“You don’t know,” the Empress sighed. “Sun Zhenren was originally practicing medicine in the Hu County and Zhouzhi area, having prepared medicines and taken on apprentices to eradicate the spring and summer epidemic ravaging that region. In spring, because of Emperor Emeritus’s critical condition, I had Yaoli forcefully invite her master to Daan Palace, which had already delayed things considerably—I heard several dozen people died in those counties. After finishing at Daan Palace, Sun Zhenren had planned to return to continue fighting the epidemic but was brought to Lizheng Hall because of me. Ah, who knows how many more lives will be lost now? I’m just a woman, of no benefit to the times—how can I commit such an inhumane evil? After hearing Sun Zhenren’s explanation, I took it upon myself to release him from the palace to return to Nanshan. When His Majesty returned, he was very displeased, but eventually ordered Yaoli to replace her master in attending to me during mourning, fearing something might happen to me. Though it’s His Majesty’s kind intention, and Yaoli is willing, she’s still a young maiden. These days she’s been constantly busy with various tasks, and now, as you see, another has collapsed from exhaustion…”
So Chai Yaoli was observing mourning by imperial decree, mainly to attend to the Empress’s health nearby… Li Yuangui glanced at the Empress’s face, not daring to look long, but understanding the Emperor and Crown Prince’s concerns. The Empress’s complexion was indeed poor, with palace maids constantly supporting her, and she still appeared weak even after sitting down on the bed.
The Seventeenth Princess supported the Empress’s other arm, sitting silently on the edge of the bed with a worried expression as she watched her Second Sister-in-law, clearly concerned about her health. Seeing this, Li Yuangui felt reassured—the Empress treated his Seventeenth Sister kindly, which was why the young girl showed such a reaction.
Empress Zhangsun spoke with Li Yuangui for a while longer, mainly telling him to be careful on his journey to Gaochang and to protect himself while conducting affairs in that vassal state. After that day’s court discussion, the authorities officially issued a decree appointing the Prince of Wu Yuangui as envoy to Gaochang. Because the Emperor Emeritus’s mourning period hadn’t ended, it was inappropriate to mention marriage, so it only vaguely mentioned “going to present betrothal gifts,” glossing over terms like “taking leave to marry.” The departure date hadn’t been set yet, but Li Yuangui estimated it would have to be after the seventh seven-day mourning period.
“You needn’t worry about family matters anymore,” the Empress comforted her brother-in-law. “The site for the Emperor Emeritus’s Xian Mausoleum has been chosen and construction has begun. Arrangements have been made for Empress Dowager Mu and the various consorts to be buried alongside him. Your mother has been temporarily interred at Wangsheng Temple, hasn’t she? Now she’ll have a final resting place, naturally being buried with the Emperor Emeritus in the Xian Mausoleum, with all ceremonies conducted generously and honorably.”
Their mother’s burial was indeed a major concern for the siblings. The Empress’s arrangements were very satisfactory, and both brother and sister kowtowed in gratitude. The Empress had palace maids help them up, and said with a smile, “You siblings talk among yourselves, I’ll go rest for a while,” and rose to leave.
“Your Highness, please wait,” Li Yuangui remained kneeling, “I have one more request for your grace.”
“What is it?” the Empress asked, surprised.
“My sister will soon turn thirteen, and now with both parents gone and me departing beyond the frontier, leaving her alone in the capital makes me deeply anxious. I humbly request Your Highness to promise me face to face that you will choose a husband for the Seventeenth Princess.”
“Oh, this matter—Chengqian did mention it to me,” Empress Zhangsun smiled, stopping but not sitting back down. “Chengqian said you hadn’t decided whom to betroth your Seventeenth Sister to. Have you made up your mind now?”
Li Yuangui glanced at his sister; the young girl’s cheeks flushed red as she turned away, unable to look at her brother and sister-in-law, but showed no signs of rejection.
This was good. Li Yuangui took a deep breath: “I request Your Highness’s gracious permission to, after the mourning period ends, arrange for my Seventeenth Sister to marry… Minister Pei, heir of the Duke of Hedong and former Minister of Works.”
This choice of brother-in-law suddenly popped into his mind just after recognizing his Sixth Sister-in-law, Princess of Zhao. Thinking it through carefully, although Minister Pei was somewhat older and had children from his first wife, he had weathered great storms, was gentle and steady yet capable, and would be very suitable to care for a young girl who had suffered much hardship.
The Pei family had already been pushed out of the core of court politics, with no signs of revival or prosperity in sight. If his Seventeenth Sister married Minister Pei, bearing the titles of Princess and Prince Consort, whether the couple stayed in the capital or returned to their native Hedong, wouldn’t it be good for them to live peacefully as a wealthy couple for the rest of their lives, having children and enjoying family happiness? If he could arrange such a future for his sister, he, Li Yuangui, could face his mother in the underworld without shame.
Empress Zhangsun thought for a moment and sighed: “Very well. I like your Sixth Sister-in-law’s quiet demeanor, and I imagine her brother must be similar. The Emperor Emeritus particularly favored Minister Pei while alive, and adding kinship to kinship, becoming double in-laws—both elders’ spirits in heaven must be pleased…”
Speaking thus, the Empress also turned to look at the Seventeenth Princess, and seeing the young girl still turned away without response, she smiled at Li Yuangui: “I’ll note this matter. I’ll have the Clan Court officials investigate, and if there are no taboos, we’ll settle it thus. You can go earn merit with peace of mind.”
Li Yuangui felt as if a great stone had been lifted from his heart, and again performed a grand bow to thank the Empress. After they spoke a few more words, with the Seventeenth Princess still too shy to respond, the Empress smiled and left, leaving the siblings to talk privately.
The Seventeenth Princess leaned against the seat where the Empress had sat, head lowered in silence. Li Yuangui went over and sat opposite her, speaking softly about Minister Pei’s household situation and character, asking his sister “If you’re not willing, if you have someone else in mind, I can petition the Empress to change to someone else.” The young girl just shook her head, finally bursting out with “I’ll listen to Brother,” her face burning red.
So she was willing… Just as Li Yuangui felt relieved, he saw his sister begin to cry, asking between sobs: “Will Brother never look after me again? You’re going thousands of li away to become a foreign prince consort… Will you never return to this life?”
Not knowing who had told her such things, Li Yuangui smiled bitterly and explained his plans to his sister once more, promising “I’ll return within five years at most.” After much consoling, the young girl finally stopped crying and sighed: “Five years is so long… Poor Sister Wei, who knows if she’ll still be alive then…”
“Sister Wei?” Li Yuangui’s ears rang, and he quickly asked: “You mean Imperial Advisor Wei’s eldest daughter? What happened to her?”
“Brother, you don’t know?” his sister looked at him in surprise. “I thought you agreed to marry that foreign princess because Miss Wei married General Cheng, and you were heartbroken…”
“Married… she… she… she married Cheng Yaojin?” Li Yuangui cried out.
“You didn’t know? I heard from Sister Yaoli and Sixth Sister-in-law that Miss Wei agreed to marry General Cheng as his second wife, they’re already betrothed, and everyone at court knows Minister Wei’s young lady is now Madam Cheng. Sister Shubin traded herself to get Minister Wei and General Cheng to persuade His Majesty to forgive you, to let you out of prison to earn merit and atone for your crimes…”
Li Yuangui didn’t hear the rest. He sprang up from his seat and ran out of the hall like a madman, charging out from under the vast, curving corridors of Taiji Hall beneath the overcast sky, heading west with only one thought—to find Cheng Yaojin… and fight to the death.