“What is it?” The Emperor’s tone was somewhat impatient, but having just said “It’s better to speak one’s mind plainly,” he could hardly immediately prevent someone from “speaking directly,” so he had to furrow his brow and listen.
“Your servant’s father, Minister Wei, deeply follows the way of ancient sages, practicing diligence and frugality, never daring to indulge in extravagance…”
Wei Shubin knelt on the carpet and spoke steadily, first describing her family’s modest daily life and how difficult it had been for her parents to save several tens of thousands of silk for their children’s marriages. She then spoke of the suspicious circumstances of the sudden fire at their northern Wei River estate last month that burned down the storehouse of grain and silk. Growing indignant, she forgot her fear and straightened her back to look directly at the Son of Heaven, indeed seeing the Emperor unable to suppress a smile as he stroked his mustache and turned his face away to hide his amusement.
This was essentially admitting he had ordered someone to burn down her family’s storehouse… Wei Shubin was so angry her teeth itched, silently reciting “If the Zhenguan legal code specified no punishment for attempting to stab or kill the Emperor I would do it right now,” momentarily forgetting that even if she did try, how could a frail young girl possibly overcome a battle-hardened Emperor?
From the burned storehouse she moved to selling daughters for betrothal gifts, then to how the Emperor had personally promised her father “When the truth of Lady Linfen’s case is discovered, I will grant you thirty thousand bolts of silk for the betrothal.” The Emperor didn’t deny this point, but summarized with surprise:
“After all you’ve said, you mean that you, this young lady, will investigate the case of Yiniang in your father’s stead, and when it’s solved, I should reward you with thirty thousand bolts of silk?”
“The thirty thousand bolts reward was what Your Majesty promised my father. Your Majesty’s golden words surely cannot be retracted,” Wei Shubin responded. “When our estate’s storehouse, unfortunately, burned down, causing heavy losses, the Holy Sovereign’s benevolence was as vast as the sea, graciously granting compensation of twenty thousand bolts, for which my entire household is deeply grateful.”
Thirty thousand plus twenty thousand – fifty thousand bolts of silk would be exactly enough to repay Kang Sumi and redeem Li Yuanzhui’s freedom. Wei Shubin felt her calculations were precise and justified, and knelt upright staring at the Emperor waiting for his response. However, she saw the Great Tang Emperor shake his head and laugh for a while, then compose himself and reply seriously:
“No wonder people say Wei Xuancheng’s eldest daughter has some mental illness, speaking incoherently and acting mad. When I first saw you, young lady, you seemed fine, but speaking at length, you truly are absurd and unreasonable, actually daring to speak such presumptuous words to me! And investigate Lady Linfen’s case? You, a minister’s sheltered daughter, instead of staying home serving your parents and studying propriety, what case could you investigate? If I were to assign you such a task, I would be the mad one, worthy of mockery by scholars throughout the realm and in future history books!”
This response wasn’t unexpected, but Wei Shubin still felt anxious hearing it and blurted out:
“Regarding Lady Linfen’s case, your servant has already understood eight or nine parts out of ten. I only await Your Majesty’s permission to question one final person, and then the truth will be fully revealed!”
“Oh? Is that so?” The Emperor raised an eyebrow. “Who is this final person to question?”
“Question—”
Wei Shubin suddenly choked, tongue-tied, and momentarily speechless.
What she had just reported was planned before coming to Yong’an Palace. At that time, she still believed Princess Hailing’s wife Lady Yang was carrying Crown Prince Chengqian’s child, and had poisoned Li Wanxi who had discovered her condition to conceal her scandal. Thinking back, the circumstances of that night seemed to support this conclusion. But now Yang Buyao’s private affairs had been exposed first – her lover wasn’t Li Chengqian, but rather the Emperor Li Shimin before her.
Thinking more carefully, the identity of the father of Yang Buyao’s unborn child didn’t affect her motive for murder – she was still the most likely true suspect in Lady Linfen’s case. But to speak this judgment directly to her actual lover seemed… like walking straight into a trap.
“Who do you want to question?” The Emperor asked impatiently again. Wei Shubin’s mind was in chaos, and in her urgency, she first tried to stall:
“Your servant and her friends have risked life and death many times investigating Lady Linfen’s case, enduring much hardship before gradually approaching the truth. Without Your Majesty first agreeing to the appointment and reward, your servant absolutely cannot easily reveal…”
“Impudent!” The Emperor grew angry. “Do you think this is a marketplace transaction where you can bargain? Has your father not taught you the proper protocols for imperial audiences? I was merely considering your father’s reputation, not wanting to quibble with a mere woman, fearing it would shame a loyal minister and please petty men! Even ignorance should have its limits – give me a clear answer!”
The sovereign’s anger carried an incomparable authority. Wei Shubin shrank back, at a loss for options, and could only forcibly reply:
“On the night Lady Linfen hanged herself, Princess… Princess Hailing’s wife was nearby, and everything was clear. We have already found proof that Lady Yang is deeply involved with this case. If only commanded to question her…”
Her voice grew increasingly quiet as she saw the Emperor’s expression change, becoming increasingly ominous – first startled by the words “Princess Hailing’s wife,” then furrowing his brow in anger with traces of embarrassment, and finally settling into a stern, immobile expression frosted with severity, his countenance revealing neither joy nor anger.
This was very bad.
While chatting at Purple Void Temple, Wei Shubin heard Chai Yingpo describe her imperial uncle’s temperament:
“…Since childhood, he’s been a noble young master – to put it nicely, he has a heroic nature and chivalrous heart; to put it plainly, he’s temperamental and can’t contain himself, easily flying into rage. Those who have been around him long enough are used to it and don’t fear his anger, as it comes quickly and goes quickly – after all, his mind is clear and he’s reasonable. What we fear most is when he doesn’t get angry, but coldly and calmly looks you up and down until your scalp tingles and your limbs go weak, like a deer caught in a tiger’s gaze, knowing in your heart there’s no possible escape…”
At this moment, Wei Shubin was being calmly examined by the Great Tang Emperor’s black eyes, and indeed she felt an icy terror and helplessness rising in her heart.
This was the General of the Army of Heaven’s Strategy who had faced thousands of troops since his youth, seen through enemy formations, commanded armies, and ruled the eight directions. Those great enemies he had sized up this way – Xue Renguo, Song Jingang, Liu Wuzhou, Dou Jiande, Wang Shichong, Khagan Ashina Duobi, and others – had all been defeated on the battlefield, their countries destroyed and their lives ended, unifying the realm, benefiting countless people. What virtue or ability did she, a lonely weak girl, possess to warrant such scrutiny from the Emperor…
The Emperor closed his eyes and sighed heavenward, seeming to feel he was making too much of a small matter, and forcibly suppressed his temper, only calling: “Someone come.”
From outside the tent came a response, and several eunuch guards entered. The Emperor ordered:
“Take this Wei girl back to her home in Yongxing Ward, and hand her over to her father Wei Zheng for strict supervision. If she shows any mad behavior or speech along the way, deal with it as you see fit.”
“No—”
Wei Shubin screamed. The guards moved to drag her away, but she refused to comply quietly. As she struggled and kicked frantically, suddenly a black shadow darted in through the tent entrance, shouting: “Stop!”
A pair of strong arms pushed away the guards and half-embraced Wei Shubin, pulling her back. Minister Wei’s eldest daughter was already half-fainting from her struggling and crying, the world spinning around her, when suddenly she heard that voice she longed for day and night sound beside her ear:
“If Your Majesty wants to make things difficult for her, kill Yuanzhui first!”