Ding Yang took over the conversation, saying, “Not even if my wife asks me, right? Don’t worry.” As he spoke, he crossed his hands and pressed them tightly over his lips. That comical appearance made Xiuzhu unable to suppress her laughter, and she joked, “You said it yourself. If even half a word gets out, I’ll take needle and thread to sew your mouth shut so you can never speak again.”
After this exchange, Xiuzhu returned to Muhua Pavilion, while Ding Yang went to wait outside Wan Shi’s courtyard. After a while, Jirong came out. As he stepped forward to support her, he said, “This subordinate asked Xiuzhu, and she…”
Jirong interrupted, “Whatever it is, wait until we return to the Prince’s mansion to discuss it.”
“Yes.” Ding Yang swallowed the words on his lips and silently helped Jirong return to the Prince’s mansion. After Jirong received the tea water handed to her by Liyu, he then recounted Xiuzhu’s situation in detail.
Jirong used the tea lid to stir the foam on the tea’s surface and laughed softly, “How interesting.”
“This subordinate could see that Xiuzhu is very dissatisfied with Second Young Madam’s closeness to Princess Jinyang. This dissatisfaction has even extended to Second Young Madam herself.”
Jirong sipped the scalding tea and looked up at him with a half-smile, “Are you married?”
Ding Yang hadn’t expected her to suddenly ask such a question. After a moment of surprise, he said, “In response to Madam, this subordinate is not yet married.”
Jirong raised her slender eyebrows slightly, “I remember you’re already over twenty. Why haven’t you married yet?”
Ding Yang smiled bitterly, “This subordinate lost his father in childhood. My mother had to raise three children alone, and with the chaotic times, we often couldn’t even get a full meal, let alone have money for marriage. Only this past year, having the fortune to serve at Madam’s side and frequently being able to take money home, has our family finally achieved basic sustenance.”
“I see.” Jirong gently waved her six-sided plain silk fan, “Then do you want to get married?”
Ding Yang quickly glanced at her and lowered his head, saying, “This subordinate now only wishes to serve Madam well and doesn’t dare think about anything else.”
Jirong stared at him and said with a charming smile, “Do you know why, among so many new servants, I particularly valued you alone?”
Ding Yang tentatively said, “Perhaps this subordinate was fortunate enough to catch Madam’s fancy.”
“Personal affinity is certainly important, but most crucial is understanding advancement and retreat, and knowing clearly who your master is. However, from the current situation, it seems I overestimated you… Ding Yang.”
This gentle statement, devoid of any trace of anger, made Ding Yang’s face change with alarm. He hurriedly knelt down, saying, “If this subordinate has done anything wrong, please instruct me clearly, Madam, and this subordinate will immediately correct it.”
Faced with the anxious and uneasy Ding Yang, Jirong smiled without speaking. It was Liyu beside her who said, “You really think your master knows nothing? Yixiang is not only beautiful but also skilled in cooking—she would certainly make a virtuous wife and good mother.”
Hearing this, Ding Yang finally understood where the problem lay and secretly groaned, “This subordinate didn’t intentionally deceive Madam. It’s just that between this subordinate and Yixiang, there’s not even a hint of commitment yet, so…”
“Enough.” Jirong calmly interrupted his words, “Men should marry when they come of age, women should marry when they mature—this is human nature. I wouldn’t oppose it, but you shouldn’t have deceived me.”
Ding Yang hurriedly said, “This subordinate knows his error and will never dare again. Please give this subordinate one chance, Madam.”
“Stand up.” Hearing this, Ding Yang knew she had forgiven him. After repeated thanks, he carefully stood up.
“When do you plan to marry Yixiang?” Faced with Jirong’s question, Ding Yang carefully said, “This subordinate was thinking of saving money for two years, repairing the old house at home, then going to Yixiang’s family to propose marriage.”
Jirong looked at Liyu compassionately, “How old is Yixiang?”
Liyu thought for a moment, “This servant remembers she was sixteen when she arrived, so she should be seventeen now.”
Jirong picked up a pink rose and closed her eyes to smell it gently under her nose, saying coolly, “Two years later means nineteen. Making a girl as beautiful as flowers wait until nineteen before marrying her is rather unreasonable.”
Ding Yang rubbed his hands together, “This subordinate also knows it’s not ideal, but this subordinate truly has no money for betrothal gifts and marriage now, so I can only ask Yixiang to wait two years. Fortunately, she’s understanding.”
“Such a considerate woman deserves even more cherishing.” Speaking thus, Jirong opened her eyes, “I can provide the money needed for marriage, allowing you not only to marry Yixiang this year, but also ensuring that Yixiang’s parents will be very satisfied with your betrothal gifts.”
Jirong’s words stirred wild joy in Ding Yang’s heart, but he quickly suppressed it. There are no causeless benefits in this world. Although Jirong valued him considerably, presumably not to this extent.
After rapid contemplation, he carefully said, “What does Madam want this subordinate to do?”
Jirong smiled charmingly, stood up, and pinned the rose to his lapel, “Very simple. I want you to approach Xiuzhu and, no matter what methods you use, gain her trust—even her complete obedience.”
“Xiuzhu?” Ding Yang asked puzzledly, “Why is this?”
“When it’s time for you to know, you’ll naturally know. Now… just do as I say. Do you understand?”
“This subordinate understands.” As soon as Ding Yang finished speaking, Jirong said, “I’ll give you one month. During this month, I’ll visit the Tang Prince’s mansion every other day. Make good use of your opportunities.”
Although Ding Yang couldn’t fathom Jirong’s intentions, at this moment, he had only one possible answer, “This subordinate will certainly do his utmost and won’t fail Madam’s trust.”
On April 29th, Li Shimin and Yunyi held their grand wedding. Even before this, court officials had continuously submitted memorials requesting that he ascend the throne as emperor to stabilize the people’s hearts in Chang’an.
On May 1st, Peiji and numerous civil and military officials jointly submitted a memorial containing phrases like “The five movements rise in succession, a hundred kings succeed each other, spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, five excellences endure through ages,” again requesting Li Yuan to ascend the throne.
On May 2nd, ministers presented Li Yuan with a prophecy from the divine nun Huihua of Taiyuan: “Eighteen sons of the Eastern Sea, eight wells summon three armies. Holding twin white sparrows, wearing purple clouds on his head. Ding-chou speaks to Jia-zi, deeply hidden entering the hall. What meaning in sitting in the hall? In the center there is a Son of Heaven.”
The so-called “eighteen sons” referred to the Li clan. As for “eight wells,” “hundred-zhang water,” “deep water,” and so forth, these were metaphors for the character “Yuan” (渊). “Hall” (堂) was homophonous with “Tang” (唐). All these words implied that Li Yuan should ascend the throne as emperor.
Under the repeated petitions of his ministers, Li Yuan finally cast aside all hesitations and decided to ascend the throne he had longed for since the moment he raised his army in Taiyuan.
On May 5th of the 14th year of Daye, Li Yuan renamed Daxing Palace to Taiji Palace and Daxing Hall to Taiji Hall.
On May 20th of the 14th year of Daye, Li Yuan officially ascended the throne in Taiji Hall, establishing the dynasty name “Tang” and changing the era name to Wude. This year became the first year of Wude.
On that day, installing Yang You as emperor had been a necessity. Now, this imperial position would finally return to the hands of its rightful owner. For this day, he had experienced much and sacrificed much, including his own son’s life. But he understood clearly that this day was not an ending—on the contrary, it was a beginning!