The power of life and death over Prince Li Yuanji of Wu… was actually in the hands of her father Wei Zheng.
Wei Shubin remained skeptical, vaguely feeling this was just an excuse from Empress Changsun, but she had no other options. After all, she couldn’t hold a knife to the throat of the Emperor’s mother to save her lover. Moreover, according to Chai Yuluo’s intelligence, recent court discussions between the emperor and his ministers had been particularly heated, including debates about regulations concerning the conduct of imperial princes. Her father Wei Zheng had always been a leading voice among court officials, and his attitude would significantly influence Li Yuanji’s fate.
So on the day, the Cheng family came to perform the betrothal ceremony at the Wei household, Wei Shubin had to return home, not only to allow the Cheng family women to inspect her ornaments—an unavoidable custom of the time—but also because she had steeled herself to have a face-to-face conversation with her father… They hadn’t had a proper discussion since her escape from marriage in Guangde District.
How ironic—Minister Wei had always prided himself on the Wei family of Julu’s strict adherence to decency and virtue. Yet, now his firstborn daughter was about to ask her father to rescue her lover from an illicit affair…
Beyond the curtains, after the men had completed their ceremonial greetings, a feast was laid out in the east wing. Lady Pei, the mistress of the house, led the Cheng family women to celebrate in the west wing. While joy and excitement filled both quarters, the bride-to-be Wei Shubin had no part in it. Adorned in elaborate feminine makeup, she was assisted by her maids back to her bedroom. First, she sent someone to request her father’s presence for “an urgent matter,” then sat at her dressing table and began removing the pins from her elaborate hairstyle.
She wanted to cry but had no tears left. She didn’t have the patience to carefully undo the intricate hairstyle, instead yanking out the pins forcefully, paying no mind to how precious and delicate the jeweled hairpins were. She would throw each removed pin into her jewelry box, heedless of the gemstones that had already been knocked loose. Her childhood maid, understanding her mood, dared not advise against it but stepped forward to help remove the ornaments with much gentler hands.
After all the rough handling, her newly arranged high bun had become disheveled. Wei Shubin took a wooden comb to brush through her hair, then styled it into the double buns worn by unmarried girls. Looking at herself in the mirror, she thought that if her appearance remained unchanged, perhaps she could pretend none of those nightmares had ever happened.
A cough sounded outside the door.
The doormaid announced, “The Minister has arrived.” Her father had come but, propriety preventing him from entering the chamber of his betrothed daughter, stood waiting in the corridor with his hands behind his back. Wei Shubin took a deep breath, secured her hair, and rose to step outside, still unable to look directly at her father as she prostrated herself.
“What did you wish to discuss?”
Her father’s tone was gentler and more melancholic than she had expected, though still far from what one might call “loving” or “tender.” Servants brought two cushions; her father sat cross-legged first, then gestured for his daughter to sit as well.
Wei Shubin moved to sit on the corridor cushion and, gathering her courage, began with words of contrition. Minister Wei listened impassively before prompting, “And then?”
“The Fourteenth Son of the Supreme Emperor, Prince of Wu, has saved my life several times…” Wei Shubin proceeded to recount the events before and after the chaos at Da’an Palace, carefully selecting what could be spoken of, naturally embellishing to emphasize Li Yuanji’s “innocence,” “helplessness,” “responsibility,” “chivalry,” and his “unfortunate circumstances but pure nature.”
The conversation stretched on until the sun’s shadow had shifted across the corridor. Finally, Wei Shubin concluded her plea, prostrating herself:
“All previous transgressions were due to my youthful willfulness and ignorance, failing to honor my parents’ nurturing grace. I have now sincerely repented. After marrying into the Cheng family, I will completely reform myself, follow the three obediences and four virtues, devotedly serve my husband, uphold the Wei family reputation, and make amends for my recent mistakes… I only beg Father, considering how he saved your daughter, to advise His Majesty to show leniency toward the Prince of Wu, in keeping with the principle of imperial familial harmony…”
As she spoke, she repeatedly touched her forehead to the ground with such force that had she has still been wearing her earlier elaborate hairstyle and ornaments, pins would have scattered everywhere. Such an extreme display of obeisance was rarely seen by women, but she truly didn’t know what else she could do to move her father.
Sitting opposite her, Minister Wei heaved a long sigh. He neither stopped her kowtowing nor granted her request, instead speaking slowly about seemingly unrelated matters:
“A few days ago, His Majesty summoned Fang Xuanling, Yang Shidao, and other ministers of the Policy Bureau into his private chamber and, without provocation, flew into a rage, accusing us of disrespecting Prince Yue and other princes by refusing to dismount and yield when encountering them on the way to court. This was the work of slanderers at court, exploiting the Emperor’s love for his children to lead him away from righteousness and toward favoritism. The Emperor already shows excessive indulgence toward Prince Yue, Prince Jin, and other children born to the Empress. Now Prince Yue, under the pretext of compiling geographical texts, has openly established a literary academy, recruiting scholars from across the realm and drawing resources from the imperial treasury, threatening to overshadow the Crown Prince! As for Prince Shu, Prince Lu, Prince Jing, and other princes born to concubines, their recent official appointments have all been marked by frivolous misconduct, yet imperial edicts consistently overlook these matters. His Majesty, coming from a military background, shows excessive private affection for his brothers and children, acting willfully and inconsistently. Despite our daily remonstrances, we cannot prevent these numerous improprieties. The ancient saying goes, ‘When a prince breaks the law, he shall be punished like a common person!’ The Zhenguan Code has been proclaimed throughout the realm, with rewards of hundred gold pieces posted on wooden stakes, yet we still fear it may not earn the people’s trust. Now you ask me to encourage the Emperor to bend the law out of sentiment—such unethical and unconscionable behavior, how could you be the daughter I, Wei Zheng, raised!”
This resolute rejection left Wei Shubin’s heart cold. But still unwilling to retreat to her room in tears, she bit her lip, thought for a moment, and looked up to say:
“Father’s teachings are correct. I have disgraced the family and ruined my virtue; my life is forfeit, and I accept whatever punishment Father deems appropriate without complaint. However, Prince Wu is the beloved son of the Supreme Emperor. Even Confucius said that an emperor should govern the realm through filial piety. The Supreme Emperor now hangs by a thread between life and death. If Father advises His Majesty to handle Prince Wu strictly according to the law, the charge of treason can only result in execution. This would not only burden His Majesty again with the reputation of harming his kin but might also hasten the Supreme Emperor’s death from grief, for father and son are connected in heart… When this news spreads throughout the court and beyond, the current Emperor will become known as an unfilial tyrant who killed his father and slaughtered his brother. Father has always considered it his duty to help the Emperor become a sage ruler like Yao and Shun—would you be satisfied if your actions led to such terrible consequences? How will historical records judge both His Majesty and Father as ruler and minister?”
Though her reasoning was somewhat convoluted, it wasn’t entirely baseless. Her father listened with furrowed brows and rebuked:
“Where did you learn such twisted logic? I shouldn’t have allowed you to stay at Zixu Temple, mixing with those women… It is precisely because of concerns about the Supreme Emperor that the Ministry of Justice has temporarily delayed arresting and trying the prince, leaving him under the Northern Command’s custody. Even in constitutional trials, there are ‘Eight Considerations,’ and Prince Wu, being considered under both kinship and nobility, might receive a lighter punishment. His Majesty is even willing to give him a chance to earn merit…”
“Merit?”
What merit had Li Yuanji ever earned? He had failed every task assigned by the Emperor and Empress, instead causing numerous incidents of murder and arson. Even his most earnest and devoted mission—rescuing his full sister, the Seventeenth Princess—wasn’t accomplished by him in the end, but rather credited to the court’s benevolence, good fortune, and loyal servants.
“Hmm…” Wei Zheng stroked his goatee and said slowly: “That reckless young lord, Prince Wu—you should forget about him, Shubin. His Majesty’s intention, I fear, is to exile him to… Gaochang.”