HomeTang Gong Qi AnVol 2 - Chapter 17: The Legend of the Peace Marriage

Vol 2 – Chapter 17: The Legend of the Peace Marriage

The imperial envoy sent from Da’an Palace to bestow funeral gifts to Princess Pingyang’s mansion was Yin Tuo, the Vice Palace Supervisor of Da’an Palace. Li Yuangui recognized him from afar and immediately stopped, his right hand gripping the sword at his waist.

This Yin Tuo was Consort Yin’s brother from the same clan. His original name was “A’ta,” and he had been a good-for-nothing street ruffian. Later, because Consort Yin’s father Yin A’shu had no sons, he was adopted as his son and managed to obtain the position of Vice Supervisor at Da’an Palace.

The Palace Supervisor Chen Wanfu was originally an old steward of the Li family who had served the Emperor Emeritus for a lifetime. In recent years, he had become weak and sickly, and palace affairs were mostly managed by Yin Tuo. The brother and sister pair of the Yin family worked in concert from inside and outside, controlling Da’an Palace so tightly that not even a drop of water could slip through.

Li Yuangui and his mother and sister had suffered much under the “care” of the Yin siblings, and he had always hated them to his core. Upon seeing Yin Tuo now, Li Yuangui’s first thought was: Seventeenth Sister was no longer a hostage in the Yin family’s hands, could he take this chance to cut down this despicable wretch first?

Of course, he couldn’t strike at the Chai mansion, as that would bring trouble to Master Chai and his daughter… Perhaps he could wait until Yin Tuo was on his way home or back to Da’an Palace?

Yes, that’s what he’d do. After this scoundrel finished his official business, he would borrow some common clothes from the Chai household to change into, and then he and Yang Xinzhi would secretly follow behind, waiting for the right moment to cover their faces and strike… Although this wasn’t exactly honorable, when had the Yin siblings ever treated his family honorably? Returning evil for evil wasn’t unreasonable.

As he stood there from afar, deep in his violent thoughts, he suddenly noticed Yin A’ta turning his head to look in his direction.

This was bad… Li Yuangui realized he was still wearing his official court robes, which must have made him quite conspicuous. He also felt a warm presence beside him, and turning his head to look up, sure enough, Yang the Meat Tower was standing next to him at attention. With the two of them standing there like “an iron tower next to a banner pole,” how could any acquaintance fail to recognize them?

Yin A’ta, carrying out his official duties, first exchanged pleasantries with the Chai father and son, then went to pay respects at the memorial altar. Li Yuangui stood watching from the western corridor, grinding his teeth in futility. Finally, after all the ceremonies were completed, Chai Shao seemed to be leading Yin A’ta toward the western wing where distinguished guests were received. Li Yuangui had a sudden thought and, bringing Yang Xinzhi along, slipped inside ahead of the group.

The guest hall, which had just been filled with cheerful voices and laughter, now had only two servants kneeling in the corner ready to attend to guests. Li Yuangui didn’t pause but went straight behind the plain screen behind the main seat. Yang Xinzhi followed him in, though his head was so tall that his eyebrows and above remained visible above the screen—Li Yuangui noticed this at a glance and frowned, tugging at his sleeve twice before the meat tower reluctantly knelt.

They had just settled in when a group of people entered the room with mixed footsteps. Yin A’ta’s voice was still explaining:

“…it’s not that I, Yin, dare to be presumptuous, but before coming, Noble Consort Yin repeatedly instructed that this message must be delivered to the True Master in person, which is why I boldly sought an audience. I beg the Third Prince Consort’s forgiveness…”

Then came Chai Shao’s humble response, mixed with footsteps and Chai Yingluuo’s greetings and courtesies, presumably having just been called in. It took quite a while for both sides to settle down, then Chai Yingluuo first asked about “His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus’s health,” saying she hadn’t been to Da’an Palace for several days and was truly concerned about her grandfather’s condition.

Yin A’ta praised “the True Master’s miraculous medicines and Noble Consort Yin’s attentive care,” but both the questioner and respondent were merely going through the motions, focusing their attention on the conversation to come.

“Noble Consort Yin instructed me to convey a message to the True Master,” Yin A’ta cleared his throat slightly, “Yesterday, His Highness the Crown Prince went to pay respects at the Emperor Emeritus’s sickbed and discussed with his grandfather the selection of a princess for a peace marriage…”

“A peaceful marriage princess?” Chai Yingluuo exclaimed. Li Yuangui was also shocked, and nearly snorted at the phrase “discussed with his grandfather.” Why not just say directly “discussed with Noble Consort Yin,” or even more honestly, “Noble Consort Yin actively brought up this topic with Crown Prince Li Chengjian”?

“Indeed. The court’s war with the Tuyuhun has reached a stalemate, and His Majesty is considering exchanging a peace marriage for foreign military aid. The Crown Prince mentioned that currently two foreign states are seeking marriage alliances, and there is urgency to select a princess for foreign marriage. One is Tibet, a state south of Tuyuhun, where high mountains and steep ridges are covered in snow year-round, and the heavy miasma easily causes death. The Tibetan ruler is a young hero who has conquered and destroyed numerous tribes in recent years. He is violent, crude, and unbridled. His Majesty’s thought is that they need to choose a physically strong and courageous woman to marry there, one who can survive and hopefully win over the Tibetan ruler.”

Li Yuangui grew increasingly alarmed as he listened. Behind the screen, Chai Yingluuo asked coldly:

“Whom did Noble Consort Yin recommend to the Crown Prince?”

“True Master, you misunderstand – it wasn’t Noble Consort Yin who made the recommendation. The Crown Prince heard at Lizheng Hall that Minister Wei’s eldest daughter knelt before the Emperor to volunteer herself for a peaceful marriage to a foreign state… Minister Wei is known for his integrity and scholarship, so his young daughter must surely be exceptional. Both the Crown Prince and Noble Consort Yin thought she would be suitable…”

Chai Yingluuo remained silent. Yin A’ta spoke cheerfully, no longer bothering to mention the Emperor Emeritus, and simply smiled as he said:

“His Majesty and the Empress have left Da’an Palace in the Crown Prince’s charge, and since the Crown Prince has approved, isn’t the matter settled? Noble Consort Yin said that Minister Wei’s daughter has been staying at the Zixu Temple, so she sent me to inform the True Master that after these busy days are over, please prepare the marriage affairs for Miss Wei. We mustn’t delay such an important matter.”

Li Yuangui gripped his sword hilt tightly, restraining the impulse to emerge and strike. Behind the screen, Chai Yingluuo made a vague sound of acknowledgment, then asked: “What about the other foreign state seeking marriage? Who do they want to marry there?”

“Oh, the second state, now that’s strange,” Yin A’ta laughed. “According to the Crown Prince, it’s a small country north of Tuyuhun, also far in the desert frontier, but its people are mostly Han Chinese! Those people speak Chinese and write Chinese characters, yet they refuse to submit to our Central Plains Emperor’s rule. Their self-proclaimed king has the surname Qu, and his ancestors were also Han Chinese. They even came to Chang’an to pay tribute a few years ago…”

“That would be Gaochang,” Chai Shao’s voice interrupted, “Those are the descendants of garrison troops sent by Emperor Wu of Han to open up the Western Regions for farming and defense. Later, when China fell into chaos, many more people from the Central Plains fled there and established their state. As descendants of Han and Wei, naturally, they speak Chinese and write Chinese characters.”

“Yes, yes, Third Prince Consort’s insight is remarkable, I’m not well-educated,” Yin A’ta laughed. “The Crown Prince said that since Gaochang is ruled by Han Chinese, and their current queen is Princess Huarong who was sent in a peace marriage during the previous Sui dynasty, they are fully aware of domestic affairs. If we agree to their king’s request for marriage to his crown prince and hope for Gaochang to send troops to help our army attack Tuyuhun together, we can’t simply send a fake princess for the peace marriage.”

“They want a real princess?” Chai Yingluuo asked in shock. “Which daughter of His Majesty?”

“The Crown Prince said that among His Majesty’s daughters, the older ones have already had marriages arranged and can’t break their engagements, while the younger ones are too young to wait. With no other option, he had to come to Da’an Palace to discuss with Noble Consort Yin about unmarried imperial princess sisters to see if any would be suitable. Noble Consort Yin counted and found that among those of marriageable age who aren’t yet engaged, there’s only Seventeenth Miss…”

When Li Yuangui heard this, his shoulders jerked, toppling the plain screen in front of him.

Amidst the ensuing chaos, he leaped over the fallen screen and charged straight at Yin A’ta who was seated in the upper position. His sword rang as he drew it from his waist, pressing the cold blade against Yin’s throat.

Yin A’ta was a ceremonial envoy sent from Da’an Palace, bearing imperial orders, and should have taken the main seat, but as he was only a vice supervisor of a detached palace, his status was far below that of Chai Shao, who was an imperial son-in-law, duke, and great general. The man showed some self-awareness and humbly declined to take the main seat, sitting instead in the western position, with Chai Shao and his daughter occupying the main seats to keep him company.

Fortunately, this was so, otherwise, when Li Yuangui toppled the screen behind the main seat, he would have crushed Yin A’ta beneath it.

Even now, Yin wasn’t much better off. Li Yuangui grabbed him by the collar and dragged him off the seat, pressing the gleaming blade against his throat, causing him to kick his legs and cry out “Spare me!” Li Yuangui hesitated slightly, and then his arms were grabbed on both sides, with several voices shouting: “Fourteenth Brother!” “Stop!”

The two pairs of hands holding him were both strong. Li Yuangui struggled but couldn’t move. From the right, a hand as large as a fan reached over and gripped his sword’s back, trying to force it away. Yang Xinzhi’s voice urged:

“Fourteenth Young Lord, don’t be rash, opposing an imperial envoy is an enormous crime…”

“Consider Chai’s position, Fourteenth Young Lord, sit down, and let’s talk this through.” This was his Third Brother-in-law Chai Shao’s voice, coming from the person holding him on the left. With these two strong men restraining him, Li Yuangui knew he couldn’t succeed and reluctantly released his sword, allowing Chai Shao to half-carry, and half-drag him to sit on the eastern couch.

Yang Xinzhi took Li Yuangui’s sword and carefully concealed it behind his elbow, standing to one side. Across from them, Yin A’ta was helped up by his attendants. The earlier dragging and collision had caused his inner lip to bleed, and after spitting “ptui ptui” twice, he smiled viciously at Li Yuangui:

“For Fourteenth Young Lord to kill me would be like stepping on an ant, but what use would it be? Can I make decisions about a peaceful marriage? I’m merely following the Crown Prince and Noble Consort’s orders to deliver a message to the True Master, why take your anger out on me?”

Having just recovered from his fright, he immediately showed his street ruffian nature, though his words carried some truth.

“The peace marriage isn’t your concern, but you’ll have to face the consequences of how appropriately you delivered the message,” Chai Yingluuo said coldly. “Envoy Yin came with imperial orders to mourn the County Princess of Linfen, bearing the status of an imperial messenger; but in relaying Noble Consort Yin’s message, you are merely a servant following orders. Prince of Wu’s rebuke of your discourtesy doesn’t count as opposing an imperial envoy.”

“Whether it’s opposing or not, I don’t understand such official talk,” Yin A’ta sneered. “Noble Consort Yin is of the mother’s generation to Fourteenth Young Lord, and has raised Seventeenth Miss – she has shown kindness to you siblings! Fourteenth Young Lord shouldn’t be ungrateful, wasting Noble Consort’s good intentions, and letting Beautiful Lady Zhang’s life be lost in vain…”

“You dog!” Li Yuangui flew into a rage, wanting only to go forward and kick him a few more times, but Chai Shao held him firmly on the couch. Chai Yingluuo’s willow-leaf eyebrows rose as she scolded: “A dog relying on its master’s power, treating a chicken feather as an imperial decree, coming to throw your weight around in my home! Don’t try this with me, I’m not afraid of your patron!”

“It’s not just Noble Consort Yin, I received orders directly from the Crown Prince!” Yin A’ta argued, stretching his neck. “True Master, if you defy these orders, the Eastern Palace won’t spare you either! Seventeenth Princess is to go to Gaochang for the peace marriage, but you’ve abducted her – that’s a capital crime! The Crown Prince and Noble Consort order you to return Seventeenth Miss to Da’an Hall within three days…”

Li Yuangui pushed against the couch, wanting to go beat him again, but Chai Shao was still holding him down. Then with a “pa!” sound, a whisk struck Yin A’ta’s face heavily.

It was Chai Yingluuo, dressed in Daoist robes, who had grown angry listening and thrown her whisk to strike him. As expected of a woman who often played polo, her aim and force were both excellent. At such close range, although Yin A’ta was on guard, he still took the hit with a cry of pain.

“Ying’er!”

Chai Shao couldn’t attend to both matters at once, and angrily rebuked his daughter, though watching Yin A’ta’s pathetic state as he covered his face and howled, the father’s scolding inadvertently carried a trace of amusement.

The room erupted into chaos – Yin A’ta cursing incessantly, Chai Yingluuo responding with cold laughter, the Da’an Palace attendants supporting their master, Yang Xinzhi offering calm persuasion, and Chai Shao calling people in to examine and bandage Yin A’ta’s injuries… Ironically, Li Yuangui, who was the most emotionally charged, couldn’t get a word in edgewise and could only sit cross-legged on the couch, breathing heavily, his mind in turmoil.

Yin A’ta hadn’t suffered any serious injury. After another round of trading insults with Chai Yingluuo, he stormed off with his attendants in a fury. Yang Xinzhi was somewhat worried, but the Chai father and daughter weren’t cautious, fearful people and didn’t think much of it. Chai Yingluuo just frowned and asked Li Yuangui:

“Fourteenth Uncle, didn’t the Crown Prince agree with you to have an uncle-nephew polo match in a few days to decide Seventeenth Aunt’s fate? Why has he gone back on his word?”

“How should I know!” Li Yuangui responded furiously. “For the heir apparent to break his word – isn’t he afraid of becoming a laughingstock throughout the realm?”

“Calm down and think carefully,” Chai Yingluuo reminded him. “Though the Crown Prince is young and willful, he’s not stupid. Who knows how that worthless Consort Yin incited him to believe her words… But the fact that they’re asking me to send Seventeenth Aunt back to Da’an Palace shows that the Crown Prince doesn’t plan to go to Lizheng Hall himself to demand her return, nor does he dare discuss this matter directly with the Empress… Perhaps there’s still room for maneuver?”

This statement enlightened Li Yuangui. He tried to suppress his anger and knocked his head to think clearly, but everything still seemed foggy.

His nostrils were still flaring with heavy breaths – how could he possibly think calmly about matters?

If that was the case, he might as well stop thinking.

“I’ll go to the Eastern Palace and seek an audience with the Crown Prince directly,” Li Yuangui stood up. “I’ll ask him face to face what he means, what exactly he intends to do with us siblings? If he wants to kill or dismember us, just say it outright – why resort to such underhanded bullying? And joining forces with that worthless Yin? Isn’t he afraid of sullying his reputation?”

The Chai father and daughter exchanged glances with Yang Xinzhi, all momentarily silent. Chai Yingluuo pondered:

“That is one approach. Asking directly is better than all this behind-the-scenes manipulation and message-passing, and fewer people will be implicated. What does Father think?”

Chai Shao sighed: “This could work, but Fourteenth Brother, with your current temper, I’m afraid you won’t exchange two sentences with the Crown Prince before an argument breaks out. Why not rest for the night and go to the Eastern Palace tomorrow?”

“No, we can’t waste time,” Li Yuangui shook his head. “Once Yin A’ta returns to Da’an Palace and reports today’s events to the Yin woman, who knows what new schemes they’ll cook up? I’m leaving now – Third Brother-in-law, could I borrow a good horse from your estate?”

“Make it two,” Chai Yingluuo made the decision. “Yang the Great will go with you to keep you in check – Fourteenth Uncle, give your scabbard to Yang. If you get angry again and threaten the Crown Prince with your sword, it will cause a major incident!”

Yang Xinzhi nodded and extended his open hand to Li Yuangui. Li Yuangui gave a bitter smile and handed over the scabbard from his waist. He felt he didn’t dare to draw his sword against the Crown Prince, but in the current situation, if pushed too far, anything could happen.

“That’s better. Let the wind clear your head on the way, don’t let your temper get the better of you,” the female Daoist sighed. “I’ll send someone to check on A’fen at Zixu Temple and comfort her. She’s also one to get stuck on things and be stubborn about principles, poor child – let’s hope she doesn’t cause any trouble…”

Li Yuangui was ready to leave but turned back at these words, opening his mouth wanting to say something for Chai Yingluuo to relay to Wei Shubin, but couldn’t get any words out.

If the young lady of the Wei family were to be named princess and sent to Tibet in a peaceful marriage, that would be ten times more tragic than his sister being married to Gaochang.

With a bitter feeling in his heart, Li Yuangui turned and left, bringing Yang Xinzhi along as they mounted the fine horses brought by Chai household servants, galloping out of Guangde Ward and heading east.

The day was growing late, and they had to reach the Eastern Palace before the night curfew.

[Notes:

1. This Vol 2 – Chapter mentions the name “A’ta,” which brings up the thriving Tang Dynasty industry of “raising otters to catch fish.” While otters are now endangered, they were common in the Tang Dynasty. Two literary works, “Notes from Court and Countryside” and “Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang,” detailed otter-fishing practices in Tongchuan and Yunxiang regions. When Chancellor Lou Shide taught people to lie, his first example was “the fish was killed by an otter,” and the craftsman-official Wang Ju even made wooden otters for catching fish.

The Northwest climate wasn’t as arid during the Sui and Tang dynasties, with many water bodies, so using “otter” as a childhood name wasn’t limited to people from the southern water regions. For example, Yuwen Tai, a famous leader of the Guanlong group, had the childhood name “Black Otter.”

2. Tibet was an ancient kingdom in what is now the Tibet region and the young heroic king mentioned here seeking a peaceful marriage with Tang is the famous Songtsen Gampo. The ancient kingdom of Gaochang was located in present-day Turpan, Xinjiang, and many ruins of the Gaochang royal city remain today – I’d love to visit…]

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