Chapter 20: We Are Willing to Walk Alongside Your Highness

"Exactly, it is a divine omen. That is why, when I first saw His Highness, I beheld a golden radiance shimmering before my eyes, and a flying dragon soaring from within him. I could not help but address him as Crown Prince."

Wen He thought to himself that anyone could play at being a mystic; he certainly wasn't going to let that old codger Zhangsun Wuji steal all the glory.

Zhangsun Wuji, whose words had been cut off mid-sentence, stood frozen in astonishment. This brat could weave lies as easily as he breathed.

"A flying dragon? What flying dragon?" Yuchi Gong asked, puzzled, as he nudged Cheng Zhijie with his elbow.

The latter rolled his eyes at him in silence, then stepped forward with a beaming smile. "Yes, a flying dragon! I saw it too. I was wondering why His Highness looked so different today—it is clearly the mandate of heaven manifesting upon him!"

He spoke boisterously, ignoring the strange looks from those around him. In any case, no one dared to contradict him.

At the head of the room, Li Shimin rubbed his forehead in resignation. He had asked Zhangsun Wuji to speak of divine destiny to bolster morale, but with Wen He and Cheng Zhijie’s antics, the scene had turned into a farce.

A flying dragon, indeed. He might as well have claimed the spirit of Laozi had descended.

"Cough, is that matter about the Taibai Venus true?" Yuwen Shiji lowered his voice to ask Du Ruhui. Du and Fang Xuanling had arrived much earlier than the others, and the Prince of Qin must have consulted with them. He felt this was all too reckless. The future was far from certain, and even the Bureau of Astronomy dared not make such bold claims; he wondered why His Highness was acting with such abandon.

"Master Sima, set your heart at ease. The youth named Wen He is indeed an extraordinary individual. Fang Xuanling and I have both verified this," Du Ruhui nodded decisively.

Yuwen Shiji frowned slightly. He might doubt Zhangsun Wuji, but he trusted Du Ruhui implicitly. It was common knowledge that every scheme Du Keming set his hand to was destined for success.

"Very well, I shall trust it for now. But if there is any change in circumstances, we must seize that boy. We can claim he bewitched His Highness, which would allow us to shift all the blame onto him and let His Highness step away unscathed."

If Wen He had known of the secret plotting between Yuwen Shiji and Du Ruhui, he would have forgotten the gravity of the situation and cursed the old man to high heaven.

"Since the heavens have shifted and the mandate lies with the Prince of Qin, we shall carve a path of blood for His Highness!" Qin Qiong stepped forward, representing the military. With Li Jing and Li Ji absent, he held the highest military rank and title among those present. Once he declared his stance, the others stepped forward to offer respectful bows. The military was the key; only with them could the stability of Chang'an be guaranteed once Li Shimin became the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince's guards were a formidable force, and the mere mention of Xue Wanche was enough to strike fear into many hearts.

"Your Highness!"

The civil officials, led by Yuwen Shiji, rose to show their support.

Li Shimin, calm of expression, stood up slowly, leaning on his desk. "The Great Tang is newly founded and the world is in turmoil. As the son of the Sage, it is my duty to protect the land and its people. Yet now, the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi harbor treacherous intentions. I am forced by circumstance to resist. Are you willing to walk this path with me?"

He raised his sword from the desk and cried out. Everyone in the hall bowed in unison, shouting, "We are willing to walk with Your Highness!"

"Today shall determine the fate of the heavens. I promise you all: from this day forward, we shall share in the wealth and glory!"

This was Li Shimin's pledge. Without it, one could only wonder how many would have remained in that hall.

Wen He stood in the furthest corner, observing their expressions. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. Without a mobile phone or a camera, if he could record this and pass it to future generations, it would surely be a miracle of archaeology.

"Don your armor!"

At his soft command, Zhangsun Wugou emerged from the side room, carrying the armor. When the crowd saw her, even Zhangsun Wuji self-consciously lowered his head to study his own boots.

"Er'lang, you must return safely."

A wife armoring her husband as he heads into battle—it was a silent prayer for his victory. Li Shimin gently took Zhangsun Wugou’s hands. "I leave the household to you. I am leaving Shubao behind to ensure your safety. With all these officials by my side, I shall surely return in triumph."

He did not tell her that he had left himself a way out; he did not want to worry her. Yet, after so many years of marriage, they understood each other without the need for words.

Zhangsun Wugou personally helped him into his armor, and the others began to file out of the main hall. Wen He followed the crowd, but as he reached the door, Zhangsun Wuji pulled him aside.

"His Highness has prepared armor for you—it is from his own youth. I will have someone help you put it on."

"I have to wear armor, too?" Wen He was stunned. Although he had admired the Tang Dynasty's bright armor in the past, he had heard it was incredibly heavy. It wouldn't have been an issue for him before, but he was only ten now. His small frame could barely carry a few pounds, let alone a suit of armor.

"The battlefield is treacherous. It is for your own protection."

"Can't you just leave me behind? I can go see the Emperor once everything is settled." Wen He sighed helplessly. He knew why Li Shimin insisted on taking him to see Li Yuan. Tonight's coup would mark the permanent rupture between father and son. Yet Li Shimin was unwilling to let go; he wanted his father to know of his future achievements.

"Wait, His Highness doesn't mean to..."

"Shut your mouth! What nonsense are you spouting? The Emperor is not Emperor Yang of Sui!" Zhangsun Wuji grabbed his arm, glaring at him fiercely.

Wen He gave a dry laugh and nodded.

"The little lad is going too?" Seeing Wen He in armor, Yuchi Gong and Cheng Zhijie walked over, curious.

"What, is there a problem?" Wen He tilted his chin up and huffed. He hadn't forgotten that Yuchi Gong had wanted to lay hands on him earlier. Looking at Yuchi Gong, however, Wen He felt a pang of pity. Who would have thought that such a straightforward and heroic general would one day live in fear of being too powerful for the throne, hiding in his home, and eventually dying from consuming immortality pills? He must have felt deeply stifled in his later years.

Wen He let out a "tsk, tsk," leaving Yuchi Gong utterly bewildered. *What is this expression on the little lad's face? Why do I feel like he's pitying me?*

"What do you mean by that?" Yuchi Gong, having a fiery temper, couldn't suppress his curiosity.

Wen He quickly composed his expression, shaking his head innocently. "Nothing at all. Oh, I was just thinking that many people will die tonight, and I feel a bit sad."

"I never expected you to have such a merciful heart. But I’m still puzzled—why does His Highness want to bring a little kid like you along?" Yuchi Gong didn't mean to look down on Wen He, but there was bound to be a bloody battle ahead. *Who is going to protect this kid?* Looking at his height, he hadn't even grown taller than a horse's back; he surely hadn't even learned to ride. *To fight a war while looking after a child? I wonder which poor fool will get stuck with that task.* Yuchi Gong gloated inwardly, casting his eyes around. When he found out who it was, he would definitely have a good laugh at their expense.

"Jingde, His Highness has ordered that young Master Wen shall ride with you."

"What?"

Hearing this, both Wen He, who had just finished putting on his armor, and Yuchi Gong were left dumbstruck.