Chapter Seventy-Six: The Beast Within

"The name of this story is 'Conjecture.'"

Wu Ning spoke calmly, and Princess Taiping listened intently. Whether it was Chen Zi'ang and the Ugly Uncle inside the room, or Du Gu Ao and Lei Ji outside the wall, all perked up their ears to hear Wu Ning's tale called 'Conjecture.'

"'Conjecture?'"

The name left Taiping a bit puzzled. "What does that mean?"

"To conjecture about tomorrow, to conjecture about the future," Wu Ning answered sincerely. "Since Your Highness knows my temperament, I won’t pretend to be a gentleman. If I say something disrespectful, please consider it as the ravings of a madman!"

Taiping nodded slightly. "Please speak, sir."

Wu Ning continued, "Let us imagine what may come to pass. The Empress is a heroine among women, ascending the throne in accordance with heaven's will and the people's wishes. After sixty years of the Tang Dynasty, a woman will finally take the imperial seat. Tell me, Your Highness, will the men of this world accept it?"

"And if they do not accept it?" Taiping replied, clearly supporting her mother in the matter of a woman emperor. She cast a somewhat disdainful glance at Wu Ning. "If you object simply because you cannot accept it, then I have nothing more to say. Must a woman always be an accessory to a man?"

"No," Wu Ning shook his head earnestly. "In fact, quite the opposite. I may be the only one in this world who truly accepts it, who sincerely believes there’s nothing wrong with the Empress’s ascension."

"Oh?" That surprised Taiping. "Then why..."

Wu Ning went on, "The emperor’s responsibility is to act on behalf of heaven. As long as one can rule the world well, whether man or woman, it is all the same to me."

"To put it simply, if you can ensure the people have enough to eat and wear, what does it matter if you’re a man or woman? And as things stand, the Empress may be the only one who can achieve this right now."

Wu Ning’s words were blunt, sweeping aside all the princes and grandsons of the Li family.

"This story is called 'Conjecture,' and it speaks of the future. I am merely stating the fact of the Empress's ascension, with no intention of objecting."

"Then why bring up men at all, sir?" Taiping asked.

Wu Ning smiled awkwardly. "My intention is simple—just to remind Your Highness: men and women, this will be a persistent issue after the Empress takes the throne."

He spoke briskly, "All those noble families, the Guanlong region, the Li and Wu clans—these conflicts have been discussed more than once at the Temple of Immortal Inquiry and with Your Highness. Add to that the pride of men... What kind of court do you think will exist in the future?"

Taiping fell silent.

She needed no reminder from Wu Ning to know that the court would remain a place of endless strife, never at peace.

"Sir, you are correct. Turmoil at court is a reality. Your wisdom in preserving yourself is not without merit," Taiping said.

"It can hardly be called wisdom," Wu Ning replied, his tone not particularly high. "Actually, these are not my main reasons."

He looked at Taiping with a wry smile. "Let me speak frankly, Your Highness. I have ambition, too. To say I do not aspire is false. But I am not like the others—I have my own principles."

Taiping frowned and asked urgently, "Since you have ambition, why do you refuse my offer?"

After a moment’s thought, she added, "If you fear the treachery of the court, you need not worry. I promise, as long as you are willing to enter the capital, I will do everything in my power to protect you."

Wu Ning laughed. He wanted to say, "My princess, you must rely on me for your own safety—how can you protect me?"

But...

"You are mistaken, Your Highness. I do not fear the treachery of the court. Though I am not talented, I am skilled in navigating such matters and believe I can manage. What I fear is that such efforts are meaningless."

"Meaningless?" Taiping was puzzled.

Wu Ning sighed, "The Li clan wants to preserve the royal privilege, the Wu family wants to catch up and dominate, the Guanlong nobles seek to maintain their supreme honor since Emperor Taizong, and the seven surnames and ten families aim to survive under the heavy hand of the Empress, to ensure their lineage endures a thousand years."

"The imperial exam selects officials not for their scholarship or ability, but for those loyal to the Li and Wu clans, those skilled in flattery and sycophancy."

"Harsh officials punish not crime, but dissent; men care not for governance, but for not being dominated by women!"

He leaned forward, his face barely a foot from Taiping's, the heat of his breath almost tangible.

Wu Ning articulated each word slowly, "Your Highness, do you not feel that something is missing in this game of power?"

Taiping was flustered, her heart pounding wildly. No one had ever dared speak to her in such a manner.

"Missing... missing what?"

"Since ancient times, court struggles have always been the same."

"You see..." Wu Ning withdrew, smiling bitterly. "Even Your Highness accepts this as natural, so I am even less inclined to join this game."

Taiping was silent.

"What do you think is missing, sir?"

"The suffering of the people, my princess!"

"Everyone remembers only the power in their hands, cares only for the rules of the game, sees only the court’s intrigue, but not a single person remembers that the Tang Dynasty... is not just a capital city, not just the palace, not just the endless strife of the court, but also the common people! Also the realm!"

"Beneath power, there is hunger and hardship; behind the glitz, the multitudes struggle!"

Wu Ning grew more impassioned. "Why should I join such a court? Even if not a pawn, what is the point of being the one who moves the pieces?"

"I am not a good man, but I come from humble origins. I have witnessed suffering, I have lived in it—I cannot become like them!"

His momentum faded, and he slowly stood up. "It’s a pity this game cannot be broken; it is the fate of the Tang Dynasty. If nothing can be done, all one can do is preserve oneself."

Princess Taiping stared at Wu Ning in a daze, feeling a blazing fire ignite in her chest, growing ever hotter.

Wu Ning’s stirring words moved her deeply, making her blood surge with excitement. She now understood that the boy’s flamboyance was only a facade, and within him was a fierce beast.

Outside in the courtyard, Du Gu Ao and Lei Ji, and inside, Chen Zi'ang and the Ugly Uncle, were all dumbfounded and shaken.

One conversation with him was worth ten years of study; Lei Ji couldn’t help but look at Du Gu Ao.

"Brother Kejin, let us heed these words and not forget our original purpose!"

Chen Zi'ang’s face twisted, fists clenched, veins bulging.

"Brother, this child—you have ruined him!"

Inside and outside, the whole courtyard fell silent, even Wu Ning’s heart raced, unable to calm his agitation.

He was not born slick, nor did he simply play at life.

Before coming to the Tang Dynasty, he, like his brothers, held justice in his heart and grand ambitions.

But... he was born in the wrong era!