them?” Emperor Taizong fired off his questions anxiously.

Luo Tong remained silent and wary.

Li Zhi ran over to clutch his father’s arm. “Father, I finished arranging the restaurant and hurried straight back.”

“You actually remembered to return!”

“Hmph!” Empress Zhangsun, sensing her husband’s irritation, quickly interceded for Li Zhi. “At least he’s back, and there were no assassins. In future, take more guards with you and return at the proper time every day.”

“Yes, Mother!”

“But…” Seeing Emperor Taizong’s mood soften, Li Zhi decided to be honest. “On my way back, I accidentally caused a bit of trouble. Surely Father won’t mind?”

Luo Tong stood rigidly beside them, his heart in turmoil. For ordinary folk, destroying an imperial decree meant certain death—the entire family could be executed. Even as a prince, Li Zhi might not escape unscathed.

“Trouble?” Empress Zhangsun pulled Li Zhi to her side. “What trouble did you cause, Zhi’er?”

“I… tore up Father’s decree summoning me back to the palace.”

“What?!”

“Pfft!” Emperor Taizong had just taken a sip of tea, which he sprayed across the room, his expression changing instantly.

“You tore up the decree?”

“I didn’t mean to. I didn’t want to return, saw the decree, got angry, and tore it up. I didn’t know it was so important. Only when the eunuch tried to arrest me did I realize… then Luo Tong brought me back… Father, you won’t really punish me, will you?”

Li Zhi played up his age, gazing innocently at Emperor Taizong.

“Punish you?” Emperor Taizong drew a deep breath. This wasn’t merely a matter of punishment—such an offense could easily cost one’s head.

“You’ve always been so clever. I don’t believe you didn’t understand the decree’s importance…”

“You must have done it on purpose?”

“To tear up a decree—how dare you!” Emperor Taizong rebuked him.

“Your Majesty!” Empress Zhangsun, anxious for her son, interrupted. “He’s only three. Some children haven’t even learned to walk at his age. How could he understand?”

“Your Majesty… It’s like a moth flying into fire. People praise the moth’s courage, but don’t realize the moth cannot comprehend the fire’s danger.”

It was an apt metaphor, striking at the heart of the matter.

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Emperor Taizong drew a sharp breath. “There’s no one else here… Zhi’er, tell your father honestly—do you truly not know what a decree is?”

“I do. A decree is just Father writing down what he wants to say on a cloth and sending it to me. I got angry and tore it up!”

This made things simple. At worst, it showed Li Zhi refused Emperor Taizong’s summons—nothing more than a minor tantrum as in their ordinary conversations.

Emperor Taizong glanced at Empress Zhangsun. He knew well he could not arrest Li Zhi, nor could he mete out harsh punishment. Otherwise, Empress Zhangsun would never let it rest. Besides, he himself did not wish to make things difficult for his son. He decided to downplay the matter.

“Zhi’er, you know far too little of the Tang dynasty’s laws. From tomorrow, you are confined to Li Zheng Hall to memorize the legal codes. You must recite them all by heart. I will test you myself—only then will you be allowed your freedom.”

“What?” Li Zhi protested. “Father, isn’t that too harsh?”

“Hmph! If it were anyone else, they’d be executed already. I’m only asking you to learn the laws—how is that excessive?”

“Executed? Waaa…” Li Zhi burst into tears without warning.

“Why frighten him? He’s just a child!” Empress Zhangsun hurried to shield Li Zhi. Not punishment—she wouldn’t even allow him to be frightened.

Emperor Taizong was at a loss. “Empress, you must ensure Zhi’er studies the legal codes carefully. Tell him beforehand what he mustn’t do, so he doesn’t repeat the same mistakes.”

“Yes.”

Emperor Taizong swept his sleeves and left Li Zheng Hall.

Li Zhi stopped crying. “Mother, you’re the only one who’s good to me. Can’t I skip memorizing those laws?”

“Who says you can skip them… You must study hard and remember everything. Your father will test you in a few days—you cannot make a single mistake!”

“Ah!” Li Zhi was crushed.

To Emperor Taizong, Li Zhi’s ability to memorize at a glance made reciting legal codes seem trivial. But Li Zhi knew his memory was poor—he was far from having such gifts.

If he truly had to memorize several volumes of legal codes, a few days wouldn’t suffice. Even years might not be enough.

“It’s over, it’s over…” Li Zhi collapsed to the floor.